Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I'm starting Tau for the first time and thinking of which Lord Of War to get as a centerpeice of my army. Some questions:

1.) You cannot run the Stormsurge AND the FW Ta'nuar at the same time correct? I heard there was a ITC rule that lets players run TWO stormsurges at a time? Is this widely used?

2.) Does the Stormsurge and the Ta'naur furfill the same role?

3.) How much better is the Ta'nuar per point value is it then the Stormsurge

4.) How competitive are the Ghostkells?

5.) Can you still be a Tau competitive list without using broadsides?

Thanks beforehand!

DorianGray wrote:
I'm starting Tau for the first time and thinking of which Lord Of War to get as a centerpeice of my army. Some questions:

1.) You cannot run the Stormsurge AND the FW Ta'nuar at the same time correct? I heard there was a ITC rule that lets players run TWO stormsurges at a time? Is this widely used?

2.) Does the Stormsurge and the Ta'naur furfill the same role?

3.) How much better is the Ta'nuar per point value is it then the Stormsurge

4.) How competitive are the Ghostkells?

5.) Can you still be a Tau competitive list without using broadsides?

Thanks beforehand!

1) Stormsurges come in squads of 1-3, which is why you can take more that one in a single LoW slot. There are also formation that have Stormsurges, making them legal for play in most places as they are equivalent to Imperial Knights. The Ta'nuar is a single model unit equivalent to a Warhound Titan, which while legal to take as it is an official 40k model, there are a lot of places you need permission to field one from most opponents. In both cases, ask your opponent.

2) pretty much.

3) the Ta'nuar is better than two Stormsurges in most instances, but not all.

4) very competitive, one of the top Tau units in the current game.

5) yep. Broadsides are okay, better than some options, not as good as others. They are top of the mid tier Tau units.

Hope that helps.

SJ

But theres no way to take a Stormsurge AND a Tau'nar right?

Since only 1 LoW slot at all times

DorianGray wrote:
But theres no way to take a Stormsurge AND a Tau'nar right?

Sure there is. You can take formations, multiple CADs, etc. There is no rule limiting you to one LoW in standard 40k.

The Stormsurge's advantage lies in its sheer weght of fire, being able to devastate hordes and small elite units alike under the sheer number of saves being forced, with a situational D missile thatcan help you crack tougher targets like other superheavies. It is relatively cheap to take and you won't feel bad about chewing up 30 Boyz or an entire tactical squad in one shooting phase with it.The Ta'unar on the other hand is designed from the ground up to crack heavy and Superheavy units, with its array of high-strength Blasts an multiple-shot melta, and costs much more than the Stormsurge to reflect its status. Take note that in certain configurations (such as with the shoulder D railgun and arm Meltas) it becomes unable to engage hordes due to the small rate of fire. As such, bringing one wiill require it to shoot vey high-value targets to make its points back, especially other Superheavies, since most of the things you may shoot it at will be overkill.

In general, I would say the Stormsurge is balanced enough both points wise and gameplay wise to bring to your normal 1850/2000 games to shoot normal targets while still retaining the ability to hunt Superheavies, while the Ta'unar only shines n big games where everyone and their moms packs Superheavies for you to take potshots at.

Not strictly true. The Supremacy Suit's heavy railgun comes with the depth charge k-gun thing on the other shoulder, which lobs a pattern of eessentially hammerhead submunition rounds, and you've still got the chest weapons.

it's less suited than a nexus laucher, but far from helpless.

locarno24 wrote:
Not strictly true. The Supremacy Suit's heavy railgun comes with the depth charge k-gun thing on the other shoulder, which lobs a pattern of eessentially hammerhead submunition rounds, and you've still got the chest weapons.

it's less suited than a nexus laucher, but far from helpless.

Ah yes, I forgot about the accessory and chest guns. But yes, I agree that the Ta'unar Battlesuit is equipped to handle itself most of the time.

One thing I forgot to mention is that the Ta'unar is far more survivable than the Stormsurge with its shield, overwatch capabilities and not vulnerable to being instagibbed by ramming. Friendships notwithstanding if you bring it to anything less than a 3K game though.

Friendly warning, if you try to plop one on a table (taunar, or multiple stormsurges) most casual players will simply either not play you, or not play you after a few games.

By all means, buy what you will, just know it can be polarizing in play.

As a purely decorative centrepiece, either is a solid choice.

 Cephalobeard wrote:
Friendly warning, if you try to plop one on a table (taunar, or multiple stormsurges) most casual players will simply either not play you, or not play you after a few games.

By all means, buy what you will, just know it can be polarizing in play.

As a purely decorative centrepiece, either is a solid choice.

I second this. At your local FLGS people won't be very interested in playing against 3 SS or the supremacy armor. The supremacy armor isn't allowed in most tournaments anyway. If I were you I'd take the $150-$450 you'd spend on SS and start (and probably complete) another army Defintely enough for a solid allied assault or psyker formation to make up for the two phases you'll never participate in otherwise. Necrons come to mind simply because they are AOC.

Many competitive lists I've seen have a unit of broadsides but usually that's because it's required/strongly suggested by a formation. Now Riptides are another matter. If you have three Riptides then always include a Riptide Wing - if you don't own at least three by enough to have a wing

I give the ghostkeel formation a B+. It either tears things up with it's shooting (like anything with an armor value) or get's run over in assault. It has to have a decent amount of cover and be within 24" range to be viable. And you have to own 2-3 to make it work (along with stealth suits). I've had some success with them but I'd rather have more riptides...

To be fair, 3 Stormsurges are about right versus 3 Imperial Knights ... or 2 WraithKnights.

1 Ta'nuar is about right versus 3 Imperial Knights ... or 2 WraithKnights.

Just saying.

SJ

I'd also suggest getting a few games in at lower points values without getting a Tau'nar or stormsurge to start with, 'cause if you don't like how tau plays, then you'll have wasted your time and money for nothing.

2 Storm surges are more points to field but fewer $ to purchase, 1 Tau-tan/compensation suit/Ta'unar. The Ta'unar is ~600 points, and 2 stormsurges are 720 base, but personally i'd wager 2 storms surges would on average do more useful damage

Get the Stormsurge. A lot ofpeople won't want to play you with that other behemoth. Stormsurges on the other hand, no problem.