Role Changing: The new Tau codex

[Panxer]

While making my new lists with the new book, I've noticed some anomalies with the new force abilities that shift some roles around the cadre that I thought were kind of interesting and worthy of note (which I'm sure you all have considered as well and if I'm just retreading the obvious, then I'm perfectly fine with being wrong. I'm that a lot apparently. I just wish it discouraged me from trying though...). So here goes.

1. The Riptide basically constitutes a super mobile/durable T5 5 wound Ion-head tank that can JSJ and fire SMS, plasma, or meltas (and its other notable nova abilities), so this opens up a heavy slot for something else I'll point out in a minute.

2. Fast attack. I've given great consideration with regard to markerlights (being the driver for shot accuracy and seeker deployment) and I can't honestly say that pathfinders are the source for markerlight support given their new armaments and drone tech. Rather I suggest using pathfinders for a cheap sniper unit, utilizing rail rifles or ion rifles as preferred, and this is noting that Paladin hasn't covered with regard to Tetras being Uber in comparison and cheaper at 110pts for two in a squad which can deliver 8 marker shots per turn and remain mobile and out of the line of fire. You may also want to consider moving your marker light duties over to your HQ with drone controllers and marker drones; it might be a points sink, but if you have an extra 40pts at the end of your list, this may be a good way to fill them up.

3. Heavy support. Ok, now that you've opened up a heavy slot which you've substituted with an elite slot-Riptide Ion-head (I know, which can be used for another XV8 or XV25 unit, but I'm being creative and economical, so bear with me). So that opens up room for a Skyray with all the trimmings and a rail-head or another Ion-head for support. (I don't like XV88's anymore- I know if you equip them with missiles and missiles and more missile drones, they can be trouble...however, that's just not how I play, so use them if you like, I'm looking a way around)...and this is how. That last heavy support slot is for more markerlight support. Sniper drone teams are now awesome and for 174pts you get 3 BS5 markerlights with BS 5 rapid fire 30" sniper cover. Granted, the unit is static, but the more options you have for marker support the better.

So different units taking up different roles in the force organization chart. Heavy playing the role of fast attack, elite playing the role of heavy support etc.

I thought it was a neat idea, and thought I would share. What're your thoughts?

[ElectricPaladin]

1. The Riptide basically constitutes a super mobile/durable T5 5 wound Ion-head tank that can JSJ and fire SMS, plasma, or meltas (and its other notable nova abilities), so this opens up a heavy slot for something else I'll point out in a minute.


I agree that the riptide basically constitutes using an Elite slot to open up a Heavy slot. With the ion accelerator, especially, it can even obviate the need for a hammerhead (S 9 AP 2 Ordnance can basically stand in for S 10 AP 1).



2. Fast attack. I've given great consideration with regard to markerlights (being the driver for shot accuracy and seeker deployment) and I can't honestly say that pathfinders are the source for markerlight support given their new armaments and drone tech. Rather I suggest using pathfinders for a cheap sniper unit, utilizing rail rifles or ion rifles as preferred, and this is noting that Paladin hasn't covered with regard to Tetras being Uber in comparison and cheaper at 110pts for two in a squad which can deliver 8 marker shots per turn and remain mobile and out of the line of fire. You may also want to consider moving your marker light duties over to your HQ with drone controllers and marker drones; it might be a points sink, but if you have an extra 40pts at the end of your list, this may be a good way to fill them up.


Pathfinders are still pretty good at markerlighting. The trick is that markerlight pathfinder units and "assault pathfinder" units are different things. Markerlight pathfinders are large units, on foot, using their scout move to get into position, in cover. They then stay there for the rest of the game. You give them a grav drone to keep them safe from being charged, because that's the best only way to shut them up.

Assault pathfinders are smaller units - sometimes just a shas'ui and three special ion/rail rifle guys - with a pulse drone if they have enough pulse carbine guys to make it worth it and a recon drone. Their job is basically to bring the cavalry - in the form of deep striking battle suits or outflanking Kroot - to exactly where you want them, with the special weapons there to help finish the job.

I honestly think that these units are totally distinct. You don't want to put special weapons in your marker squad. That's eating up precious markerlights! And they need to fire their special weapons at the same unit as the rest of the squad, but they'll have to do it without markerlight support!

I'm currently mulling over whether there isn't some merit to a static marker squad - like pathfinders - and a mobile marker squad - like tetras or a marker'el - in the same list, in sufficiently large games. Sort of a hammer-and-anvil approach.



3. Heavy support. Ok, now that you've opened up a heavy slot which you've substituted with an elite slot-Riptide Ion-head (I know, which can be used for another XV8 or XV25 unit, but I'm being creative and economical, so bear with me). So that opens up room for a Skyray with all the trimmings and a rail-head or another Ion-head for support. (I don't like XV88's anymore- I know if you equip them with missiles and missiles and more missile drones, they can be trouble...however, that's just not how I play, so use them if you like, I'm looking a way around)...and this is how. That last heavy support slot is for more markerlight support. Sniper drone teams are now awesome and for 174pts you get 3 BS5 markerlights with BS 5 rapid fire 30" sniper cover. Granted, the unit is static, but the more options you have for marker support the better.


Sniper drones are great - less static than you'd think, now that the sniper rifles are Rapid Fire and the drones are jet pack infantry. As you already know, I'm not a big fan of piecemeal marking, with one or two markerlights here and there. I just don't think its very effective, and it leaves those units with insufficient marker support themselves. Its a strategy that leaves you really dependent on the big things... and that doesn't tend to pay off in 40k.

[Tynskel]

target lock and drone controller isn't bad:

Shas 'O 2 guns, Drone Controller and Target Lock + 2 Markers
Body Guard, Target lock and 2 guns +2 Markers
Body Guard, Target lock and 2 guns +2 Markers
= 6 drones at BS5. They shoot a 'primary' target, while the suits shoot what is good.

[ElectricPaladin]

target lock and drone controller isn't bad:

Shas 'O 2 guns, Drone Controller and Target Lock + 2 Markers
Body Guard, Target lock and 2 guns +2 Markers
Body Guard, Target lock and 2 guns +2 Markers
= 6 drones at BS5. They shoot a 'primary' target, while the suits shoot what is good.

That would work really well with one of the longer range configurations, like deathwind (36''), fireknife (36'' to 24'' - ideal at 12''), or burning eye (24'' to 12''). Remember, you don't want to let your valuable marker unit get too close to anything that could shoot them up too badly or lock them up in combat. I think fireknife would be best - deathwind if you're strapped for points. The Tau struggle with 3+ and 2+ armor, but have lots of sources of 7/4 shooting.

I hadn't thought of this before. It's a great idea! It gets around the opportunity cost of using your shiny XV8 commander "just" to mark stuff.

[Panxer]

Pathfinders are still pretty good at markerlighting. The trick is that markerlight pathfinder units and "assault pathfinder" units are different things. Markerlight pathfinders are large units, on foot, using their scout move to get into position, in cover. They then stay there for the rest of the game. You give them a grav drone to keep them safe from being charged, because that's the best only way to shut them up.

Assault pathfinders are smaller units - sometimes just a shas'ui and three special ion/rail rifle guys - with a pulse drone if they have enough pulse carbine guys to make it worth it and a recon drone. Their job is basically to bring the cavalry - in the form of deep striking battle suits or outflanking Kroot - to exactly where you want them, with the special weapons there to help finish the job.

I honestly think that these units are totally distinct. You don't want to put special weapons in your marker squad. That's eating up precious markerlights! And they need to fire their special weapons at the same unit as the rest of the squad, but they'll have to do it without markerlight support!

I'm currently mulling over whether there isn't some merit to a static marker squad - like pathfinders - and a mobile marker squad - like tetras or a marker'el - in the same list, in sufficiently large games. Sort of a hammer-and-anvil approach.

I'm simply stating that pathfinders have a HUGE opportunity as a 4 man, cheap, non-chargeable, support squad to have 3 rail rifles and ditch them as a marker unit all together...that's why Tau jesus made maker drones and Tetras. I'm taking it from an onion approach (many layers and they all make them cry). If they take out a marker unit, then you have several redundancies to pick up the slack.

I like the HQ marker drone post too...that looks pretty vicious...

[ElectricPaladin]

I'm simply stating that pathfinders have a HUGE opportunity as a 4 man, cheap, non-chargeable, support squad to have 3 rail rifles and ditch them as a marker unit all together...that's why Tau jesus made maker drones and Tetras. I'm taking it from an onion approach (many layers and they all make them cry). If they take out a marker unit, then you have several redundancies to pick up the slack.

I like the HQ marker drone post too...that looks pretty vicious...

I absolutely agree that the opportunity for multiple redundant markers is not to be ignored. The "assault pathfinders" are really tasty, aren't they? I definitely have to try a list that relies on tetras and HQ squads for marking, but fields assault pathfinders anyway.

[Uncle Nutsy]

This is actually something I came up with on release day, when I bought and read through the new codex.

In a nutshell, I built a list consisting of a trident organization. Shadowsun with XV9's to take advantage of the longer assault move, a commander joined to a unit of marker drones for the ability to get that hard-to-reach corner, and a sniper squad to give static markerlight support. Other elements will be used to fill gaps in the line or supplement the three points. Pathfinders, I might start using as an area or objective denial unit.

In essence, I tried to maximize the strength of individual units and adjusted each to work as a cohesive force that can either stand with minimal support or combine to decimate a section.

On paper, it looks like it's a good matchup, but playtesting will tell. If I can drive a wedge into a point and put pressure on it to split the enemy apart, it should give me the tempo to finish the job.

[Tynskel]

Shadowsun + XV9s sounds reallllly mean.

8 Twin-Linked Burst Cannon shots per suit!

Although, I still think she shines best with Stealth Suits. The fact that they automatically pass their 'Look out sir' rolls is superb.

[Uncle Nutsy]

On stock configuration, it's pretty mean.

But I went one further. Two with Shield generators and Phased Ion Guns and a third with the burstcannons/Multi spectrum suite and command-control node. Now THAT'S mean. If I were to go absolutely brutal, I'd use the fusion cascades.

The idea behind this was to make a rapid response team capable of blunting any sort of imminent assault or a loss of a high value unit.

On the subject of shadowsun/stealth suits, I feel they're better suited to urban combat or any other board that has a high density of terrain.