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I have a RT in January that I think I am going to take my Tau to. This is what I have so far but I am not convinced that it as optimized as it could be.

1500

HQ
Ethereal - 50

ELITES
Riptide w/Ion Accelerator, FG, EWS - 190
Riptide w/Ion Accelerator, FG, EWS - 190
2 Crisis Suits w/4 Fusion Blasters, 2 Flamers- 114

TROOPS
6 Firewarriors w/Rifles - 54
6 Firewarriors w/Rifles - 54
6 Firewarriors w/Rifles - 54
10 Kroot w/Sniper Ammo - 70

FAST ATTACK
5 Pathfinders - 55
5 Pathfinders - 55

HEAVY SUPPORT
3 XV88 Suites w/SMS, HYMP, 3 EWS, 6 Missile Drones - 282
Skyray w/DP, BSF- 131
Skyray w/DP, BSF- 131

ADL w/Quad gun - 100

What I considering changing is;

1) Change one of the Riptides to have a HBC. This will give me more shots to take out large troop squads.

2) Change one of the Skyrays to an Ion Head. I feel to Skyrays might be more than I need seeing how my meta is not to flyer heavy. But, it is Nid heavy and those buffed seeker missiles are nice...

3) Scrape some points together and change the Ethereal for Buffmander to attach to a R-tide/Broadsides.

I'd have change 1 and 3. Take out maybe 1 skyray and the ethereal for the commander to buff the HBC rippy. And I would consider increasing the number of fire warriors if you have the points somewhere.

I would consider dropping a Skyray or the Kroot and quad gun along with the missile drones and get 3 more Broadsides, then you have a FBSC so they all gain tank hunters and preferred enmey (marines). HBC is a poor weapon without an Earth Caste Pilot don't take it. So something like this:

HQ
Ethereal - 50

ELITES
Riptide w/Ion Accelerator, FG, EWO - 190
Riptide w/Ion Accelerator, FG, EWO - 190
2 Crisis Suits w/4 Fusion Blasters, 2 Flamers- 114

TROOPS
6 Firewarriors w/Rifles - 54
6 Firewarriors w/Rifles - 54
6 Firewarriors w/Rifles - 54

FAST ATTACK
4 Pathfinders - 44
4 Pathfinders - 44

HEAVY SUPPORT
3 XV88 Suites w/SMS, HYMP, 3 EWO, - 210
3 XV88 Suites w/SMS, HYMP, 3 EWO, - 210
Skyray BSF- 116
Skyray BSF- 116

ADL 50

That way you keep 2 Skyrays but gain 3 Broadsides and tank hunters on them so on average against AV12 you do 4.44 HPs compared to 4.33 with your squad with the drones and you know have two units

Unfortunately I don't have 3 more Broadsides to add to the list at the moment I can't take the Cadre.

How about this?

1492

HQ
Ethereal - 50

ELITES
Riptide w/Ion Accelerator, FG, EWS - 190
Riptide w/Ion Accelerator, FG, EWS - 190
2 Crisis Suits w/4 Fusion Blasters, 2 Flamers- 114

TROOPS
12 Firewarriors w/Rifles - 108
11 Firewarriors w/Rifles - 99
10 Firewarriors w/Rifles - 90

FAST ATTACK
5 Pathfinders - 55

HEAVY SUPPORT
3 XV88 Suites w/SMS, HYMP, 3 EWS, 6 Missile Drones - 282
Skyray w/DP, BSF- 131
Skyray w/DP, BSF- 131

Landing Pad - 85

I prefer the original with more pathfinders. Though personally I prefer my MLs on controlled drones. I'm always weary of big FW units particularly now you are forced to take photon grenades on them...

Riptides need ML to really work. Though the landing pad is good.

If you dropped the Ethereal the pathfinders and 10 Fire warriors you get a Mark'o with 5 drones target lock and 2 missile pods giving you 4 more Bs5 S7 shots and 5 Bs5 MLs that can move and fire.

Okay, I changed the list a little. Still thinking about changing a Skyrays for a Ion-head.

1444

HQ
Ethereal - 50

ELITES
Riptide w/Ion Accelerator, FG, EWS, ATS-193
Riptide w/Ion Accelerator, FG, EWS, ATS-193
2 Crisis Suits w/4 Fusion Blasters, 2 Flamers- 114

TROOPS
6 Firewarriors w/Rifles - 54
6 Firewarriors w/Rifles - 54
6 Firewarriors w/Rifles - 54

FAST ATTACK
7 Pathfinders - 77
6 Pathfinders - 66

HEAVY SUPPORT
3 XV88 Suites w/SMS, HYMP, 3 EWS, 6 Missile Drones - 282
Skyray w/DP, BSF- 131
Skyray w/DP, BSF- 131

Landing Platform - 85