Putting Killhammer to Work for the Greater Good
I got an email a couple of weeks ago about putting the Tau Empires Codex through the filter of Killhammer. I have previously discussed the concepts of Killhammer, and I thought that I might give it a whirl to see what came out.

First off, nothing in the Tau codex counts as a real killer in the Killhammer philosophy. No single unit does enough damage to wipe out enemy units in a single volley of fire (and certainly not in assault.) In fact, few individual units can kill more than 2 Space Marines in a single turn. That means that Tau units will act as cleaners, hunters, defenders and firebases. It also means that we'll have to accept using multiple cleaners in combination to do our killing.

Okay, with that in mind, let's take a very, very brief look at the needs for a Killhammer list. (More detailed discussion at the link, above.)

Killers
These do a lot of damage and should have some capacity for survival. They should form the bulk of a Killhammer list and create the vital kill-gap for you to exploit. (Although this should be the bulk of a killhammer list, the Tau don't have any of these units, so we'll need to look further down the list, primarily at cleaners.)

Defenders
Hard to kill, hard to shift off of an objective. (Don't have to be scoring units, they may contest objectives for you or provide cover for your scoring units.) Basically, these hold or contest objectives and soak enemy firepower.

Hunters
Big Distractions. They threaten important items in the enemy army and thus, draw a lot of fire away from your killers. They can also function to disrupt enemy plans.

Cleaners
These are supposed to help finish off weakened units and elimate small units, but we'll have to use combinations of these in place of killers.

Firebase
The firebase helps to create the kill gap early and, with their range, can act a little bit like a cleaner at long range.

The List
Let's take a look at the list and see how it all shakes out...

HQ
Commander: Cleaner, Hunter
Bodyguard: Cleaner, Hunter
Ethereal: Nothing.

Elite
Crisis Team: Cleaner, Hunter
Stealth Team: Cleaner, Hunter

Troops
FireWarriors: Firebase, Defender
FireWarriors in Devilfish: Cleaner, Defender (not firebase)
Kroot: Firebase, Defender, Hunter (as Bubblewrap)

Fast Attack
Gun Drones: Hunter
Pathfinders: Cleaner? Firebase? Hunter? they are great support, but they don't really fit well with the standard killhammer themes.
Piranha: Hunter
Vespid: Hunter

Heavy Support
Broadsides: Firebase, Cleaner
Sniper Drones: Firebase, Cleaner
Hammerhead Gunship: Hunter
Skyray: Firebase, Cleaner.

Okay, we've got a fair number of choices here. Since we'll be using combined groups of Cleaners instead of Killers, we'll be devoting 75% of our points on Hunters and Cleaners, and the remainder will be Defenders and Firebases. I'll put the list up first grouped in Killhammer terms, then following the standard Force Organization Chart.

One of the best Alpha-Blockers around

The Groups
Defenders and Firebase510pts
170 6x FireWarrior in Devilfish w/TA, Disruption Pod, SMS
70 10x Kroot
270 3x Broadsides: all with Adv Stabilization, Tm Ldr has HW Drone Controller and 2 Shield Drones

Hunters520pts
70 10xKroot
150 2x Piranha: TA, Disruption Pod, Fusion Blaster
150 2x Piranha: TA, Disruption Pod, Fusion Blaster
150 2x Piranha: TA, Disruption Pod, Fusion Blaster


Cleaners943pts
270 3x Broadsides: all with Adv Stabilization, Tm Ldr has HW Drone Controller and 2 Shield Drones
97 Shas 'El Commander: PR, MP, TA, HWMT
97 Shas 'El Commander: PR, MP, TA, HWMT
201 Crisis Team 1: 2xPR/MP/MT, 1xTm Ldr w/PR/MP/TA/HWMT
139 Crisis Team 2: PR/MP/MT, 1xTm Ldr w/PR/MP/TA/HWMT
139 Crisis Team 3: PR/MP/MT, 1xTm Ldr w/PR/MP/TA/HWMT

The List
Now, to make the list clearer in standard 40k terms...
97 Shas 'El Commander: PR, MP, TA, HWMT
97 Shas 'El Commander: PR, MP, TA, HWMT

201 Crisis Team 1: 2xPR/MP/MT, 1xTm Ldr w/PR/MP/TA/HWMT
139 Crisis Team 2: PR/MP/MT, 1xTm Ldr w/PR/MP/TA/HWMT
139 Crisis Team 3: PR/MP/MT, 1xTm Ldr w/PR/MP/TA/HWMT

170 6x FireWarrior in Devilfish w/TA, Disruption Pod, SMS
70 10x Kroot
70 10x Kroot

150 2x Piranha: TA, Disruption Pod, Fusion Blaster
150 2x Piranha: TA, Disruption Pod, Fusion Blaster
150 2x Piranha: TA, Disruption Pod, Fusion Blaster

270 3x Broadsides: all with Adv Stabilization, Tm Ldr has HW Drone Controller and 2 Shield Drones
270 3x Broadsides: all with Adv Stabilization, Tm Ldr has HW Drone Controller and 2 Shield Drones

1973pts

Now that's a firebase!

Deployment
Now that we've got a list, let's see how we can use it. If you are going second, you really should use a refused flank deployment. Deploy in a tight wedge or 'castle' formation diagonally distant from the bulk of the enemy forces. If the enemy forces are split between fast and slow, deploy on the side of the faster units to increase the time between the first wave and the second. Your Devilfish and FireWarriors should start in reserve, to keep them safe for a little bit longer.

On the other hand, if you are going first, you should consider the Split Deployment, also known as 'Empty Center. Basically, you want to split your forces roughly in half, with 18-24" between the two halves. Your mobile bits can go in the middle section. If the opponent splits his army to go after both of your flanks, pick a side to sacrifice. That side will ignore the enemy moving toward them and focus fire on the enemy attacking the other side until the threat to that side can be easily mopped up (Start by shooting at Transports and Fast-moving assaulters.) Then use any firepower you can spare to start hitting the transports and fast-moving assualt troops. You _will_ lose the sacrifice side, but your goal is to buy time for the other side. By the time the enemy units have finished killing your sacrifice side, you should have been able to kill all of their transports and fast-moving troops. This means the remaining foot-sloggers have a long walk over to your remaining side, right into the teeth of your guns. As above, put your Devilfish and FireWarriors in reserve and when they come in, you should probably put them on the non-sacrifice side.

A good matchup ruined by poor target priority and no bubblewrap.

Tune in next week to see more about how to use this army (or Tau armies in general.) I'll be putting in information about Alpha Blocking, Kroot Bubblewrap, Target Priority and an example of how to play against a sample Space Marine army. When it is written, you'll be able to find the link here.

If you enjoyed this, email me and let me know

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