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So I need some help guys, lately when I got to my local gaming stores I play against tau and im currently running Necrons, Imp Guard, Blood Angels. I learn a little each time but each time I play I get destroyed just as bad as the last time. I will admit that i've only gotten back into 40k in the last 8 months or so. Anyone have any advice to help me out a little?

What do you have?
Necrons are a little underpowered since they have a relatively old codex, however they will be getting a new one soon-ish.

Close combat. Tau can't fight their way out of a wet paper bag.

Answering a couple of questions will help people give you specific advice
What point level are you playing at?
What is your Army List?
What is your opponents Tau Army List?

coolyo294 wrote:Close combat. Tau can't fight their way out of a wet paper bag.

Necrons are scarcely that much better at it. Though they do have some very good options for it when used correctly.

purplefood wrote:

coolyo294 wrote:
Close combat. Tau can't fight their way out of a wet paper bag.

Necrons are scarcely that much better at it. Though they do have some very good options for it when used correctly.

Absolutely, but the BA has plenty of CC units, maybe he should focus on using that army against his Tau opponent.

Grass4hopper wrote:

purplefood wrote:

coolyo294 wrote:
Close combat. Tau can't fight their way out of a wet paper bag.

Necrons are scarcely that much better at it. Though they do have some very good options for it when used correctly.

True, but the BA has plenty of CC units.

Fair enough. I thought it was just Necrons but he is running IG and BA as well...

Generally against Tau its about getting into CC against them and prioritizing your shooting. Kill the suits! Thats probably lesson number 2 after hitting them hard on the head with something pointy. Other than that, more info about points and lists would help

Well since they always have the range on my assault marines/ death company I have a hard time getting close enough for CC.

I know the problem with my imp guard is I just dont have enough yet.

And when it comes the their army list, he has kroot out flank, has 2 or 3 suits squads, 2 commanders, 3 hammer heads, 3 devilfish " warfish". that's what I have seen so far. and he uses any combo of that. The one thing he hasn't used just yet is his tau manta and that's only b/c A. he wants to finish painting it before he uses it and B. b/c we haven't played a largest enough game to field it lol.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
One thing I have been thinking about is placing my Death Company is a Land Raider Crusader and charge them in, I tried using a drop pord to put them on the field, one problem is I can assault when they come out, they can only shoot.

With the observations made from being an actual Tau player who always gets curbstomped by Necrons I'll tell you this.

-Run an all warrior list with one Monolith.

-A thing to do is place a Necron lord with Res Orb dead center of advancing first columns of warriors and declare he's in one of them when the Tau player is deciding to shoot at one of them, or the Lord.

-Also deepstrike the Lith in front of any Tau units which force the Hammerheads/Broadsides to move closer towards the advancing row of Gauss weapon Rapid fire death to get a shot at.

*Following notes are for Necron Warriors*

-Focus on shooting the "important" tanks with warriors as the tanks are easily rendered useless on glances.

-When gribbly things fall/jump out of the tanks, assault them.

-If anticipating low AP weapons, get another lord with Res Orb

-Don't be afraid to assault Crisis suits (that aren't Shas'O commanders), as they have just slightly have a better chance at denting your warriors then Firewarriors.

-Assault Kroot if they are being use for that stupid stupid screening gunline tactic as you can keep your warriors safe from rapid firing FW's for a turn. Be afraid if those kroot decide to break it and actually manage to escape, but since they have the same Initiative as fire warriors chances of catching them are at an OK level.

-If Kroot are being used as a "Run-up and assault" Unit shoot them. Their low leadership and armour can guarantee that they won't survive one volley.

*As a final note*

-Don't use Destroyers for this list as they will be Railgun Bait, and will prolly be gibbed before the Lith makes touchdown or make back their points. Points that could've been used for more warriors.

As a competitive Tau player here are a few things that work against me...

Couple things to keep in mind. Any Tau player who has ever played 5th is running a Mech list. That means minimal troops, many Devilfishes, lots of Suits and a pair of Broadsides. Close combat is difficult because there is so little to assault, and most of it is as fast as you are.

Necrons:
Do take...
Destroyers...
They have an excellent Toughness, bloody fantastic shooting and the speed necessary.
Spam them and hit the Devilfishes in the flanks. When they die the Fire Warriors are like up-armoured Guardsman and die accordingly. They are also able of assaulting if need be.

Heavy Destroyers...
Not too many, but they kill any suit he has in one shot, provided there are few ablative drones. They also are useful for hunting his tanks and killing the broadsides.

Do not take...
Monoliths...
Especially is you are relying on it as your main strategy. The Railgun is the only reliable anti-monolith gun in 5th and it will ruin your day every time. Used as a support unit it is useful, but if you are betting on it to save your day it will make you cry.

Too many Immortals...
Yes they kill Fire Warriors. But we established that the Fire Warriors will be hiding. They will then just become a bullet magnet for every Plasma Rifle he is running, and they are expensive . Might as well get a destroyer that shoots a heck of a lot better.

Imperial Guard:
Do Take...
Heavy Weapons in cover...
Missile Launcher will ruin his day. Autocannons will ruin his day. Lascannons will make him cry.

Cheap Leman Russ'...
They may be butchered by the Railgun, but enough of them and he will be scared to move out into the open. Any variant that pack at least S8, AP3 will be death incarnate against his Battle Suits.

Do Not Take...
Transports aplenty....
Can you say "Free kill points"? The Railgun eats transports for every meal. Those are not cheap and your precious veterans will end up foot-sloggin' across hell towards their lines. Meltaguns seem less effective 33" away.

Blood Angels:
Do Take...
Jump Packs...
You want to close the gap ASAP. Jump packs are cheapish and will allow you to do so. Do Not Deep Strike! You do not shoot as well as they do. Period. Dropping in and blasting away for one turn will earn you a giggle and a swift death.

Anything that gets you FNP...
The Tau army struggles to put out a lot of shots. They inhabit the medium-quality bullet range. Not much stuff is S8 or AP2, and there is one (1) power weapon in the ENTIRE codex on a 205 SC that no one takes. FNP is therefore your friend.

Do not take...
Transports....
They die. You walk. Nuff said.

Stormravens...
Yes, you may get in close and all, but all he needs is a 3+ on one railgun to ruin your very expensive day.

Thanks guys! This all really helps alot!

also keep in mind necron work the best when they are together and the Tau player is right vehicles of any kind are easy kills even a mono the deep strike doesnt mean anything if the player is half way smarth with broadsides they wont need to move to kill the mono. use it for cover and suport and use cover to move up and attack one things to reinterait there will be ALOT of suits from a good tau player so be ready to deal with the FACT you will get shot at and some time unable to return fire but once they are out of room you should have enough left to push in and hit them back suits are tough but again volume they can be beaten easly.

Kill the suits and kill the hammerheads, then just get into melee.