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Here is a list I am aiming to create, I've already started assembling and have all the models for it.

I am looking for ways to optimize it.

I don't need it to beat top tier tournament lists, but would like to have some good games against typical lists where from the onset you don't know who is going to win. A sort of take all comers list.

1499 total

Skitarii Maniple (679)

Troops

136 - "Sniper squad" 5 Rangers + Alpha (2 arguebus, omnispex)

136 - "Vehicle hunters" 5 Rangers + Alpha (2 arc rifles, arc maul, arc pistol)

192 - "Monster hunters" 7 Vanguard + Alpha (2 plasma calivers, power sword, phosphor pistol, pater radium)

Fast Attack (these guys charge with the vanguard or go vehicle hunting)

45 - Sydonian Dragoon

45 - Sydonian Dragoon

Heavy

125 - "Anti air platform" 1 Icarus Dunecrawler

Cult Mechanicus - Cohort Cybernetica (820)

820 - 2 X Kastelan Robot Maniple + Dominus (formation makes this all 1 big unit)
breakdown:

4 Robots each with twin linked heavy phosphor blaster and carapace heavy phosphor blaster (6 str 6 luminagen shots each, 9 each with conqueror on)

Datasmith with Raiment (cognis will make this unit a good anti air platform when needed)

Datasmith with Mask of Alpha Dominus (thinking of changing to conqueror protocol turn 1 if lots of targets in range)

Dominus with Autocaduceus of Arkhan Land (it will not die to big robots + can repair a robot each turn)
-he is the warlord, protected by the robots

I'm hoping to control the middle of the table with the big robot squad while the skitarii move up the sides to take out vehicles and grab objectives.

Thoughts on tactics? Looking for some ways to optimize this list without losing the heart of it and ways of best to use it.

Especially tactics for the big robot squad - placement of models, protocols etc.

Thanks,

Skitarii Maniple (679)

Troops

136 - "Sniper squad" 5 Rangers + Alpha (2 arguebus, omnispex)

136 - "Vehicle hunters" 5 Rangers + Alpha (2 arc rifles, arc maul, arc pistol)

Drop the Arc Maul

192 - "Monster hunters" 7 Vanguard + Alpha (2 plasma calivers, power sword, phosphor pistol, pater radium)

Drop the Power Sword, Phosphor Pistol and Pater Radium. Max out the Vanguard to 10, add a Plasma Caliver, Omnispex and Phosphoenix

Fast Attack (these guys charge with the vanguard or go vehicle hunting)

45 - Sydonian Dragoon

45 - Sydonian Dragoon

Add another Dragoon

Heavy

125 - "Anti air platform" 1 Icarus Dunecrawler

Cult Mechanicus - Cohort Cybernetica (820)

820 - 2 X Kastelan Robot Maniple + Dominus (formation makes this all 1 big unit)
breakdown:

4 Robots each with twin linked heavy phosphor blaster and carapace heavy phosphor blaster (6 str 6 luminagen shots each, 9 each with conqueror on)

Datasmith with Raiment (cognis will make this unit a good anti air platform when needed)

Drop the Raiment already have Icarus

Datasmith with Mask of Alpha Dominus (thinking of changing to conqueror protocol turn 1 if lots of targets in range)

Drop the Mask

Dominus with Autocaduceus of Arkhan Land (it will not die to big robots + can repair a robot each turn)
-he is the warlord, protected by the robots


Everything is Orange for suggestions. Just my own opinions though.

I agree on the mask, it's too situational and risky, and if you do take it, do not use it on turn one as it'll lock you out of Aegis meaning you won't be able to move and fire or have FnP. Raiment can be handy for overwatching but it's too expensive for just that and, as has been said above, you have onagers to deal with flyers.

My friend always uses that robot formation with Arkhans rod and even as a Tau player and 3 turns of shooting later I only managed to kill 2 robots.These boys should be right at home centre board while the opponent tries to take them down.