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Hi Folks

I'm brand new to 40k and was wondering if you could help me design a 500 pt Tau army. I've got no Tau figures yet as I thought it sensible to take advice first. The group I'm going to be playing with have Space Marines, Orks and Imperials running at the moment.
Any help gratefully received.

Cheers

Tim

You'll need at least one squad of fire warriors and on XV8 crisis suit, but you're gonna want those anyway.

Are there any restrictions on units you're allowed to buy in your league? If there are any, that's going to be critical to know more.

Sniper team might be a good idea because they have long range S6 AP3 pinning weapons and are under 100 points per team.
Fire Warriors are great because they have a 30" S5 gun and are cheap
XV8 crisis suits are great because if you don't buy too many bells & whistles they can put out a lot of fire power for few points
Pirhanas can provide some reliably mean anti-tank punch for cheap AND they have AV11 on the front (all Tau skimmers are tough)

As Tau you have a lot of guns at your disposal. The trick is putting the right composition in to be effective against all comers.

Do you have a codex yet?


Rmeju

TimB:

Are you planning to expand beyond 500pts?

get a ethernal now, but when you expand get the crisis commander. i like to have 2 hammer heads, 1 xv8, a few Pirhanas. then some fire warrior and path finders. my plan is to kill your army before you even get close. works on everything but necron

Isn't a suit commander a 1+ choice? Aren't Ethereals terrible?

^

Two astute observations, if I ever saw them!

I have one suggestion- Railguns.

Thanks Folks

that was the sort of starting point I was after. The codex arrives tomorrow so I'll be able to ask more informed questions next time. I can't see us sticking to 500 points, it just seemed sensible to start small, then expand as time and money allow.

Cheers

Tim

commanders are too costly for a 500 piont army, and railguns are just a given

If you are starting at 500 points... usually 2+ saves, heavy armor and 3+ wound beasties are not allowed.

For 500 points...

CV8 Shas'vre 35 + Airburst Frag Proj 20 + Missile Pod 12 + Target Array 10 + HW Multi-tracker 5 82 pts

CV8 Shas'vre 35+ Cyclic Ion Blaster 15 + Missile Pod 12 + Target Array 10 + HW Multi-tracker 5 77 pts

These two beefy Elites take care of all light vehicles, hoards and whatnot firing all weapons at BS 4

159 pts.

14 Kroot Warriors 98 points
8 Firewarriors 80 pts
8 Firewarriors 80 pts

1 Sniper Team 80 pts or Broadside for 70 pts.

If you are expanding to more... the broadside is a better choice.

How does everyone feel about kroot?

At 500 pts, kroot are okay... in 5th, I think a big unit of them might even be worthwhile for the outflank.

Kroot are just outmatched in HTH against the true HTH units in 40k. But beggars/tau can't be chosers.

Hey, DAaddict, I'm acutally in Two Rivers, Wi