When Playing at 500 points i have found this setup optional 2 path finders and 3 Fire warrior squads

I setup them up as follows























Path Finders

Fire Warriors

With the tau over watch is your friend the idea being that you hit as many squads as possible during your first encounter

The second thing is fire support the tau are not space marines or orks they are soft and need to be supported don't rush them in and never move beyond the ability to Over watch
they should at all times be with in line of sight of each other where possible.


If done Right the first encounter should look something like this










Yes i lost a team there but so did they during their turn








Now I took out the squad pinning my team in melee using the marker light of a squad first and pulled them back to as far as possible with as much cover as possible your enemies aggression is your friend








The Hit and run continues this is tau bread and butter never give your enemy a free shot if you can help it the tau are not expendable like space marines










Dealing with heavy hitters is a tricky story flanking and surrounding tends to work best for the tau while also using the pathfinders overcharge to deal massive damage











If all goes well the greater good will be achieved and victory yours

I will when i have time making tactical and setup guides for the other tactics available to the tau like the Infiltration Cadre(1000) or the Hunter Cadre (3000)

The standard rules do apply to all tactics you don't want to be the first one shot and never want to stand around waiting to be shot move to cover as far as possible and over watch when ever you don't have a target

Group up your unites in smaller fire squads with 1 closer range weapon and 1 longer ranger on the larger points include a 3de unite with AP

If you feel there is anything that can improve the advice here or a tactic i have missed the value of feel free to tell me