How much E:A Tau do you need? |
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Tactica
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need?  Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 5:11 pm |
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Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:12 am
Posts: 2241
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As I'm really happy with the Tau WIP v4.2.4 formation structure, I started looking at my unit count again to see if I really have everything I want. I knew going in to this excersize that I needed more models to account for my usual proxies alone, but I thought I'd take an army look instead of a few formations alone.
So inventorying my E:A Tau, I noticed I had:
12 firewarrior stands - 1x form, 1x upg
13 Crisis stands - 3x form's, 1x Shas'o stand
6 Ion-heads - 1x cadre form or 1x cont form + upgr
9 Rail-heads - 1x cadre + upg or 2x cont form
28 drone stands - 7x form's !!!
15 Stealth stands - 2x form's, 1x upg
8 broadside stands - 2x form's
6 Pathfinders - 1x form, 1x upg
3 Devilfish stands -  (I'm light here for sure!)
15 Tetra - 2x form's, 1x upg
12 Piranha - 2x form's
3 Swordfish - 1.5x upg
4 Skyray - 4x upg
6 Stingray (HH TL-MP variants) - 1 form + upg
2 Narwhals - 1x form
6 Barracuda - 2x form's
2 Tiger Shark (ion variant) - 1x form
2 Moray (BFG Protectors?) - 1x form
1 Manta - 1x form
0 Orca
0 Dragon Fish
0 Kroot
0 Heavy Drones
(ST IG use for human aux)
So from that, the lists I've built lately seem to show that I don't have enough Swordfish, Rail-heads, Firewarriors, and devilfish. It would appear I have an abundant supply of drones though! I may have more piranha, stealth, and tetra than I'll ever use too.
So in order to have have flexible 5K-ish army I'm thinking I still need:
+12 FW stands
? ? 2x ?12.00
+11 devilfish
? ? 2x ?6.00 (5 will come from Sword Fish conversions)
+11 Rail-heads
? ? 3x ?7.00 (2 come from Swordfish conversions)
+5 Swordfish (equates to purchsing 10 rail-heads + 2 spare)
? ? 3x ?7.00
+2 Orca (1 for DrFish conversion)
? ?2x ?16.00
Kroot and heavy drones haven't really impressed me yet, so I'm OK with proxying those for awhile yet.
What do you think?
_________________
Rob
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HecklerMD
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need? Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:37 pm |
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Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2005 5:42 am
Posts: 201
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Hmmm...
My 3500 Pt List:
1 FW Cadre + DF
+ HH, +Skyray, +Ethereal
(575)
1 FW Cadre + DF
+ HH, +Skyray,
(500)
1 Crisis Battlesuit Cadre
+ Crisis, + Shas'o
(425)
1 HH Contingent
+HH (IC), +Skyray
(450)
1 Broadside Contingent
(300)
1 Stealth Contingent
(275)
1 Pathfinder Contingent +Devilfish
(175)
2 Fighter Squadrons
(250)
(250)
1 Strike Craft +Heavy Drones
(275)
<3475 Pts>
I'm ordering in three parts and trying to take advantage of FW's free shipping till xmas:
1 Tau Command Pack, 3 Packs of FW, 4 Packs of DF, 4 Packs RG HH, 1 Pack IC HH, 1 Pack Skyray, 2 Packs Broadsides, 3 Packs Crisis, 4 Packs Drones, 2 Packs Stealth, 2 Packs Pathfinders, 3 Packs Baracudas, 1 Pack Tigersharks.
Last order will probably throw in a Orca, a Manta and a pair of Protectors to proxy as Morays.
16 Stands of FW's, 8x 5 Per stand + 8x 4 Per stand +1 Drone, and 1 stand with the Ethereal, 2 Shield Drones, and 2 FW.
Crisis and Stealths 3x Per stand, Broadsides 2x Per Stand.
Pathfinders, hmm, thinking 3 per stand w/ a drone, whats the size range for a PF Squad in 40K?
Good thing resin is so affordable!  
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Tactica
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need? Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:44 pm |
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| Brood Brother |
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Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:12 am
Posts: 2241
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Heckler,
Yep, you have 9 HH in your list. I'm way light on HH as I've found when I start playing significant sized games. I like to have an option to go heavy mechanized from time to time. I've been using proxies like crazy LOL.
I also don't field crisis, broadsides, and stealth in every list. I've found that adding crisis as an upgrade then adding SC sometimes works better for me.
I need more FW infantry and devilfish - that's for sure. I've had times where I wanted to go more infantry heavy and have had to proxy a second unit of FWs. 3 formations of FW's are probably a rarity for me though.
I originally thought I was going to need more drones than I did in the end though. They are great for filler on other stands, but don't get used so much as stand alone or upgrades.  I really thought I was going to like them, and in the end, I rarely have the points for them.
You seem to plan on good Skyray support. I've not been impressed with them and have 4 models, but typically I find that I use them for other models more than actual skyrays.
cheers,
_________________
Rob
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Honda
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need? Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 2:22 am |
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| Brood Brother |
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Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2005 11:44 pm
Posts: 1891
Location: Katy, Republic of Texas
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8 firewarrior stands (will sculpt at least 8 more)
0 Crisis stands
6 Ion-heads
6 Rail-heads
0 drone stands
6 Stealth stands
0 broadside stands
6 Pathfinders
12 Devilfish stands
10 Tetra/Piranha (will scratch build some UAV's for these)
2 Swordfish (I use Skyrays as equivalents)
0 Skyray
4 Stingray (I use Skyrays as equivalents)
3 Scorpionfish (using Orcas, slight mods)
6 Barracuda
0 Tiger Shark
2 Moray (BFG Protectors)
2 Manta (will convert Snap-tite B-2's as proxies)
0 Orca
1 Dragon Fish (converted plastic space ship)
0 Kroot
0 Heavy Drones
Also plan on converting some 40K drones into what I'll call Cadre Support Platforms (CSP). What they will represent is HH-IC or Swordfish upgrades for things like a Hunter or Armored cadre.
What do I need to get? Probably some more Skyrays so that I could get another Stingray contingent, another FW bag, but if I don't, then I'll sculpt some, when the Tigershark A-X-10 comes out, I'll probably get those.
Not too interested in any auxila or Kroot at this point. Maybe at a higher points level, but now we're talking 5K points, so I don't see that happening for a little while.
_________________
Honda
"Remember Taros? We do"
- 23rd Elysian Drop Regiment
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HecklerMD
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need? Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:42 pm |
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Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2005 5:42 am
Posts: 201
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| Quote (Tactica @ 11 Nov. 2005 (22:44)) | Heckler,
Yep, you have 9 HH in your list. I'm way light on HH as I've found when I start playing significant sized games. I like to have an option to go heavy mechanized from time to time. I've been using proxies like crazy LOL.
I also don't field crisis, broadsides, and stealth in every list. I've found that adding crisis as an upgrade then adding SC sometimes works better for me.
I need more FW infantry and devilfish - that's for sure. I've had times where I wanted to go more infantry heavy and have had to proxy a second unit of FWs. 3 formations of FW's are probably a rarity for me though.
I originally thought I was going to need more drones than I did in the end though. They are great for filler on other stands, but don't get used so much as stand alone or upgrades. I really thought I was going to like them, and in the end, I rarely have the points for them.
You seem to plan on good Skyray support. I've not been impressed with them and have 4 models, but typically I find that I use them for other models more than actual skyrays.
cheers, |
10, Actually.
Yeah, I like tanks too, my IG collection will have 29 LR in it, + hellhounds/chimeras/hydras, ect. Oh, and SHTs!
My Tau list will be more balanced by comparison, 'cause thats how I see them working, more combined arms-like. My 2 FW cadres are my general pourpose formations and will probably always be there. Crisis I'll use more of if we keep them as inf so I can use them in cover.
Skyrays, well, old habit from the IG, everyone gets a hydra, so everyone gets a Skyray. 1 Shot AA5 (with ML) dont really thrill me though, hence the 2 flights of 'Cudas. In my IG list I always use TBolts for A2G, but the 'Cudas will go on CAP till air threats are reduced. We'll see how it goes.
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Legion 4
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need? Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:49 pm |
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Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2003 5:13 pm
Posts: 36989
Location: Ohio - USA
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Yes, I may have to get more F/W, Kroot, & Drones ? But $$$ is high !  Once I work out my TO&Es, I'll know ... 
_________________
Legion 4 "Cry Havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War !" ... "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
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Legion 4
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need? Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 2:02 pm |
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Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2003 5:13 pm
Posts: 36989
Location: Ohio - USA
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asaura
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need? Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 6:41 pm |
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Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:34 am
Posts: 481
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Only proper Tau troops can be transported under the current army list.
You all list far too few Orcas! Get 2 at the minimum, but more is better. I'm planning to go to 4, which is a bit too much for a 3k list, but not by much...
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Tactica
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need? Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:32 pm |
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Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:12 am
Posts: 2241
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Tactica
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need? Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:33 pm |
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Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:12 am
Posts: 2241
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Dobbsy,
3 FW formtions... common for you?
_________________
Rob
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Tactica
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need? Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:38 pm |
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Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:12 am
Posts: 2241
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Heckler,
Seems to be a common perspctive on the Skyrays. They are not really fulfilling their role very well. I put them in occassionally as I have the models, more AA is always welcomed against some opponents but they should be doing the job that your 2 barracuda formations are being taken for in your list. I too always take a formation of barracudas, not for CAP, but to intercept until the enemy fliers are gone if I have more activations... CAP if he has more formations/activations. Hmm...
_________________
Rob
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Tactica
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need? Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:40 pm |
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Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:12 am
Posts: 2241
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Asaura,
Interesting observation about the Orcas. I wonder why so many people don't run them regularly. I know why I don't, but I wonder why more people don't.
This and the Skyray are worth seperate posts I think.
Cheers for the observation.
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Rob
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Honda
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Post subject: How much E:A Tau do you need? Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 6:39 am |
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Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2005 11:44 pm
Posts: 1891
Location: Katy, Republic of Texas
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Going to sculpt infantry in Epic?
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Well, don't get too excited. They'll all be wearing camo ponchos and laying on the ground or in a crouch. This models one of my 40K FW units (aka The Wraiths).
Second formation of Stingrays aye? I can only justify one formation - sometimes.
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So far, that's all I can do as well. However, it's more for the time where I might want a second fm in a larger game. No rush for these though.
Swordfish as Skyrays... heh, why not sculpt some cool railgun upgrades for your HH's? Or do what I do, buy two rail-heads, use both railguns to convert a swordfish, then use the spare HH body and leftover turret and make a devilfish - no waste!
Part of my desire to take this path is that I never really liked the look of the original Swordfish and at the same time, in my 40K force I wanted a Hammerhead equivalent that could double for a rail gun or an ion.
What I settled on was the Skyray turret, surmising that either capability could be explained with a different missile loadout, hence the creation of a vehicle that I called the Stonefish FSV (Fire Support Vehicle).
When it came time for modeling in Epic, I just borrowed the same concept and applied it to different vehicles in our list. Trying to capitalize on the perceived Tau pragmatism, I imagine that the Skyray could manifest itself as several different weapons types, simply by modifying the weapons carried or support software programs.
So, Skyrays are Stingrays are Swordfish are...
Besides, I love how the Skyray looks... ? ?
