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Hey, I'm pretty new to the 40k scene and would like help generating a list that would do well against Tau (crisis suits mostly). I have a fair amount of models and could use some advice on which to use and why.

Here's what I got:

35 (give or take a few) Tacticals Marines, various heavy weaponry
10 Sniper Scouts; 1 is customized to be used as Telion if the list so demands it; 1 can also be fitted with a ML
10 BP/CCW Scouts
10 Shooty Terminators; can be equipped with AssCan, CML and/or HF
1 Land Raider
2 Rhinos
1 Drop Pod
2 Dreadnoughts
Several other models including, but not limited to: Techmarine, Thunderfire, Marneus, Dante, etc.

I'm not opposed to customizing and tailoring units, say proxying Lysander with Marneus (attaching a shield and hammer) or attaching bitz to Captains and calling them Librarians/Chaplains, etc.; and I'm willing to drop a few bucks into the army, but no more than $100.

Again, any advice would help. I've been doing reading on forums and starting to get a knack for lists, but I'm still struggling against the jump-shoot-jump of the Tau. I'm beginning to think I really need fast attack, but I was hoping that there was a feasible list to be made with the models I already have. Thanks in advance to anyone's got some extra time to help out a new guy.

Close the distance. Assault everything. If you go flat out in your land raider, rhinos and drop the drop pod and teleport your termies they may blow a few things up but you can eventually assault them with kraks or usual attacks. Even scouts will win in cc, give them melta bombs in this instance.
I think gundrones are the key unit to attack they are soft, easy first blood and really damage the effectiveness of their army.

You need to be careful with gun lanes. You can outshoot Tau as space marines. At the very least you can use positioning to outshoot Tau in certain places on the battlefield.
The reason I say careful is that jump shoot jump need fairly large LOS blocking terrain. From a wide angle you can sneak shots in. Go for the armour breaking, instant killing shots.

You may find your drop pod is your best friend. Given you only have one, is there any chance you have sternguard, they have the advantage of being able to combat squad so you can take out two broadsides, maybe more if you use ICs. Sure, read that as the crisis suits you are struggling with, if you want.

With your models I would put 5 plain termies in the raider then teleport 5 termies with 2ACs. Else tactical squads will also work, fair too well. You can combat squad them so they can assault 2nd turn 2 units, you could bring an IC and you'll be well to split him off if it means assaulting a third unit.

Do not expect fighting any other army to be like this, Tau are just special.

Great advice, thank you for a quick response. And yes, I have a feeling you're right about not expecting this to be normal... Tau certainly are special.