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Hi everybody,
after 15 years I am planning on getting back to 40k and wargaming in general!

So, this is the list I have designed after a good bit of research here on Dakka and on the internet to catch up with the changes made in 40k in this years...

The list is based mostly on the models I like and on the fluff my army will be based on. My Tau are from the N'dras sept. Based on the few we know of this sept I imagine them as a sort of fast intervention contingent that performs surgical classified missions (this is just to give you a rough idea, the full fluff is more detailed of course, and still WIP ).

Now, the questions for you:

Is this list semi-competitive? TBH I don't like many tournament lists, they just doesn't make sense with the fluff (a Tau army with a Culexus, seriously??) and look pretty boring to play with and against. Said so, the local meta here looks pretty competitive, so I would like to be able to offer at least a decent struggle.

Is it viable as a TAC list?

The most problematic part in designing it was with the AA department. Fluffwise I thought the Razorshark or the Skyray would have been the best choices. Both those models however force me to field also a CAD and add the Sniper Drone in the HC (I like the SnD models though so that's not a big issue). I also like Broadsides and Stormsurges, but those I feel aren't the best fluffy options. What do you guys think? What's more flexible, the Skyray or the Razorshark? Should I dump the CAD and go for Broadsides or a Stormsurge, are these vital for the list to be semi competitive?

The list is totally missing EWO, is that a big issue?

Last but not least I would really love to hear your general consideration, comments and critiques on this list.

Edit: I've just realized that I'm missing 1 elite slot to make the Hunter Cadre legal... So that's another question, what can I dump and what can I add instead?


HUNTER CONTINGENT

Hunter Cadre

Commander - Missile Pod x2 Target Lock, Drone Controller, Iridium, Neuroweb System Jammer, Marker Drones x2

3x Breacher Team – Shas’ui, Guardian Drone - Devilfish, Sensor Spines

Marker Drones x6

Sniper Drone Team – Additional Marksmen x2

Optimised Stealth Cadre

Stealth Team

Stealth team

XV95 Ghostkeel x3 – Cyclic Ion Raker, Twin Linked Fusion Blaster, Target Lock x2, Counterfire Defense Sistem

COMBINED ARMS DETACHMENT

Ethereal

2x Breacher – Devilfish

Razorshark – Missile Pod


I will use this list to plan my buying schedule, so I can change whatever model/unit in it. I already own 1000 points worth of Tau, but none of them will be used in this list (except maybe for one Crisis acting as the commander ). On the side, but very important, I don't like at all the Riptide model so I will never use it in my lists. I like the FW Y'vahra, but the local meta seems sketchy towards FW rules.

Thank you for your patience if you made it to this point.

Hrmmm. interesting list. I like it! I'll just include some random thoughts to help you snip around the edges, if you so choose.

-If you're not absolutely in love with the models, I think the Sniper Drones are superfluous. Fat to be trimmed.

-I think AA in general is kind of a funny thing. Armies either do AA so well that a flier-heavy list is screwed from the outset, or they have so little AA that they just have to play to the mission and ignore the fliers as best they can. You have two options, you can either join the latter camp, nothing wrong with that. Or you could completely redesign your list to include a Stormsurge (With Velocity Tracker). Bottom line, taking a single Razorshark is pointless. Skyrays at least have other functions (Help alpha strike, provide marker support and SMS). If you did take a Stormsurge, they are pretty much the only Tau thing that might give you a chance against Magnus (if he isn't invisible). Of course, you have to get close, and of course you'd have to roll a 6 on the D chart but hey, who's perfect? Either that or like 5 Skyrays lol. Magnus is reallllly good.

-I think the Hunter Contingent is a cool concept. I've tried out both our CAD-replacement formations and find them fun. I still think Tau function best within a CAD. Granted, I use a lot of Forgeworld. Even so, especially if you want to run lots of Breachers, I might ignore the HC and just focus on filling out a CAD + OSC. Objective Secured is one of the simplest, but one of the most powerful special rules in the game. And our infantry may be squishy but with AV12 and Jink, Devilfish with ObSec are resilient, mobile, annoying scoring units.

-It's a real shame your local meta is antagonistic towards Forgeworld. The Y'Vahra is sooooo fun to use. Some people do frown upon its extremely potent firepower, but it's a glass cannon. We're talking land raider-ish points for a 4W model. But it's super tactical to use. And it will help you with Rule #1: Look Cool.

TLDR: That all being said, here's my version of your list, which would take into account my suggestions:

CAD

Commander - Missile Pod x2 Target Lock, Drone Controller, Iridium, Marker Drones x2

Ethereal 50 (Run him with the larger teams, the extra shot really helps them break a line, and you may need his Stubborn-granting abilities)

2x10 Breacher Teams – Shas’ui, Guardian Drone - Devilfish, Smart Missile System

2x5 Breacher Teams – Devilfish, Smart Missile System (Cheap, resilient Obsec objective grabbers)

6 Marker Drones

Stormsurge: Pulse Blaster Cannon, Shield Generator, Early Warning Override, Velocity Tracker (Your EWO and AA all in one)

Optimised Stealth Cadre

Stealth Team

Stealth team

XV95 Ghostkeel x3 – Cyclic Ion Raker, Twin Linked Fusion Blaster, Target Lock x2

Total: 1850

The Shrike thank you for your insights. Much appreciated.

The list you designed looks both efficient and fun to play. I like a lot the fact that it has two ten Breachers squad. In my former list I tried to figure out a way to include bigger teams, but that was not possible due to the formations' requirements. I will definitely use your list as the base for my shopping list!

 The Shrike wrote:
Devilfish, Smart Missile System

Do you think the SMS are a better choice for the DFs? I thought Drones would have been better for breaches, cause they can be used to block charges. Maybe I'm wrong though.

 The Shrike wrote:

-If you're not absolutely in love with the models, I think the Sniper Drones are superfluous. Fat to be trimmed.

I do like the model indeed, but I can do without . One reason to include them was because the HC needs an HS choice to be legal and for MLs, plus they seemed the most fluffy option in that tier for the army I had in mind.

 The Shrike wrote:
-It's a real shame your local meta is antagonistic towards Forgeworld. The Y'Vahra is sooooo fun to use. Some people do frown upon its extremely potent firepower, but it's a glass cannon. We're talking land raider-ish points for a 4W model. But it's super tactical to use. And it will help you with Rule #1: Look Cool.

I still hope to find someone that is fine with FW in regular games. I think they are fine with them in apocalypse games tho. Anyway, I'm still going to buy the Y'vahra later, it is just at the bottom of my shopping list!

 The Shrike wrote:
-I think the Hunter Contingent is a cool concept. I've tried out both our CAD-replacement formations and find them fun. I still think Tau function best within a CAD.

Yeah, watching battles I had the impression that the CAD is a sound choice for Tau, especially in a Breachers heavy list. For fluff reason though I imagined most of my army to be organized as a HC.

So I have also made my former list legal. I changed a couple of things following your advices and reading the Tau tactica thread.

HUNTER CONTINGENT

Hunter Cadre

Commander - Missile Pod x2 Target Lock, Drone Controller, Iridium, Marker Drones x2

Breacher Team x8 - Shas'ui, Guardian Drone - Devilfish

2x Breacher Team – Shas’ui, Guardian Drone - Devilfish

Crisis - Flamer x2

Marker Drones x6

Sniper Drone Team

Optimised Stealth Cadre

Stealth Team

Stealth team

XV95 Ghostkeel x3 – Cyclic Ion Raker, Twin Linked Fusion Blaster, Target Lock x2, Counterfire Defense Sistem, EWO x2

COMBINED ARMS DETACHMENT

Ethereal

2x Breacher Team – Devilfish

Sky Ray - TL SMS, Blacksun Filter

Seraf wrote:
Is this list semi-competitive? Is it viable as a TAC list? The most problematic part in designing it was with the AA department. Fluffwise I thought the Razorshark or the Skyray would have been the best choices. I also like Broadsides and Stormsurges, but those I feel aren't the best fluffy options. What's more flexible, the Skyray or the Razorshark? Should I dump the CAD and go for Broadsides or a Stormsurge, are these vital for the list to be semi competitive? The list is totally missing EWO, is that a big issue?

I really appreciate that you are putting fluff before tabletop. N'Dras is supposed to be this eerie sept shrouded in mystery who are also temperamental, so a stealth-themed aggressive army makes perfect sense. That said, it is hard to talk fluffy lists out of choices. I consider myself a fluffy player, but I also consider myself a semi-competitive player, so always try to strike a balance between theme and tabletop impact.

I would say your list is semi-competitive and is a decent TAC, but there is room for improvement. I know you love Breachers, but you are probably too Breacher heavy from a competitive standpoint. I would run two units of Breachers and, to still maintain that aggressive feel, run the rest with Carbines. The reality is that Breachers are only good in that 5" sweet-spot, otherwise they're just worse Strikers. It is good to give your list some balance.

I don't love the the Guardian Drones in your Breacher teams. I would rather spend the points on another Breacher. A 5+ invulnerable isn't that good, since most of the time you'll get your 4+ base save anyway or a 4+ cover save. High strength low-AP weapons will be pointed at your Crisis suits and Ghostkeels. I agree with Shrike that Smart Missile Systems are better than Gun Drones on the Devilfish. The battlefield footprint of two Gun Drones is not big enough to block charges.

I wouldn't worry too much about AA. Flyers aren't really a thing. Most players don't bother and those players that do bother usually just take one. That said, Sky Rays are much much much better than Razorsharks. Razorsharks are terrible. Sky Rays cost less, don't have to zoom and come stock with Markerlights and Smart Missile Systems.

I'm with you that Broadsides and Stormsurges don't match your theme, so stay away. They're not vital either. Stormsurges are not as good as they seem with only a 3+ save and they burn up a lot of points. Broadsides are pretty awesome, but run their course after the first couple of turns when all of your opponent's transports are destroyed.

If Drop Pod Space Marines and other deep-strike heavy armies are common in your meta, then Early Warning Overrides are good to have. Otherwise, you don't need them, but for five points are nice to have.

I hope this helps.