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I am trying to put together a easy to use tau list. I don't want it to be super weak but defiantly want the easiest point and click into lists possible for teaching people the game vs an un-optimized space marine list. (mix of primaris and classic marines to have rhinos and some dreadnought) I have a tau army but have not played them in 8th and mostly they sit on the shelf but people wanting intro games often liek the big robots so figure it can get some use that way.

trying to make a 1k, 1500, and 2k points list with existing models entirely based around being easy to drop a player wanting to try the game out and being able to not overwhelm them with profiles and special rules.

ideally an easy to use but effective warlord trait, easy to remember/use sept. Also would like to include at least 1 riptide as the opposing list has 2 redemptor dreds that way both newbies get to play with a big robot or 2

Models I have so far, note all suits magnetized for all weapons options (leaving out my FW Tau to not complicate things)

1 etherial
1 fireblade
2x riptide
6x broadsides
20 crisis suits
6x stealth teams
3 devilfish
1 hammerhead
50 fire warriors
20 pathfinders
probably 50-75 various drones

not looking to tailor either against each other but they should stand a decent chance at putting newbies against each other ideally

custom chapter with bolter fucillades (reroll 1's on bolters) and master artisans reroll one to hit and 1 to wound per unit)

1k
captian in gravis w/ sword
primaris LT
2x intersessor 5 man
2x tac squad w/ missile launcher
1x assault cannon dred
1x redemptor dred
2x razerbacks with assault cannons

1.5k
same as above add
1 redemptor
2x 3 man interceptor squads with the assault bolters
another intercessor squad

2k
add
2 auto cannon predators with heavy bolter sponsons
1 more tac marins 5 amn with missile launcher
1 more assault cannon razerback

Kind of depends what your goal is.

For context, I used to run a GW store, so introduced a LOT of people to the game, most coming from zero tabletop gaming background.

If you're introducing a newbie to the game, you want to keep things pretty simple. If your friend is a gaming veteran, do whatever. Here were my general rules...

1. Keep it simple. For 8th Ed. context, you should probably be thinking a Patrol Detachment at 750 or fewer points. I would generally try to do 1 HQ, 2 Troops and then a handful of other, very different units. For T'au, this might look like the Fireblade, 2x units of Fire Warriors, a unit of Stealth Suits and a Piranha. You just need variety. You can say things like "if you like the Stealth Suits, you'll probably like the Ghostkeel, which is like a Super Stealth Suit or maybe Crisis Suits, which have less stealth but more weapon options".

2. You don't need to show them everything all at once. I'd generally ignore "optional" rules like strategems. Let them get a feel for the units on the table and then say things like, "once you have the basics down, I'll show you some of the fancier rules your army has".

3. Army balance really doesn't matter. You're in control of the outcome. Let your opponent win the first few games so that they don't start out discouraged. At the time, it was a running joke with the regulars that I wasn't able to win a demo game. They all knew full well that I was losing intentionally. If you're winning, make dumb strategic decisions. Don't stay in cover. Fire your weapons at the wrong targets... i.e., shoot your lasgun at a 1 wound Infantry model with a low save instead of at the Piranha. Etc, etc.

I don't remember specifically, but I think my demo Space Marine army was a Captain, 10 Tactical Marines in a Rhino, 5 Scouts and a Dreadnought. I was lucky and had access to several armies in glass cases. I'd usually let the opponent pick who the Space Marines were fighting and then let them pick which army they wanted to play.

 Kriswall wrote:
Kind of depends what your goal is.

For context, I used to run a GW store, so introduced a LOT of people to the game, most coming from zero tabletop gaming background.

If you're introducing a newbie to the game, you want to keep things pretty simple. If your friend is a gaming veteran, do whatever. Here were my general rules...

1. Keep it simple. For 8th Ed. context, you should probably be thinking a Patrol Detachment at 750 or fewer points. I would generally try to do 1 HQ, 2 Troops and then a handful of other, very different units. For T'au, this might look like the Fireblade, 2x units of Fire Warriors, a unit of Stealth Suits and a Piranha. You just need variety. You can say things like "if you like the Stealth Suits, you'll probably like the Ghostkeel, which is like a Super Stealth Suit or maybe Crisis Suits, which have less stealth but more weapon options".

2. You don't need to show them everything all at once. I'd generally ignore "optional" rules like strategems. Let them get a feel for the units on the table and then say things like, "once you have the basics down, I'll show you some of the fancier rules your army has".

3. Army balance really doesn't matter. You're in control of the outcome. Let your opponent win the first few games so that they don't start out discouraged. At the time, it was a running joke with the regulars that I wasn't able to win a demo game. They all knew full well that I was losing intentionally. If you're winning, make dumb strategic decisions. Don't stay in cover. Fire your weapons at the wrong targets... i.e., shoot your lasgun at a 1 wound Infantry model with a low save instead of at the Piranha. Etc, etc.

I don't remember specifically, but I think my demo Space Marine army was a Captain, 10 Tactical Marines in a Rhino, 5 Scouts and a Dreadnought. I was lucky and had access to several armies in glass cases. I'd usually let the opponent pick who the Space Marines were fighting and then let them pick which army they wanted to play.

thanks, good advice. I generally would not be piloting either army just advising either player. I live in a college town so we get a lot of 18-22 year olds in gaming stores and the facbook group getting into things and wanting to try the hobby.

traditionally I had just had people using my orks but... well 2 players both new the orks always lose like... literally every time. I am thinking the tau v space marines will be easier as mostly shooting armies. 1k points neither side has chapter rules, stratagems, warlord traits etc. game 2 1500 if they want another game or at a later date intro chapter rules as a special thing (usually letting them pick) and if they want a 3rd game or to come back game 3 adds to 2k.

in all games we ignore command points and stratagems unless they want them and agree for the 3rd game

I don't recommend including Riptides, might be too strong against what the SM have there. Maybe consider putting in one or more Ghostkeels with Cyclic Ion Raker + Burst Cannons backed up by some Stealth Suits and Gun Drones instead. They will live longer and do less damage, (but will have an easier time getting LoS on the targets they want) so both sides get to "feel good" about the game.

It will also make the Tau player not just sit back and shoot, so they get to do more movement.

LoftyS wrote:
I don't recommend including Riptides, might be too strong against what the SM have there. Maybe consider putting in one or more Ghostkeels with Cyclic Ion Raker + Burst Cannons backed up by some Stealth Suits and Gun Drones instead. They will live longer and do less damage, (but will have an easier time getting LoS on the targets they want) so both sides get to "feel good" about the game.

It will also make the Tau player not just sit back and shoot, so they get to do more movement.

i am a hobbyist so not wanting to buy more models just use what I have. I don't own a store or profit from it so beyond loaning time and models investing more money and time painting them doesn't seem appealing. looking more for like a not to strong easy to use with what i have already bought, paid for, and modeled/painted