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So... Here it is. I'm updating my 2500 point Tau TAC list, based on the findings of my tactica article based on the effectiveness/efficiency of crisis suit loadouts/upgrades. Biggest change here is taking BS4 team leaders... and the Bladestorm suits. Here it is.

The tactica article can be found here: http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/360480.page

To preface this, my FLGS allows 100% of Imperial Armor models/rules to be utilized, even their unpublished net rules. Hence the XV9's. Below this list is what I'll run in games outside of my FLGS, and when I can't run XV9's.
==HQ== [135]
Shas'El XV8 Commander "Blastpath" 135
Plasma Rifle, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Targeting Array, HW Multitracker, HW Drone Controller, BK
2x Shield Drones

==ELITE== [531]
Bladestorm La'Rua "Vaporize" 189
(1) Shas'Ui Team Leader
Plasma Rifle, Burst Cannon, Targeting Array, HW Multitracker
(2) Shas'Ui
Plasma Rifle, Burst Cannon, Multitracker

Fireknife La'Rua "Impact" 201
(1) Shas'Ui Team Leader
Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Targeting Array, HW Multitracker
(2) Shas'Ui
Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multitracker

Deathrain La'Rua "Detonation" 141
(3) Shas'Ui
Twinlinked Missile Pod, Flamer

==FAST ATTACK== [674]
Hazard Suit La'Rua "Warzone" 360
(3) XV9 Hazard Suit Shas'Vre
Phased Ion Gun, Shield Generator

Pathfinder La'Rua "Pinpoint" 157
(6) Shas'La Pathfinders
(1) Pathfinder Devilfish
Disruption Pod

Pathfinder La'Rua "Marksmen" 157
(6) Shas'La Pathfinders
(1) Pathfinder Devilfish
Disruption Pod

==TROOPS== [435]
Fire Warrior La'Rua "Boot" 60
(6) Shas'La Fire Warriors

Fire Warrior La'Rua "Camp" 60
(6) Shas'La Fire Warriors

Kroot Carnivore Squadron "Tar Pit" 105
(15) Kroot Carnivores

Kroot Carnivore Squadron "Ambush" 105
(15) Kroot Carnivores

Kroot Carnivore Squadron "Snare" 105
(15) Kroot Carnivores

==Heavy Support== [725]
XV88 Broadside La'Rua "Annihilate" 280
(1) XV88 Broadside Shas'Ui Team Leader
AdvSS, HW Drone Controller, Bonding Knife
(2) Shield Drones
(2) XV88 Broadside Shas'Ui
AdvSS

XV88 Broadside La'Rua "Eradicate" 280
(1) XV88 Broadside Shas'Ui Team Leader
AdvSS, HW Drone Controller, Bonding Knife
(2) Shield Drones
(2) XV88 Broadside Shas'Ui
AdvSS

Hammerhead Gunship "Shepard" 165
Rail Gun, Burst Cannons, Disruption Pod, Multitracker

====NO IA VERSION====
==HQ== [135]
Shas'El XV8 Commander "Blastpath" 135
Plasma Rifle, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Targeting Array, HW Multitracker, HW Drone Controller, BK
2x Shield Drones

==ELITE== [531]
Bladestorm La'Rua "Vaporize" 189
(1) Shas'Ui Team Leader
Plasma Rifle, Burst Cannon, Targeting Array, HW Multitracker
(2) Shas'Ui
Plasma Rifle, Burst Cannon, Multitracker

Fireknife La'Rua "Impact" 201
(1) Shas'Ui Team Leader
Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Targeting Array, HW Multitracker
(2) Shas'Ui
Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multitracker

Deathrain La'Rua "Detonation" 141
(3) Shas'Ui
Twinlinked Missile Pod, Flamer

==FAST ATTACK== [559]
Piranha Skimmer Squadron 245
(1) Piranha Light Skimmer
Fusion Blaster, Targeting Array, Flechette Discharger, Disruption Pod
(2) Piranha Light Skimmer
Fusion Blaster, Targeting Array, Flechette Discharger

Pathfinder La'Rua "Pinpoint" 157
(6) Shas'La Pathfinders
(1) Pathfinder Devilfish
Disruption Pod

Pathfinder La'Rua "Marksmen" 157
(6) Shas'La Pathfinders
(1) Pathfinder Devilfish
Disruption Pod

==TROOPS== [435]
Fire Warrior La'Rua "Boot" 60
(6) Shas'La Fire Warriors

Fire Warrior La'Rua "Camp" 60
(6) Shas'La Fire Warriors

Kroot Carnivore Squadron "Tar Pit" 105
(15) Kroot Carnivores

Kroot Carnivore Squadron "Ambush" 105
(15) Kroot Carnivores

Kroot Carnivore Squadron "Snare" 105
(15) Kroot Carnivores

==Heavy Support== [840]
XV88 Broadside La'Rua "Annihilate" 280
(1) XV88 Broadside Shas'Ui Team Leader
AdvSS, HW Drone Controller, Bonding Knife
(2) Shield Drones
(2) XV88 Broadside Shas'Ui
AdvSS

XV88 Broadside La'Rua "Eradicate" 280
(1) XV88 Broadside Shas'Ui Team Leader
AdvSS, HW Drone Controller, Bonding Knife
(2) Shield Drones
(2) XV88 Broadside Shas'Ui
AdvSS

XV88 Broadside La'Rua "Eradicate" 280
(1) XV88 Broadside Shas'Ui Team Leader
AdvSS, HW Drone Controller, Bonding Knife
(2) Shield Drones
(2) XV88 Broadside Shas'Ui
AdvSS

Well. There you have it. Both lists run about the same. I've actually thought about running the Piranha with burst cannons to fill the anti-horde void that the Hammerhead fills in the first lists version, and then fill in the extra points with Kroot. Unsure.

Anyhoo... any questions about suit loadouts/upgrades I took and why I took them, I really think you should check my the tactica article that I linked above (also in my signature). It's a WIP but its good stuff (i think).

Constructive criticism appretiated as always! Thanks.

I think it covers the best the Tau Empire has to win over the other heathens into the greater good
I see that you decided to take bladestorm over helios this time, better kill average for IG infantry?
The only thing I might be concerned about is CC, but then again you shouldnt have to worry about dealing with that if you keep your distance. and you do have 3 squads of Kroot. You dont think hounds might help them serve you better against fast enemies that are gonna try and rush your army?

Check out the tactica that I've been working on Darkcloud. Strangely enough, Bladestorm suits are nearly as good at killing terminators and marines as Helios suits are, and are actually BETTER at killing stormshield termies and light infantry. Weirded me out too, but Math Hammer doesn't lie. And since the Bladestorm has better range than the Helios... Helios is totally outclassed!

I could probably exchange some Carnivores for some hounds. Not a bad idea. I only have.. umm.. like 5 hounds built/painted. Thats probably why I did that like this.

Both lists looks good cottonjaw. According to your mathhammer charts, your suits are pretty much optimized.

The only thing I would change is fireknifes to bladestorms. I looked at your chart, and the bladestorms out-do them in all areas! (The fireknife would just have more ability against high-T/vehicles)

I'd like to see a batrep with this list!

I'm soooo on the fence about going full bladestorm! I just feel that the lone squad of deathrains might need help with transport parking lot armies. Not sure.

Do it for a game, see how it goes!

And post a batrep!

You have plenty of railgun (especially in the 2nd list) for mech.

The Bringer wrote:
The only thing I would change is fireknifes to bladestorms. I looked at your chart, and the bladestorms out-do them in all areas!

They don't outdo them from ranges of 12-48".

Very true, but at the ranges the missile pod can fire at, the plasma rifle isn't truly effective. So you may as well be in range for a burst cannon anyways.

I know that isn't a complete argument (and I could make strong cases for the opposite)...

There really are many factors, the fact is though, at maximum effectiveness, bladestorms eat fireknives.

i agree with dark essential, im not saying that Fire Knife are better, just that they could keep a greater distance on your enemy, out of charge and gun range with the missile pod

Actually.. they DO outdo Fireknives from 12+ just not from 18+

And that is a huge difference. @ 18", with a 6" hop straight back in the assault phase, you have put yourself 24" away, hopefully with some difficult terrain between you and the nastys charging at you. Only fleet of foot jump troopers that roll 6's for their run move are going to be able to catch you at that point, and thats not many.

Looks like the list I already run with one exception: the burst cannon plasma suits. What role are they serving? I was reading your article, but the numbers bogged me down.

PR + BC suits are more efficient (points comparative to killing power) and more effective (raw killing power) @ 18" and closer than Fireknives at killing GEQ, MEQ, TEQ and vs. powerful invul saves (Stormshields, for instance). Basically, they are an across the board BETTER suit than the fireknife.

The fireknife has versatility, however, in it's ability to fight light armor as well.

The article pretty much proves this up down left right and center.

Can you post up a recommended 1000pt starting tau list?