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This is a list that I have written to play in a local tournament, I was hoping to get some comments and criticism on the list before I take it forward. It is based on the NOVA winning list this year

HQ - Commander Farsight
HQ - Commander O'Vesa
(Allied) HQ - Commander w/MSSS, C&C Node, PENC, VRT
= 635

Troops -3x Crisis Suits w/Dual Flamers + Bonding Knives
Troops - Crisis Suit w/2x Missile Pods + Bonding Knives
Troops - Crisis Suit w/2x Missile Pods + Bonding Knives
Troops - Crisis Suit w/2x Fusion Blasters + Bonding Knives
Troops - Crisis Suit w/Dual Flamers + Bonding Knives
Troops - Crisis Suit w/Dual Flamers + Bonding Knives
(Allied)Troops - 10x Kroot w/Sniper Rounds + Hound
= 399

Elites - XV104 Riptide w/HBC + Velocity Tracker + Target Lock
Elites - XV104 Riptide w/Ion Accelerator + EWO + Talisman
Elites - XV104 Riptide w/Ion Accelerator + EWO
= 605

Heavy Support - Skyray
Heavy Support - Skyray
Heavy Support - Hammerhead w/Railgun + Submission Rounds + TL SMS
= 360

= 2000

If your local meta is extremely competitive then go for it. Otherwise, is obliterating your competition really worth pissing off the locals?

As far as the list goes, I believe NOVA ruled that you don't need to take Farsight to get O'Vesa, so you might as well get rid of him for more scoring units

HBC Riptide needs ECPA as well.

astro_nomicon wrote:
If your local meta is extremely competitive then go for it. Otherwise, is obliterating your competition really worth pissing off the locals?

As far as the list goes, I believe NOVA ruled that you don't need to take Farsight to get O'Vesa, so you might as well get rid of him for more scoring units

HBC Riptide needs ECPA as well.

I doubt they ruled that. It quite clear and RAW that Farsight must be your Warlord to take his Commander Team.

Anyway, very solid O'Vesa Star, doesn't deviate too much from the Nova list.

You could try your own list unless you really need 4 riptides to win

 Mr. DK wrote:
You could try your own list unless you really need 4 riptides to win

I do not need four Riptides to win, but yes my area is very competitive, so they do help I thought that the ECPA was a once per detachment signature system and that by having O'Vesa who comes with one you could not include another, please correct me if I am wrong because I agree that the HBC Riptide probably needs the ECPA.

If you don't need it, then I think you're better off not running this list.

It's a local tourney: it can't be THAT competitive.

How good would you really feel when you win with the list that won NOVA? Wouldn't it be a more satisfying experience all around (for you and your opponents) if you played a somewhat more balanced list that required more generalship? I'm not suggesting that you should cut the balls out of the Tau 'dex by not taking any Riptides, but seriously 4? You're going to be hard pressed to find any love for this list at any FLGS.

astro_nomicon wrote:
If you don't need it, then I think you're better off not running this list.

It's a local tourney: it can't be THAT competitive.

How good would you really feel when you win with the list that won NOVA? Wouldn't it be a more satisfying experience all around (for you and your opponents) if you played a somewhat more balanced list that required more generalship? I'm not suggesting that you should cut the balls out of the Tau 'dex by not taking any Riptides, but seriously 4? You're going to be hard pressed to find any love for this list at any FLGS.

I think you would be suprised how competitve it is... I know for a fact that I will be going up against lists such as Screamer Star, Flying Circus, Grav-Spam white Scars, Serpent Spam, Seer Council and loads of other really tough and nasty lists.

Im glad I don't play in your area then. I would hate to be restricted to only the most OP netlists to stand a chance. Taking the variety out of the game with mandatory units is a horrible way to play.

I doubt I would even have fun playing against this list, as all it does is highlight how poor games workshop is at actually making a game.

Tau Skyfire wrote:

astro_nomicon wrote:
If you don't need it, then I think you're better off not running this list.

It's a local tourney: it can't be THAT competitive.

How good would you really feel when you win with the list that won NOVA? Wouldn't it be a more satisfying experience all around (for you and your opponents) if you played a somewhat more balanced list that required more generalship? I'm not suggesting that you should cut the balls out of the Tau 'dex by not taking any Riptides, but seriously 4? You're going to be hard pressed to find any love for this list at any FLGS.

I think you would be suprised how competitve it is... I know for a fact that I will be going up against lists such as Screamer Star, Flying Circus, Grav-Spam white Scars, Serpent Spam, Seer Council and loads of other really tough and nasty lists.

Even grav spam is going to have a really tough time against this list, and will generally not do as well in other match ups. Serpent Spam is just as gross as 4 riptides. So are 3-4 helldrake lists. My animosity is not reserved just for riptides.

This is the list a man with no heart would take. 4 Riptides take up way too much space to have a heart

Lol, so much Riptide Hate. Fact is, unsupported Riptides are just not that scary and certainly pound for pound not nearly as game changing as FMCs, Wave Serpents, or Helldrakes.

Now, the O'VesaStar itself has a pretty gross damage output and its all thanks to the Allied Buffmander, take him out and it loses its Teeth.

Honestly, I'd be tempted to drop one Riptide for a Marko and upgraded a Crisis Squad to a dual Missile Pod and Marker Drones Squad. Drastically increases the AlphaStrike Potential of the list and give Markerlight Support to the lone Riptide. I'd also drop the Hammerhead to facilitate this. I'd also make sure another one of my Fusion Suits was 2xFusion Blaster Equipped.

Bullshiz. Riptides are just as powerful as those, winning NOVA supports that.

I don't play tau, but you should definitely drop the riptide.

 Helvost wrote:
Bullshiz. Riptides are just as powerful as those, winning NOVA supports that.

I don't play tau, but you should definitely drop the riptide.

Actually, by all reports of those Nova games I've seen and the streamed video I skimmed, the non O'VesaStar Riptides contributed relatively little and it was the Star the carried the list. Unsupported Riptides are not as powerful as the internet makes them out to be. Each one of those listed units performs better and contributes more than unaided riptides and none of them require support.

Now, properly supported Riptides are an entirely other story which was the point of my last post.

I do play Tau, and do run Riptides, both supported and unsupported. Unsupported, their damage output is much lower than the internet would make us believe. Without a Buffmander, ECPA, Considerable ML Support, or allied Farseer Riptides put out considerably less damage than other similarly pointed units, do not score, and fold to assault.

Yeah dump the extra 2 riptides to fill out your crisis teams. Load up on plasma, sprinkle in some fusion and alpha strike the shiz out of them.

Solid list, I might suggest finding the points to get Missile Drones for the HBC riptide. It allows the star to live longer, and also because the star is going to be putting out the most damage, the extra shots help.

Something to consider as well, do you think the 2x Skyray is enough to counter FMC? If you find it is, then don't worry about VT, but I have found as an FMC player that 2x Skyrays can be mitigated.

Also, where is your FLGS? I play at a store in NOVA that is very competitive as well. Makes for an interesting Sunday haha.

Well also remember that this list won before the space marine codex with grav gun spam bikes. Say goodbye to those 4 riptides really fast if up against a competitve marine army. As a side note though where do you go to find the nova lists? I could never actually see the actual army lists

 Helvost wrote:
This is the list a man with no heart would take. 4 Riptides take up way too much space to have a heart

So much hate!

 Helvost wrote:
This is the list a man with no heart would take. 4 Riptides take up way too much space to have a heart

LOL I dont know whether i should be offended or blush.

To the OP, I like the list(durr obviously), but your troop wargear suggests you're going to run most of the suits close range. I'd advise against that, but thats personal preference.

icefire78 wrote:
Well also remember that this list won before the space marine codex with grav gun spam bikes. Say goodbye to those 4 riptides really fast if up against a competitve marine army. As a side note though where do you go to find the nova lists? I could never actually see the actual army lists

The Star itself fairs better against Grav than most. With enough Drones the Majority Save is a 4+, with O'Vesa and his 5++/3++ and FNP tanking and IC to distribute wounds it can be surprising resilient. It would have to be alot of bikes and Bike can be partially negated by deployment barring being siezed on.

 Orock wrote:
Im glad I don't play in your area then. I would hate to be restricted to only the most OP netlists to stand a chance. Taking the variety out of the game with mandatory units is a horrible way to play.

I doubt I would even have fun playing against this list, as all it does is highlight how poor games workshop is at actually making a game.

Just for the record, his list is for the second stage of a tournament in the local area (I'm in his area) and I'm the player that won stage one. Mr. Skyfire right here really needs some crushing wins to pull his points back near the top
Also, our club is pretty relaxed and fluffy etc 95% of the time. It's only for tourneys we go all-out.

Thanks for you list, I am making one myself, yours was very helpful.

I have to agree with the OP. Its a tournament, weather you playing a local game store tournament or playing at a CON. I feel like it should be as competitive as you can. My FLGS is full of Farsight Bombs(x2), Alpha strike drop pod lists, WaveSerpent spam, a pinkdeathstar, seercousil, and of course 2-3 heldrakes.

Haven't got the pleasure to play vs 4 riptides or 4 heldraks yet. But i want to. How else will I know if my lists are truly tournament ready?

I think if everyone always plays as hard as possible with competitive lists that you will end up in a bunch of good players having fun and trying to smash each other.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Masos wrote:
I have to agree with the OP. Its a tournament, weather you playing a local game store tournament or playing at a CON. I feel like it should be as competitive as you can. My FLGS is full of Farsight Bombs(x2), Alpha strike drop pod lists, WaveSerpent spam, a pinkdeathstar, seercounsil, and of course 2-3 heldrakes.

Haven't got the pleasure to play vs 4 riptides or 4 heldrakes yet. But i want to. How else will I know if my lists are truly tournament ready?

I think if everyone always plays as hard as possible with competitive lists that you will end up in a bunch of good players having fun and trying to smash each other.

Nice list dude. I hope you do well. And I hope you see the seer counscil I have a feeling it will be your Bane.