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In Summary:

Riptide, Commanders, and Railgun for big guys.
Broadsides unleash hell.
Pathfinders for markerlights.
Shield drones for soaking up/saving against wounds that the big suits most likely can't save with their own armor. Also, will soak up that nova-charge mortal wound.
Darkstrider, Devilfish, and Breachers for mowing down infantry/high T units.
2x Ethereal buffs.

++ Outrider Detachment (T'au Empire) [27 PL, 541pts] ++

+ HQ +

Ethereal [2 PL, 45pts]: Honour blade

+ Elites +

XV104 Riptide Battlesuit [17 PL, 376pts]: Advanced targeting system, Ion accelerator, Target lock
. 2 smart missile systems: 2x Smart missile system

+ Fast Attack +

Pathfinder Team [4 PL, 56pts]: 2x MV4 Shield Drone
. 5x Pathfinder: 5x Markerlight

Tactical Drones [2 PL, 32pts]: 4x MV4 Shield Drone

Tactical Drones [2 PL, 32pts]: 4x MV4 Shield Drone

++ Supreme Command Detachment (T'au Empire) [25 PL, 567pts] ++

+ HQ +

Commander [7 PL, 176pts]: 4x Fusion blaster, 2x MV4 Shield Drone

Commander [7 PL, 176pts]: 4x Fusion blaster, 2x MV4 Shield Drone

Longstrike [11 PL, 215pts]: Railgun
. 2 smart missile systems: 2x Smart missile system

++ Outrider Detachment (T'au Empire) [47 PL, 885pts] ++

+ HQ +

Darkstrider [3 PL, 45pts]

Ethereal [2 PL, 45pts]: Honour blade

+ Troops +

Breacher Team [5 PL, 80pts]: 10x Fire Warrior

+ Fast Attack +

Pathfinder Team [4 PL, 56pts]: 2x MV4 Shield Drone
. 5x Pathfinder: 5x Markerlight

Pathfinder Team [4 PL, 56pts]: 2x MV4 Shield Drone
. 5x Pathfinder: 5x Markerlight

Pathfinder Team [4 PL, 56pts]: 2x MV4 Shield Drone
. 5x Pathfinder: 5x Markerlight

+ Heavy Support +

XV88 Broadside Battlesuits [9 PL, 210pts]
. Broadside Shas'ui: Advanced targeting system
. . Two high-yield missile pods: 2x High-yield missile pod
. . Two smart missile systems: 2x Smart missile system

XV88 Broadside Battlesuits [9 PL, 210pts]
. Broadside Shas'ui: Advanced targeting system
. . Two high-yield missile pods: 2x High-yield missile pod
. . Two smart missile systems: 2x Smart missile system

+ Dedicated Transport +

TY7 Devilfish [7 PL, 127pts]: Burst cannon
. 2 Gun Drones: 2x MV1 Gun Drone

++ Total: [99 PL, 1993pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe

How did you get 8th to load on battlescribe?

I like your use of guardian drones. I do not think that Markerlights will be any good this edition. You have to invest WAY too much to get them, and they all die very easily. I would recommend dropping the pathfinders for more breachers in fishes.

I tend to favor the HBC loaded out riptide. It is cheaper and I think it will be put out just as many wounds on average.

Broadsides are looking good, and quad fusion commanders are as well, but you may consider a squad of plasma crisis to come in with them just to protect them a little.

I like the loadout on the broadsides, though I think the HRR is also a valid choice this edition.

I think the Ion Accelerator lost its use in 8th. The basic 3 shots only deal 1 dmg. Many models gained a lot of additional wounds in 8th edition, 1 dmg is nothing.
To mage the IA work, you have to over-/novacharge it.

IMHO the HBC with ATS is a truly deadly weapon.
8 S6 AP-2 shots are nothing to laugh about.

Add SMS and you have another 8 S5 AP -1 shots that don't need line of sight. + no Cover save!

After reading the above, I will say I plan to at least test the Pathfinders before removing them. I'm hoping them combined with all the Shield Drones will make it harder for my proponent to kill my synergy overall.

I have changed out the Riptides outfit to match what is above. I agree. It looks like the logical choice. Adding the Shield drones isn't bad too. 4 more missiles and more invulnerability shields to toss wounds at.