Hi guys. I just got a box of brand new Firewarriors, I didn't really have a critical need for them but I got them at a pretty good price ($22!) so I figured why not! I'm a big painting guy (I only play with fully painted models), and I already have 24 fully painted Firewarriors with pulse rifles. So I like the hobby aspect and I like to play for fun but I also like winning games when possible.

So my question to the ATT community is this- how should I paint/model my new box of Firewarriors?

Below are some of the ideas I'm considering...

1.) Modeling them with pulse carbines...why not?!
2.) Modeling them with pulse rifles but painting them my army's secondary and sept colors mostly (not the green camo colors the rest of my army is) and having them be Honor Guard for my Ethereal which I never use.
3.) Not doing anything with them until the new Tau Codex comes out (whenever that might be) and after reading the codex build them with a fit that seems right based on the new rules. This option is sort of tough for me, if I have models laying around I normally want to paint them, plus I really want to try out some of the new GW paints....ughhh!

Okay, so those are three options, but feel free to give me any suggestions!... If you had 24 Firewarriors with pulse rifles already what would you do with a third box?

Thanks! -Yazchar

Be ambitious! Go grab some green stuff, files, and plasticard and convert them to pathfinders with carbines!

Not a bad idea Darwater, I should maybe mention though that I already have plenty of Pathfinders!

Well curses. Perhaps you could make a few objective markers with 3 entrenched and banged up looking firewarriors (Maybe one that is heavily wounded) calling for reinforcements and trying to hold out against the enemy. You could make them more "objectivy" by adding in a small chunk of alien looking tech that they could be guarding for evacuation as soon as your allies get to the objective.

I'd go for carbines. Gives you flexibility in case you ever need it - yes, Rifles are the better option in a standard game; ever play Combat Patrol or Zone Mortalis or heck, even Apocalypse? There might be times when carbines are the better option!

Also, and GW being GW, they have a habit of making sucky choices much better in a new Codex to encourage existing players to buy new models... so if that happens with these guys you'll be ahead of the game!

You should just go all out and make them into Rail Rifle Pathfinders.

Make it into a modelling project and turn the warriors into a team with specialists and whatnot. You could have your medic, comms guy, sniper, combat mechanic/fio, scout, heavy weapons guy, squad leader, demotau etc. Just an idea (that I might actually do sometime come think of it...)

Hmmm, you're a hobbyist first, and you already have plenty of Firewarriors and Pathfinders, and don't know what to do with this new set. If you want to be particularly ambitious perhaps you could use them to make a diorama?

These are some great ideas guys! I'm still leaning toward carbines warriors but I have some time yet thanks to some other models to occupy my time. If anyone out there has some other strong suggestions keep 'em coming!

I would suggest making them elite carbine fire warriors as ethereal body guards.

Perhaps get some imperial guard figures and use both kits to make Gue'vesa? It's an interesting modelling challenge, but not too taxing on the greenstuff skills.

Gue'vesa. That's exactly what I plan on doing with my third box (although my second are primed to be carbines).

More good ideas! However! I also already have started a Gue'vesa project using the Havoc line from Effigy miniatures....so I only have one right now and I'll post her tomorrow when lighting is better. Again, my fault I just have made that clear!

ALSO! Gasp! Did you guys know that a Fire Warrior box only comes with 6 carbine arms! I can't believe I never noticed this but then again I've never made Fire Warriors with carbines before. So you're probably thinking I have 12 more Fire Warrior carbines from previous boxes, and you're right...but those are on the other side of the country at my folks house...so I can get them when I go there this summer but until then I'll have to wait sadly. 6 carbines!? Really!?



Macknight- I'm not sure I'd want to combine these two roles...I really think I would want my Ethereal staying as far away from the enemy as possible...I suppose carbines would mean that the honor guard could move and still shoot but I think my tactic would be to have them guarded with some kroot, stay far away and in cover and shoot. Do you use carbine FWs as honor guard Macknight?

I'm still undecided on what to do with these guys, but at this point I may be waiting until the fall...if we're lucky maybe there will be some news on the front of a new codex or maybe some 6th edition new rules for rapid fire weapons.

Thanks for all the input in the mean time guys!

I model my extra left over FW with carbines; in game I use a squad of 6-8 as EMP grenade anti tank unit. For the most part they act as honor guard in my army fluff.

Originally (when the kit was first designed) 6 carbines was the maximum you were allowed in a unit of 12.

Check out Zealot Miniatures Female Kadesh bodies and heads and add some lady tau to your force. It should give you enough leftover parts to do some tank crews, ejected pilots, Gue'vesa, Pathfinders (with a little conversion work), or forward support Fio. If you bought some shields from a bitz store, you'd potentially have enough parts to turn 12 FW models into 18.

The only logical thing to do is to make Gue'Vesa suicide EMP units. They're gonna die anyways, might as well make their deaths count. That or make attractive female Fire Warriors.

nice catch on the "kadesh" parts greenmtvvince. Ive wanted to add some female characters to my cadre for awhile now so I may end up buying a set of heads and bodies to try them out. The bodies might be a bit exaggerated for my tastes (especially the open middriff ones) but they are pretty well priced so I may get some anyway and make my mind up when I see them in person.

Thanks

I've got an order on the way and I'll post a review when I get them. To address the issue of the bare midrif I was going to make a greestuff cast on the normal armoured torso and just press it into place on the exposed torso.

I'll probably leave the shas'ui as is, though.

Those Kadesh are awesome. I'd like to see some photos when you guys who have bought them, build them.

I'd be tempted to use (some of) the bare midriff ones as civilians... some of the heads don't look very military as it is.