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.

Any advice?

I was going to end it there but it would be a bit hypocritical, I get annoyed at two word threads.

It's a 40k tournament and I'm taking my Tau. I've only played one game of 5th edition.

So things that would be helpful are little rules issues, things to think about during the game, and of course how to win a mind war with my opponent.

There's also sportsmanship score, so anything I should remember to either do, or not do, would also be good.

Wish me luck as well.

Good luck.

Decoy launchers are your friend.

How to win a mind war ? If it's capitalised, you're pretty screwed, as although (fluff-wise) tau have a minimal psychic presence, this doesn't help. You have no psykers or defenses.
You know all this already, though.

generally just be a nice guy.if your friendly and fun then most people will give you good sportsmanship.

have a skim through the rulebook the day before or while you're travelling there. read up on anything your not 100% about. having a quick look through will let you notice a whole bunch of stuff that slipped your eye before.

make sure you have everything the night before, then check again. its horrid when you get somewhere and you realise youve forgotten something major.

take a nice packed lunch. even if they provide food, if its a long day you'll probably get hungry at different times so take something to snack on.

bring beer. nothing in the whole world makes a tournament more enjoyable than a couple of pints of beer (ale preferably)

Have fun. Seriously, that's the best advice I can give anyone that is playing in a tourney, just have fun.
Play your best game, don't get too hung up over the rules (but don't let you opponent get away with BS either), and enjoy playing 3 or 4 or however many games it is.

Discuss terrain before you start.

Assume your opponent isn't a jerk, and speak to him a bit before the game. Thus, your relationship will not be solely defined as some guy you played.

Makes all the difference if you lost to Mark's Tyranids, rather than 'that guys Tyranids'

Bathe within 24 hours of the start of the tourney.

Bring some bottled water and snacks. Share with your opponents.

Assume you'll lose every game, that way if you win a few, it's a pleasant surprise.

Find at least one nice thing to say about the opponent's army. Sometimes, you have to try really hard. Even if you just offer, "hey, that's a really unique conversion." about the hideous mishmash of parts the guy used for his HQ.

Discuss terrain before you start. Are hills difficult terrain? Going up, down, just the rocky side? Are ruins area terrain to the edge of the base, or wysiwig, and you don't need a terrain test to get on the base, just into the ruins?

Sportsmanship:

Some tourneys use a checklist. See if the sign up has the checklist anywhere near
it and read it.

Two wins and a draw. Only 20 players though.

Tomorrow I face the player that's currently winning.

HQ - 88
Farseer w/ Singing Spear, Fortune - 88

TROOPS – 804
10x Dire Avengers, Exarch w/ Bladestorm, 2 Avenger Shuriken Catapults – 152
Wave Serpent w/ Spirit Stones, T-L Brightlance & Shuriken Cannon – 155
4x Jetbikes w/ 1 Shuriken Cannon – 98
10x Wraithguard, Spiritseer w/ Conceal & Singing Spear - 399

ELITES – 352
10x Banshees, Exarch w/ Executioner, Acrobatic and War Shout – 192
Wave Serpent w/ Spirit Stones, Star Engines, T-L Star Cannon & Shuriken Cannon – 160

HEAVY SUPPORT - 255
War Walker w/ twin Eldar Missile Launchers – 70
War Walker w/ twin Scatter Lasers – 60
Wraithlord w/Wraithsword, Eldar Missile Launcher and 2 flamers – 125

THIS ARMY IS REDICULOUS!

How on earth do I beat it????

Dawn of war with 4 bunkers as objectives (two each). Victory points, bonus 375 victory points for each bunker controlled (troop unit inside it like usual).

This is my list:

Shas'el - plasma rifle, missile pod, multitracker, 2 shield drones 117
2 Bodyguard 154
- plasma rifle, missile pod, targeting array, hardwired multitracker
- plasma rifle, missile pod, multitracker

2 Crisis - twin missiles, 1 blacksun filter, 1 shield drone 104
4 Stealths - team leader, markerlight, marker drone 165

11 Fire Warriors in Devilfish - disruption pod 195
11 Fire Warriors in Devilfish - disruption pod 195
10 Kroot 70
10 Kroot 70
10 Kroot 70

Hammerhead - railgun, gun drones, disruption pod 165
2 Broadsides - ASS, team leader, 2 shield drones 195

1500 points

First of all, try to predict what he is using each unit for.

I reckon he's made quite a mistake with his Troops....

First of all, Wraithguard are very slow, particularly for Eldar. Thus, I would expect them to be hanging back in an attempt to hold his nearest objectives, probably/possibly with the Wraithlord.

Dire Avengers appear to be his forward strike team, probably tagging in with the Banshees (Avengers soften you up, Banshees deliver Coup De Grace, next turn Avengers claim the objective).

First up, I'd take down the Jetbikes. These can be a pain in the bum for Tau, seeing as they can hassle your Battlesuits quite well. It also prevents him from nipping in last minute to contest objectives.

Broadsides...bit of a tricksy one, as it depends entirely on the cover, obviously. However, always remember the SMS don't need line of sight. With a little luck, this might catch him off guard, especially if a rear shot at his Waveserpents presents itself.

Bunkers wise, it's a good thing you have a lot of Krooticles. Get them inside the Bunkers, and you have a cheap, tough unit for him to winkle out which isn't too shabby at shooting (might as well be a Bolter!)

Do a barrel roll!

As for actual advice, I'd say you're better off using tactics you're familiar with than trying something you don't know because it might increase your chances slightly. It's always tempting to try something new that looks really keen
but you're probably better off using stuff you know works.

Eh, I did okay. I lost to rhino spam. In fact the rhino spam player won the tournament.

Dark angels.