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But it's still easier to kitbash with plastic models, and the plastics ARE cheaper to produce & ship, so GW makes more money charging you the same price.

From Phazael of 40k forums:

I have seen the new codex. Here is what is in it that is new:

Sniper Drones- Fairly useful with the new marker light rules, but I still dont see giving up a heavy slot for these, but you might use them instead of Broadsides.
Vespids- They are basically T4 flying guardsman with I5 and a S5 AP3 attack. At 16 points a model, they are pretty much superior to most jump infantry out there.
New Markerlight Rules- Some are complex and networked markerlights are staggeringly powerful, but seeker missiles are now severely limited to two per vehicle.

Forge World Add ins:
Skyray- Carries 6 seekers and has two networked markerlights. My only problem with it is that it sucks up a heavy support choice, which I cant see giving to something like this, but its priced well for small point games.
Pirana- Pretty much the same as the forge world version, but with the limit of two seekers per and squad sizes of as many as five.
Devilfish- Like the Tallaran IA book, Devilfish can now replace their drones with Smart missle systems for 20 points, which when combined with the BS upgrade, give them 7 BS4 S5 shots a turn. This indirectly makes pathfinders not suck as bad.

Rules Tweaks-
Kroot- Kroot packs now occupy one troop slot no matter how many add ons the squad gets.
Pathfinders- These guys now get Rail rifles with the target lock option being free and no longer getting hot.
Broadsides- These now get slow and purposeful
Crisis Suits- These were made less expensive, but the commanders now have a plethora of more options which will more than gobble up those extra points, including a BS upgrade. Assault armies will learn to hate the ejection system with a passion.
Drones- These were heavily modified to make it so that you could red shirt them with any unit like in 3rd edition. There are also now four types of drones to choose from.
Etherials- These guys can now take dedicated fire warrior retinues and have access to more wargear options than before.

Special Characters-
The two old ones are unchanged
Female Commander- This bird wench basically has two fussion guns (fired individually) and a ton of suit options. She also has a special drone that lets her confer her leadership of 10 to any unit within 18" of her.
Popemobile guy- I didn't read this guy too closely, so no info on him.

Some of that sounds different from what I've been hearing from Brimstone and Inquisitor Engel on Warseer. For one, only Shield Drones are getting Close Protection, so they're the only ones who can redshirt effectively for battlesuits. Sniper Drone teams look useful, because you can get 9 drones in one heavy slot. Crisis Suits go down in cost, as well as most of thier weapons, though Plasma Rifles have gone up in cost. Broadsides won't get Slow and Purposeful for free, they'll have to fill thier one hardpoint with an Advanced Stabilization System to get it. And from what I've heard, Aun'shi is gone in the new codex.

can anyone tell me what the independant character rules are...i dont own teh rulebook.....

Just givem a body gaurd

The only thing bad about the CA Kroot list is the armour save. But a 3 wound shaper isnt bad also

indeed. there's a chapter approved kroot mercenary list, which lets you build an all kroot army, or you can use them in other armies, excluding space marines, tau, necrons, tyranids, and witch hunters, i believe (maybe daemonhunters, too)

http://uk.games-workshop.com/tau/kroot-list/

there ya go. PDF file of the list.