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.

Hi, So I cannot beat the necron decurion with my Chaos or Daemons so I have a Tau army that I bought last year that I have barely used and was wondering do you's think it could beat it? If not what can I do different? I don't really have many models i can add to it I have 3 stealth suits some more fire warriors and an ethereal but that's really it.

This guy might push for an 1850 but hopefully it will stay at 1500

HUNTER CADRE

Hq:
Commander: Iridium battle suit, Two missle pods and drone controller. 2 marker light drones,onager gauntlet: 177pts
xv8 bodyguards x 2: burst cannon x 2 (each): 104pts

Elites:
Riptide, heavy burst cannon,Twin linked smart missile system, early warning overide and Stimulant injector: 220pts

troops:
Strike team pulse rifles x 10 emp grenades 110pts
Strike team pulse rifles x 10 90pts
Strike team pulse rifles x 10 90pts
Strike team pulse rifles x 10 90pts
Strike team pulse carbines x 10 90pts
Kroots x 13 with shaper and sniper rounds 113pts

fast attack:
Pathfinder team x 5 emp grenades: 65pts
markerlight drone squad x 4: 56pts

Heavy Support:
broadside battle suit x 3 with twin linked yield and smart missile system, 6 missile drones: 295pts

exactly 1500.

It will be a very urban battle with lots of cover i imagine.

I think you have the right idea and that is to force saves and the best way to do that is with mass Pulse fire. A couple of comments:

1. I don't see how the .ui upgrades help. Consider dropping them to get those Stealth Suits, the rest of your Fire Warriors and/or the Ethereal in for Storm of Fire. Storm of Fire will be really good against him.
2. The Missile Drones on the Broadsides are risky. Lose 1 and you're rolling LD, but at the same time you out-range his entire army, which is 24" across the board, so I'm on the fence.
3. The AFPs on the Crisis suits won't really help being only AP5. I would swap them for some Ion Blasters or Missile Pods.
4. Pathfinders are pretty bad. All of his weapons punch through their armour. Can you scrap together a Crisis Commander to make a Markermander team or take a Drone network?
5. Consider doing some cheap and cheerful empty paint pot conversions to give each Fire Warrior team a support turret with SMS. The key here is to spit as much S5 as possible.
6. You can also consider a Hunter Contingent for the +1 BS. You need to focus fire his units anyway, so why not make that easier to do.

I'm an 11 year Tau veteran, so I'll see if I can help ya.

Dardl wrote:
Hi, So I cannot beat the necron decurion with my Chaos or Daemons so I have a Tau army that I bought last year that I have barely used and was wondering do you's think it could beat it? If not what can I do different? I don't really have many models i can add to it I have 3 stealth suits some more fire warriors and an ethereal but that's really it.

This guy might push for an 1850 but hopefully it will stay at 1500

1. Keep it at 1500, otherwise you're "pushing" your list, ... fattening it up with upgrades that don't help.
2. You don't need more FWs and the Stealths won't help.
3. Ethereals are a liability with Slay the Warlord and the extra point.

Dardl wrote:
Hq:
Cadre fire blade, Marker drone : 72 pts

Toss. Promote one of your suits to :
Cmdr - Irid Armor, dual MPs, Drone Controller, 2 Marker Drones.
Attach him to a Marker D unit.

Dardl wrote:
Riptide, ion accelerator,Twin linked smart missile system, early warning overide and Stimulant injector: 225pts

Swap the Ion for HBC. While the Ion's AP2 bypasses the armor save, the template's volume/effectiveness is dealt with by smart Movement. The HBC's volume fire deals out more punishment.

Dardl wrote:
Crisis battle suits x 3 with shas're upgrade, 3 x airbursting fragmentation projectors, stimulant injectors: 168 pts

a. Promote one to the commander I referenced above.
b. The other two, I'd switch to dual PRs or dual FBs. Start by-passing the armor saves to go straight to the necrons' ResProt rolls and the dual FBs will deal better with the Wraiths
c. Stims should not be needed because you ought to be able to survive better with jsj behind terrain.

What's your battle field look like? Got enough LoS-blocking terrain?

Dardl wrote:
troops:
Strike team pulse rifles x 6 with shas'ui: 64pts
Strike team pulse rifles x 6 with shas'ui: 64pts
Strike team pulse rifles x 6 with shas'ui: 64pts
Strike team pulse rifles x 6 with shas'ui: 64pts
Strike team x 12 with shas'ui, emp grenades,(for cadre fireblade to join) 142pts

Ah, Gun Line. The good ol' days of 4th edition.

a. EMPs? Does your buddy run a GhostArk or Stalker? If not toss 'em.
b. I'd re-organize into 3 or 4 groups of 9, no upgrades. 9 guys means it takes 3 casualties to cause a Morale Check.

Overall, gun-line doesn't work so well. If your opponent is using Destroyer Cult, he's got jsj, meaning he can hide after shooting and that really works well against static FWs.

Dardl wrote:
Kroots x 14 with shaper and sniper rounds 120pts

Infiltrate them and use them in h2h to try to get a failed Morale on the robots' part and then sweep. Not a great strategy, but that's what kroot can do.

Dardl wrote:
fast attack:
Pathfinder team x 5 with shas'ui, emp grenades x 2 marker drone 99pts
Pathfinder team x 5 with shas'ui, emp grenades x 2 marker drone 99pts

I'd replace them both with Marker Ds. One to be Baby-Sat by the DroneCommander, the other because jsj and T4.

Dardl wrote:
Heavy Support:
broadside battle suit with twin linked yeild and smart missile system, 2 missile drones and stim injector: 104 pts
broadside battle suit with twin linked yeild and smart missile system, 2 missile drones and stim injector: 104 pts
broadside battle suit with twin linked yeild and smart missile system, 2 missile drones and stim injector: 104 pts

Stims on b-sides is an unnecessary push. On Gets Hot! Riptides, yeah Stims are worth while.

Dardl wrote:
Have 7 points left, Will i get murdered? This guy is fairly competitive, always runs a decurion but only 3 wraiths.

The Crisis Suits might be better off with FusionBs to insta-Gib the Wraiths.

What else is in his list?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 counterwavecounter wrote:

2. The Missile Drones on the Broadsides are risky. Lose 1 and you're rolling LD, but at the same time you out-range his entire army, which is 24" across the board, so I'm on the fence.

Regarding this,
a. compile your b-sides into one unit. Resurrection Protocols go away when you scrag a 'cron unit completely (right?). 3 Missile Sides, with their drones usually can get rid of most 10 model infantry squads.
b. Be sure to jsj the drones in front of the b-sides for better range, and then hop them back so the suits can tank wounds with their 2+ Armor Save. Bonding is worth it.

 Brothererekose wrote:
The Crisis Suits might be better off with FusionBs to insta-Gib the Wraiths.

Fusions don't insta-gib Wraiths. Wraiths are T5. Fusions still wound on 2+ though vs Plasma at 3+. Volume is better against Wraiths. Missile Pods and Burst Cannons. Wraiths have a 3+ invulnerable, so AP doesn't matter.

 Brothererekose wrote:
Resurrection Protocols go away when you scrag a 'cron unit completely (right?)

It does not. It's like FnP, they roll it immediately after taking an unsaved wound.

 Brothererekose wrote:
ou don't need more FWs and the Stealths won't help.

Completely disagree. I'm a Necron player and volume scares me a hell of a lot more than high strength high AP because I always get my reanimation protocols even against instant-death (mind you at -1). My toughest match up is Orks, believe it or not, because they have so much dakka, so many bodies and force so many saves. Forcing saves is a much better strategy against Necrons than trying to punch through armour. It's not the Plasma and Melta weapons that kill me, it's the 40 saves I need to take against bolters and pulse rifles.

Been a long while since I faced necrons, so I'll readily take your advice, on behalf of our Tau NewB.

 counterwavecounter wrote:

 Brothererekose wrote:
The Crisis Suits might be better off with FusionBs to insta-Gib the Wraiths.

Fusions don't insta-gib Wraiths. Wraiths are T5. Fusions still wound on 2+ though vs Plasma at 3+. Volume is better against Wraiths. Missile Pods and Burst Cannons. Wraiths have a 3+ invulnerable, so AP doesn't matter.

T5. Right, so PRs are better, more shots. Then again, maybe dual BurstCans. Dardl, 8 shots from one XV8 sounds like the highest volume that'd make a necron player cringe.

 counterwavecounter wrote:

 Brothererekose wrote:
Resurrection Protocols go away when you scrag a 'cron unit completely (right?)

It does not. It's like FnP, they roll it immediately after taking an unsaved wound.

Okie dokie.

 counterwavecounter wrote:

 Brothererekose wrote:
ou don't need more FWs and the Stealths won't help.

Completely disagree. I'm a Necron player and volume scares me a hell of a lot more than high strength high AP because I always get my RP even against instant-death (mind you at -1). My toughest match up is Orks believe it or not, because they have so much dakka, so many bodies and force so many saves. Forcing saves is a much better strategy against Necrons than trying to punch through our armour. It's how I lose most of my games.

12 Burst Can shots for the Stealths' cost? Perhaps.

All good points and kudos to you counterwavecounter, for helping Dardl with insights to your Necron player's concerns.

Thank you so much lads for the great help!

I will post an alternative list up in a bit with as much advice as I could possibly take


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Updated there, better?

Dardl wrote:
Commander: Iridium battle suit, Two missle pods and drone controller. 2 marker light drones,onager gauntlet: 177pts
xv8 bodyguards x 2: burst cannon x 2 (each): 104pts

Save a few more points and demote the bodyguards to regular XV8s, and they're going be on their own anyway, better yet, each by himself.

Dardl wrote:
Strike team pulse rifles x 10 emp grenades 110pts
Strike team pulse rifles x 10 90pts
Strike team pulse rifles x 10 90pts
Strike team pulse rifles x 10 90pts
Strike team pulse carbines x 10 90pts
Kroots x 13 with shaper and sniper rounds 113pts

I still like 9 or 12 for those Morale Check mechanics.

Dardl wrote:
Pathfinder team x 5 emp grenades: 65pts
markerlight drone squad x 4: 56pts

Answer this: What vehicles does the opponent bring? It bears on whether EMPs are worth taking.

Unless you own it, I would skip the rip tide for your auto include when he wants to go to 1850

I like the drone network idea.

I ;iike the idea of making your crisis suits nonbody guard. You may wanto reserve them and make them 3 single suits. Reserve and deep strike them in to add to confusion and to steal objectives

What to spend points on?
An aegis defense line.
Pimp out one pathfinder squad to full size with the special drone that extends the range if the pulse carbines
2 or 3 smart ,missiles to use your volume of markerlights
If your friend has fliers you may want to add AOS to the commander and/or the broadsides.
A n ethereal to learn for yourself the power and weakness of one.

Dardl wrote:
Commander: Iridium battle suit, Two missle pods and drone controller. 2 marker light drones,onager gauntlet: 177pts
xv8 bodyguards x 2: burst cannon x 2 (each): 104pts
Save a few more points and demote the bodyguards to regular XV8s, and they're going be on their own anyway, better yet, each by himself.

Will do!

I still like 9 or 12 for those Morale Check mechanics.

I am not so sure about 12, I think spreading them out into multiple squads works better, With this formation I get supporting fire 12 inches.

Answer this: What vehicles does the opponent bring? It bears on whether EMPs are worth taking.

He ALWAYS brings Ghost arcs without fail. Sometimes monoliths







Automatically Appended Next Post:

Unless you own it, I would skip the rip tide for your auto include when he wants to go to 1850

I like the drone network idea.

I ;iike the idea of making your crisis suits nonbody guard. You may wanto reserve them and make them 3 single suits. Reserve and deep strike them in to add to confusion and to steal objectives

What to spend points on?
An aegis defense line.
Pimp out one pathfinder squad to full size with the special drone that extends the range if the pulse carbines
2 or 3 smart ,missiles to use your volume of markerlights
If your friend has fliers you may want to add AOS to the commander and/or the broadsides.
A n ethereal to learn for yourself the power and weakness of one.

Get rid of the riptide?

I'm not sure as Path finders die like flies, And he will bring his necron biker things that will drop large blasts on them that ignore cover, so path finders I plan on keeping small and not threatening and marker lighting something of extreme importance.

I don't really own an Aegis defence line, but there will be a lot of buildings take cover in.

Smart missiles for the broad sides is it?

Sorry what is AOS?

The formation I have doesn't let me take an ethereal :/

You can always add an allied detachment of 1 ethereal and 1 firewarrior unit.

If I recall the drone formation is going to add +1 BS and the one your commander attaches to is going to be at BS 5. That is an average of 10+ markerlitghts on one or more targets. Add 10 pathfinders behind a defense line and you are getting at least a 4++ save that at least puts them on a par with your firewarriors. The pathfinders reinforce your gunline and can dump an average of 5 markerlights on that target you want dead.The aethereal mans the quad flak gun. The firewarriors flank the pathfinders with their 24" range carbiines. The fire warriors with the carbines set up directly behind the pathfinders and can jump in front of the pathfinders if he threatens them. Ideally he charges that unit eith the pathfinders and two flanking firewarriors meaning 80 overwatch shots at him.

With the ethereal set up centrally in the AD) You could potentally add 1 to the ROF of 6 units.

I think unless he plays a monolith or fliers the riptide is 200+ points. What you are paying for is survivabilty and flexibility that limits your army at 1500 but is a natural add at 1750-2000. You already have a super killy unit in your broadsides.

Sorry on the confusion on AOS Imeant EWO Early warning system to add to your commander to allow his drone unit to intercept an enemy flier on the turn it appears. Then you can hit it with markerlights and target your 3 seeker missiles at the enemy flier. If he really likes fliers. Velocity Tracker allows skyfire but if you skyfire your broadsides thqat is in your fire phase so you will knock your heavy hitters out of any support to your gunline. The beauty ot the EWO on the commander in conjunction with seeker missiles is that not only do you target the enemy on the turn he arrives you also preserve the broadsides to flexibility in your broadsides response in your fire phase. If you only go with velocity trackers on the broadsides you are chosing whether they fire everything or nothing at a flier. If you go with a VT on thr commander tl fkire the seeker missiles anything that mounts the seekers will be forced pfire at the target of the seekers and snapfire at the seekers target if it is a flier.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Nothing wrong with a riptide just IMO it is the eldar equivalent of spamming scat bikes. It is effective but I think it can be a crutch to a new player and slows learning and perhaps discovering what each piece of your army does for you and more importantly what it can;t do for you. Wait until your friend does a scarab farm or god forbid gets any big unit in contact with your tide and sticks you in combat for a turn or two preventing your tide to fire.