[Fatbudda319]

Hi guys, new here and hoping to build a competitive 1500 Tau list.

Now I'm not expecting it to be great and feel free to rip it apart as I have zero experience with Tau and am still in the planning stage.

HQ:
Commander 177pts
x2 Marker Drones
x2 Missile Pods
Iridium battlesuit
Drone Controller, Target Lock


Elites:
Riptide 190 pts
Ion Accelerator, twin linked plasma
Early warning override,

x6 Crisis Battle suite 347pts
Shas'vre Control and Command Node and multi-spectrum sensor suite
Others with with x2 Missile Pod, Target Lock (one without target lock)

x3 Crisis Battle Suite 166pts
All with x2 Fusion Blasters and Target Lock

Troops:

x8 Fire Warriors 72pts

x8 Fire Warriors 72 pts

x8 Fire Warriors 72 pts

Fast Attack:
X4 Path Finders 44 pts

x4 Path Finders 44 pts

x4 Marker Drones 56pts

Heavy Support:
x3 Broadsides 210 pts
High Yield Missile Pods, twin linked smart missiles and Early Warning Override



Total: 1450pts

I still have 50 pts left that I'm not sure what to do with and I'm a little nervouse about the amount of low ap shots I have. ANy thoughts?

 

[Xabre]

HQ:
Commander 177pts
x2 Marker Drones
x2 Missile Pods
Iridium battlesuit
Drone Controller, Target Lock

Elites:
Riptide 190 pts
Ion Accelerator, twin linked plasma
Early warning override,

x6 Crisis Battle suite 347pts
Shas'vre Control and Command Node and multi-spectrum sensor suite
Others with with x2 Missile Pod, Target Lock (one without target lock)

x3 Crisis Battle Suite 166pts
All with x2 Fusion Blasters and Target Lock

Troops:

x8 Fire Warriors 72pts

x8 Fire Warriors 72 pts

x8 Fire Warriors 72 pts

Fast Attack:
X4 Path Finders 44 pts

x4 Path Finders 44 pts

x4 Marker Drones 56pts

Heavy Support:
x3 Broadsides 210 pts
High Yield Missile Pods, twin linked smart missiles and Early Warning Override



Total: 1450pts

I still have 50 pts left that I'm not sure what to do with and I'm a little nervouse about the amount of low ap shots I have. ANy thoughts?

You have a LOT of Markerlights. I think much more than you need in this army. there are 14 for 1500 points...

If you're gonna do that, then what I'd probably suggest is dropping the Pathfinders, and running the new Drone Network VX-1 that's being released in Montka. You run 4 squads of Drones, and ALL of your drones (which means you can add missile drones, gun drones, shielded missile drones, etc) gain +1BS, and they even gain interceptor, skyfire, etc etc.

Any points left over I'd throw into Seeker Missiles on your Broadsides, so you have something else to do with your penlights.

 

[Fatbudda319]

You have a LOT of Markerlights. I think much more than you need in this army. there are 14 for 1500 points...

If you're gonna do that, then what I'd probably suggest is dropping the Pathfinders, and running the new Drone Network VX-1 that's being released in Montka. You run 4 squads of Drones, and ALL of your drones (which means you can add missile drones, gun drones, shielded missile drones, etc) gain +1BS, and they even gain interceptor, skyfire, etc etc.

Any points left over I'd throw into Seeker Missiles on your Broadsides, so you have something else to do with your penlights.

Thanks for the advice, any idea when the Mont'ka will be being released separately because I'd rather not have to shell out £90 to get the rules for those drones!

 

[darkreever]

any idea when the Mont'ka will be being released separately because I'd rather not have to shell out £90 to get the rules for those drones!

Might be a good idea to check out the Mon'ka thread over in news and rumours. Might be of some assistance in your endevours.

 

[Fatbudda319]

You have a LOT of Markerlights. I think much more than you need in this army. there are 14 for 1500 points...

If you're gonna do that, then what I'd probably suggest is dropping the Pathfinders, and running the new Drone Network VX-1 that's being released in Montka. You run 4 squads of Drones, and ALL of your drones (which means you can add missile drones, gun drones, shielded missile drones, etc) gain +1BS, and they even gain interceptor, skyfire, etc etc.

Any points left over I'd throw into Seeker Missiles on your Broadsides, so you have something else to do with your penlights.

I've tried adding dropping the 2 pathfinder squads and adding in 3 more drone squads but this leaves me over by 30 points, I've dropped the 2 drones on the commander (I figure he can just join a squad of them) but this still leaves me 6 points over. However I think this makes me loose the Hunter Cadre? What would you recommend?

Might be a good idea to check out the Mon'ka thread over in news and rumours. Might be of some assistance in your endevours.

Thank you, that thread was actually very helpful.

 

[Xabre]

I've tried adding dropping the 2 pathfinder squads and adding in 3 more drone squads but this leaves me over by 30 points, I've dropped the 2 drones on the commander (I figure he can just join a squad of them) but this still leaves me 6 points over. However I think this makes me loose the Hunter Cadre? What would you recommend?

there was actually nothing to suggest you were going for the Hunter Cadre. I assumed Combine Arms Detachment.

 

[Fatbudda319]

I've tried adding dropping the 2 pathfinder squads and adding in 3 more drone squads but this leaves me over by 30 points, I've dropped the 2 drones on the commander (I figure he can just join a squad of them) but this still leaves me 6 points over. However I think this makes me loose the Hunter Cadre? What would you recommend?

there was actually nothing to suggest you were going for the Hunter Cadre. I assumed Combine Arms Detachment.

Ahh fair enough. Well any advice on what I could do with my spare 50 points? Also would you say missile pods over plasma on the broadsides? I'm concerned about my lack of low ap and drop pod ding space marines could cause me problems.

 

[Xabre]

Honestly, you need to task your units.

You have a 6-man crisis unit with missiles. Not bad, because Missiles are a strong all-comers weapon, but what's the unit doing? Is he hunting EVERYTHING? Because honestly, at that point, adding the Buffmander to your Broadsides would be more efficient, since they can output more firepower with their HYMPs.

You could perhaps change the configurations a bit... use a trio of Crisis with Plasma, your large Broadside squad with a buffmander, and then either go back to the pathfinders or keep with lots of drones.

Alternatively, stick with the pathfinders but run a bunch of ion or rail rifles for them, instead of marker duties. That will give you some Ap1/Ap2.

 

[Fatbudda319]

That sounds fair what load out do you use on the buffmander? CCN, MSSS, IA, NSJ, PEC and stims? Comes it at 177pts seems expensive but I suppose I could bounce him around between the riptide and broadsides?

Changing my commander to that and my suites to a 3 man unit with Early Warning Over drive. I've then added 1 x4 man path finder squad (hunter cadre) and x4 drones squads (not sure on what balance of marker and gun drones to run) would leave me with 102 points left, I'm not sure what I could use these on? Either try and find another 13 points and add in a sky ray or 23 points and add a Hammer head in? Or add in a fireblade and flesh out my fire warrior squads/ add rail rifles to my path finders?

 

[Xabre]

That sounds fair what load out do you use on the buffmander? CCN, MSSS, IA, NSJ, PEC and stims? Comes it at 177pts seems expensive but I suppose I could bounce him around between the riptide and broadsides?

An Independent Character can not join a Monstrous Character. Buffmander can't benefit a Riptide.

Changing my commander to that and my suites to a 3 man unit with Early Warning Over drive. I've then added 1 x4 man path finder squad (hunter cadre) and x4 drones squads (not sure on what balance of marker and gun drones to run) would leave me with 102 points left, I'm not sure what I could use these on? Either try and find another 13 points and add in a sky ray or 23 points and add a Hammer head in? Or add in a fireblade and flesh out my fire warrior squads/ add rail rifles to my path finders?

were you still trying my idea with the Drone Network? if so the pathfinders should fill the 'fast' slot, and you can run two or three squads with special weapons, while the Drones from the Network are chock full of markers.

 

[Fatbudda319]

An Independent Character can not join a Monstrous Character. Buffmander can't benefit a Riptide.

I didn't realize that to be honest. I've clearly been reading old posts about them.

were you still trying my idea with the Drone Network? if so the pathfinders should fill the 'fast' slot, and you can run two or three squads with special weapons, while the Drones from the Network are chock full of markers.

Right ok, with the adjustments this is what my list looks like:

Buffmander 177 pts
CCN, MSSS, NSJ, PEC, Stim, IA (Is this the normal load out?)

Riptide 190 pts
Early Warning overdrive, Ion Accelerator, Twin Linked Plasma

x3 Crisis Battlesuit 156pts
All with x2 Fusion Blasters

x3 Crisis Battlesuit 171pts
All with early warning overdrive and x2 Plasma

2 x8 Strike Teams 72pts each

1 x7 Strike Team 63 pts

Pathfinders 96pts
x2 rail rifles

Pathfinders 70pts
x1 Rail rifle

x3 Broadsides 210pts
All with Early warning over ride HYMP and Plasma

Auxiliary: 4 x4 marker drone squads

Gives me 1501 so I'd need to trim something.

Think the Pathfinders are worth it? If I just run a standard 4 man squad as my fast attack option I can fit a Skyray in without changing anything else, I dont know if this would be a better investment than 4 extra pathfinders with 3 rail rifles? Not sure if having a lone Vehicle would be a good idea but the riptide might help?

 

[Xabre]

Right ok, with the adjustments this is what my list looks like:

Buffmander 177 pts
CCN, MSSS, NSJ, PEC, Stim, IA (Is this the normal load out?)

It's an expensive loadout, but not bad. It makes for a very 'tanky' buffmander, but honestly, he should be hiding in the back of the unit so as to not be taking hits. Therefore, I'd skip the defensive wargear. No Iridium, no StimInjector. I don't think you want to be within 12", so that would take out the Jammer.

Riptide 190 pts
Early Warning overdrive, Ion Accelerator, Twin Linked Plasma

You lack anti-air, maybe give this guy a VeloTracker also?

x3 Crisis Battlesuit 156pts
All with x2 Fusion Blasters

Not bad but just know this becomes a suicide squad to deep strike behind heavy armor.

x3 Crisis Battlesuit 171pts
All with early warning overdrive and x2 Plasma

Plasma Interceptor? That's different. Concerned about deep striking terminators?

2 x8 Strike Teams 72pts each

1 x7 Strike Team 63 pts

Pathfinders 96pts
x2 rail rifles

Pathfinders 70pts
x1 Rail rifle

x3 Broadsides 210pts
All with Early warning over ride HYMP and Plasma

I wouldn't bother with Plasma. You definitely seem concerned about EWO + Plasma. I'm seeing a trend. But HWMP + SMS is a great combination. EWO is good here, because even against fliers you've got some ignore cover and you can roll a lot of dice for 6s against fliers to try a nd glance em down.

Auxiliary: 4 x4 marker drone squads

This is probably my fault. The Drone-Net VX1-0 Formation can only be an Auxiliary for a Dawn Blade Contingent, not a Hunter Contingent. I probably wasn't clear. So I was suggesting using them simply as another formation, side by side with your Hunter Contingent. But it requires you to have another something in the Auxiliary slot.

Gives me 1501 so I'd need to trim something.

Think the Pathfinders are worth it? If I just run a standard 4 man squad as my fast attack option I can fit a Skyray in without changing anything else, I dont know if this would be a better investment than 4 extra pathfinders with 3 rail rifles? Not sure if having a lone Vehicle would be a good idea but the riptide might help?

If you drop the wargear I mentioned on the Commander, that's 47 points. If you drop the wargear I mentioned on the Plasma Crisis, that's another 15. Another 15 for the plasma on the Broadsides, giving you just over 100 points. I'd use 45 of that to give each pathfinder squad the full 3 Rail Rifles, since you were concerned about ap2. I'd probably also bulk up the Strike teams, maybe give them the support turrets (with missile pods), so you have some more small arms fire for hordes.

Since you were planning to use the Drones as your Aux option, you don't need 4 squads. You could drop some easily enough. Or you could keep them, try to use the VX1-0 formation, but you'd need another Aux option instead. maybe a lone flier?

 

[Fatbudda319]

Hmm, not sold on the pathfinders with rail rifles, just seem expensive for what you get? I like the other points though, how about something like this?


HQ:
Commander 137pts
CCN, MSSS, NSJ, PEN

Elites:
Riptide 190pts
Ion Accelerator, Twin plasma, EW

X3 Crisis Suite 156pts
X2 Fusion Blasters

X3 Crisis Battle Suite 156pts
x2 plasma rifle

Troops:
3 x8 Strike Team 226pts
1 with smart missile system support turret

Fast Attack:
x4 pathfinder team 44pts

Heavy Support:
X3 Boadsides 210pts
HYMP, EWO

Auxiliaries:
Razorshark 150pts
Missile Pod

Additional formation:
VX1-0 formation, 4 x4 marker drones (might run some as gun drones) 224pts

Total Points: 1493pts

 

[Xabre]

Looks good. A bit more 'traditional', but let's face it, traditional tends to be what works.

My only thing now is simply that you have SO MANY markerlights. the drones from the VX1-0 will have BS3 Markers, same as the pathfinders. So yeah, definitely run one or two squads of the drones as guns.

 

[Fatbudda319]

I've been playing around with an alternate list as well, which do you think would be most effective?


Hunter Contingent Detachment
Hunter Cadre

Command
Commander 2x MV7 Marker Drone, Drone Controller, 2x Missile Pod, Target Lock, XV8-02 Crisis 'Iridium' Battlesuit, Neuroweb System Jammer

Elite
XV104 Riptide Advanced Targeting System, Heavy Burst Cannon, Twin-linked Smart Missile System, Velocity Tracker
XV104 Riptide Early Warning Override, Ion Accelerator, Twin-linked Fusion Blaster
3 Man Battlesuit unit x2 Fusion Blasters

Fast Attack
4x Marker Drone

Heavy Support (As individual units for the +1 BS?)
XV88 Broadside HYMP EVO
XV88 Broadside HYMP EVO
XV88 Broadside HYMP EVO

Troops
5 man Strike Team
5 man Strike Team
5 man Strike Team
5 man Strike Team

Auxiliary
Optimized Stealth Cadre
2x XV25 Stealth Battlesuits with Burst Cannon, 1x Stealth with Fusion Blaster
2x XV25 Stealth Battlesuits with Burst Cannon, 1x Stealth with Fusion Blaster
XV95 Ghostkeel Advanced Targeting System, Cyclic Ion Raker, Early Warning Override, Twin-linked Fusion Blaster

1500 points exact

 

[Xabre]

I like the second one a bit more. HOWEVER, I would try to make one change.

Remove the Ion Riptide and 2 Broadsides from the Hunter Cadre, and instead, take a Firebase Support Cadre. Any real difference? No, but IF all three fire at the same target, you can benefit from the +1 BS anyway, AND from Tank Hunter and Monster Hunter.

 

[Fatbudda319]

Can you have two auxilarys in with the hunter contingent?

 

[Xabre]

Oh yeah! I believe it's 0-2 Core (Hunter Cadre), 0-1 Command, and 1-10 Aux.