Are the Tau really that broken...

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**Synister_Intent**

Are the Tau really that broken that not too many people play them, I have only seen 1 Tau army in my time playing 40k, what makes them so broken?

**MechaEmperor7000**

They're largely a gimmick army with a rather dated codex. Very few armies rely purely on shooting, not even their CC troops can win the day alone (Kroot Carnivores are really just there to tarpit). Even the Necrons, the other shooter army, can at least bring some decent CC in the form of Wraiths and a D-Lord with Warscythe.

**timetowaste85**

I assume by "broken" you mean bad? Broken usually means overpowered, which the Tau most certainly are not (bottom tier). Blood Angels and Space Wolves are the actual current "broken" armies because they are so good. And yeah, as Mecha said, they have no close combat options: get them in CC and they fold like wet tissue paper.

**Mannahnin**

Things can be broken in an overpowered or underpowered way, timetowaste.

Synister_Intent, it all depends on what people like in your local store. Most places I've played I've seen some Tau armies. Usually aesthetics are a major element of why people choose an army, and Tau certainly look cool.

**loota boy**

I mainly agree with all of the above posters. Also, for an army that relies souly on shooting, they need a better BS. 3 just won't cut it if you have no cc to back it up.

**Kilkrazy**

The Tau codex is mid 4th edition, and it wasn't strong back then.

**Jon Garrett**

It doesn't help that 5th boosted the importance of strong close combat and reduced the price of transports for the armies that have been updated. Tau are somewhat over costed for what they can achieve now, especially the Devilfish.

**EmilCrane**

Basically everything the Tau do the imperial guard does better, and cheaper.

**Mannahnin**

That's not true. Tau have some unique tricks, particularly to do with cover saves. Proper use of Kroot and Pirhana for movement interdiction is crucial, but they are certainly a competitive army. The range of power between the top and bottom army books in 40k isn't enormous, although the power range between a badly-built army and a well-built one is enormous.

**Kilkrazy**

It depends on the definitions.

I don't think there is much doubt that Tau are currently among the bottom two armies in the game, the other being Necrons. The question is what is the scale and range between top and bottom. If I had to put a figure on it, I would estimate that Tau are 20% weaker per point than the top armies.

You certainly can win with Tau. It's just harder than with most other armies.

They aren't an automatic loss any more than IG, SW or BA are an automatic win. Player skill, the scenerios, terrain, and luck, always play a part.

**Emperors Faithful**

There are a lot of posters here that are claiming Blood Angels are 'broken' in a good way. This confuses me, as every time I've brought my IG up against a BA player he has lost, often badly. I don't have that much success against most other armies.

**Clumpski**

but talking about necrons, if there so "broken" in this case, how come they were the most sold army during the christmas period? =D (statistic straight from a gw staff member about 7 hours ago)

**Emperors Faithful**

You didn't think Santa went down the chimney did you?

**GalacticDefender**

I play Tau, (along with IG and SM), and I don't find them to be all that broken. Just markerlight the crap out of the enemy and you should do all right. I've won about as many battles as I've lost with my Tau. They aren't great, but they are alright enough to not be completely broken, although you might have to improvise some in your tactics.

**juraigamer**

EmilCrane wrote:Basically everything the Tau do the imperial guard does better, and cheaper.

Damn straight. The tau cover removing mechanic is something the guard can pull off too. Tanks that ignore cover, the ability to force your opponent to re-roll successful cover saves, other weapons that just ignore cover. I do love how guard are just better in all instances that tau...

In short though the tau can win, but with one or two mistakes your a goner. It's defiantly not like the aforementioned army that a monkey could play and win.

**Emperors Faithful**

juraigamer wrote: It's defiantly not like the aforementioned army that a monkey could play and win.

And win I shall.

**MechaEmperor7000**

juraigamer wrote:
EmilCrane wrote:Basically everything the Tau do the imperial guard does better, and cheaper.

Damn straight. The tau cover removing mechanic is something the guard can pull off too. Tanks that ignore cover, the ability to force your opponent to re-roll successful cover saves, other weapons that just ignore cover. I do love how guard are just better in all instances that tau...

In short though the tau can win, but with one or two mistakes your a goner. It's defiantly not like the aforementioned army that a monkey could play and win.

A good number of Guard weaponry are Barrage weapons, which have limited cover ignoring ability. They also have a few flamer-based tanks, heavy flamers out the wazoo, and a few guns that ignores cover (Hydra cannons ignore some cover saves, while Nova Cannons completely ignores them).

**Mannahnin**

But they don't have the Tau ability to peel off your critical transport's smoke save on the critical turn when you use it, to double the odds that Railguns or Fusion guns stop it right then when you need to.

Heavy flamers also don't negate the saves of Marines in cover, while marker lights + plasma suits do.

Your point is taken, but Tau still have some unique abilities.

**Emperors Faithful**

Mannahnin wrote:But they don't have the Tau ability to peel off your critical transport's smoke save on the critical turn when you use it, to double the odds that Railguns or Fusion guns stop it right then when you need to.

Fire on My Target esentially pretty much does the same thing, however, this only works for infantry units.

**MechaEmperor7000**

Mannahnin wrote:
Heavy flamers also don't negate the saves of Marines in cover, while marker lights + plasma suits do.

Banewolf. Will roast marines like there's no tomorrow. Granted, though, that there are better options in the book.

**DickBandit**

I feel like people are trying to discourage me from Tau. They're like "WHY DID YOU PICK TAU?! They suck!! LOL" And I'm like "Oh, what and be a spess muhrine player like everyone else in this damn room?" (referring to my game shop) I like the Tau. I love the models, especially the battlesuits. I haven't played a game with them yet, but I will this week.

**silpheedpilot**

My friend plays Tau simply because they're very anime looking and you know what? That is completely okay. I started out playing with the Necrons, which I'll admit are woefully underpowered, and then I switched to Chaos.
I'm pretty proud of him for sticking with a single army even though he knows they are a bit harder to win with. It all comes down to what pleases you in Warhammer. Would you rather play with cool looking troopers that wear pretty slick looking armor instead of sweaty human beings with the tactics of a WWII infantryman? Tau are where it's at.

**Soo'Vah'Cha**

I play Tau , Orks, and IG, all in excess now of 10,000pts and i enjoy each for their vastly differing play styles, the main thing that had drawn me to the Tau was the fact that they fight the most like a modern real world army ( baring the battlesuits that is

), I have used them a few times and been very sucessful with them, but remember play to your strengths not your enemies.
Stay mobile, retrograde, keep reserves and target selection have all been vital to my sucess with the Tau, try not to get stuck fighting your enemy the way he wants, and a little psyche-warfare helps, I scare them with my rail guns and tales of nasty things they have done in the past

.

But most importantly play what makes you happy, not just what wins the most, this is a hobby afterall, that's combat system is based on dicerolls, so if you like a army, like it's fluff, enjoy its minis then thats the army for you, follow your heart, and play the damn game...thats what we do here.

well cheers all.

**silpheedpilot**

Soo'Vah'Cha wrote:But most importantly play what makes you happy, not just what wins the most, this is a hobby afterall, that's combat system is based on dicerolls, so if you like a army, like it's fluff, enjoy its minis then thats the army for you, follow your heart, and play the damn game...thats what we do here.

well cheers all.

So, wait, don't power-game, play the cheesiest lists, nitpick every rule, and try and squeeze every advantage you can out of a game? That's preposterous! This is 40k, after all!

**Kilkrazy**

DickBandit wrote:I feel like people are trying to discourage me from Tau. They're like "WHY DID YOU PICK TAU?! They suck!! LOL" And I'm like "Oh, what and be a spess muhrine player like everyone else in this damn room?" (referring to my game shop) I like the Tau. I love the models, especially the battlesuits. I haven't played a game with them yet, but I will this week.

Personally I'm not trying to discourage you from Tau. I have a Tau army myself. I strongly encourage everyone to play less Space Merinas and IG, because those armies are over-represented and we need more variety.

That said, it is the plain truth that Tau are one of the weakest codexes, so you will be at a disadvantage against most armies, and you will need to develop tactical skill to compensate.

If your interest in playing is to win as easily as possible, I would direct your attention to a different army.

**EmilCrane**

A lot of people at my club play tau, and they do have some nice tricks, particularly suit spam and deep striking and jumping around. I also like the marker light ability (I'd trade half of codex IG for temporary BS5 veterans) however the guard can still out shoot them for less points cost and gain most of their special marker light abilities through orders (re-roll cover saves, TL'd weapons, shoot and extra time etc.) so now all the Tau ahve are suits and maneuverability, which the eldar of both flavours also do better. So what are you elft with? Suits.

Battlesuits are awesome, but that can't hold up the entire codex.

Anyway, just my thoughts on the matter. In short, their cool, but sort of outclassed at the mement, wait for your 5th ed dex when a pulse rifle is S6 AP3 or some crap like that.

**striderx**

Kilkrazy wrote:I don't think there is much doubt that Tau are currently among the bottom two armies in the game, the other being Necrons.

And I m afraid you are wrong. In fact, VERY wrong.

I m guessing you OR the crowd you are playing with are still learning the game (not as in the rules, but higher level tactics and strategy). Tau will not excel in the hands of those.

**Nurglitch**

Tau need to be made more user-friendly, not more powerful.

**EmilCrane**

Nurglitch wrote:Tau need to be made more user-friendly, not more powerful.

Indeed, but in GW's mind those two things are basically the same.

**Nurglitch**

I disagree. I know they're significantly different given the design philosophy espoused by the Design team. User-friendliness is moreso the user's ability to account for risk and reward. The Tyranid Codex is a step up in useability from the previous Codex, but carries no reputation for being over-powered.