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Ok so I have never played a Tau army or seen one in action but I am getting into the army mainly due to the Crisis suits and the Firewarriors (and of course RAILGUNS!)

My main question is how do I implement the marker lights? I currently have a Shas'ui in my Firewarrior squads with a markerlight and a hard-wired target lock. This will allow me to target a different squad with the markerlight correct?

Secondly, what other ways are efficient ways to get marker lights on the table. I plan on running lots of suits but I am under the impression that shield drones are much more cost effective then taking marker drones.

Do marker drones benefit from a target lock equipped controller?

Any insight would be awesome. Thanks.

For whatever it's worth:

1) Target locks don't do anything anymore. Be sure to read up on the FAQ.

2) Leave markerlights to Pathfinders, and give their Devilfish to Fire Warriors. This 5th edition tactic could very well be obsolete in 6th.

3) Shield Drones have been a very good addition to Broadsides thus far, but I haven't seen a lot of people use Shield Drones on Crisis Suits. They could be worth it to get another couple of 3+/4++ wounds in that unit, but I personally try to keep my Crisis Suits cheap.

TheMostWize wrote:hard-wired target lock. This will allow me to target a different squad with the markerlight correct?

In 5th edition yes, in 6th no as you cannot take target locks like that anymore. Same for drones they can no longer use target lock in 6th.

I forgot they put out faqs for 6th have to check that out.

How many marker lights would be recommended?

TheMostWize wrote:I forgot they put out faqs for 6th have to check that out.

How many marker lights would be recommended?

It really depends on you army build, I tend to take between 0 and 3. Other people take 10+

In an 1850 point list I run 24 markerlights. I happen to have 36 fire warriors and other stuffs that need them.

However I have another 1850 list with 8 markerlights, because I only have 6 fire warriors and 3 broadsides that need them, I have 60+ kroot running around.

36 fire Warriors? That's...... 24 more Fire warriors than in my Average List.


I find 12 at 2k is plenty, but I run pretty TA heavy. And I use Tetras over Pathfinders. More Mobile, More accurate, dies just as easy with new Glance rules.

Ok so disruption pods on the devilfish? I am assuming they are going to be objective holders.

Take drones on your commander and your broadsides teams and don't forget to place them in front. As far as markerlights go I run 16 in my 2k list, 2 tetras in a squad and 2 single tetras now that target locks got nerfed. They come w/ a disruption pod for free and you will still use it if standing still, immolised, stunned, etc. It's only a 5+ now, but if you obscure your tetra, basically hiding the entire model all but the tail end where the markerlight is you will get a 4+ cover. Or keep it behind a aegis line for 4+ all day. You can move them 12" and still shoot. I'd recommend keeping you distance and premeasure most critical moves ahead of time. Also remember they have a pulse rifle underneath for shooting and or snap shots.

TheMostWize wrote:Ok so disruption pods on the devilfish? I am assuming they are going to be objective holders.

As I understand it devilfish have a free 5+ save if they move. They also get a 4+save if 25% behind cover. Due to this I find disruption pods a waste of points. Just move 1” or more every turn.

It's more than 25% ofor 4+ cover, that one illustration shows the complete front end of the tanks hidden and only side armour showing.

Something I noticed regarding tau & drones - in 6th, sweeping advance rolls are made with the highest initiative in a unit, not the majority. Should crisis suits lose combat, they can roll with ini 4 instead of ini 2 to break from combat now (provided 1 or more drones are alive).

In a 6th edition game I played My tau opponents Had a squad of i'd say 8(?) pathfinders with markerlights that he had in solid cover that just stripped my jink cover saves from my fast skimmers (eldar). It was really effective but I dont know how much he paid for them. So I cant say if they were worth the price of admission.