[Col.Gravis]

Just playing around with my options with a view to collecting a Tau Tourny force in the next couple of months, any comments, suggestions and constructive critisms most welcome

(Edited because I made a silly mistake lol)

HQ

Shas'el inc. TW Fusion Blasters, Missile Pod, Hard Wired Target Lock, Hard Wired Multi Tracker
@90pts

Elites

2x XV8 inc. Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-Tracker
@124pts

2x XV8 inc. Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-Tracker
@124pts

3x XV25
@90pts

Troops

6x Firewarriors
@60pts

6x Firewarriors
@60pts

6x Firewarriors
@60pts

6x Firewarriors
@60pts

12xFirewarriors
@120pts
Devilfish inc. Decoy Launchers, Disruption Pod
@90pts

Fast Attack

Piranha inc. Fusion Blaster
@65pts

Piranha inc. Fusion Blaster
@65pts

Vespid Sting Wings inc. Strain Leader, 5 Stingwings
@102pts

Heavy Support

Hammerhead Gunship inc. Railgun, Decoy Launchers, Blacksun Filter, Burst Cannons
160pts

Hammerhead Gunship inc. Railgun, Decoy Launchers, Blacksun Filter, Burst Cannons
160pts

XV88
@70pts

1500Pts Total

[Olannon]

Hey Gravis, I remember you from Warseer (praetorian?).

Welcome to TauOnline, first of all. Now, let us have a look at your list:

First, you need to define what kind of list you want to play. From your list here, I believe you're aiming for a hybrid type, with 70-80% being mech elements (rough calculation). A hybrid list with mostly mech elements would like a small firebase (XV88) and most of the army mobile / ultramobile (piranhas).

Looking at your HQ + Elites. What have you got here?

• Anti armour (shas'el)
• Anti light infantry/vehicles (XV25)
• The ever-so useful Fireknives (anti medium/heavy infantry, medium vehicles)

Your list:

Shas'el inc. TW Fusion Blasters, Missile Pod, Hard Wired Target Lock, Hard Wired Multi Tracker
@90pts

Elites

2x XV8 inc. Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-Tracker
@124pts

2x XV8 inc. Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-Tracker
@124pts

3x XV25
@90pts

My suggestion:

HQ:
Shas'el, missile pod, plasma rifle, positional relay, HW multi-tracker = 102
this character will operate independently at around 18-24", untargetable due to IC status (keep a fish/head in front of him). He will act as a 'super-fireknife' with more BS.

Elite 1: 3x Fireknives[XV8 with plasma, missile, MT] (by the way, your calculations were a couple of points off)= 189
same as you, only 1 group with 1 less member

Elite 2: XV8; TL fusion Blasters, Targeting array= 53
with the Positional Relay on your shas'el, this suit will pose a dire threat to vehicles..

Elite 3: [insert number] XV25.
you have a squad of 3, I suggest either one squad of 4 stealths, or one squad of 3 stealths + 5 drones

Provided you take 3 XV25, the price increase is only +2 pts in total (your: 432, mine: 434)

Your battlesuits have the same ability, but the roles are changed a little. Consider the options

Now, on to the boring part troops...

Your list:

6x Firewarriors
@60pts

6x Firewarriors
@60pts

6x Firewarriors
@60pts

6x Firewarriors
@60pts

12xFirewarriors
@120pts
Devilfish inc. Decoy Launchers, Disruption Pod
@90pts

My suggestion:

Troops:

8 Fire Warriors- 80

8 Fire Warriors- 80

12 Fire Warriors, devilfish with: decoys, multi-tracker- 215

basically the same as you, except I dropped a few to include more stealths; a nice anti-infantry unit (buy them some drones). The points difference (you :: mine) = 450 :: 375, which gives you +75 pts to spend

Fast attack, looks good, but I might drop a piranha in favour of a 2nd XV88. The Deepstriking crisis suit will provide a nice fusion shot, and +15 pts (compared to a piranha) for a semi-mobile S10 shot is awesome!

Heavy: Good, but don't forget to include the Multi-tracker! It's all about keeping that skimmer fast moving! I'd drop both the Blacksun Filter and Decoys too...

So, my suggestion to your revised list

Battlesuits:
Shas'el XV8; Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Hard-Wired Multi-Tracker, Positional Relay- 102pts
3x Shas'ui XV8; Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-Tracker- 189
1x Shas'ui XV8; Twin-Linked Fusion Blaster, Targeting Array- 53
3x Shas'ui XV25, all with drone controllers, total of 5 gun drones- 140
2x Shas'ui XV88, advanced stabilisation system; leader with Hard-Wired drone controller and 2 shield drones- 190

Battlesuits total: 674

Troops:
8 Fire Warriors- 80
8 Fire Warriors- 80
12 Fire Warriors, Devilfish with Decoy Launchers, Multi-Tracker- 215

Troops total: 375

Fast Attack:
5 Vespid including Stingwing- 86
1 Piranha, Fusion blaster- 65

Fast Attack total: 161

Gunships:
2x Hammerhead, Railguns, Burst Cannons, Multi-Tracker, Decoy Launcher- 330

Gunships total: 330

Army total: 1540

A little off, drop whatever you'd like [I'd advice a fireknife or switch a railgun for ion cannon]

Just my thoughts on the matter, consider them and revise your list. I will look back into this thread when you've posted again Also, make sure you check out the important stickies: here
You will find tons of helpful tips in there, good hunting

Be sure to add my msn if you'd like to further discuss Tau army lists etc:
Olannon_88@hotmail.com

Ko'vash Tau'va

~Olannon

[Rechar]

HQ - Obviously a Tank hunting Shas'El. However rather than a twin-linked fusion and missile pod, i would suggest a fusion blaster, missile pod, Targetting array and Hard-wired Multi-Tracker. You then get the advantage of a boost not only to your fusion blaster, but you're missile pod aswell, making them both more likely to hit.

Elites - Can't go wrong with Fireknifes, however two groups might be stretching your force alittle too much. I'd be more inclined to take a squad of two deathrains that can operate from range to full effect along side two fireknifes.

Stealths are best in large numbers, go for 6...kill alot. They are some of the best units in the entire game and can decimate horde armies on their own.

Troops - Basic is good, splitting is even better. Really going to force your opponent to waste shots. Devilfish'd team for rapid deployment is fine.

Fast Attack - I'm not a fan of the Pirahna. Stealths can pump out alot more AI, Crisissuits/Tanks can do the Tank hunting. Yes they have speed, but thats about it. Personally i would switch them for gun drone squads.

Vespids i like the look of, even though i havn't tried them. Will make good mop up units for taking down that last Lascannon with a couple of team members.

Heavy Support - You've already got Ant-tank with one broadside, and your Shas'El. To me two Railheads seems excessive. Much better (and cheaper) to take an Ionhead that will help to beef up your medium infantry killing power.

[Enlightment]

Maybe you could find the points to take some shas'Ui with markerlights in your firewarrior squads. Will increase your shooting capability by far!