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So I've always thought running broadsides in 3s is the best (drown them in wounds) but lately I've been wondering if the best way to run them is in fact in 2s.

A notional setup could be Shas'ui and Shas'vre with HYMP & SMS with EWO and some drone.
Would this be worthwhile?
How many/which drones?
Should I run 2 squads?
Should I give them plasma rifles instead? Been thinking, if I go rifles then they can move and shoot full capability on a turn where they have intercepted.

What do you guys load them out with and how do you run them?

I run them in 2 squads of 3 part of a Firebase Support Cadre. I run HYMP and SMS.

Plasma Rufles are not really worth it IMO due to way too short range compared with HYMP.

I run them in squads of 1 with no drones. EWO, HYMP and SMS. I run 2 squads of 1 and the R'Varna for heavy support. I also run the Y'varah and 2 HBC Skyfire riptides. Because of the big scary Riptides people rarely take any shots at the broadsides and if they do they are using a whole units fire power to take down 1 broadside meaning less firepower at the real heavy hitters. If they don't shoot the broadsides then they are free to open up light transports for the big mechs to squish the contents. I usually place them on back field objectives so they can be scoring at the same time

Do single broadsides do enough to warrant their cost?

I take a unit of three equipped with Railrifles and plasma rifles.

Anybody thinking of deepstriking some killy, good-armor save units into my firebase and engage in cc will have to think twice now when a ton of low AP fire comes hurtling their way.

Boniface wrote:
Do single broadsides do enough to warrant their cost?

what else are you gonna use those empty heavy slots for?!

 Sir Arun wrote:
I take a unit of three equipped with Railrifles and plasma rifles.

Anybody thinking of deepstriking some killy, good-armor save units into my firebase and engage in cc will have to think twice now when a ton of low AP fire comes hurtling their way.

Ha! My DW knights laugh at your puny attempts to prevent their DS and charge!

In general I'd say missile only is better, as you're going to be dealing a lot of wounds and have decent range. Against light infantry it's always better, against heavy infantry it still deals decent damage, and it can deal with light-mid vehicles. Rail just isn't as versatile, and isn't particularly reliable against heavy armor anyways. Almost always better to use fusion suits to deal with tanks, and either a riptide or massed FW will generally work better against things like terminators, as the riptide can keep its distance and FW can pump out a lot of shots while moving.

NauticalKendall wrote:

Boniface wrote:
Do single broadsides do enough to warrant their cost?

what else are you gonna use those empty heavy slots for?!

Skyrays or sniper drone teams? Both are pretty decent units that don't get any love because most people think that 2x 3 broadsides with HYMP, SMS and EWO are virtually mandatory. Because they are. But that's what a Firebase Cadre is for, isn't it? Because don't tell me you're not taking a riptide, and don't try telling me you don't like getting tank hunter for free either.

I have seen the odd occassion where Railsides with SMS and EWO have given a Tau player the advantage over HYMP, but I can count that on 1 badly mangled hand.

I have never seen anyone take plasma on them in a game.

Keep in mind OP, the only way to avoid a morale check if you lose a model is to take drones, so 3 'sides and 6 drones means you have to lose 3 models before you take a check. On the flip side, taking a bunch of drones means it's generally easier to put wounds though to cause the check, so there's pro's and con's for you to weigh up. Not to mention if you've got some markerlights, you might want to swap out EWO for target locks on your 'Sides, since you're probably going to overkill something pretty hard if you fire 3 'Sides and 6 drones at something after using a ML or 2 to boost your BS.

 kingbobbito wrote:

 Sir Arun wrote:
I take a unit of three equipped with Railrifles and plasma rifles.

Anybody thinking of deepstriking some killy, good-armor save units into my firebase and engage in cc will have to think twice now when a ton of low AP fire comes hurtling their way.

Ha! My DW knights laugh at your puny attempts to prevent their DS and charge!

In general I'd say missile only is better, as you're going to be dealing a lot of wounds and have decent range. Against light infantry it's always better, against heavy infantry it still deals decent damage, and it can deal with light-mid vehicles. Rail just isn't as versatile, and isn't particularly reliable against heavy armor anyways. Almost always better to use fusion suits to deal with tanks, and either a riptide or massed FW will generally work better against things like terminators, as the riptide can keep its distance and FW can pump out a lot of shots while moving.

The thing about HWMP broadsides though is that a team of three is going to cost you $150

HYMP are definitely in my opinion the better of the two loadouts with smart missile systems just due to the fact of how many shots you can put down range. however I have run them with the HRR, especially against the multitude of Imperial Knight armies at my FLGS and they haven't done horribly. really hope if the Tau codex gets redone they go back to strength 10.

 Sir Arun wrote:

 kingbobbito wrote:

 Sir Arun wrote:
I take a unit of three equipped with Railrifles and plasma rifles.

Anybody thinking of deepstriking some killy, good-armor save units into my firebase and engage in cc will have to think twice now when a ton of low AP fire comes hurtling their way.

Ha! My DW knights laugh at your puny attempts to prevent their DS and charge!

In general I'd say missile only is better, as you're going to be dealing a lot of wounds and have decent range. Against light infantry it's always better, against heavy infantry it still deals decent damage, and it can deal with light-mid vehicles. Rail just isn't as versatile, and isn't particularly reliable against heavy armor anyways. Almost always better to use fusion suits to deal with tanks, and either a riptide or massed FW will generally work better against things like terminators, as the riptide can keep its distance and FW can pump out a lot of shots while moving.

The thing about HWMP broadsides though is that a team of three is going to cost you $150

Yup the pricing on them is absurd. You need 6 for the firebase support cadre. Thats $300 for about 420 points of models

I'll trade you. How about 360 dollars for 6 mek guns and 180 points on the field.

I quite enjoy a Shas'vre with a Targeting System, using a Heavy Rail Rifle, for picking off key figures in the enemies army.
Little bit expensive but a decent chance of precision shots that have instant death and ignore armour... and we knock cover down easily enough too, so most Models eat it without a save.
Beware the lone Suit Tau Unit....