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So for a variety of reasons, I've decided to break into Tau and I'm in the starting stages. So I have a rough outline of what I'm planning and even have a few rules/strategy questions that I'm looking for advice or experience on.

So here goes:

CAD 485 pts
- Shadowsun - Full Kit
- 5x Stealth Team
- 10 Sniper Kroot
- 10 Sniper Kroot

Optimized Stealth Cadre (x2) 480 pts/ea
- GhostKeel
w/Cyclic Ion Raker/Fusion
- 5x Stealth Team
w/Shas'vre, Fusion, ML/TL
- 5x Stealth Team
w/Shas'vre, Fusion, ML/TL

Notes:

As for the army, I have some points floating around that I could use some tips/advice/direction on.
- Gun Drones for the Stealth Teams? Are they worth looking at, adding?
- Are there any Support Systems that I should be looking at for both the Ghostkeels and the Stealth Teams?
- I was only originally going to do the 2 OSC and leave it at 1k, but after getting the Codex I thought that I should get Shadowsun in there for theme, so I just made a small 500 point list to fit her in. Should I use the points to kit out the Stealth Team that I plan to use as her Bodyguard?
- If I do kit out her 'bodyguard', is there anything I should look at doing different?
- Bonding Knifes on the Stealth Teams? Yes or no?
- If I go higher in points, I'll be getting a 3rd Ghostkeel which I might run with the Fusion Collider. Good Idea or Bad?
*The Kroot will be my last purchase. They're only there for when I run across those players who refuse to play Unbound under any circumstances. Since I have to buy 2 boxes of Kroot to get to 20, I'll have them as a filler if there aren't any other options, so not worried too much if there aren't options. Their ability to Infiltrate fits in with the rest of the theme, and I think the Snipers might give me a chance to kill specific models before they die.

Rules questions
- The Shas'vre are listed as characters for the Stealth Teams. The Ghostkeels aren't listed as Characters but are listed as Shas'vre. So until I get Shadowsun that means one of the Stealth Team Shas'vre has to be the WL?
I want to know this before painting, so I can take one of those extra ones and maybe paint him up a bit more special for when he IS the Warlord
- The Stealth Team box comes with a Drone and something else on a base. Are/Were these anything that used to be in their entry or have a use I should be aware of?
- Is there a way that I'm not seeing to give Ghostkeels Hit n Run? I'm asking because I played a guy and found it very good, but I'm not finding a way to actually do it?
- The Tau are I2, but the Drones are I4. If I take the Vectored Retro Thrusters for the Stealth Teams, do I get to use the Drones Initiative for the test (provided I take them).?
- Fleet has no effect when rolling for the Assault move?
- Bonding Knives are listed per/model. While it's super cheap, do I have to get them on the Drones?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read, and looking forward to the feedback and seeing how this list evolves.

 Akar wrote:
- Gun Drones for the Stealth Teams? Are they worth looking at, adding?

Generally, no. In an Optimized Stealth Cadre the idea of adding Drones is more reasonable, however. The +1 BS, from Wall of Mirrors, makes the Twin Linked Gun Drone pretty accurate. I have run a Drone Controller, Target Lock and Markerlight on the Shas'vre along with two Marker Drones for a BS4 Stealth/Shrouded Marker source. It wasn't ideal, but very survivable, and made the Stealth team feel like they had more tactical flexibility with a long range role as well.

 Akar wrote:
- Are there any Support Systems that I should be looking at for both the Ghostkeels and the Stealth Teams?

I never run a Ghostkeel without an Early Warning Overide. Too cheap and helpful to pass up. Other good Ghostkeel systems, for me, have been:
- Counter Fire Defense - Cheap and helpful.
- Advanced Targeting - Nice due to the Cyclic Ion Raker's Rate of Fire.
- Target Lock - A good bet if you plan on running a unit of more than one Ghostkeel.
Other players swear by Velocity Trackers, I haven't had a need to try this out yet.

 Akar wrote:
- If I do kit out her 'bodyguard', is there anything I should look at doing different?

For playing casual games, Shadowsun is a blast. I have used her ability to take 3 Drones in addition to the Shas'vre's 2 Drones to keep the squad's Majority Toughness at 4. This helps against small arms fire nicely.

 Akar wrote:
- Bonding Knifes on the Stealth Teams? Yes or no?

Usually you can skip it. A min squad of three can never drop below 25%. Very rarely relevant, and I play mostly Farsight Enclaves, where all units must take the Bonding Knife Ritual.

 Akar wrote:
- If I go higher in points, I'll be getting a 3rd Ghostkeel which I might run with the Fusion Collider. Good Idea or Bad?

Try out the Raker first. I think you'll find the firepower from that too good to pass up for a single shot, shorter range, small blast.

 Akar wrote:
- The Shas'vre are listed as characters for the Stealth Teams. The Ghostkeels aren't listed as Characters but are listed as Shas'vre. So until I get Shadowsun that means one of the Stealth Team Shas'vre has to be the WL?

Unless you don't upgrade a Stealth Team member. If you have no characters any model can be your Warlord. You don't get a Warlord Trait when it's a non-Character, however.

 Akar wrote:
- Is there a way that I'm not seeing to give Ghostkeels Hit n Run? I'm asking because I played a guy and found it very good, but I'm not finding a way to actually do it?

Unfortunately Ghostkeels can't take Vectored Retro-Thrusters.

 Akar wrote:
- The Tau are I2, but the Drones are I4. If I take the Vectored Retro Thrusters for the Stealth Teams, do I get to use the Drones Initiative for the test (provided I take them).?

You bet!

 Akar wrote:
- Fleet has no effect when rolling for the Assault move?

Sadly, no.

 Akar wrote:
- Bonding Knives are listed per/model. While it's super cheap, do I have to get them on the Drones?

Drones are exempt, it's under the Drone section. That part of the Codex is worth reading closely, Drones have many quirks that are going to come up.

Thank you Plain,

I was able to find the rules once I knew where to look as it's not in the most obvious places, especially with the Drones. (Went a bit ADD trying to find rules and ooo. shiny artwork/fluff... what was I looking for again?) It sounds like I do want to take the Drones, and the Vectored Retros for Shadowsuns unit in the very least. As the Majority T4, and the option to HnR could be fun. While I didn't think to apply the OSC bonus to the Drones, I think I'll avoid them for the time being. They only seem worth it in a full unit of Stealth Teams, which I'm not currently planning on running. I like the Pulse Carbines because it would add 4 more shots with the same Str, and the odd 'Pinning' Test would be amusing and thematic as well. I realize now that it's just a few points shy of getting another actual suit. While I like the Marker Drone idea, I'm not sure this list has anything that would make use of it, since this is a fairly short range list for a Tau army.

I mentioned the 3rd Ghostkeel with the Fusion Collider as I'll already have 2 with the Raker. The 3rd keel would be for combining all of them for a single OSC unit and take advantage of the FAQ. I thought the Collider w/Target Lock would be a good fit for the points investment, and match the Stealth teams running a Fusion as well. I just barely noticed that the OSC hit's rear armor when using Mirrorwall, so I should be fine in most games if I don't run it. You're right though and I'll have several games with the 2 Rakers as I've got a few Stealth Teams to get before I even decide to get the third that I should be able to make up my mind. As I'll be playing mostly casual with this list, I'll take the EWO on a game by game basis as the points allow. Bonding Knives seem like they're also just point fillers, but something I might want to look at on Shadowsuns unit as well.

Thank you for pointing out the other things. I know for the next time I play Tau that Ghostkeels can't HnR, and that Fleet doesn't affect the assault moves. Not sure I'll ever play the guy again but at least I know NOT to do it.

The main weapon on the Ghostkeel is also super easy to magnetize, so you can have your cake and eat it too. Keeping flexible could be nice if you ever decide to run them in another Formation. The Ghostkeel Wing is also a blast to run, and not so crazy powerful as the Riptide version, which is better for casual games. All in all the Ghostkeel is my favorite Tau model in every way! It is a fantastic kit that is very poseable and well designed, looks great (I think), and is fun in-game.
Stealth Teams are a little expensive for what they do, but have quite a bit of hidden potential. You should try any setup that looks promising, as they can be customized to fill many roles. One setup that did unexpectedly well for me was a Stealth Team with Burst Cannons and Counterfire Defence. They sat in the middle of my larger force and provided a little counter-assault Supporting Fire. Not amazing, but Stealth Teams can do a little of whatever you need, if you know what you're missing from the rest of your list.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Shadowsun (or any attached Independent Character) will already have Heroic Morale, so you can save the points from Bonding Knife Ritual from that unit.
On a side note about Drones in her squad: The rule that gives Stealth Suits in her unit (Defender of the Greater Good?) Sworn Protector, is great for Drones. The reason is that as long as a model with Sworn Protector is in the unit, any Independent Character will auto-pass Look Out Sir rolls. The closest model to the IC does not have to be one with Sworn Protector. So her 3++ Drones (or any Drone) be able to tank hits for her automaticly, if needs be.

I don't Magnetize, but the suggestion has come up several times. It's just a choice.

Running MSU Stealth teams has also been brought up and to not waste the points with any more. Since they're the core Infantry unit I want to actually use them more in that role. The plan is since I'm buying 2 boxes per unit, I'll be making a Shas'vre with the 6th model with the Burst Cannon so that I can switch them out as needed. I will take a look at the Counterfire Defense though. I really like that idea. I've gotten 2 400 pt games in already with just what I own so pointing that out is fantastic.

Shadowsun is going to be a liability once I get into higher games. I mentioned that there are several new players still learning the game. Well one of them bought a Vindicare. Since using him, several other players have picked one up for their armies, regardless of which army they're playing. Even then the knives would only be a 5-6 point filler which is where my thinking is. I did know about the Sworn Protector rule and the Gun Drones in the unit, so at least I got something right there.