Tau Crisis Squad Configuration

[Keijukainen & Leijona]

We've all seen the ubiquitous FireKnife squad on the field: suits armed with missile pod, plasma rifle, and equipped with a multitracker. It's common, of course, because it's effective, and at several different roles, no less.

Indeed, the more frugal among us have perhaps fielded squads of three with no other upgrades at all. I, however, think it's possible to get much more out of a FireKnife squad than what we usually see. Therefore, I submit a slightly more expensive variation for your consideration...

- 1 Shas'Ui Ldr, twin fusion blaster, missile pod, hw target lock, hw blacksun filter
- 2 Shas'Ui, plasma rifles, missile pods, multitrackers

So, why bother? Well, the squad can now do a few more things. First of all, the leader's twin fusion blaster can act as a deterrent to heavy armour whilst maintaining a slightly diminished ability to roast M/TEqs. More specifically, and more significantly, this deterrent gives deepstriking enemies something to worry about that missile pods and plasma just can't do very well, particularly against something like a drop podding dreadnought.

Secondly, the leader's target lock doubles the number of targets that can be targetted by the crisis squad, effectively helping to remedy one of Tau's key problems: a relatively small number of shots per turn. It makes fire control difficulties a thing of the past.

Lastly, once in a while, that bargain basement blacksun filter is going to pay for its points by punishing some impertinent punk pressing their way across the board pensively expecting protection from the pall of darkness provided by the dawn.

Anyway, just a thought

[Nyctalgia]

I definitely support target locks in Crisis Squads. I like the idea of having fusion blasters in a Tau army to counter deep striking pods/dreads, although I think in that case, twinning the missile pod is better, so if they squad splits fire at light armour, it does so more evenly.

However, in the case of single suits, particularly combined with the Pathfinder Devilfish's marker beacon, I think more options are gained by twinning the fusion blaster. Moreover, spending a few more points to make the suit its own leader and giving it a multitracker gives the suit even more punch for what's intended for.

[Canex]

I think the above ideas are reasonable but ultimately inefficient.

Personally...

Missile pods on all suits.
Plasma rifles on BS4 suits.
Burst cannons on BS3 suits.

So, command Fireknife squads and normal Firestorm squads.