Having played just one match (2 vs 2; tau/sm vs ork/imperial guard) i'd really like some advice in building a good Tau list... Are stealth suits and bombers really so bad? is there any very popular, "standard" list? What about this:

- Crisis cadre (BTW)
+ SC
+ 2 additional crisis

- Orca (embarks crisis)
- Recon (2 tetra, 4 piranha)
- Recon (2 tetra, 4 piranha)
- Stealth suits

- Fire warrior on devilfish
+ skyray

- Fire warrior cadre (garrison)
+ Broadside

- broadside group (garrison)
- AX-1-0 squadron
- Tigershark missile variant squadron
- Skysweep support

Tactics: Trying to form an aggressive, deep defense line with stealth and recon groups with ML and the 2 garrisoned groups (both with broadside firepower). Disembark early the SC, take advantage of "massive" use of guided missiles. slowly retire to starting zone when enemy approaches.

Opinion?

Hi Ramuh360 and welcome to the forums!

With regard to your list, I will only make a few points and let others pass on their wisdom.

Rememeber that whilst the Supreme Commander is off the table (in the Orca) you will not be able to use his SC re-roll. It is also a possible problem to have your SC in you BTS formation. It just means that if they die, you've lost your re-roll and given the enemy a victory point in one go. Usually better to make the BTS something else (I mostly use a beefed up Firewarrior Cadre).

With the recon formations as you've listed them, they cannot Garrison (needs at least 3 Tetras to do this). I know that you haven't put them on Garrison but I've found it to be a useful way to get ML's forward early and also to have a usable Scout shield to stop teleporting enemies (especially Terminators) from getting to the core of your army.

I've found the AX-1-0 to be very useful WHEN it turns up. Unfortunately, it has to be protected at all costs and often means that you focus too much attention on an air formation that may not even enter play.

Anyway, all the best with your Tau and I'd love to see photos and batreps of your games!

Cheers,
Steve.

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Thank you Onyx both for the advices and for the "welcome to the forums"!! ;-)

I'll surely try garrisoning at least one of the recon groups!! So:

- Crisis cadre
+ SC (well, i'll just try the SC embarked one time but you are right...)
+ 2 additional crisis

- Orca (embarks crisis)
- Recon (3 tetra, 3 piranha) GARRISON
- Recon (2 tetra, 4 piranha)
- Recon (2 tetra, 4 piranha)
- Stealth suits

- Fire warrior on devilfish (BTW)
+ skyray
+ broadside
+ Bonded

- Fire warrior cadre on devilfish
+ skyray

- broadside group GARRISON (or not? mmmh... is garrisoning two recon groups better?)
- AX-1-0 squadron
- Tigershark missile variant squadron

It's definitely good to garrison the Broadsides as that means they start on Overwatch...nasty. Depending on the board set up, it may be better to garrison them on the Blitz objective though. If they get garrisoned to far forward, they can be outmaneuvered and caught up in crossfires. They have a long enough range to be effective from the Blitz.

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Garrisoning the Broadsides on Overwatch is an excellent idea.

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Also remember that you can garrison as many of your formations as you like (and that qualify). The limit is only on the number of formations that can start on Overwatch (max of 2 formations).

Glad to see that E&C agrees with my Broadside suggestion .

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Gosh, i didn't notice that before!!
I have to read the rules more carefully...

I would be very hesitant to put my crisis in an orca. I have had some very bad experiences with them in the past.

If you want to use the orca I would consider carrying the FW's with Broadside upgrade. They make a good air assault formation.

It is also an idea to garrison your stealth suits on o/w. They are excellent blitz guards and the best defensive troops in the Tau list IMHO.

The TS missile boat I'm not a strong believer in. They seem to expensive compared to what they offer especially as they are reliant on ML's to do damage. It's what 1 AT4+, 9 AT5+ shots. I consider that worse than 4 HH's, 4AT5+ 4 AT3+ when ML.

- Crisis: why? Are they too risky? i put them on an orca to drop their macroweapon where are needed... In a recent game they drop in a building and crossfired (with orca itself) a formation of ork tanks and wiped them out.

- Stealth: sorry, what does o/w stays for?

- Missile boat: LOL, i like aircrafts in general because players in my local club don't use flaks and AA (for now,i suppose).

When air dropping/assaulting you can't actually use the transport aircraft for "crossfire" as, during the entire action, both the aircraft and the transported formation(s) are considered one formation for rules purposes. Still good practice for positioning though! *laugh*


"Overwatch"


Well, once AA starts building, your opinion may change...

Welcome to the boards!