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Hello,

Working on a Tau list for a tourney this weekend. I know enough about them to play, but this will be my first time using them. So any help with this list would be awesome ^^.
I know there will be a few guard, some meq, and one eldar player.


Shas'el
-Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker
pnts. 97

2 Crisis Suits
-Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker
pnts. 144

10 Fire Warriors
-Devilfish (disruption pod, SMS, targeting array, multi-tracker)
pnts. 219
10 Fire Warriors
-Devilfish (disruption pod, SMS, targeting array, multi-tracker)
pnts. 219

10 Fire Warriors
-Devilfish (disruption pod, SMS, targeting array, multi-tracker)
pnts. 219

3 Broadsides
-twin-linked railgun, sms, a.s.s
pnts. 240

Hammerhead
-Railgun, Smart missle system, multi-tracker, disruption pod, target lock
pnts. 180

Hammerhead
-Railgun, Smart missle system, multi-tracker, disruption pod, target lock
pnts. 180

TOTAL
1498

I dont really play Tau, but i have a mate who does. From what i have heard the SMS is rubbish (on Hammerheads) and Hammerheads should always take RG's. He says the best way to use the SMS, if at all, is by taking markerlights. Also, since you are taking DF, you could drop the unit size of the fire warriors to 6 and use the extra points elsewhere in the list.

The hammerheads have railguns, I forgot to make note of it- I considered it standard.
Why is it that you don't run SMS unless you have markerlight? The fish already are boosted to bs4.
I considered running smaller squads, but I only have 3 fish to use. I wouldn't want to run 3 scoring units at 6 per squad.

The new Tau FAQ actually makes SMS fairly nice. You don't need LOS, and it ignores all cover except area terrain

However, decoy launchers ARE rubbish. Give your hammerheads disruption pods (which are epic) and a target lock (so you can shoot the railgun at one thing and SMS at another)

The rest of your list looks good.

Changes made, thanks Bringer. I wasn't even aware of the new faq.

Id drop two of the FW squads and one of the hammerheads for a kroot squad and more suits. To be honest those FW and Fish wont accomplish much. An you already have 3 TL Rail Guns on your broadside team, so two HH is over kill at 1500. There wont be that many vehicles, and you already have 1 HH for hordes. FW will be no good against hordes, or anything at all, but Crisis Suits can work for all depending how you equip them. I cant really see a list with only 3 suits doing very well. All in all I would add

1 deathrain team
1 kroot squad with hounds
1 more Fire Knife Suit to your FW knife team so its at 3

Then I would take out
1 HH
2 FW teams and 2 Fish

it may just be me but i like taking more suits, broadsides and crisis, i understand the need for the firewarriors in the devil fish. as a side note i have found that Solid Shot on the HH is unreliable i always use the template shot.

GreyTauKnight wrote:it may just be me but i like taking more suits, broadsides and crisis, i understand the need for the firewarriors in the devil fish. as a side note i have found that Solid Shot on the HH is unreliable i always use the template shot.

Yep, the hammerhead is there for templates. The Broadsides are for vehicle popping.

Yeaaahh 30 fire warriors is a lot of points for what you get.

I would slim that down two a pair of devilfish (for scoring) and a pair of Kroot squads.

You get more troops out of the deal, and the Kroot are great for bubblewrapping your suits with cover saves, and are actually quite deadly in assault against IG blobs.

How about this?


Shas'el
-Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker
pnts. 97

2 Crisis Suits
-Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker
pnts. 144

2 Crisis Suits
-Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker
pnts. 144

7 Fire Warriors
-Devilfish (disruption pod, SMS, targeting array, multi-tracker)
pnts. 186

6 Fire Warriors
-Devilfish (disruption pod, SMS, targeting array, multi-tracker)
pnts. 175

11 Kroot
pnts. 77

11 Kroot
pnts. 77

3 Broadsides
-twin-linked railgun, sms, a.s.s
pnts. 240

Hammerhead
- Railgun, Smart missle system, multi-tracker and disruption pod, target lock
pnts. 180

Hammerhead
- Railgun, Smart missle system, multi-tracker and disruption pod, target lock
pnts. 180


TOTAL
1500

+1 to the Bringer's advice.

maersdet wrote:2 Crisis Suits
-Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker
pnts. 144

2 Crisis Suits
-Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker
pnts. 144

These two units aren't legal. Only one suit per unit can have the Team Leader upgrade, allowing you to take a Target Array, 2 guns and then have access to hard-wired wargear, like an MT. So, do this instead:

Unit #1 Crisis Suit - Team Leader -Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker 77
Unit #2 Crisis Suit - Team Leader -Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker 77
Unit #3 Crisis Suit - Team Leader -Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker, 77 and his PR/MT/MP buddy, 62 points.

3 of your suits will retain the BS4, but one will have to shoot with BS3. Trust me, that's the way it is.

maersdet wrote:3 Broadsides - -twin-linked railgun, sms, a.s.s

Here, I'd give a Team Leader upgrade, Bond and add 2 ShieldDrones. It extends the life of the XV88s by a lot.

2 kroot and a FW will pay for the shield dones (mostly) and those 4 infantry won't be missed in the overall scheme of your army.

Brothererekose wrote:+1 to the Bringer's advice.

maersdet wrote:2 Crisis Suits
-Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker
pnts. 144

2 Crisis Suits
-Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker
pnts. 144

These two units aren't legal. Only one suit per unit can have the Team Leader upgrade, allowing you to take a Target Array, 2 guns and then have access to hard-wired wargear, like an MT. So, do this instead:

Unit #1 Crisis Suit - Team Leader -Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker 77
Unit #2 Crisis Suit - Team Leader -Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker 77
Unit #3 Crisis Suit - Team Leader -Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, targeting array, hard-wired multi-tracker, 77 and his PR/MT/MP buddy, 62 points.

3 of your suits will retain the BS4, but one will have to shoot with BS3. Trust me, that's the way it is.

maersdet wrote:3 Broadsides - -twin-linked railgun, sms, a.s.s

Here, I'd give a Team Leader upgrade, Bond and add 2 ShieldDrones. It extends the life of the XV88s by a lot.

2 kroot and a FW will pay for the shield dones (mostly) and those 4 infantry won't be missed in the overall scheme of your army.

why not have him take out a HH instead? i feel that would be a better elimination than the two units of kroot. the FW totally fine, but not the kroot

ok on your braodsides heres some fixes
1 TL and bonding knife always. Nothings worse then 1 fleeing broadside
2 Give the TL a HW target lock. You need the ability to shoot two railguns at 2 separate targets
3 drop the third. you have twin linked railguns. with 2 thats 75% chance of penetrating vs Armour 13. Even then as Tau you should fear the transports which wont be more then 12 so no need for overkill

I’m basing this feedback on the original list,

You have too many points in Fire Warriors. It’s always nice to have some mobile troops but you also need bubble wrapping units to protect your other, more valuable units. Therefore I’d suggest dropping one of the Fire Warrior squads and Devilfish and instead taking 2 x 10 Kroot. I would also suggest taking 2 Piranhas for the same reason; blocking tanks and providing cover.

You also need more suits.

Something along these lines perhaps.

Shas’el, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Mutli-tracker – 87

3 XV8 Crisis Suits, Missile Pods, Plasma Rifles, Mutlitrackers – 186
3 XV8 Crisis Suits, Missile Pods, Plasma Rifles, Mutlitrackers – 186
2 XV8 Crisis Suits, Missile Pods, Plasma Rifles, Mutlitrackers – 124

6 Fire Warriors, Devilfish with disruption pod – 145
6 Fire Warriors, Devilfish with disruption pod – 145
10 Kroot – 70
10 Kroot – 70

Piranha, Fusion Blaster, Disruption Pod – 75
Piranha, Fusion Blaster, Disruption Pod – 75

Broadside, Targetting Array – 80
Broadside, Targetting Array – 80
Hammerhead, Railgun, Smaert Missile System, Mutli-tracker, Disruption Pod - 175

i like the list above but i would say perhaps no piranhas, and more broads but thats just personal preferance, also i think you could take out the last unit of crisis suits, 7 suits (including HQ) should be enough, with broadside support

Kroot were a saving grace when i used to play tau, make sure and invest in some to hide your suits/devilfish.

Also, i agree with unbeliever, pirahnas are fun, and ded killy with fusion blasters and disruptors.

I'm still gonna say more kroot. believe it or not (most people dont) kroot (ppoint for point) are the BEST unit in the tau codex, apart from crisis suits, broadsides and possibly hammerheads, either way, they are soooo much better than fire warriors. if you look at their statline they dont seem that good, but when using them in game, they are KICK ASS!!! (a bit like DE mandrakes, sure, they dont seem good, but in game they are surprisingly effective)
just compare the kroot to an orks statline,
1 pt extra
lose furios charge (but they have higher strength and initiative anyway, so it doesnt count) couple other negatives, not many, INFILTRATE. believe me, this makes them awesome for what you get, and better guns than orks. they hit on a 4+, (same as a FW, just lose 1 strength and a bit of range but that doesnt matter with infiltrate) , all in all they are brill,
im not saying max out on them, but 2 squads of at least 12 work all the time (they really hold their own in smaller games, but work just as well in larger ones, you just dont want a horde of them) so what if they dont get good saves? they have cover, believe me, they are GREAT. go for kroot. best unit in the codex.

BrotherErekose wrote:2 kroot and a FW will pay for the shield dones (mostly) and those 4 infantry won't be missed in the overall scheme of your army.

darkcloud92 wrote:why not have him take out a HH instead? i feel that would be a better elimination than the two units of kroot. the FW totally fine, but not the kroot

Not 2 *UNITS* of kroot, just two infantry models and one FW. That's around 30 points.

Shas’el, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Mutli-tracker – 87

3 XV8 Crisis Suits, Missile Pods, Plasma Rifles, Mutlitrackers – 186
3 XV8 Crisis Suits, Missile Pods, Plasma Rifles, Mutlitrackers – 186
2 XV8 Crisis Suits, Missile Pods, Plasma Rifles, Mutlitrackers – 124

6 Fire Warriors, Devilfish with disruption pod – 145
6 Fire Warriors, Devilfish with disruption pod – 145
10 Kroot – 70
10 Kroot – 70

Piranha, Fusion Blaster, Disruption Pod – 75
Piranha, Fusion Blaster, Disruption Pod – 75

Broadside, Targetting Array – 80
Broadside, Targetting Array – 80
Hammerhead, Railgun, Smaert Missile System, Mutli-tracker, Disruption Pod - 175


to many firekinves
hes not facing blood angels FNP
he needs to be abe to afford more in this list

take some of these
3 x crisis suits, TL MP, flamer 141

and two of these
2 x broadsides SMS,ASS 207
1 TL, Bonding kinfe, HW target lock, 2x Shield Drones

The best thing about playing tau is the sheer variety of firepower. I love broadsides. I love target locks. I love multi trackers. But what I love most of all is kitting out my crisis suits with a selection of weaponry that suits my play style.

If I could give you one recommendation, and only one, about playing tau, it's Magnetize your weapons.

The fireknife configuration, PR and MP, is nice, a good long range solution for many of the situations you're going to run into; primarily taking out transports and laying waste to the MeQs stuffed inside. But don't discount the value of a fusion blaster, it's a short range weapon, but it's awesome at ID, dropping 2 wound targets like Obliterators and, well, other crisis suits.

You may also want to run Burst Cannons and twin linked flamers, for forcing saves on large squads... best equipped on suicide monats with drone controllers and a pair of gun drones to pin hordes and suck up wounds.

As far as building a take all comer's list, I'd suggest varying your configurations a little. 3 squads of Fireknives are great, but 2 squads of fire knives, a helios and a deathrain with a target lock is going to distinguish itself a little better. Also, if you think there's a lot of Guard or Ork coming your way, you may want to stick that AFP on your Shas'o. With just one hammerhead in your army, you'll want another pie plate at your disposal.

docbrown wrote:Shas’el, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Mutli-tracker – 87

3 XV8 Crisis Suits, Missile Pods, Plasma Rifles, Mutlitrackers – 186
3 XV8 Crisis Suits, Missile Pods, Plasma Rifles, Mutlitrackers – 186
2 XV8 Crisis Suits, Missile Pods, Plasma Rifles, Mutlitrackers – 124

6 Fire Warriors, Devilfish with disruption pod – 145
6 Fire Warriors, Devilfish with disruption pod – 145
10 Kroot – 70
10 Kroot – 70

Piranha, Fusion Blaster, Disruption Pod – 75
Piranha, Fusion Blaster, Disruption Pod – 75

Broadside, Targetting Array – 80
Broadside, Targetting Array – 80
Hammerhead, Railgun, Smaert Missile System, Mutli-tracker, Disruption Pod - 175


to many firekinves
hes not facing blood angels FNP
he needs to be abe to afford more in this list

take some of these
3 x crisis suits, TL MP, flamer 141

and two of these
2 x broadsides SMS,ASS 207
1 TL, Bonding kinfe, HW target lock, 2x Shield Drones

I can agree with this for the most part. You could save points by replacing one of the FK teams with a Death Rain team to give your BS ASS. I would always take ass first over any other upgrade. Dont take the BK, just take a 2 suit team. You wont have to worry about not being able to rally that way. Then if you have the points go with the shield drones b/c they are a life saver, literally lol but adjusting how many teams you want to be deathrain and how beefed up you want your BS to be is totally up to you

if you take 2 suits and an sd you need an sd as they count towards the unit

although im less for sheild drones now because a single basilisk can wipe the squad regardless of SD
i save my 60 pts and buy another

at 1850 and 2000 i take 3 teams of 2
i take 6 deathrains
3 firekinfes
im split on troops
i either go heavy on CC kroot or an all FW list
3 piranhas just rock in my list
comanders fill the gaps

either way aim for 6 anti tank and 6 anti inf
if that fails at least have 4 anti inf an 2 anti tank