1500 point Static Tau list for new player

[Roulex]

Hey, I used to lurk around these boards a bit, and my little bro is just starting a tau army. He wants to make a static one (I think in part because tanks cost so damn much $$$), so I helped him come up with a army list and thought I'd toss it up here for critique. So... any thoughts at all are appreciated

122 + HQ
122 - Shas'o w/ Plasma rifle, missile pod, multitracker, and stimulant injector

226 + Elites
120 - 4 Stealth Suits
53 - Crisis suit w/ TL missile pods and targeting array
53 - Crisis suit w/ TL missile pods and targeting array

809 + Troops
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
205 - 12 Fire Warriors in Devilfish w/ decoy launchers
70 - 10 Kroot
84 - 12 Kroot

340 + Heavy Support
180 - Hammerhead w/ railgun, SMS, decoy launchers, multitracker, and target lock
80 - Broadside w/ HW multitracker and either ASS or TA (jury is still out on this one)
80 - Broadside w/ HW multitracker and either ASS or TA (jury is still out on this one)

[greektlake]

Originally Posted by Roulex

Hey, I used to lurk around these boards a bit, and my little bro is just starting a tau army. He wants to make a static one (I think in part because tanks cost so damn much $$$), so I helped him come up with a army list and thought I'd toss it up here for critique. So... any thoughts at all are appreciated

122 + HQ
122 - Shas'o w/ Plasma rifle, missile pod, multitracker, and stimulant injector

226 + Elites
120 - 4 Stealth Suits
53 - Crisis suit w/ TL missile pods and targeting array
53 - Crisis suit w/ TL missile pods and targeting array

809 + Troops
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
205 - 12 Fire Warriors in Devilfish w/ decoy launchers
70 - 10 Kroot
84 - 12 Kroot

340 + Heavy Support
180 - Hammerhead w/ railgun, SMS, decoy launchers, multitracker, and target lock
80 - Broadside w/ HW multitracker and either ASS or TA (jury is still out on this one)
80 - Broadside w/ HW multitracker and either ASS or TA (jury is still out on this one)

there are many things wrong with this list. nothing against you, just a lot of begginer mistakes. first make the shas'o a shas'el with targetting array. same bs for 15 less points. stim injector is not needed if you use "independent character status" correctly. look it up in the rule book. also at the 15000 point level, you want two commanders for the exstra fire power. now trying to keep with the static theme, (mech really is the way to go, but to each his own) you will want something besides the steath suits. thier more mobile with thier short range weapons, infiltrate, and JSJ. i would take them out in favor of burning eye(TL-PR) or TL-Fusion blaster suits. you need more anti meq firepower. currently you have one PR. not nearly enough to fight almost any army, including hordes. the rail guns will help, but they dont put out enough shots to be effective in that role.
now to the troops. the idea here is mixed. i would get rid of the devil fish to keep with your theme and buy more kroot. preferably more hounds. read riki's guide about kroot. the kroot are a neccesity for a static list.
your hammer head should have burst cannons instead of a SMS. it cheaper and puts out more shots. besides that good choices. when i used broadsides, i found A.S.S. was more to my liking then the TA. it let it be much more effective thoughout the game.

[Roulex]

the thing with the pimped out commander is because my younger bro is a bit of a noob, and the extra survivabilty should help. Any advice from experienced static tau players, or are there none on this board? (99% of posts I see are from mech tau players)

[greektlake]

i think a good amount of the people here have played a static list before switching to mech/hybrid. myself included. even if your brother is a noob, it doesnt take much to make the less "pimped out" commander work. and work better too. all he has to remember to do is keep him from being the closest unit to the enemy. not very hard. and that IC rule is better then a 2+ invl save, since he can never be targeted for any reason if used right.

[the aun's servant]

Originally Posted by Roulex

Hey, I used to lurk around these boards a bit, and my little bro is just starting a tau army. He wants to make a static one (I think in part because tanks cost so damn much $$$), so I helped him come up with a army list and thought I'd toss it up here for critique. So... any thoughts at all are appreciated

122 + HQ
122 - Shas'o w/ Plasma rifle, missile pod, multitracker, and stimulant injector

226 + Elites
120 - 4 Stealth Suits
53 - Crisis suit w/ TL missile pods and targeting array
53 - Crisis suit w/ TL missile pods and targeting array

809 + Troops
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
205 - 12 Fire Warriors in Devilfish w/ decoy launchers
70 - 10 Kroot
84 - 12 Kroot

340 + Heavy Support
180 - Hammerhead w/ railgun, SMS, decoy launchers, multitracker, and target lock
80 - Broadside w/ HW multitracker and either ASS or TA (jury is still out on this one)
80 - Broadside w/ HW multitracker and either ASS or TA (jury is still out on this one)

i am a static player myself and here are my sugestions, first of all with the commander if you are going to be hiding him with the JSJ i would drop his points right away

with the stealth suits in a static army i never found that they are useful in a static army unless you move them foward and even then once they get close enough they get lit up by a heavy weapon squad and torn to shreads, crisis suits are much more potent in a static army

i see that you like to use a lot of target arrays, i would suggest not using these because they take away from a MT, instead i would use markerlights because they can do a lot more than just improve BS, also i would make the crisis suits fireknife (Plasma rifle and missile pods) because you have very little low ap weapons and a marine army will light you up.

for the troops i would take out the kroot, one bassi or wirlwind will take out those kroot in one turn. i would then split up your fire warrior squads into squads of 6, so instead of having 1 squad of 12 you have 2 squads of 6, give one squad carbines. this way you have pinning power, more markerlights and less eggs in one basket.

take out the devilfish fire warrior squad and make them pathfinders, pathfinders are key to a static army, with markerlights and carbines they can assist your army in so many ways

[rp252]

Hey Roulex, welcome to the Tau my friend. Nice to see a static list being made for once; most of what I see these days are mech or (less commonly) hybrid. Kudos for the static list.

I have a few comments and suggestions about the list as it is written above. Some of the suggestions echo what has already been said, but some of them are different, and I hope they help you. Please don't be offended by anything I say below - I'm not trying to criticise you, just provide some pointers on this list.

122 - Shas'o w/ Plasma rifle, missile pod, multitracker, and stimulant injector

This guy could work, but to get a similar amount of bang for less buck you should go with a Shas'El + TA. A few less wounds should not make a great difference as the 'El will be an independant character and so difficult to target. He will also be shooting from range (thanks to his ranged weapons), adding further to the difficulty in targetting him. You can take or leave the stim injector; I doubt you will need it though.

120 - 4 Stealth Suits
53 - Crisis suit w/ TL missile pods and targeting array
53 - Crisis suit w/ TL missile pods and targeting array

The thing with stealth suits is you either go all out (6-man) or don't bother. In a static list you will be better off putting your points into firewarriors, kroot and markerlights so I would suggest dropping these from the list altogether

The suits are good but, as has been said, you need more anti-MEQ so I would make at least one of them into and additional fireknife. Fireknives add good anti-MEQ and still eave you with good MP support should you need it. I would personally change both into fireknives, but thats just me

150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife

Absolute bargain. Firewarriors are a lynchpin of the static list - its where much of your firepower comes from and they provide a good number of bodies to hide your more expensive units behind. Take many FWs, keep the unit spacing up so that blast markers affect them less and get them in cover. Then just shoot away; I've seen it work remarkably well.

205 - 12 Fire Warriors in Devilfish w/ decoy launchers

As this is a static list I would lose the fish. Its nice to have one, but in a static list you want to pump your point into more guns, so it makes the fish kinda moot. drop it for more fun goodies

70 - 10 Kroot
84 - 12 Kroot

Kroot are an essential choice for a static list. Go for big squads (for CC prowess) and infiltrate them into deep terrain to make use of their fieldcraft ability and to give them cover saves. They make wonderful CC roadblocks, have decent firepower and contribute alot to a static list. If you can, try and stick some hounds in there as well for high initiative killage!

180 - Hammerhead w/ railgun, SMS, decoy launchers, multitracker, and target lock
80 - Broadside w/ HW multitracker and either ASS or TA (jury is still out on this one)
80 - Broadside w/ HW multitracker and either ASS or TA (jury is still out on this one)

Thought not strictly static, I cannot advise against a hammerhead as they are an excellent unit, capable of engaging most enemies effectively. I would drop the SMS and TL from it though - then keep it at long range to avoid return fire.

The broadsides look good, such funky suits, and provide a great amount of anti-armour firepower, freeing up your hammerhead to use the splendidly effective submunitions ability. ASS and TA have their own advantages so I shall leave the decision of which to use up to you - just remember than MLs will help with your BS and the railguns are twin linkind. Shield drones are a great idea for broadsides as well


Pathfinders will also be amazing in a static list - they will make your firing much more effective and allow you to hit designated targets very hard indeed. If you can find the points I would definitely suggest putting a squad of these guys in your army. You can even pimp up their fish into a warfish if you wanted to, but thats up to you.

Contrary to prior advice, I would advise against giving your FWs pulse carbines. The chance of pinning your enemy is not that useful compared to the decreased range of the gun. Also, many armies have high LD or special abilities that make pinning them a nightmare (one example would be a chaplain led marine squad). All in all, rifle>carbines IMO.

Hope these suggestions help mate, here is how I would compose the list if using some of my suggestions.

HQ
XV8'El Helios/fireknife 97

Elite
XV8'Ui Team Leader Fireknife 77
XV8'Ui Team Leader Fireknife 77
2 XV8'Ui Deathrains 106

Troops
Firewarrios 11'La 1'Ui (bonded, HWTL, ML) 150
Firewarrios 11'La 1'Ui (bonded, HWTL, ML) 150
Firewarrios 11'La 1'Ui (bonded, HWTL, ML) 150
Firewarrios 11'La 1'Ui (bonded, HWTL, ML) 150
Kroot Carnivores (12 kroot) 84
Kroot Carnivores (12 kroot) 84

Heavy Support
Hammerhead (Railrifle, MT, BS, DL) 165
XV88'Ui Team Leader HWMT, ASS/TA HWDC Shield drone 105
XV88'Ui Team Leader HWMT, ASS/TA HWDC Shield drone 105

Total - 1500

Hope it help dude

Rich

[Skarsgard]

Originally Posted by Roulex

Hey, I used to lurk around these boards a bit, and my little bro is just starting a tau army. He wants to make a static one (I think in part because tanks cost so damn much $$$), so I helped him come up with a army list and thought I'd toss it up here for critique. So... any thoughts at all are appreciated

122 + HQ
122 - Shas'o w/ Plasma rifle, missile pod, multitracker, and stimulant injector

If your playing static you need two commanders. I run two Shas'O's but its up to you which you wish to take. If your going to have 2 weapon systems then go for Shas'El's. I take 3 weapons on both my Shas'O's and that why I don't use Shas'Els.


226 + Elites
120 - 4 Stealth Suits
53 - Crisis suit w/ TL missile pods and targeting array
53 - Crisis suit w/ TL missile pods and targeting array

You need AP, I'd go fireknife with Targetting array upgraded to team leaders. It gives you a chance at hurting marines.

809 + Troops
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
150 - 12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui equipped w/ markerlight, HW target lock, and bonding knife
205 - 12 Fire Warriors in Devilfish w/ decoy launchers
70 - 10 Kroot
84 - 12 Kroot

Nice, a lot of troops.


340 + Heavy Support
180 - Hammerhead w/ railgun, SMS, decoy launchers, multitracker, and target lock
80 - Broadside w/ HW multitracker and either ASS or TA (jury is still out on this one)
80 - Broadside w/ HW multitracker and either ASS or TA (jury is still out on this one)

Hmmm, your XV88's are easy pickings. You actually have very little anti tank, a static list needs to have its XV88's working. I would drop one of your firewarrior squads and get 2 XV88's in both squads. The ASS is great, don't worry about targetting array. Upgrade one in each sqaud to a team leader and take a couple of shield drones, bonding knife and a hard wired target lock.

That will give you 5 rail shots that can move and shoot and fire at 5 different targets.

Hope that helps.

[greektlake]

there's no need for bonding knife's on the 2 man of broadsides. it only needed when below 50% strength and if you lose 1, you are at 50%, not below.

[Skarsgard]

Originally Posted by greektlake

there's no need for bonding knife's on the 2 man of broadsides. it only needed when below 50% strength and if you lose 1, you are at 50%, not below.

You do if you take shield drones.

[Ravenscraig]

Originally Posted by Roulex

So... any thoughts at all are appreciated
<SNIP>
340 + Heavy Support
180 - Hammerhead w/ railgun, SMS, decoy launchers, multitracker, and target lock
80 - Broadside w/ HW multitracker and either ASS or TA (jury is still out on this one)
80 - Broadside w/ HW multitracker and either ASS or TA (jury is still out on this one)

Just a thought on HS. If your brother is taking a static list, he might want to consider dropping the HH and taking a couple of Sniper teams instead? His edicated AT capablity would still be provided by the 2 Broadsides but he'd have another 6 Rail Rifle shots to add to the equation - and the Stealth capability of the Sniper teams is no mean bonus either. Unless he's concerned about losing the blast template option of the Railgun, it might be worth him considering Sniper Rifle teams. PLUS he doesn't have to worry about having to keep moving them, unlike the HH - which can often be overlooked when playing a principally static army. But, like I said, just a thought ... ... ...

~ Ravenscraig ~

(BTW, I hope you all like the colour chosen for the text which, I've decided, ought to be called "Thistle Purple"!)