Tactical Command
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/

How much E:A Tau do you need?
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=5477		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Tactica [ Fri Nov 11, 2005 5:11 pm ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
As I'm really happy with the Tau WIP v4.2.4 formation structure, I started looking at my unit count again to see if I really have everything I want. I knew going in to this excersize that I needed more models to account for my usual proxies alone, but I thought I'd take an army look instead of a few formations alone.

So inventorying my E:A Tau, I noticed I had:

12 firewarrior stands - 1x form, 1x upg
13 Crisis stands - 3x form's, 1x Shas'o stand
6 Ion-heads - 1x cadre form or 1x cont form + upgr
9 Rail-heads - 1x cadre + upg or 2x cont form
28 drone stands - 7x form's !!!
15 Stealth stands - 2x form's, 1x upg
8 broadside stands - 2x form's
6 Pathfinders - 1x form, 1x upg
3 Devilfish stands - ??? (I'm light here for sure!)
15 Tetra - 2x form's, 1x upg
12 Piranha - 2x form's
3 Swordfish - 1.5x upg
4 Skyray - 4x upg
6 Stingray (HH TL-MP variants) - 1 form + upg
2 Narwhals - 1x form
6 Barracuda - 2x form's
2 Tiger Shark (ion variant) - 1x form
2 Moray (BFG Protectors?) - 1x form
1 Manta - 1x form
0 Orca
0 Dragon Fish
0 Kroot
0 Heavy Drones
(ST IG use for human aux)

So from that, the lists I've built lately seem to show that I don't have enough Swordfish, Rail-heads, Firewarriors, and devilfish. It would appear I have an abundant supply of drones though! I may have more piranha, stealth, and tetra than I'll ever use too.

So in order to have have flexible 5K-ish army I'm thinking I still need:

+12 FW stands
? ? 2x ?12.00
+11 devilfish
? ? 2x ?6.00 (5 will come from Sword Fish conversions)
+11 Rail-heads
? ? 3x ?7.00 (2 come from Swordfish conversions)
+5 Swordfish (equates to purchsing 10 rail-heads + 2 spare)
? ? 3x ?7.00
+2 Orca (1 for DrFish conversion)
? ?2x ?16.00

Kroot and heavy drones haven't really impressed me yet, so I'm OK with proxying those for awhile yet.

What do you think?
Author:  HecklerMD [ Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:37 pm ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
Hmmm...

My 3500 Pt List:
1 FW Cadre + DF
+ HH, +Skyray, +Ethereal
(575)

1 FW Cadre + DF
+ HH, +Skyray,
(500)

1 Crisis Battlesuit Cadre
+ Crisis, + Shas'o
(425)

1 HH Contingent
+HH (IC), +Skyray
(450)

1 Broadside Contingent
(300)

1 Stealth Contingent
(275)

1 Pathfinder Contingent +Devilfish
(175)

2 Fighter Squadrons
(250)
(250)

1 Strike Craft +Heavy Drones
(275)

<3475 Pts>

I'm ordering in three parts and trying to take advantage of FW's free shipping till xmas:

1 Tau Command Pack, 3 Packs of FW, 4 Packs of DF, 4 Packs RG HH, 1 Pack IC HH, 1 Pack Skyray, 2 Packs Broadsides, 3 Packs Crisis, 4 Packs Drones, 2 Packs Stealth, 2 Packs Pathfinders, 3 Packs Baracudas, 1 Pack Tigersharks.

Last order will probably throw in a Orca, a Manta and a pair of Protectors to proxy as Morays.

16 Stands of FW's, 8x 5 Per stand + 8x 4 Per stand +1 Drone, and 1 stand with the Ethereal, 2 Shield Drones, and 2 FW.  
Crisis and Stealths 3x Per stand, Broadsides 2x Per Stand.

Pathfinders, hmm, thinking 3 per stand w/ a drone, whats the size range for a PF Squad in 40K?

Good thing resin is so affordable!  :p  :8:
Author:  Tactica [ Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:44 pm ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
Heckler,

Yep, you have 9 HH in your list. I'm way light on HH as I've found when I start playing significant sized games. I like to have an option to go heavy mechanized from time to time. I've been using proxies like crazy LOL.

I also don't field crisis, broadsides, and stealth in every list. I've found that adding crisis as an upgrade then adding SC sometimes works better for me.

I need more FW infantry and devilfish - that's for sure. I've had times where I wanted to go more infantry heavy and have had to proxy a second unit of FWs. 3 formations of FW's are probably a rarity for me though.

I originally thought I was going to need more drones than I did in the end though. They are great for filler on other stands, but don't get used so much as stand alone or upgrades. :( I really thought I was going to like them, and in the end, I rarely have the points for them.

You seem to plan on good Skyray support. I've not been impressed with them and have 4 models, but typically I find that I use them for other models more than actual skyrays.

cheers,
Author:  Honda [ Sat Nov 12, 2005 2:22 am ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
8 firewarrior stands (will sculpt at least 8 more)
0 Crisis stands
6 Ion-heads
6 Rail-heads
0 drone stands
6 Stealth stands
0 broadside stands
6 Pathfinders
12 Devilfish stands
10 Tetra/Piranha (will scratch build some UAV's for these)
2 Swordfish (I use Skyrays as equivalents)
0 Skyray
4 Stingray (I use Skyrays as equivalents)
3 Scorpionfish (using Orcas, slight mods)
6 Barracuda
0 Tiger Shark
2 Moray (BFG Protectors)
2 Manta (will convert Snap-tite B-2's as proxies)
0 Orca
1 Dragon Fish (converted plastic space ship)
0 Kroot
0 Heavy Drones

Also plan on converting some 40K drones into what I'll call Cadre Support Platforms (CSP). What they will represent is HH-IC or Swordfish upgrades for things like a Hunter or Armored cadre.

What do I need to get? Probably some more Skyrays so that I could get another Stingray contingent, another FW bag, but if I don't, then I'll sculpt some, when the Tigershark A-X-10 comes out, I'll probably get those.

Not too interested in any auxila or Kroot at this point. Maybe at a higher points level, but now we're talking 5K points, so I don't see that happening for a little while.
Author:  Dobbsy [ Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
So far my inventory is:

20 units FW(4 units are being replaced with 2 new bags by FW due to mismoulds)
6 Rail Heads
6 Ion Heads
8 Devilfish
8 Crisis (2 units including the Shas'O and Shas'el)
1 Ethereal

I'm preparing this week to buy:

3 Skyray
2 Protectors(morays of course)
6 Stealth
6 Pathfinders
6 Broadsides
6 Stingrays

and possibly getting an Orca 2nd hand to use as a Dragonfish

I would like to include some Barracudas but don't really have the points free in my lists so :( I will wait to see how my AA will go without them
Author:  HecklerMD [ Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:42 pm ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
Quote (Tactica @ 11 Nov. 2005 (22:44))
Heckler,

Yep, you have 9 HH in your list. I'm way light on HH as I've found when I start playing significant sized games. I like to have an option to go heavy mechanized from time to time. I've been using proxies like crazy LOL.

I also don't field crisis, broadsides, and stealth in every list. I've found that adding crisis as an upgrade then adding SC sometimes works better for me.

I need more FW infantry and devilfish - that's for sure. I've had times where I wanted to go more infantry heavy and have had to proxy a second unit of FWs. 3 formations of FW's are probably a rarity for me though.

I originally thought I was going to need more drones than I did in the end though. They are great for filler on other stands, but don't get used so much as stand alone or upgrades. :( I really thought I was going to like them, and in the end, I rarely have the points for them.

You seem to plan on good Skyray support. I've not been impressed with them and have 4 models, but typically I find that I use them for other models more than actual skyrays.

cheers,

10, Actually.

Yeah, I like tanks too, my IG collection will have 29 LR in it, + hellhounds/chimeras/hydras, ect.  Oh, and SHTs!

My Tau list will be more balanced by comparison, 'cause thats how I see them working, more combined arms-like.  My 2 FW cadres are my general pourpose formations and will probably always be there.  Crisis I'll use more of if we keep them as inf so I can use them in cover.

Skyrays, well, old habit from the IG, everyone gets a hydra, so everyone gets a Skyray.  1 Shot AA5 (with ML) dont really thrill me though, hence the 2 flights of 'Cudas.  In my IG list I always use TBolts for A2G, but the 'Cudas will go on CAP till air threats are reduced.  We'll see how it goes.
Author:  Legion 4 [ Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:49 pm ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
Yes, I may have to get more F/W, Kroot, & Drones ?  But $$$ is high ! :oops:  Once I work out my TO&Es, I'll know ... :;):
Author:  Legion 4 [ Sat Nov 12, 2005 2:02 pm ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
Just thought of some "Q's" !?  Can Kroot be deployed/landed by Tau transport ?  Devilfish, Orca, Manta ?  ???  Or how about Gue' ? ???  Could make a difference on how you/I/we organize our TO&Es ?  ???   :alien:
Author:  asaura [ Sat Nov 12, 2005 6:41 pm ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
Only proper Tau troops can be transported under the current army list.

You all list far too few Orcas! Get 2 at the minimum, but more is better. I'm planning to go to 4, which is a bit too much for a 3k list, but not by much...  :p
Author:  Tactica [ Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:32 pm ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
Honda,

Going to sculpt infantry in Epic? ???

Second formation of Stingrays aye? I can only justify one formation - sometimes.

FW AX-10 Tiger... I'm right there with you... what the heck are they thinking!? They can't produce that model quick enough for my needs! :)

Swordfish as Skyrays... heh, why not sculpt some cool railgun upgrades for your HH's? Or do what I do, buy two rail-heads, use both railguns to convert a swordfish, then use the spare HH body and leftover turret and make a devilfish - no waste! ;)
Author:  Tactica [ Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:33 pm ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
Dobbsy,

3 FW formtions... common for you?
Author:  Tactica [ Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
Heckler,

Seems to be a common perspctive on the Skyrays. They are not really fulfilling their role very well. I put them in occassionally as I have the models, more AA is always welcomed against some opponents but they should be doing the job that your 2 barracuda formations are being taken for in your list. I too always take a formation of barracudas, not for CAP, but to intercept until the enemy fliers are gone if I have more activations... CAP if he has more formations/activations. Hmm...
Author:  Tactica [ Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:40 pm ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
Asaura,

Interesting observation about the Orcas. I wonder why so many people don't run them regularly. I know why I don't, but I wonder why more people don't.

This and the Skyray are worth seperate posts I think.

Cheers for the observation.
Author:  Honda [ Sun Nov 13, 2005 6:39 am ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?

Going to sculpt infantry in Epic?


Well, don't get too excited. They'll all be wearing camo ponchos and laying on the ground or in a crouch. This models one of my 40K FW units (aka The Wraiths).


Second formation of Stingrays aye? I can only justify one formation - sometimes.


So far, that's all I can do as well. However, it's more for the time where I might want a second fm in a larger game. No rush for these though.


Swordfish as Skyrays... heh, why not sculpt some cool railgun upgrades for your HH's? Or do what I do, buy two rail-heads, use both railguns to convert a swordfish, then use the spare HH body and leftover turret and make a devilfish - no waste! ;)


Part of my desire to take this path is that I never really liked the look of the original Swordfish and at the same time, in my 40K force I wanted a Hammerhead equivalent that could double for a rail gun or an ion.

What I settled on was the Skyray turret, surmising that either capability could be explained with a different missile loadout, hence the creation of a vehicle that I called the Stonefish FSV (Fire Support Vehicle).

When it came time for modeling in Epic, I just borrowed the same concept and applied it to different vehicles in our list. Trying to capitalize on the perceived Tau pragmatism, I imagine that the Skyray could manifest itself as several different weapons types, simply by modifying the weapons carried or support software programs.

So, Skyrays are Stingrays are Swordfish are...

Besides, I love how the Skyray looks... ? ?:D
Author:  Legion 4 [ Sun Nov 13, 2005 7:55 am ]
Post subject:  How much E:A Tau do you need?
Thanks assura ... :D the Kroot and Gue' walk ! :(
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/