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I'm looking to a 2K list with some experince I've had and I have an idea how I'd like to have the list work. I've had great luck with a three strong piranaha squadron in my last tourny, suprisingly for me almost the MVP in all three games, and I think adding them to the biker squads gives a great aggresive tau approach that will throw people off.
Forward Element: Captain Bike, Artificer, PW = 165
Bike Squad +5 bikers, x2 melta, Atk. Bike (Multi melta) = 285
Piranha Squadron x3, Fusion = 150
Turn 1 these guys rush forward, killing transports, blocking running lanes, or flat out to the rear tank support elements, as needed.
With bikers and the piranhas makeing an easy screen, taking midfieild with a couple of MCs easily done, also nice area for intercepting Deepstrikers and outflankers. Plus can always fall back under any pressure.
FWs with the fireblade manning the quad gun (Split fire standard, and using his markerlight when the quad gun fires interceptor) in the center flanked by two ionheads with thier backs against the edge of the board. Dpods give the ionheads 3+ cover without having to move, and there is a decent enough amount of firepower here for anything that gets close... lol 30" close
FW x9 = 81
FW x9 = 81
Extra troops to start in reserve or on any points/strategic ruins, or stretched out to create supporting fire zones.
At this point I'm running into a bit of a wall. First is I need some anti flyer capability, second is markerlights, thirdly there just doesn't seem to be enough dakka for the points level.
This is the best I can to fill up whats left. I've thought about a dakka filled crisis squad with marker drones, but really needs a commander to be effective, which would then mean droping the fireblade /shrug. Also this is a true 2k list, so double force org if needed, no 1999+1. Any input would be great.
Spoiler:
Captain Bike, Artificer, PW = 165
Bike Squad +5 bikers, x2 melta, Atk. Bike (Multi melta) = 285
FIrst your list is short one Tau HQ and Tau Troop for Dual FOC's, so you have one to many fast attack choices. The Marine HQ counts for the Allied detachment only.
I would drop one Pf squad pick up an Ethearal and stick him on the quad gun, leave the Fireblade in the 12 man squad for the triple tap at 30. Pickup 3 more FW's for a squad of 9 and two 6 FW squads. Now the Ethereal worth the points everyone is shooting something and you still have markerlights.
You are probably not going to get the ADL cover on the Ionheads from the ADL. The flying stem which is now required on them since the Landing gear (a nerf alot of folks over look) went away means any kind of elevation will from the firer or a lift on the Ion head will clear the top of the line. Same problem drones have with it. So will normally only be seeing a 6+ cover on the them.
The Razor is really a better dog fighter than most give it credit for. It has an almost 270 degree rear fir arc, making it a very strong dogfighter do to how the fly rules work. It should generally be able to get side or rear shots on most other flyers with a 4 S7 shots at 30".
-stupid stupid need 2 HQs for double force org. wasn't even thinking of that.
-no ethearals, you just suggested that I load up on FWs basicly changing the style of the list. Plus I have no reason to want to put extra victory points into my list saying here have free points for kiling this one character. The addition of biker squads was to allieviate the problem of having to mech up FWs or bring squishy kroot.
-also the ethearal lacks in BS and split fire abilities to the fireblade, and his leadership boosts IMHO are not worth it untill you start running 50-60+ FWs.
- short flight stands
so drop Razor probably and add Skyray and boost up the pathfinder squad sizes? to keep the force org happy, but then loose my own flyer, and pathfinders are also fairly squishy.
Actually was not really trying to change the list, so much as make the minimum FOC's with minimum changes and cost. I thought it matched you basic scheme pretty well. The Fire Blade was freed up to either add 3 shot with the rifle, or split off a markerlight. The Ethereal gets 4+ cover save and is running unattached so the quad gun still gets to split off, sure at BS3 but on TL guns. The extra FW just add some durability to a squad. But now I understand what you are going to for a bit more.
You could swap the Razor for a Storm Talon with Typhon launcher. It has better fire power, slightly better armor, and better BS. You already have the SM allies and the Fast Attack is open.
barnowl wrote: Actually was not really trying to change the list, so much as make the minimum FOC's with minimum changes and cost. I thought it matched you basic scheme pretty well. The Fire Blade was freed up to either add 3 shot with the rifle, or split off a markerlight. The Ethereal gets 4+ cover save and is running unattached so the quad gun still gets to split off, sure at BS3 but on TL guns. The extra FW just add some durability to a squad. But now I understand what you are going to for a bit more.
You could swap the Razor for a Storm Talon with Typhon launcher. It has better fire power, slightly better armor, and better BS. You already have the SM allies and the Fast Attack is open.
Actually thats a good idea with the storm talon. Just looking over some of the options quickly here... is the Typhon better than the skyhammer or TwL las for anti flyer?
Personally just don't like using Space popes or thier likes... just don't like giving away a free VP to a really squishy char. But would like to say I do understand large troop lists that would use them, just not what I'm going for here. And I do appreciate the input, I see you were trying to just add in min units there.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Cadre Fireblade = 60
You got 7 to spare, melta's on the biker Sarg. is a good buy. I like the Typhoons a bit better as you rarely need the 60" range against other flyers, it is a slightly stronger weapon, and does much better against heavy armor and ground targets.
Though I will say the TL lascannon makes a better dedicated Armor Hunter both in the air and on the ground.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/07/07 17:14:39
I like it, although I think you could increase your AA capacity somewhat by taking VT and fusion on the riptides rather than the plasma.
This would probably be more effective than the quad gun, not sure what to drop though.
I would like to point out that the list may struggle with hordes, especially tervi-spam nids (who can technically have 10 tervigons at 2k), or footblob guard. I don't see this list being able to take on 200+ bodies.
Other than that, I like it.
Note to the reader: my username is not arrogance. No, my name is taken from the most excellent of commanders: Lord Castellan Creed, of the Imperial Guar- I mean Astra Militarum - who has a special rule known only as "Tactical Genius"... Although nowhere near as awesome as before, it now allows some cool stuff for the Guar- Astra Militarum - player. FEAR ME AND MY TWO WARLORD TRAITS.
That last list is the first one I have seen where a Fireblade really makes a better HQ than Ethereal. Outflank a kroot squad with the ST on escort and you could have a very nasty surprise for some one.
Only question is why markerlights drones on the Fireblade? They have to shoot at what ever his squad is shooting at. I would thing GDs a better choice.
Only question is why markerlights drones on the Fireblade? They have to shoot at what ever his squad is shooting at. I would thing GDs a better choice.
Fireblade has split fire IIRC.
Note to the reader: my username is not arrogance. No, my name is taken from the most excellent of commanders: Lord Castellan Creed, of the Imperial Guar- I mean Astra Militarum - who has a special rule known only as "Tactical Genius"... Although nowhere near as awesome as before, it now allows some cool stuff for the Guar- Astra Militarum - player. FEAR ME AND MY TWO WARLORD TRAITS.
VTs on riptides go with the HBC not the Iontide... If I wanted anti air there are better options than the Iontide who has better priority targets on the board = my opinion on that matter
The point between gun drones and marker drones was kinda simple actually. In basic hope for the idea, anything that gets in the firebase range will be taking some firepower. The hope is to markerlight the target and use two of those to boost the FW squad getting 2-3 shots each, this also boosts the marker drones, and hopefully replaces the 2 markerlight hits I just used. Allowing other units to then shoot the target without much loss in markerlights.
but yes they have to shoot the same target as the firewarriors even though the fireblade has splitfire from the rest, and remember he has a markerlight option also.
RAWRR! 
