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Ok, I am starting a new army for a Toury in September. It has been awhile since I have done Tau, so I am asking for some advice on this 1850 army.

HQ
Commander (Airbursting Frag Cannon, Fusion Blaster, Stimulent injector, HW drones and Multi Tracker +2 Shield Drones)
2 Body Guards (target array, missile pods, and Fusion Blasters)

Elite
3 Crisis Suits (Sas’Vre upgrade, Plasma Rifles\Fusion Blasters\Targeting Arrays and a Target Lock for the leader)

Troops
10 Fire Warriors (Devilfish, Smart Missile System, and Disruption Pods)
10 Fire Warriors (Devilfish, Smart Missile System, and Disruption Pods)

Fast Attack
8 Pathfinders (Devilfish, Smart Missile System, and Disruption Pods)
2 Piranhas (w. Fusion Blasters)

Heavy
3 Broadside (team leader w. HW target lock, targeting arrays for all)
3 Broadside (team leader w. HW target lock, targeting arrays for all)
Hammerhead Gunship (Flechette Discharger, Multi Tracker, Disruption Pod)

This is designed as a generic all comers list. Most of the local meta game is marines, with a smattering of IG players (and a Nid or 3). The Pathfinders are there for marker-lights to make the suits hit easier (from 3+ to 2+ when it absolutely needs to die). The Hammerhead is there for its submutions round against hordes. The Crisis Suits are there for deepstriking goodness.

I was thinking of dropping the piranhas for another pathfinder team (for twice the markerlight evil), what do you think? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I would drop the devilfish from the firewarriors. I think they can be used effectively to form ranks around your broadsides and shoot anything that gets within close enough.

You can use the devilfish that comes with the pathfinders to move a FW squad onto an objective/contest an objective later in the game.

You also need more than two units of troops at this point level. Maybe try and go with 4-5 squads of 6 FWs.

Also consider dropping the broadside for either more broadsides or more elite crisis suits. If you go for more crisis suits then take your 2 teams of 3 broadsides and make them into 3 teams of 2 with ASS and target locked team leaders so you can split your fire 6 ways if need be.

Andrewdrexler wrote:Commander (Airbursting Frag Cannon, Fusion Blaster, Stimulent injector, HW drones and Multi Tracker +2 Shield Drones)
2 Body Guards (target array, missile pods, and Fusion Blasters)

The AFP ("Cannon"?) is an anti-I wep, so why have it with an anti-T unit?

Andrewdrexler wrote:3 Crisis Suits (Sas’Vre upgrade, Plasma Rifles\Fusion Blasters\Targeting Arrays and a Target Lock for the leader)

Without MultiTrackers, they're only going to be able to fire one gun. You'll have to drop the TAs on all three for the MTs. The team leader can have a hwMT and keep the TA for better Ballistic Skill. Plus, the 'Vre upgrade is only good for access to unique items. Save a couple points and just use the Team Leader upgrade. And, the BK's points are worth it to have a single suit rally should it fail morale.

Andrewdrexler wrote:10 Fire Warriors (Devilfish, Smart Missile System, and Disruption Pods)
10 Fire Warriors (Devilfish, Smart Missile System, and Disruption Pods)

The SMS's points cost is a lot to gain 6" in range and one die over the single Burst Cannon, if it moves. I would either go the whole hog, with Target Array and MT for a Warfish, or just have the DisPod.

Andrewdrexler wrote:8 Pathfinders (Devilfish, Smart Missile System, and Disruption Pods)
2 Piranhas (w. Fusion Blasters)

No DisPods for the piranhas?

Andrewdrexler wrote:3 Broadside (team leader w. HW target lock, targeting arrays for all)
3 Broadside (team leader w. HW target lock, targeting arrays for all)
Hammerhead Gunship (Flechette Discharger, Multi Tracker, Disruption Pod)

I like Target Lock on my HH so the BCs can hit infantry and the RG will pop a tank. If you want to trim anything, do so to give the XV88s Shield Drones and BKs. They'll last longer.

*And*, two troop units at 1850, even in d'fish is a weakness that tourney players will exploit quickly and then you're playing for a draw by turn 3. I highly advise trimming a b-side from each team or just *one* full team, in exchange for Warfish+FWs and/or 2 kroot units, larger than minimum.

Thanks for the sugestions Brothererkrose, I was able to trim enough to slip another 2 squads of FW into the list while keeping the core of what I like to play.

Now I just need to model this all up hehe

Pretty solid list just a few suggestions.

I would take out the fusion blasters off of the suits if you can. I have found that it is just that effective. You really don't need all of the anti-T weapons on your suits as you already have 7 railguns. Also, if you are within 12 inches of the enemy when your shooting, then you are too close IMHO.

And with the TAs (you can just use the pathfinders to boost BS) you lose the VoF which means, unless the unit is only a 3 man squad, you are within rapid fire or assualt range in the enemy turn.

Here is your average damage in MEQ:

3 fusion blasters
2 hits
1.67 dead

6 plasma rifles
4 hits
3.33 dead

Either you put a multi-tracker on them or ditch the fusion blasters for longer range guns.

And to your orginal post: I would keep the piranhas in leu of more pathfinders. Stick a flechette discharger on them and they are anti-horde and anti-tank. It is hilarious to see a 30 man boyz squad hit 2 piranhas and take 30 wounds