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 Buzzdady wrote:
It's very much RAW. Each Ghostkeel comes with two of its drones for 130 pts before upgrades.

that isn't what the entry says.

I don't think i've ever heard of another player, anywhere on DakkaDakka, EVER, having the issue you're having. Its abundantly clear that the Ghost Keel, and additional ones (with their non-optional, totally in-built two Stealth Drones), are 130pts base.

Dude, you're overthinking things.

1. "You can add up to two additional Ghostkeel Shas'vre", which means that those points are for them, as they're the subject of the verb 'add'.
2. "each with two MV5 Stealth Drones", meaning that each Ghostkeel you bought comes with 2 drones.

If your line of reasoning was right, the initial Ghostkeel unit (Ghostkeel + 2 drones) would cost whooping 390p itself! Does it make sense? No!

Also, ALL drones in Tau codex have their own entry on how to add them. They wouldn't put those drones in the same upgrade row of Ghostkeels if they meant for them to be bought separately.

Finally, how could you ever think those fimsly drones could cost 130p EACH???

I'm sorry, but there's no way you can think 130p per drone is RAW.

 Vector Strike wrote:
Dude, you're overthinking things.

1. "You can add up to two additional Ghostkeel Shas'vre", which means that those points are for them, as they're the subject of the verb 'add'.
2. "each with two MV5 Stealth Drones", meaning that each Ghostkeel you bought comes with 2 drones.

If your line of reasoning was right, the initial Ghostkeel unit (Ghostkeel + 2 drones) would cost whooping 390p itself! Does it make sense? No!

Also, ALL drones in Tau codex have their own entry on how to add them. They wouldn't put those drones in the same upgrade row of Ghostkeels if they meant for them to be bought separately.

Finally, how could you ever think those fimsly drones could cost 130p EACH???

I'm sorry, but there's no way you can think 130p per drone is RAW.

RAW the cost is 130 points per model and you are adding three models (Ghostkeel and 2 drones) so it would cost 390 points to add a second Ghostkeel.

Obviously that is not what is intended, it's just another example of GW rules writers not understanding what words mean.

Anywho...

Just to move away from that previous discussion-sort-of...

If I were to build a Tau tournament list for 1.5k points, would it be better to go OSC + Riptide wing or OSC + Surge? Both lists would probably have Farsight CaD as core for deepstriking troops.

OSC is mandatory just because I like it a lot.

 Fueli wrote:
Just to move away from that previous discussion-sort-of...

If I were to build a Tau tournament list for 1.5k points, would it be better to go OSC + Riptide wing or OSC + Surge? Both lists would probably have Farsight CaD as core for deepstriking troops.

OSC is mandatory just because I like it a lot.

it depends. if MSU is present in your meta, then the stormsurge, if you face more deathstars, then the riptide.

I feel like a Stormsurge is basically mandatory for competitive play. It's a delete button for an opposing Wraithknight or Imperial Knight, models Tau tend to struggle with. It's also your best tool for dealing with deathstars. If your opponent has none of the above, your Surge becomes a brutal firebase that has the weapons to deal with just about any other threat.

OSC plus CAD with Stormsurge will make for a strong list. I think you'll be happy with your results!

carldooley wrote:

 Fueli wrote:
Just to move away from that previous discussion-sort-of...

If I were to build a Tau tournament list for 1.5k points, would it be better to go OSC + Riptide wing or OSC + Surge? Both lists would probably have Farsight CaD as core for deepstriking troops.

OSC is mandatory just because I like it a lot.

it depends. if MSU is present in your meta, then the stormsurge, if you face more deathstars, then the riptide.

MilkmanAl wrote:I feel like a Stormsurge is basically mandatory for competitive play. It's a delete button for an opposing Wraithknight or Imperial Knight, models Tau tend to struggle with. It's also your best tool for dealing with deathstars. If your opponent has none of the above, your Surge becomes a brutal firebase that has the weapons to deal with just about any other threat.

OSC plus CAD with Stormsurge will make for a strong list. I think you'll be happy with your results!

Thanks guys, I'll go with Surge for now. Even ordered a pair of arms to fit on it.

 Fueli wrote:
Even ordered a pair of arms to fit on it.

I did the same with my Stormsurges. I went two seperate ways. Where did you get yours?

 Plainshow wrote:

 Fueli wrote:
Even ordered a pair of arms to fit on it.

I did the same with my Stormsurges. I went two seperate ways. Where did you get yours?

Ordered mine from puppetswar.eu. Product called Prime Battlewalker arms. I've seen a few conversions done with these so I'm pretty confident I too can make it look good.

 Fueli wrote:
Ordered mine from puppetswar.eu. Product called Prime Battlewalker arms. I've seen a few conversions done with these so I'm pretty confident I too can make it look good.

It will look good. I hated the Surge without arms, so I did one project converting the stock kit with GW parts, and for another, I kitbashed a Prime from Puppetswar. The Prime gets tons of positive feedback, and is the model I use when I take a Surge.

I've been playing with the idea of using Shadowsun along with a large blob of Crisis suits/drones. Just making use of her Stealth/Etc, as well as the 3d6 Move. Giving me a big, mobile blob that has the potentially to either use the normal plasma/fusion at close range, or use missiles etc from range.

Couple this with 2-3 Y'vahra and have a pretty aggressive, closer range tau list.

Any opinions on this? I have the models, trying to avoid the usual Castle style tau play, but wan't it to retain viability.

I ran a couple games at 1850 with 2 Stormsurges and a Crisis bomb and had good luck. It wasn't flexible at all, but I think if you substituted other stuff for the second Surge, you'd be better off. I ran dual CIBs on all the suits and loved it. I'd definitely recommend that setup if you're running multiple Y'Vahras since you'll have the low AP covered.

I often forget CIBs are a thing, considering how impossible they are to get the bits for.

I use the Crisis star on a semi-regular basis when playing Tau, not in tournaments though. It cuts up allot of lists, including battle companies and can compete with Eldar. Has had trouble vs proper deathstars and psychic heavy armies, which is the norm for Tau anyways I guess. Armies with first turn assault potential is probably an issue as well.

Didn't the finalized GW FAQ kill the Shadowsun/Crisisbomb combo?

Not really, the farsight/shadowsun deep strike combo yeah, but starting on the table is fine. Unit is quick enough with shadowsuns warlord trait.

Slightly off topic, but as a newly converted Tau player, what is the general opinion on Tau drone snipers? I think they look pretty darn good for the points.

 Unyielding Hunger wrote:
Slightly off topic, but as a newly converted Tau player, what is the general opinion on Tau drone snipers? I think they look pretty darn good for the points.

I have them most of the time in my list. I use the unit as a second marekerlight source that is VERY accurate. Three Firesight Marksmen and 3 sniper drones is cheap, Avergae T4, Stealth, and accurate. What's not to like? In a building they are sporting 3+ cover and that's pretty good.

So yeah I make use of them QUITE regularly.

If I bring the Drone Snipers, its only because my opponents happen to want a non-Forgeworld game, but in those cases, they'll replace my Tetras as back-up Markerlight source.

I'm also just fond of the models for whatever reason, and like the range-finder looking guy. :-p

Edit:

Actually, I have a question as well if any of our regular posters have insights. I just got gifted nine, NiB Crisis Suits (the new kits). I already own three built with Plasma, and three built with Fusion. Any suggestions for how to build these? I've actually been thinking of doing at least six of them with the Cyclic Ion, but have no experience with it in practice.

NewTruthNeomaxim wrote:
If I bring the Drone Snipers, its only because my opponents happen to want a non-Forgeworld game, but in those cases, they'll replace my Tetras as back-up Markerlight source.

I'm also just fond of the models for whatever reason, and like the range-finder looking guy. :-p

Edit:

Actually, I have a question as well if any of our regular posters have insights. I just got gifted nine, NiB Crisis Suits (the new kits). I already own three built with Plasma, and three built with Fusion. Any suggestions for how to build these? I've actually been thinking of doing at least six of them with the Cyclic Ion, but have no experience with it in practice.

The Cyclic Ion is quite impressive. the range is tough but when you deep strike them in, they are really a lot of shots. My friend did dual ions for a while and that many powerful shots can really hurt your feelings and against a lot of target types.

He used two Shield Drones on them as well to keep them relatively tough. I think they provide a really nice shock troop. They will definitely garner attention after they unleash hell, so a couple Shield drones is not a bad investment when it comes to them. Left alone they will do serious work.

The CIB is my go-to on Crisis Suits, unless I need fusions, for some reason. It does more damage than just about anything else you can choose and preserves that 18" range for JSJ out of charge range.

I always had good success with Plasma on some Crisis Suits, but in the age of Riptide Wings with Ion Accelerators, or Y'vahras... I feel like I don't need AP2 at all on them. Fusions have served me well though, so my inclination is to make more of them.

I'm pretty torn. I'd also need to source CIBs as the kits still don't come with any IIRC.

Maybe i'll do six CIB and three Fusion (bringing my collection up to six Fusion total)

Is it fair to say, math-hammer suggests CIB are outright better than fusion (outside of the AP1), against anything but the most armored of targets? Napkin math is telling me against anything less than AV13, CIB wins.

To get around the "no CIB in Crisis kit" issue I just trimmed the ends of the barrels off the Burst Cannon and then stuck the end of a plasma rifle on there instead (can also stick the other bits of the plasma rifle, like the fuel cell sticky out bit, to it as well). Looks different enough to make it distinct from either weapon and uses parts I already have.

Kinda pricy, but there's this.

Use straws.

Hey guys, questions for you as someone looking to get into Tau.

I'd like to run a Tau army existing exclusively of Battlesuits, Broadsides, Riptides, Ghostkiels, Stormsurges, Stealth Suits and Pathfinders (and drones I guess) so basically I just want to avoid having to use any Kroot, Ethereals, or Transports. Fire Warriors i am indifferent to. I have my reasons for this, mostly I like those models and I like the thought they may be easier to paint for me than my current Deathwatch marines will be.

My question is, according to what I wanna use, what would you suggest I begin collecting, in which order, to get up to about 1500-1750 points range. I know I'll need maybe like at least 9 Crisis Suits? Thing is I don't know how much of everything else I should be looking for. I need some guidance if you can offer some.

FWIW I like the looks of the Farsight Enclave formation, and most of the formations in the Tau codex that have mobility shenaigans built in, like deep striking or running and shooting, or moving after shooting and such.

Only thing I'd say is I want to avoid building an army that will be purely a gun line, I like the idea of being able to hit and run and bounce around quickly while firing shots off, I wanna play a ranged army that still actually moves so I have that actual interaction with my models.

Any advice you guys can give as to what models i should look at and what formations i should run given my stated preferences would be very helpful, thanks!

SpacePuppy wrote:
Hey guys, questions for you as someone looking to get into Tau.

I'd like to run a Tau army existing exclusively of Battlesuits, Broadsides, Riptides, Ghostkiels, Stormsurges, Stealth Suits and Pathfinders (and drones I guess) so basically I just want to avoid having to use any Kroot, Ethereals, or Transports.

I use the following right now. The Etheral MIGHT be replaced by something else but... He's quite useful.
the list does need a couple more Markerlights so I will likely make some small alteration to it soon but it gives you a template. I took 2nd place with it recently and was a very bad die roll away from a GT championship matchup with it (oh well). Point is, it does work but I think it needs just a couple more Markerlights to complete it. It relies on Markerlights VERY little but the one thing that does is the Stormsurge. One of the Riptides would be really the only place to get those points because you can get another Sniper Drone unit and still have points left over to change the Ethereal to a Commander which it sounds like you'd prefer.

Food for thought anyways.



Total Roster Cost: 1846
Formation: Farsight Enclave Optimized Stealth Cadre (19#, 796 pts)
5 XV25 Stealth Battlesuits (1 Fusion Blaster + Bonding Knife Rituals + Advanced Targeting System)

5 XV25 Stealth Battlesuits (Bonding Knife Rituals + Advanced Targeting System)

1 XV95 Ghostkeel Battlesuit unit as follows:
1 Ghostkeel Shas'vre (Cyclic Ion Raker, Twin Linked Fusion Blaster 10+ Bonding Knife Ritual+ Advanced Targeting System + Early Warning Override)

+1 Ghostkeel Shas'vre (Cyclic Ion Raker, Twin Linked Fusion Blaster+ Bonding Knife Ritual + Early Warning Override + Target Lock)

+1 Ghostkeel Shas'vre (Fusion Collider, Twin Linked Fusion Blaster+ Bonding Knife Ritual + Early Warning Override+ Target Lock)

: Farsight Enclave Combined Arms Detachment (13#, 1050 pts)

1 KV128 Stormsurge (Twin-linked Airbursting Fragmentation Projector + Early Warning Override + Velocity Tracker + Shield Generator 50)

1 Sniper Drone Team (3 Firesight Marksman + 3 MV71 Sniper Drone)

1 Crisis Shas'ui(Flamer x1 + Bonding Knife Ritual)

1 Crisis Shas'ui(Flamer x1 + Bonding Knife Ritual)

1 Crisis Shas'ui(Flamer x1 + Bonding Knife Ritual)

1 Riptide Shas'vre (Ion Accelerator + Bonding Knife Ritual + Counterfire Defence System + Early Warning Override)

1 Riptide Shas'vre (Ion Accelerator + Bonding Knife Ritual + Counterfire Defence System + Early Warning Override)

1 Ethereal

I am curious as to why you would run the OSC as a Farsight formation, as it gets little to no benefit and has to pay the BKR tax. You could save a few points and maybe put some better guns on your Crisis suits (at least a second flamer on each) if you dropped that. Also, how much mileage do you get out of ATS? Looks like you have a lot of it; should I look for ways to work it into my own Tau lists?