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I'm unfamiliar with the R'Varna is it a specific load out?

Sounds like he may need to a better "wall". At 1850 I run a two layer gun line with 48 firewarriors, 16 gun drones and an ethereal at its core. I run the 2 gun drone squads spread out across the front of the FW as an assault wall and cover. I don't really worry about giving cover off pulse rifles, SM already get a 3+.

The Ethearel hands out Storm of Fire like candy, so against a RG there is a very good chance I will be pouring 30 shots per FW squad in your marines Turn 1. I don't normally have a lot of trouble with things getting to assault. Longstrike HH, and Broadsides for ranged support and a selection of suits kitted out for med to heavy armour killing, usually a mix of BC/PR and MP/FB. A squad of PFs to fill things out and boost BS rounds it out.

Not a huge Riptide fan. It is a solid unit, no question, I just don't like quite that many points in a unit with a big target on it's chest. But if he wants to run one, I would kit it with EWO, Stim injector. HBC is better against flyers when overcharged, while the ION is better against DS lists.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 siphen2112 wrote:
I'm unfamiliar with the R'Varna is it a specific load out?

R'Varna Forgeworld link It is beefed up Riptide that takes a heavy support slot, and the large the target size hard the guns hit.

It depends what he has.

You seem like you are using a combo of RG scout with DP pressure.

He can do 2 things:

Castle up with layers of cheap troops in front of Riptides/CS/Broadsides. Using both the castle to protect from you getting at his heavy hitters and the bonus to overwatch when you charge. A hidden etherial will help keep the FW's in place.

Go moble. Using CS and transports. Suits (Crisis and Riptides) can move 6", shoot and JSJ 2D6. He should be about to out range you and stay out of charge range.


Discarding all that it also sounds like he's not taking the time to learn his army. As a newer player you should pick a core list and try to get 5-10 consecutive games in with it, maybe only making very minor changes. This gives you a chance to learn what each unit can and can't do. Tau rely on synergy, and you have to know how to make the most effective use out of each unit. Help him design a list and make him play with that list for a few games in a row

Try playing at lower levels until things become more even. Like 1000pts and below. It sounds like you really know what you're doing, but he is still etremely experimental and/or still learning his army. A few games where you cant bring all your goodies and he can focus on the core of his army might make things more even and enjoyable for both of you.

Try using devilfish with each squad , it can often be key to winning a tau battle , it lets them get out of assault range quickly and reposition gun lines to counter oncoming troops .

Riptides are worth it. markerlight drone swarms with Buffmander make them terrifying. dont NEED riptides. but theyre good

If you want to try some Riptides and are okay with proxies, the Gurren Lagann Revoltech figures are the same size, and I assume the rest of the Revoltech line is as well. If you mount their stand to a MC base (or make your own) it should work to test them in the army.

yup. Try the,. Know them. Love them. They are cool.