Special thanks to karib33 who did the math behind this since...
1. I don't own the Tau codex and I don't feel like downloading it and
2. It's faster to do when you don't have to look up what everything does all the time.
So karib33 was interesting in seeing how the Tau mono-build fares. We know it's the 'one competitive Tau build' so it should have reasonable scores, right?
Right. We can all assume what it will do: shoot the piss out of marines, light mech and heavy mech. We can all assume it won't kill anybody in close combat.
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| pew pew fish mans |
The build he used was Stelek's Best Of Tau. I think most normal people would agree it is probably the best Tau list to use.
Reprinted here...
2000 Pts – Tau Empire Roster – Tau Best Of
1 Commander Shas’el @ 92 Pts
Hard-wired Target Lock; Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker
Hard-wired Target Lock; Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker
3 Crisis Battlesuit @ 186 Pts
Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker
Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker
3 Crisis Battlesuit @ 186 Pts
Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker
3 Crisis Battlesuit @ 186 Pts
Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker
Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker
10 Kroot Carnivore Squad @ 112 Pts
Add Kroot Hounds; Kroot Rifle (x10)
7 Kroot Hounds @ [42] Pts
Add Kroot Hounds; Kroot Rifle (x10)
7 Kroot Hounds @ [42] Pts
10 Kroot Carnivore Squad @ 112 Pts
Add Kroot Hounds; Kroot Rifle (x10)
7 Kroot Hounds @ [42] Pts
Add Kroot Hounds; Kroot Rifle (x10)
7 Kroot Hounds @ [42] Pts
6 Fire Warrior @ 60 Pts
Pulse Rifle (x6)
Pulse Rifle (x6)
8 Pathfinder @ 216 Pts
Markerlight (x8); Pulse Carbine (x8)
1 Devilfish @ [120] Pts
Burst Cannon; Smart Missile System; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear; Marker Beacon; Multi-Tracker; Targeting Array
Markerlight (x8); Pulse Carbine (x8)
1 Devilfish @ [120] Pts
Burst Cannon; Smart Missile System; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear; Marker Beacon; Multi-Tracker; Targeting Array
2 Piranha Light Skimmer @ 150 Pts
Fusion Blaster (x2); Gun Drones (x2); Disruption Pod (x1); Target Lock (x1); Targeting Array (x2)
2 Gun Drones @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Pulse Carbines
Fusion Blaster (x2); Gun Drones (x2); Disruption Pod (x1); Target Lock (x1); Targeting Array (x2)
2 Gun Drones @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Pulse Carbines
2 Piranha Light Skimmer @ 150 Pts
Fusion Blaster (x2); Gun Drones (x2); Disruption Pod (x1); Target Lock (x1); Targeting Array (x2)
2 Gun Drones @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Pulse Carbines
Fusion Blaster (x2); Gun Drones (x2); Disruption Pod (x1); Target Lock (x1); Targeting Array (x2)
2 Gun Drones @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Pulse Carbines
1 Hammerhead Gunship @ 175 Pts
Railgun; Smart Missile System; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear; Multi-Tracker; Targeting Array
Railgun; Smart Missile System; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear; Multi-Tracker; Targeting Array
1 Hammerhead Gunship @ 175 Pts
Railgun; Smart Missile System; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear; Multi-Tracker; Targeting Array
Railgun; Smart Missile System; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear; Multi-Tracker; Targeting Array
1 Broadside Battlesuit @ 200 Pts
Team Leader; Twin linked Railgun; Broadside Battlesuit; Smart Missile System; Hard-wired Drone Controller; Hard-wired Target Lock; Shield Drone; Advanced Stabilisation System
1 Broadside Battlesuit @ [80] Pts
Twin linked Railgun; Smart Missile System; Advanced Stabilisation System
2 Shield Drone @ [30] Pts
Shield Generator
Team Leader; Twin linked Railgun; Broadside Battlesuit; Smart Missile System; Hard-wired Drone Controller; Hard-wired Target Lock; Shield Drone; Advanced Stabilisation System
1 Broadside Battlesuit @ [80] Pts
Twin linked Railgun; Smart Missile System; Advanced Stabilisation System
2 Shield Drone @ [30] Pts
Shield Generator
Total Roster Cost: 2000
Pretty good.
So how does it score?
| # units | DMS | DMC | DRPG | DLRPG | ||
| Kroot | 10.00 | 3.30 | 1.70 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Kroot Hounds | 7.00 | 0.00 | 1.54 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Kroot | 10.00 | 3.30 | 1.70 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Kroot Hounds | 7.00 | 0.00 | 1.54 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Shas’el | 1.00 | 0.83 | 0.44 | 2.96 | 0.00 | |
| Fire Warrior | 6.00 | 4.02 | 0.36 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Pathfinder | 8.00 | 2.64 | 0.48 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Devilfish w/SMS | 1.00 | 0.58 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | Firing SMS and burst |
| Gun Drones | 2.00 | 0.56 | 0.12 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Crisis PR/MP/MT | 3.00 | 6.00 | 2.64 | 22.50 | 0.00 | |
| Crisis PR/MP/MT | 3.00 | 6.00 | 2.64 | 22.50 | 0.00 | |
| Crisis PR/MP/MT | 3.00 | 6.00 | 2.64 | 22.50 | 0.00 | |
| Broadside | 2.00 | 2.00 | 1.76 | 6.26 | 2.50 | |
| Shield Drone | 2.00 | 0.00 | 0.12 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Hammerhead MT/SMS/TA | 2.00 | 6.44 | 0.00 | 5.56 | 2.22 | Firing blast for DMS |
| Piranha | 4.00 | 4.00 | 0.00 | 36.68 | 23.32 | |
| Gun Drones | 8.00 | 2.24 | 0.48 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Totals | 47.91 | 18.16 | 118.96 | 28.04 |
Pretty much exactly how we thought. I wasn't expecting any big revelations, and we didn't get any.
I don't have any super insight, except to say that it's clear how much of the list's killing power is tied up in Crisis suits. If you can inflict casualties early and often against the Crisis suits you will go a long way towards winning. Want anymore from Captain Obvious? Keep those Suits bubble wrapped.
Anyone who doesn't think Tau have the tools to win in 5th are smoking it.
Have a nice weekend.
I actually think that list sucks personally and I play tau.
ReplyDeleteTo each their own i guess
Ya but you know jack all Brandon =D.
ReplyDeleteMost Tau lists at 2k look to field 2x Broadside groups and I've seen a lot of lists running small Crisis Suits, two 'Els + Bodyguards but still, gives us what we need.
Tau shoot well, most of their firepower is tied up in Crisis Suits and Broadsides. And they suck in combat! Revelation :P.
Question on CC vs vehicles.
ReplyDeleteWhen you limit it to 15 DRPG, is that per unit or total? I'm looking at a total CC DRPG score of 28.17, the bulk of which (21.67) comes from one unit, so does this cap at 15 total or does it become 15 (from the one CC unit) + 6.5 (from several other units) to be 21.5?
It's 15 per unit.
ReplyDeleteKirby, I don't claim to be a tau master, just that I don't like the list ;p
ReplyDeleteMy biggest gripe about that list is the complete lack of any kind of drones on the crisis suits. Yes I know they cost points and would hurt their scores, but it stops them from dying a horrible death to missile launchers.
I also like my twin missile pod suits with flamers. I've seen someone take a list with 15 of those suits and 3 units of broadsides with a bunch of kroot and it worked extremely well.
Pirhana = 23 DLRPG?
ReplyDeleteFour of them, yes.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the formula you are using for DRPG and DLRPG, I keep getting different numbers than you do. I'm using
ReplyDelete# of shots * 2/3 hit (BS4) * chance to pen AV?? * 1/3 (chance to kill) * 5 turns
PLUS (if applicable)
# of melee attacks * 1/2 (hit moving) * chance to pen AV?? * 1/3 (chance to kill) * 5 turns with a max of 15 kills from CC.
I'm either getting much lower (if I use 1/3 chance to kill) or much higher (if I don't use 1/3 chance to kill) numbers than you are.
OK can someone check the maths for the pirahnas? 23.32 penetrating hits on a landraider per game, thats impossible, 4 pirahnas will get a maximum of 20 shots in a 5 turn game
ReplyDelete1:1 units crisis:firewarriors minimum(only exchange for carbines if deployed in devilfish), max units xv-15/25's for deepstrike/(anti-)flanking w/1 melta minimum per unit(deepstrike/anti-armor). Minimum 1 full unit broadsides, 1 hammerhead, & 1 unit kroot(assault/defence). Pathfinders only if they have a devilfish for each, seeker missles on all vehicles where possible & points allowing.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it'd be nice if ethreals didn't take up force slots