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In answer to radiohazards question:

1) 3 Basilisks that are out of line of sight.

2)Land Raider spam using smoke and going first.

3)SM Mech swarm, 1750 pts. Has three tanks, 3 full landspeeder squadrons, 2 Razorbacks and 2 rihnos

4)Drop Pod armies

5)SW armies that bring the scouts in the back door.

6)Any army that can get units into assault by second turn. The assaulters don't have to be able to kill the broadsides quickly. just tie them up to where they don't shoot.

@Everyone:
I still maintain that the Tau army does not respond well to spamming one unit. The build has to be more of a theme where if a unit is going to be the focus of your strategy every other unit you pick will have to compliment it.

If you do build such a "themed" army it will tend to be good for only one tactic and limited in the variety of opponents you can successfully engage.

I am not saying that this is a don't. Just to be realistically aware of what you could be facing when you build a spam list.

Just my opinion.

I just want to take the time here and say thanks to everyone that is contributing to this thread.

I also want to say that I encourage polite critique of ideas for this will lead to better and fully formed tactics and builds.

Even though I just recently posted the idea about the rail rifle equipped pathfinders, I want the focus to be more on Tatics. That we will post builds in order to examine what tactics in game can be employed to make these builds better and to examine in which situations they are weak.

Happy hunting
,Later

Here is a good tactic and involves some actual decision making ability.

Everyone talks about positional relay and Ninja Tau , but Positional Relay is a great wargear item period for use with Kroot. Yes, you heard me right kroot.


How does that work?

Place 2 squads of Kroot in reserve outflanking along with 1 broadside deepstriking unit w/ Fusion Guns/ Flamers.


Pathfinders devilfish allow you to reroll deepstrike in LOS. On the second turn Deep Strike the Crisis suits within Melta range of what you need to kill. Here is a good "deepstrike set up" for Crisis that is cheap it is very similar to a Termicide squad from Chaos Codex.

Shas
Fusion Gun Twin Linked ; Target Lock
Fusion Gun TwinLinked ; Flamer
Shas ++ Fusion Gun ; Flamer ; Hardwired Target Lock ;

140 ish dont have codex.

With this squad and Correct position you can if needed fire at 3 Seperate Targets ; with the ability to Reroll the deepstrike this really is a Suicide Crisis Squad which you need to be carefully choose what you are going to kill.

A good rule is try to at least target heavy armour AV14 etc.. this will help get "points" back.


The reason why is because Kroot ultimately are not what you would want to have sticking around on field for a long period of time and it allows you to outflank on later turns or use Kroot to come in on turn two and make a charge on a vulnerable unit.


Anyway Positional relay is excellent for controlling the pace of the game. Being able to cherry pick when your unit comes on board is a great way to quickly grab objectives with Kroot late in the game.

When placing objectives if you have them place them near the middle / corners etc.. This will help as well. Anyway this a great way to keep a unit that ultimatley is a cheap glass hammer alive and around for a good period of time.

I think you mean Deepstriking Crisis as opposed to broadsides. But yeah, the positional relay is an amazing tool that didn't come into its own until 5th ed.

When placing objectives while using the positional relay, set the objectives as close to the Table edges as possible. If you have 3 squads outflanking it just about guarantees that both(Maybe 3) will be contested.

A recent test tactic that I have come to like is utilizing 'feeding frenzy' with 'rapid seeker missle barrage'.
This includes:
-An infiltrating stealth marker team, with a team leader that has:Targeting array, HW-TL, HW-DC, x2Marker Drones and a markerlight
-x5 or x4 piranha squadron(equipped with disruption pods, and seeker missiles)
-A semi large kroot carnivore squad, infiltrating(usually 10 kroot, and 7 hounds works best)

The tactic has you infiltrating both the kroot and the stealths, the kroot preferably in cover, while the stealths just need to be able to JSJ and marker any tank in the opposing army of value.

Meanwhile, you deploy the piranha squad on the flank that you are going to infiltrate the kroot, first turn detach all the drones into one 8-10 man group, and run them up with the kroot(tactic known as 'drone wall'), flat out the piranhas up the flank, and jump the stealths out.

I forgot to mention, for this to work, the stealths must be on the opposite flank of the piranhas, kroot and drones. This is important because he is going to position his army and or move on his army away from the large group of piranhas to attempt to avoid them.

Now because seeker missles can be fired no matter how far the vehicle moved, this means that the stealth team has potentially a two vital vehicle shot first turn no matter how the enemy was deployed.

I have found that 2 responses are common when these units are seen by opposing armies:
Either 1: They will see the large amount of piranhas and do their best to stay away from them which includes, deploying less valuable vehicles as screens, keying you into knowing which vehicles hold the good stuff ...

Or 2: They will attempt to thwart the piranhas by holding many key things in reserve, not realizing that being fast attack, piranhas deploy last (other than infiltrators and scout moves) and therefore you can choose what to do based on his responses.

You deploy as said, respond as said, flank, JSJ hit one to 2 key vehicles with side armor thanks to the flat out positioned piranhas, either cripple or disable them first or second turn, and then feeding frenzy in while the enemy tries to react, meanwhile a kroot unit screened by drones is coming closer to the slaughter, ready to mop up or sweep forward objectives.

In 5 out of 6 games, my opponent has responded as one of the two examples above and all those 5 out of 6 times, I have had a first or second turn key seeker kill on a vehicle resulting in a completely blocked force, or the disposal of a very expensive unit early. 4 out of those 6 games were capture games, and I found myself easily able to leap on their far flank quarter, or furthest back objective early and holt it for the rest of the game.

(10 drones and 17 kroot in cover are not easy to get rid of) I also found that with 5 piranhas, they never manage to kill more than 2 while they are exposed on the flank and they later provide good screening and a major fear factor to my opponents back troops.

I have even gone so far as to hide them on the back of their flank table edge covering it to prevent them from bringin on reserves.

Circle the Wagons ;

Tactical Level : Easy

Type : Deployment

Requires: 2 5 man Pirahna Squads w/ Disruption pods. Hammerheads ; Devilfish , Transports.


When deploying form your Pirahna with Disruption fields in a upside down V formation.

With 4 inch Coherency , you can place Large Fire Warrior Squads w/ Mark Lights within this V along with Hammerheads ; etc..

This pretty much gives every single unit in your entire army a 4+ invulnerable.


Pretty simple set up. If you face Drop Pods; deploy your Drones outside of the ring to prevent close deepstrike.


a note on disruption pods that is incredibly important

Because the Unit uses Squadron rules , Disruption pods are fantastic. Why? Because according to the rules if more than 1/2 of the squad is outside of the 12inches of the unit firing at the pirahnas the whole unit still gets the 4+ cover save from the disruption pods because you count cover exactly like normal squadrons.

For Example;

A unit of sternguard deepstrikes within 8 inches of 2 Pirahnas of the 5 man squad. 3 of the units are beyond the 12 inches required to be obscured by disruption pods. Because of this the whole unit gains cover saves because Squadrons count cover just like normal units do and if more than 50 percent is in cover they all have a cover save.

Putting Target locks on leaders of crisis teams as well as taking many squads a possible. By doing these two things you can maximize the number of units you can target. It also uses the rules against your enemy because they have more targets to face and since they can only target one enemy per turn even in assault.

Positional Relay and Broadside team with ASS in reserve.

Hide first turn, then move on and fire.

Generally I like cheap multitudes of Crisis suits instead of small units of elites

3 Crisis Suits
Twin Link Pod , Target Lock
Twin Link Pod , Flamer
TwinLinked Pod, Flamer , Target Lock

152 points

If you want to add drones you can I guess, but 9 of these is 18 STR 7 AP 4 shots. Use these to just decimate light infantry and AV as well as Mechanized list hate to see this. Being able to fire at 9 different targets as well. If you want more annoying you can add in a drone controller to each unit and put in Gun Drones for ablative wounds, but i would not make these more than 180 points so that you have enough left over for Tanks Tanks Tanks.


This is how I use them.

If cover is not available that you can jump out of LOS and jump back during Assault Jump. Use Hammer heads as mobile cover. Keep Moving always with Hammerheads and these guys behind; they have 36 inch range jump out from behind the Hammerhead fire use assault move to jump back behind Hammerhead. All the while steadily moving away from the enemy. This allows you to gain cover saves from the Hammerhead if needed ; Hammerheads having displacement fields helps as well as if they decide to shoot it it has a 4+

They can more than keep up with Devilfish with units inside the same goes for Hammerheads.

By utilizing this you can alway be in cover with your crisis teams , and with disruption pods on your Devilfish you will have a 4+ as well.

That is a good set up Hollisman. Nice applied tactics also.

Question- Do you not trust your dice? The crisis load you just gave is a very conservative type of build that sacrifices number of shots for almost guarnateed auto-hits. Was wondering if there is a story behind such.

As to my basic Crisis teams. I run them 2 strong, 2 weapons(Not twinlinked) and multi-trackers(Sometime TA's instead).

I run them 2 strong for several point saving reasons.

First) At 2 strong and no drones I don't need to upgrade one to team leader to buy a bondingknife. The unit will always be at least 50% as long as the 2nd suit lives. This can save 10-15pts

Second) The smaller Team is easier to hide and manuever for the purposes of Jump-Shoot-Jump.

Third) My Suits spend most of their time as anti-vehicle, so with the exception of a couple of squadrons they don't need the volume of fire power.

I run the 2 weapon set up for:

1)Tactical Flexibility. Flame/fusion for my deepstrike "Suicide" team. It is good against hoarde or vehicle.

2)Points efficiency: Don't feel the second twin-linked system is worth the points or sacrificing the wargear slot for.

Multi-trakers are cheaper than all but one weapon system and increase your volume of fire. I chose weapons with complimentary ranges or function depending upon the armies build and needs.

For bodyguard I aways take the TA because it is cheaper than a pathfinder and always on. This is where I stick my "really needs to hit stuff like Plasma/missle combo or plasma/fusion.(I don't get to run these guys in my Ninja Tau build because of the Ethereal and Commander joining the Broadsides)

Pls, keep in mind that this is all personal preference but it does lead to different strategies. My strategy is about getting the highest volume of fire per point spent without overbuying in any unit


BTW,
@Gameandwatch and everyone- I finally remembered who and where the Pirahna "Feeding Frenzy" came from.

His Daka name is Hoarseman and it was on a thread about stealthfields and sniperdrones. So if anyone asks where the "feeding frenzy" idea came from it was Hoarseman.

My view on Crisis suits is to use them as very specific in their goal as to what you want them to do. I use the Suicide Squad Fusion/Flamer as well and love it as a unit. Usually I take two of these squads w/ a Fusion/Flamer Deepstriking squad.

They have almost guarrenteed success at hitting with twinlinked. Its average for twinlink BS3 is a little higher than BS4. The lay out still guarantees a complex unit. Which is helpful for wound allocation. The benefit of the lay out if I attach gun drones makes it 20 points more but gives you the advantage of the following.

Cover. All you have to do to keep cover is maintain the gun drones in cover w/ one Crisis suit thats more than 50 percent of the squad. It's much easier to put 2 drones and a suit in cover than 3 suits. I don't really use shielf drones because 90 percent of the time I can stick at least 3 guys from that squad either behind another squad or behind some pirahnas that are ahead etc.. etc..


I use them very specifically to target MCs ; Light Armour ; and Mass Fire at troops. For 300 points I get 12 STR7 AP4 shots. I think Imperial Guard are the only army that can get that in the form of a squadron of 3 Hydras, but with the advantage of being able to fire at 9 separate targets which is a excellent conservation of fire power. 4 Twin Linked STR 7 AP4 shots against AV10 to 12 is usually enough to get a roll on the chart.


It's brutal brutal firepower for low low cost leave the Tank Busting to specific Squads that excel best at it such as Pirahnas w/ Fusion guns, Hammerheads, Broadsides ( I do not use broadsides).

i'm tanking the good old fashion Warfish as a full squad of fire warriors still kill only 2-4 MeQ's which is the same as a 6 man squad. so by taking the SMS on my fish they can do more damage even after moving 12". Also TLOS rule is anoying in cites of death but wait... SMS don't give a monkies about LOS. so it's a win-win wep and also if you combine the range of the SMS(24" plus the speed of your tank 12") that makes a amazing 36" of no LOS needed. now heres where we go Fishing, the good old fashion Fish of Fury with SMS = a bad day to go fishing for your enermies

and if you say i can't shoot my guns after moving 12" look at the upgrade Multi Tracker.

IWhat do people think of using minimum squads in Devilfish

Hollismason wrote:IWhat do people think of using minimum squads in Devilfish

Works very well.

Just IMO. I would avoid playing Ninja Tau. It's just so bad. Friendly wise? Could be fun. Competitive wise? Well it's not in any way shape or form. Won't argue just saying research it and know about it before committing to it. EDIT: I'll explain. It WILL work VERY well if your opponent doesn't know how to deal with this type of army. Anyone with a clue how to though will decimate it. It's a one trick pony thats not even that great at what it does. It's a semi-demon bomb. Wanna be Alpha Strike Guard.

For tau the best tactic is blocking movment and deploying correctly.

Easy concept.

Use kroot with hounds, Pirahnas, and Devilfish to screen your more valuable units such as crisis suits, firewarriors, broadsides, and hammerheads. Forcing your enemy to make contact with these

Daemon Defense. Stelek shows in the battlereport what to do and it's better than anything I could type out.

http://www.yesthetruthhurts.com/2009/07/battle-report-tau-vs-demons.html

Well the point of Pirahna swarm is to completely block Mobility of your opponent if needed and use the Pirahna an their 4+ cover and 4+ disruption to create "lines".


Basically you box your opponent in and fire at him with Marker Lights then use marker lights to deny him cover saves from your pirahnas.

Pirahnas are Very Resilient in that you need 6s to hit and they have a 4+ cover all the time pretty much.

Next turn if you need you can dump 20 gun drones into their deployment.

@EzeKK-Pls,When you say to not use something, give the thought process as to why. Point out the negatives in a realist, detailed, and constructive form instead of "Its just so bad.

As for Ninja Tau, It works in the right situations but, if your opponent intentionally plays slow then you have a problem in the competitive enviroment.

From there it goes to the varying degrees that you apply the Tactic, whether you start the whole army in reserve or just part of it. Did you read and adjust to your opponents build properly(Did he have Shrike or some such)?

Pls, give us a bit more why. This forum is for the discussion of the pro's and con's of certain tactics as oppossed to arguments.

Well, FF, I myself have found ninja tau to be ineffective in the competitive environment mainly because of the point level. If you are playing non-competitive you have access to point games below 1500 which is where I think ninja tau really shines! But considering most competitive games are 1500 or above, the opposing force simply has too much to bear for ninja tau to handle.

Think of it like this, your playing IG, its not Dawn of War, you decide to play ninja tau, deploying your commander with the PR and whatever other small groups you choose to deploy. I know you like to attach the commander to a BS team Focusedfire. SO thats all you have on the board:

The IG guy chooses to deploy literally everything he has at his disposal, say this is a 1750 pt game, which would likely include, around 6 chimeras, some vendettas or valkyries, and probably 3 LRBT of some variation, most likely one regular, one of the plasma variety, and a vanquisher. With all that going full speed on the first turn, and considering he knows your army list, he needs only to cover the sides, where neccesary, and charge straight at you as spread out as possible to decrease your chances of successful DS.

By turn 2 or three hes on top of you and if your commander goes, then pretty much there goes the whole shebang. But with a significant point decrease, he has far less units to cover and counteract your units coming on, whether its DS, outflank or simply roll on, it would make it far more aggrevating for him seeing as he can charge everything at your commander, but then you have tons of room to move around, and if he decides to cover your board edge, you can use that PR and DS or outflank units in order to force him off.

just my experience...

First point I would make is that Ninja Tau has different deployments depending upon what and who you opponent is.

First, Against IG it isn't as good to run the whole army in reserve. Remember, that just because you have the posi-relay doesn't mean that you have to keep the whole army back. It gives you tactical flexibility and control concerning your reserves.

With IG, this is where it may be better to hold just a few deep striking units in reserve(For dropping behind his tanks or objective denial)and bring them out in a measured controlled pace.

I will say that, at 1750 pts, I have faced the rhino/landspeeder spam full tilt charge from our local champ(End up facing 11+ vehicles). I have dismantled his army with the Ninja Tau build even when keeping everything in reserve.
Personally, I'm hoping that the individual charges his whole army at the commander because it means that they aren't going for the objectives.

In essence what I'm saying is that the Ninja Tau tactic is not having your entire army in reserve but rather about having precise control over what is in reserve. Even is the entire army is in reserve you can always choose to not use the Positional relay if you feel the situation calls for such. IMO, 15 points for that much flexibility is not a bad purchase.

It works really well with Kroot as they generally do not have the "survivability" with no armour save at all.



One of the things I am working with on Ninja Tau is Pathfinders w/ EMP grenades and Warfish Outflanking.

focused: I said to research it.

No good player I have met runs ninja tau. Some 13 year old did. Till he tried it on me and he didn't kill anything in my army the last turn because I had raiders in cover. He had fusion suits. Guess what? They got one turn of shooting because they were the only things on the board and I blew them away. The next game he played them against a foot guard player who lined the table edges with conscripts so he couldn't come onto the board through edges and couldn't hide anywhere. Oops.

Ninja Tau (true) might work at 1k points where the guy doesn't have enough men to get your suits.

With "true" ninja tau (which means you hold basically everything in reserve) it's like playing football without an offensive line. It doesn't make any sense. You have none of your big guns on the table which Tau HIGHLY excel at. Thats like trying to play something like foot dark eldar or eldar with no seers for that matter. When you have something SO good (raider spam! seers!) why do you let it waste?

Alpha Strikes happen turns 1-2 MAYBE 3. Eldar and IG (kings of alphastrike) can't even wait for turn 5-6 to do it!

No one has fun versing ninja tau either. You waste people time bsing around for 5-6 turns then you come in with your army. How is that fun?

Now taking a positional relay and holding SOME squads in reserve isn't bad. But holding your whole frickin army in reserve for a bad version of an alphastrike turn 5 is just stupid. Taking positional relay doesn't make you "ninja tau" it can make you a "smart" person. Taking it and holding broadsides in reserve with ASS (when you receive the 2nd turn and are versing something like lance spam DE) then positional relay is smart.

To make a good suggestion: Ask ANY good CD player. Now ask him what he thinks of Daemonic Assault. Then ask him "Would you rather have all of your army available at one time or come in peace meal?" 9/10 he will say "HAVE IT ALL!" very enthusiastically, if he didn't already mention that he thinks DA makes his army to peace meal. The other 1/10 will be the guy who thinks its fluffy or hasn't played CD before.

PROS:
Is hard to counter if you don't know how to.
You don't have to have a nice looking army because people will only have to see it for a turn.
You can think your cool by calling your army NINJAZ!

CONS:
Bad version of an alphastrike.
Bad version of a Daemon Bomb.
Your letting your big guns not have time to make use of them. 200 point broadside unit that shoots for one turn! WOW!
Your a ONE TRICK PONY! You got one trick and once some guy learns how to take a bat to your leg your dead in the dirt forever.

I use Positional Relay for Deepstriking fusion guns on the second turn of the game.

If you have two kroot squads you can bring them both on usually on the 3rd turn.


Ninja Tau Shouldn't wait till the 5th or sixth turn; everything should be on board on the 3rd and higher.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
Can someone post a Farsight unit I am unsure of how to equip them and was wondering if they are worth it?

Also, AunVa ; it says he comes with 2 Honour Guard


Anyone ever use him?

@EeKK-First, about your tone in your post. If I were to use the same tone I'd say something like, "From your reply I can offer an opinion of why you have not been impressed with the tactic. IMO, it is because you are playing 13 year olds and the tactically challenged. It is easy to rack up wins that way."

You see what I did there. While not a personal attack it is still a statement while, using your own words against you, it was neither a constructive nor helpful statement. This thread is about "discussing" tactics. I ask that you offer opinions and give the situations or reasons for your stance so that the tactics can be examined and improved.

Now to your point of how the player applied the tactic. With the IG having your entire army in reserve isn't the most effective use. Now having the army in reserve when facing Lash can work to some extent as when facing low model count armies. What I'm getting at is that your stance is completely fallacious due to the assumption of how the tactic has been improperly applied.

If someone is running the Ninja set-up they should understand that it is about the flexibility in deployment choices. It requires that you actually know your army and your opponents. Understanding which armies are better for holding the complete army in reserve and which ones you just want to have a couple of surprise units.

The same goes for the mission type and deployment. This is a tactic that requires quick thinking and tactical assessment.

In reply to your misguided true Ninja Staement-Being Ninja isn't about always deploying from a hiding spot. It is about being able to use each and every tool you have in the manner that is the most effectiv for the situation. Hint* Just because you took the relay doesn't mean that you have keep the entire army back.

Now you are trying to turn this into an argument by your wording and are using unsubstantiated comment to support your personal prefference. If it was supportable then provide a link. Untill then you will just be coming across as trolling for an argument. As a matter of fact your tone is coming across as fairly hostile in your post(Especially the first and last line).

First line, NO, give supporting evidence as apposed to some vague research it answer
Last-line, comes accross as a sort of personal attack which is not in keeping with the tone and spirit of this thread.

We are looking for discussion, not an emotional opinionated rant. If that is what you want to engage in then please take it somewhere else.

Now to address your poorly disguised emotionally based attack in the pro's and cons

Pros replies
1)Even when one does know because it is not a limiting tactic
2)An attempt to discredit a tactic through insult as oppossed to fact
3)Repeat of number 2
Cons replies
1)Not an alpha strike. Alpha strike go first.
2)You keep comparing to CD. Do CD get re-rollable deepstrikes?
3)Usually deploy my big guns to where they get to fire the whole game. Only exception is DoW which is where this tactic really shines
4)Could be construed as a personal attack and shows your completely unfamiliar with the tactic and how it is applied.

To do a pro's and cons to support an argument you have to be willing to actually give the flaws in your argument and then address them. Something a little more like:

Pros:
1)Gives the Tau an uncharacteristic mid to late game punch.
2)Lets the Tau hit their opponent where he is weakest.
3)Enables Tau to reach backfield objectives more reliably.
4)Doesn't necessarily limit army build or use of other tactics
5)Allows the Tau commander to control timing and tempo of game.
6)Allows a good commander to adapt his game to his opponent. If opponent thinks they know what is happening it allows for a change of tactics.

Cons:
1)Limits your volume of fire in early game.
2)Sacrifices control of the center of the table for a good part of the game
3)Relies upon a greater element of chance in some areas
4)Is weak against first turn assault armies(but then the Tau normally are in that situation anyway).
5)Your opponent can always "Play Slow" in an attempt to reduce effectiveness of the tactic
6)Tau Commander needs a good poker face in certain situations.

These aren't all but is a good beginning to a fair look at a tactic.

Yeah so this is my Farsight Squad

Farsight
Bodyguard Twin Missile
Bodyguard Twin Missile ; Target Lock
Bodyguard Twin Missile ; Target Lock ; Black sun Filter
Bodyguard Twin Missile ; Blacksun filter
Bodyguard Twin Missile; Target Lock ; Drone controller x2 gun drones
BodyGuard
Twin Missile; Drone Controller x2 Gun Drones ; Target Lock ; Blacksun filter
Body Guard TwinMissile ; Target Lock; BS Filter ; Flamer

Comes to a little over 600 with Farsight; Yes / NO

To Adding Plasma for 140 points and Multitrackers for another 35 which would bring it to a horrendous 735 points. If I added that within 12 it would give 14 STR7 and 14 STR 6 ap2 shots though.

I'd say for how small the points would be that I'd be tempted to go ahead and arm every or every other bodyguard with a flamer. Maybe tweek the unit to exploit wound allocation if this is for a highly competitive tourny. Just some ideas.

Alright focusedfire, I understand your point, but I think we are mixing ideas. I think what is 'Ninja Tau' needs to be defined, because I thought it referred to having most of the army in reserve and only deploying a commander, to get the best choice units in early... please explain what you think it is...

A quick question about Burst Cannons. Are they worth taking anywhere? All the talk I've seen is about missile systems and fusion blasters...

Everything is unique in that unit; I actually came up with a Cheaper version using flamers.

The Problem I am having is that Farsight allows no Kroot so its only up to Firewarriors which kind of blows.


Comes to 410 or 580 w/ Farsight.

Im just having a problem with no really good scoring units. This is what it is kind of looking like right now.

Farsight + Body Guard (600)

Elites
3x Fireknife @ 186 ( missilepod/ plasma/ Multitracker)


Troop
Firewarrior w/ Devilfish @ 175
Firewarrior w/ Devilfish @ 175

Fast Attack
Pirahna x 5 fusion 380

Heavy support
Skyray @ 165
Hammerhead @ 170


It's just not working really. Also, I am addicted to large Pirahna Squads.

@Gameandwatch- Ninja Tau can be about having most of the army in reserve. The tactic started off with that at its root but it has evolved, as things do, and has become more of a theme about flexibilty. The posi-relay and its "Ninja"(Hate that name) uses became more appealing in 5th ed with the outflank rules and the KP working against us in a third of the missions.

Ninja Tau has now evolved into being about the Tactical flexibility afforded by a very cheap piece of wargear. This war gear also has the benefit of not locking the player into a strategy where its use is mandatory. The Positional relay only works when you choose to use it. It is not always on.

The relay also allows for a very measured and controlled metering of when and how your reserves come in. This can be a very nice advantage especially when dealing with a build that yours may be weaker against than what is normal. You can use the control valve the other way by keeping units that are essentially free KPs out of play until it is absolutely necessary for them to come in. By teaming the PF Devilfish with your deep strikers you get to be very aggressive with your Deepstrike placements thereby possibly eliminating the threat to those weaker units. Paving a safe path for their arrival as it were.

The thing that makes this "Ninja"(did I mention that I hate the name? But hey, I didn't name it.) is that you can look at my army on its tray and still have no idea what you may face in terms of deployment or tactics. Even if I keep most of my army back I can alway choos to not use the relay and roll for all of my reserves getting half of them in on second turn. If you deploy thinking that the Tau are going to wait until fourth turn this can be a nasty suprise. This is why the posi relay is considered to be a toolkit.

Not saying the tactic is perfect. There is no such thing. Only the right tactic for the right time and scenario.

I, personally, have had good results with my Ethereal and Posi-relay commander tucked in with a 3 broadside team and shield droned to the max and everything in reserve.. I've had just as good results with the same army with nothing in reserve. It depended upon who I was facing and the scenario that we rolled.

@Hollisman-Will catch up with you in a day or so. Sorry but gotta go for now,Wife is callin'.

Ah, so I was right in the first place, and what I read on ATT was too specific. Well, in that case that is the way I play and I call it a helping of Kay'on, with a pinch of mon'tka.

Depends upon which section of ATT you visit. One of the articles adresses that the tactic has grown and developed into more of a flexibility philosophy rather than a locked methodology.

@Hollisman- Farsight is a deepstrike oriented army and does respond well to the "Ninja" Philosophy.

You hide a posi-relay in the unit, add sheild drones/gundrones galore

Then run a cheap second commander & bodyguard

Two Cheap elite deepstrikers

One basic Stealth squad no fusion

3 Fire warrior squads, 2 with warfish

1PF squad

1 Gun drones squad(If you have the points)

Your Pirahna squadron in cheap configuration

A Hammer head

A broadside squad.


Play around with this basic structure untile you get the points and build you want(Hint, It is tempting to run 7 bodyguards on farsight but it cripples your army, anything over 5 is just another type of nob build without the HtH to back it up.)

This is only a general buoild concept but tell me if it helps.

Using positional relay correctly will win you games and incorrectly cause you to be mudstomped into the ground.

It's been stated but it's great for holding off reserves and swarming during the 3rd turn with outflanking Kroot and pathfinders in devilfish.

It's just difficult to learn to use and what you want to keep in reserve.


Generally anything Squishy or to ensure a late game outflank with Kroot.

I use it to make sure I almsot always get that second turn deepstriking Fusion gun Crisis team that can reroll because of the pathfinders devilfish.

Then just not use it on the 3rd and later and roll for my kroots outflanking



A mistake a lot of Tau make is not going first; yes you may lose the roll , but against certain armies going first ensures a better survival.

You need to use your mobility to take out what is the biggest threat antitank.