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The Voidstorm Cadre

Ironside Team- 210pts
Broadside Team Leader, Bonding Knife, Twin-linked Plasma Rifle, HWDC,HWBF, Multi-tracker
Broadside, Twin-linked Plasma Rifle, Multi-tracker
X2 Shield Drones

Goliath Team- 210pts
Broadside Team Leader, Bonding Knife, Twin-linked Plasma Rifle, HWDC,HWBF, Multi-tracker
Broadside, Twin-linked Plasma Rifle, Multi-tracker
X2 Shield Drones

Hammerhead- 180pts
Railgun, Disruption Pod, Smart Missile System, Blacksun Filter, Multi-tracker

Stalker Team- 133pts
X4 Pathfinders
Devilfish/ disruption pod

Crimson Squad- 145pts
X6 Firewarriors
X1 Devilfish/disruption pod

Granite Squad- 60pts
X6 Firewarriors

Firestorm Squad 164pts
X1 Team Leader, Twin-linked Flamers, Missile pod, HWDC,Bonding Knife
X2 Crisis Battle suits, Twin-linked Flamers, Missilepod
X2 Shield Drones

Deathrain Squad 217pts
X1 Teamleader, bonding knife, twin-linked Missile pods, target array, HWDC, HWBSF
X2 Crisis Suits, twin-linked Missile pods, targeting array
X1 Shield Drone
X1 Marker Drone

FireKnife Squad 164pts
X1 Teamleader, Bonding knife, Missile pod, plasma rifle, HWDC, multi-tracker
X1 Crisis Suit, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Multi-tracker
X2 Shield Drones

Shas’El Hellstorm- 119pts
Stimulant Injector, Airbursting Fragmentation Launcher, Flamer, Multi-tracker, HWDC
X2 Shield Drones

Shas’O VoidBlade- 152pts
Command and Control Node, HWDC, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, HWTL
X2 Shield Drone

Kroot Hunter Kindred -94pts
X10 Kroot
X4 Kroot hounds

Tactics

The Shas'el will join the Fire Storm Squad and the Shas'O will join either the Deathrain or the Fire Knife squad. The Kroot will act either as infiltrating decoys, bubble-wrap, or I will outflank them to protect them for a couple turns. The two Fire Warrior squads will hide in their Devilfish until needed. The two Broadside teams will target Heavy Armor, and hopefully will be able to use their multi-trackers w/plasma rifles to discourage or surprise deepstriking TeQ's and MeQ's. The Hammerhead will serve the tri-purpose as hard-to-kill decoy from the Broadsides, extra rail-gun, and some anti-horde in the form of sub-munitions. The Pathfinders will serve the need for some markerlights to try to get rid of pesky cover saves and make it more likely for the heavy guns to hit. The Firestorm squad will act as a objective cleaner, the Fire-knife's will be used as a counter attack/support unit, while the Deathrains will attempt to crack transports and damage tough infantry. The Shas'O will provide leadership support while the Shas'El will lead the charge.

How does it look guys? Suggestions?

Although I know little of the Tau codex I am loving the idea of giving broadsides the Plasma Rifles. You seem to have it pretty wrapped up but am I correct in saying you only have 3 Troop choices, if so that is a little low IMHO.

That's true, but in my opinion the Tau infantry are pretty overpriced, and so keeping them in the back is probably my best option... unless someone has a better idea.

Devilfish. You are going to struggle for the table on objectives games.

Without the Devilfish, the Fire Warriors die. Period. Every damn time I've ever played, the FW's in the open (or even in cover) have been diced up.

I do agree that I will have a difficult time in objective games.

Why so many Blacksun Filters? Do you play with night fighting rules a lot?

On your 'El, do you really expect to shoot the AFP and the flamer on the same turn?

I'd drop your 'O and bring two more Broadsides. Besides, the Command and Control node literally does nothing in 5th ed.

Try to get in 2 more pathfinders. The extra markerlight shot will absolutely help (3 ML hits = no cover save), and the extra bodies mean you need to lose 2 before you take a leadership test.

We actually do play with night fighting a LOT.

With the 'El, it is a close support unit, so I certainly think its likely.

Would it be better to drop the Shas'o and get 2 pathfinders and maybe another troops or two more broadsides?Or a combination?

I only have one more broadside though, so I may have to proxy.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Sorry for the double post. Lets say I take out the Shas'O... I could add this:

Sapphire Squad- 110pts
X1 Shas’ui, Bonding knife, Marker light, Black sun Filter
X7 Shas’la

Granite Squad gets +2 Fire Warriors

Stalker Squad gets +2 Pathfinders

Would that be better?

Bladestorm wrote:Broadside Team Leader, Bonding Knife, Twin-linked Plasma Rifle, HWDC,HWBF, Multi-tracker
Broadside, Twin-linked Plasma Rifle, Multi-tracker

With the PRs, I'm guessing you face a lot of AP2?

Bladestorm wrote:Hammerhead- 180pts Railgun, Disruption Pod, Smart Missile System, Blacksun Filter, Multi-tracker

A Target Lock could be good so the RG shoots a tank and the SMS kills footies.

Bladestorm wrote:Firestorm Squad 164pts
X1 Team Leader, Twin-linked Flamers, Missile pod, HWDC,Bonding Knife
X2 Crisis Battle suits, Twin-linked Flamers, Missilepod
X2 Shield Drones

I dislike the load-outs, but I'm guessing you like 'em. See below**.

Bladestorm wrote:Shas’El Hellstorm- 119pts[/b]
Stimulant Injector, Airbursting Fragmentation Launcher, Flamer, Multi-tracker, HWDC
X2 Shield Drones

I'm with elrabin on this. Your 'El could have the AfP scatter *back* onto himself if he's close enough to use the flamer too. A BC/AfP combo might make more sense.

Bladestorm wrote:Shas’O VoidBlade- 152pts
Command and Control Node, HWDC, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, HWTL
X2 Shield Drone

Always go El with Target Array instead of 'O to save points.

**
Load-outs: Flamers on suits means they get assaulted next turn. Do you find that happens a lot? Flamer down one squad, then have a marine or two assault your suits. Tie 'em up for one or two shooting phases and maybe your suits live for a Turn 4 salvo? I ask all this nicely, no sarcasm intended.

With the PRs, I'm guessing you face a lot of AP2?

Too many of my opponents play the 'deep strike the terminators right next to the poor Tau' and I'd like to make that as painful as possible.

A Target Lock could be good so the RG shoots a tank and the SMS kills footies.

Not a bad idea

I'm with elrabin on this. Your 'El could have the AfP scatter *back* onto himself if he's close enough to use the flamer too. A BC/AfP combo might make more sense.

Eh, maybe, but the scatter wouldn't do too much to a crisis team, but maybe I'll switch the multi-tracker to target lock.

Load-outs: Flamers on suits means they get assaulted next turn. Do you find that happens a lot? Flamer down one squad, then have a marine or two assault your suits. Tie 'em up for one or two shooting phases and maybe your suits live for a Turn 4 salvo? I ask all this nicely, no sarcasm intended.

Its a build I found on advanced Tau Tactica, and its purpose is to put a ton of wounds on a unit sitting on an objective, and hopefully clear it, or damage it a lot. We'll see how they do (they always have the missile pod for some long range punch).

Bladestorm wrote:

With the PRs, I'm guessing you face a lot of AP2?

Too many of my opponents play the 'deep strike the terminators right next to the poor Tau' and I'd like to make that as painful as possible.

Then you're doing the right thing.

Bladestorm wrote:

I'm with elrabin on this. Your 'El could have the AfP scatter *back* onto himself if he's close enough to use the flamer too. A BC/AfP combo might make more sense.

Eh, maybe, but the scatter wouldn't do too much to a crisis team, but maybe I'll switch the multi-tracker to target lock.

Or keep the MT and *add* a hwTLock.

Bladestorm wrote:

Load-outs: Flamers on suits means they get assaulted next turn. Do you find that happens a lot? Flamer down one squad, then have a marine or two assault your suits. Tie 'em up for one or two shooting phases and maybe your suits live for a Turn 4 salvo? I ask all this nicely, no sarcasm intended.

Its a build I found on advanced Tau Tactica, and its purpose is to put a ton of wounds on a unit sitting on an objective, and hopefully clear it, or damage it a lot. We'll see how they do (they always have the missile pod for some long range punch).

I hesitate putting anything on suits that bring them within range of assault, thus no flamers or FBs.

But, otherwise, decent list.

I could sell you all my flamer weapons from my suits over the years.... I have about 30 of them =]

Its a crappy weapon... I wouldnt mind flamers as a back up weapon against Horde but even then I would use a Firestorm before a Flamers anyday of the week.

All the above advice is solid.... The onyl thing that stuck out was the flamers and the 'O everything is ok... The Pr on the XV88's is a tough choice to make..... If plasma was cheaper Id be all over them but thats quite a price to pay... DS and DP SM players are a pain for sure..... I usually play against a DP Sallys list with vulkan so I feel your pain of the OP SM players...

Turns out I didn't put enough points into the Broadsides, so I made some changes and dropped the Shas'o and the Heatwaves and replaced them with actual Firestorms. This leaves me with, still, only three troops however.

Shas’El Hellstorm- 127pts
Stimulant Injector, Airbursting Fragmentation Launcher, Missile Pod, Multi-tracker, HWDC
X2 Shield Drones

Hammerhead- 185pts
Railgun, Disruption Pod, Smart Missile System, Blacksun Filter, Multi-tracker, target lock

Stalker Team- 157pts
X6 Pathfinders
Devilfish/ disruption pod

Crimson Squad- 145pts
X6 Firewarriors
X1 Devilfish/disruption pod

Granite Squad- 80pts
X8 Firewarriors

Ironside Team- 253pts
Broadside Team Leader, Bonding Knife, Twin-linked Plasma Rifle, HWDC,HWBF, Multi-tracker
Broadside, Twin-linked Plasma Rifle, Multi-tracker
X2 Shield Drones

Goliath Team- 253pts
Broadside Team Leader, Bonding Knife, Twin-linked Plasma Rifle, HWDC,HWBF, Multi-tracker
Broadside, Twin-linked Plasma Rifle, Multi-tracker

Deathrain Squad 217pts
X1 Teamleader, bonding knife, twin-linked Missile pods, target array, HWDC, HWBSF
X2 Crisis Suits, twin-linked Missile pods, targeting array
X1 Shield Drone
X1 Marker Drone

FireKnife Squad 164pts
X1 Teamleader, Bonding knife, Missile pod, plasma rifle, HWDC, multi-tracker
X1 Crisis Suit, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Multi-tracker
X2 Shield Drones

Kroot Hunter Kindred -94pt
X10 Kroost
X4 Kroot hounds

Firestorm Squad- 175pts
X1 Team leader, bonding knife, hard-wired multi-tracker, target array, Burst cannon, Missile Pod
X2 Crisis Suits, multi-tracker, missile pod, Burst Canno

The purpose of the flamers on Deathrain suits is mainly one of cost. It's the second cheapest way to fill a hardpoint (BSF being 1 pt less). Yeah, it puts you in assault range. But I think their potential utility is worth the extra point.

I assume you meant to include Shield Drones on your Goliath team?


Overall, I like it. It doesn't pack as much firepower as some other lists, but I think you have some very survivable suits! Objective games can be challenging, but smarty play can reward you with at least a draw. Good luck!

elrabin wrote:The purpose of the flamers on Deathrain suits is mainly one of cost. It's the second cheapest way to fill a hardpoint (BSF being 1 pt less).

Drone Controlers cost zero. Just don't buy a drone and you won't be tempted to buy a dangerous toy like a flamer.

The controller costs nothing, but you still have to take 1 drone which is a minimum 10 points. Flamer or 1 TL carbine shot...
I may be biased due to the fact that lighting things on fire is soooo much fun.