Continuing the update process of My Armies we've got the Tau who are in re-vamp mode. I sold off half of these guys a long time ago and since have updated my list for 5th edition with Piranhas (instead of multiple PF units). I've also become a strong supporter of Tau in 5th edition as a top army and a very strong advocate on how to play them properly (there's a bunch of articles on 3++ about this). This of course doesn't sit well with people who have demanded battle-reports and I'm quite happy to oblige, once my army is re-done. Whilst this isn't my main project (attempting to get all my Marines done instead), these guys will be slowly working themselves back into playability. In fact, I just got a delivery today of 3 Piranhas for the measly price of <70 AUD. Not bad when one of them is 41 I think.
So, currently these guys are pre-paint though I'm doing some trial paintjobs (see pic) and I need 5 more Crisis, 2x Hammerheads, 1 more Piranha and some more Kroot and then these babes will be ready to make 3++ bat-reps all over again! For the moment I'm not using Hounds unless I can find a nice alternative I like and if I do then those extra points will most likely go into target locks on vehicles. The list I'll be using is as follows:
Update 9/9/10: Brainstorming with some color ideas. I want a purple mainscheme so after a brief chat with some people in the chatterbox and playing with the color wheel I came up with this concept:
Purple = main, grey (looks white here) = secondary, bright blue = detailing (lens, missiles bumps, etc.) and then I can either go for a black matte as the metallics or my usual wussy grey severly highlighted. Thoughts would be appreciated!
Tau Hybrid Mech:
HQ -
Shas'el w/Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-tracker
Elites -
3x Crisis Suit w/Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-tracker
3x Crisis Suit w/Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-tracker
3x Crisis Suit w/Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-tracker
Troops -
6x Fire Warriors
17x Kroot
17x Kroot
Fast Attack -
8x Pathfinders w/Devilfish w/SMS, Disruption Pods, Multi-tracker, Targeting Array
2x Piranhas w/Fusion Blaster, Targeting Array, 1 Disruption Pods
2x Piranhas w/Fusion Blaster, Targeting Array, 1 Disruption Pods
Heavy Support -
2x Broadsides w/Advanced Stablisation System, Team Leader w/Hard-wired Drone Controller, 2 Shield Drones, Hard-wired Target Lock
Hammerhead w/Railgun, SMS, Disruption Pods, Multi-tracker
Hammerhead w/Railgun, SMS, Disruption Pods, Multi-tracker
Totals: 1999 points
7 vehicles
12 suits
48 infantry
26 pinkments:
The Chaos Warhounds (from the Warriors of Chaos Fantasy range) could be suitable as Kroot Hounds.
I know what you mean with the Kroot Hounds. I'm going to add a screen of Kroot in my lists and won't add the hounds till i've got the models or converted a decent alternative.
I can see the power in this list. However, it won't be difficult for most armies to destroy all three of your troop choices leaving you no ability to score. Then again, you may be better at preserving your troops than I am so it won't be an issue.
I'm amazed at how often kroot hounds are mentioned. What is it that makes you want to bring them?
Also, why go for 2 larger squads of kroot when you could bring 3 smaller ones? I usually run my kroot in squads of 10 or 12. I've run larger squads and they are good when they are rapid firing or charging, but if my enemy starts trowing heavy flamers into the squad they die really fast.
The kroot are just a meatshield, and since hounds are cheaper points-wise, that's win.
FW would stay in reserve along with the Pathfinder Devilfish to get highjacked by them once on the board?
Also I got the chaos warhounds as kroot hounds, green-stuffed normal ears (or no ears, as kroot don't have any) and stubby little tails instead of twisted chaos-y ones and they work out fine.
Wait let me get this straight, u guys r using chaos deamon flesh hounds of khorne as kroot hounds even though they cost more?
Will check the Fantasy ranges for Hounds. I recall doing that for Puppies for SW when I was looking around TWC/Fenrisian ideas but none of them tickled my fancy.
@Nanonbreaker; I think there are just normal Chaos Hounds, not daemons.
@Termite; Tau's game-plan is pretty simple: keep stuff away, keep shooting. When it comes down to it Tau are one of the best armies to table with but if you cannot table your enemy, your blow their Troops away. All you need is the one FW squad hidden in a Devilfish to hold on objective. Ya the Kroot don't last long because they are there to stop your opponent from assaulting you but the army synergy is worth it. In regards to Hounds, as 0range said they are cheaper (6pts to 7pts) and have I5 so can actually do some damage in combat before they die.
The fuller version of how Kroot Hounds work:
Kroot are I3. Kroot hounds are I5. So if you get assaulted by anything with an I4 or I5, the Kroot hounds will get to attack, and then can be assigned the wounds from those I4 and I5 enemies. That way, all of the Kroot Carnivores will still be alive to attack, letting you get the maximum amount of damage out of a very frail squad. It significantly increases the odds of actually drawing blood from the enemy who charges you.
were can u find these hounds 'cause it seems everytime im searching for something im garaunteed not to find it on gm
gw*
http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1570038
@ kirby
oh regular warhammer
That's what Thud said :P.
I'm curious, how do you find your anti-infantry firepower here? I just finished playing a tournament with 2 FW in Devilfish and 10 Kroot, and the Warfish were really useful in the game, pumping out 7 shots each. I don't think expanding the Kroot would have helped as much, but I dunno. Of course, my one squad of Kroot never made it through a game, though they did their speedbump/target role admirably. I guess the other problem with Kroot I have is their low LD, combined with the fact that you can't always rely on there being a forest for better cover saves. Ld 7 is just so bad.
I feel like if you make a single mistake with the Tau troops choices your opponent will be all over it and with missions that can require taking 3 more objectives or whatever than your opponent, it gets hard.
As a related comment, how would you rework the list if you wanted to add in a 4th Troops unit?
10x Crisis + 2x Hammerheads + 20 Kroot + Warfish = anti-infantry firepower. Kroot really help against fast assault units. 3+ cover save for a 7pt model is great (go to ground) and with a forest it's insane (2+). If you're worried about their Ld you attach a commander but if your opponent is shooting your Kroot, well you're laughing.
Tau are not very forgiving at all. If you screw up, you die. Simple as that. The Warfish + FW is really the only mobile Troop you have and one of Tau's game-plans is to either contest everything or kill all troops. Not that hard to do with the firepower at hand.
If you wanted 4x Troops:
Drop both Kroot squads to 13, add in 6 FW.
Drop a Piranha squad for a duplicate PF squad.
And that should be 1996 points. You've got more markerlights and more Troops with roughly the same firepower but less defensive and blocking ability.
I've been trying to make 4 troops work at 1850, and I just keep frustrating myself because I can't fit in everything I want. It may not be worth it in the end - I'm either sacrificing Crisis suits (or making their loadout non-optimal, like MP/TL Flamer), or pulling points from elsewhere in the list. At 2000, I feel ok, but 1850 - that extra 150 points makes all the difference in the world.
At 1850 I'd stick with FW + 2 Kroot squads as you really need the defensive presence of some Piranhas and Kroot backed up by the firepower of 9+ Crisis, Broads and Hammerheads.
Once you hit 1750/1500 is where you start dropping the really killy stuff to maintain a cohesive force.
OK, played around with some points and managed to find this - thoughts?
Shas'el, TLMP, Target Lock - 73
3x Crisis, MP/PR/MT - 186
3x Crisis, MP/PR/MT - 186
3x Crisis, MP/PR/MT - 186
6 FW - 60
6 FW, Devilfish, disruption pods - 145
10 Kroot, 3 hounds - 88
10 Kroot, 3 hounds - 88
6 Pathfinders, Devilfish, disruption pods - 157
Piranha, Fusion, Targeting Array - 70
Piranha, Fusion, Targeting Array - 70
Hammerhead, Burst Cannons, disruption pods, Multi-tracker, target lock - 170
Hammerhead, Burst Cannons, disruption pods, Multitracker, target lock - 170
2 Broadsides, ASS, Team Leader with HWTL, HWDC, 2 shield drones - 200
Total - 1849
It's super sparse on upgrades, but I think I managed to fit everything in that's really necessary. The Fish/HH not having SMS is moderately annoying (and adds 2 more KP), but it does save 35 points per vehicle. They really become troop carriers with a smidge of firepower, rather than torrent vehicles. HQ has only the TLMP, so he's less useful on the whole, but can help crack vehicles. Couple less Pathfinders than your list, but I've been playing with 6 and finding I can manage just fine. Kroot are in squads of 13, so they hit a magic number if not as numerous as in your list, and there's two piranhas for blocking - here they rely on going fast since they don't have the d-pods. But it fits 4 Troops choices in at 1850 without sacrificing, I think, too much firepower. Thoughts?
Solid but the lack of firepower from the Devilfish and Hammerheads is a bit meh. You could always drop 1-2 Crisis to upgrade those guys for more firepower at least.
Tried it out tonight and did ok, but I sure missed the SMS. Drones just aren't the same, especially if there's a decent amount of LOS-blocking terrain. Will play more games with it, but definitely keep those thoughts in mind.
This is the type of list that really makes me wish I didn't have to spend points on the HQ.
Hi Kirb,
Just wondering what the logic is behind equipped one (of two) piranha's in each squad with disruption pods. Wouldn't it make more sense to give both piranhas the dpods for cover? Or is there something I am missing entirely
50% = cover. 1/2 = 50% :P. If you're tight for points you can also drop the targeting array and fusion gun on the DPod Piranha and fob off as many hits as possible on that model but I prefer double Fusion/TA.
You don't really need the DPod for either unit because of SMF and they are generally in your opponent's face but for 5 points? Done deal.
Ah, alright, makes sense now.
Was wondering though, how would you go about squeezing a 3rd broadside into this list? I'm a huge fan of railguns and it doesn't seem right to only have 4 at 2k.
I was thinking about downgrading the HQ from a fireknife to a deathrainm and perhaps dropping some kroot, but what are your thoughts?
HQ -
Shas’el w/TL’d Missile Pod, Target-lock
Elites -
Crisis x3 w/Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-tracker
Crisis x3 w/Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-tracker
Crisis x3 w/Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-tracker
Troops -
Fire Warriors x6
Kroot x10
Kroot x10
Hounds x7
Fast Attack -
Pathfinders x8
Devilfish w/SMS, Multi-tracker, Disruption Pods, Targeting Array
Piranhas x2 w/Fusion Blasters, Targeting Array, 1 Disruption Pod, 1 Target Lock
Piranhas x2 w/Fusion Blasters, Targeting Array, 1 Disruption Pod, 1 Target Lock
Heavy Support -
Broadsides x3 w/Advanced Stabilisation System, Team Leader w/hard-wired Drone controller, 2 shield drones & hard-wired TL
Hammerhead w/Railgun, Burst Cannon Multi-tracker, Disruption Pod
Hammerhead w/Railgun, Burst Cannon, Multi-tracker, Disruption Pod
Total: 1999
13 suits (+2 drones)
41 infantry
8 tanks
OKay project time.
I'm thinking heavily of taking Tau to Centurion so need a paint plan that I can at least start working with.
The picture at the top of this post is my early template and I'd like to use Purple as the main scheme. Ideas are needed for the secondary colors though. I've got for grey atm but I also use that color for my metals generally...might have to make my metals actual metal (i.e. chainmail or something) for my Tau or perhaps a matte black?
Anyway, color suggestions for the heads/guns/etc would my Tau would be great.
And someone translate Purple People Eaters into Tau speak yes?
What do you think about a tau army with a contingent of guevasa, specifically an IG infantry platoon to replace kroot bubble-wrap ala the new allies rules?
Post a Comment