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Ok, so im primed and ready to make my first forgeworld order.
Im trying to decide on what to get, tetras or a barracuda. My army is lacking in both Markerlights(I only have a thing of 6 pathfinders) and air support.
Im trying to decide on what to get, the problem mostly being cash(i have it but im scared of spending it) and i cant find rules for tetras anywhere.
Im thinking tetras for now to see if we get a really good flier coming up.

Here is the most recent rules for Tetras

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Downloads/Product/PDF/t/Tauupdate.pdf

I would encourage you to replace your Pathfinders with 2 to 4 Tetras before joining the air caste.

I was thinking that, Even if Markerlights change, tetras will change still be handy.
And then later i can combine the tetras and the Barracuda into a brutal combination.
And how recent is that? It seems like it is still 5tg.

It was made late 5th.

Forgeworld keeps promising an update to it soon hence it no longer being present on their standard downloads page.

Just remember, current rumours point to new Tau as early as May, so anything could really happen at this point.

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
And how recent is that? It seems like it is still 5tg.

5th, but all you need is the hull point update (2 for a Tetra) to use the rules in 6th. It was released right before 6th, so the rules are current.

As for Tetra vs. Barracuda, it depends.

If you really need AA (and given your previous thread it sounds like you do) the Barracuda is your only option without taking allies, so it makes sense to get one.

If you aren't facing flyers very frequently (or have allied AA) the Tetras are a better option, since they're always useful no matter what situation you're in and a major upgrade over pathfinders.

Ideally you'll probably want a 2-1 split between them. If you have cash the easy solution is to get over your fear of spending it and get two Barracudas and a 4-model Tetra squadron (remember that Tetras can take target locks and split their markerlights across four separate targets).

Ok, not that much cash, I have cash right now for one now, and another far down the road.

Tetras are brilliant after using them once I can't get enough of em for my tau, works out if you buy a 6 man team from Gw at £24 and then the mandatory devil fish at £22 then the tetras are actually saving you a tenner and you get 2 extra marker lights and the survivability of a skimmer with shrouded and a higher bs for 50 ish points less than the pathfinder team! They're a win win!
Regards the barracuda have never used one my self but have seen em played and they can deal out the hurt but with a likely flyer release some point this month potentially (in which tau will be getting a flyer) and tau new release coming may time (most mentioned and occuring rumour date) it's not worth in my oppinions shelling out £70+ for a barracuda when something cheaper is soon to be coming our way (hopefully) if your desperate for anti-air though just grab a £18 aegis defence line they make a nice edition to a tau army anyway!

You'll be set for the new release then!

I'd recommend Tetras. they are absolutely brilliant currently.

Also with a rumoured new codex and new plastics coming out in the not too distant future, it's quite likely that Tau will get a new plastic flyer kit at some point, which you may find you prefer to the Barracuda, and will probably be significantly cheaper.

I say neither, get yourself some Remora scout drones.

 Furyou Miko wrote:
I say neither, get yourself some Remora scout drones.

Only if you want to throw away your money. Remoras are absolutely terrible.

(Unless of course you're just looking for a cool model to paint, but the OP wants to use their expensive new toys in a game.)

I would wait for the new dex before making a purchase. If the new markerlight rumors are correct the Tetra will be worthless, and with an updated or new flyer being added you may want it instead.

it's also worth pointing out that the Tetra kits comes in a set of 2. So it's actually not bad value for money either!

The problem with the tetra is that it's a markerlight carrying skimmer and markerlights are a mechanic that's going to see lots of changes. So it's risky to get something that may get a significant rule change and be made near useless.

I'd hold off for a bit really. There may be a release soon and then you'd have your pick of a Barracuda or whatever new flyer Tau get. I suggest playing it safe.

Maybe I will just chuck a but extra into savings for later then.

I've bought a set of tetras but am holding off on building them.

The price will only go up so if they turn out to be rubbish in a few months just take them back and say they were a present and you want to exchange it.

You might even make a profit! Call it an investment. Any Tau you buy now will be getting a premium price when the next codex comes out. I bought some crappy half painted FW on ebay and am in the process of cleaning them up. If i like the new 'dex, i'll paint them. if not - back to ebay!

barracudas

I think a barracuda would be more useful if ya want tetras you can always convert some from Parana.