How to deal with Broadsides (?)

[L30n1d4s]

There are many good units in the new Tau Codex, but one that I think might give Marines some of the most trouble (well, give all armies trouble, let's be honest) is the new and vastly improved Broadside units.

 

To start with, they gained "Core" and "Infantry," so they benefit from pretty much any of the Force Multipliers available to Tau (as, say, compared to units like Hammerheads and Riptides). This also means they interact with terrain a lot better than non-infantry units, both in terms of getting cover and moving though Ruins.

 

On top of this, their durability is top-notch, especially for an Infantry unit.... T5 8W per model and a built in 2+ save (easily up to a 1+ in cover), plus Drones for ablative wounds and access to a 5+++ FNP from Ethereals might make them the toughest non-character infantry unit in all of 40K.

 

Of course, the real kicker is their shooting. With the big glow-up to Rail Rifles, Plasma Rifles, and Smart Missile Systems, all of these options work well with Broadsides and enable them to do real damage all game long from a distance (especially the new SMS, which still ignores LOS and now is even deadlier than in 8th).

 

Taken together, I am guessing almost every competitive Tau list will have at least one Broadside unit, with many having two or even three.

 

 

So, what is a Chapter Master to do? Tying them up in combat is the classic tactic, but there are ways for them to Fall Back and shoot (Kauyon being the most obvious) and they can also just shoot straight into combat now as Battlesuits (albeit at -1 to hit for Heavy Weapons, unless they are Sa'cea Sept). Massed Melta weapons (i.e. Eradicators, MM Attack Bikes, Sternguard in a Drop Pod) seem like one way to get in close and inflict real damage, as do high Dmg close combat weapons (i.e. Thunder Hammer Terminators or Vanguard or Dead Company).

 

Outside of that, I am at a bit of a loss with how to deal with them as a Space Marine player.

 

Any ideas out there? Anyone had success agains them so far in games they have fought with the new Tau? 

Edited February 20, 2022 by L30n1d4s

[Karhedron]

I think massed plasma may be the way to go. Decent AP to punch through the armour, wounding on a 3+ and 2D when overcharged. This is probably a key point as 2D is enough that 4 failed saves is a dead suit but it does not matter too much if a Drone intercepts a shot as there will be plenty more coming.

 

Assault Hellblasters might be the best option although plasma Inceptors certainly look viable. 3 Inceptors can drop in close to the target and get an average of 12 shots, 8 hits and 5-6 wounds. Even if Drones intercept 2 of those, that is still at least 3 wounding hits going through to the suit. We are not in one-shot territory yet but if we add a Jump Captain to reroll 1s and prevent overheats, we are getting close. If we have a bit of preliminary shooting to strip away from Drones first, we could just pull it off.

 

Of course this is a lot of firepower to kill a single suit so I think they will definitely be a problem unit for us.

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

Punch them with powerfists obviously

[BloodyB]

Blending them in melee seems the most reliable. I would actually lead with some forms of massed fire, dangerous enough to get those shield drones to be used. Dakka Preds or Heavy Plasma, being high damage, may tempt your opponent. Or just shoot the drones directly with lots of bolters, maybe even bolter inceptors? Loadsa dakka, as the Orks say, should break them. Once they are dealt with, VV with hammers or similar high damage melee, should be able to mop up.

 

Deep striking terminators might do it. Slamming headlong into them with Tactical stormbolters and a good number of fists makes most infantry widen their eyes in shock. Supported by Suppressors and enjoy the look on the face of a T'au with less shooting. In melee, unless they have specific assets to call upon, they are hitting on 5s with their 2 shot weapons isn't good odds.

 

Delivering some chaff to occupy them can be a good way too. Deathstorm drop pods are a relatively easy conversion, and can be stupidly funny to drop in to bother a unit, with assault cannons it can put pressure on drones while the launcher can eliminate suits fairly easily. Couple with some regular pods with marines aboard and you will disrupt most plans quickly. Even assault marines in your face turn 2 is enough to put pressure on.

 

Honestly, I've had problems with Broadsides since 5ed, my go to was always a daring deep strike with some supporting fire, I don't see that enough has changed just yet; Xenos need purging and these ones don't use their robots for punching, and as a guy who likes his simple solutions, I know what I'm going to be doing. Good luck!

[XeonDragon]

Blending them in melee seems the most reliable. I would actually lead with some forms of massed fire, dangerous enough to get those shield drones to be used. Dakka Preds or Heavy Plasma, being high damage, may tempt your opponent. Or just shoot the drones directly with lots of bolters, maybe even bolter inceptors? Loadsa dakka, as the Orks say, should break them. Once they are dealt with, VV with hammers or similar high damage melee, should be able to mop up.

 

Deep striking terminators might do it. Slamming headlong into them with Tactical stormbolters and a good number of fists makes most infantry widen their eyes in shock. Supported by Suppressors and enjoy the look on the face of a T'au with less shooting. In melee, unless they have specific assets to call upon, they are hitting on 5s with their 2 shot weapons isn't good odds.

 

Delivering some chaff to occupy them can be a good way too. Deathstorm drop pods are a relatively easy conversion, and can be stupidly funny to drop in to bother a unit, with assault cannons it can put pressure on drones while the launcher can eliminate suits fairly easily. Couple with some regular pods with marines aboard and you will disrupt most plans quickly. Even assault marines in your face turn 2 is enough to put pressure on.

 

Honestly, I've had problems with Broadsides since 5ed, my go to was always a daring deep strike with some supporting fire, I don't see that enough has changed just yet; Xenos need purging and these ones don't use their robots for punching, and as a guy who likes his simple solutions, I know what I'm going to be doing. Good luck!

 

Ironclad dreadnought delivered via drop pod? Otherwise suppressors + terminators I agree would be good. A drop pod with some stern guard veteran squads with two multi-meltas and other combi weapons to taste could do some work cheaply. 

[bigtrouble]

Hellblasters, overcharged, with chapter master rerolls of course. If you’re Dark Angels you can take the Heavy variety, hit on 2s with Grim Resolve, AP -5 in dev doctrine, and pop a strat for +1 damage. Poof. Edited February 22, 2022 by bigtrouble

[SkimaskMohawk]

Hellblasters, overcharged, with chapter master rerolls of course. If you’re Dark Angels you can take the Heavy variety, hit on 2s with Grim Resolve, AP -5 in dev doctrine, and pop a strat for +1 damage. Poof.

10 normal shots with chapter master averages 1 dead broadside.

 

Even 5 of those buffed dark angel ones only average 3 succesful wounds. You'd need a full unit to one-round them. Not counting the drones that will eat the first two shots.

[bigtrouble]

 

Hellblasters, overcharged, with chapter master rerolls of course. If you’re Dark Angels you can take the Heavy variety, hit on 2s with Grim Resolve, AP -5 in dev doctrine, and pop a strat for +1 damage. Poof.

10 normal shots with chapter master averages 1 dead broadside.

Even 5 of those buffed dark angel ones only average 3 succesful wounds. You'd need a full unit to one-round them. Not counting the drones that will eat the first two shots.

Wait for nerf? :P

[Toldavf]

How about devastator multi meltas from a pod? If you can wipe the screening troops tun 1 allowing you to deploy close enough you should have enough firepower to drop a couple. 

[Tokugawa]

How about devastator multi meltas from a pod? If you can wipe the screening troops tun 1 allowing you to deploy close enough you should have enough firepower to drop a couple.

Only a few chapter could make them hit on 3's instead of 4's.

[redmapa]

 

How about devastator multi meltas from a pod? If you can wipe the screening troops tun 1 allowing you to deploy close enough you should have enough firepower to drop a couple.

Only a few chapter could make them hit on 3's instead of 4's.

 

 

Doesnt the Steady Advance strat apply to a unit disembarking from a drop pod/vehicle? Making them count as stationary would allow them to hit on 3s or am I wrong somewhere? You could also just get a Chaplain with the squad and give them +1 to hit vs the closest unit with Catechism of Fire.

[SkimaskMohawk]

 

 

 

How about devastator multi meltas from a pod? If you can wipe the screening troops tun 1 allowing you to deploy close enough you should have enough firepower to drop a couple.

Only a few chapter could make them hit on 3's instead of 4's.

Doesnt the Steady Advance strat apply to a unit disembarking from a drop pod/vehicle? Making them count as stationary would allow them to hit on 3s or am I wrong somewhere? You could also just get a Chaplain with the squad and give them +1 to hit vs the closest unit with Catechism of Fire.

You can never count as Remaining Stationary when you disembark. So, no, the strat would not work.

[L30n1d4s]

Invictors might actually be pretty good against them, especially if you can get turn 1. Shoot them with Dakka to kill the drones, then charge and hit them with 5 x S14 AP-3 Dmg3 attacks (3 failed saves is a dead Broadside). Even more than that, you can put the Tau on the back foot by pressuring their DZ early in the game, which could be key to take away their mobility advantages.

[Toldavf]

Knowing which chapter we are talking about might help. 

Edited February 23, 2022 by Toldavf