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1499/1500

 Please critize, thank you ahead of time!

HQ (368 points):
50 Shas'el
20 -plasma rifle
12 -missile pod
5 -multitracker
15 -shield drone
35 Shas'vre
12 -missile pod
20 -plasma rifle
5 -multitracker
10 -targetting array

50 Shas'el
20 -plasma rifle
12 -missile pod
5 -multitracker
15 -shield drone
35 Shas'vre
12 -missile pod
20 -plasma rifle
5 -multitracker
10 -targetting array

Elite (260 points):
35 Shas'ui (stealth suit)
10 -targetting array
10 -marker light
5 -target lock
150 5x Shas'ui (stealth suit)
50 -targetting array

Core (240 points):
60 6x Shas'la
0 -6x pulse rifle

60 6x Shas'la
0 -6x pulse rifle

60 6x Shas'la
0 -6x pulse rifle

60 6x Shas'la
0 -6x pulse rifle

Fast Attack (246 points):
48 4x Kor'vesa
0 -4x pulse carbine

48 4x Kor'vesa
0 -4x pulse carbine

120 2x Piranha Light Skimmer Team
10 -2x fusion blaster
10 -2x targetting array
10 -2x disruption pod

Heavy Support (385 points):
75 Shas'ui (team lead)
10 -twin linked plasma rifle
10 -targetting array
5 -multitracker
0 -hard wired drone controller
15 -shield drone

75 Shas'ui (team lead)
10 -twin linked plasma rifle
10 -targetting array
5 -multitracker
0 -hard wired drone controller
15 -shield drone

90 Hammerhead Gunship
50 -railgun
10 -2x burst cannons
0   -targettin array 5 -disruption pod

Cmon please critique.

Good list but I would remove the bodyguards and the drones from your leaders and let them benefit from the IC rules. Move the points into crisis suits in the elite section. This frees up a few more points for another cheap crisis or additional protection for your broadsides.

The Wraith

kk I will revize, I appreciate it Wraith.

Vito

You might want to make those 4 6-man FW teams into 3 8-man teams, just to add robustness and some firepower. It sucks when your opponent has to only kill four3 Sv4+ models to render the unit nonscoring. Add two FWs to give it a 5-man buffer of scoring-ness. More of a preferential thing than anything else.

I'd drop the marker light off your Shas'ui Stealth, as well as the multi-tracker. If you put a targetting array upgrade on each one, you have a 6-man 240 pt unit that will pump out 12 hits at Str5 AP5 per turn. Of course, if you need to save points, drop the TAs to save 60 pts at a net loss of 18 hits per game.

CK

Lots of people have been recomending the 3 stealth 6 gun drone setup, same fire-power, more wounds. I think the footprint is too big cause of the stoopid flying bases.

There is really no reason for you to have all of the fire knife crisis suits in HQ slots, especially since the 'el loses IC protection with the Body gaurd. Take two elite FK's and give them 2 shield drones. The SD allow you to be quite agressive with the unit.

24 FCW and a full stealth team is alot of 5/5 shots. You'll be hard pressed to eat away at high toughness units. maybe 3 squads of 6 with marker lights and some seekers would help. I'm assuming that this list represents most of your models.

The 88's are more usable with ASS.

go here dvancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php to read more about 6 FCW per squad VS 8.

Good luck.

Sorry bout the spelling, no time to proof.

Tactics with this army. I used this basic design as an "all-arounder" for different games. I will be using the drones as screeners, the FW are fodder and a little extra gunnage. That being said I could exchange the FW for Kroot but the fact is they have the +4 save. The only thing I'm a little worried about is taking table quarters, and with 1 suit per team I'm not sure about the sucess of that idea. The skimmers are definitely for taking quarters and tank/walker hunting. For 'evy artilary the HH can move and shoot, I would give the 88's ASS but they'd have to lose the TA and I'm not willing. The 4 FK and 2 88's with twin PR are there to get those higher toughness and saves, if need be I will put the skimmers to this too.

Is my planning/tactics sound? If not please tell. Thanks for all the reply's I really do appreciate it.




1499/1500 pts

HQ (204 points):
50 Shas'el
20 -plasma rifle
12 -missile pod
5 -multitracker
15 -shield drone

50 Shas'el
20 -plasma rifle
12 -missile pod
5 -multitracker
15 -shield drone


Elite (414 points):
30 Shas'ui
20 -plasma rifle
12 -missile pod
5 -multitracker
10 -targetting array
15 -shield drone

30 Shas'ui
20 -plasma rifle
12 -missile pod
5 -multitracker
10 -targetting array
15 -shield drone

180 6x Shas'ui (stealth suit)
60 -targetting array

Core (240 points):
80 8x Shas'la
0 -8x pulse rifle

80 8x Shas'la
0 -8x pulse rifle

80 8x Shas'la
0 -8x pulse rifle

Fast Attack (246 points):
48 4x Kor'vesa
0 -4x pulse carbine

48 4x Kor'vesa
0 -4x pulse carbine

120 2x Piranha Light Skimmer Team
10 -2x fusion blaster
10 -2x targetting array
10 -2x disruption pod

Heavy Support (385 points):
75 Shas'ui (team lead)
10 -twin linked plasma rifle
10 -targetting array
5 -multitracker
0 -hard wired drone controller
15 -shield drone

75 Shas'ui (team lead)
10 -twin linked plasma rifle
10 -targetting array
5 -multitracker
0 -hard wired drone controller
15 -shield drone

90 Hammerhead Gunship
50 -railgun
10 -2x burst cannons
5 -disruption pod

Edit: forgot to change up the FW to 8 man squads. done

Quick question- Several people at my hobby store say that you cannot have ASS with a Targeting array- as they bolth take up the 1 support system. Are they correct? and also, Vito, your broadsides have 1 or 2 too many support systems.

i agree w/nearsight but i didn't see in the codex a limit on harwired systems althought i could have missed that to good catch nearsight!!

Nearsight: you are correct that broadsides cannot take both a TA and ASS as neither one can be hardwired. However, both of his broadsides are team leaders so they can take the hard wired multi-trackers and drone controllers.

Vito - I would be careful about only putting one sheild drone on the elite suits - once it dies you're taking "man alone" tests with the suit. Lately i've been running the elite suits with team leader, 2 suits and 2 shield drones. Pretty resilient with a bit of cover on the table to use JSJ.

yeah, budro is spot on, monats with shield drones suck because of Last Man Standing (p49 BGB). If you are concerned bout scoring units lose an 'el and make a 2 suit fireknife (PR,MP,MT) team, with 2 SD. And downgrade the last elite suit to a deathrain (TLMP,TA) and lose the shield drone. The deathrain uses Jump Shoot Jump to stay safe, while your FK team can hang back and shoot their missiles or they can jump into rapid fire range and plan on sacrificing the drones to return fire.

your setup consisting of the 2 monat fireknives and the 'el FK, all with drones costs 286. It gives you 2 scoring units and 9 wounds. If you listen to budro, make one of the 'els a team leader with 2 drones and team him up with another FK then you have a very durable scoring unit that only costs 159 points. I would make the last elite crisis into a deathrain for 53 points. Now you are at 212 and you still have 9 wounds and 2 scoring units. Thats 74 points! with which you can;

Finish the Railhead; it really should have a multitracker so you can shoot and still take advantage of the "skimmers moving fast" rule (p.69 BGB). Also most people use a decoy launcher, this way your opponent will have to reroll immobilised results, which will destroy your skimmer because it is always moving more than 6". And lastly i often give my tanks a target lock because the targets of the railgun and the 2ndary weapon system are often different. So that is 20 points into your railhead.

As for the 88's, the TA makes them 14% more accurate, but that is easily negated if your opponent can use cover to stay out of your firing lanes. Give them ASS and they will be much harder to avoid, which is imho much more important than 14%. Plus you still have 54 points with which you can buy a few marker lights, and now your 88's are back up to BS 4, or your railhead is shooting at BS 5, or your missile pods are 16% more accurate, all depending on what you need to kill.

As for using drones to "screen" be careful. my experience is that they end up giving the other guy 9 inches of free movement, as he assaults, massacres the drones, and then consolodates d6 inches into whatever it was that i am trying to "screen". They are handy for deepstriking to shoot at rear armor, and for luring must assault units away from your less mobile troops. Also they are good for grabing objectives, but don't let them get assaulted it is just extra movement for the other guy.

/nearsight: No you cannot take both ASS and TA as they do both take hard spots, as previously stated. The 88's however can take as much as they want hard wired since they are team leads .

/budro: I see what you are saying, I just hate having squishy elites, they cost so damn much and without an IS, and if I'm gonna pay for it I would rather have the extra W, A. I'm definitely a JSJ kinda of player.

/blue: I'm don't have a rules book here (deployed) so I'm not totally familiar with the Last Man Standing rule. It defiinitely appears to be a PITA.

Drop the HQ to an Elite, team the FK up, make the last elite into a DR. That's 69 points difference, unless I make the DR elite into a team leader and then I would add a TA and 2xSD, making the points save now 39. Then I would have extra 2xA, BS, W, 2xIS, but might have to take the "Last Man Standing" roll. Moving down to a DR from FK though I would lose 2 shots at 24", and 3 within 12" along with 2 AP but gain 1S in turn. The FK team would lose 1 BS, 1W, 1I, 1A, and 1Ld moving the HQ down. It would also create a scoring unit, but at the same time a larger target.

I like the idea of having the HH firing like a skimmer, again I would also like to fire at seperate units too. Although I find that if I'm getting attacked where I need to use the BC then the sub mun/ion rounds at close range will keep the HH alive longer. Again I think the reroll is great, escpecially for 5 points and I would have taken the DL instead of DP but my tactics are all for not if they are closer than 12" to the heavy hitters so I chose the DP.

As for the 88's I like both TA and ASS and it's hard to choose between them. Like I said though, these guys are definitely fullfilling their rolls as 'eavy hitters (none/slow moving/shooters) or they're all for not, so that 14% is really nice to me. I wanted to add in more ML but they just cost too much and with the 3BS of the MLD they aren't points effective.

I've used the drones as screens quite a few games now and have full hang of the screen tactic I use. Yes if you don't pay attention to the 5 W's when screening with them your screened unit is highly flamable. All Tau units suck butt when assaulted and it's the last thing I want them to have to deal with. Otherwise I would use Kroot as meat shields. I do appreciate the suggestions and my next posted list will reflect them.

Again Thank you all for your responses they really do help!

Hey Vito,

To be truthful I'm a pretty casual player; Winning/losing isn't as important as getting something to work, a tactic or plan or combo. I sometimes wish that 40k was more of a tactical simulation, but i think the army lists are too fantastic for that to work; And it is probably more fun as a game than it would be as a realistic model.

How long will you be deployed? I was on the USS Wasp from 93 to 97, we didn't spend much time in port; I was OK with that, I love the feeling of adventure, the alieness of the ship on which we lived, the strangeness of the air, and the simplicity of life underway.

What do you mean by "IS"

I wouldn't use the MLD to get a ML, rather upgrade a firewarrior from each squad to 'ui and give him a ML.  Thats a 20 point upgrade that gives you an extra point of leadership for your FCW (Fire Caste Warrior). Yeah they are BS3, but with 3 or 4 of them you will have plenty of hits.

IS=invulnerable save

I'm gonna pass on the ML sutff. I just don't see it as any good with the BS. Well I'm not so sure about the next list I've rounded out. I don't like twin linked suits but.... well.

1497/1500
HQ (199 points):
50 Shas?el
20 -plasma rifle
12 -missile pod
30 -shield drone
5 -multitracker

35 Shas?vre
20 -plasma rifle
12 -missile pod
10 -targeting array
5 -multitracker

Elite (407 points):
30 Shas?ui
20 -plasma rife
12 -missile pod
10 -targeting array
30 -shield drone

25 Shas?ui
30 -twin linked plasma rifle
10 -targeting array

180 6x Shas'ui
60 -targeting array

Core (240 points):
80 8x Shas'la
0 -8x pulse rifle

80 8x Shas'la
0 -8x pulse rifle

80 8x Shas'la
0 -8x pulse rifle

Fast Attack (246 points):
48 4x Kor'vesa
0 -4x pulse carbine

48 4x Kor'vesa
0 -4x pulse carbine

120 2x Piranha Light Skimmer Team (150)
10 -2x fusion blaster
10 -2x targeting array
10 -2x disruption pod

Heavy Support (405 points):
75 Shas'ui (team lead)
10 -twin linked plasma rifle
10 -targeting array
5 -multitracker
0 -hard wired drone controller
15 -shield drone

75 Shas'ui (team lead)
10 -twin linked plasma rifle
10 -targeting array
5 -multitracker
0 -hard wired drone controller
15 -shield drone

90 Hammerhead Gunship
50 -railgun
10 -2x burst cannons
10 -multitracker
5 -disruption pod
10 -flechette discharger


I've been in Iraq for a year, army. Not a good thing, to say the least I'm not happy missing my daughters first years to line a mans pockets. Well enough of that depressing enough as it is.

just a suggestion on your fire warriors , i always max out my squads & bond them it might seem like a waste of points , but w/low leadership & you taking smaller squads just a few cassualties & they'll run.
p.s. i was in the army for 7yrs . i was not in your situation , but i have been away from my little ones for long periods of time (as a civillian) . just take it one day at a time & get home ! it's an honor to speak to a fellow soldier.AIR CAV!!

I have considered binding them or even adding an Aun, but I don't really see the point. If they are put less than 50% and fail their tests then that means my oponnent has pushed through the drones and is now either trying to shoot it out with me (that's gonna be hard to see happening) or is trying to assault his way through my squishy stuff. Which is exactly what I want him to get stuck up in, that means my suits and tank have been free to deal with his 'eavy units. I can then concentrate on his elements moving out of assault d6" any direction. I have changed the list up though, I took the TL PR off of the elite, and gave him TL MP. I also decided to remove the Piranha as I've never had trouble using terrain to my advantage getting at 'eavy targets. I instead move to a second unit of elite suits tooled exactly the same as the first. This will allow me to run and gun a bit more effectively than I wanted before, garnering more survivability IMO. Lastly I removed the flechette dischargers from the railhead, and gave both the 88's 2xSD.

So this is what my final playtest army will be spec'd:

1495/1500 points, 55 models

HQ (199 points)
(4 models, 7 wounds, 3+ save, 4+ invulnerable save, 4 shots @ 36”, 6 shots @ 24”, 8 shots @ 12” )
50 Shas’el
20 -plasma rifle
12 -missile pod
0 -hard wired drone controller
30 -2x shield drone
5 -multitracker
35 Shas’vre
20 -plasma rifle
12 -missile pod
10 -targeting array
5 -multitracker

Elite (530 points):
(3 models, 5 wounds, 3+ save, 4+ invulnerable save, 4 shots @ 36”, 5 shots @ 24”, 6 shots @ 12” )
30 Shas’ui
20 -plasma rifle
12 -missile pod
5 -multitracker
10 -targeting array
0 -hard wired drone controller
15 -shield drone
25 Shas’ui
18 -twin linked missile pod
10 -targeting array

(3 models, 5 wounds, 3+ save, 4+ invulnerable save, 4 shots @ 36”, 5 shots @ 24”, 6 shots @ 12” )
30 Shas’ui
20 -plasma rifle
12 -missile pod
5 -multitracker
10 -targeting array
0 -hard wired drone controller
15 -shield drone
25 Shas’ui
18 -twin linked missile pod
10 -targeting array


(6 models, 6 wounds, 3+ save, 18 shots @ 18” )
180 6x Shas'ui
60 -targeting array

Core (240 points):
(8 models, 8 wounds, 4+ save, 8 shots @ 30”, 16 shots @ 12” )
80 8x Shas'la
0 -8x pulse rifle

(8 models, 8 wounds, 4+ save, 8 shots @ 30”, 16 shots @ 12” )
80 8x Shas'la
0 -8x pulse rifle

(8 models, 8 wounds, 4+ save, 8 shots @ 30”, 16 shots @ 12” )
80 8x Shas'la
0 -8x pulse rifle

Fast Attack (96):
(4 models, 4 wounds, 4+ save, 4 shots @ 18” )
48 4x Kor’vesa
0 -4x twin linked pulse carbine

(4 models, 4 wounds, 4+ save, 4 shots @ 18” )
48 4x Kor’vesa
0 -4x twin linked pulse carbine

Heavy Support (430):
(3 models, 4 wounds, 2+ save, 4+ invulnerable save, 1 shot @ 72”, 2 shots @ 24”, 3 shots @ 12” )
75 Shas'ui
10 -twin linked plasma rifle
10 -targeting array
5 -multitracker
0 -hard wired drone controller
30 -2x shield drone

(3 models, 4 wounds, 2+ save, 4+ invulnerable save, 1 shot @ 72”, 2 shots @ 24”, 3 shots @ 12” )
75 Shas’ui
10 -twin linked plasma rifle
10 -targeting array
5 -multitracker
0 -hard wired drone controller
30 -2x shield drone

(1 model, 13 front, 12 side, 10 rear, 1 shot @ 72”, 7 shots @ 18” )
90 Hammerhead
50 -railgun
10 -burst cannons
10 -multitracker
5 -decoy launchers
5 -disruption pod
0 -targeting array
0 -landing gear


Suggestions please? Criticism? Thank you again for your response.



It's just too depressing talking about a President and government more interested in their agendas than the wellfare of the country and military. The Pres. talks about majority's of people, the last time I check with major polls they were the exact opposite of his opinion. Talking to Iraqi's, 8 in 10 don't care for us being here in Ramadi sooni triangle. We're more of a nuiscense to their lives than anything, they just want to move on, and as far as I'm concerned that is the concensus with the military. It's just overly frusterating, and no offense, this is a 'new' army, run by politics and not by itself. So.... anyways, like I said it's all rubbed me wrong and I'll be back out here sooner than later, 1 year on 1 year off BS!