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ok so what i was thinking was possibly running 6 stealthsuits each with a DC with one marker drone(and one on TL). its close in point cost with pathfinders, cheaper because of the devilfish, i think it might make them more survivable with a 3+ armor save and a better cover save. thoughts, opionions on this? i think ill try it this week personaly

No. Markerlights are only effective on two units: Tetras and Pathfinders. Otherwise the percent increase provided to your shooting units by the markerlight hit is less than the percent increase in cost to gain that markerlight hit, and you're better off just buying more guns at BS 3. Marker drones are just way too expensive, and the stealth suits that carry them are even worse.

Seeingas you're paying close to 60 points a Markeright shot and the Stealth Suits themselves can't do anything, you're not quite as efficient as you'd like there.

Whie Pergrine is right that Stealth Marker Teams are not as good as marker units for price as Pathfinders (especially if you give the Pathfinders' Devilfish to a Firewarrior squad) or Tetras (absolutely the best in mobile, survivable marker units if Forgeworld is available) you can make a surprisingly mobile and survivable marker unit out of them.

My recommendation is Team Leader with Markerlight, Drone Controller and 2 Marker Drones. This si the core of your markeright ability, it's only 1.5 markerlights a turn, but you get all that wonderful JSJ goodness.

Then take only 2 Shas'ui and give them Target Locks. Why only 2? For cheapness. These guys can't fire markerlights so they can't contribute to the number of hits you do. Buyng marker drones for them makes them hugely expensive driving your points cost up. Instead treat them mostly like ablative wounds for the team lead. Bounce these guys between the Team Lead and threats and use Look Out Sir if something sneaks through. The Taget Lock means that f the situation does arise they can use their Burst Cannons against a target in 18 inches while the team lead and drones light a target for the rest of your army . . . but don't try to make this happen - keep this unit at least 24 inches from anything in your opponent's force at all times.

Anyway if you want to do it, that's the way I'd recommend doing it, but accept that you will generate less markerlight hits than even a small squad of pathfinders or a single tetra and you have one less 'offensive' Elite slot available to you in the bargin.

In the tau tactics for 6th thread there is discussion on stealth marker teams.

to sum it up:

Pros
-Jump Shoot Jump
-Stealth + shrouded special rules

Cons
the unit you are making 6 stealth + 6 drones would cost about 360 points with no upgrades (vs 6 pathfinder in a fish is about 152)
the markerlight is double the range of the burst cannon, so its doubtful you can actually wound the unit you mark.
you used an Elite slot on a team that will do no damage.

Many people deem stealth suits a waste, in this role, I would agree, its a waste of points and waste of an elite slot.

Jefffar wrote:
Whie Pergrine is right that Stealth Marker Teams are not as good as marker units for price as Pathfinders (especially if you give the Pathfinders' Devilfish to a Firewarrior squad) or Tetras (absolutely the best in mobile, survivable marker units if Forgeworld is available) you can make a surprisingly mobile and survivable marker unit out of them.

But why would you want to? The only reason you ever want to bring markerlights is if a shooting boost through markerlights is more point efficient than a shooting boost through buying more guns, and the only two units that can do that are Tetras and pathfinders. Every other markerlight source is too expensive and therefore garbage.

My recommendation is Team Leader with Markerlight, Drone Controller and 2 Marker Drones. This si the core of your markeright ability, it's only 1.5 markerlights a turn, but you get all that wonderful JSJ goodness.

JSJ doesn't matter because the unit will never be targeted. Overcosted markerlights are a low priority target, and your opponent will just kill the units that are going to receive the markerlights instead.

Finally looked at my codex, thought that the marker drones were half their actual cost. I made a list that I need to modify alittle bit more. I like how it looks and can't wait to try it out.