Trying the Unconventional - Mobility and Shadow Games

I have never been one to play any game without following my own path. In this case it come with trying to find new uses for units that normally don't see allot of use. This time drone squads caught my eye. They aren't the most accurate shooters but they also can't be ignored totally. JSJ give them a level of mobility and when combined with deep strike they can really pop up anywhere. It is kind of nice being able to place a speed bump in the path of an attacker and still allow enough distance for your other troopers to shoot effectively. Need to protect those fast moving suits while pushing forward on an attack, no problem.

Here is what I have come up with.

1500 Pts - Tau Empire Roster - ESWAT - Strike Team Gamma

HQ: Commander Shas'el (240 pts)
   1 Commander Shas'el (Twin Linked Plasma Rifle; Targeting Array)
      1 Crisis Bodyguard (Twin Linked Plasma Rifle; Targeting Array)
      1 Crisis Bodyguard (Twin Linked Plasma Rifle; Targeting Array)

Troops: Fire Warrior (90 pts)
   7 Fire Warrior
      1 Shas'ui

Troops: Fire Warrior (90 pts)
   7 Fire Warrior
      1 Shas'ui

Troops: Fire Warrior (180 pts)
   6 Fire Warrior
      1 Devilfish (Burst Cannon; Disruption Pod; Multi-Tracker; Targeting Array; Smart Missile System)

Heavy Support: Broadside Battlesuit (180 pts)
   1 Broadside Battlesuit (Targeting Array)
      1 Broadside Battlesuit (Drone Controller)
         2 Shield Drone

Heavy Support: Broadside Battlesuit (180 pts)
   1 Broadside Battlesuit (Targeting Array)
      1 Broadside Battlesuit (Drone Controller)
         2 Shield Drone

Elite: Crisis Battlesuit (159 pts)
   1 Crisis Battlesuit (Twin Linked Missile Pod; Targeting Array)
      1 Crisis Battlesuit (Twin Linked Missile Pod; Targeting Array)
      1 Crisis Battlesuit (Twin Linked Missile Pod; Targeting Array)

Elite: Crisis Battlesuit (159 pts)
   1 Crisis Battlesuit (Twin Linked Missile Pod; Targeting Array)
      1 Crisis Battlesuit (Twin Linked Missile Pod; Targeting Array)
      1 Crisis Battlesuit (Twin Linked Missile Pod; Targeting Array))

Fast Attack: Piranha Light Skimmer (65 pts)
   1 Piranha Light Skimmer (Burst Cannon; Targeting Array x1)
      2 Gun Drones

Fast Attack: Gun Drone Squadron (48 pts)
   6 Gun Drone Squadron

Fast Attack: Gun Drone Squadron (48 pts)
   7 Gun Drone Squadron


Total Roster Cost: 1499

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Papercuts - The minor changes to make Tau match their fluff match the tabletop.

Tau needs something to get back into the game. The problem is what do you do without being too unbalanced. So I am not going to go down the rabbit hole of they should all be snipers and battle suits need a 4th hard point etc. No I am going to go for some of the fringe units that could use a little touching up. First up, drones.

Drones 

1. Reclassify them as jet pack infantry like battle suits. JSJ is a trademark Tau tactic and it is puzzling that it only exist for battle suits. Drones seem to be a perfect fit for that tactic. They get it when they are teamed with battle suits anyway so why not give it to them outright. It would have no effect on placing them with troops or vehicles thanks to unit cohesion. This simple change makes drone squad somewhat usable.
2. Give them without number when used in squadrons. This is straight out of "Courage and Honor", hundreds of drones were dropped from the skies to harass the enemy. They are the Tau version of gaunts, small, squishy and really annoying. Sure they wont hold an objective or actually kill anything in close combat, or pin anything, or do anything other that die but that is enough. They need to be that speed bump that matches their shape. Kroot can't be the only one.
3. Go big or go home. Heavy gun drones are dangerous. Twin linked burst cannons are nothing to sneeze at. Sadly you will never see them on the battle field because they are Forgeworld and totally broken as a heavy choice, so I can get a battle suite style unit that is only good against infantry or a Hammerhead, tough call. Team them with all drones or make them a heavy weapons option for firewarriors. Now you have a unit that can put down enough firepower make marines think twice before charging in, if only for a second.
4. It is still odd to me that drones are not fearless or even higher leadership or at least have an easy way to boost their leadership besides putting them next to an Ethereal or Shadowsun. They need an boost of some sort, say a +1 for each drone left in the unit. They just shouldn't run from combat as easily as they do.