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Looking at modeling a custom Tau Commander for a friend, in a Crisis Suit (though I think they have to be in one, right?), and am unsure what tends to be a good loadout for weapons and gear. I don't want to model it and find out that I put on the 'wrong' weapons and so he'll never get used or just not be effective.

Suggestions on what to stick on the model, for general-use?

I've found a Fireknife (Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-Tracker) makes for a good all around suit that works in any Tau army build.

Nightbringer's Chosen wrote:Looking at modeling a custom Tau Commander for a friend, in a Crisis Suit (though I think they have to be in one, right?), and am unsure what tends to be a good loadout for weapons and gear. I don't want to model it and find out that I put on the 'wrong' weapons and so he'll never get used or just not be effective.

Suggestions on what to stick on the model, for general-use?

Magnets are your friend here.

Missile-Plasma is a good solid combo. Particularly as Commanders can get BS to 5 and few things bring smile to your face as BS5 Plasma. Airburst Frag thingie is also fun, and effective but limited to infantry killing.

I've always found CIB + PR + Multi-Tracker to be effective, but the CIB limits the range somewhat. Fireknife pattern works at a slightly longer range, but I've never gotten that great of results out of fireknives. Also, as the others have stated, upgrade to BS 5 to get the most out of the commander's weapons, especially any that are Special Issue.

Weapon load outs should be derived by the use for your particular commander.

Suicide deep strike? Fusion blaster and missile pod. S7 loves rear armor and you're more likely to get it with that re-roll from a pathfinder fish.

Marine killing? Plasma rifle, missile pod. Missile pods for breaking open rhinos (and wounding marines on a 2+), plasma rifle for killing the plated innards.

General infantry killer? Plasma rifle, airbursting fragmentation launcher. Some AP2, some large blast 4, enough to take on whatever infantry is coming your way.

In addition to that, I would highly, HIGHLY, suggest running the positional relay if your commander (or a crisis team leader) is going to start on the table. Bringing the crisis team you need on with a 2+ is fairly wicked.

I'm very partial to the AFP - a large blast is hard to pass up.

As others have said, magnets are the way to go...spend 5-10 bucks here and you'll be set for pretty much life: http://www.kjmagnetics.com/

Followup question; the Crisis Suit Commander listed on the GW site mentions that it has an XV8 Crisis Suit and some other metal bits.
This -does- mean it has all the normal stuff a Crisis Suit would have, and then some additional stuff, right? (excepting the Gun Drones)
Since I'm converting it I don't want an all-metal model, and want to make sure it's packaged the way it sounds.

Nightbringer's Chosen wrote:Followup question; the Crisis Suit Commander listed on the GW site mentions that it has an XV8 Crisis Suit and some other metal bits.
This -does- mean it has all the normal stuff a Crisis Suit would have, and then some additional stuff, right? (excepting the Gun Drones)
Since I'm converting it I don't want an all-metal model, and want to make sure it's packaged the way it sounds.

The Commander model is the same as the normal suits with a small container with metal special issue weapons/war gear and heads. So you're correct.