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I'm new to Warhammer 40k (but not new to wargaming).

I've got the Blood Angel Codex and I'm looking to build a starter army to play against my friend who is going to play Tau and has bought the Tau Battleforce set. (He's also new to Warhammer 40k, but not new to wargaming like me. We've played LotR Strategy Battle Game and Battle Fleet Gothic together.)

My friend may get a few additional models to fill out or round out his Tau Battleforce, but most likely based on overall monetary cost just to get to the requirements (if they're not included in the Tau Battleforce box), ie. 1 HQ and 2 Troops selections.

Anyway, from what I can determine from the Internet, the Tau seems to be a sit back and pin down, shooty type of army, with many long range options. And the Blood Angels seem to excel in assault and close combat (but Devastator Squads seem to be able to lay down a decent amount of ranged shooty options). (Please correct me if I'm wrong or add details to refine this concept.)

So I realize that the tactics of the game are that he will probably want to stay out of close combat by staying at range as much as possible. And I'll probably want to close that gap as quick as possible.

What kind of Blood Angels army list will be best tailored against the Tau Battleforce set?
(I'm guessing this will probably be a 1,000 point game or less.)

I don't want to be rude about tau, But anything really

Take jump troops and devs and play DoA, or take lots of razorbacks and just rush up the field. Tau need lots of suits to be any good and the battleforce doesn't provide that. It doesn't have broadsides either, which are good at popping tanks.

Just use any normal BA all comers list

I play both armies and Tau are now a very mobile shooty army that can ruin your units before they even get close enough to do any damage.

I'd take plenty of fast units that can get the charge as early as possible. As Lumarman said, Assault Squads and/or Tac Squads in a Rhino/Razorback. Chuck a flamer in the Tac Sqaud and you'll eat the Tau with ease.

I don't usually suggest Tac Squads for BA though, there are far better choices when playing with more points.