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Hello all,

My gaming group is getting ready to start up an escalation league. I've slowly worked on my UM successor chapter since the new SM codex. I've always liked how the Tau Riptide looks, and this league presents a great opportunity to finally get this model. (Tau will also be my first non-Imperial army for 40k, ever!).

Space Marines - Chapter Tactic: Ultramarines
HQ Tigurius
Elite 9 Sternguard w/ 2 Heavy Flamer, 3 Combi-Melta in Drop Pod
Troop 10 Tact Marines w/ Combi-Melta, Meltagun, Multi-Melta in Drop Pod
Troop 10 Tact Marines w/ Combi-Flamer, Flamer, Heavy Bolter in Drop Pod
Heavy 1 Thunderfire Cannon
Heavy 6 Centurion Devastators w/ 6 Grav Cannon, 6 Missile Launchers, Omniscope

Allies - Tau Empire
HQ - XV8 Commander w/ 2 Missile Pods, C&C Node, Multi-spectrum sensor suite
Elite - Riptide w/ Ion Accelator, Fusion Blaster, early warning override, velocity tracker
Troop 11 Fire Warriors with Pulse Rifles

I have 18 pts to spare at this point

Here are my thoughts on the list.
I want to use a Centurion Dev squad with Tigurius & Buff Commander with the Riptide. SM will be the primary & Tau the ally. Everything else is flexible.
Centurions will deal with high armor/vehicles. Tiggy will be rolling on Div for all 3 powers. Aiming for Prescience, 4+ & Ignore Cover. I enjoy the missiles over hurricane bolters because I am focusing on taking down elite/mc/vehicles. ML will also increase my downfield range.
Riptide/Commander will be the AA option, secondarily will help with defensively situated troops. I want the Riptide to be the AA choice, and the Buff Commander gives him the twin linked and ignores cover (can either stop jink saves since they count as cover saves or can be used to blast a dug in squad downfield). I've thought about taking the MC/TH option but not sure the best way to fit it on the Commander.
For the pods the Sternguard will come in turn 1. The Tact pod on t1 will depend on what I need to really focus on that turn.
Thunderfire is there because this thing is amazing. It has always more than made back the points cost. That and I love my artillery pieces.
I am taking Firewarriors to satisfy the Tau troop choice as 1. I don't like Kroot & 2. They will sit back and camp at home. If need be can cut down to a min squad size or every increase it. I am open for suggestions on improving the Fire Warrior squad.
For the drop pods, do you think the Pods or Rhinos are better options in this? If going Rhino route, keep the Sternguard large and in a Rhino or cut them down to 6 & go with a Razorback?

I would be eager to hear some thoughts on this list!

I don't play tau so I'll only be able to help you with the marines, but all I have to say is maybe split the centurions into two different squads of 3 as 6 may be an overkill, but if one squad can't do its job on a target, the other can finish it off. If the first did its job well, the other is free ti fire at another target.

Seconded, 3 cents with MLs and divination will wreck MC or elite unit in a single volley..