This is a document I have been working on for a while.  Now that I have several batreps (two up already and one to come shortly) to demonstrate the ideas I would like to offer it for your perusal.

It is a way of playing the Tau under the 5.1 incarnation.  It is not intended as the only way to play Tau or how the Tau are "suppossed" to play according to any persons view of the background.  It does make the Tau play in a fairly unique manner that you may find interesting.

Clausewitz – On Tau

The purpose of this document is to explain my thoughts on how the Tau can be played effectively in Epic Armageddon.  I appreciate that there is not, nor should there be, only one way to play the army, however, I believe that the ideas I will present will go a long way to helping any struggling Tau commanders.

Tau Philosophy of War

The background information on the Tau contains several pieces of Tau war methodology that I believe translate into the EA tactics that they should use.

Firstly, the Tau do not like to use tactics of attrition.  They do not use waves of attackers like the Imperial Guard or Orks might.  The Tau way of war is designed to preserve as much of their fighting forces as possible.  In EA this translates to the concept that if you have a choice between destroying an enemy or preserving your own forces you should, generally, choose the latter.

Secondly, the Tau prefer ranged shooting to close up fighting.  They are neither physically nor psychologically suited to close combat and their technology focuses on ranged weaponry.  In EA this translates simply as; Tau do NOT want to get involved in assaults whenever possible.

The Tau are known to utilise two main tactical systems.  Mont’ka (Killing Blow) and Kauyon (Patient Hunter).  It is my belief that the Tau in EA should mainly focus on pursuing the latter, Patient Hunter, strategy.  This involves “luringâ€Â

Well all my Tau are SIB, so I have no gaming experience with them ...  But it looks like these Tau tactics you list here have been well thought out and proven in games.  And your points about not fighting a battle of attrition and preferring ranged combat is the way I play all my Epic forces.  I prefer not to waste troops in attrition and to engage the enemy at long ranges ...  The Tau are the most "Modern" force/race in the 40K/Epic universe ... So IMO your points appear quite valid to me ...  But again, my Tau are SIB ...  

_________________
Legion 4 "Cry Havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War !" ... "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

Thanks L4.  I know not everyone is going to like these ideas, but if it helps some people that's all good. DWWFY (something like that isn't it?)  

Having seen your tactics first hand Clausewitz I have to say it is a tricky army to defeat.  On the flipside however it largely does become a gunline due to the number of scorpionfish. Your GM units, in the main, stayed in your deployment area.
It goes without saying how some feel about this style of the Tau at present....  

True, but are the GM boats meant to zoom around?

From Unit Description of the Scorpionfish
It forms part of the stout firing line at the back of the Tau army, anchoring the defences like a solid rock.

Yes they are.

Tau Missile barges do not exist in the background; The Scorpionfish was developed from the concept of an Orca armed with bombs and missiles as found in IA:3.

Somehow that ended up as a static missile barge instead of a mobile bomber... once again the Tau list goes down the path of incentivising a static gunline with Markerlight pickets, instead of a army based on movement and combined actions.

_________________
Currently doing a plastic scenery kickstarter

This shows to me exactly what's wrong with the current Tau list. This doesn't look, or play, anything like a Tau army should. It's a long-ranged static missile-barge gunline, rather than a fluid, co-ordinated firing, crossfire based army.

_________________
http://www.troublemakergames.co.uk/
Epic: Hive Development Thread

The "scorpionfish" is based on the rumours of an orca bomber/missile gunship mentioned in IA3. Rumours. If it's in the list at all it should be extremely rare, and certainly not the main focus of the army.

Being able to build an army around a core of them is frankly wrong.

_________________
http://www.troublemakergames.co.uk/
Epic: Hive Development Thread

@Clausewitz,

A very well written and concise article on Tau and their tactics. I appreciate the time, thought and effort that you put into this treatise. Although I tend to see the GM as a more incremental vs. primary weapon suite, I have played earlier versions of the list in a similar manner and have found them to be effective.

Thank you for the contribution and I shall be studying this much closer.

Cheers,

_________________
Honda

"Remember Taros? We do"

- 23rd Elysian Drop Regiment

that was a great read
and to the people who don't like this play style, he's not saying it's the only way, but one of the ways to play the list. it's certainly something that most armies couldn't pull off.
again great read and maybe this should also be posted in the strategy/tactics area.

Exactly - DWWFY !  And like I said, attrition and close combat are not for me.  I never fight any of my Epic Armies that way. Regardless of the G/W "flaky fluff" ... I'm the commander ... not one of the bucketheads at G/W that scrawled the fluff with their crayons !         IMO, U done Good Son !  

_________________
Legion 4 "Cry Havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War !" ... "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

It seems that the 5.1 armylist is more suited for the Mont’ka (Killing Blow) playing style but E&Cs proposal list is more suited for the Kauyon (Patient Hunter) playing style.

_________________
We are returned!
http://www.epic-wargaming.de/

- - - and these differences in perspectives and play styles combined with the E:A game mechanics are at the heart of the Tau debate. However, IMHO it is imperative that the Tau weaknesses are examined as well as their strengths. For example, I have always maintained that the Tau place great reliance on inter-unit synergies - so this ought to provide both a benefit if the Tau can create the right situations, and also something that the opponents can attempt to destroy to weaken them. To this end, are there any Tau 'synergies' other than ML and Drones?

And as for the 'mobile' warefare style, is there a problem with adopting the Eldar hit-and-run rule for Tau long-ranged tank fire, while reducing their relative weapon ranges? This would have the benefit of permitting the possibility of firing at extreme range with reduced effect, while making them more deadly closer

_________________
"Play up and play the game"

Vitai lampada
Sir Hemry Newbolt

Ginger, I suggested this a while ago and it was universally agreed as not the way to go.

Jet pack for hit and run thread

Well, I have some very definite views on how the Tau should play, that being a style based on manouever, fluidity and synergy.

I don't think hit-and-run is nessesary, plus I like the current implementation of the Tau Jetpacks being as although it may have a similar outcome to the Eldar rule, it is more constrained as you cannot shoot before moving, or half way through a Double action, etc, so whilst it does allow more movement than a typical army, it is not quite up there at the peak of manoueverability that the Eldar can demonstrate.

Borrow Eldar rules, and I worry that you just end up with 'really shooty Eldar', instead of an army list with a unique feel and playstyle.

_________________
Currently doing a plastic scenery kickstarter