Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

here it is..

HQ:
shal'el: missile pod, Plasma rifle, targetting array, hw multitracker
2x BG:missile pod, Plasma rifle, targetting array, hw multitracker

shal'el: missile pod, Plasma rifle, targetting array, hw multitracker
2x BG:missile pod, Plasma rifle, targetting array, hw multitracker

ELITES:
Crisis suit leader: plasma rifle, missile pod, targetting array, hardwired multitracker
2xcrisis suit: Plasma rifle, missile pod, multitracker

Crisis suit leader: plasma rifle, missile pod, targetting array, hardwired multitracker
2xcrisis suit: Plasma rifle, missile pod, multitracker

Stealth Suits: 4x regular 2x fusion blaster

TROOPS;
7x fire warriros
6xfire warriors
10xkroot with 5x hounds
10xkroot with 5x hounds

FAST:
2x Pirahna
4xPathfinder w/ devilfish(sms, dp, mt)
4xPathfinder w/ devilfish(sms, dp, mt)

Heavy:
Hammerhead: railgun, sms, multitracker, dp
Hammerhead: railgun, sms, multitracker, dp
Broadsides: 2x A.S.S.

feedback needed, thanks

Are those BC pirahna's? I've always found those to be a waste, myself - fusion or nothing, there, for me.

I would drop all the body guards, make another team of three crisis suits, keep commanders independant and attach to whatever squad you want. To make room for it, drop the stealths - yeah, we all have them, but really, they often just don't have a place - especially if you're putting FBs on the them.

That frees up some points - add a few more pathfinders in each squad, get some shield drones in there.

Doing all this then gives you the opprotunity to make some changes to your commanders - they should probably be something besides FKs, you've got that in hand already - this list is great against low target MEQs but is missing some of the fast responsiveness that I think make Tau fun to play.

2500 points you probably want more broadsides in place fo a hammerhead.

the broadsides need shield drones

Find the points for fusion on the piranhas (and probably targeting arrays)

how long are 4 pathfinders going to live?

I agree with everything Jokorey said, except I think the pathfinders can be fine with just gun drones or no drones. In cover with pathfinders gun and shield drones are the same, since they take the squads armor save.

If you keep one or both of the railheads, I'd run them with burst cannons and target locks instead of SMS, more shots, split fire, blah blah. But if you like SMS I can't really fault you.

sorry, the pirahnas have targetting array and fb, just forgot to put it...

what would you recommend taking on my HQ? Also, is it worth taking the shield drones on crisis suits? the way ive figured (and played) my suits have never been anywhere close to the enemy. most of the time they are either jumping back behind cover, or they are a wasted unit

Also: what would you take in place of FK? I really like the loadout because you get 3 shots a guy with the option of breaking armor

lambadomy is right - I was very unclear there. Make room to buy some shield drones, but don't put them on PF's - they should be in cover.

I guess you are right about the shield drones...historically, I've been super unlucky with them rolling 3s on saves turn one :S....what about my troop choices? i'm always really uncertain here...and are broadsides worth taking at this level? any good player is going to hone in on them turn one/two and they are going to be useless, whereas the hammerhead is more than likely going to make it to turn 4 atleast

The fact that you know a unit will force an opponent to deal with it or die a painful death is never a good reason not to take the unit. Broadsides kill armor, plain and simple - the hammerheads are not good to use for this purpose, broadsides are that much better.

If you lose a HH for another BS team (probably a good idea) slap a AFP on the commander for another large blast, imo.

Shield drones get the same armor save of what you purchase them for generally - so if you fail the invulnerable save, it's still a winning scenario, as you just saved a wound on something that mattered.

i like the list but i do thinck it needs a few changes
sheild drones on broadsides are very nice imo they have save mine from las-cannon fire so many times but not so good on crsis
and if you want you could always keep a squad of kroot close as melee support
also considering how cheap they are in comparison to hammers you could spend the pionts on more pathfinders because that way you get the more than the needed two markerlight hit for boosting bs from 3 to 5 and the leftovers can reduse any anying cover saves

also have you considered taking flechette dischargers on your pirahnas which considering they are fast can therefore be far of/close to enemy (especially with fbs) so if they're swarmed by nids or boyz you could at least do some damage and possibly survive

anyway these are just a few thoughts

Thanks for everyones input...Ive taken the dischargers before and they are great. my main point for a list is to beat meq because thats what ill be seeing alot of at my local tourney. That being said, I like the idea for the Afp on the commander, and will probally take shield drones with all of them...is running that many fireknives a problem? If so what should i run? I know that deathrains are great, but it seems for a meq killing list I'd want that extra armor punch

Even though you might not agree with it yet, deathrains are very effective against MEQ. I always run 1 squad of 3 with flamers

36-12 inches away, these boys are JSJ ing from behind cover or a kroot screen, popping transports at will

within 12: fire!, literally, burn those suckers than jump back to safety

You might think they are just Fireknifes with perks, yet they can be devestatingly destructive while the fireknifes are working on TEQ witht their AP2

Why 7 and 6 FWs, just squeezing them in? jw out of curiosity

You should have 1 railgun for every 500 points, so here is how you get the extra 80 points:

Get rid of the stealths, the only reason, IMHO, that they should be only be on the table as a stealth marker team.

The volume of shots might seem nice, but let me learn you something...

Burst Cannon=18 inch range, Fusion Blasters=12 inch range. To be in range for both of these weapons leaves you without the benefit of the stealth field generator. The stealths are not very efficent either.

4 burst cannons without markerlight support=12 shots, 6 hits, 4 wounds, 2 kills

2 fusion blasters=2 shots, 1 hit, 5/6 wound, 5/6 dead

So this team cranks out a whooping 2 5/6 kills against MEQ per shooting phase (if they are at full strength)

Drop this team and get the broadside.

I think keeping the bodyguards might be a bad idea, as they make the HQ a bigger target and, if I recall, the body guards count as an extra KP.
So drop one and move one down to the elites and give it another member. Then just attach the 'Els to the fireknife squads. That leaves with about 60 points.
You can use those to boost your pathfinders, maybe get 4 shield drones, or buffer up the FWs. So many possiblities

wow, thanks...you have given me some of the most useful information I've gotten in a long while...it's alot to think about/tinker with, so ill report back with my new list


Automatically Appended Next Post:
HQ:
Commander Shas'el
Plasma Rifle
Missile Pod
Targetting Array
Hard-wired Multi-Tracker

Commander Shas'el
Plasma Rifle
Missile Pod
Positional Relay
Hard-wired Multi-Tracker

ELITE:

Shas'Vre XV8 Battlesuit Team Leader
Plasma Rifle
Missile Pod
Targetting Array
Hard-wired Multi-Tracker
Hard-wired Drone Controller
Shield Dronex2
XV8 Battlesuitx2
Plasma Riflex2
Multi-Trackerx2
Missile Podx2

Shas'Vre XV8 Battlesuit Team Leader
Plasma Rifle
Missile Pod
Targetting Array
Hard-wired Multi-Tracker
Hard-wired Drone Controller
Shield Dronex2
XV8 Battlesuitx2
Plasma Riflex2
Multi-Trackerx2
Missile Podx2

Shas'Vre XV8 Battlesuit Team Leader
Flamer
Twin-Linked Missile Pod
Hard-wired Multi-Tracker
Hard-wired Drone Controller
Shield Dronex2
2xXV8 Battlesuit
2xTwin-Linked Missile Pod
2xFlamer

TROOPS:
10xKroot
5xKroot Hound

10xKroot
5xKroot Hound

10xShas'La Fire Warriors

10xShas'La Fire Warriors

FAST:
6xPathfinders
5xPathfinders

Devilfish Transportx2
Smart Missile Systemx2
Targetting Arrayx2
Multi-Trackerx2
Disruption Podx2

3xPiranha Skimmer
3xFusion Blaster
3xDisruption Pod
3xTargetting Array
3xFlechette Discharger

HEAVY:

Hammerhead Gunship
Railgun
Burst Cannons
Multi-tracker
Disruption Pod

Hammerhead Gunship
Railgun
Burst Cannons
Multi-tracker
Disruption Pod

XV88 Shas'Vre Team Leader
Advanced Stabilisation System
Hard-wired Target Lock
Hard-wired Drone Controller
Shield Dronex2
2xXV88 Broadside Battlesuit
2xAdvanced Stabilisation System

The HQs will join the FK squads, gonna give those deathrain w/ flamers a shot(I've never taken together, but I imagine its pretty decent). The FWs will take the devilfishes while the PFs will be cover from turn 1. Plan on bringing in kroot by outflank using Positional Relay to tie up any heavy unit early on (or take those side objectives). Pirahnas are serving the same purpose: to go after the heavy armor and draw fire early on (I may cut them down to a squad of 2 and take the points somewhere else). In none kill point games, I'll disembark my pirahnas gun drones to create a perimeter around my broadsides for anti deep strikes. My only major concern now is how to deal with horde. I know my suits can spray them down little by little, and my FWs can down them fairly fast, but the real problem is that at 2500, a horde army is just overwhelming without something specificly there to drop their massive squads (esspecially orks with their fearlessness and high leadership).

Against horde, you want to start as far away as possible and surrond yourself with a wall of kroot, literally. Try to castle up(if you have no idea what I am saying please tell me) When you're facing horde armies like orks, one squad of outflanking kroot won't worry them, at all, they will laugh at your efforts. DO NOT charge with the kroot, because if they lose combat they have a very good chance that they will run off the board and the enemy will have an easier run at your troops.

When they get closer you can either charge your piranhas out in front of them and make them charge it (another turn of shooting), or you can zoom them off to the side for objective contesting if necessary.

If you choose the former, make sure one squad of Firewarriors in a devilfish and get out of the danger zone, at best the enemy will ignore them, at worst, that is one less unit attacking your homebase.

Make sure to be dropping pie plates from the hammerheads at ALL TIMES (the only exception to this is a speed freaks army, or mech guard. If they have alot of vehicles, then use their railguns). Broadsides should be eliminating all armor above 12, if any, If not, shoot some trukks or chimeras with them and watch the fireworks.

The suits should be behind vehicles, or right behind the kroot. This is so they get the 4+ cover save. The drones are a nice insurance policy, they shouldn't be your first line of defence against low AP weapons

But if your still wondering about those deathrains, here's the stats against ork boys

So lets say that all three can get 8 orks (about the average if the orks are right there)

24 hits. 4+ to wound
12 wounds with AP 5 weapons (orks have 6+ armor save)
12 deaths.
And after they massacre your kroot, you can do it again.

Yet there is something that you must know about suits, they don't score.
On objective missions you shouldn't just worry about they big hitters because they don't allow you to win (unless you table opponent) Your FWs/ Kroot win you the game. Since the kroot are dieing horribly, the FWs should ALWAYS be save and inside their fish. I know personally, a FW without a fish is a FW getting shot at, which is very very bad.

hope those help

Deathrains with flamers are very good, and inexpensive. If you can get 6+ orks under the flame template they're doing better than fireknives even with two markerlight hits. And they're better against transports outside of 12". I wouldn't run more than one squad though, there are a lot of things plasma is needed for.

I like the new list. One suggestion would be to put the shield drones with the commanders instead of the squads (or find drones for both). I would also consider gun drones instead of shield drones on the assumption that you will always be able to find cover and that your big fear is str 8+ hits. Broadsides of course should always have at least some shield drones for the 2+ armor on them.

If you are going second (maybe even if you're going first and castling) I would suggest joining the HQs to the pathfinders and/or the broadsides for a turn or so. It will make both of those squads less likely to run under fire and depending on your opponent change their target priority, likely in your favor. If they have drones this works even better.

thanks again guys....what is castling though?

Castling is were you first put you broadsides on a back table edge, usually in the corner.

Then you put a unit like your pathfinders strung out in front of and around them.

Then you create another wall of troops(usually needs to be at least 10+ models that goes from the table edge on one side of the Broadsides to the table edge on the other side of your broadsides.

Doing this gives the broadsides at least one turn of protection against being assaulted once the enemy hits your lines. It also provides cover for your pathfinders and to some extent the broadsides. When castled in the back corners the IG has a rough time nailing the XV88's with ordnance because of shots scattering off of the table.

Downside is lash tears this wall apart in no time.


I have a very different list that I've been running lately, let me know if you want me to post a link to it.

Edit spacing

that is so weird that you just posted here! I was just looking at your list not 5 seconds ago...I think ill give that list a shot and see how ti goes


Automatically Appended Next Post:
how do those fb Crisis suits not just get eaten alive though?

bdix wrote:Shas'Vre XV8 Battlesuit Team Leader
Plasma Rifle
Missile Pod
Targetting Array

Vre and Team Leader? You don't pay for both ... unless you're just calling him a TL? Anyway, just go with Team Leader, as the vre stat upgrades are worthless in h2h vs. MEqs.

bdix wrote:XV88 Shas'Vre Team Leader

Ditto.

Besides that, the list looks good.