Static Tau

[crazyforcocoapuffs]

So i was checking out some of the forums and a thought popped into my head. Does anybody play static tau? i play hybrid personally and i dont think i have ever seen somebody playing static tau, so basically i just want to know if there are any of you and how some of your games have gone.

[Straylight]

I'm not entirely sure it's possible to play "static" Tau insofar as our XV-8s and XV-15s come with jet packs anyway, and I've never seen a Tau list that didn't include at least one unit (even a unit of one) of one type or the other, though I'm sure it's possible.

However, I would imagine the definition of "Static Tau" to be something along the lines of: No FW in 'Fish, no Hammerheads, no Gun Drone squadrons, and maybe one unit of Pathfinders, probably with two or three Rails in the squad so they can set up a forward fire point.

The common misconception, though, is that Mech Tau is a certain type of army list, or a certain number of vehicles in your army -it's not. Mech Tau as the phrase is used on these forums is a collection of tactical advice centered around using the Tau vehicle and jet-pack units to maximum effectiveness, often in the context of using vehicles, mounted infantry, and jet-pack units to the exclusion of other units.

And really, that's all Mech Tau is.



To actually answer the question, yes, I have seen a "static" Tau army. The list looked something like (but don't quote me on this):

HQ -
Ethereal with HW Drone Uplink and two Shield Drones

ELITES -
Crisis Suit with Missile Pod, Fusion Blaster, and Shield Generator
Crisis Suit with Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, and Multitracker
Crisis Suit with TL Plasma Rifles and Drone Uplink with two Gun Drones

TROOPS -
12 Shas'la with Shas'ui, Markerlight, and Target Lock
12 Shas'la with Shas'ui, Markerlight, and Target Lock
12 Shas'la with Shas'ui, Markerlight, and Target Lock
12 Shas'la with Shas'ui, Markerlight, and Target Lock
16 Kroot
16 Kroot

FAST ATTACK -
none

HEAVY SUPPORT -
2 Broadsides with Rails, SMS and Shield Generators, Shas'vre with HW Target Lock
2 Broadsides with Rails, SMS and Shield Generators, Shas'vre with HW Target Lock
2 Broadsides with Rails, SMS and Shield Generators, Shas'vre with HW Target Lock



I've fought this list a few times with both Nids and my own Tau, and it performs well. Its major advantage is the sheer power that the Broadsides are capable of laying down. The player uses his Crisis Suits to divert enemy units into the guns of the 88s and the Fire Warriors and Kroot to control infiltration and take objectives. The Shas'ui team leaders also server as spotters for the guns of the 88s with their Markerlights.

It's a remarkably effective list played the way it is, and I want the chance to face him again once my own Mech list is complete.

It seems to me that the only thing a Mech Tau list might not be able to counter is a Static list that puts more Railguns on the table than I do. Sure, there's Disruptions Pods, but I'm sure there will come a time when I have to advance inside that 66" line or expose rear armor to a Fusion Blaster or a Missile Pod.

It will be an interesting fight...

[Ace of Spades]

I started off playing pure static, it just doesn't work that well compared to hybrid. As the extra mobile units really help and in anything that requires objective control you are sunk.

[Shas'O RenoSaurus]

How do I know what I am playing? I mean, I don't even know what "hybrid" or "static" means. :huh:

[Lost Nemesis]

Originally Posted by Shas'O RenoSaurus

How do I know what I am playing? I mean, I don't even know what "hybrid" or "static" means. :huh:

Static: the main strategy is to pack as much firepower as you can into an army list, sit there, and use it. Usually, they don't like to move very much (hence, static).

Hybrid: taking both Mech elements and Static elements, people think of it mostly as the "midway" between the two different styles. Some parts of the army sit back with lots of firepower (big FW base, Broadsides) while the other parts of the army are still, in effect, Mech (drones, lots of suits, Hammerheads).