Commander unit, is this setup worth it?

[STS17]

As an intro I am new to the game, but I am curious if this concept would be an effective unit out on the battlefield

Crisis Commander with Cyclic Ion Blaster and Fusion Blaster w/2 gun drones (via drone controller)
2x Crisis battlesuit bodyguards with Burst cannon and Fusion blaster w/2 gun drones (via drone controller)

Total the team comes out to 272 points if i did my math correctly.

Ultimately my goal is to have a mobile command unit that can take out infantry units fairly easily (or serve as a deterrent against fast attackers to protect my less mobile or more specialized units) but also have the ability to handle armor if my opponent brings larger weaponry to bear.

This team would be going into a 1000pt or 1250pt game more often then a larger one as that is what my friends normally play

[defiler15]

sounds good. but maybe give a plasma gun instead of fusion blaster. because they may have excellent firepower but there range would be limited. plus plasma gun is good for popping marines and terminators.

a friend of mine has a similar configuration but has plasma guns with the fusion blasters. added sheilds and sheild drones. with stimulant injector for commander. it adds way more points but he says its a beastly combo.

but my idea is replace burst cannons with missile pods at least. add sheilds or shield drones and you should be good.

and welcome to the forums.

[STS17]

thanks for the tips, my main concern is points cost, as i am playing 1000 points games mostly im not sure how well sitting almost a third of my points into one unit will work out

[Vagorin]

thanks for the tips, my main concern is points cost, as i am playing 1000 points games mostly im not sure how well sitting almost a third of my points into one unit will work out

Its a not just a squad your investing in. Think of it as a big stick. you defenatly want your stick bigger then your opponents. I usually set up my commander in relation to what else I am going to bring. if I am mech heavy My commander might be armed with teh fusion blaster and twin linked flamers with drone controllers. You never know.

Depends on how much Anti tank I actually have.

[MasterArch]

Using Kauyon tactics you could keep them off the board for deepstrike (make sure you take a unit of pathfinders to make this as cock up proof as possible) and use a weaker force as a lure (particularly against armies like IG that hava a lot of forward facing armour) so dropping a high impact unit behind it will cause all sorts of problems particulalry if Kroot or FWs can break a unit forcing it to run into the XV8s (instantly destroyed).

My team mate and I used this tactic with SM dreadnought drop podding in against Grey Knights with much success

[defiler15]

actualy yes it may be alot of points. but you can pop tanks and likes easily. and it would be a tough squad to fight against. as long as you dont get into cc that squad can do lots of damage to anything.

[commandojimbob]

HQ that i use :

Commander Shas'O - Plasma / Fusion - Stimulant Injection - Shield Generator - 2x Shield Drones - HW Multitracker
XV8 - Bodyguard - Missile Pod / Fusion - Targetting Array - HW Multitracker - 1x Shield Drone
Total HQ - 261

Added bodyguard recently, but my Shas'O is always a tough to kill, and i love Pod/Fusion/Array combo.

[Zanven]

I run my commander with a drone controller, two gundrones and attach him to a eight drone gundrone squad. This configuration gives me ten strength five AP5 twin-linked attacks that cause pinning. My commander has Plasma Rifle and Missile Pod, and Shield generator. Entire squad can Deep Strike, move six inches in the assault phase, fire in the shooting phase, and move six again in the assault phase. You should try it out sometime.

Needless to say, hilarity ensues.

[STS17]

ok Zan that sounds hilarious

Master, I do plan on using mostly Kauyon tactics so what you said is pretty much where I was hoping to go with my list.

I dont have the full list assembled yet, nor am I sure if what I want will remain within my 1k points limit but this is what I am looking at so far (also haven't looked if this fits within a FoC yet either):

The command unit this thread is about
1 full unit of FW w/plasma rifles
1 Broadside w/railgun SMS and Target lock
1 unit of stealthsuits (probably only 3 not the full 6) 2 w/ burstcannons and HW drone controllers (one shield one marker) and the other w/fusion blaster and HW target array
1 Hammerhead w/railgun and SMS (still not sure what upgrades)
1 unit of Vespid (6 models)
1 unit of pathfinders w/devilfish not entirely sure what to take for weapons yet but the fish will have flechette and dsiruption pods

[commandojimbob]

I run my commander with a drone controller, two gundrones and attach him to a eight drone gundrone squad. This configuration gives me ten strength five AP5 twin-linked attacks that cause pinning. My commander has Plasma Rifle and Missile Pod, and Shield generator. Entire squad can Deep Strike, move six inches in the assault phase, fire in the shooting phase, and move six again in the assault phase. You should try it out sometime.

Needless to say, hilarity ensues.

Yep its been i while since i see someone using this but it certainly works a treat - was a popular combo when Tau first appeared, since their were not as many options in the first codex.

Only problem is that its a big unit, both as a targte and for deep striking - increases chance of mishap somewhat, but that depends on terrain used.

I watched 1750pts battle of SM vs Daemons last night, and the SM player spread his units out as much as possible, pushing the 2" coherency to the limit - all because of deep strike - leaving as little open area as possible.

[commandojimbob]

ok Zan that sounds hilarious

Master, I do plan on using mostly Kauyon tactics so what you said is pretty much where I was hoping to go with my list.

I dont have the full list assembled yet, nor am I sure if what I want will remain within my 1k points limit but this is what I am looking at so far (also haven't looked if this fits within a FoC yet either):

The command unit this thread is about
1 full unit of FW w/plasma rifles You need another Troop choice
1 Broadside w/railgun SMS and Target lock Dont need target lock if its just one broadside, also think about whether they will be a pillbox or semi-mobile - pillbox add a targetting array, semi-mobile, equip with Adv Stabilisers. Also, shield drones are awesome for broadsides, and prevent them from instant death until they are dead and believe me, Broadsides are always a priority target
1 unit of stealthsuits (probably only 3 not the full 6) 2 w/ burstcannons and HW drone controllers (one shield one marker) and the other w/fusion blaster and HW target array I assume you mean target lock as there are no HW targetting arrays - also Fusion blaster not a great choice. Also why take marker drone if your running pathfinders - they cost alot that could be spent elsewhere1 Hammerhead w/railgun and SMS (still not sure what upgrades) Definately take Disruption Pod and Multitracker - get 4+ cover save and can move 12" and still fire rail gun
1 unit of Vespid (6 models) - Never used them, look to fragile to me
1 unit of pathfinders w/devilfish not entirely sure what to take for weapons yet but the fish will have flechette and dsiruption pods

In addition you have no crisis suits, they are key IMO

[VoxDei]

I run my commander with a drone controller, two gundrones and attach him to a eight drone gundrone squad. This configuration gives me ten strength five AP5 twin-linked attacks that cause pinning. My commander has Plasma Rifle and Missile Pod, and Shield generator. Entire squad can Deep Strike, move six inches in the assault phase, fire in the shooting phase, and move six again in the assault phase. You should try it out sometime.

Needless to say, hilarity ensues.

Can't do that anymore. A commander with gun drones is not considered an individual character as he has additional units with him (gun drones). This is clarified in the the GW FAQ. To do this you wouldn't be able to give him his two gun drones.

[commandojimbob]

I run my commander with a drone controller, two gundrones and attach him to a eight drone gundrone squad. This configuration gives me ten strength five AP5 twin-linked attacks that cause pinning. My commander has Plasma Rifle and Missile Pod, and Shield generator. Entire squad can Deep Strike, move six inches in the assault phase, fire in the shooting phase, and move six again in the assault phase. You should try it out sometime.

Needless to say, hilarity ensues.

Can't do that anymore. A commander with gun drones is not considered an individual character as he has additional units with him (gun drones). This is clarified in the the GW FAQ. To do this you wouldn't be able to give him his two gun drones.

Sorry Vox but thats not how i read the FAQ - it only talks about bodyguards in that way not its drones : see below : also remember Gun Drones are wargear.

[VoxDei]

Sorry. My Bad. I was thinking of shadowsun and her drones. Not sure why they make a distinction between the two...

[STS17]

ok Zan that sounds hilarious

Master, I do plan on using mostly Kauyon tactics so what you said is pretty much where I was hoping to go with my list.

I dont have the full list assembled yet, nor am I sure if what I want will remain within my 1k points limit but this is what I am looking at so far (also haven't looked if this fits within a FoC yet either):

The command unit this thread is about
1 full unit of FW w/plasma rifles You need another Troop choice
1 Broadside w/railgun SMS and Target lock Dont need target lock if its just one broadside, also think about whether they will be a pillbox or semi-mobile - pillbox add a targetting array, semi-mobile, equip with Adv Stabilisers. Also, shield drones are awesome for broadsides, and prevent them from instant death until they are dead and believe me, Broadsides are always a priority target
1 unit of stealthsuits (probably only 3 not the full 6) 2 w/ burstcannons and HW drone controllers (one shield one marker) and the other w/fusion blaster and HW target array I assume you mean target lock as there are no HW targetting arrays - also Fusion blaster not a great choice. Also why take marker drone if your running pathfinders - they cost alot that could be spent elsewhere1 Hammerhead w/railgun and SMS (still not sure what upgrades) Definately take Disruption Pod and Multitracker - get 4+ cover save and can move 12" and still fire rail gun
1 unit of Vespid (6 models) - Never used them, look to fragile to me
1 unit of pathfinders w/devilfish not entirely sure what to take for weapons yet but the fish will have flechette and dsiruption pods

In addition you have no crisis suits, they are key IMO

Ill respond to the red line by line:
Yes I know i need another troop choice like i said this is not a complete list just the idea of where I am going with it
Forgive me I switched the target lock and target array in my head while i was typing which also responds to the first thing you said with the stealths
The marker drone is because I am thinking of bringing a few seekers with me and the stealths infiltrate can get a markerlight up close very early, also the fusion blaster is to hit any light armor left on the outside flanks of an enemy deployment (i have heard they are neigh useless on stealths though so that will probably change)
finally, yes the vespid are fragile however their weapon is pretty powerful and their mobility makes for good lures and flank protection


Most of this list's composition has been from information ive read both here and at tauonline.org just learning about the strengths and weaknesses of the Tau's units so this is by no means a complete list just the beginning of an idea ive been coming together with