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So, a little explanation. My local tourney scene is pretty evenly split between ITC-style events and straight-GW-rules using maelstrom missions, so I'm looking for an army that can excel at both.

+++ FSE (1492pts) +++

++ Tau Empire: Codex (2015) (Combined Arms Detachment) ++

+ (No Category) +

Farsight Enclaves

+ HQ +

Commander [2x MV7 Marker Drone]
····XV8 Commander Crisis Suit [Drone Controller]

+ Troops +

XV8 Crisis Battlesuits [Bonding Knife Ritual]
····Crisis Shas'ui [Airbursting Fragmentation Projector]

XV8 Crisis Battlesuits [Bonding Knife Ritual]
····Crisis Shas'ui [Airbursting Fragmentation Projector]

XV8 Crisis Battlesuits [Bonding Knife Ritual]
····Crisis Shas'ui [Airbursting Fragmentation Projector]

XV8 Crisis Battlesuits [Bonding Knife Ritual]
····Crisis Shas'ui [2x Flamer]

XV8 Crisis Battlesuits [Bonding Knife Ritual]
····Crisis Shas'ui [2x Flamer]

+ Fast Attack +

Drones [6x MV7 Marker Drone]

+ Lord of War +

KV128 Stormsurges
····KV128 Stormsurge [Advanced Targeting System, Early Warning Override, Pulse Driver Cannon, Shield Generator, Twin-linked Airbursting Fragmentation Projector]

++ Tau Empire: Codex (2015) (Formation Detachment) ++

+ (No Category) +

Farsight Enclaves

+ Formation +

Riptide Wing
····XV104 Riptide Battlesuits [Bonding Knife Ritual]
········Riptide Shas'vre [Early Warning Override, Heavy Burst Cannon, Stimulant Injector, Twin-linked Fusion Blaster]
····XV104 Riptide Battlesuits [Bonding Knife Ritual]
········Riptide Shas'vre [Early Warning Override, Ion Accelerator, Stimulant Injector, Twin-linked Smart Missile System]
····XV104 Riptide Battlesuits [Bonding Knife Ritual]
········Riptide Shas'vre [Early Warning Override, Ion Accelerator, Stimulant Injector, Twin-linked Fusion Blaster]

Created with BattleScribe

So, nothing groundbreaking by any stretch - though fitting this much metal into 1500 takes some pretty severe points slimming. The only thing I'm really worried about is I only have one source of markerlights. It's a GOOD source, but it's not very survivable. I expect them to be gone by turn three, and that's going to put a big dent in my killing power. I don't see a better way to include 'lights beyond Tetras, and I don't have any of those handy - and there's not much to drop for them in any case.

I ran something very similar at a recent 1500 ITC event.

except I ran a Y-tide, 2 flamer suits, and a the mark'o drone instead of all the suits.

also my riptide wing was

burst tide
burst tide (velocity tracker)
burst tide (velocity tracker)


I would recommend burst cannons over IA. 12/24 shots rending will give you better results in the end against any target. and I'd go with smart missile systems on all of them as you have the option of shooting 16 sms shots per riptide and killing anyone trying to null-deploy against you.

I ran the exact same 8 mark drone and mark'o commander set up. the only game I ever got to use marker lights was when I deployed them in reserves. otherwise anyone will kill them first no matter what - especially because everything else you have on the board is T6.

I would honestly suggest trying a drone net formation with 4x4 marker drones, 3 burst tides, the storm surge, and whatever gun on the 2 suits/commander. - also a velocity tracker or two on the riptide wing.

otherwise I went 3-0 in the tourney - my MVP of all 3 games was the Y-tide just because nobody expect the 24 inch jump..

So why the AFP over a plasma rifle or fusion blaster? I mean barrage is cool, can shoot with no los, but its still flamer profile large blast. and can/will scatter if lobbing over walls

 pumaman1 wrote:
So why the AFP over a plasma rifle or fusion blaster? I mean barrage is cool, can shoot with no los, but its still flamer profile large blast. and can/will scatter if lobbing over walls

I agree.
Crisis Teams ought to be the source of AP2 yummy goodness. Two Riptides and the StormSurge's D weps wouldn't do much on my local scene. Okay, yes, but making SM Demi-Co cry and bypassing Necron armor to get straight to ReAn-Protos is the way to go.

Are your suits' guns glued on?