[smengel]

I haven't played much games yet with Tau, so I'd like to know what you think about this list.

Stuff beneath will explain some of the unit choices:
HQ- Light vihicle hunting (stopping rhinos and what not) he will be hiding behind stuff as much as possible.
elites- Killing high saves like termies, marines, other monsters etc.
troops- FW's will be camping in the warfish of the pathfinders (capping objectives behind enemy lines) If not objective game just camp on own ground. Kroot do kroot stuff...
fast- Pathfinders support with markerlights, piranha's will hunt down high armour vihicles.
heavy- Anty infantry big blast, or to shoot at high armour vihicles (in case piranhas fail big time)

I hope you get it :P

-=[ HQ ]=- 94pt

1+ commander ctau: shas’el
missile pod
missile pod
targeting array
hardwired multi-tracker
hardwired target lock

-=[ elite ]=- 250pt

xv8 ‘crisis’ battlesuit ctau: shas’uij (3)
team leader (2) shield drones
bonding knife
plasma rifle
plasma rifle
multi tracker

-=[ troop ]=- 151pt

1+ fire warrior team ctau: shas’laj (6)

Kroot (13)


-=[ fast attack ]=- 333pt

Pathfinder team ctau: shas’laj (4)
Devilfish, smart missile system, multi tracker, sensor spines, targeting array.

Piranha light skimmer
fusion blaster, sensor spines, targeting array.

Piranha light skimmer
fusion blaster, sensor spines, targeting array.

-=[ heavy support ]=- 170pt
Hammerhead gunship
Railgun, burst cannons, multi tracker, target lock, disruption pod

[jonnyp]

Good to see another Tau player on the forum. There are plenty of people here who will be more than willing to help out with any questions you might have. Ill run down you list and give pointers out as i can, and hopefully someone else will drop by and give out their own advice.

HQ:
This guy is usually going to be you jack of all trades suit. With a solid BS he will be hitting most of the time, so things like twin linked weapons wont be nessisary. A common and very good configuration for this guys is going to be. Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma rifle, targetting array, hard wired multi tracker, and hard wired drone controller with 2 shield drones. This config allows hit to tackle anything but heavy tanks effectivelly. However dont be afraid to mess aroud with other lay outs, as this one might not blend with how you play.

Elites:
I like what your trying to accoplish with these guys, however 2 plasma rifles cout as twin linked so you will only be getting the 1 or 2 shots with rerolls to hit. To up thier shot count you will have to give them a different second weapon. A fusion blaster works nicely, as it ignores all armor, and can be effective vs vehecles if you need it. So, how your guys should look now will be. Plasma rifle, Fusion blaster, Multi tracker, with the team leader having a hardwired drone controller with 2 shield drones.

Troops:
Lol'd at your bit about the kroot. However over all this is pretty solid. Fire warriors in a warfish is a typical and effective set up. The kroot however need more bodies. 13 kroot will evaporate pretty fast, try to run them in squads of 15 or more, and think about putting in some kroot hounds as thier I5 really helps in close combat.

Fast:
Path finders are always a solid bet. However with the piranahs consider dropping one. Its not cause its not useful, but more for points, which you can put into another hammerhead. Other than that looks pretty good.

Heavy:
Cant go wrong with that. Only thing i can suggest is consider another hammerhead with a railgun. These guys are beasts, and are effective agaisnt just about everything.

My 2 cents

[smengel]

Thanks for the advice, and about the twin-linked weapon stuff. Even though its stated in the codex I didn't read it to well I guess.


I'll change the points for the HQ and elites obviously.
about the HQ, I don't know if he really needs Twin-linked missile pods with a BS of 5 hitting on 2s... I'll have to figure out what to do with him, maybe some other extra weapon.

On the elites, I think a combo of plasma rifle and fusion blaster sounds good. But I think twin-linking them would be better as I'm going keep at a save distance.

I'll be adding more kroot and kroot hounds for sure. That will make them much more effective etc.
And I think dropping one piranha for an extra Hammerhead will be more effective asswel for anti-tank and anti-infantry.

I'll have to change the list somewhat and make the point total fit. But that will have to wait because I have to go now...
Any other comments are welcome ofcourse :]

Thanks again, cu

[jonnyp]

No problem, and dont worry about forgetting stuff in the codex every now and again as you are just starting out.

About the twin linking plasma, its still not a bad set up and will be generally just as effective, as you will statiicly hitting with more of your shots. However if you do so, istead of the multi tracker go with the targeting array so that they have BS4 and more of a chance to hit home. This is important as you will be wanting to hit with every plasma shot you have against marines as we can never have enough.

[smengel]

This is the final one. I had to get rid of some units/models, but I think it will improve the list.


-=[ HQ ]=- 78pt

1+ commander ctau: shas’el
twin-linked missile pod, targeting array


-=[ elite ]=- 175pt

xv8 ‘crisis’ battlesuit ctau: shas’uij (2)
team leader (2) shield drones
bonding knife
twin-linked plasma rifle
targeting array

-=[ troop ]=- 326pt

1+ fire warrior team ctau: shas’laj (6)
Devilfish, smart missile system, multi tracker, sensor spines, targeting array.

Kroot (15)
Kroot hounds (6)

-=[ fast attack ]=- 80pt

Piranha light skimmer
fusion blaster, sensor spines, targeting array.

-=[ heavy support ]=- 340pt

Hammerhead gunship
Railgun, burst cannons, multi tracker, target lock, disruption pod

Hammerhead gunship
Railgun, burst cannons, multi tracker, target lock, disruption pod

[BlackPowderChocobo]

Hello,

One thing I'd absolutely have to suggest for your army, but take out the Sensor Spines and put in Disruption Pods for your Devilfish and Piranha (particularly since you did for the Hammerheads). The meager points it cost for a 4+ cover save will be a godsend for your troops.

Also, given the fact you have a pair of Hammerheads, I'm a little leary of the lone Piranha. While I do see some value as Piranhas as a screening force, a single one armed as Tank hunter won't cut it. Personally, you can get a large team of Pathfinders for the cost (since you have a Devilfish anyway, that point is moot). While Pathfinders themselves are a bit iffy at this point cost, the Markerlight support they offer will be of value to you as well as be a magnet to draw your opponent in to take them out (make sure to use their Scout movement to get into some good cover for and viewing for the Markerlights). Alternatively, you can do make so called Heatrain team at the cost of the Piranha:
2x Shas'ui XV-8s w/ TL-Flamers, MP = 86 points. You'll have to drop a Kroot or Kroot Hound to afford that, but that'll give you another pair of Missiles for vehicles or flamers for hordes. It makes a decent deepstrike unit as usually it'll be within range of SOMETHING to shoot at regardless of where they land.

Take care with your troops and make that first turn of destroying vehicles count. You'll still have some problems with horde armies (Orks in particular may be a problem) but using the terrain to your advantage to funnel the enemy where you want your directed fire will be your key to victory.

Sincerely,
BPC