Gyrocopters and Steam Tanks in Combat

[lordgoober]

Ok.  I play Dwarves and we have local guys who play Empire and it's generally understood that if a Steam Tank loses in a round of combat, it is destroyed outright as it technically is considered a piece of artillery due to it being a machine and as such is destroyed when loses in a melee combat.  Is the same true for Dwarf Gyrocopters or are we playing it wrong for both units?

[azrael71]

I think you are playing it wrong.
These 2 units are machines NOT artillery.
They are NOT destroyed if they lose combat.

To quote the rulebook - 'Machines are more complex then artillery and some have their own rules for fighting in combat, as described later on.'

Hope this helps. 

[jchaos79]

I play/think as azrael does.

[Getlord]

Machines are not Artillery. I think you've been playing wrong.

[lordgoober]

Turns out we are completely wrong.  In the 2.2 armies book that's on the GW website in the Empire Army Selector in the ST rules it DOES state that if the ST loses a round of combat it's automatically destroyed. 

It seems that rules like that and the no brigading of it make it very hard to use if not worth taking period.

[Pugwash]

It seems that rules like that and the no brigading of it make it very hard to use if not worth taking period.

Agree .  The only time it seems worth it would be in a really big game, or if playing a scenario (perhaps).

[Carrington]

It seems that rules like that and the no brigading of it make it very hard to use if not worth taking period.

Agree .  The only time it seems worth it would be in a really big game, or if playing a scenario (perhaps).

It's a pity... it's a pretty cool figure, and it'd be tempting to use the Kislev war wagon rules for it.

[Lex]

It seems that rules like that and the no brigading of it make it very hard to use if not worth taking period.

Agree .  The only time it seems worth it would be in a really big game, or if playing a scenario (perhaps).

Actualy a properly supported steamtank is not that easily pushed back...... remember general doctrine is to keep some infantry with your panzers ......

Proper use for the steamtank is more or less as a "hinge" for your infantry lines, functioning like a mobile pill-box, so do NOT send it out on its own

[mspaetauf]

I also think the tank is pretty strong!

After all, this thing always counts as defended (so 5+ to hit) and has a save of 3+.

And it is just one base, so you can all but forget to attack it with infantry from the front (you get just one base to attack), and with cav. you need a strong unit and it's still an even match - remember: no bonus attacks for attacking in the open (it does not explicitly say so in the rules, but as this thing counts as defended, I would play it that way).

I think this thing is pretty evil.... playing Dwarfs, I'd definitely love to have one of those!

M

[captPiett]

Proper use for the steamtank is more or less as a "hinge" for your infantry lines, functioning like a mobile pill-box, so do NOT send it out on its own

No wonder mine never works 

remember: no bonus attacks for attacking in the open (it does not explicitly say so in the rules, but as this thing counts as defended, I would play it that way).

I can't remember whether we've played this way, although it makes total sense to me... Is there an official ruling on this Lex?