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*Updated Below
New 6th edition rules have brought forth great opportunities for Tau with Allies, Cover Saves, and New Rapid Fire.

I have 80 Points to play with and I not sure how to spend. I thought Predator, Sniper Team (For Pinning and Marking), or also Razorback and more drones. Any suggestions.

Primary Detachment
HQ
Shas'el Commander
-Flamer, Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod ,HW Multi-Tracker, HW DC, 2x Shield Drone,
-Shas'vre Bodyguards x2, 2x Flamer, 2x Plasma Rifle, 2x Missile Pod, 2xHW Multi-Tracker, 2x HW DC, 2x Gun Drone

Elite
XV8 x2
-2x Missile Pods, 2 Burst Cannons, 2x Multi-Tracker
-Shas'ui Team leader, Burst Cannon, Missile Pod, Multi-Tracker, HW DC, 2x Gun Drone

Troop
12x Firewarriors

12x Firewarriors

12x Firewarriors
-Devilfish DPods

Fast Attack
8x Pathfinders
-Shas'ui, Blacksun Filter, Disruption Pods

Heavy Support
Hammerhead
-Railgun, Burst Cannons, DPods, Blacksun Filter

2x Broadsides
-Team Leader, Hard-wired Blacksun Filter, DC, 2 Shield Drones

Marine Allies
HQ
Chapter Master
-Storm Shield, Artificer Armor, Thunder Hammer

Elite
Techmarine
-Servo Harness

Troop
10x Tactical Squad
-Power Fist, Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon

Tactics for Allies are to attach Chapter Master to a firewarrior team and give them a CC model and Shall Know No Fear. Also I will have a Orbital Bombardment to throw at Armor 2 early in the game. The Techmarine will bolster defenses for Pathfinder Unit and may attach to them or another unit to grant Shall Know No Fear and also give a 2+ armor shield. The tactical squad are more of a power armor objective holder with great morale.

First thing first, you took 4 hard point on your 'el.

Second, the pathfinders need no BSF, as there is no cover against markerlights anyway-give it to the 'el instead, his team will benefit it much more.


If you want a techy, you will be much better off with a Thunderfire Cannon.
Gives you them blasts you lack, and the ability to slow the enemy is a real treat for Tau, MUCH better then simply joining a squad.

The chapter master is a bad idea though, costs alot and provide no real synergy with your own army-I suggest you look for another one you like.

My apologies the Multi Trackers are Hard Wired. *Updated

Also i was thinking about Thunderfire, but was unsure. I will definitly put that in consideration. Helpful against hordes, which is where i think will hurt me in big games.

I was considering a librarian for HQ, but thought the large blast might shell shock a person running draco wings or death wing armies. Double tough AP1 just Invulnerable Saves.

Not the multi trackers x_X
You got a flamer, a Plasma, a Missile Pod and a Shield Generator.
If you meant a shield DRONE-then its a legal option, but a shield GENERATOR is a support system that takes a hardpoint.


People don't really get shell-shocked from a single bombardment. multi bombardment running constantly CAN do it, but a single one is not really effective.
Consider shriek to infiltrate your tacticals/pathfinders into position, or a MoTF with a conversion beamer to stand with your broadside and provide more heavy guns. (and give another improved cover)

As for the cannon-every time I saw that thing on the board it was either quickly removed, or a terror that ran rampage on the enemy (including when it was targeting me), but as Tau tend to have such units anyway (broadsides), it has some serious target saturation, increasing the chance it will last longer.
High versatile, highly destructive, highly recommended.

BoomWolf - Thanks I see the error of my ways. *Updated to 2 Shield Drones for same points.

Thanks for the good advice. I am going to play test the Thunderfire Cannon. My games with my Tau, Broadsides and Pathfinders are targeted fast. That is mostly why I want a Techmarine for Bolster Defenses to up the survivability of them.

I am trying to stay away from characters on HQ, atleast for now.

*Updated Below
Now I have 90 Points to play with the list below and Considering these options.
-switch Marine HQ to Master of the Forge with Conversion Beamer and power weapon, Dropping Tac Plasma Gun, adding Dread w/ 2 Twin Auto Cannons. Keep him near Master of Forge for Repair
OR
-switch Marine HQ to Master of the Forge with Conversion Beamer and power weapon add stuff such as sensor spines to devilfish, pathfinder drones, possible a techmarine in elite.
Either way if I go with master of the Forge I probably should make them Iron Hands.

Primary Detachment
HQ
Shas'el Commander
-Flamer, Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod ,HW Multi-Tracker, HW Blacksun Filter, HW DC, 2x Shield Drone 124
-Shas'vre Bodyguards x2, 2x Flamer, 2x Plasma Rifle, 2x Missile Pod, 2xHW Multi-Tracker, 2x HW DC, 2x Gun Drone 172

Elite
XV8 x3
-2x Missile Pods, 2 Burst Cannons, 2x Multi-Tracker 100
-Shas'ui Team leader, Burst Cannon, Missile Pod, Multi-Tracker, HW DC, 2x Gun Drone 75

Troop
12x Firewarriors 120

12x Firewarriors 120

12x Firewarriors 120
-Devilfish DPods 85

Fast Attack
8x Pathfinders 96
-Shas'ui 10
-Devilfish DPods 85

Heavy Support
Hammerhead
-Railgun, Burst Cannons, DPods, Blacksun Filter 160

2x Broadsides
-Team Leader, Hard-wired Blacksun Filter, DC, 2 Shield Drones 173

Marine Allies
HQ
Captain
-Storm Shield, Artificer Armor, Thunder Hammer 160

Troop
10x Tactical Squad
-Power Fist, Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon 210

Heavy
Thunderfire Cannon w/ Techmarine 100

Motf with conversion beamer is a great idea* librarian could also work though, some of dem new powers are fantastic, and psyker counter cant ever hurt

I'm no tau player, but it would seem to me that you need a delivery method for your troops, ie transports.

also, powerfists in your fire support TAC squad is a waste. If you end up using the powerfist, it's only because you've messed up somewhere. And the lone powerfist will not turn the tide for you, I promise. personally though, I'd take out the plasma gun, which free you up 35 points total once you remove that powerfist. That's a droppod for you, which gives you two semi-mobile scoring units

absolutely yes to the thunderfire.

 Lord PoPo wrote:
I'm no tau player, but it would seem to me that you need a delivery method for your troops, ie transports.

I am taking 2 devilfish's who can get 3+ cover with Jink and Dpods or 2+ cover save with Flat out Jink and Dpods.

-Thanks I will look into dropping the PFist and just take a flamer instead of plasma gun, but still might take a power weapon on sergeant if I drop the fist.

I second a Motf+beamer or a libby over a captain.

I would grab a 3rd broadside and a support system for each with those spare points. A target array/ASS, maybe even multi tracker. Put a target lock on the team leader.

Put a multi tracker on the hammerhead to capitalize on its move and fire. Gotta keep away from enemies and mobile for that sexy 3+ jink!

Drop pod might be nice, although I would keep the plasma gun and take a free heavy weapon instead of a plasma cannon. Missile launcher probably.

Sensor spines is nice with the dPod if you can put the fish in cover.

 Dr. Serling wrote:

I would grab a 3rd broadside and a support system for each with those spare points. A target array/ASS, maybe even multi tracker. Put a target lock on the team leader.

Thanks totally overlooked Target Lock and I normally run the configuration. 3 i feel is too much anti vehicle focus and will consider ASS last if points are there.

 Dr. Serling wrote:
Sensor spines is nice with the dPod if you can put the fish in cover.

Jink cover is all I need till turn 5, flat out movement till I need objectives.

Thinking Forge Iron Father is a definite the more I kick it around. Yeah I might just go pretty basic on tac squad just need power armor and chance for 5 troops with combat squad.

Librarians give you the ability to take Psychic Powers. Null Zone + Whatever may even give you a chance to kill more close combat oriented creatures as they get close.

Thunderfire cannons are good, they give you some anti-horde with the Tau. Considering the Hammerhead + Suits, your anti tank should be covered.

Some ideas to think about:

Land Speeder Squadrons are absolute gold. 3 Speeders in typhoon pattern fires 6 Frag Templates and 9 Heavy Bolter rounds, all on a 12" moving platform. If you are facing a decent amount of armour or power armour, 6 Krak Missiles makes them sad.

The downside is 270 points, but they almost always make their points back for me.

The Flyer is another thing to think about. But the Space Marine flyer is garbage compared to Vendettas, and if you wanted a flyer, you'd just take Guardsmen as allies.

You have better shooting than a Vanilla marine Rifle Dread. Pass.

*Updated Below
Primary Detachment
HQ
Shas'el Commander
-Flamer, Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod ,HW Multi-Tracker, HW Blacksun Filter, HW DC, 2x Shield Drone 124
-Shas'vre Bodyguards x2, 2x Flamer, 2x Plasma Rifle, 2x Missile Pod, 2xHW Multi-Tracker, 2x HW DC, 2x Gun Drone 172

Elite
XV8 x3
-2x Missile Pods, 2 Burst Cannons, 2x Multi-Tracker 100
-Shas'ui Team leader, Burst Cannon, Missile Pod, Multi-Tracker, HW DC, 2x Gun Drone 75

Troop
12x Firewarriors 120

12x Firewarriors 120

12x Firewarriors 120
-Devilfish DPods 85

Fast Attack
8x Pathfinders 96
-Shas'ui 10
-Devilfish DPods 85

Heavy Support
Hammerhead
-Railgun, Burst Cannons, DPods, Blacksun Filter, Multi-Tracker 170

2x Broadsides
-Team Leader, Hard-wired Blacksun Filter,HW Target Lock, DC, 2 Shield Drones 178

Marine Allies
HQ
Master of the Forge
-Conversion Beamer, Power Weapon135

Elite
Dreadnought
-Twin Linked Auto-Cannon, Twin Linked Auto Cannon125

Troop
10x Tactical Squad
-Power Weapon, Flamer, Missile Launcher 185

Heavy
Thunderfire Cannon w/ Techmarine 100


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The flyer defense I have Rifle Dread, 2 Squads with Missile Pods, also I can always try Pulse Rifles Spam.

You'd be better off buying an Aegis Line for flyer defense rather than a Rifle Dread.

The MoTF can manage without a power weapon, he is not a melee build-if you can afford to get him a bike though...(extra T and the ability to zoom away if needed)

Find the points to get your fire-warriors the Ui upgrade, the difference between Ld 7 and 8 is massive in the long run.

The hammerhead can use a target lock, burst the guys next to you and rail the guys far from you at the same time.

For your entier HQ team-drop the flamers, get a targeting array, and you can cut the gun drones a bit...

Most of these upgrades will eat a few points, and to do them it will require to let something go, but they can each make a big difference.

I Think I might play test this list for about a month and see what I like and hate. I am not fully worried with leadership on 2 squads, because they will spend time in the devilfish (Will make note if leadership for the unit does play a large factor) Hammerhead I will keep configuration, not worried about burst cannon use. It will mostly be kept in backfield with main army and any deep strikers will be looking down barrels of a ton of guns.

Thanks all for the checks, advice, suggestions really helpful.

New Updated List
Primary Detachment
HQ
Shas'el Commander
- Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod ,HW Multi-Tracker, HW Blacksun Filter, HW DC, 2x Shield Drone 120

Elite
XV8 x2
-2x Plasma Rifle, 2x Missile Pod, 2x HW Multi-Tracker, 124

XV8 x3
-2x Missile Pods, 2 Plasma Rifle, 2x Multi-Tracker, HW Blacksun Filter 124
-Shas'ui Team leader, Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-Tracker, HW DC, 2x Gun Drone 85

Troop
12x Firewarriors
-Shas'ui, Bonding Knife, EMP 138

12x Firewarriors 120

12x Firewarriors 120
-Devilfish DPods 85

Fast Attack
8x Pathfinders 96
-Shas'ui 10
-Devilfish DPods 85

Heavy Support
Hammerhead
-Railgun, Burst Cannons, DPods, Blacksun Filter, 160

2x Broadsides
-Team Leader, Hard-wired Blacksun Filter,HW Target Lock, DC, 2 Shield Drones 178

Fortification
Aegis Defense Line
-Quad Gun 100

Marine Allies
HQ
Master of the Forge
-Conversion Beamer 120

Elite
Techmarine 50

Troop
10x Tactical Squad
-Power Weapon, Flamer, Missile Launcher 185

Heavy
Thunderfire Cannon w/ Techmarine 100

 BoomWolf wrote:
The MoTF can manage without a power weapon, he is not a melee build-if you can afford to get him a bike though...(extra T and the ability to zoom away if needed)

the really great of MOTF on bike is that you can relentlessy keep him at optimum range. tbh, the toughness, and being able to run away even, is just secondary to that.

it's a great idea, but people gonna hate you for it.

That's what they deserve after they say MoTF are worthless wastes of points and one should always take a libby or chap

(seriously, people diss this guy WAY too quick. the beamer+bike combo just forces you to devote resources to handle him, and its NOT an easy kill.)