tldr wrote:I'm not sure the legality of this list, it's my roomates and he's new to this but he's built a 1500 point list from what I gather. Perhaps he doesn't realize the appropriate way to build a unit based on the codex but what he had written down is what he runs... I am sure something could be amiss in this list in terms of point values / legality.
This list is quite illegal. The crisis suits can choose to take any of the following:
1. 3 weapons (not recommended, but some configurations do allow this)
2. 2 weapons and 1 support system (this is pretty standard)
3. 1
TL weapon and 1 weapon OR support system
4. 1 weapon and 2 support systems (you would cheat yourself out of firepower with this, though)
Suits can also take stuff from the wargear list without counting them towards the suits hard points. However, I think the only suits that CANNOT purchase stuff from this list are the Shas'ui. The Team Leaders, 'Vres, and
HQs all can. As for popular crisis suit configurations, here are the few that I can think of:
1.
Fireknife-Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Multi-Tracker-This is just a great all around configuration. It's the best for an all-comers configuration and DOMINATES
MEQs.
2.
Deathrain-
TL Missile Pod, Targeting Array or Flamer-This suit is best for popping light armor vehicles. I run mine with flamers and they're extremely helpful and cheap. If you take the Targeting Array instead, though, you're basically taking 3 suits that are DEFINITELY going to hit whatever they're shooting at.
3. Helios-Fusion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Multi-Tracker-A good unit to deep strike, but much more effective against
MEQs and especially monstrous creatures.
4.
Sunforge-
TL Fusion Blaster, Targeting Array-These are the tank destroying unit. Typically they deep strike behind a tank, blow it up, then die from whatever was inside.
5. Firestorm-Burst Cannon, Missile Pod, Multi-Tracker-This is the anti-infantry configuration. 15 shots altogether, best against Orks, Nids, and the like.
There are a couple more but those are probably the top 5. And like the previous comments said, definitely check out advanced tau tactica. They have all sorts of advice on everything Tau.
Now onto the list. I'm assuming you were looking at making a 1500 point list based on Dorion's calculation. Here's my advice.
I see no
HQ. If you're playing friendly games and no
HQ is required, you can ignore the rest of this paragraph. However, if you're abiding by the compulsory 2 troops, 1
HQ required by the game, I would take a Shas'
El with Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Targeting Array, and a Hard-wired Multi-Tracker. It takes the best of the suit configurations and makes it better by allowing hits on a 2+. I wouldn't worry about a bodyguard because no real benefits are gained from the 10 points it costs for the upgrade. Just have him join 2 fireknives and they should be a very effective unit. Which brings me to my second point.
While the different equipment is a good idea for wound allocation, I think you'll find that the suits are a lot more effective when they're kitted the same. That way the unit can focus on 1 purpose and fulfill that purpose well. Whether it be anti-tank (which I wouldn't take any in this list since you have 3 railheads), anti-infantry, or anti-
MEQ, same-configuration suits will get the job done. Tau do so much better when they focus instead of spreading themselves to thin. I would take a unit of
Deathrains (Flamers or Targeting Arrays, whichever you prefer or can afford with the points) and make the 3rd unit fireknives, just for versatility.
Now onto the troops. Full 12 man
FW squads are nothing to scoff at. In rapid fire range, they can produce a TON of shots (and by ton I mean 24 max
). However, they will die way too quickly if they're out in the open. Try to find the points for another Devilfish and make sure the Devilfish have
AT LEAST a Disruption Pod. The Disruption Pod is the best 5 points you can spend in the Tau army. If you're looking for more firepower from them, though, take Warfish, which are Devilfish with
SMS, Targeting Array, Multi-Tracker, and Disruption Pod. I run these and they haven't let me down. running them also means you could drop your
FW squads and still have a sufficient amount of shots. I would also drop the markerlights from them. They're heavy, which means the
FWs can't move if they're going to shoot it, then they're DEFINITELY going to get torn apart. Plus 1 markerlight isn't going to make too much of a difference. The points were off in the squad with the Devilfish anyway. It should be 220 (120+80+10). If you're looking for markerlights take Pathfinders. I run them in my 1500 list and they help tremendously. Another option you may want to consider is Kroot. I just recently started running them and they're surprisingly useful. While they're mediocre at assaulting, they outlfank, can mop up thinned out squads by shooting or assaulting, can hold or contest objectives, and make great bubble wrap for Hammerheads, Broadsides, or Crisis Suits.
The points on the railheads are inaccurate, too. In addition to everything that's already on them, they have to select another weapon system, either 2 Burst Cannons or a
SMS. I recommend the Burst Cannons because you get more shots and more often than not, you'll be moving 12 and firing the railgun and not even using the secondary weapon system. If you're looking to shave points I would drop the Flechette Dischargers on these because you could spend the points elsewhere. Another option to consider with your heavy slot is taking Broadsides. I run 2, 1 with Hard-wired Target Lock so that I can split up the fire, and I attach 2 shield drones. This gives them something to throw those low
AP wounds on so that the broadsides don't die.
Here's a link to my 1500 list. So far I've played against Orks and Eldar. I lost to Orks (he was running Nob Bikerz) and tied the Eldar. If you have any other questions you want to ask me feel free to
PM me. Also encourage your roommate to sign up on here. I've learned soooooo much from looking at army lists, battle reports, and asking about rules I was unsure of. Anyway, here's my 1500 Tau list:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/335549.page Automatically Appended Next Post: Sorry, if a lot of this was redundant to what Dorion said, it just took me a while to type it all out. Anyway, I hope it all helps!
Bork'an Sept - 1750
Hive Fleet Behemoth - 2000
Blood Angels - 2000 
