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.

Battalion Detachment.
Tau Sept.
HQ.
Commander, coldstar battlesuit, x3 fusion blasters, drone controller, vectored maneuvering thrusters, through unity devastation, warlord

Cadre fireblade

Troops.
3x5 strike teams, markerlight

Elites.
x2 riptide battlesuits, advanced targeting system, target lock

Fast Attack.
3x5 pathfinder teams, x3 railguns

Heavy Support.
2x2 broadside battlesuits, target lock

Battalion Detachment.
Tau Sept.
HQ.
Cadre fireblade

Cadre fireblade

Troops.
3x5 strike teams, markerlight

Elites.
x3 firesight marksmen

Fast Attack.
3x5 shield drones

Heavy Support.
x5 sniper drones

Total = 2000.
Models = 70 + 7 monsters.
Command Points = 5+5+3 = 13.

Three fire blades for 6x5 fire warriors is probably more than needed. I'd recommend Darkstrider to prevent them from being tied up in melee for about the same cost and keeping the 2+ ML. He can also buff a rail rifle unit if they stay with the fire warriors.

Coldstar as a warlord is safer if you are against a sniper heavy meta, otherwise I'd recommend not using a suicide model as warlord. If he is going to be near other units I'd save points and use enforcer instead. Fusion to ion is optional then, more shots is more consistency but not a strict upgrade.

Ideally broadsides shouldn't need target lock, ATS is good for missile and if you want to do something different they can flank your castle with anti-charge or anti-DS upgrades.

I'm concerned for your pathfinders. They have high offense and abysmal defense. You might have enough drones to shoot at instead, I'm not sure. I like them as ion, cheaper and d3 heavy means more shots before they die but I over reach with them.

Thanks for the feedback. I will try to explain some of the choices.

The cadre fireblades are there for cheap hq and markerlight spam. I don't use names characters is the only reason not to use darkstrider but I can see his value.

The coldstar isn't a suicide use hes there for mobility and to zoom to counter any big threat like DS or gallant after it's been softened up. Also to help the snipers.

The broadsides are there for range and armour mostly with the target lock allowing them not to be static. The missiles dont quite give the same use that other elements of the list dont already cover.

The pathfinders are just an extra threat not critical. They can be used as mobile screens covering the riptides should I need to go forward. The railguns compliment this and are better for ap.

The list is a semi mobile gunline that can react to changes and screen well. It's not perfect but it's also semi themed with just tau, drones and suits.

Cheers.

Why not sub in an ethereal over a Fireblade. With sense of stone everything (infantry and battlesuits) in your army other than the drones gets a 6+ feel no pain. Amongst its other uses, like lending leadership 9 to all the units in range.

I agree that named characters are off putting so I think of them as roles or engrams. Darkstrider is essentially a pathfinder Lt. A copy of Longstrikes consciousness can be uploaded to a pilot's suit. Lore wise darkstrider should be dead of old age many times over, I would like gw to open his role up to other septs.