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I was thinking of starting a 2nd army using tau. What are the best tactics and units to use in 8th edition? I was thinking of using a starter set with stealth suits as a starting force.

The codex should be out fairly soon (few months?), so I'd hold out to see what changes come of it.

Just as many seeker missiles and markerlights as you can. Spam those mortal wounds!. Piranhas, hammerheads+longstrike, with 2x seeker missiles each, and pathfinders/fireblade +new 1cp stratagem for +d3 extra hits on something you just lit, to hit at firers BS





...This is largely sarcasm, as collect units you like the look of/rule of cool, or wait for codex as above for winningest strats

From a 'getting prepared' perspective, you'll need troops, and the good news is that all of the Tau's troops are useful - Strike Teams provide good medium range dakka, Breachers are great short range dakka, and Kroot are good for screening against deep strike and are okay at shooting and melee, and they're all inexpensive enough to field in decent numbers.

If I was starting Tau over, I'd say grab a Start Collecting + 2 boxes of Fire Warriors. You can use the Crisis Suits as Commanders until the Codex drops, and 36 Strike Team Fire Warriors is a solid base for a Tau army no matter what comes.

BUY ORKS.

 John Prins wrote:
The codex should be out fairly soon (few months?), so I'd hold out to see what changes come of it.

Pretty much this at this point. However, the Tau getting started collection is an amazing bundle so if you're looking for a set of models to start out with, it'd be a good place to begin - though I would wait to glue anything permanent on your crisis suits.

On a personal level, I've found huge success with Stealthsuits in 8th Edition and giving them Advanced Targeting Systems.

All of did with the set was the warriors and drones

 orchewer wrote:

 John Prins wrote:
The codex should be out fairly soon (few months?), so I'd hold out to see what changes come of it.

Pretty much this at this point. However, the Tau getting started collection is an amazing bundle so if you're looking for a set of models to start out with, it'd be a good place to begin - though I would wait to glue anything permanent on your crisis suits.

On a personal level, I've found huge success with Stealthsuits in 8th Edition and giving them Advanced Targeting Systems.

That...is mathematically flawed.
The damage increase from the ATS on a single burst cannon does not worth the price, and just bringing more suits along is far more effective.

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (T'au Empire) [91 PL, 1736pts] ++

+ Troops +

Breacher Team [6 PL, 96pts]: 9x Fire Warrior, Fire Warrior Shas'ui, MV36 Guardian Drone, MV4 Shield Drone

Strike Team [6 PL, 116pts]: DS8 Tactical Support Turret w/ Missile pod, MV1 Gun Drone, MV4 Shield Drone
. Fire Warrior Shas'ui: Pulse rifle
. 9x Fire Warrior w/ Pulse Rifle

Strike Team [6 PL, 116pts]: DS8 Tactical Support Turret w/ Missile pod, MV1 Gun Drone, MV4 Shield Drone
. Fire Warrior Shas'ui: Pulse rifle
. 9x Fire Warrior w/ Pulse Rifle

+ Fast Attack +

Pathfinder Team [8 PL, 127pts]: MB3 Recon Drone, MV31 Pulse Accelerator Drone, MV4 Shield Drone
. 8x Pathfinder: 8x Markerlight
. Pathfinder Shas'ui: Markerlight
. Pathfinder w/ Rail Rifle: Rail rifle

Pathfinder Team [8 PL, 127pts]: MB3 Recon Drone, MV31 Pulse Accelerator Drone, MV4 Shield Drone
. 8x Pathfinder: 8x Markerlight
. Pathfinder Shas'ui: Markerlight
. Pathfinder w/ Rail Rifle: Rail rifle

+ HQ +

Commander Farsight [8 PL, 151pts]

Longstrike [11 PL, 195pts]: 2x Burst cannon, Railgun

+ Elites +

XV8 Crisis Battlesuits [14 PL, 300pts]: 3x MV1 Gun Drone, 3x MV4 Shield Drone
. Crisis Shas'ui: Advanced targeting system, Burst cannon, Missile pod
. Crisis Shas'ui: Advanced targeting system, Burst cannon, Missile pod
. Crisis Shas'vre: Advanced targeting system, Burst cannon, Missile pod

XV8 Crisis Battlesuits [14 PL, 300pts]: 3x MV1 Gun Drone, 3x MV4 Shield Drone
. Crisis Shas'ui: Advanced targeting system, Burst cannon, Missile pod
. Crisis Shas'ui: Advanced targeting system, Burst cannon, Missile pod
. Crisis Shas'vre: Advanced targeting system, Burst cannon, Missile pod

XV95 Ghostkeel Battlesuit [10 PL, 208pts]: 2x Fusion blaster, Advanced targeting system, Fusion collider, 2x MV5 Stealth Drone, Target lock

++ Total: [91 PL, 1736pts] ++

I was thinking of a list like this. What should I add to make it 2000pts?

The start collecting tau suits box is a good value. You will probably use everything in the box in an army. Down side is that they are all elite units.