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Interested in starting a Tau army, but my first speed bump involves the actual codex - which one should I buy? The Tau Empire codex, War Zone Damocles Kauyon, or Mont-ka? Are there any FW units that I should be looking at, like the R'Varna? Is two Riptides enough? How effective is Longstrike in general? Any help is appreciated!

If you don't already have a 6th edition codex then buying Kauyon and Mont'ka won't really help. Kauyon doesn't have the full Tau codex rules in it, just the new stuff and formations if I'm not mistaken. So the 7th edition Tau codex would probably be the best thing to get first.

Also if you want FSE rules you don't need Mont'ka either, since the updated FSE book is available separately now and for less than Mont'ka.

Montka has formations though that aren't in FSE, and you can use those formation in normal tau if I recall correctly.

Long strike is worthwhile IMO, but I wouldn't put him in every list. He tends to get focused down hard. I'd consider the investment if you've other bullet magnets. I'd also look into tetras. They're good markerlight support, like, really good. Also 2 riptides is enough, though grabbing three in order to fill out a riptide wing or hunter contingent with them (nam that +1 bs) would be best. I'd also look into the formation that gives you walk of mirrors as well as the stormsurge.

Thanks for the replies. The choice between the 7ed Tau Codex and Kauyon is confusing, simply because of the following blurb on the official GW site:

Already a hardened Tau Empire collector? We recommend purchasing this (Kauyon), rather than the updated Codex: Tau Empire - this book contains ALL the new rules and formations for the new miniatures, totally unabridged.

What new miniatures are they referring to? Do I need to buy both of these books to field a competitive, ideal list?

 Retrogamer0001 wrote:
Thanks for the replies. The choice between the 7ed Tau Codex and Kauyon is confusing, simply because of the following blurb on the official GW site:

Already a hardened Tau Empire collector? We recommend purchasing this (Kauyon), rather than the updated Codex: Tau Empire - this book contains ALL the new rules and formations for the new miniatures, totally unabridged.

So, that blurb was done when the new "updated"(blue cover background) Codex came out. The previous Codex had an orange background. That's all it meant.

Kauyon was worth it if you had a Space Marine army on the side and the old Tau Empire book(orange background). If you didn't have Space Marines on the side and the old Tau Empire book, you're better off just buying the updated book and cherrypicking formations that are available digitally from Black Library.

What new miniatures are they referring to? Do I need to buy both of these books to field a competitive, ideal list?

Kauyon brought in the Stormsurge, Ghostkeel, the Fortifications, the new XV8 Crisis Suit and Commander setups, and the new rules for the Breacher Team variants on the Fire Warrior box.

Ok, so buying the 7ed Codex seems like the way to go with this. I very much like the Tau: Start Collecting bundles as well, as the Fire Warriors are basically free. Would two or three of those be enough Crisis Suits?

 Retrogamer0001 wrote:
Ok, so buying the 7ed Codex seems like the way to go with this. I very much like the Tau: Start Collecting bundles as well, as the Fire Warriors are basically free. Would two or three of those be enough Crisis Suits?

I find in my Crisis squads I like 3-4 with 3 being more common so yes 9 suits should be enough. However at some point after that if you want to do some niche builds like myself you'll likely grab some more. However it is all you really need. You'll be getting tons of Firewarriors and Breachers too which should be more than enough to last a lifetime. The real waste is the Ethereal since you really only need one. I would look to buying two getting started kits unless your set on fielding the formation that uses 3 Ethereals (which isn't that good). Also three Firewarrior/Breachers is way too much troops in my opinion. Any list worth its salt won't take much of them.

If your going for maximum value models then getting three boxes is good or troops heavy list/Ethereal formation. If you want an efficient army that will be usable without having tons of spare models then get two and then just grab the third crisis team. It all depends on what kind of army your going to make and how competitive you want it to be.

Wonderful, thank you. How do people see Shadowsun? I much prefer the Tau Commander, but if she's worthwhle, I might consider picking one up.

I play against KDK regularly, so also thinking that a Sky Ray or two might be in order with the ion cannon.

Nobody sees Shadowsun, with that suit of hers, eh eh eh.

 Retrogamer0001 wrote:
Wonderful, thank you. How do people see Shadowsun? I much prefer the Tau Commander, but if she's worthwhle, I might consider picking one up.

I play against KDK regularly, so also thinking that a Sky Ray or two might be in order with the ion cannon.

Not so much:
a. tanks. The game mechanics for tanks is not good, presently, so skip the SkyRay and Hammerheads.
b. Shadowsun


Do:
Buy the GW starter box. It's a good deal.
On ebay, bring your total to 5 or 6 Crisis Suits, one will be your HQ.
7e Codex
StormSurge. Or two.
Riptide or three

I cannot answer to Ghostkeels.

Magnetize the Crisis Team. There are Internet articles.

I'm an 11 tau veteran. I'm still too cheap to sink money into Stormsurges (it'll happen at some point though), but I do have 3 'Tides and I'm happy with their fire power. I own 9 XV8s, but that's from buying through 4th and 6th editions.

So if you're brand new to tau, get the codex(7th or 6th), then get the kauyon and mont'ka; you don't need the new FSE, as it only have 1 important sentence saying your commanders can use either tau empire or FSE signature systems.

Kauyon has white scars and raven guard related warlord traits and relic items, the tau empire formations and contingent rules.

Mont'ka has IG updated superheavies, formations, and cadia warlord traits and relics; assassins; FSE warlord traits, sig systems, formations and contingent rules. It also have 3 formations that the new FSE book does NOT have(riptide wing, ghostkeel wing, ethereal council). If that wasn't enough, it also have really awesome new tau fluff.

Model wise: get 2-3 tau starter sets(sell off excess ethereal), then whatever flows your boat. FW models: get the y'vahra(1-2), tetras.