1000 points of Tau in need of evaluation

[Angel]

This is a list that I've been thinking about for the last couple of days. The aim with the list is to make a viable list with variety based on what I've already have, and that's the battleforce and a Piranha.

Shas'el (127 points)
Fusion Blaster
Plasma Rifle
Targeting Array
HW Multi-tracker
HW Drone Controller
2 Shield Drones

Crisis Suit (62 points)
Plasma Rifle
Missile Pod
Multi-Tracker

Crisis Suit (62 points)
Plasma Rifle
Missile Pod
Multi-Tracker

3 Stealth Suits (102 points)
Fusion Blaster
Team Leader
Hard-Wired Target Lock

12 Fire Warriors (220 points)
Shas'ui
Bonding Knife
Devilfish
Disruption Pod

15 Kroots (105 points)

6 Gun Drones (72 points)

Piranha (70 points)
Fusion Blaster
Targeting Array

Hammerhead Gunship (180 points)
Railgun
Multi-Tracker
Disruption Pod
Smart Missile System
Target Lock

Total Points: 1000

I have some issues that I would appreciate some help with. The first one is regarding the Shas'el, while Helios is a good setup I'm a bit worried that he is going to be so close to the enemy, 12'' is the limit of my 'comfort zone'. Therefore I've been thinking of a different build which swaps the Fusion Blaster and the Targeting Array for a Cyclic Ion Blaster instead which makes you more effective at ranges more than 12'' away from the enemy.

The Second issue is regarding the kroots. I have 12 of them right now but a friend has offered to trade me some that he has so I will have 16 when that is done. As they are intened as a counter assult unit I wonder wether it would be more beneficial if I have 3 or 4 Hounds instead of the extra Kroot over 12 (the number of hounds would depend on the build on the commander).

[Shas'o Ahab]

I'm gonna go a bit backwards here, so bear with me. Oh, and welcome to TO . And I'm going to suggest trimming points and adding things even though you said you were trying to just use mostly the Battleforce and a Piranha.

I've heard most people are fans of the 10 Kroot and 5 Kroot Hounds setup (I don't use Kroot, but I'm weird). I think the whole unit is only 100pts and can still Outflank.

I personally love a Shas'el with TA (Targeting Array), HWMT (Hard Wired Multi-Tracker), SI (Stimulant Injector) and for weapons a Plasma Rifle and a Cyclic Ion Blaster. I think it comes out to 110pts and does the job (shoots TEqs and... lots of other stuff well) without going overboard. I use cover/my Devilfish extensively to hide my suits behind so Invulns are superfluous to me.

If you want you could replace the SI with a(+) Shield Drone(s). That's essentially what you have already. I actually brought a Shield Drone last game (got krumped but it wasn't my list's fault) and my commander survived the whole game, so I'm okay with them.

I don't really care for Fireknife setups (Plasma Rifle + Missile Pod) because of their conflicting: range and AP. The optimal range for the Plasma Rifle is 12" (which is not really the optimal range for any XV8) while the Missile Pod fires at full capacity from 36" away. A Firestorm (Burst Cannon + Missile Pod) and a Helios (Fusion Blaster + Plasma Rifle) are better for handling different situations (a Firestorm will eat Hordes while a Helios chews up T/MEqs). By switching one suit to a Helios you also get more anti-tank (or at least keep what you lose by ditching the FB on your HQ).

I don't like the Team Leader upgrade on Stealth unless I'm bringing an SMT (which I do often... actually the rest might be useful to you as well). If I'm not planning on purchasing that markerlight (s)he's just not worth it. The Target Lock and Fusion Blaster I'd normally say drop but you're thin on Anti-Tank so IMO keeping 'em is a good idea.

I don't think Gun Drone squadrons are worth it at 1000pts. There are just too many other things you "need" . With those 72 points and the... (62-50=12 ) 12pts you can save by switching a Fireknife to Geico a Firestorm you could get an A.S.S. equipped XV88, and boy are they hot . I like them because I can walk them on from TER (Table Edge Reserves) and shoot some weasely enemy tank that's running from LoS of my Hammerhead/Fusion Suits. If you wanted to do that though, you'd need a Positional Relay... Oh well. A vanilla XV88 is lovely too.

And the Hammerhead should drop some toys. It's going to be a big target for the enemy and it doesn't need to hurt any more when they get it down (oh, and they will). I just run a Disruption Pod, Multi-Tracker, Railgun, and Burst Cannon equipped Hammerhead, and it comes out to around 165pts IIRC.

Aside from that it looks fine. I think maybe you should tell us what you expect to fight (not necessarily a single army, but in general which armies you expect to see or struggle against at your LGS) and we could help more.

Cheers :funny:

[juraigamer]

Dropping the team leader and fusion blaster on the stealth team is what I would change. Stealth teams want to be as far away as possible to make use of their stealth field.

You need a disruption pod on your piranha, otherwise its 60+ points made of paper for your enemy to easily destroy.

Your only ranged anti armor piece is the hammerhead, which will miss 40% of the time.

That being said, I recommend making all of your XV8 suits helios. However this could make taking down transports problematic, thus I would have the last XV8 run a Twin linked Missile pod plus a Targeting array. You could also change the one helios suit to a bodyguard for the commander, but make sure to give your commander a bonding knife.

Having hounds in a group of kroot is a very good idea. They tend to attack before your opponents, so you can thin out your enemy before they try to hit you.

I also recommend getting a broadside or two for your next heavy support option, they are very very good a taking down enemy armor, more so than the hammerhead.

[Angel]

I think maybe you should tell us what you expect to fight (not necessarily a single army, but in general which armies you expect to see or struggle against at your LGS) and we could help more.

Mainly I expect to face Space Marines, Chaos Space Marines, Eldar, Necrons, Tyranids and possibly Imperial Guard. So I try to have an army that can be reasonable against all of those.

Team leader and fusion blaster on the Stealth Suits are gone.

I have already glued the suit that I have from the battleforce as a Fireknife so that can't be changed.

If I drop the Drones as well I have enough points to buy a Broadside with a Shield Drone that can keep him alive.

The 5 points saved if I replace the kroots with the 10 Kroot and 5 Hounds unit can be used to give the Piranha a Disruption Pod.

If I also change the Commander to the one suggested by Shas'el Ahab I have 20 points left to buy stuff for.

The other Fireknife suit can be replaced with either the Firestorm or twin-linked missile pod suit (Deathrain?) will give me a total of 28 or 25 points. Any suggestions?

I post the changed list here to give you an overview:

Shas'el (110 points)
Cyclic Ion Blaster
Plasma Rifle
Targeting Array
HW Multi-tracker
Stimulant Injector

Crisis Suit (62 points)
Plasma Rifle
Missile Pod
Multi-Tracker

Crisis Suit (50 points)
Burst Cannon
Missile Pod
Multi-Tracker

OR

Crisis Suit (53 points)
Twin-linked Missile Pod
Targeting Array

3 Stealth Suits (90 points)

12 Fire Warriors (220 points)
Shas'ui
Bonding Knife
Devilfish
Disruption Pod

10 Kroots (100 points)
5 Hounds

Piranha (75 points)
Fusion Blaster
Targeting Array
Disruption Pod

Broadside (85 points)
Drone Controller
Shield Drone

Hammerhead Gunship (180 points)
Railgun
Multi-Tracker
Disruption Pod
Smart Missile System
Target Lock

Total: 972 or 975 depending on what the second crisis suit is equiped with.

[juraigamer]

I have already glued the suit that I have from the battleforce as a Fireknife so that can't be changed.

With careful use of a knife or something similar, you can pop the stuff off with little to no damage, unless you applied way to much glue.

I would say to making your extra suit a BC + MP, gives you a missile pod and some good anti infantry shooting power.

Otherwise the list looks fine.

[Shas'o Ahab]

You're first value of points is wrong: (62-50=12) 975-12=/=973. It's 963.

Ya, try to never glue your XV8 weapons on (I know it's tempting because they fall off all the time, but don't). Some people magnetize theirs, I'm lazy so I just stick the little nubs where they're supposed to go and hope they stay. It works.

About you suits: I think a Helios (Fusion + Plasma, same cost as a Fireknife) setup is the best idea against Marines of any flavour (loyal or traitor) and certainly Necrons, but Eldar, Tyranids, and IG will die pretty quick to a Firestorm.

Now that I think about IG you might find yourself lacking AT (anti-tank)... Oh, and Wave Serpents have a special rule that downgrades all hits higher than Str8 to Str8 (so railguns are Str8) and negates the extra D6 from melta weapons. This rule is only in effect from shooting attacks to the side or front. So use you piranha to be sneaky and get it around the rear.

It looks about as good as we're gonna get it here... I still think you should drop the SMS of a pair of BC's (save 10pts) and the Target Lock (IIRC another 10 or 5)... So... I'd say WTF and go for the Firestorm, meaning 1000-963=37+15=52!!! Enough for another Firestorm or Deathrain!!! Yay!  The extra Firestorm/Deathrain is worth much more on the battlefield than the SMS & Target Lock (especially since you should be trying to move 12" every turn) IMO...