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Hello all. Another new player to the universe of 40k here. I've compiled a list with which to learn the mechanics of the game. I'm aware that a few of the choices I've made are considered weak options (Stealthsuits I'm thinking here) but I've built my list around the miniatures I possess. So without further ado...

HQ - Shas'el with Twin-linked Missile pod, Flamer 72pts

Elites - 2 XV8s with Twin-Linked Missile pod, Flamer 94pts

Elites - 1 XV8 Team Leader with Twin-linked Missile pod, Plasma rifle, Hard-wired multi-tracker 73pts

Elites - 4 XV25 Stealthsuits 120pts

Troops - 6 Fire Warriors in Devilfish with Disruption pod, Multi-tracker 155pts

Troops - 6 Fire Warriors 60pts

Troops - 14 Kroot 98pts

Fast Attack - 6 Pathfinders in Devilfish with Disruption pod, Multi-tracker 167pts

Heavy Support - 2 XV88s with Advanced stabilisation system 160pts

Total - 999pts

A few thoughts behind my choices are that I intend for my Shas'el to join the lone XV8's unit and the Kroot to act as a screen for the Broadsides. The Stealthsuits I intend to pester my enemy from the flank or rear and hopefully draw some fire away from my gun line. Obviously the Pathfinders Devilfish will be handed to my Fire Warriors who are on foot. I'm not entirely sure if the Pathfinders give me good value for their points at this level. Any and all comments and criticisms regarding my list in its current state and what I can do to improve it regarding armoury and future unit choices are more than welcome. Thanks in advance.

Pilgrim Pod wrote:Elites - 4 XV25 Stealthsuits 120pts

Given their Stealth GEns, they're better screens for the broadsides, but why would you need them to screen b-sides in the Cover Save realm of 5e?

Pilgrim Pod wrote:Troops - 6 Fire Warriors in Devilfish with Disruption pod, Multi-tracker 155pts

I'd drop the MT; either run a dumbfish (DisPod) or Warfish, SMS, TA, MT, Dispod

Pilgrim Pod wrote:Fast Attack - 6 Pathfinders in Devilfish with Disruption pod, Multi-tracker 167pts

I'd spend the MT points on Shield Drones for the XV88s.

Pilgrim Pod wrote:Heavy Support - 2 XV88s with Advanced stabilisation system 160pts

Shield Drones, every time, bonded.

Pilgrim Pod wrote: I'm not entirely sure if the Pathfinders give me good value for their points at this level.

1k is a little low in points for PFs, but not uber harmful. Personally I would switch them out for more suits/Railhead, etc.

ya id have to say its a pretty good list, legal and you have the Shasel instead of Shaso. Id recomend dropping some flammers for Plasma Rifles tho

Brothererekose and darkcloud92 thanks for the replies and advice. I've had a little jig around, taking on board the advice given and came up with the following list shown below. In my mind I'm 99.99% happy with where I'm at now.

HQ - Shas'el with TL MP, Flamer 72pts

Elite - 2 XV8s with TL MP, Flamer 94pts

Elite - 2 XV8s with TL MP, Flamer 94pts

Elite - 2 XV8s with Plasma rifle, MP, Multi-tracker 124pts

Troop - 6 Fire Warriors with Pulse rifles in Devilfish with Disruption pod 145pts

Troop - 10 Kroot with 2 Kroot hounds 82pts

Heavy Support - 2 XV88s with ASS, one a Team leader with HWMT, HWDC, 2x Shield drones, Bonding knife 205pts

Heavy Support - Hammerhead with Railgun, SMS, Disruption pod, MT 175pts

Total - 991pts

Brothererekose wrote:Given their Stealth GEns, they're better screens for the broadsides, but why would you need them to screen b-sides in the Cover Save realm of 5e?

The Kroots purpose in my mind is just to protect the Broadsides from possible assaults.

So that's where I'm at in my head now. 9 points left to spend and I'm not quite sure where to allocate them. If there's anywhere I can improve this list further please don't hesitate to let me know, I'm open to suggestions! Thanks again in advance guys.

I'm liking the new list.

Given the new Tau codex FAQ update, I consider SMS more worthwhile than they used to be, so I won't suggest you change it to burst cannons instead...

I would only suggest you spend 5 points to give your hammerhead a target lock so that it may fire at 2 different targets.

Hey there The Bringer.

The Bringer wrote:I would only suggest you spend 5 points to give your hammerhead a target lock so that it may fire at 2 different targets.

I've trawled through the armoury section of the codex over and over again and a target lock was something that had caught my eye. Thanks very much for pointing out my error. I'll add it right away dude.

List as it stands now is...

HQ - Shas'el with TL MP, Flamer 72pts

Elite - 2 XV8s with TL MP, Flamer 94pts

Elite - 2 XV8s with TL MP, Flamer 94pts

Elite - 2 XV8s with Plasma rifle, MP, Multi-tracker 124pts

Troop - 6 Fire Warriors with Pulse rifles in Devilfish with Disruption pod 145pts

Troop - 10 Kroot with 2 Kroot hounds 82pts

Heavy Support - 2 XV88s with ASS, one a Team leader with HWMT, HWDC, 2x Shield drones, Bonding knife 205pts

Heavy Support - Hammerhead with Railgun, SMS, Disruption pod, MT, Target lock 180pts

Total - 996pts

Any other advice more than welcome!

What's your most common opponent?

If you fight lots of MEQ's, you may want to switch out some of those Deathrains for suits that are better at popping 3+ saves. (i.e. Bladestorms)

Hey Cottonjaw. I think the armies the fellas who I will be playing against mainly use Tyranids, Orcs, Space Marines, Eldar and other Tau. Don't hold me to it though as I haven't played a game yet. Those are just the armies I know the guys have mentioned!

Looking at my list I could try and replace a unit of Deathrains with Bladestorms. I'd think about cutting the Kroot hounds to help accommodate the new suits but I think that still leaves me 6 points short and I'm not sure where else to pull the points from. Any suggestions?

You don't need that multitracker on the Broadside team leader. Nothing that you're going to shoot railguns at, also would benefit from taking SMS in the face.

And I, for one, am a fan of the 165p Hammerhead loadout. Namely:

Hammerhead Gunship 165
Railgun, Burst Cannons, Disruption Pod, Multitracker

Shazam. I take the burst cannons because they are the cheapest option, not because I have any intention of using them at the same time that I'm firing solid slug. If I'm firing pie plate @ light infantry, I can fire the burst cannons at the same target as well, and it's all gravy.

Taking your advice on board Cottonjaw I've altered my list to the following...

HQ - Shas'el with TL MP, Flamer 72pts

Elite - 2 XV8s with TL MP, Flamer 94pts

Elite - 2 XV8s with PR BC, MT 116pts

Elite - 2 XV8s with Plasma rifle, MP, Multi-tracker 124pts

Troop - 6 Fire Warriors with Pulse rifles in Devilfish with Disruption pod 145pts

Troop - 10 Kroot with 2 Kroot hounds 82pts

Heavy Support - 2 XV88s with ASS, one a Team leader with HWDC, 2x Shield drones, Bonding knife 200pts

Heavy Support - Hammerhead with Railgun, Burst cannons, Disruption pod, Multi-tracker 165pts

Total - 998pts

I even got to keep my beloved Kroot hounds. I think that definately does it for this thread now. I've got two good lists that I'm going to give a try in the up and coming weeks and see how things go. Then the next step is a jump up to 1500 and eventually 2000 point lists. Keep your eyes peeled guys for me trawling these forums looking for advice on larger lists in the very near future!

Thanks Brothererekose, darkcloud92, The Bringer and lastly but not leastly Cottonjaw for all your help. I appreciate it.

Great choice for the final decision, a lot of powerful weapon choices for your crisis suits and getting kroot hounds, which I am also a fan of. good luck!

I personally like having two squads of FWs (at least), but overall it's a great list; especially against hordes

Good luck!