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2011/10/06 23:50:31
Subject: Possibly Simple / Stupid question - Why do Tau Ethereals Suck?
CpatTom wrote:
That list has a lot of bubble wrap. I could see it having some success. What were the loadouts on the Crisis?
He said this was the loadout:
1) Team Leader with plasma/missiles/BS4/target lock, 2 guys with BS4 twin missiles
2) Team Leader with plasma/missiles/BS4/target lock, 2 guys with plasma/missiles
3) 2 guys with BS4 twin missiles
Mr Vetock, give back my Multi-tracker!
2011/10/07 00:22:18
Subject: Possibly Simple / Stupid question - Why do Tau Ethereals Suck?
So how will a force of Shadowsun + an ethereal + 4 battlesuits + 12 Stealth Suits + 48 firewarriors + 4 devilfish + 48 kroot + 2 hammerheads + assorted drones (there'll be what... 20?) fare overall? (basically shadowsun, an ethereal, 4 battleforces and 2 skyray kits)
Also, would it be worth converting up 2-4 shapers fromsome of the kroot
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2011/10/07 17:43:06
Thats not exactly an army list, thats a shopping list. But that is a great start.
As to the shapers, they generally are considered sub-par. They are 21 points (28 if you factor in the original kroot), and don't add much. They do bring slightly higher leadership, and thats about it.
Let me backtrack- Kroot are good for two things. 1. Hiding in area terrain, and speedbumping anyone who gets close to your shooting guys. 2. Outflanking and nom-noming on back field units.
Both of those uses require them to be relatively small (though some people run huge mobs), and to assault something, then die. The shaper just adds a lot of points for nothing that really helps that. He also has a 6+ save, while no one else in the unit has a save. So any saves that you are forced to take, he must take. Needless to say, he is going to die really quickly. However, he does unlock the ability to buy 6+ saves for the whole unit, however thats expensive and not worth it. Generally speaking, avoid them.
2011/10/07 16:39:04
Subject: Possibly Simple / Stupid question - Why do Tau Ethereals Suck?
Shadowsun is a fun concept, and I've never run here, so salt this, but I don't exactly understand how she is supposed to work. None of her gear works in harmony with one another (unless of course you took massed Fusion XV8s, or stealth suits to take advantage of her leadership bubble, otherwise you could leave her with broadsides I guess, keep them confident, and light up drops)
The Ethereal has been discussed.
Loadout on battlesuits: Optimized list makers will take nothing but Fireknives, unless they need to shave points, and then they will consider Deathrains.
That is a lot of Fire warriors... I guess you could make 6 squads. 4 to upgrade the Devilfish to scoring, and two teams of 12.
Praetor Dave covered the kroot, more or less.
Hammerheads are surprisingly more anti infantry than one might suspect (at least compared to Broadsides). The slug round might be needed to crack some transports, but you can't really rely on that with so many transports out there. Plus, Pie plate?
Definitely suggest converting some pathfinders out of fire warriors if you are going to have so many ground troops. Markerlights will be your friend.
You could do good number of pathfinders, and put seeker missiles all over your army along with some sky rays. It may not be optimal, but it sounds pretty awesome having some guys in the woods calling in all sorts of pred... Seeker drone missles.
Just some ideas.
BLU
Opinions should go here.
2011/10/07 17:48:30
Subject: Re:Possibly Simple / Stupid question - Why do Tau Ethereals Suck?
In my opinion, take either Ethereal or Shadowsun. Having them both is waste, as they have parallel abilities. Ethereal is cheaper, but potentially risky. Shadowsun has very short range weapons, but she is nice to have if and when something nasty gets within 12".
Both Ethereal and Shadowsun fill the same purpose - stick them in the middle of an infantry based army, and use their leadership boosting abilities to stop your suits running away if they lose a drone or two. I think any Ethereal or Shadowsun based army needs Broadsides totake advantage of their abilities. Tanks don't need leadership boost.
Mr Vetock, give back my Multi-tracker!
2011/10/07 21:08:34
Subject: Possibly Simple / Stupid question - Why do Tau Ethereals Suck?
Part of my issue is the cost of Broadsides. TBH I'll be starting with 1 Battleforce, an ethereal and a Hammerhead then will expand on it from there slowly.
Ok, that sounds good. Yeah, Broadsides are expensive, not to mention fugly. I truly hope that next Tau update will see new models for XV-8 chassis. If you're not in hyper-competive environment with tons of Mech (particularly Ork Battlewagon lists), you can do without them.
Don't buy too many Stealth suits (other than those which come with the Battleforce) until you have tried them out. They're fun, but their effectiveness is very hit/miss.
If you want an Ethereal miniature, I suggest Aun'shi: he might make a comeback in next edition rules, and I think his mini looks better than regular Ethereal. For the love of Emperor, don't buy Aun'va. He's the worst unit ever designed in the history of the game - any game.
Mr Vetock, give back my Multi-tracker!
2011/10/07 23:39:47
Subject: Possibly Simple / Stupid question - Why do Tau Ethereals Suck?
Just not sure how much success you'll have with all that. I mean, good luck to you, and if you can make it work more power to you; however The VX8's Shadowsun, and Hammer heads are the only place you can get anything other than that S5 Ap5 the Tau are famous for.
Lets say you Fire knife up all 3, so 6 S7 Ap4, 3 S6 Ap2, at range dbl for rapid fire (and hope you kill everything or you got someplace to jump in assault) 2 S10 Ap1 (at the cost of pie plates), and Shadowsuns pretty awesome pair of Fusion blasters (whose S and Apness illude me at the moment, and I'm not gonna just throw numbers out, but its a melta, get close and everything melts).
Not a whole lot of high powered rounds. Granted on the Other end you have got a ridiculous amount of S5 Ap5. Seriously ridiculous amounts. Over 120 shots at range I would guess. Granted you are very still, so a good enemy decides when you get to shoot a large portion of that (what I dont like).
Just musings.
BLU
Opinions should go here.
2011/10/08 15:54:08
Subject: Possibly Simple / Stupid question - Why do Tau Ethereals Suck?
Honestly you need suits. I know the battleforce is a pretty good buy (as far as battleforces go), don't get more than two. XV8's are the core of a tau army. You are going to need them. I know the battleforce comes with one, but you need more than that. Look on ebay, you can get some good steals there. I got a 3 man unit of fireknives for like $35 there. Be patient and you can save some serious dough.
2011/10/08 18:25:18
Subject: Re:Possibly Simple / Stupid question - Why do Tau Ethereals Suck?
I frankly like the idea of lots of missiles and massive gunlines. I'll switch from 2 hammerheads to 1 hammerhead and some broadsides though. I'm not going to ever run this competitively / in a tournament so my only real want is 'not get my ass handed to me TOO embaressingly' and 'looks cool'.
Did I miss anything in particular wargear wise / do anything particularly stupid in these?
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2011/10/08 21:40:25
Just because you have something, doesn't mean you need to run it. Basically, if you played another 1400 point list, you aren't going to be bring much to the table. Cut it back to 1000 and you will have a much better list. Bring your firewarriors down in number, drop the marker drones, lose the seeker missiles, and don't give the stealth leader a fusion blaster (it doesn't mesh well with the burst cannons). Also put the burst cannons on the hammerhead. Not only are they cheaper, but they are more effective, and two gun drones are not going to do much of anything anyway.
2011/10/21 20:58:26
Subject: Re:Possibly Simple / Stupid question - Why do Tau Ethereals Suck?
BLU
