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Alright, so after a longer delay than I'd like, I finally bit the bullet and bought myself a bunch of models to start my army. If I've done my maths right, I got this lot for a shade under half retail price, not including the Fire Warriors in the RRP, which I'm rather happy with. I haven't painted these, this is how they came out of the box when I received them this afternoon.


Anyway, the reason I posted this here is that my list was originally 750 points, so I was wondering if the extra points could be better spent than where I've allocated them. With that in mind, here's the list I've come up with so far:

HQ: XV8 Shas'el w/ TL MP, TA - 78pts

Troops:
12x Fire Warriors - 120
Devilfish w/ DPod, SMS, TA - 115

12x Fire Warriors - 120
Devilfish w/ DPod, SMS, TA - 115

Elites:
XV8 Shas'ui w/ TL MP, TA - 53
XV8 Shas'ui w/ TL MP, TA - 53
XV8 Shas'ui w/ TL MP, TA - 53

XV8 Shas'ui w/ TL MP, TA - 53
XV8 Shas'ui w/ TL MP, TA - 53

Heavy Support:
XV88 Shas'ui Leader w/ TA, SDrone - 95
XV88 w/ TA - 75

Total: 983pts.

Any C&C would be appreciated!

Edit: Great start, forgot the link to the thread for my original thread. http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/30/298612.page

I like the leg stripes indicating rank on the Crisis Suits.

Raptorkid wrote:HQ: XV8 Shas'el w/ TL MP, TA -

IMHO, a Deathrain HQ is kind of a waste. I use a FireKnife w/ Target Array, getting BS5, which MathHammer-wise, I believe is better than Twin-Link (any MathHeads are welcome to gainsay this claim ). Anyway, it adds the PlasmaRifle's shots.

Raptorkid wrote:Devilfish w/ DPod, SMS, TA -

Add the MultiTracker so it can move Combat Speed and shoot all seven dice.

Raptorkid wrote:XV8 Shas'ui w/ TL MP, TA -

*All* Deathrains? There's a lot of firepower you're foresaking in the form of FireStorms and FKs. I'd have a unit of DRs, and FSs and FKs.

Raptorkid wrote:XV88 Shas'ui Leader w/ TA, SDrone - 95
XV88 w/ TA -

MAy as well add the add'l ShieldDrone, and then Bond ... the BK is worth it for one suit to rally should the b-side unit fail a morale check.

Brothererekose wrote:I like the leg stripes indicating rank on the Crisis Suits.

Ah, is that what that's for? I thought it was just a design choice.

Brothererekose wrote:IMHO, a Deathrain HQ is kind of a waste. I use a FireKnife w/ Target Array, getting BS5, which MathHammer-wise, I believe is better than Twin-Link (any MathHeads are welcome to gainsay this claim ). Anyway, it adds the PlasmaRifle's shots.

I never thought of that- Consider it done.

Brothererekose wrote:Add the MultiTracker so it can move Combat Speed and shoot all seven dice.

My bad, I've added the points for the Multi Tracker in the cost, but not written it down.

Brothererekose wrote:*All* Deathrains? There's a lot of firepower you're foresaking in the form of FireStorms and FKs. I'd have a unit of DRs, and FSs and FKs.

I went with DRs simply because it means I can fire and keep out of range of most infantry. I built this list with IG in mind, and my friend usually just sets up in one corner of the board, so I figured DRs would be ideal to whittle avay at his guardsmen whilst not risking any casualties. If you think it'd be better to take FireKnives, I'dd put a unit in. I don't know what gear makes up a Firestorm, so I've made them all FireKnives for the time being.

Brothererekose wrote:MAy as well add the add'l ShieldDrone, and then Bond ... the BK is worth it for one suit to rally should the b-side unit fail a morale check.

Done.

After all these additions, I've had to drop a suit from one team. The list now looks like this:

HQ: XV8 Shas'el w/MP, PR, TA, HW MT - 92pts

Troops:
12x Fire Warriors - 120
Devilfish w/ DPod, SMS, TA - 115

12x Fire Warriors - 120
Devilfish w/ DPod, SMS, TA - 115

Elites:
XV8 Shas'ui w/ MP, PR, MT - 62
XV8 Shas'ui w/ MP, PR, MT - 62

XV8 Shas'ui w/ MP, PR, MT - 62
XV8 Shas'ui w/ MP, PR, MT - 62

Heavy Support:
XV88 Shas'ui Leader w/ TA, SDrone - 95
XV88 w/ TA - 75

Total: 1000pts dead.

Raptorkid wrote:

Brothererekose wrote:I like the leg stripes indicating rank on the Crisis Suits.

Ah, is that what that's for? I thought it was just a design choice.

If I have observed correctly, you put two stripes on the HQ suits and one on the others. Though I don't think it is anything official with GW at all.

Brothererekose wrote:*All* Deathrains? There's a lot of firepower you're foresaking in the form of FireStorms and FKs. I'd have a unit of DRs, and FSs and FKs.

Raptorkid wrote: I went with DRs simply because it means I can fire and keep out of range of most infantry. I built this list with IG in mind, and my friend usually just sets up in one corner of the board, so I figured DRs would be ideal to whittle avay at his guardsmen whilst not risking any casualties. If you think it'd be better to take FireKnives, I'dd put a unit in. I don't know what gear makes up a Firestorm, so I've made them all FireKnives for the time being.

FireStorm - BC/MP/MT which will do really well against IG horde. And, adding an add'l die, for 5 total, ought to yield more hits than TL-MP will get ... again, the MathHeads can compute it out. Raptorkid, it still has up to 24 away range, hopefully behind something.

Raptorkid wrote:

Brothererekose wrote:Add the MultiTracker so it can move Combat Speed and shoot all seven dice.

My bad, I've added the points for the Multi Tracker in the cost, but not written it down.

Raptorkid wrote:Devilfish w/ DPod, SMS, TA - 115

Actually, you have *not* included the MT's cost. Warfish run 120 points.


Prolly need to cut one Deathrain for MTs, and a ShieldD for the XV88s. Not a large loss.

Brothererekose wrote:If I have observed correctly, you put two stripes on the HQ suits and one on the others. Though I don't think it is anything official with GW at all.

Weren't me, guv. 'Onest! This is how I bought them, I've made no changes at all.

Brothererekose wrote:FireStorm - BC/MP/MT which will do really well against IG horde. And, adding an add'l die, for 5 total, ought to yield more hits than TL-MP will get ... again, the MathHeads can compute it out. Raptorkid, it still has up to 24 away range, hopefully behind something.

Ok, if I make both squads and the HQ into FireStorms and drop the HQ's TA, I can afford an additional suit. Or I could get a couple more Shield Drones for the squad he'll be attached to, and Team Leader, Bonding Knife and another Shield Drone for the other squad. I'm leaning more towards the Drones, unless there's you think additoinal suit would be of more use?

Brothererekose wrote:

Raptorkid wrote:Devilfish w/ DPod, SMS, TA - 115

Actually, you have *not* included the MT's cost. Warfish run 120 points.

I know what I've done; I forgot to add the DPod. Fixed.

I play against Tau alot. For future reference:
Never take Kroot (not worth it, as they are not good in close combat), focus on your Fire Warriors instead, as fire power is the Tau strength.
Ignore Vespids (again, not worth it. their weapons may look nice and shiny, but if you go up against Marines and you miss even one shot, you will lose the entire squad to the last Marine)

azrael8 wrote:I play against Tau alot. For future reference:
Never take Kroot (not worth it, as they are not good in close combat), focus on your Fire Warriors instead, as fire power is the Tau strength.
Ignore Vespids (again, not worth it. their weapons may look nice and shiny, but if you go up against Marines and you miss even one shot, you will lose the entire squad to the last Marine)

I am going to have to disagree about the Kroot. The problem with Kroot is people try to use them too aggressively, thinking them to be a good close combat unit - the problem is that they're not. They're a mediocre close combat unit, but they're a good support unit. Using a small unit of Kroot (with some Hounds) is a nice way to attack the squads that your Crisis Suits have whittled down. Just understand that they're not meant to fight in close combat unaided. The same kind of thing applies to Vespid - they're a good support unit, meant to be used in tandem with Crisis Suits. Obviously neither unit is the GREATEST at what they do, but they can provide some needed support in a pinch.

Also, Fire Warriors aren't nearly as great as they seem on paper. Most people tend to only use them for capturing objectives, and try to keep squad sizes around 8. This allows more points to be spent on your killy units, being Crisis Suits.

Just personal opinion, of course.

I like this list. heavy on the suits is just my style.

You don't seem to have paid for the targeting arrays on the broadsides, though.

ssREV wrote:I like this list. heavy on the suits is just my style.

You don't seem to have paid for the targeting arrays on the broadsides, though.

Oops - I've given them Target Lock, not Targeting Array. Ah well, I'll just drop a couple of FWs to free up any points I need.

I agree with you on the suits - I love the models, and I reckon the tactics should bring a nice breath of fresh air to my gaming group.

Kamsm8 wrote:

azrael8 wrote:I play against Tau alot. For future reference:
Never take Kroot (not worth it, as they are not good in close combat), focus on your Fire Warriors instead, as fire power is the Tau strength.
Ignore Vespids (again, not worth it. their weapons may look nice and shiny, but if you go up against Marines and you miss even one shot, you will lose the entire squad to the last Marine)

I am going to have to disagree about the Kroot. The problem with Kroot is people try to use them too aggressively, thinking them to be a good close combat unit - the problem is that they're not. They're a mediocre close combat unit, but they're a good support unit. Using a small unit of Kroot (with some Hounds) is a nice way to attack the squads that your Crisis Suits have whittled down. Just understand that they're not meant to fight in close combat unaided. The same kind of thing applies to Vespid - they're a good support unit, meant to be used in tandem with Crisis Suits. Obviously neither unit is the GREATEST at what they do, but they can provide some needed support in a pinch.

Also, Fire Warriors aren't nearly as great as they seem on paper. Most people tend to only use them for capturing objectives, and try to keep squad sizes around 8. This allows more points to be spent on your killy units, being Crisis Suits.

Just personal opinion, of course.

So, while what you say about Kroot and Vespids are dead-on, Fire Warriors are the core of any Tau force. Using the massed fire power from a group of Fire Warriors will kill pretty much anything. And I personally prefer Stealth Suits to Crisis Suits, but that is up to you.