Tau Vs. Orks 1850  - A rematch

Bottom of Turn 2 after thrust moves

For the second weak in a row I played Zac and his Orks Friday at Battle Front Games Friday Game night.  He ran the same list as last week, while I was testing out a Farsight Enclave + Tau allies list based off my usual Tau + SM build.. We got the kill point mission with hammer and anvil deployment.

I ran Farsight plus bodyguard all with dual FB + target locks w/ 11 gun drones and one Shield warscaper drone and the Amulet, 4 3 man crisis teams with dual MP all as troops, as allies I had a commander with the Puretide chip, cnc node and multi phasic sensor and 2 10 man kroot teams.

I'm on the fence about losing my SM Librarian ally.  I don't like putting 1200 pts in reserve and hoping they show up on turn 2.. I've lost a game before because my reserves didn't come in and was tabled at the top of turn 4..  But coming in on turn 2 it isn't bad.. I miss the mobility of the 24" GOI every turn, but with farsight not scattering when he arrives you can get his bomb where it needs to be pretty readily.  I killed something like 17 shoota boys, and exploded 2 battle wagons and took a hull point of a third with just the command team the turn they came in.  Also the 4 scoring crisis teams managed to kill a looted wagon on turn one for first blood.  I'm not sold on the dual MP suits either.. It's nice to have range, but when his mega-nobz came out to play, I'd rather have had dual Plasma to throw at them..  I'm considering actually running (and it makes me cringe to say so) Fireknives as troops instead.. 

The game only ended up running through turn 4?.. maybe we called it after turn 3.. Don't recall.. Zac was left with his warlord and a squad of boyz by that point while he had killed 4 crisis suits (2 from 2 different teams) and a squad of kroot..  I'd wiped out his 2nd squad of boyz after they assaulted my command team and got swept, and I then killed the remains of both teams of mega-nobz and the third wagon..

From now on I'll have to make sure to bring enough Tau to run 2 lists.. While I'd like to be able to test my tournament list some more before the Michigan GT, it doesn't make for a very fun friendly game for anyone..

Just another view of my team after turn 2.  The kroot were in the ruin to the right off screen to the left having outflanked.

Tau Vs. Orks 1850 = Victory for the other green horde!

So it's been a while since I posted anything to my blog but I got a game in Friday against Zac's Orks and remembered to take a few pictures so I thought I'd throw them up here.  Our game was played at Battle Front Games in Grand Rapids where we are trying to get a regular Friday night Games night started.  This was the second week and we had 40K, Warma/hordes and XWing players all gaming.  Hopefully this catches on and we'll finally have a regular game night in Grand Rapids again.


Zac and I were both running new lists for this battle.  He was trying out 3 battlewagons and 2 teams of mega-armored nobs plus a couple warbosses to make the nobs scorring, a looted wagon and a 3 squads of boys. 

I put away the farsight bomb and ran an infantry heavy list with 3x12 firewarriors, and 3x20 kroot (the missing kroot team outflanked to briefly contest his center objective by the looted wagon before being wiped out).  I also had 2 teams of pathfinders of 6 and 7 models.  I knew I'd be facing the battle wagons in advance but had hoped the piranha, Riptide, and two teams of 4x stealth suits with a fusion blaster in each would be enough to take them out.    It didn't work out that way, but even after 7 turns and with two wagons still on the board I managed to pull out a win by contesting the center objective and having first blood.  We both controlled the 2 objectives in our respective deployment zones.


Don't really have time for a proper write up, but I'll just mention that the Riptide continues to disappoint me.  Nova Charge Failure turn one, got hot turn 2, and got assaulted and wiped out top of turn 4.. I don't think it killed a single model all game.. For 220 points I'd rather put 5 crisis suits on the board with weapons that actually fire every turn.  SOOoo glad I cancelled my order for 3 of them and only bought the one.  He'll look nice sitting on my shelf with the other models I don't bother running.

Forgot to mention the two Skyrays also failed to do anything useful (as did the piranha) lacking any flyers in Zac's list.  The str 8 seekers were worthless vs AV14, and the two marker lights each had could have been replaced for 28 pts of added pathfinders in the pathfinder teams.  The only use I got out of them was that Zac actually bothered to waste a turn to assault and kill one of them saving my other units from suffering said fate for a turn..   The skyrays and piranha will be rejoining the Riptide on the shelf of shame.

At the end of the game despite my riptide/skyrays/piranha sucking arse, I have to say it was still a fun game.  We went 7 turns and it was a tight game up till the end.  If I hadn't rolled a 6 for my Kroots run roll, I would have failed to contest the center and he'd have won 9-7.. 

So I'm headed to the Test of Kaine tournament Saturday for my last tournament with the old 4th edition Tau..  I'm hoping to win a game or two for a change and as such have been studying the missions and am trying to come up with a list/strategy to increase my chances.

That said, I see that 2 out of 3 missions have Kill Points/VP's as one of two Primary Objectives, and  objective markers (2 and 5) as the second Primary, while the third has the relic and 2 objectives as primarys, and all 3 have the standard first blood, slay the warlord, and linebreaker as secondary's.

So my plan is to make a list that excels at denying Kill points (or slay the warlord), has ample opportunity to get line breaker and hopefully contest the enemy's objectives, and hopefully has some chance of holding my own objectives and or grabbing the Relic (very unlikely)..  With those goals in mind I've come up with a few lists that I think could work, some more so than others.  Let me know what you think of them:

1850 Pts - Tau Empire Roster - TOK Farsight SM
Total Roster Cost: 1848

HQ: Commander Farsight (20#, 1034 pts)
   1 Commander Farsight, 170 pts
      1 Crisis Bodyguard, 105 pts = (base cost 35 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Stimulant Injector 10 + Missile Pod 12 + Plasma Rifle 20 + Shield Generator 20)
         1 Shield Drone, 15 pts
         1 Shield Drone, 15 pts
      1 Crisis Bodyguard, 97 pts = (base cost 35 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Hard-wired Target Lock 5 + Missile Pod 12 + Plasma Rifle 20 + Shield Generator 20)
         1 Gun Drone, 10 pts
         1 Gun Drone, 10 pts
      1 Crisis Bodyguard, 92 pts = (base cost 35 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Missile Pod 12 + Plasma Rifle 20 + Shield Generator 20)
         1 Gun Drone, 10 pts
         1 Gun Drone, 10 pts
      1 Crisis Bodyguard, 92 pts = (base cost 35 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Missile Pod 12 + Plasma Rifle 20 + Shield Generator 20)
         1 Gun Drone, 10 pts
         1 Gun Drone, 10 pts
      1 Crisis Bodyguard, 97 pts = (base cost 35 + Fusion Blaster 12 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Hard-wired Target Lock 5 + Plasma Rifle 20 + Shield Generator 20)
         1 Marker Drone, 30 pts
         1 Shield Drone, 15 pts
      1 Crisis Bodyguard, 97 pts = (base cost 35 + Fusion Blaster 12 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Hard-wired Target Lock 5 + Plasma Rifle 20 + Shield Generator 20)
         1 Marker Drone, 30 pts
         1 Marker Drone, 30 pts
      1 Crisis Bodyguard, 89 pts = (base cost 35 + Fusion Blaster 12 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Hard-wired Target Lock 5 + Missile Pod 12 + Shield Generator 20)

HQ: Space Marine Librarian in Terminator Armour (1#, 190 pts)
   1 Space Marine Librarian in Terminator Armour (HQ) [SM], 190 pts = (base cost 125 + Storm Shield 15) + Epistolary 50

Troops: Fire Warrior (12#, 181 pts)
   11 Fire Warrior, 154 pts = 11 * 14 (base cost 10 + EMP Grenade 3 + Photon Grenade 1)
      1 Shas'ui, 27 pts = (base cost 20 + EMP Grenade 3 + Photon Grenade 1 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3)

Troops: Fire Warrior (12#, 181 pts)
   11 Fire Warrior, 154 pts = 11 * 14 (base cost 10 + EMP Grenade 3 + Photon Grenade 1)
      1 Shas'ui, 27 pts = (base cost 20 + EMP Grenade 3 + Photon Grenade 1 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3)

Elite: Crisis Shas'vre (4#, 142 pts)
   1 Crisis Shas'vre, 66 pts = (base cost 25 + Fusion Blaster 12 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Hard-wired Target Lock 5 + Twin Linked Flamer 6 + Team Leader 5 + Shas'vre Upgrade 5)
      1 Shield Drone, 15 pts
      1 Shield Drone, 15 pts
      1 Crisis Battlesuit, 46 pts = (base cost 25 + Flamer 4 + Fusion Blaster 12 + Multi-Tracker 5)

Troops: Scout Squad (5#, 120 pts)
   4 Scout Squad (Troops) [SM], 87 pts = 4 * 16 (base cost 13 + Camo Cloaks 3) + Heavy Bolter w/Hellfire Shells 10 + Sergeant 46
      1 Sergeant [SM], 33 pts = (base cost 10 + Camo Cloaks 3 + Melta Bombs 5 + Teleport Homer 15)

I like this one in that it's got 7 Kill points at 1850.. My Warlord is burried in a group of  20 models with a total of 27 wounds and a lot of invuln saves.  The space marine Librarian can attach to them and GOI then Nullzone anything within 24" while also using his hood to counter psychic powers.  There are 3 troops, and the obligatory crisis suit team is pretty durable.  Downsides is that it has limited anti-vehicle capacity, and no AA ability.  Another downside is this is similiar to the list I ran lastweek where I jumped a team of broadsides around to little effect..

1850 Pts - Tau Empire Roster - TOK Broadside Trifecta

Total Roster Cost: 1845

HQ: Commander Shas'o (1#, 162 pts)
   1 Commander Shas'o, 162 pts = (base cost 75 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Iridium Armour 20 + Stimulant Injector 10 + Missile Pod 12 + Plasma Rifle 20 + Shield Generator 20)

Heavy Support: Broadside Battlesuit (5#, 313 pts)
   1 Broadside Battlesuit, 113 pts = (base cost 70 + Bonding Knife 5 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Hard-wired Target Lock 5 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Targeting Array 10 + Team Leader 5)
      1 Broadside Battlesuit, 85 pts = (base cost 70 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Multi-Tracker 5)
      1 Broadside Battlesuit, 85 pts = (base cost 70 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Multi-Tracker 5)
      1 Shield Drone, 15 pts
      1 Shield Drone, 15 pts

Heavy Support: Broadside Battlesuit (5#, 313 pts)
   1 Broadside Battlesuit, 113 pts = (base cost 70 + Bonding Knife 5 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Hard-wired Target Lock 5 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Targeting Array 10 + Team Leader 5)
      1 Broadside Battlesuit, 85 pts = (base cost 70 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Multi-Tracker 5)
      1 Broadside Battlesuit, 85 pts = (base cost 70 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Multi-Tracker 5)
      1 Shield Drone, 15 pts
      1 Shield Drone, 15 pts

Heavy Support: Broadside Battlesuit (5#, 313 pts)
   1 Broadside Battlesuit, 113 pts = (base cost 70 + Bonding Knife 5 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Hard-wired Target Lock 5 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Targeting Array 10 + Team Leader 5)
      1 Broadside Battlesuit, 85 pts = (base cost 70 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Multi-Tracker 5)
      1 Broadside Battlesuit, 85 pts = (base cost 70 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Multi-Tracker 5)
      1 Shield Drone, 15 pts
      1 Shield Drone, 15 pts

Troops: Fire Warrior (12#, 136 pts)
   11 Fire Warrior, 110 pts = 11 * 10
      1 Shas'ui, 26 pts = (base cost 20 + EMP Grenade 3 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3)

Troops: Fire Warrior (12#, 136 pts)
   11 Fire Warrior, 110 pts = 11 * 10
      1 Shas'ui, 26 pts = (base cost 20 + EMP Grenade 3 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3)

Troops: Fire Warrior (12#, 136 pts)
   11 Fire Warrior, 110 pts = 11 * 10
      1 Shas'ui, 26 pts = (base cost 20 + EMP Grenade 3 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3)

Troops: Kroot Carnivore Squad (18#, 168 pts)
   16 Kroot Carnivore Squad, 112 pts = 16 * 7
      1 Kroot Shaper, 50 pts = (base cost 28 + Pulse Rifle 5) + Squad 6+ Armour Save 17
      1 Kroot Hounds, 6 pts

Troops: Kroot Carnivore Squad (18#, 168 pts)
   16 Kroot Carnivore Squad, 112 pts = 16 * 7
      1 Kroot Shaper, 50 pts = (base cost 28 + Pulse Rifle 5) + Squad 6+ Armour Save 17
      1 Kroot Hounds, 6 pts

This list obviously fares better in the Anti Vehicle/anit-air department (lots of twin-linked railguns), and has 5 troops for a better volume of fire and better chance of claiming objectives.. However, the kroot seem like an easy kill point and there are 9 KPs in this list instead of 7.  It also suffer from not being very aggressive and not threatening the enemy's side of the board unless I infiltrate or outflank the Kroot.

Lastly, I have a list which I have numerous variations of, but all revolve around Eldrad attaching to a broadside team and handing out buffs while interfearing with enemy psychers.  This list has 11 kill points available, but 7 troops.  I'm thinking the firewarriors and a team of kroot guard my objectives while a kroot team and the bikes would threaten the enemy objectives:

1850 Pts - Tau Empire Roster - TOK Dual Broadside Eldrad bikes

Total Roster Cost: 1850

HQ: Commander Shas'o (1#, 170 pts)
   1 Commander Shas'o, 170 pts = (base cost 75 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Hard-wired Target Lock 5 + Iridium Armour 20 + Stimulant Injector 10 + Missile Pod 12 + Plasma Rifle 20 + Shield Generator 20)

HQ: Eldrad Ulthran (1#, 210 pts)
   1 Eldrad Ulthran (HQ) [EL], 210 pts

Heavy Support: Broadside Battlesuit (5#, 308 pts)
   1 Broadside Battlesuit, 108 pts = (base cost 70 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Hard-wired Target Lock 5 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Targeting Array 10 + Team Leader 5)
      1 Broadside Battlesuit, 85 pts = (base cost 70 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Multi-Tracker 5)
      1 Broadside Battlesuit, 85 pts = (base cost 70 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Multi-Tracker 5)
      1 Shield Drone, 15 pts
      1 Shield Drone, 15 pts

Heavy Support: Broadside Battlesuit (5#, 308 pts)
   1 Broadside Battlesuit, 108 pts = (base cost 70 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3 + Hard-wired Multi-tracker 5 + Hard-wired Target Lock 5 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Targeting Array 10 + Team Leader 5)
      1 Broadside Battlesuit, 85 pts = (base cost 70 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Multi-Tracker 5)
      1 Broadside Battlesuit, 85 pts = (base cost 70 + Twin Linked Plasma Rifle 10 + Multi-Tracker 5)
      1 Shield Drone, 15 pts
      1 Shield Drone, 15 pts

Troops: Fire Warrior (12#, 136 pts)
   11 Fire Warrior, 110 pts = 11 * 10
      1 Shas'ui, 26 pts = (base cost 20 + EMP Grenade 3 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3)

Troops: Fire Warrior (12#, 136 pts)
   11 Fire Warrior, 110 pts = 11 * 10
      1 Shas'ui, 26 pts = (base cost 20 + EMP Grenade 3 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3)

Troops: Fire Warrior (12#, 136 pts)
   11 Fire Warrior, 110 pts = 11 * 10
      1 Shas'ui, 26 pts = (base cost 20 + EMP Grenade 3 + Hard-wired Blacksun Filter 3)

Troops: Kroot Carnivore Squad (16#, 152 pts)
   14 Kroot Carnivore Squad, 98 pts = 14 * 7
      1 Kroot Shaper, 48 pts = (base cost 28 + Pulse Rifle 5) + Squad 6+ Armour Save 15
      1 Kroot Hounds, 6 pts

Troops: Kroot Carnivore Squad (16#, 152 pts)
   14 Kroot Carnivore Squad, 98 pts = 14 * 7
      1 Kroot Shaper, 48 pts = (base cost 28 + Pulse Rifle 5) + Squad 6+ Armour Save 15
      1 Kroot Hounds, 6 pts

Troops: Guardian Jetbike Squadron (3#, 76 pts)
   3 Guardian Jetbike Squadron (Troops) [EL], 76 pts = 3 * 22 (base cost 22) + Shuriken Cannon x1 10

Troops: Guardian Jetbike Squadron (3#, 66 pts)
   3 Guardian Jetbike Squadron (Troops) [EL], 66 pts = 3 * 22

I have some other variations on these, one runs 6 stealthsuits with a bunch of drones.. One has sisters of battle allies, but as desperate allies, the sisters are neither scoring nor denial units limiting their utility..  Though, I could Make sisters the Primary, run a team of 3 broadsides as a heavy ally, and then I could have 2 squads of 20 scoring sisters.. that wouldn't be awful..  Comments welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Y.