In my continuing quest to take something a little different (!), I’m taking Tau, with no Ethereals, no Firewarriors, no Riptides, and no Batman Commander. Trying out a Farsight XV8 army.
Farsight Primary
Commander, 2 Missile Pods, Target Lock, Drone Controller, 2 Marker Drones
Death Rain Team 1: Two XV8s with Twin Missile Pods, Target Locks and 2 Marker Drones each.
Death Rain Team 2: Two XV8s with Twin Missile Pods, Target Locks and 2 Marker Drones each
Burst Cannon Team 1: 3 XV8s with Twin Burst Cannons, one of them Twin Linked
Burst Cannon Team 2: 3 XV8s with Twin Burst Cannons, one of them Twin Linked
Fusion Team: 2 XV8s with Twin Fusion Blasters, one of them Twin Linked.
Skyray
Skyray
Hammer Head with Plasma Cannons, sensor spines
Tau Allies
10 Kroot, one hound
10 Kroot, one hound
Hammer Head with Plasma Cannons, sensor spines
I think it’s reasonably straight forward. Commanders go with the Deathrains to provide marker light support, and kill wave serpents. The other XV8s go in reserve and deep strike in to kill troops unless I think my opponent is going to rush me, in which case they deploy on the board for fire support. Depending on terrain, the suits can deploy hiding behind the AV13 tanks, or behind terrain to JSJ. Skyrays kill Flyers, and the Hammerheads kill Riptides, Broadsides, Centurions etc. And the Kroot do what Kroot have always done get in your opponents way and die for the greater good
I know I know – far from optimised, but I’m hoping it will strike a balance between “fun to play” and “reasonably competitive”. I’m not expecting to be on the top tables, nor am I aiming for them. Five fun games against different opponents with different armies is what I’m looking for!
And that’s not to be “sniffed” at. The ability to kill Broadsides while out of range, and take down Riptides will help. Plus, I’m expecting a few marines, and being able to pick them off at range (particularly Centurions and bikes) will also help. Now of course Riptides with Ion Accelerators will do the same job …… but everybody takes Riptides!
The biggest problem I see with the Hammerheads is a lack of mobility, and that’s why I have so many marker lights. On average each Deathrain team should get 5 marker light hits allowing me to move the hammer head up to 12” and still shoot at BS4 while ignoring cover.
Now, the observant amongst you, will be saying “but you have no answer to screamer stars or jetseer councils”, and you would be right. But I don’t care – for this tournament at least, I’m going to pretend they don’t exist!
I’ll let you know how I get on.
EYIG.