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So I have this tau army list I've been playing against the local players here, for 4 weeks now. Undefeated, which I find odd. I would like everyone's input on the list, and in the end I'll post my general tactics.
Of note: it contains and ethereal, which I assumed would just cause me to auto-lose, but instead he has yet to even take a wound. He has even killed a sanguinary guard in CC. Anyway, here is the list:

HQ -

Shas'el Crisis suit with: Plasma rifle, Fusion gun, Multi-tracker, Hard wired target lock, Drone controller and two shield drones
Bodyguard Crisis suit with: Plasma rifle, Fusion gun, targeting array, Hard wired multi-tracker, Drone controller and two shield drones

234 points

Ethereal with: Honor blade and Hard wired drone controller with two shield drones

90 points

Elite -

3 Crisis suits with: Plasma rifle, Missile pods, Multi-tracker, Team leader with hard wired drone controller and two shield drones

221 points

3 Crisis suits with: Plasma rifle, Missile pods, Multi-tracker, Team leader with hard wired drone controller and two shield drones

221 points

Troops -

9 Fire warriors

90 points

9 Fire warriors

90 points

20 Kroot with shaper and 6 kroot hounds

197 points

10 Kroot

70 points

Fast attack -

8 Pathfinders with devilfish and disruption pods

181

8 Pathfinders with devilfish and disruption pods

181

Heavy support -

3 Broadisdes with Advanced stabilizers, team leader and hard wired drone controller with two shield drones

275


1850 points exactly.

My general tactics involve placing the fire warriors in the devilfishes on first turn, deploying my ethereal with my kroot, beyond that standard deployment stratagems for everything else. Deep striking the crisis suits as needed.

Using the ethereals leadership re-roll, I keep my units from running and can re-roll even successful leadership checks in close combat allowing me to either try to stay in close combat, or try to run, so I may shoot them next turn.

I stick to using the missile pods to blow transports, while the broadsides deal with heavier tanks, with markerlight support helping these units mainly. The plasma guns remain very effective killing MEQ and TEQ units, and I never ignore them when trying to blow a vehicle. My kroot either become a speedbump and provide fire support and/or objective holder while I use the standard fish of fury trick with the fire warriors on valid targets.

That's pretty much it. I've fought hordes, vehicle spam and many other variations including fully assault kitted blood angels, and a list with 3 vindicators. Most games either end up with my forces losing 1-3 models, or most of them.

Congrats on the wins

if your looking for list advice her is my thoughts trim pathfinders to 6 drop fusion blast off HQ and trim kroot (starting W/shaper) for a FB piranha

on a side note have you faced a SW mech rush? or sanguinary priest blitz yet?

Why no honor guard?

Mathhammering it, the honor gaurd will inflict more wounds per point than standard fire-warriors.

Also, why the target-locks on your commander? Unless you join another unit they are completely useless (and even if they are joined with another unit, I'd still consider TLs useless.)

Beyond that, looks good

atlas_garon wrote:
on a side note have you faced a SW mech rush? or sanguinary priest blitz yet?

Yes in theory and yes. I have faced a full on CSM khorne list with bezerkers and rhinos galore, which is similar. The guy conceded at the end of my 2nd shooting phase.

The Bringer wrote:Why no honor guard?

Simply put I want my ethereal to be able to move around, having him stuck with a unit of FW is just bad.

The Bringer wrote:Also, why the target-locks on your commander? Unless you join another unit they are completely useless (and even if they are joined with another unit, I'd still consider TLs useless.)

The target lock is there if I need to split fusion blaster fire, which has happened.

As for trimming for a piranha, a unit I love to use, I know I would drop a few things to place one in, but as it stands everything is working just fine right now. I will bend it in the future to try to add a piranha though.

Target locks work like that only on tanks.

On models, it enables a figure to fire differently than another figure, but that figure must fire all weapons at the same target.

The target lock "...enables the model to target a separate enemy unit to that engaged by the rest of his own unit."

The Bringer wrote:Target locks work like that only on tanks.

What? No they allow a model with the upgrade to shoot a different unit than the rest of the unit. This even works with tanks, allowing guns to fire at different targets.

Example: I encounter 2 independent characters, that are separate and moving towards me. I declare that the my HQ unit is shooting one, while I declare the model with the target lock is shooting the other. Then I shoot as normal.

Crap. I did not see he had a bodyguard. Sorry bout that, ignore my comment XP

No worries, just wanted to make sure I was using the wargear right and that you were as well

I normally run another list with a shas'o commander with an airburster and target lock, and attach him to a battlesuit unit for extra protection. You should see the eldar pathfinders die.

An ethereal can work if your being shot at.
Honor guard is a must cause they own face. If tau players could bring them as troops they would love by more and more

As for your kroot they are illegal is 20 kroot max dude

Your broadsides should be split.
2 with 1 TL and 1 indy
This give you 3 individual shots.

I hate pathfinders and all they stand for.

I prefer to have allot of death rains over firestorms but eh.

Your playing the kind of list I used to play.
Very sd heavy
Allot of fancy upgrades and weapons
Now I just run 9 death rains
6-8 broadsidesU
3 piranhas
3 TL PR TA command team(if I want to hurt fnp teq

Holy hell I didn't even notice I couldn't have 30 kroot...

Well, here comes a fusion blaster piranha then! Thanks for catching that!

check this out
made it esspecially for you just for an idea



Tau Army List
ARMY NAME: Plasma Head Tau
Total points: 2497

created by: Eal'ta
author: Joe(yeti)

++++ [HQ] ++++

Points: 417
% of Army: 16.70

Unit cost: 123
XV8 Shas'el
--- [AFP, Burst cannon, Targeting array, Shield Drone, Shield Drone, HW Multi-tracker]

Unit cost: 294
XV8 Shas'el
--- [TL Fusion blaster, Plasma rifle, HW Multi-tracker, Shield Drone, Shield Drone, Bonding knife]
2x XV8 Shas'vre BG
--- [TL Fusion blaster, Plasma rifle, HW Multi-tracker, HW Target lock]

++++ [Elites] ++++

Points: 585
% of Army: 23.42

Unit cost: 195
3x XV8 Shas'ui
--- [TL Plasma rifle, Targeting array]

Unit cost: 195
3x XV8 Shas'ui
--- [TL Plasma rifle, Targeting array]

Unit cost: 195
3x XV8 Shas'ui
--- [TL Plasma rifle, Targeting array]

++++ [Troops] ++++

Points: 895
% of Army: 35.84

Unit cost: 145
6x Fire Warrior 'la
--- [Pulse carbine]
Devilfish
--- [Burst cannon, 2x Gun Drone, Disruption pod]

Unit cost: 180
6x Fire Warrior 'la
--- [Pulse carbine]
Devilfish
--- [Burst cannon, SMS, Disruption pod, Multi-tracker, Targeting array]

Unit cost: 210
9x Fire Warrior 'la
--- [Pulse carbine]
Devilfish
--- [Burst cannon, SMS, Disruption pod, Multi-tracker, Targeting array]

Unit cost: 180
6x Fire Warrior 'la
--- [Pulse carbine]
Devilfish
--- [Burst cannon, SMS, Disruption pod, Multi-tracker, Targeting array]

Unit cost: 180
6x Fire Warrior 'la
--- [Pulse carbine]
Devilfish
--- [Burst cannon, SMS, Disruption pod, Multi-tracker, Targeting array]

++++ [Fast Attack] ++++

Points: 200
% of Army: 8.009

Unit cost: 65
Piranha
--- [Fusion blaster, 2x Gun Drone]

Unit cost: 70
Piranha
--- [Fusion blaster, 2x Gun Drone, Disruption pod]

Unit cost: 65
Piranha
--- [Fusion blaster, 2x Gun Drone]

++++ [Heavy Support] ++++

Points: 400
% of Army: 16.01

Unit cost: 195
XV88 'ui TL
--- [TL Railgun, TL Plasma rifle, A.S.S., HW Target lock, Bonding knife]
XV88 'ui
--- [TL Railgun, TL Plasma rifle, A.S.S.]

Unit cost: 110
XV88 'ui TL
--- [TL Railgun, TL Plasma rifle, A.S.S., Shield Drone]

Unit cost: 95
XV88 'ui TL
--- [TL Railgun, TL Plasma rifle, A.S.S.]
-----------------------
Total model count: 58
-----------------------

I would give the Ethereal a bodyguard. Twelve points for BS 5 and Fearless is a pretty good investment.

Your Crisis Suits are a bit on the expensive side for my taste. Plasma + Missile is a heavy combo, but really lacks in shots. My suggestion is to slip some burst cannons into your Suits and drop the Fusions from your HQ; you want to be as far away from the enemy as possible.

I'd slip the Fusion Blaster and throw in a Burst Cannon for your HQ and give your Elites Burst + Missile Pod. While your elites might lack the Str 6 AP2 shot(s), you're always pumping out 5 shots of Str 5 or higher per suit. And your HQ is pumping out 4-5 with each suit. And I'd invest in some boning knives if your taking shield drones, because they inflate your squads to 5 which means their below 50% with Two Suits still in the squad.

I'd also try and squeeze in a Railgun Hammerhead to draw some fire from your Broadsides, might be tough to get it under 2K points though.

And props on taking pathfinders! They're worth every point their given.

Take Piranha's with a very large grain of salt. With their armaments given and that +4 cover save from moving flat out, it's not that spectacular. Especially if your playing assault heavy armies like Blood Angels; they'd just use the Piranha to sling-shot forwards an extra 8 Inches (for assaulting you in the first place!).

Interesting list doc brown, but it would need to be revised as such IMO:
There was simply too much plasma, and twin-linking BS 4 was not worth it to me.

Tau Army List
ARMY NAME: Plasma Head Tau (revised)
Total points: 2415

created by: Eal'ta
author: Joe(yeti)
Editor: Juraigamer

++++ [HQ] ++++


Unit cost: 161
XV8 Shas'o
--- [AFP, TL flamer, Stimulants, Iridium armor, Hard wired drone controller, Shield Drone, Shield Drone, bonding]

Unit cost: 286
XV8 Shas'el
--- [ Fusion blaster, Plasma rifle, HW Multi-tracker, Drone controller, Shield Drone, Shield Drone, Bonding knife]
2x XV8 Shas'vre BG
--- [ Fusion blaster, Plasma rifle, HW Multi-tracker, Targeting array]

++++ [Elites] ++++

Unit cost: 211
XV8 'ui TL
--- [Plasma rifle, Missile pod, Targeting array, HW drone controller, Shield drone, Shield drone, bonding]
2x XV8 Shas'ui
--- [Plasma rifle, Missile pod, Targeting array]

Unit cost: 211
XV8 'ui TL
--- [Plasma rifle, Missile pod, Targeting array, HW drone controller, Shield drone, Shield drone, bonding]
2x XV8 Shas'ui
--- [Plasma rifle, Missile pod, Targeting array]

Unit cost: 211
XV8 'ui TL
--- [Plasma rifle, Missile pod, Targeting array, HW drone controller, Shield drone, Shield drone, bonding]
2x XV8 Shas'ui
--- [Plasma rifle, Missile pod, Targeting array]

++++ [Troops] ++++

Unit cost: 240
12x Fire Warrior 'la
--- [Pulse carbine]
Devilfish
--- [Burst cannon, SMS, Disruption pod, Multi-tracker, Targeting array]

Unit cost: 240
12x Fire Warrior 'la
--- [Pulse carbine]
Devilfish
--- [Burst cannon, SMS, Disruption pod, Multi-tracker, Targeting array]

Unit cost: 240
12x Fire Warrior 'la
--- [Pulse carbine]
Devilfish
--- [Burst cannon, SMS, Disruption pod, Multi-tracker, Targeting array]


++++ [Fast Attack] ++++

Unit cost: 75
Piranha
--- [Fusion blaster, 2x Gun Drone, Disruption pod, Targeting array]

Unit cost: 75
Piranha
--- [Fusion blaster, 2x Gun Drone, Disruption pod, Targeting array]

Unit cost: 75
Piranha
--- [Fusion blaster, 2x Gun Drone, Disruption pod, Targeting array]

++++ [Heavy Support] ++++

Unit cost: 195
XV88 'ui TL
--- [TL Railgun, A.S.S., HW drone controller, Shield drone, Shield drone]
XV88 'ui
--- [TL Railgun, A.S.S.]

Unit cost: 195
XV88 'ui TL
--- [TL Railgun, A.S.S., HW drone controller, Shield drone, Shield drone]
XV88 'ui
--- [TL Railgun, A.S.S.]

-----------------------

There are 85 points I'm not sure what to do with.

Anyway

Stormforged: The ethereal bodyguard turns into BS 4, and any tau unit the ethereal joins is fearless anyway.

My suits may be expensive, but they get the job done and don't die easily. I rely on other parts of the army for the old str 5. The fusions on the HQ are for instant death, drop podding walkers and other nastyness that will get close to my lines.

I would add in my two hammerheads, but as it stands the list deals with my tank troubles well. If they list grew in points, they would defiantly be the first things added.

Yup pathfinders work when they live.

I tend to take flechette launchers on my piranha. Works wonders most of the time. As for the disruption pods on them, it's helpful, for so few points, to keep that 4+ cover on a paper thin vehicle.


Thanks for your suggestions!

I hate mixing plasma with missiles.
2 weapons that have different goals and functions.
If I take plasma it's going to be plasma that does what plasma does best.
I don't believe in making tau versatile by taking every tool on every unit
I prefer taking singular tools that do specific jobs well

I hear ya docbrown. I know what happens when a weapon you brought isn't doing anything for you.

But think about this: If you took all that plasma, how are you going to kill light vehicles? You had 5 broadsides in your other list, and 3 piranhas. That's maybe 8 shots, and they get cover since you have no markerlights.

I've tried various combos, but in the end the fusion/plasma/multi, plasma/missile/multi(or targeting array) have never failed me. Tau have str 5 all over the place. They have a few str 10. What they lack is the middle ground, and it's what I run to compensate.

Next time you play and take tons of TL plasma against, ork hordes or anything not MEQ/TEQ, you will understand what I'm saying.

Then again, the local meta also dictates what works. If your local meta is TEQ all over, then plasma away. I just tend to make a balanced all comers list whenever I make a list.

If I face balanced situations I dedicate

Usually I fall on the side of TL mp flamer units with some plasma units as well

When I mix it up, I tend to take one or two HQ units with fusion/plasma targeting arrays and some battlesuits with TL missiles and a flamer. They normally have at least some markerlight support, but when they don't it normally works fine.

Burst cannons don't have a place on suits, we have enough str 5 ap 5

The airburster works great on a solo command suit with target lock

The cyclic ion blaster is mostly worthless, but worth is weight in gold with a plasma rilfe and BS 5 on an HQ against TEQ