The T’au just got a new poster duo for Mont’ka. And yes, the Ethereals are doing damage control.
However, it is hard to argue with results on the tabletop. So meet Ri’Lantar and Ri’Locai, better known as the Twin Lance. Consequently, close range enemy melting is now a job description.
From Farsight’s Shadow to the New Face of the Killing Blow
Mont’ka is the Killing Blow doctrine, and Farsight was its famous master. Then he went renegade, and the PR headache never really went away. Therefore, the Empire went shopping for a clean replacement to inspire Fire Warriors. After heavy vetting, they picked the Twin Lance as the new exemplars.
Interestingly, these two were not always pure aggression. However, a nasty incident with a Genestealer Patriarch rewired their outlook. Since then, they have chased point blank eradication at every chance. And unlike their disgraced predecessor, they do not need a magic sword. Instead, they just keep shooting, which feels very T’au.
A Battlesuit Built for Fighting Up Close
In the Warhammer Community write-up, the Earth Caste has built a battlesuit sized pulse pistol for close quarters. So while everyone else is trading swings, the Twin Lance are calmly placing shots. Additionally, they are so used to the press of melee that aiming is second nature. As a result, they turn close combat into a shooting problem, whether the target is a horde or an elite unit.
They are Vehicles, too, which matters. Therefore, Big Guns Never Tire keeps them blazing even while engaged. Meanwhile, Neocapacitor Shields store and release kinetic energy to blunt charges. So you want to be the one charging, because shaving inches off an enemy attempt is huge.
If they end up out of position, they are not stuck. Instead, Retro thrusters let them scoot away, and it can trigger in both players’ Fight phases. Consequently, they can disengage often and reset for another Killing Blow.
Summary
Overall, the Twin Lance read like Mont’ka made flesh, steel, and pulse fire. However, they do it without the Farsight baggage, which is the whole point. So expect a close range bully piece that keeps guns online and punishes anyone who piles in carelessly. And since more character datasheets are teased for later this week, this feels like the opening volley, not the finale.
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