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Hey everyone I've recently started a Tau Army. Its still in its first stages so I don't have everything I really want yet, I was hoping for some insights on where to go next with what I have. I'm not sure which direction or strategy is best, so just looking for some comments. I'm not sure on all of the point values, I don't have to codex in front of me but I think everything is about right.

HQ
Shas'el Crisis Commander
Missile Pod
Plasma Rifle
Multi-Tracker
Hard-wired Targetting Array
Hard-wired Drone Controller
-Shield Drone
117

Shas'vre Body Guard x2
2 Missile Pods
2 Plasma Rifles
Multi-Trackers
Hard-Wired Targetting Array
Hard-wired Drone Controllers
-1 Shield Drone each
184

Troops
12 Fire Warriors
Shas'ui
Bonding Knife
Dedicated Devilfish
Disruption Pods
220

12 Fire Warriors
Shas'ui
Bonding Knife
(Uses Pathfinders Fish)
135

Heavy Support
Broadside
ASS (tee hee)
Bonding Knife
Hardwired Drone
-2 Shield Drones
115

Fast Attack

Stealth Team x3
Blacksun -filter x3
Shas'ui
Markerlight
Hard-wired Drones
4 Marker Drones
2 on each non-shas'ui)
244

or

8 Pathfinders
Shas'ui
Dedicated Fish
Bonding Knife
Disruption Pods
196


I think the list now is just under 1000, more with the stealth marker team. I also have 12 kroot that I don't really use and I can swap out a devilfish and make it a Hammerhead. I've found that the pathfinders usually get one good salvo of markerlights and then get wiped out. I've had better results with the stealth team, though they're awfully expensive. The moving and then shooting, plus the stealth fields really let them live a long time. The pathfinders are pretty fragile and I'm looking for advice on how to equip/use them effectively. I gave them blacksun filters because it was the cheapest support system and I could see anything that would really benefit them enough for the points.

I've had a lot of people tell me to just use Kroot instead of Fire Warriors. I don't see why. For only 3 points more you get a unit with better weapon range, strength, and AP, and the Firewarrior has a 4+ instead of nothing. Kroot also run at the drop of a hat, at least the Fire Warriors can having a Bonding Knife. I like Fire Warriors.

Just looking for what I need next. I'm new to Tau, so any help is welcomed. I like the looks of Sniper Drones, I may pick some up for some nice anti-MEQ pinning action. I want more Broadsides as well. What about Hammerheads? Are they worth it? I also want more suits, they're too cool looking not to have a bunch of em.

Thanks for the help

Welcome to Dakka!

I generally like your army list. I personally tend to think Stealths are better than Pathfinders at low points levels, but I’m far from a Tau expert.

I do like Kroot as well. Factors in their favor you may be missing-
1. They’re cheap. You can buy two units of ten Kroot for almost the same cost as one of those units of FCW you’ve taken with all the upgrades.
2. They infiltrate, which also means they can Outflank. Either can be nice, both for reacting to your opponent’s deployment, or for threatening/taking an objective on his side of the table.
3. Given that an appropriately-terrained table typically gives you lots of places to get a 4+ cover save with an infantry unit, FCW having a 4+ armor save doesn’t actually make them that much more durable. With normal amounts of terrain on the table, Kroot are usually MORE durable, point-for-point, since you have more bodies on the table with the same save from most shooting. Though they have inferior LD, and of course, die in droves to Flamers, which ignore cover saves.

So you’re aware, we generally do not want detailed points breakdowns to be posted in army lists, as we do not want info posted on here to be able to be used in lieu of a codex. I have edited your post to remove the individual line item costs.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/core/forum_rules.jsp

The list is pretty solid, but there is one thing that I would take out... The Hammerhead. It's good, no doubt, but I would take a unit of Broadsides.
They are more cost effective and 1 TL railgun standard, rather than the Hammerhead single railgun.

But other than that it's a pretty good list

Quick comments on the list (in class so cant go into much detail):
-I prefer pathfinders over stealths. cheeper and more shots for the cost. keep 'em in cover of a building and make sure that they mark the enemy units that are going to be very threeatening to them
-Kroot are great for the reasons listed by mann. I still like the fws (i'm probebly one of the few who do!) but if you plan on playing a large reserve game kroot are a must. if you play more of a static-ish or devilfish based army then kroot are not as good. FWs are also good at holding objectives though kroot in woods are all but invinsible (3+ saves, and tonnes of figs)
-It is generally accepted that the commander should take a special issue item. the (cylic ion blaster? in school so i forget the name) is one helluva weapon with the large blast and no cover saves.

If I think of anything else I'll edit this post when I get home, but the list looks pretty use-able