New player: Tau, fleet composition and models

[notts]

Hi all,

I want to build up a 1500 pt Tau fleet, with a mix of Kor Vatra and Kor Vesh, using proxies and shapeways. (just missed out on ebay auction, and now impatient)

I'm looking at

Custodian (shapeway):330
Explorer (proxy): 230
2 protector (shapeway): 370
Hero (proxy):180
3 wardens (shapeway):90
3 orcas (shapeway):75
3 castellans (shapeway):150
+ kor el and aun el: 75. total 1500 on the nose.


How does that look fleet wise? I'm slightly concerned about the double battleship and only 3 cruisers, but I figure the Explorer is the best way to get Orcas into the fight, and I really want to use those.

(alternatively I could swap explorer to merchant, drop 1 orca, and add 3 castellans?)

The total comes to £120, plus postage, which I think is decent for a 1500 pt fleet?

I'm looking at
as the hero (which is a shame as I love the model)

and as the explorer.

What do you guys think of fleet, proxies, and price?

Thanks!

[AndrewChristlieb]

That looks like a good fleet and its not too unreasonable for a price. Have you checked the trading section here? I saw a couple Tau fleets listed not too long ago.

[fracas]

Those are great proxy for Heroes and Explorers!

[horizon]

Agreed, good fleet. And the proxies are well chosen.

Afterimagedan is selling his FW Tau fleet in the trading section.

[DinoDoc]

Hero: http://shpws.me/vbUT
Explorer: http://shpws.me/vbsB

Provided you're still looking for ships to fill those slots.

[notts]

So fleet composition now will be a bit changed, as I've bought a bunch of GW ships!

Explorer, 230, kor el, aun el, 75
3 wardens, 90
merchant, hull upgrade 110
2 orcas, 50

3 heroes, 540
1 protector, 185

4 castellans, 200

1480 pts.

I'm slightly concerned as people prefer the FW fleet? I must say that Tau in general seems a little overrcosted. Might be because I keep generating LD 6 and therefore failing my ordnance re rolls to be fair.

I've played a few games and really enjoyed it so far. Cursing myself I never got into it "back in the day"

What do people think of this remodel?
http://www.shapeways.com/model/2308095/tau-custodian-class.html?materialId=66

Looks fine, apart from the back and bottom having 0 detail.

The other custodian on shapeways is 73 euros, and for that you can buy them on ebay.

[horizon]

Hey,

yeah, shapeways can be very expensive. I'd either advice a proxy vessel or a good offer on ebay (or similar).

But this variant seems better as a shapeways alternative:
http://www.shapeways.com/model/2288816/sheppard-mki-battleship.html?materialId=62


The Explorer should have Orca's, not Wardens. Officially. iirc.

A lof of people, not everyone, prefer the FW fleet because of the looks. Gamewise the GW variant fleet is... one of the better ones! Nothing overcosted at all.
An Explorer, 230pts, 8 Launch Bays, that's a force to be reckoned with. Three of them is just good. You'll be on the ordnance upper hand in most of the cases. Use the Heroes/Protector in a forward line to protect the carriers.
Escorts at the back.

And add the aun option to gain more re-rolls. You'll need it. Plus, if one Explorer rolled Ld9, another Ld6, squadron them so the Ld6 one can benefit from the Ld9 vessel.

[AndrewChristlieb]

I think the GW fleet is much better looking then the FW, personal preference and all.

[fracas]

I prefer the GW tau as well

[Rowlybot]

I'm slightly concerned as people prefer the FW fleet? I must say that Tau in general seems a little overrcosted. Might be because I keep generating LD 6 and therefore failing my ordnance re rolls to be fair.

God, this sounds familiar. Having the "best" ordnance is great... Except when it runs our or never reloads haha.

[notts]

Can I have some opinions on the fleet restrictions? they seem overly harsh to me. Protectors are the only ship I dont like looks wise across both fleets, but it seems to want to force you to use them. I'd rather just use Heroes!


and usability on merchants and emissaries? Cheap ways to get wardens/orcas onto the field?
The sa'cea emissary variant seems to pack a good punch for it's points, of course while being paper fragile? or do you always just want the gravitiv hook version.

Am I worrying too much about it?!

[horizon]

Yes, you are.

Pity you dislike the look of Protector (I really like the shape).

Heroes are restricted because they are to good for their points. Yeah, call that bad game design. (btw which set of rules are you using?).

Gunnery Merchants & Emissaries need some care during the battle but are certainly helpful additions.

[notts]

the custodian, warden, castellan and emissary all seem to be from the same designer, and then protector looks different. to me!

Thanks for reassuring me.

*stop being such a power gamer, notts*

I think I will probably use the 2010 compendium list, because I'd like to have a mixed fleet, and castellans are easier to buy than defenders!


Just won an ebay auction.

Now I own

Custodian
Explorer

3 heroes
Merchant
2 protectors
2 emissaries

3 wardens
3 castellans

Need to buy 3 orcas, and 4 more wardens to fill my gravitic hooks up.

Comes to 2300+ pts. Aww yeahhh