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I play frequently against a Tau player and I've never beat him with my vanilla marines. I'm hoping this list will devastate him like a giant's terrible fist. Ideally I want the first wave to mess up his tetras/piranhas and hopefully lure his fire warriors out of their devilfishes. 2nd wave will (I hope) clean up the warriors and afterward deal with any broadsides that are remaining.

FIRST WAVE

6 Sternguard, Heavy flamer, 3 combi-meltas, in Drop Pod

Contemptor-Mortiis w/2 kheres assault cannons+cyclone missile launcher in Drop Pod

SECOND WAVE

Captain w/ master-crafted plasma gun, power axe, meltabombs
w/ 9 tac marines, plasma, combi-plasma, in Drop Pod

10 tac marines, plasma, combi-plasma, Drop Pod


BASE COMMAND

Predator with HB sponsons
Predator with HB sponsons

5man tac with lascannon in TL las razorback
5man tac with lascannon in TL las razorback

Here we go then...

In a word NO there's so much wrong with this list I don't know where to start

Why flamer in the sternguard you have ignore cover rounds anyway

Why the commander set up plasma gun is just wasted and he can't be utilised in a tactical squad

Predators suck in pretty much any form

And the tactical squads with the razorbacks will be wiped off the battlefield very easily

If you want to beat tau think like them

I seriously dont see the big deal about tau they die to plasma.. like most things

space wolf wolf guard 18pts 15 for termie armour 5 for combie, wack in a power lance, x4, and a haevey flamer and a power fist. then put this in a pod with a deathwing launcher 255 points.

x that by 5 +logan grimnar and there a tau killing 1500point list. tried and tested

Colpicklejar, disregard people who don't understand "constructive" criticism.

That being said, You're on the right track. You've identified the right strategy against Tau: Drop Pod Assault. Now you just have to master the tactical execution of that, starting with unit selection.

Let's begin with your first wave. Sternguard are great, however, it's best not to mix their roles unless you have enough in the squad to combat squad and separate the anti-personnel combis from the AT combis. So if you don't have more Sternguard than that, I would just save some points and leave the HF at home.

Dreadnoughts are also very effective in pod lists. I'll admit to being unfamiliar with the mortis contemptor as East Coast tournaments usually disallow Forgeworld, though that may change soon. Ironclads with double HF, double DCCW would be great vs. Tau though. Your AV13 leaves you relatively safe from interceptor and if your Sternguard can bake a devilfish, it can immolate the contents.

As for the rest of the list, we've got some issues. You've got some very 5th edition elements and to be frank, these selections just don't perform to standard in 6th.

I can't help you much further without knowing what other models you have or are willing to procure. A few last points though. When podding, try to have an odd number so that a plurality can assault T1. If your opponent brings armor, obviously lead with your AT elements. If your opponent has interceptor (especially Ion Accelerators!) make sure you are spread out and if possible, in cover.