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So, I'm on the home stretch with finishing 3000pts of Tau for 40k and our group decides to do some BFG. Naturally, I drag out Armada and write an Air Caste list - then I see the extortionate prices for metal cruisers GW are charging.

After much walletrage (like nerdrage, only less fun ) I'm looking around on the Forgeworld site and spot how cheap the Fire Caste fleet is. £8 per cruiser rather than £20 sounds good to me. I have IA3 so I figure no problem - only to find that the rules and points costs for each ship is there, but there is no fleet list.

The question is does one exist and if so where is it?

It's been a while since I've combed through my IA3. What their intention likely is to combine the two lists. Basically use IA3 for your ships and use the GW list (available on the website, atleast in the US) to purchase fleet commanders and rerolls. There's also a fan made list that I believe is well accepted called the Dark Fleet or something along those lines.

It's been a while since I've combed through my IA3. What their intention likely is to combine the two lists. Basically use IA3 for your ships and use the GW list (available on the website, atleast in the US) to purchase fleet commanders and rerolls. There's also a fan made list that I believe is well accepted called the Dark Fleet or something along those lines.

The problem with combining the lists is that in Armada, the air caste list says you must take an Explorer Class Starship (we're playing 1000pts). The fire caste don't use them, so the list doesn't work.

I'll probably use some cruisers and escorts at the points listed in IA3 and buy the commanders from the list in Armada for games with my own group - but how would you go on if you went to a tourney (or even a pick-up)?

Go to the FW website -> downloads -> download Tau fleet list.

Ship points & fleet list.

Done.

Take Protectors.

Cool, thanks horizon.

I already have 4x protectors and 3x castellans. I'll play with them for a while to get the feel and maybe look at adding emmisarys next.

I've been trying to put together a Tau Fleet, and it seems you need to use the FW download list in combination with the Tau list.. i mean, the FW list doesn't actually say anything at all about how to use Tau missiles, what mantas or barracudas are...
(btw the Forge-world download list is identical to the IA3 one)

Also, could anyone help me with an army list? It seems relatively cut+dry (boring) considering the almost total lack of options available in the FW fleet.

750pts:
1 protector + Kor'el + Aun'el (265pts)
1 protector + torpedo bombers (220pts)
5 Castellans (250pts)

1500pts:
1 Custodian + Kor'o + Aun'el (415pts)
3 Warden Escorts (90pts)
3 Protectors (570pts)
1 Protector + torpedo bombers (220)
4 Castellans (200pts)

Any suggestions? I've been told protectors are the workhorses of the fleet, so i'm maxxing out on them for torpedos whilst including a few escorts and the mandatory custodian. The torpedo bombers is something I saw on what must be the last page of armada, the ability to equip your bombers with torpedos for 15pts/launch bay (10 for non-tau races). Is this a rule that most people use or do people forget about it because it is hidden?

How do you get to the download section now that they changed their website? I cannot find it anymore.

True, they seem to have disappeared. I will host them for the time being:

BFG Tau Fleet (Forgeworld trial).pdf

Hi,

in the 750pts list I go for this, even more plain list, but effective and Tau-ish:

Kor'el
2x Protectors
6x Castellan

The 1500 list is okay. Tau-ey.