Top 6 Finish! My Tau Strategy for the Tabletop Tactics Warhammer 40K Tournament
The weekend I had been waiting for had finally arrived—Tabletop Tactics’ Open League 2-Day Tournament. With my T’au army packed and my list ready to go, my girlfriend and I hit the road on Friday night, embarking on the 6-hour drive from Cumbria all the way down to Chippenham. Thankfully, I had my amazing girlfriend to thank for making the trip possible, as she took the wheel for the entire journey. Her support meant the world to me, and it gave me plenty of time to focus on strategies and get pumped for the tournament ahead.
We pulled into Chippenham late, but the excitement for what lay ahead kept me wide awake. The tournament was kicking off Saturday morning at 9 a.m., and I couldn’t wait to dive into the action. I spent the drive mentally running through strategies, thinking about the potential matchups and how my Kauyon tactics would play out. This event wasn’t just about competition—it was about meeting the Warhammer community, playing some epic games, and testing my skills against other players.
By the time we arrived at the venue the next morning, the excitement was palpable. The buzzing energy, players unpacking their armies, and the feeling of being part of something big made the long drive more than worth it. I was ready to roll dice, meet some great opponents, and see just how far I could take my T’au over the next two days.
The road trip was behind us, and now it was time to hit the tables and see what this tournament had in store!
Game 1 – T’au (Kauyon) vs. Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force)
Result: Defeat – 56 - 61
Opponent: Sam (Grey Knights - Teleport Strike Force)
Mission: Pariah Nexus (Search and Destroy, Rapid Escalation)
The tournament kicked off with a tough match against Sam’s Grey Knights. His Teleport Strike Force gave me a lot of trouble, constantly repositioning to threaten my objectives. Despite my best efforts, the game ended in a narrow defeat, with a final score of 61 to 56.
Key Moments
Ghostkeel and Riptide Losses: I drew Sabotage in Turn 1 and positioned my Ghostkeel on the No Man’s Land objective, but it was quickly destroyed. In Turn 2, I attempted to complete Sabotage again with my Riptide, but it also fell. Missing out on two turns of secondary points was a major blow.
Crisis Fireknife Team: My Crisis Fireknife Team performed admirably, targeting Sam’s elite units. Unfortunately, without my Ghostkeel and Riptide, they were outnumbered and overwhelmed by the Grey Knights' teleportation and melee threats.
Final Thoughts
This was a hard-fought game, but the loss of key units like the Ghostkeel and Riptide left me in a tough spot. Sam’s Grey Knights excelled at board control, making it difficult for me to keep up on secondary objectives. It was a narrow loss, but a good learning experience heading into Game 2.
Game 2 – T’au (Kauyon) vs. Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic)
Result: Victory – 82 - 78
Opponent: Sven (Thousand Sons - Cult of Magic)
Mission: Pariah Nexus (Sweeping Engagement, Swift Action)
After the loss in Game 1, I came into Game 2 ready to adapt. This time, I faced Sven’s Thousand Sons, a psychic powerhouse. It was an incredibly close game, but I managed to pull off a win, securing a victory with a score of 82 to 78.
Key Units and Plays
Stormsurge: My Stormsurge was the key to victory, holding down the mid-board with its Pulse Blastcannon and Missile Pods. It absorbed a tremendous amount of damage, allowing me to control the battlefield and score on critical objectives.
Stealth Teams: My Stealth Teams were pivotal in spotting and guiding my units, especially against Sven’s psychic weapons. Their role in helping me focus firepower on key targets helped me stay in the game despite Sven’s use of Cabal Points.
Vespid: My Vespid proved their worth again by securing objectives and scoring points, particularly on Behind Enemy Lines.
Final Thoughts
This was a very close game, but my Stormsurge and Stealth Teams played crucial roles in securing the victory. I was able to overcome Sven’s psychic pressure by focusing on physical firepower and mobility. After the loss in Game 1, this win was a great morale boost heading into Game 3.
Game 3 – T’au (Kauyon) vs. Space Marines (Gladius Task Force)
Result: Victory – 90 - 85
Opponent: Rick (Space Marines - Gladius Task Force)
Mission: Pariah Nexus (Hammer and Anvil, Smoke and Mirrors)
The final game of Day 1 was a close battle against Rick’s Space Marines. His Gladius Task Force packed a punch with Bladeguard Veterans, a Ballistus Dreadnought, and an Aggressor squad led by Marneus Calgar. In the end, I secured a narrow victory with a score of 90 to 85.
Key Units and Plays
Stormsurge: My Stormsurge was a tank, soaking up damage while taking out Rick’s Bladeguard Veterans and their Lieutenant. It was eventually brought down by Rick’s Aggressor squad, supported by Marneus Calgar, but not before turning the tide of the battle in my favor.
Remaining Broadside: Despite losing one Broadside early, the remaining Broadside delivered a clutch railgun shot that took down Rick’s Ballistus Dreadnought, neutralizing a major threat.
Ghostkeel: In Turn 4, my Ghostkeel snuck in and captured Rick’s home objective, denying him key points and securing my victory.
Final Thoughts
This game was incredibly tight, but my Stormsurge and Broadside did serious work, and the Ghostkeel’s late-game objective grab sealed the win. It was a satisfying conclusion to a day of intense battles, leaving me with two wins and one loss by the end of Day 1.
Overview of Day 1
Day 1 of the tournament was a rollercoaster of emotions and tactical challenges. I faced a variety of strong opponents, from the mobile Grey Knights to the psychic Thousand Sons, and finally the resilient Space Marines.
Game 1 was a tough loss to the Grey Knights, where early losses of key units like the Ghostkeel and Riptide hampered my ability to keep up with secondary objectives.
Game 2 against the Thousand Sons was a close win, where my Stormsurge and Stealth Teams helped me counter their psychic threats and secure the victory through sheer firepower and mobility.
Game 3 was another close victory, with my Stormsurge holding the mid-board and absorbing a ton of damage. The Broadside’s railgun shot taking out the Ballistus Dreadnought and the Ghostkeel’s game-winning capture of Rick’s home objective were standout moments.
In the end, I finished Day 1 with two wins and one loss, feeling confident and ready for whatever Day 2 would bring. Each game taught me something new about how to adapt my Kauyon strategy and use my army’s strengths to their fullest
