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I have been working out some rough ideas of what I want to have in my new Tau army, and this is what I have come up with.. pretty standard Tau fare from what I've gathered, but I'd still like some comments/critiques if possible since it's been many years since I've actually played 40k.  I have yet to purchase anything for the army (starting with buying the Megaforce next paycheck).  Also I was bored so I came up with some names for units and such (stumped by the vehicles, however).

Anyways, here's the list:

Ka'rua Or'es Kauyon (Strike Team Ocelot) - 1,500 pt Tau Empire Army

[HQ]
(1) Shas'el Tash'var Or'es Kauyon, "Commander Ocelot" @ 100 pts
 - Plasma Rifle, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Targeting Array, Hard-wired Multi-Tracker

[ELITES]
(2) Ui'Rua Suam'myr [lit. Veteran Team "Flame Knife"] - XV8 Crisis Battlesuits @ 124 pts
 - "Fireknife" pattern (Plasma Rifle, Missle Pod, Multi-Tracker)

(2) Ui'Rua Suam'Kai'Sha [lit. Veteran Team "Flame Great Wind"] - XV8 Crisis Battlesuits @ 100 pts
 - "Firestorm" pattern (Burst Cannon, Missle Pod, Multi-Tracker)

(3) Ui'Rua Da'Kaara [lit. Veteran team "Dark Image"] - XV25 Stealth Battlesuits @ 90 pts

[TROOPS]
(10) La'Rua A - Fire Warriors @ 220 pts
 - Devilfish w/Smart Missle System, Targeting Array, Multi-Tracker, Decoy Launchers

(10) La'Rua B - Fire Warriors @ 220 pts
 - Devilfish w/Smart Missle System, Targeting Array, Multi-Tracker, Decoy Launchers

(10) Jikita'Vesa A - Kroot Carnivores @ 70 pts

(10) Jikita'Vesa B - Kroot Carnivores @ 70 pts

[FAST ATTACK]
(1) Piranha @ 70 pts
 - Fusion Blaster, Targeting Array

(1) Piranha @ 70 pts
 - Fusion Blaster, Targeting Array

[HEAVY SUPPORT]
(1) Hammerhead Gunship @ 185 pts
 - Railgun, Smart Missle System, Multi-Tracker, Target Lock, Disruption Pods, Decoy Launchers, Targeting Array (built-in)

(1) Hammerhead Gunship @ 185 pts
 - Railgun, Smart Missle System, Multi-Tracker, Target Lock, Disruption Pods, Decoy Launchers, Targeting Array (built-in)

=================
Total:  1,504 points

Looks good, nicely thought out.

The only thing is I don't know how much use you're going to get out of the two Piranhas. You already have 2 Railguns and 4 missile pods, and that should be enough anti-armour. Not only that but with the two hammerheads and the two devilfish you already have 4 very large vehicles that need to be deployed behind terrain, hiding another two skimmers could be very problematic indeed.

Another thing is the Stealth unit. 3 Stealth really are not going to kill much at all and after taking two casualties it'll run off the table.

I would suggest droppping both Piranhas for 2 Shield Drones on each Crisis unit (35pts per Crisis unit) and using the remaining 70pts to up the Stealth team to a 4 man team, each with a targetting array.
Or you could look at it differently and say that with the two MechFW unit you already have a lot of pulse fire power, so drop the Stealth team and use the 90pts to give the Crisis 2 Shield Drones each and a targetting array on the Team Leaders.
Shield Drones really are worth it, they allow you to play a lot more agressively with the Crisis and stops your Crisis being wiped out by Deep striking units and Fast units capable of outmaneuvering them.

However, I like the look of the list as it is now. I suggest you play a few games with it and check to see if the Stealth and the two Piranhas are worth their pts and if the Crisis need Shield Drones. If not, try out my suggestions.

I would never take anything other than linked missile pods or fireknife battlesuits. Burst cannons, flamers, and meltas require you to get WAY to close to be effective. When you do close to within 12, you'll want that AP2 if you are facing marines. If you are running the linked missle pods, then your enemy should never get that close without deepstriking!

Posted By ninjajuicer on 11/23/2006 7:16 AM
I would never take anything other than linked missile pods or fireknife battlesuits. Burst cannons, flamers, and meltas require you to get WAY to close to be effective. When you do close to within 12, you'll want that AP2 if you are facing marines. If you are running the linked missle pods, then your enemy should never get that close without deepstriking!

I disagree.  FBs and BCs can be wielded very effectively if you know what you're doing. If you can gauge distances well then a BC/MP Crisis can be very effective indeed, in fact at 18" it is more efficient against MEqs than Fireknife suits are, and obviously its way better against any infantry weaker than MEq.
Running Firestorm Crisis does require a different list type to the FK/RH list, but it isn't much weaker.

The Fb can also be used to great effect, although not on Elite Crisis. HQ Crisis with a FB can wreak havoc as they hit on a 2+ and are a lot more survivable thanks to more wounds and their IC status.

If you still disagree, have a look at www.advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php
Awesomely powerful, not quite as good as the 3 RH/FK list, but pretty close.

Personally, I would dump one of those hammerheads and field two Heavy Choices of broadsides. equip them both with the advanced stabilazation system, upgrade them both to team leader so that you can give them two shield drones each. Costs 115pt per broadside.

I both play with and against Tau and I can promise you that I bloody hate those Broadsides when I have to go against them, I found the only way to do it is in close combat.

Because shield drones have a 2+ save same as the broadside and the 4+invulnrable save as well. this means that you need to pour tons of lascannon type shots into them just to increase the chances of killing the drones

Yeah, thats also an idea. XV88 with ASS are really good as the SDs make them nigh invulnerable to lascannon fire for a while.