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Went to my local gaming club on Sunday and had a game against Tau.

Blood Angels "Wing Striker" - 2,000 points


HQ

Librarian - shield of sanguinus & unleash rage

Librarian - shield of sanguinus & unleash rage

Honour Guard w/ Razorback - 2 x flamers - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasma gun

Honour Guard w/ Razorback - 2 x meltaguns - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasma gun

Elite

1 x Sanguinary Priest

Troops

5 x Assault Marines w/ Razorback - 1 x flamer - sgt w/ power weapon - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasmagun

5 x Assault Marines w/ Razorback - 1 x flamer - sgt w/ power weapon - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasmagun

5 x Assault Marines w/ Razorback - 1 x flamer - sgt w/ power weapon - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasmagun

5 x Assault Marines w/ Razorback - 1 x meltagun - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasmagun

5 x Assault Marines w/ Razorback - 1 x meltagun - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasmagun

5 x Assault Marines w/ Razorback - 1 x meltagun - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasmagun

Heavy Support

Vindicator

Vindicator

Total: 2,000


Tau

HQ

Shas'O - shield generator, multi tracker, target lock, targetting array, shield drone, missile pod & plasma rifle

2 x Battlesuits - 2 x shield drones, targetting array, multi tracker, missile pods & plasma rifle

Shas'O - shield generator, multi tracker, target lock, targetting array, shield drone, missile pod & plasma rifle


2 x Battlesuits - 2 x shield drones, targetting array, multi tracker, missile pods & plasma rifle

Elite

4 x Stealth Suits - fusion blaster & shield drone

Troops

12 x Fire Warriors w/ Devilfish - marker light

12 x Fire Warriors w/ Devilfish - marker light

Fast Attack

3 x Piranhas - fusion blasters & targetting array

Heavy Support

Hammerhead

Hammerhead

3 x Broadside Suits - 3 x shield drones

* All vehicles have disruption pods, flechette launchers & sensor spines

Game: Seize Ground + Pitched Battle

Deployment

I won the roll off so I placed the first objective my table edge on the right flank, I placed another on the left flank while Paul playing with Tau put one on the left flank his side behind a barricade and another right flank in a crater.

I deployed splitting my army putting a Librarian with flamer Honour Guard on the left flank with several melta units and two flamer units one had the I.C Priest. On the right flank I put the two Vindicators and remaining Razorbacks which held the melta Honour Guard, a melta and flamer Assault Squad - the flamer unit has the second Librarian attached.

Paul deployed putting the Broadsides top right corner and a Hammerhead close by then he put the other Hammerhead in the left flank near the top corner. In the middle he deployed one HQ and suits behind a barricade and the Stealth Suits inside the bastion, the Piranhas stayed hidden behind the bastion. The other HQ unit and two troops stay in reserve.

* Tactical Notes

I'm going to blast the Broadsides with all the lascannons I have on the right flank and hopefully can tackle them. They have multiple railguns where the Hammerhead has only one, which could miss. If I take enough of the Broadsides out it will minimise their fire power. Left flank will blast the Hammerhead until it's gone and then any remaining fire power will go into the Piranhas as fast melta is annoying but luckily they are all in a single unit so only can fire at a single tank of mine.

Objective wise i'll concentrate on the two my side leaving Razorbacks to camp and make a push for the objective on the right side in the crater. The one by the barricades has a lot of Tau presence at the moment and getting those Stealth Suits out the bastion may prove difficult.

Turn 1

I shuffle my tanks about on the right flank moving them about to make sure all can get LOS on the Broadsides and the Vindicators are in range. Left flank I move the tanks out to get LOS on the Hammerhead and on the Piranhas hidding behind the bastion, I also claim the objective on the left flank.

Shooting I lbast the Broadsides with all the lascannons I have on the right flank and kill the shield drones and a single suit leaving just two left who fail morale and run off the board! I blast the Hammerhead with a Vindicator but it scatters and misses. I blast the Piranhas behind the bastion as I can see one, the shot scatters and lands firmly on the bastion which explodes killing a Stealth Suit in the process but they pass pinning. Left flank I blast the Hammerhead with a couple of shots and manage to score weapon destroyed taking the railgun I take a few pot shots at the Piranhas but either miss or they make the cover saves thanks to disruption pods.

Tau turn the broken Hammerhead on the left flank moves 12" away towards the Tau table edge as Stealth Suits come out of terrain while the Battlesuits jump over the barrier with Piranha support while the right flank Hammerhead moves onto of the right flank objective contesting it.

Shooting Tau focus on the threatening Vindicators scoring weapon destroyed on one and crew stunned on the other; that's about it.

In assault the Battlesuits jump back behind the barricades while the Stealth Suits move into terrain and one dies thanks to dangerous terrain luckily they pass morale. The Assault Squads rolls for terrain to assault the Stealth Suits but end up 1" short!

* Tactical Notes

Well I must say that was a awesome first turn! I've managed to take out two of the tough anti tank units and also got that Stealth Unit out the bastion. I'm not concerned about the Stealth unit just the bastion as it would be nice for a troop unit to hide inside and claim the nearby objective now that cannot be done.

Next turn I'll focus on that last Hammerhead I think I'll send the melta Honour Guard up to blow it up and despatch another melta unit to tackle the other Hammerhead while lascannons will focus on the Piranhas.

Turn 2

I move the weaponless Vindicator out and tank shock the Stealth Suits moving them over towards one of my Razorbacks which has a flamer Assault Squad inside. A melta unit disembarks on the left flank and moves to the weaponless Hammerhead while remaining Razorbacks move through terrain to get towards the Tau objective by the barricades as the now empty Razorback moves to support the Assault Squad with flamer and Priest who have bailed out to smash Stealth Suit face. Right flank melta Honour Guard moves 12" towards the Hammerhead on the objective and bail out ready to unleash melta while tank with Librarian and flamer Assault Squad follows 6" behind.

Shooting melta misses the weaponless Hammerhead. Lascannons rain out at the Piranhas but thanks to the annoying disruption pods one is wrecked and one crew shaken. Meltas blast the Hammerhead but score immobilised and stunned so at least it is not firing next turn.

Tau call for reserves with both Devilfish coming on mid field one unit bails out in some woods.

The Battlesuits move out from behind the barricade while the drones from the Piranhas move towards the Honour Guard Razorback. Piranhas move to side armour of the weaponless Vindicator. Weaponless Hammerhead moves 12" away towards the Tau table edge not far from the objective that side.

Shooting the Honour Guard asborb a massive amount of fire power and in the end except for the Priest who fails morale and falls back. Razorbacks get shot up leaving one shaken and another stunned on the right flank while the Piranhas blast the weaponless Vindicator but miss. Stealth Suits blast the Assault Marines right in front of them

Tau jump about again moving back into cover behind the barricade while the Stealth Suits run back towards the Tau table edge.

* Tactical Notes

Could have been a better second turn but I guess it wasn't so bad. I haven't taken out the Hammerhead on the right flank but at least it's not shooting and cannot move which means I can get closer and smash it with krak grenades or something. I've managed to narrow down the Piranhas a bit as well so less melta and I'm gutted the Assault Marines didn't smash some Stealth Suit face. I'm also surprised Paul didn't shoot at the stunned Vindicator as next turn it's going to lay down a large blast on some Tau head.

Next turn I'll bail out the Librarian and flamer Assault Squad and send them to the Hammerhead which is immobilised. Melta would better but they would need to move and get out and I have a single melta shot, I'll have to keep them on the objective which isn't ideal but at least the Priest from the Honour Guard is nearby when he regroups. I'll move up a Razorback in the Tau's face for pressure and use the Vindicator to blast some suits or something while the Razorbacks on the left flank move up closer to the objective.

Turn 3

The Priest from the Honour Guard auto regroups and moves 9" into terrain hiding behind a wall giving the melta Assault Squad in a Razorback feel no pain who are sitting on my objective. Librarian and flamer Assault Squad move to krak attack the Hammerhead. Vindicator moves about a little bit. The Assault Squad which got shot by the Stealth Suits get back in their transport as the Stealth Suits have moved away while the Razorbacks on the left flank move about, one gets immobilised in terrain and the squad which blasted the Hammerhead with melta get back in their tank and move up.

Shooting lascannons blasts out and take out another Piranha and shake the other so less melta next turn. I take some shots at the suits with lascannons and Vindicator but only manage to take out a couple of drones. I blast the weaponless Hammerhead as it can cause problems with the nearby objective I'm going for.

In assault I charge the immobilised Hammerhead and unless krak grenades scoring weapon destroyed taking out the railgun.

Tau call for reserves but the other suits fail to arrive.

Movement the drones move to try and contest the objective my side guarded by the melta Assault Squad while one of the Devilfish moves and the unit inside bails out to unleash rapid fire death on the Librarians unit attacking the Hammerhead. Battlesuits jump about again so so the Stealth Suits. The weaponless Hammerhead moves away as the other Devilfish moves to support it.

Shooting Tau blast the Librarians squad with everything they've got but power armour holds strong but the squad still falls back. Drones blast the Razorback on the objective but do nothing. Devilfish and Hammerhead blast some Razorbacks scoring immobilised and stunned on Librarians Razorback. Fire Warriors blast a Razorback right in front of them and score stunned result.

Assault Battlesuits move back behind cover and the Stealth Suits move back as well.

* Tactical Notes

Not a bad turn as I've managed to knock out that last railgun and melta leaving one left which hasn't fire this turn. Paul has also taken the bait and fired at a empty Razorback in front of his Battlesuits leaving the Vindicator and other units alone.

I'll bail out the Razorback by my objective and smash the drones as they will contest the objective but also within 6" of the Librarian and flamer squad which stops them regrouping so I hope they don't fall back too much. I'll move remaining Razorbacks forward and blast the Battlesuits hopefully take out those and the Hammerhead and Devilfish on the right flank to secure that objective.

Turn 4

I bail the melta Assault Marines out their tank by objective ready to smash some Drones at the Priest comes out to support them while the Librarian and flamer squad falls back. I move another Razorback through terrain on the left flank 18" without any problems supporting the other one and the immobilised Librarian one with flamer Honour Guard inside.

Shooting I pop smoke on all three tanks on the left flank near the objective as I want them to survive next turn. I blast the Stealth Suits with plasma and lascannon and kill them both. I drop a Vindicator shell on the Battlesuits killing a Drone and instagibbing a Battlesuit. I blast the Drones by my objective with mass bolt pistols thanks to the nearby Librarians unit and melta leaving three left who pass morale.

Assault the melta squad charges and batters the Drones, squad consolidates onto my objective.

Tau call for reserves and the Battlesuits fail to come on still.

Movement Tau in the woods move forward while the others deployed hold position. Battlesuits jump out from behind the barricade again as the Piranha holds position along with the other skimmers.

Shooting unit in the forest tries to shoot the melta unit on the objective but miles out of range I think Paul forgot about moving and rapid firing! Unit outside their tank blasts a nearby Razorback but only shakes it. Piranha blasts a empty Razorback and wrecks it while the Battlesuits blast something though I can't remember what. Hammerhead and Devilfish blast some Razorbacks but either do nothing or I pass cover saves.

Assault Battlesuits jump back away behind the barricade.

* Tactical Notes

Well I can confidently say this game is in my favour. A lot of my units are still mech'd up and the only real anti tank is a single Piranha and Shas'O with fusion gun. I've got the objective contested on the right flank with a Razorback and have both objectives my side of the board. The objective behind the barricades I am on the doorstep and what I'll do is surround it with Razorbacks and move the Librarian and Honour Guard out to act as a defensive assault wall if anything comes close.

Next turn I'll secure the Tau left flank objective and blast the single Piranha and Battlesuits anything else i'm not bothered about.

Turn 5

I bail out a flamer Assault Squad in a immobilised Razorback in terrain and they claim the objective nearby. I get the melta Assault Squad back into their tank and they are still claiming the objective. I move two Razorbacks over the barricades without any problems and block it off while the Librarian and Honour Guard move up and fill in the gap.

Shooting I blast the Piranha killing off the anti tank and last fast moving vehicle so no turbo boosting for objectives. I take some pot shots at the immobilised Hammerhead so my Razorback alone contests the objective but do nothing. I take some lascannon shots at the weaponless Hammerhead and do nothing. Vindicator drops on the Battlesuits killing the remaining Drones and a Battlesuit leaving just the Shas'O left who passes morale.

Tau turn the last Battlesuit unit arrives walking off the board edge near the objective surrounded by Razorbacks. That's really about it.

Shooting everything blasts the Razorbacks and Honour Guard but all remain. The Battlesuits attempt to get closer but because I've blocked off the objective and cannot go within 1" of my models the objective is secure.

Blood Angels win claiming three objectives and contesting one.

Summary

This game started out strong for me with some key target priority nailed a Hammerhead and Broadsides first turn and with those Broadsides falling back off the board was just priceless. Then the bastion falling down allowing me to get that objective easier was just the icing on the cake. After that was a case of moving up and using some units as bait just to attract fire attention while others just camped out near objective undisturbed or move up without any problems.

Paul has been playing since December and is getting to know his army and has caught on mech is the way forward. I think if he perhaps put some more anti tank into his army i.e fusion blasters and also split the Piranhas along with min Fire Warriors to get more Devilish he might be alright, personally I'd stock up on suits and see how much a unit of Broadsides cost over a Hammerhead as more shots the better.

I would definately say he needs more suits, fireknives are the bomb and stealth suits just dont cut it in my opinion.

You did get lucky at the start I think. Some Kroot wouldve helped as an outflanking option as well.

Nice bat rep though, I play both Tau and Blood angels so my loyalty was split throughout!

Definately more suits. If it was me I'd load up on suits for elites as they are a bloody pain in the arse and probably take Broadsides. Fireknives aren't too bad but against armour they have problems.

I did have a very good start with the Broadsides falling back I didn't expect or plan that though next turn those Broadsides would have died to lascannons anyway.

Kroot would have been useful for objective taking. I don't think outflanking would have helped them as I would have got out the tanks shot and charged them and there was only a single wood area terrain.

Nice job with the game, you've got a nice list going too.

In all fairness though, the Tau list and tactics were pretty poor. Battlesuits should never be placed in reserves, doesn't make sense to reduce the turns they have to shoot. There is also some useless/overcosted junk in the list, kinda bloated. But thats not your fault, good job on the win!

Thanks about my Angels list.

I agree about the Tau. Hammerheads have 72" range yet these were deployed 12" from the board edge and because I deployed 12" from the board edge it left a 24" gap which I closed thanks to those fast tanks. I was also surprised about the Battlesuits in reserve and TBH I would have dropped the Stealth Suits as they are rubbish all they did all game was kill a single Marine. I'd get more Battlesuits instead. Speaking of suits I'd go double Broadsides in all heavy support.

Wargear I'm not too sure about there was probably some stuff I missed. I know all tanks were upgraded to shoot like fast vehicles which I personally thought was pointless. I can also see why Devilfish aren't need when Fire Warriors have a 30" range.

I'm not a Tau player but this is what I'd take excluded most the wargear.

Shas 'El
2 x Battlesuit bodyguards
Shas 'El
2 x Battlesuit bodyguards

3 x Battlesuits
3 x Battlesuits
3 x Battlesuits

10 x Fire Warriors - marker light
10 x Fire Warriors - marker light
20 x Kroot

Piranha - fusion blaster
Piranha - fusion blaster
Piranha - fusion blaster

2 x Broadsides
2 x Broadsides
2 x Broadsides

One reason why us tau players give the fish and hammerhead multi-trackers is so they can move the full 12" and fire their primary weapon system. I'm not much of a fan of Broadsides since I have hard little success/survivability with them compared to my Hammerheads. That could be because I've gone up against Dark eldar's D-Lances like crazy. Fireknives are decent light armor and MEQ killers. Oh and Vindicators are nasty against Tau formations.

Fantastic battle report. As a tau player, I always take tau losses personally... having just lost a similar game today, this batrep hit home.

I personally like stealthsuits, the squad brings both fusion blasters and markerlights to the tau game, and if used correctly, can be very effective, thanks to stealth... I just wish they could roll higher than a 1 on vehicle damage resuts, their fault, not mine.

Also roll higher than a 1 when doing dangerous terrain tests