My main concern is, if there are so many rules flying about, which ones should I be listening to? I'll start off by listing all the sources of the rules I have (GW and other) and then guessing as to how I'll approach choosing. Please comment if thats correct or if you know of a better method.
BFG:
-Original PDFs and Army lists on GW site
-The extra PDF apparently missed out of GW's stuff (last page of Armada or something?)
-FW IA3 Tau Fleet pages
-FW Tau fleet list from Fanatic which allows me to actually use the FW Tau
-2010 PDFs sent to GW.
-Eldar MMS rules
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1. I'll read the original stuff (and to me that includes the Forge World supplement). These will serve as my backbone, they'll be the original set of rules with which I can compare the later stuff. Should I want to ignore everything after GW's involvement I can remain here.
2. I will then proceed to read the 2010 PDFs: the expansion of the original fleet lists. I'm still unclear as to whether they're expanding or rectifying or just downright adding. In any case, contradictions to the original rules at this point I will note down. When I've finished I'll compare them and decide whether overall the changes are within the spirit of the game or if too many liberties have been taken with the fluff/gameplay.
3. Finally, as its only a matter of balance affecting a single race, I will read the MMS rules from the fan magazine, as these are the rules that sound more like "house rules." If they also sound suitable then I'll adopt those too.
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Epic:
-Original material on GW site
-Epic UK List tournament acceptable rules
-FW IA3 Tau
1. Again, to serve as a foundation I'll want to read the original stuff. In Epic's case I won't regard the epic Tau section of the IA3 book as official. If I want to ignore everything not produced by GW I'll remain here, and if it turns out that I decide only on the races originally produced, then I will ignore anything subsequently read about Epic UK. E.g. I read everything you guys have given me and in the end choose eldar and my housemate IG, the rules cover them both in the original stuff.
2. I'll read the Epic UK accepted army lists
3. Read the Tau from IA3
The reason I'm doing it this way, is because to learn theory you need to start somewhere, and where better to start than on the material produced by the makers of the game. After that it involves reading fanmade material which may or may not conflict with rules I've already learned. I'll note the differences, and decide whether the changes are acceptable.
I am confident that I'll accept both the changes by EpicUK and the High Admiralty, but if I don't, I can always remain a narrowminded space marine and only follow the GW material.
Does this sound reasonable? Its the only way I can go about learning all these different rules without worrying about contradictions. To follow rules you need a supreme authority to lay them down and edit them. Games Workshop is no longer that, so I have to see what they've left behind and how others have taken it into their own hands since.
