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Hello
I'm very new to 40k. I recently just bought the tau empire battleforce box. But I have to say from what I have read tau looks a bit complicated, I hope this is the correct forum to ask a bit of advice,, game play wise how do they work or how ideally would you play them.im not sure exactly how many points are in the box but what would you add to get to 1000 or 1500, I really appreciate all your help

Thank you!

hoth.impaler wrote:
Hello
I'm very new to 40k. I recently just bought the tau empire battleforce box. But I have to say from what I have read tau looks a bit complicated, I hope this is the correct forum to ask a bit of advice,, game play wise how do they work or how ideally would you play them.im not sure exactly how many points are in the box but what would you add to get to 1000 or 1500, I really appreciate all your help

Thank you!

The forum rules prevent us from giving you unit point costs, as that is GW's Intellectual Property, from the codex.

Plus, the codex is rumored to be replaced in September, so points cost might change. Which also makes me hesitate to recommend your next purchases. Riptides might get nerfed, Vespid buffed, or worse, replaced by a far better model unit (like Eldar WraithLords versus WraithKnights).

Did you get this one?
http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Tau-Empire-Battleforce

12 FWs, 3 suits, 3 stealth suits, piranha? Assorted drones? You've got enough for a 500 point game.

Find articles on how to put RareEarthMagnets on your suits' guns, to change them in between games. One set of guns in 4th edition was great, but are not so good now.


Welcome to 40k! Be patient for a month or so until the next book is released and as some items might disappear, other better ones might change how some units fight.

Go ahead and assemble the models, but don't glue weapons yet: the piranha's gun, Crisis Suits, hold off on the drones, too. Not until the new book comes out.

Thank you,
I was not aware of the new codex rumor , im afraid starting to play tau might not be a good idea then :(
It's sort of unfair some factions overpowering the others , my beginner mistake is going mostly due to aesthetics .
That being said I have no idea the weapons they have or the options available :( what should I do?
Really appreciate your answer

And yes that is the one I bought**

hoth.impaler wrote:
Thank you,
I was not aware of the new codex rumor , im afraid starting to play tau might not be a good idea then :(
It's sort of unfair some factions overpowering the others ,

40k is full of Rock-paper-scissors match ups. To mitigate that, you make a TakeAllComers list, that with skill, can deal with 99% of anything else.

hoth.impaler wrote:
my beginner mistake is going mostly due to aesthetics .

Every player has done exactly that. You're part of the club now.

Now you know to:
1. wait until the rules are released
2. Play the unit with proxies ( I used Happy Meal Ninja Turtle toys for riptides when the book was released, for 2 games to see if I liked them ).
3. Buy the model once you're sure you like how it plays

hoth.impaler wrote:

That being said I have no idea the weapons they have or the options available :( what should I do?

Wait. That's what. I put my codex on ebay to get *some* money out of it, but I advise to wait unit the new one is out and then read it.

I removed the tau from my eldar/tau list to explore more eldar options, but I will gladly play them again, but I will wait for the book.

Also, Advancedtautactica.com is a great site dedicated to tau.

hoth.impaler wrote:
Really appreciate your answer

And yes that is the one I bought**

You're welcome.

So better if I just wait for the new rules, hope I hadn't just wasted money :(

hoth.impaler wrote:
So better if I just wait for the new rules, hope I hadn't just wasted money :(

You have not wasted. it

I'm quite confident that the FWs, 3 suits and piranha are going to be useful models. I don't field Stealths simply because the Crisis Suits are so much better. My 6 Stealths have been unused for 80% of the time I've owned and played tau ... which is 10 years now.

For now, play this:

Cmdr - dual PlasmaRifles, Shield Gen, VRT (which gives him Hit and Run)

The other two suits could be dual Missile Pod and the other dual Fusion Blasters.

Stealths should be all Burst Cannons.

Make a couple Gun Drones.

Find opponents for 500 point games.

You can probably get away with not buying the book with the above. Experienced players will know the guns' stats.

Oh, and expect to lose a lot of games before you start winning. I lost 18 games (Dark Angels) before I won my first game. Have fun.

I will definitely have fun. Thank you

Buy broadsides and riptides next. They are expensive but can easily build a base for your army. Pts per shot broadsides are one of the best in the game and riptides are riptides.

Magnetize the crisis suits if possible. It's really easy.

Why magnetize the crisis suits? Those are the xv8 correct?

The new codex rumor is making me nervous I don't want my new tau stuff to be obsolete :(

hoth.impaler wrote:
Why magnetize the crisis suits? Those are the xv8 correct?

The new codex rumor is making me nervous I don't want my new tau stuff to be obsolete :(

Magnets help aleviate the possibility of becoming obsolete:
A few editions ago, Crisis suits with a plasma rifle, missile pod and multitracker were the bee's knees, but then the codex changed allowing suits to take multiples of the same weapon, meaning people wanted plasma & plasma or missile & missile - people who'd magnetized had absolutely no problems changing over.

The main units (XV8, Firewarriors etc) aren't likely to become obsolete, but they may get a new kit (more weapon options, or more posability in the case of XV8's). So paint up what you've got, and await the new 'Dex :-)

Crisis suits are the xv8 right? How many options do they have?

Don't worry about having wasted money, with the way GW has been going the new tau book will probably be strong still

hoth.impaler wrote:
Crisis suits are the xv8 right? How many options do they have?

Like 5 guns. And other equipment you don't have to 'show' on the model. The Rare Earth Magnets are to switch guns between games. I did this and was grateful for the effort I put into it.

Please be reassured. You haven't wasted your money.

The changes from the Space Marines and the Eldar books to the latest releases were minor in most units (most got better) but the big changes were how to organize your army (essentially, GW making so you get include more models, that is *buy* more of their stuff). So, again, Hot.Impaler a wee bit of patience and you'll be rewarded.

Have you tried playing the list I laid out?

Yes I did , fun indeed I love tau, esthetics and fun to play still need to "study" more but they are very cool.

Thank you so much for the help,
As for magneticing I have never done it nor have any idea how to :(

Any help with the magnetizing thing

hoth.impaler wrote:
Any help with the magnetizing thing

There are articles on the Internet, including advancedtautactica.com.

Essentially, you buy tiny, Rare Earth Magnets. You can drill holes in the sockets and guns, matching the magnet's polarity, and thus be able to switch guns. There are dremmel tools or just drill bits. I just used a drill bit that fit the size, turning it with my fingers.

kjmagnets.com is where I got mine.

I forget the best sizes (it's been 10 years), but post in the hobby section asking for the magnet sizes that work best for Crisis guns.

Choosing your army for aesthetics and fluff is the best thing you can do. You will have more fun choosing a faction you like rather than the faction that is over powered. When sixth edition and the last Eldar book made my Orcs almost unplayable in the tournament setting I bought Salamanders for tournaments. I stopped face and after awhile I realized I didn't care if I won every game outside a tournament and that I missed my fun kitbashing and finkin orky. So I sold my Salamanders and I play as tactically as possible to win games, not relying on my codex's broken rules to balance my mistakes.

Just my thoughts. Tau are amazing. Enjoy the gak out of them

I'm sorry I haven't found about magnetizing in advancetautactica.com it won't let me post or anything :( anyone here has a link or something?

On another subject I've read new units are coming. Are the rumors of the new codex true. Is it a brand new one or a supplement or expansion on the old one?
Thank you kind people of dakka dakka

It will be a brand new codex. Replacing the current one.

You did good to buy the Battleforce to start the army, I did exactly the same! It's a small 500points force to start with, and you can paint them to improve your skills and decide what color you want your Tau to be! (They could be really any color lol). Also, all the units from that box will certainly be usable when the new book come out, as they form the ''core'' of what Tau are: Firewarrior troops, Stealthsuit elite, Crisis suit and their flexibility, and Pirahna with their fast scouting ability.

As for Magnetising, the 3 Crisis Suit (the biggest dude) are the perfect place to start. In the Battleforce box, you should have 3 missile pod, 3 flamer, 3 plasma rifle and 3 fusion blaster that fit them. YOu could start by magnetising that on the gauntlet of each Suit. Here a link to a quick gathering of information on the matter: https://www.reddit.com/r/warhammerFAQ/comments/1yuhck/magnets_and_you_tutorials_and_tips_on_magnetizing/

for the book, wait until the new one come out before you buy it. Not sure if it's against Dakka rule, but I can tell you that with some googling, you will find nice readable PDF format online (that can get you started until new codex come out, which I suggest you buy because having the book in hand is really helpful, and will bring you 1 step closer to your army!)

What do you think about the forgeworld tau minis?

The riptides are good the tetra speeders are the best way to get markerlights (and fast skimmer for quick obj grabs) then you get into the biggerer things mainly for large 40k games (2k+pts) and apocolipse, the baracuda - not worth it in my opinion but the tigershark A1-0 its good for Apoc games.

i would focus on the main dex units first before branching out as the rules book is (IIRC) £50 (un US no idea).

there are only a few units that may dissapear from the codex but i highly dout it - mainly the vespids as outside of killteam they arnt the best!

hoth.impaler wrote:
What do you think about the forgeworld tau minis?

If I had money to spend, tetras.

Well I currently own, my brand new tau empire battleforce, plus a very nice gift from my best friend a XV88-2 Broadside with Smart Missile System and a very nice Tau Battlesuit Commander Shas'o R'alai with Drones which have not been delivered yet :p i guess that is a good start right? if i wanted to expand usually we play 1000 1500 games what should I get

thank you so much, dakka dakka people are very nice toward us 40k starters :p

hoth.impaler wrote:
Well I currently own, my brand new tau empire battleforce, plus a very nice gift from my best friend a XV88-2 Broadside with Smart Missile System and a very nice Tau Battlesuit Commander Shas'o R'alai with Drones which have not been delivered yet :p i guess that is a good start right? if i wanted to expand usually we play 1000 1500 games what should I get

thank you so much, dakka dakka people are very nice toward us 40k starters :p

I'm chagrinned to find that the new book hasn't dropped yet.


Give the b-side two missile drones.

As for waiting to get what's next, I'd still wait for the book. Which, given various rumors threads, appears to be an Oct. release.

You already have plenty of models to get in good games.

thank you! yea I literally check every day if there is a new release, the old codex is sort of confusing, I read it, but cant wait for the new one, yesterday i started working on my crisis suits, tau minis are so estethically awesome.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I live in costa rica by the way, 40k is a small comunity here, very small i would say, my uncle is visiting from the states, and he is bringing me something from GW , what would you choose between a pathfinder teama a devilfish and a hammerhead?
on another topic, I read something about modeling clubs among people who play wargames, what is that?

thanks guys