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Tau: 1470

HQ -
Commander Shas’o: 142 pts, Commander with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-tracker, and Two shield drones

Elite -
Battlesuit Team: 226pts, One Shas’vre with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi- tracker, and Two shield drones, Two Shas’ui with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, and Multi-tracker

Battlesuit Team: 186pts, Three Shas’ui with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, and Multi-tracker

Troop -
Fire Warrior: 120pts, Twelve Shas’la with Pulse Rifles

Fire Warrior: 120pts, Twelve Shas’la with Pulse Rifles

Fast Attack -
Pathfinders: 48pts, Four Shas’la

Pathfinders: 48pts, Four Shas’la

Dedicated Transports -
Devilfish: 80pts

Devilfish: 80pts

Heavy -
Broadside Team: 140pts, Two Shas’ui

Broadside Team: 140pts, Two Shas’ui

Broadside Team: 140pts, Two Shas’ui

Please tell me what you think and what I should change. Should I include some gun drones for outflankers? Should I take broadsides or Hammerheads?
My Commander will go with the battlesuit team that doesn't have a Shas'vre. The two devilfish will be for the fire warriors as the pathfinders will infiltrate. For the pathfinders though, if I upgrade them with a target lock can they then split what unit they put their markerlights on?

Dude, I love this list. Good everything.

I love your crisis battle suit configurations. Effective. Simple.

Troops and Fast Attack are also fine as well.

The only thing I think you should change is getting rid of one broadside team, and putting those points elsewhere. Also, your broadsides must take a battle suit support system, as stated in their entry. Give them all A.S.S. and take off one team.

With the leftover 100 pts, I would upgrade your Devilfish to warfish. Give them SMS / MT / TA / and DPs

In my opinion there are some things you could change. All your units are rock-paper-scissors in the way that any dedicated shooting will destroy you. A single lascannon will instant death your broadsides. You may be able to put some of them into cover, put you can't always make 4+ cover saves. Seeing how you have to give them a support system, I would recommend giving 1 a target lock, and the other 2 gun drones. The gun drones are there to soak up wounds and you can still keep majority toughness 4.
And by giving each 1 a target lock all 6 of your broadsides can be firing at different targets. That will mess up any mech list.

That is a great list but try and find room for some Sheild drones on your crisis if you can


click on spike please


Automatically Appended Next Post:
shield drones on broadsides aswell

that way they instant death the drone not the broadside lol plus +4 invul


Automatically Appended Next Post:
perhaps downsize the pathfinders (pathfinders are great combo with broadsides because of marker lights) to fit in the shield drones

TheBringer wrote:Dude, I love this list. Good everything.

Really? It's not bad, but 'tis nowhere worth loving.

nickh1382 wrote:EBattlesuit Team: 226pts, One Shas’vre with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi- tracker, and Two shield drones, Two Shas’ui with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, and Multi-tracker

Sheesh. This 'vre thing.
If Andy Hoare had at least brought the vre's h2h stats to MEq, it might be worth while, but as a slow GEq ... wtf?
Okay, rant over.

Nick, just go with TeamLeader to get Drone Controler access, except, I think your Shield Drones should go elsewhere**. You're not getting any Special Issue gear, so why? The points you'll save can be for DisPods on your D'fish below. Or, throw the last few points into a BondingKnife so a surviving suit can rally.

nickh1382 wrote:Pathfinders: 48pts, Four Shas’la
Pathfinders: 48pts, Four Shas’la

I don't see 4 PFs being real effective. You'll average 2 ML hits per salvo. That'll be a good boost for another unit's Ballistic Skill, but not enough to eliminate a Cover Save. I'd combine the 8 of them, or try for two teams of at least 6 PFs.

Considering how often I use MLs for a Railhead to erase a CoverSave on the enemy Vin, Pred or LRC, at least 6 PathFs are needed.

nickh1382 wrote:Devilfish

At least the Dispod upgrade, but like TheBringer I use the Warfish, but that'd eat into your set up and really alter the list.

Elsewhere**

nickh1382 wrote:Broadside Team: 140pts, Two Shas’ui
Broadside Team: 140pts, Two Shas’ui
Broadside Team: 140pts, Two Shas’ui

I'd take your Shield Drones from the Crisis Suit unit above, and put them in one of these teams. Then the Crisis team wouldn't need a Team Leader. Crisis Suits have JSJ for protection, whereas XV88s need it because they have to stand still and take on return fire. And, what else are they taking? A.s.s. MTs? TAs?

nickh1382 wrote:Should I include some gun drones for outflankers?

Do you mean DeepStrike? Drones can't Outflank. Kroot can.

nickh1382 wrote: Should I take broadsides or Hammerheads?

Both are good, but slightly different. B-sides last longer, whereas an HH can die in one shot. But HHs are more mobile and have the large template for hordes.

It depends on the enemy, really. *If* I knew it'd be a more hordy enemy, then Railheads. More MEch, then b-sides. A standard, "take all comers" lists ought to have 2 Railheads, IMHO. At 1500+ I field 2 Railheads and a 3 suit b-side team. Although, 6 to 9 b-sides, each unit with 2 to 6 Shield Drones (a points sink) will actually affect the morale of the enemy player.

nickh1382 wrote: For the pathfinders though, if I upgrade them with a target lock can they then split what unit they put their markerlights on?

Yes, but only one ML. It would allow the *one* Shas'Ui to put his ML on another target, but one ML isn't going to accomplish much. So, no, skip that.

Best advice, drop 1 of the broadside teams. Get Disruption Pods on the Devilfish and Bonding knife on the teams. Id suggest you try get 3 teams of FW + Devilfish if you can makes objective games that much easier to win.
Also the Battlesuit teams both have the same function as does the commander are you vs MEQ heavy armies? If you want to broaden it out make 1 unit Horde because atm that is what this list lacks.


I like the warfish set up much better makes them that much more deadly.

Comments in Red.

nickh1382 wrote:Tau: 1470

HQ -
Commander Shas’o: 142 pts, Commander with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-tracker, and Two shield drones
Shas'o is never worth the points, take a Targeting Array and Shield drone with the 25 points. Also, as others have said these drones would be better off on your Crisis team.
Elite -
Battlesuit Team: 226pts, One Shas’vre with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi- tracker, and Two shield drones, Two Shas’ui with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, and Multi-tracker

Battlesuit Team: 186pts, Three Shas’ui with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, and Multi-tracker
Looks mostly good, again as others have said drop the 'vre to a team leader.
Troop -
Fire Warrior: 120pts, Twelve Shas’la with Pulse Rifles

Fire Warrior: 120pts, Twelve Shas’la with Pulse Rifles
Use 6 man teams and spend the points on fish upgrades amongst other things.
Fast Attack -
Pathfinders: 48pts, Four Shas’la

Pathfinders: 48pts, Four Shas’la
No complaints here, I also like to run 2 units of pathfinders.
Dedicated Transports -
Devilfish: 80pts

Devilfish: 80pts
I would give these some upgrades, Disruption Pods at the very least.
Heavy -
Broadside Team: 140pts, Two Shas’ui

Broadside Team: 140pts, Two Shas’ui

Broadside Team: 140pts, Two Shas’ui
Seems like alot more broadsides than you need at this point level and with no upgrades they are going to get blown apart very fast.
Please tell me what you think and what I should change. Should I include some gun drones for outflankers? Should I take broadsides or Hammerheads?
My Commander will go with the battlesuit team that doesn't have a Shas'vre. The two devilfish will be for the fire warriors as the pathfinders will infiltrate. For the pathfinders though, if I upgrade them with a target lock can they then split what unit they put their markerlights on?

Brothererekose wrote:I don't see 4 PFs being real effective. You'll average 2 ML hits per salvo. That'll be a good boost for another unit's Ballistic Skill, but not enough to eliminate a Cover Save. I'd combine the 8 of them, or try for two teams of at least 6 PFs.

Considering how often I use MLs for a Railhead to erase a CoverSave on the enemy Vin, Pred or LRC, at least 6 PathFs are needed.
Why put them together into a single unit? When you have them split into 2 units of 4 you have the option to light up 2 enemy units that are not in cover or if you need to strip somethings cover just fire them all at the same thing. Having them split up also gives you the advantage of spliting enemy fire, given how easily Pathfinders usualy die either one unit will survive for an extra round or your enemy will have to invest another units fire into the second group of Pathfinders.

This list is similar to my own 1500pt list, I'll post it below so you can compare. I'm still trying to tweak it as its not quite perfect yet.

HQ: 97
Shas'el Crisis Commander
- Plasma Rifle
- Missile Pod
- Multi-Tracker
- Hard-wired Drone Controller
- Gun Drone

Elites: 618
Shas'ui Crisis Team Leader
- Plasma Rifle
- Missile Pod
- Multi-Tracker
- Hard-wired Drone Controller
- Shield Drone
Shas'ui Crisis Battlesuit
- Plasma Rifle
- Missile Pod
- Multi-Tracker
Shas'ui Crisis Battlesuit
- Plasma Rifle
- Missile Pod
- Multi-Tracker

Shas'ui Crisis Team Leader
- Plasma Rifle
- Missile Pod
- Multi-Tracker
- Hard-wired Drone Controller
- Shield Drone
Shas'ui Crisis Battlesuit
- Plasma Rifle
- Missile Pod
- Multi-Tracker
Shas'ui Crisis Battlesuit
- Plasma Rifle
- Missile Pod
- Multi-Tracker

Shas'ui Crisis Team Leader
- Plasma Rifle
- Missile Pod
- Multi-Tracker
- Hard-wired Drone Controller
- Shield Drone
Shas'ui Crisis Battlesuit
- Plasma Rifle
- Missile Pod
- Multi-Tracker
Shas'ui Crisis Battlesuit
- Plasma Rifle
- Missile Pod
- Multi-Tracker

Troops: 120
Fire Warrior Team (6)

Fire Warrior Team (6)

Fast Attack: 360
Pathfinder Team (5)
- Devilfish
- Smart Missile System
- Multi-Tracker
- Targeting Array
- Disruption Pods

Pathfinder Team (5)
- Devilfish
- Smart Missile System
- Multi-Tracker
- Targeting Array
- Disruption Pods

Heavy Support: 300
Broadside Team Leader
- Advanced Stabilization System
- Hard-wired Drone Controller
- Shield Drone

Broadside Team Leader
- Advanced Stabilization System
- Hard-wired Drone Controller
- Shield Drone

Broadside Team Leader
- Advanced Stabilization System
- Hard-wired Drone Controller
- Shield Drone

Total: 1495

Dorion wrote:

Brothererekose wrote:I don't see 4 PFs being real effective. You'll average 2 ML hits per salvo. That'll be a good boost for another unit's Ballistic Skill, but not enough to eliminate a Cover Save. I'd combine the 8 of them, or try for two teams of at least 6 PFs.

Considering how often I use MLs for a Railhead to erase a CoverSave on the enemy Vin, Pred or LRC, at least 6 PathFs are needed.
Why put them together into a single unit? When you have them split into 2 units of 4 you have the option to light up 2 enemy units that are not in cover or if you need to strip somethings cover just fire them all at the same thing. Having them split up also gives you the advantage of spliting enemy fire, given how easily Pathfinders usualy die either one unit will survive for an extra round or your enemy will have to invest another units fire into the second group of Pathfinders.

A reasonable point. The counter to this is that tau being generally KP heavy army, one would think that two PF crews is just piling on KP opportunities. Hmmm.

It does require the enemy to be even busier. Something to think about.

Since I often have a 2nd Warfish for FWs anyway, perhaps I'll try splitting my one large 8 PF team into two 4s.

1483pts

HQ -
Commander Shas’el: 97pts, Commander with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Targeting Array, and Hard-wired Multi-tracker

Elite -
Battlesuit Team: 201pts, Three Shas’ui with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, and
Multi-tracker, One team leader with Bonding Knife

Battlesuit Team: 201pts, Three Shas’ui with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, and
Multi-tracker, One team leader with Bonding Knife

Troop -
Fire Warrior: 120pts, Twelve Shas’la with Pulse Rifles

Fire Warrior: 120pts, Twelve Shas’la with Pulse Rifles

Fast Attack -
Pathfinders: 72pts, Six Shas’la

Pathfinders: 72pts, Six Shas’la

Dedicated Transports -
Devilfish: 120pts, Disruption Pods, Smart Missile System, Multi-tracker, and Targeting Array

Devilfish: 120pts, Disruption Pods, Smart Missile System, Multi-tracker, and Targeting Array

Heavy -
Broadside Team: 180pts, Two Shas’ui, One Team Leader with Two Shield Drones and one with Target Lock

Broadside Team: 180pts, Two Shas’ui, One Team Leader with Two Shield Drones and one with Target Lock

How's this look guys? I'm not sure whether or not I will be playing more MEQ armies or horde armies as this is the first big army I plan on building and sticking to. Do you think it would be better to drop some stuff to find room for a Hammerhead in favor of the army being a take all comers list? Thanks for all the advice too guys


Automatically Appended Next Post:
OH and to clarify when i said the drones for outflankers, by outflankers i meant my opponents flankers such as genestealers. I could set the drones on the table edge to slow them down before they tear up my fire warriors

First off: Drop the target array on the commander and give both broadside teams Bonding knife.

If they lose both the shield drones and a 'ul and run he is never coming back, and that is a hell of a dent in firepower to receive.

Also 2 teams of 6 Pathfinders, it seems a bit much but if you can make it work, go for it.


Oh and the HH is really good to have if you can scrape points with it, sure its not as good an AV as a broadside but it has the large template blast and the ability to say on the board more.

Why put a bonding knife on the broadsides?

You are only broken when you are reduced to below %50, not when you are at %50 strength.

The Bringer wrote:Why put a bonding knife on the broadsides? You are only broken when you are reduced to below %50, not when you are at %50 strength.

Because, starting with 2 SDs, that's 4 models, meaning that the single surviving suit can't rally. With a BK, it can. Worth it IMHO.


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syanticraven wrote:First off: Drop the target array on the commander

I disagree. Why throw away BS5?

syanticraven wrote:and give both broadside teams a Bonding knife. If they lose both the shield drones and a 'ui and run he is never coming back, and that is a hell of a dent in firepower to receive.

I agree here. Nicely put.

The Bringer wrote:Why put a bonding knife on the broadsides?

You are only broken when you are reduced to below %50, not when you are at %50 strength.

He has taken 2 broadsides and 2 shield drones. When both drones die and 1 broadside eventually stuffs it you have less then 50% strength left and I sure as hell don't want my best and last Anti-AV, (85+ points worth to boot) walking off the board just because I didn't splash 5 points on him.

Edit: Brother I was cutting the TA to get the 5pts needed for the Bonding knife on each team and it seemed the most reasonable place to cut it from.


Also I find that rule really crap I mean I can understand running and never coming back at less then 25% but 50%? I find it a tad odd lol.

I think I am going to put the bonding knifes on the broadsides, but also split the crisis suit teams up into three groups of two. This way i don't need the bonding knife as they will never reach below 50%, besides the group my commander joins, which I will add a bonding knife to him. Also in the smaller groups they will be easier to hide and protect as I am using JSJ for protection. I'll probably drop the pathfinders down to five in a unit and then add some upgrades to various units. Also should i keep the units of fire warriors at 12 a piece?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also on one of the crisis suit teams i'll be outfitting them with more horde dedicated weapons, high shots, low strength.

nickh1382 wrote:I think I am going to put the bonding knifes on the broadsides, but also split the crisis suit teams up into three groups of two. This way i don't need the bonding knife as they will never reach below 50%, besides the group my commander joins, which I will add a bonding knife to him. Also in the smaller groups they will be easier to hide and protect as I am using JSJ for protection. I'll probably drop the pathfinders down to five in a unit and then add some upgrades to various units. Also should i keep the units of fire warriors at 12 a piece?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also on one of the crisis suit teams i'll be outfitting them with more horde dedicated weapons, high shots, low strength.

If they are going to travel around in a DF then no drop them to 6FWs, since when they get back out they will only be able to fire 12" and if they can fire and hit something that doesnt get wiped out then next turn they will be slaughtered. Unless you plan to gunline them then keep them at a high number.

What I tend to do is start at 3 teams of 12 then deduct 3FW at a time when ever I need the points. (I just do 1 from each team to keep it simple when playing)

Also i see that the smart missile system is explained under the crisis battlesuit section, but does not list any points for it? Can someone clarify this?

nickh1382 wrote:Also i see that the smart missile system is explained under the crisis battlesuit section, but does not list any points for it? Can someone clarify this?

They put it in that section because it comes as standard attached to broadsides (nothing else has a SMS on its baseline model). There are no points for it because no suit can Upgrade to a SMS and all vehicles that can have the point value noted in their descriptions.