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Need a bit of help with listing. I recently got back into 40K (last played 2nd edition) And even though I used to play Eldar, I really love the style of the Tau. I dont have any Tau models yet so want to get started small. Our local shop has small army games @ 650 points with house rules of no 2+ saves and armor value being no more than 33 total. So I'm looking to do a list that I can swap between that 650 and the common 750 units. So for the 650 I need a bit of help pairing down my list.

I'm trying to maximize the hunter contingent

Hunter Cadre-Commander w twin linked fusion blaster, EWO, Drone controller and 2 Marker Drones=142pts

3 -5 man Fire Warrior Strike Teams=135 pts

2 Crisis Suits-ea w Twin Linked Fusion and Vector Thrusters=94pts

4 man Pathfinder team- W Recon Drone =72pts

Sniper Drone-58pts

Optimized Stealth Cadre
3 man Stealth suits unit-3 =90pts
1 Ghostkreel-130 points

Total points =721 so I need to drop 71 points and I can't take Broadsides because of the 2+ save... I'm thinking I may have to forgo the stealth cadre and just run a drone net for my auxiliary. If I do that it frees up 93 point and maybe I do a second unit of 2 crisis suits with a more anti mod load out like flamers and burst cannons...Please thoughts I'm definately open to suggestions.

Also I have a question on the Vector thrust system does each individual model need to take it in a unit? or just one model?

Looks like a solid start. Typically when running a Commander with Marker Drones, it's a good plan to give the Commander a Target Lock, so that he can shoot at a different target than the Drones. The OSC is a tight squeeze at 650 points. I think a Drone Net and some more Crisis Suits is a good plan. I wouldn't go Flamers and Burst Cannons though. Tau don't need more S5 shooting and Flamers are fine if used exclusively as an Overwatch defender, but not really worth it otherwise. I would get some Missile Pods to help with transport busting or Plasma Rifles to roast Space Marines.

As for the Vectored Retro Thrusters, only one model needs it for the unit to benefit. However, it is an Initiative test and Tau initiative isn't exactly impressive at 2. I would include a Gun Drone in that squad. Drones have I4, greatly increasing your chances of making successful hit and run roles.

Awesome info thanks. I didn't think about the target lock issue. Also good to know about the vector thrust as I had thought it was each model just like weapons so that opened up another 5 points. Based on the above suggestions (bolded) I'm thinking the below. I ditched the recon drone figuring the extra marker lights from the drone network would more than make up that.

1-Commander -Twin Link Missile Pod, Drone Controller, Target Lock 2 Marker Drones- 142pts

3-5 man Fire warrior Strike teams- 135pts

1 unit of 2- Crisis Suits- twin link fusion/Vector thrust. 1 shield drone 106pts (For shoot and scoot armor wrecking the shield drone increases survive ability for 1 of the 2 models at a 4+ invul save or would the guardian drone be better to give a 6+ invul to both units?)


1 unit of 2- Crisis Suits- Drone Controller/ 1 Gun Drones- 107pts (standoff and fire support unit almost like Broadside light)
1- Twin linked missile pod with drone controller and 1 assigned missile drone
1- Twin Linked Plasma with advanced targeting

Sniper drone team -58

Piranha -45 pts

Drone Relay- (4 Marker drones) 56pts.

Total-649points-

So any issues with not having early warning on any of the units? Are the drone controller options on the 1 crisis suit unit worth it? for only 1 drone or would the 16 points it cost me be better spent elsewhere?
Would it be better to swap out the pathfinders for a Piranha with sensor spines if points allow? for grabbing objectives and because it's a bit more durable. (I didn't want to sacrifice model count but if the scouts go up in flames easily maybe the additional speed/fire power of the Piranha is better?

And are you sure the vectored thrust is only required on 1 suit to give it to the other as well. I read some other info that because it's a hard point each suit would need it to do the move.(so I've currently selected 2 for 10 points in the shoot and scoot)

Also is it better to forgo the twin linked on the units because of little need due to the marker light ability?

ssgmeader wrote:
So any issues with not having early warning on any of the units? Are the drone controller options on the 1 crisis suit unit worth it? for only 1 drone or would the 16 points it cost me be better spent elsewhere?
Would it be better to swap out the pathfinders for a Piranha with sensor spines if points allow? for grabbing objectives and because it's a bit more durable. (I didn't want to sacrifice model count but if the scouts go up in flames easily maybe the additional speed/fire power of the Piranha is better?

And are you sure the vectored thrust is only required on 1 suit to give it to the other as well. Also is it better to forgo the twin linked on the units because of little need due to the marker light ability?

1. Not having EWO isn't an issue per say. It depends how deep strike heavy your meta is. If you run up against lots of Drop Pod Marines, they're a good include, but I wouldn't consider them mandatory.
2. I don't think the Drone Controller is worth it in the Crisis team. You're only buffing a couple of Drones and only to BS3. Additionally, Crisis suits can't take Missile Drones, only Broadsides can. Crisis suits also can't take Guardian Drones, only Breachers can.
3. In general, Pathfinders are pretty poor. They have terrible toughness and armour, BS3 and must remain stationary. Markermanders and Drone Nets are the best Markerlight sources. Sky Rays and Tetras are also good. You don't need hyper market support at this points level anyway. I would take a Piranha over them. Nice and fast objective grabbers.
4. Rules as written: "A unit that contains at least one model with this special rule that is locked in combat can choose to leave close combat at the end of any turn. If the unit does so, it must take an initiative test (Page 165)". Only one model needs it for the unit to benefit. Keep in mind though that if the suit with the VRT dies, the rest of the unit loses the ability.
5. In general, I would take two weapons over Twin-Linking. It costs a few more points, but you double your firepower. With Markerlights, your units should be reliably shooting at BS4/5.

Thanks for all that. I totally missed the notated #4 on the drone list!! And got stuck on the This MODEL wording on the vector thruster..I didnt think to read the actual ability rule for hit and run in the main rule book. I like the thought of Tetras but I don't know if non GW models are acceptable in our local meta so I will be holding off on those. Seems really tough to squeez in dual weapons at this point base, I had to change a couple load outs and drop some attached drones. For the same points I wonder if I could have just added an extra crisis suit, But I dont want to over think anything either. So again based on your suggestions.

Commander-twin linked Burst Cannon, target lock, drone controller/ 2 marker light drones-137pts

3 Squads of 5 Fire Warriors-135

2 Crisis Suits- Twin Linked Fusion,1 w Vector Thrust, 1 w flamer-89pts

2 Crisis Suits-One with 2 Plasma Rifle, advance targeting system- 112pts (I like the stand off and shoot capability of this unit on paper)
One with 2 Missle PoD, EWO-

1-Piranha-Sensor Spines/ Blacksun Filter- 46pts

1-Unit Sniper Drones-58pts

1-Drone network-56pts

Total cost currently - 638

That leaves me with 12 points for a drone do I add a marker to the network or do something different? Like upgrade the Piranha with a twinlinked SMS? Or add a shield drone to one of the shoot and scoot Suits?

I really appreciate eveyones help on this I really like how the list is looking. I'll definitely take advise on weapon load outs. Like stripping down the commander to get points to go from twinlinked to dual fusions on the 2 suits. But again thats like a 20 point difference so I dont know how feasable it is. I was comfortable dopping the Commander to burst cannons because again total armor value you can have in these house rules is 33. So there shouldnt be a ton of stuff to worry about on the board. At best you get 1 Rhino/Drop Pod/Wave Serpent or Dreadnaught.

ssgmeader wrote:
Thanks for all that. I totally missed the notated #4 on the drone list!! And got stuck on the This MODEL wording on the vector thruster..I didnt think to read the actual ability rule for hit and run in the main rule book. I like the thought of Tetras but I don't know if non GW models are acceptable in our local meta so I will be holding off on those. Seems really tough to squeez in dual weapons at this point base, I had to change a couple load outs and drop some attached drones. For the same points I wonder if I could have just added an extra crisis suit, But I dont want to over think anything either. So again based on your suggestions.

Commander-twin linked Burst Cannon, target lock, drone controller/ 2 marker light drones-137pts

3 Squads of 5 Fire Warriors-135

2 Crisis Suits- Twin Linked Fusion,1 w Vector Thrust, 1 w flamer-89pts

2 Crisis Suits-One with 2 Plasma Rifle, advance targeting system- 112pts (I like the stand off and shoot capability of this unit on paper)
One with 2 Missle PoD, EWO-

1-Piranha-Sensor Spines/ Blacksun Filter- 46pts

1-Unit Sniper Drones-58pts

1-Drone network-56pts

Total cost currently - 638

That leaves me with 12 points for a drone do I add a marker to the network or do something different? Like upgrade the Piranha with a twinlinked SMS? Or add a shield drone to one of the shoot and scoot Suits?

I really appreciate eveyones help on this I really like how the list is looking. I'll definitely take advise on weapon load outs. Like stripping down the commander to get points to go from twinlinked to dual fusions on the 2 suits. But again thats like a 20 point difference so I dont know how feasable it is. I was comfortable dopping the Commander to burst cannons because again total armor value you can have in these house rules is 33. So there shouldnt be a ton of stuff to worry about on the board. At best you get 1 Rhino/Drop Pod/Wave Serpent or Dreadnaught.

Looks like a solid start!

You really need to remove those twin linked weapons, and turn them into dual weapons. Also, please dont mix weapons in a unit. If you equip one guy with a plasma gun, all the weapons in the squad should be plasma. Otherwise you will be "wasting" shots when you use the squad.

Lastly, as others have said, dont use flamers/burst cannons. Both require you to get far too close to your enemy.

Give your commander dual missile pods. They are the same range as his markerdrones, and will allow you to stay WAY back from the action (which is where he wants to be).

If I were to organize your suits, it would be like such (not counting points):
1 commander, dual missile pods
2 suits, dual plasma guns (to be aggressive and kill marines)
1 suit, dual missile pods (take out light armor at range)
1 suit, dual fusion gun (suicide DS and take out heavy armor)

@ 650 the points thats the issue I'd love to go all dual but I don't appear to have the points in order to do it I'd have to strip everything else to bare bones and only use 2 hard points on each of the suit for the weapons, unless it's not worth having a hunter contingent to take advantage of the special rules? I do like the thought of moving the missiles over to the commander though.