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First off, nice to meet all of you. I'm a long time anon reader, and have thoroughly enjoyed reading through the discussion boards on various things. I got into 40k back in early 5th edition and have only one army: Tau. We all know how it was back in 5th, but I still enjoyed playing them, even if they were a mid to lower tier army competitively. Then 6th rolled in, a new codex rolled in *finally*, and you all know the rest. I don't do any of the large tournaments, just home tables and FLGS tournaments. I would say our home group is pretty competitive, and I'm lucky to see a very diverse number of armys.

Anyways, here's the list I was hoping to get critiqued:

HQ:
Commander *DC, NSJ, CCN, PEN, MSSS, Iridium armor* 170
Ethereal 50
2 marker drones 24

Elite:
Riptide *EWO, SI, SMS, Ion* 225
Riptide *EWO, SI, SMS, Heavy Burst* 220
Riptide *VT, SI, SMS, Heavy Burst* 235

Troop:
12 Firewarrior 108
15 Kroot 90
15 Kroot 90

Fast Attack:
6 Pathfinder 66

Heavy:
Broadside Team:
3 Broadsides *EWO* 282
6 Missle Drone 72
Sniper Drone Team:
3 Marksman 39
9 Sniper Drone 135

Fortification:
Aegis Defense 50
Quad Cannon 50

Allies:

HQ:
Farseer w/Jetbike 115

Troop:
3 Windrider Jetbike 51

Point total: 2000

I've tested this list a couple times, except without the allies. One version ran HH with Farstrike, another with X4 piranhas and a 8 man squad of pathfinders. Both setups felt klunky. Piranhas speedbumped for me, but made it feel like I was spending points for that purpose instead of more guns. HH shot things, but I could get more shots for its points. The ally idea is my newest iteration.

Here's the strategy breakdown:

Place aegis line, have both ethereal and farseer join the sniper drone team. Ethereal in the back, farseer running gun with some drones a little further to eat wounds. Pathfinders in middle of aegis line if facing assaulty armys for the supporting fire, more forward if shooting army. Broadsides to either side. Firewarriors on objective. Reserve both kroot and jetbikes. Join commander to anti air riptide, and place it in general broadside area. Same for the ion riptide. Third riptide with be offensive riptide *if need be*. Commander joins either AA tide, iontide, or broadsides, bringing the Chip, twin link, and ignore cover. It has drone controller in case marksment die, so snipers can continue functioning. Ethereal brings in 2 marker drones to up markerlights, 12 inch leadership bubble, FNP or Storm of Fire. Farseer twin links second ripetide, and hopefully gets a doom or fortune. Kroot outflank for objectives. Bikes hide when they come out of reserve, and turbo onto objectives late game.

You can easily cut the allies here and have a solid 1850 list as well. I know that people call the riptides cheese, but honestly I feel entitled to having some powerful models, especially after fighting through 5th edition. I could always drop one for a 3 man fusion crisis team, but if I do that I almost obligated to auto include farsight for no drifting.

Hopefully I get a good amount of feedback. Thanks for your time!

Edit: Forgot to mention that the sniper drones are great now! Good for breaking light vehicles, markerlight support, 3+ cover from the wall, and killing those high toughness Monstrous Creatures!

Solid, but I would move the drones to the commander. Sure, they are a bit wasted if he rolls with the riptide, but the benefit from BS5 and are extra bullet sponges on your warlord. Makes better use of the drone controller.

Try to find points for the onager gauntlet. Its only 5 points and makes your commander surprisingly effective in assault.

Thanks for the reply!

I have thought of putting the drones in with the commander, but I don't think I like the idea of them taking a leadership just because a drone bites it.

I have had it where the commander and riptide get surprised by an assault and gets challenged. Usually that ends in "Umm, no" and then he becomes a rah rah cheerleader. I might drop the controller and try out the gauntlet though. Would be fun to see my opponents face when I one shot his special character lol.

Any other thoughts? I've heard some people say X2 riptide and a wraithknight, but I don't really understand the knights purpose, except to push forward and be a up front threat. I don't really care for the idea personally. Yea he has a toughness 8 but only a 3+ armor, and you gotta get a scattershield for the 5++? Where I can do the same with a third riptide, smash attack for S10, 2+ armor, and nova for 3++ if needed? I'd be interested in hearing the knights role.

Valid concern about leadership with the drones. Even with the gauntlet, the commander does not go looking for trouble. However, a lot of times you may decline the challenge, but be swarmed by enemies. Other times you need to accept and protect the tide. Either way, the fist is a deterrent and a last ditch effort should trouble come knocking. If you kill anything better than a grot you make your points back. Considering you could one shot dante, azreal, Eldrad, or some other unique snowflake, I think it is worth it.

A wraithknight and 2 riptides is saturating the board with tough nasty monsters. Don't underestimate T8, it is effectively Av12. Wraithknights are hard to drop with 6 wounds and decent armor. Being a jump creature, you can hop from terrain to terrain, as long as you touch area terrain your gravy with a 5+ cover. Few things can punch 3+, wound T8 and ignore cover. Wraithknights also bring the heavy D cannons which tear anything they hit to shreds. In combat, wraithknights can tarpit big shooty units, or smash through your garden variety MSU. They serve as fire magnets, anti tank/anti MC platforms, and bring a mobile CC option. Find a bunch of khorne hounds rushing your tau? Send in the knight to tie em up.