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I'm just starting playing 40k (though I've been playing miniatures games since the early 90s) and I'm going Tau. I'm more of a fluff player (I won't be going to tourneys) and I like the look of the Tau and the storyline. Anyway, I have a bunch of stuff purchased and I've constructed my first 1500 point list and would like a bit of critique.

Let it be known that this is all of the stuff I currently have, other than two leftover stealth suits, a ton of leftover drones, and 20 leftover Kroot, so I'm not interested in going out any buying more units until I learn more of the game and we start playing 1750 or 1850 point games.

Thanks in advance!

First Try (Tau) 1500pt list

HQ: Commander Shas'o (2 models, 184 pts)
1 Commander Shas'o (Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker)
1 Crisis Bodyguard (Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker)

Troops: Fire Warrior (13 models, 240 pts)
11 Fire Warrior (Pulse Rifle x11)
1 Shas'ui (Bonding Knife; Pulse Rifle x1)
1 Devilfish (Burst Cannon; Smart Missile System; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear)

Troops: Fire Warrior (13 models, 240 pts)
11 Fire Warrior (Pulse Rifle x11)
1 Shas'ui (Bonding Knife; Pulse Rifle x1)
1 Devilfish (Burst Cannon; Smart Missile System; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear)

Heavy Support: Hammerhead Gunship (3 models, 180 pts)
1 Hammerhead Gunship (Railgun; Gun Drones; Targeting Array; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear; Multi-Tracker; Target Lock)

Elite: Crisis Battlesuit (3 models, 186 pts)
1 Crisis Battlesuit (Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker)
1 Crisis Battlesuit (Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker)
1 Crisis Battlesuit (Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker)

Elite: Crisis Battlesuit (3 models, 174 pts)
1 Crisis Battlesuit (Burst Cannon; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker)
1 Crisis Battlesuit (Burst Cannon; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker)
1 Crisis Battlesuit (Burst Cannon; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker)

Elite: Stealthsuits (4 models, 142 pts)
1 Stealthsuit Shas'vre (Fusion Blaster; Markerlight; Shas'vre Upgrade)
3 Stealthsuits (Burst Cannon x3)

Heavy Support: Broadside Battlesuit (2 models, 150 pts)
2 Broadside Battlesuit (Twin linked Railgun; Smart Missile System; Multi-Tracker)

Total Roster Cost: 1496

Not bad, just few points:

Don't take Gun Drones for Hammerheads, as they add little firepower and an annoying, nearly free, Kill point.

Buy Targeting Array for your Bodyguard Shas'vre.

If you are equipping your Devilfish with SMS, then you might just as well pay 5 points extra for Targeting Array.

I'd not bother with the Markerlight for the Stealth Team.

atomsmasher wrote:Commander Shas'o (2 models, 184 pts)
1 Commander Shas'o (Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker)

Just have one. And make it an 'El with Target Array. It saves points, but has the same BS. Have the other two be bodyguards.

atomsmasher wrote: 11 Fire Warrior (Pulse Rifle x11)
1 Shas'ui (Bonding Knife; Pulse Rifle x1)
1 Devilfish (Burst Cannon; Smart Missile System; Disruption Pod

Like Backfire said, add Target Array, but MT too. That way it can move Combat Speed and shoot both guns.

atomsmasher wrote: 1 Hammerhead Gunship (Railgun; Gun Drones; Targeting Array; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear; Multi-Tracker; Target Lock)

BCs are good or SMS. Target Array and LAndingGear are already part of the tank and don't need to be listed.

atomsmasher wrote: 1 Stealthsuit Shas'vre (Fusion Blaster; Markerlight; Shas'vre Upgrade)
3 Stealthsuits (Burst Cannon x3)

Skip the Vre upgrade and just go with Team Leader. Its stat increase makes no difference in h2h vs. MEqs. Also, I find a focused unit is better. The FB will hit a tank while the BCs are useless, or the BCs hose infantry and the FB's input is minor. I'd yank the FB off. I did. And the full 6 stealth crew is good anti-I.

Your b-side team should have Shield Drones and a BK. They'll last a lot longer.

The first place to trim points would be the bodyguards, then one of the Crisis Suits off the triple suit units.

Apart from the remarks above: your weak point will be troops. Most people take 6 FW's in a DF, and the FW will remain in the DF. By taking 12, you're committing them to the offensive. This is fine (although they are vulnerable) but then 2 troops is not much. I'd be inclined to make room somehow for 10 kroot, it's only 70 points for another scoring unit.

edit: the reason to want more than 2 troop choices is that 2/3 games is about claiming objectives. If your opponent destroys one troop choice, it becomes hard to win.

Thanks for the responses.

Backfire wrote:I'd not bother with the Markerlight for the Stealth Team.

How come? It seemed like a decent tactic and allows the Hammerhead or Broadsides to really strike hard.

I'll admit, I'm a n00b, so I'm just trying to learn.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Shrubs wrote:Apart from the remarks above: your weak point will be troops. Most people take 6 FW's in a DF, and the FW will remain in the DF. By taking 12, you're committing them to the offensive. This is fine (although they are vulnerable) but then 2 troops is not much. I'd be inclined to make room somehow for 10 kroot, it's only 70 points for another scoring unit.

I might look into cutting back the Fire Warrior squads to six and adding some Kroot. Maybe I could make a third squad of Fire Warriors if I find another Devilfish on the eBays or something.

If you want to learn, spend some time at advancedtautactica.com, especially in the Academy Articles section. There is a Stealth Team article there as well.