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This is something unusual: I'm trying to utilize the assets within the Kill Team Starter Box, to make it as balanced as I can for newcomers, so one side doesn't get roflstomped just by picking the right team. This means two lists in one thread, but keeping in mind the limitations.

Space Marines
7x Bolter Marines
1 ML Marine
1 PL Marine
Sergeant w/ Sword
Total: 185 pts.


Tau Empire
6x Pulse Rifle Warriors
3x Pulse Carbine Warriors
Shas'ui w/ Carbine
2x Gun Drones
1 Smart Missile Pod
1 Crisis Suit w/ Cyclone Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Counterfire Defense System
Total: 191 pts.

Still haven't decided upon Specialists or Leader traits yet, so any suggestions on those and the lists above are more than welcome.

I like the idea of using bits in the Kill Team box for demo games. The Tau in the box can use some reinforcements, so adding a Crisis Suit makes sense flavour wise.

For 185 points, I assume "sword" means "power sword" and not "close combat weapon". You could promote the Sergeant to Veteran Sergeant for a total of 195 points. I suggest Preferred Enemy for the Plasma Gun, Relentless for the Missile Launcher and Sniper for a Bolter Marine, and Quick Thinker for the Sergeant. Imperial Fists Chapter Tactic should be a good choice for a demo game.

For the Tau, I suggest Sharpshooter for the Crisis Suit, Preferred Enemy and Feel no Pain for two Fire Warriors, and Iron Resolve for the Shas'ui. You may want to go all Pulse Rifles for the Fire Warriors. I've only played Tau twice in Kill Team, but I found the long range of the Pulse Rifles to be quite useful.

Thanks for the suggestions, especially for the Specialists! I'll have to test them out.

And yes, I do mean "power sword" when I say "sword".

In regards to the Tau list this is my current KT

1-Crisis-Team Leader- Missile Pod, and Twin Linked missile pod

1-Crisis- Dual Plasma-Sharpshooter Specialist- This guy is a Marine wrecker and nullifies any jink or cover saves the light vehicles you might find in KT. Like Bikes or Land Speeders

9 Fire Warriors with an SMS turret. (The Every man for him self rule really makes the SMS work well in KT, ignores cover and no LOS needed) I keep this deep back and rain on targets in cover that are trying to hide. Usually I make one FW an infiltrate one FNP.

That list is 200pts on the nose. You can go dual missile on the team leader to free up 5 points and give a suit a flamer for over watch purposes or the CFDS. I think I'd rather have the flamer though that way his weapons are free to use next turn.

Don't bother with Drones in KT, they cost 3 more points than a FW have less range than a pulse rifle, and worse BS, as well as can't secure an objective. Also Shas'ui upgrade is a waste of 10 points.

My Marine list looks like this.and is 200 points exactly.

5 Tac Marines- 1 w/Missile Launcher, 1 w/Multi Melta, 1 W Flamer

5-Scout Marines all with sniper rifles and a dedicated Scout Speeder

I'm still tinkering with the specialist thing. and load outs on the Marines

I'm getting ready to play some Kill Teams with my gaming group as well and I worry about my Tau being too good at that point level. Crisis suits especially. I think I'll end up going all infantry, or perhaps just running a single Crisis. But nothing Space Marines can bring at 200 points compares to what Tau can bring. That goes for most armies. The Tau list you posted should obliterate the marine list you posted every single time. That's worrisome for the fun factor.

Yeah I get that. But to be honest I'm not a Marine player and I haven't even tested that list. Vs the Tau list that I've honed and tinkered with awhile.

The last marine list is illegal. That can't be a devastator squad despite haveing multiple heavy weapons, as it also has a special weapon in the Flames. As a tactical squad, it has one two many heavy weapons, and unless it's a full 10 man squad, it can get nlt take a special OR heavy weapon, the other is unlocked at max size.
Lose the upgrades on the scouts. Bolters will serve fine, camo cloaks might work though...

GamerGuy