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So i have a tau army that has been sitting in the closet since fourth edition. I have picked up one or two models along the way as i though they looked really cool. So i am not looking for the kill every one and make no friends army build as i usually go for how it looks more then how it plays. I play Blood Angels and Tyranids. However as i am really trying to thin out my armies for a build and then dump the rest of my stuff i was looking for some help on what to build out.

I have
1 Crisis commander
1 Cadre fire blade
36 Fire warriors
15 Crisis suits
9 path finders
3 devil fish
3 hammer heads
9 stealth suits
1 riptide
4 broad sides with rail rifles.

So as i haven't played tau in ages i would love a little help in how they play now and how they are best loaded out especially the suits. I dont play a ton so i am a little out of the loop. Thanks in advance.

Buy the current codex, the newest version has all the updated rules. See which units, detachments, and formations appeal to you .... then ask about those things.

SJ

It's kind of hard to give such broad strokes assistance, but it looks like you're off to a good start in general.

1. Drones are always handy to pick up, they are good ablative wounds for suit squads and can be independently useful, especially in the drone net formation. If you take that, you'll need at least 16 drones, and they get all sorts of fun benefits, and can become of the more consistent sources of markerlights.

2. Markerlight support, this bit is crucial for Tau. We are shooty, but we need a bit of an assist to consistently hit our marks, that's where markerlights come in. Various units have markerlights. Tetras, pathfinders (though they are on the squishy side) Skyrays, etc. One of the more consistent is the drone net formation as I noted above. It boosts the BS of all drones on the field, even outside the formation to 3, as long as at least 2 units within the formation are still up, and the units in the formation get all sorts of other rules, jink, intercept, etc.

3. Looks like you have a good number of suits, may I suggest checking out the rules for Farsight Enclaves. If you do, you can take your suits as troops and they gain obsec, along with access to some new relics.

4. From what I've seen, broadsides are typically outfitted with HYMP instead of Rail rifles these days, at least that's what the math seems to add up to being the smarter call.

5. If you can, invest in some riptides, no need for a full wing if you don't want them, but they fill some gaps tau have, and are just intimidating and draw attention.

Just some general thoughts, feel free to ask if you want to know something specific.

 jeffersonian000 wrote:
Buy the current codex, the newest version has all the updated rules. See which units, detachments, and formations appeal to you .... then ask about those things.

SJ

Agree with this sentiment, but I'd add that the Forgeworld models are pretty damn sweet, in my opinion and happen to be pretty powerful, as well. You should also have a look at those.

Thanks so far guys I appreciate it. So i have the codex, however its the newest one before the new units came out if that makes sense, and the kayon or what not and the other one as well that goes with it. I do not have the farsight book though.


So on that i like the idea of the optimized stealth ones as the idea of the ghostkeel sneaking around and some suits seems pretty sweet. I know they might not me great but i do kinda like the idea of the fire warriors hanging out as well as i have always liked that model. I have a bunch of drones i guess i could make them to be marker drones.

This probably is contrary to tau, but i have played nids for so long that i am having a really hard time investing points into guys. I am so used to just having so many cheap units that spending 60 points on a suit is hard for me. However i guess i just need to suck it up.

So i guess let me start with a few questions.

What is a decent commander build out. I like the look of the newer flying commander guy.

Are fire warriors viable with out a devil fish?

Are marker drones better then pathfinders? I kinda like pathfinders as they fit into the sneaky aspect of the stealth suits parks?

Are hammer heads still decent?

How should i build my suits out to be?

Does anyone use the cadre fireblade?

Is there no saving grace to a broad side with rail rifle?

Im sure i have more but thats a start.

What is a decent commander build out. I like the look of the newer flying commander guy.

The Coldstar Commander is not effective on the table, but it's pretty cool. These days, the most common use for a Commander is as a tank for a unit of Marker Drones, outfitted at least with iridium armor and a drone controller, +/- a target lock, missile pods, and stims. Of course, you can run him as an offensive weapon alongside a unit of Crisis Suits armed with whatever you please or as a pure force multiplier (i.e., with all the buffing signature systems but no weapons) in a big unit of something or other - usually Crisis Suits. The marker tank is probably the most effective use currently.

Are fire warriors viable with out a devil fish?

Fire Warriors can be pretty useful in a Hunter Contingent. BS4 does them a lot of good, and the run-then-shoot ability plus 12" supporting fire make them pretty dangerous. Devilfish generally sort of suck, so I'd avoid using them, if possible. That said, Breachers are one of my favorite units in the book and basically require a transport. they're not getting anywhere near 5" of anything on their own. You kind of have to baby them, but they're worth it!

Are marker drones better then pathfinders? I kinda like pathfinders as they fit into the sneaky aspect of the stealth suits parks?

Marker Drones have always been better than Pathfinders, in my opinion, but now that the Drone Net formation exists, there's no contest. +1 BS, interceptor, jink, split fire and other stuff for no extra cost? Yes, please! I mean, if you like Pathfinders, fire away, but they're an inferior choice. You might consider running them in a Ranged Support Cadre so they at least give you double marker htis for the Broadsides in the formation.

Are hammer heads still decent?

No. Tidewall Gunrigs are twin-linked Hammerheads for 2/3 the price.

How should i build my suits out to be?

Crisis Suits, you mean? For offense, I prefer dual CIB or dual fusion. If you're using them as a troop tax and/or objective holders, dual flamers is a nice option.

Does anyone use the cadre fireblade?

Not really.

Is there no saving grace to a broad side with rail rifle?

It's one of the coolest models GW makes...but that's about it.

If you really want to ruin friendships, then go for a monster mash list. Riptide wing, two stormsurges, and a Drone Controller commander with marker drones.

That ruin anybody's' day.

Lol yeah i could see that as not being a very kind list. I know that i am probably in the minority here but i hate the storm surge model. It looks like a paraplegic giant trying to poop. i just can stand the model. If i could give it arms or something i would like it better a little. I have one riptide as i kind alike that model, but i think i will stick with one.

kellymatthew37 wrote:
Lol yeah i could see that as not being a very kind list. I know that i am probably in the minority here but i hate the storm surge model. It looks like a paraplegic giant trying to poop. i just can stand the model. If i could give it arms or something i would like it better a little. I have one riptide as i kind alike that model, but i think i will stick with one.

Like so? Definitely not mine, but it looks much nicer than a constipated double amputee.


credit: http://www.kamui.co.uk/2016/01/28/cool-conversions-tau-xv88-battlesuit-arms/

It's simultaneously beautiful and filthy.

Holy Gundam thats cool. I may have to try that and see how it works. Thats awesome.