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So after playing a few games with my small (about 1000 pts) Tau army. And 2 games proxying a larger army of about 2k I'm looking at building my army to be something like this. Based on what I've learned in the games I've played against Necrons and Orks.

Shas'el - 102
-Fusion Blaster
-Plasma Rifle
-Hard-Wired Multi-tracker
-Bonding Knife
-Targeting Array

Crisis Team x3 - 196
-Team Leader
-Bonding Knife
-Fusion Blaster x3
-Plasma Rifle x3
-Multi-tracker x3

Crisis Team x3 - 168
-Team Leader
-Bonding Knife
-Burst Cannon x3
-Missile Pod x3
-Multi-Tracker x3

Fire Warriors x12 - 135
-Shas'ui
-Bonding Knife

Fire Warriors x12 - 135
-Shas'ui
-Bonding Knife

Fire Warriors x12 - 165
-Shas'ui
-Bonding Knife
-Hard-wired Drone Controller
-Shield Drones x2

Pathfinders x8 - 201
-Shas'ui
-Bonding Knife
-Devilfish
-Disruption Pod
-Targeting Array

Pathfinders x8 - 201
-Shas'ui
-Bonding Knife
-Devilfish
-Disruption Pod
-Targeting Array

Broadside Team x3 - 255
-Team Leader
-Bonding Knife
-Hard-wired Target Lock
-Targeting Array x3

Broadside Team x3 - 255
-Team Leader
-Bonding Knife
-Hard-wired Target Lock
-Targeting Array x3

Hammerhead Gunship - 170
-Railgun
-Burst Cannons
-Disruption Pod
-Multi-tracker
-Target Lock

So everything does what you think it would do. I know a lot of people don't take Hammerhead's, but the Strength 6 AP 4 large blast destroys scarabs (since I play Necrons a lot I need to destroy Scarabs). The Fire Warriors with the Shield Drones basically sit in cover on a home objective while the other two squads go in the Devilfish and fly around where needed. I have two different Crisis Team loadouts because if it was a tourney I'd want a team to hunt down heavy armor and one team to focus on transports and having a high rate of fire against horde-like armies. So what does Dakka think?

For primarily Orcs/Necrons, this seems pretty good to me.

Personally, I'd run Plasma/Missile instead of Plasma/Fusion. The extra range of the Missile Pod is really nice to have, and it can also help take down lightly armored vehicles. But Fusion Blasters are quite nice against 3+ or 2+ saves if you can completely wipe the unit.

It seems a little odd to me to run Shield Drones on Firewarriors instead of Broadsides. Besides, you should be able to the Firewarriors in some form of area terrain, so why not give them Gun Drones instead? Functionally they will do the same thing, but also give you a couple extra short-range shots -- and they cost less!

I would try to use all three of your Elite slots, even if you aren't maxing the units. 3 2x units is more durable, flexible, and maneuverable than 2 3x units. And if you are running 2-model units, you don't need to pay for Bonding Knives.

I wouldn't take the 'ui or BK on the Pathfinders. If they are forced to retreat with 3 or fewer dudes, you might as well let them run. They won't be doing much for you the rest of the game. I'd also consider dropping the Pathfinders to 6-man units. 2x 8-man units is a lot of ML hits.

You may have some issues with objective games, considering your lack of mobility. You don't have much to contest with, and you don't have mobile troops that can claim objectives outside your deployment zone. Moving your troops (on foot or in a PF DF) means sacrificing firepower. It might be beneficial to add a 6-man FW team in a DF that you can use to claim objectives mid/late game. Or a small Kroot unit that can outflank.

I have switched the Crisis Suits to Plas/Missile instead of the fusion blaster. I may drop them to two man squads and have the third squad have fusion blasters in order to deep strike and take out something with heavy armor. but I'll have 6 crisis suits regardless when I buy all my models so I'll be able to switch up the weapons etc as needed.

From the games I've played having one devilfish with a squad of fire warriors gives me a decent amount of mobility. But in larger games only having 2 may be an issue. And I like having 8 man pathfinder teams because with only bs3 and my horrible dice rolling, I need as many as I can get haha

Well as a long time Tau player there is a few things that could do with being changed. I think you are overspending on expensive upgrades that you dont really need.


Shas'el - 102
-Fusion Blaster
-Plasma Rifle
-Hard-Wired Multi-tracker
-Bonding Knife
-Targeting Array

Bonding knives are unnecessary. They may seem cheap but the points add up. The best thing to avoid large squads breaking is avoiding bringing large squads. weapon loadouts ok, PR/MP is a better all rounder. Remember you have railguns for heavy armor you need to use crisis suits to take light armor and heavy infantry.

Crisis Team x3 - 196
-Team Leader
-Bonding Knife
-Fusion Blaster x3
-Plasma Rifle x3
-Multi-tracker x3

Same as above, delete bonding knife and TL upgrade and I would strongly suggest PR/MP.

Crisis Team x3 - 168
-Team Leader
-Bonding Knife
-Burst Cannon x3
-Missile Pod x3
-Multi-Tracker x3

Again lose bonding knife and TL upgrade and you guessed it PR/MP (I know its boring but trust me it works)


Fire Warriors x12 - 135
-Shas'ui
-Bonding Knife

This is a lot of points to spend on a squad that will be sitting in a transport. Drop to 6 men, no upgrades. Unfortunately Tau have pretty poor troops, so minimising what you spend on them gets you more of the big guns

Fire Warriors x12 - 165
-Shas'ui
-Bonding Knife
-Hard-wired Drone Controller
-Shield Drones x2

Are you really spending 15 points for a 4++ for a squad that costs 10 points a man and should be in cover or a transport? If you want foot troops Kroot are the way to go they put out more firepower per point to Fire Warriors. The only time you want Fire Warriors on foot is because their transport was just blown to pieces.

Pathfinders x8 - 201
-Shas'ui
-Bonding Knife
-Devilfish
-Disruption Pod
-Targeting Array

Recently I've given up on pathfinders, personally I think the points can be better spent on more guns. If you want to keep them again drop the TL and bonding knife. As for the devilfish if you want to use them as gunboats give them SMS, if not drop the TA as it only works for the burst cannon.
Your best bet would be dropping them to 6 men as they are easier to hide and less of a threat. if you dont think thats enough markerlights bring 3 squads of 6 that way all your troops have a transport

Broadside Team x3 - 255
-Team Leader
-Bonding Knife
-Hard-wired Target Lock
-Targeting Array x3

This is where you want shield drones you dont want your expensive guns getting pasted by the first lascannon pointed their way. These guys will be high on target priority so you need to keep them alive. Again drop the bonding knife. ASS is also good allowing you to stay mobile, the TL arent really necessary the railguns are already twin linked.

Hammerhead Gunship - 170
-Railgun
-Burst Cannons
-Disruption Pod

Fine I like hammerheads although they arent too hard to suppress but they are very versatile.

I would also say that you are lacking in firepower overall. Tau lists need crisis suits you need to be filling your elite slots with them. I would also recommend you looking at piranhas since they allow you block firing lanes and stall your opponents advance