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At 1850 is two squads of 8 pathfinders too many? I'm already going to purchase the two warfish for my firewarriors anyway , but what does dakka think?

What are your pathfinders supporting? Typically with that many markerlights you'll get 3-5 hits, which you'll only need a couple to bust a tank. larger infantry squads can eat shooting from multiple crisis suits or what-have-you, but typically you'll have wasted markerlights in a squad that large.

You could probably bust them down to 6 man squads and use the 48 saved points (between both) to buy more upgrades/weapons/krootwrap etc.

Right now I don't have my list on me for exact points but its about,

Shas'el with PR,MP, HWMT,TA HWDC 2 shield drones
2 Shas'vre Body guards with PR, MP, HWMT, TA

2 shas'ui PR, MP, MT
1 Shas'ui TL PR, MP, MT bonding knife

2 Shas'ui PR, MP, MT
1 Shas'ui TL PR, MP, MT bonding knife

6 FWs

6 FWs

8 pathfinders one TL with boding knife
Devilfish- SMS, MT, TA, DP

8 pathfinders one TL with bonding knife
Devilfish- SMS, MT, TA, DP

Hammerhead- railgun, burst cannon, DP, MT

Hammerhead- railgun, burst cannon, DP, MT

3 broadsides 1 TL w/TL all has ASS

Your list doesn't really have a ton of stuff that needs that many markerlights. Ya it will be nice to strip coversaves off of tanks and such, but generally when someone takes 16 markers they're going for a Seeker alpha strike of some sort. As tetrisphreak said, you could just drop them to 4-6 per squad and you'd probably be fine.

I personally don't even take Pathfinders anymore (or markers in general), as they're just too squishy and half decent players take them out ASAP leaving the Tau army crippled. IMO that makes them too unreliable to be worth taking (except in casual games, but you can take Ethereals and Vespid in casual games too...).

I use to run 2 squads of 5 @ 1850. The squad size meant you had to lose 2 in order to take make where a squad of 4 needs only one casualty. 50 percent us 3 casualties and the squad is basically gone by then.

With two squads I was able to take piranhas as well for the side armor seeker missile shots on two vehicles on turn 2. with 5 guys you should get 2 hits with marker lights which gives you ballistics of 5 or reduces cover to a 6+.

I don't use pathfinders, but I haven't given up on markerlights, either. I prefer stealth marker teams: two stealth suits with marker drones, and the leader with a marker drone, a markerlight, and a target lock. In addition to the defensive effects of the stealth suit, this squad can jump-shoot-jump with markerlights, infiltrate or deep strike to get into position, and split its fire to mark up two enemy units.

It's also hella expensive. My jury is still out as to whether or not it's worth it.

Anyway, I agree that you have too many markerlights. I'd at least strip your two squads down to minimum size, and probably also drop one altogether.

Consider that the best way to keep your pathfinders safe is to put them somewhere where they are hard to be attacked or to maneuver such that any unit who attacks the pathfinders will open itself up to an attack by one of your more aggressive units. You just can't make your pathfinders safe. They're too clumsy and slow. You've got to make attacking them the worse choice, such that if your opponent choses to destroy them he'll pay the price and it will work out for you in the long run, anyway.

i definately agree you have way too many pathfinders. i'd use one unit of six and give them two railrifles. that has worked well for me in the past. especially against marines.

Stealth marker teams are good. They take up an elite slot which means less crisis suits. At most one smt works. More than that and it gets too expensive.

Stealth team of 3 suits. Team lead with ml and fusion blaster and target lock.

Marker drones are too expensive. Unless you are running at 2500 I would suggest avoiding them.

If you want mobile lights go for the sky ray. You have seeker missiles and two lights that can always fire if you move 6 inches because they are no strength defensive weapons.