Tau Help Desk: A Decimated Cadre

Shas’o Old Shatter Hands—

Greetings and salutations.  It is with regret that I add this missive at the end of the long list of next-of-kin letters I have just finished composing.

A bare 4 rotaa have passed since my first command was handed a stinging defeat at the chainswords of the human Imperium; casualties were so high that my cadre was in danger of being disbanded altogether.  By the grace of the Greater Good, however, I have successfully argued my case before the Ethereal Council and have been granted a reprieve.  As I enter the closing phases of my period of mourning, I must look to the future and determine how best to avenge my fallen comrades.

Though the wisdom of the Ethereals has authorized my cadre to be reconstituted, it is not without strictures and limitations.  The decision to allow me to retain my command was close, and I must earn back the trust of the Council before I can regain unfettered access to the armoury; in the meantime I must make do with what is available or unwanted by other cadres with higher requisition authority.  To that end I have been able to recruit my two Fire Warrior teams back up to full strength, have promoted a Shas’ui to lead each, and repairs to the single Devilfish’s antigrav engines are proceeding apace.  My bodyguard was only wounded in the action against the Space Marines and a replacement XV8 as well as Shield Drone have already arrived.

In addition, the team of XV25 Stealthsuits I had requisitioned prior to the engagement, but which had not yet arrived, are now available, and the Air Caste have finally seen fit to deliver the Shas’ui for the XV88 which has so far sat unpiloted.  The Earth Caste technicians assure me that the Hammerhead will finally be combat-capable before we ship out again, and they have also suggested that enough spare parts are available to cobble together a jury-rigged Sniper Drone Team.  I believe there may also be enough Kroot idling about to assemble a small force of carnivores, but honesty forces me to admit that I put little stock in our alien brethren.

Given the above limitations, and a requisition budget limited to 750, what might you suggest for a cadre list capable of a reprisal against a generic Space Marine chapter?  I would be grateful to hear any input you may have, as our geographic areas of responsibility are in such proximity that I feel a wholly-unearned sense of kinship despite my lowly rank and your exalted achievements.  If the long-swirling rumors of the imminence of the Fourth Sphere Expansion are true, I am compelled to prove my worth to the Ethereal Council so that I may fully participate in the nobility of those grand plans.

Your comrade-in-arms for the cause of the Greater Good,

Shas’el Wadmaasi

At our Disposal:

 ·         1 Devilfish

·         24 Fire Warriors
·         12 Kroot (I think, however many come in the Battleforce; they’re not assembled)
·         3 Stealthsuits
·         2 XV8 Crisis Suits (1 Commander)
·         1 XV88 Broadside
·         1 Sky Ray ( to be assembled as a Hammerhead)
·         1 Shield Drone
·         a bunch of leftover Gun Drones that my opponent is OK with pretending are a Sniper Drone Team


Tau Help Desk:
Shas'el Wadmaasi, Your request to be re-instated did not come lightly by the Ethereal. Such spectacular failures are not quickly forgotten. Certainly the Ethereals see a flicker of the light of the undying spirit in you. Be at ease to know each of your warriors possess it too.


Fortunately for you, the Tau do excel in lower point games because our troops choices will not take up a majority of the points that would for a Space Marine army. Unfortunately for you, the models are your disposal are limited. 


There are a couple things to bear in mind with Space Marines. Not only do you have get some AP3 or better weaponry but you need to have S7 or better weapons to knock out their rhinos and razorbacks. With only 1 Broadside, we'll need to also count on our Crisis Suits for long range fire that can punch through marine tanks. 


Here is the list I would field:


HQ- 1 Shas'El Commander, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Targeting Array (gaining BS5), Hard-Wired Multitracker (allowing you to fire both weapons per turn) and Hard-Wired Drone Controller with 2 Gun Drones

HQ- 1 Shas'El Commander, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Targeting Array, Hard-Wired Multitracker, Hard-Wired Drone Controller with 2 Gun Drones 


TR- 6 Fire Warriors in Devilfish with Disruption Pod, Multitracker (go in reserve and come on later to claim objectives)


TR- 10 Kroot (go in reserve and outflank to claim an objective or hide in a forest)


HVY- Broadside , upgraded to Team Leader with Targeting Array, Plasma Rifles and Hard-wired Multi-tracker and Hard-Wired Drone Controller and Shield Drone.(set up in cover and target transports)


HVY- Hammerhead Gunship, with Railgun, Smart Missile System, Disruption Pod, Multitracker and Target Lock. (set with Commanders behind, targets infantry mostly)


The idea behind this army is durability and fire power. Although you are mobile, you aren't fast so bear that in mind. With 2 railguns on the board you should be pretty intimidating too. Set up your broadside with a good range of fire in cover. His job is shoot rhinos and razorbacks and then blast away at Marines and Terminators if they get close. With his twin-linked weapons and Target Array, you can be guaranteed he'll hit what he shoots. The plasma also has a chance of penetrating rhinos and with the 'tracker he can fire both each turn. 


Troops go in reserve and come on later to claim objectives. This is very important. Do not set them up during deployment as they won't survive long that way. Hammerhead gets set up and the Commander will set up behind it, jump out to fire and then leaping back for cover. The Hammerhead should primarily target infantry with its submunition while the Commanders should shoot rhinos and razorback with their pods and then the infantry as they pour out. 


That's it. I think you'll find your opponent surprised by the amount of accurate fire power you can dish out in a 750 game. This list actually come to 744 so you have 6 points to spend where you want.  Enjoy!