Second HQ option for TAU

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**Grullon1982**

So I'm writing up a list for my tau at 2,000 and i am having a hard time choosing a second HQ that will add to what i already have going on. I have 40 fire warriors (yes i do) and an ethereal would be great on paper with the extra shot to all pulse weapons but so would a commander with 2 bodyguard...
now to help a bit ill include the rest of my army.
a riptide
2 full crisis teams
Commander and 2 bodyguards
6 broadsides
3 tetras
And i still have a few points left over so i might toss in a plain unit of kroot to harass a bit.
Any opinions?

**Super Ready**

With all those Firewarriors, have you considered a Fireblade...?

Aside from that - the Ethereal seems like the better bet, over a Commander with bodyguards that would duplicate the one you already have in the list. The only way I would go with another Commander is if you have a specific role in mind for him and his weapons/support systems that plugs a gap in the rest of the army (say, anti-armour or anti-flyer). Looking at the rest of the list, the only gap I see so far is anti-flyer and that's moot if you have the right wargear, as I notice you haven't listed any support systems yet.

**Ralis**

I would go with an ethreal, simply because he provides a bubble that will effect your multiple squads of fire warriors, while a fireblade will only effect the squad he joins.

Another idea is to take a "support commander" to join with the broadsides: Take the puretide chip, along with the give up his own shooting to ignore cover wargear, so you can save your markerlights for other units.

**dementedwombat**

I love me an ethereal. Can do a lot of cool stuff (some of it the opponent never expects since you always go for the "more pulse rifles" option).

**Grullon1982**

Thanks for all the info, i think the ethereal it is, as far as war gear its the standard stuff you would expect on everything unfortunately. Iridium armor for the commander, feel no pain on the riptide... and the list goes on. But i do feel that ethereal bubble of nasty will surprise a few people thinking it would be a walk in the park to beat up 40 fire warriors.

**Aeroroot**

Ethereal and a fireblade protecting a squad of stationary firewarriors? Who in their right mind would go after that without serious firepower, which leaves the rest of your army free.

**dementedwombat**

I will freely admit I don't play the most competitive lists, but something about a big wall of leadership 10 fire warriors walking up the board firing 3 pulse rifle shots makes me smile.

Of course most of my regular opponents are really really deep strike and outflank heavy, so I pretty much just run into the center of the table and form a giant clump of last stand goodness

**Haight**

I'd take an ethereal unless you are like me, and dislike the concept of ethereals (viva la Farsight Enclave.... not sure why i'm saying that in French, but it sounded good).

A fireblade is a good option as well.

**Skabfang**

I would have to vote for an Ethereal as well. Be careful to never assign him as your warlord though because I believe when he is killed he gives up an extra victory point, that on top of a Warlord VP.. ouch.

Also, investing in a Sniper Drone team and placing the Ethereal with them is a great idea.. extra shots on top of the already formidable firing available to them is very nice indeed.

**Grullon1982**

Posted my list here if any of you want to take a look at it and possibly comment.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/559217.page#6177956

**R3YNO**

I would say the ethereal would be a good choice, if not a second crisis commander would be a good idea.

**Sir Arun**

Firewarriors' biggest downside (at least in games I have played) is that they are usually the first guys to run off a battlefield.

Fielding several blobs of Firewarriors with an Ethereal projecting a LD boosting bubble makes them exponentially better.

If you ask me, the best 2nd HQ for Tau would be a Farseer. There's no better place to stick a Farseer these days than in the vicinity of 3x 12 Firewarriors. He's a Mastery Level 3 psyker, so casting 3 times primaris power guide is awesome.

You can get him and a 5 man unit of Rangers for 160 points total; that is affordable for anyone fielding lots of FWs as part of their Tau army. Farseer + Ethereal in such an army makes FWs dictate battles.

**Grullon1982**

I will look into the ally stuff soon, thanks for the tip.

**dementedwombat**

Tau + eldar...a match made in paradise (or the deepest bowls of the warp, if you're across the table from them).

**Furyou Miko**

Haight wrote:
I'd take an ethereal unless you are like me, and dislike the concept of ethereals (viva la Farsight Enclave.... not sure why i'm saying that in French, but it sounded good).

A fireblade is a good option as well.

Because secretly, you're a filthy chaos worshipper. :p

**Grullon1982**

Worked on my list a little, you can see it on the link, let me know what you think.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/559217.page

**gossipmeng**

Ethereal for sure.