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Hello everyone. As some of you may have realised, I've recently been putting a Vanilla Marines list. I've got a lot of good feedback, and done a bit of research, and the general consensus is that Vanilla Marines have the biggest trouble with Flyers. To combat this, I've added some Tau with Skyfire into my list, most notable the Riptide. Not only is this my first time playing Tau, but also my first time using Allies of any description. So I'm wondering, is this list up to scratch? Is the inclusion of one Riptide going to solve my Flyer problems? Should I consider different Allies?

Primary Detachment

HQ
Space Marine Librarian (130 points)
• Terminator Armour, Storm Bolter and Force Staff

Troops
Space Marine Tactical Squad (230 points)
• +5 Marines
• Flamer and Heavy Bolter
• Sergeant has Bolt Pistol, Teleport Homer and Chainsword and Melta Bombs
• Rhino
Space Marine Tactical Squad (240 points)
• +5 Marines
• Meltagun and Plasma Cannon
• Sergeant has Boltgun, Chainsword, Teleport Homer and Melta Bombs
• Razorback
Space Marine Scout Squad (160 points)
• Snipers and Missile Launcher
• Sergeant Telion
• Camo Cloaks

Elites
Dreadnought (160 points)
• DCCW with Heavy Flamer and Multi Melta
• Drop Pod with Locator Beacon
Terminator Assault Squad (200 points)
• 3x TH/SS
• 2x Lightning Claws

Heavy Support
Predator (85 points)
• Twin-Linked Lascannon

Fast Attack
Land Speeder (60 points)
• Heavy Flamer
• Tornado Pattern Heavy Flamer
Land Speeder (80 points)
• Multi Melta
• Tornado Pattern Multi Melta

Allied Detachment

HQ
Cadre Fireblade (60 points)
• Gun Drone
• Marker Drone

Troops
Fire Warrior Team (133 points)
• +6 Fire Warriors
• Upgrade to Shas’ui with Markerlight and Target Lock
• Gun Drone
• Marker Drone

Elites
XV104 Riptide (180 points)
• Velocity Tracker
• Early Warning Override

Total
1738 points

As always, suggestions are sought after and most welcome.
Thanks all.

Have you bought the Tau yet? You may just want to wait and see what Vanilla marines get in the new book. From the rumors that I have seen it looks like they will be getting pretty good AA.

If you do want to go with Tau, the best AA Riptide mathematically is one from the Farsight supplement with the HBC, EWO, VT, and Earth Caste Piloting Array. Riptide needs to get is Nova Charge off to the get the volume of fire to get some rends, with a rend Auto-penning AV 12.

The drones are somewhat confusing as well. With only one other Tau unit, best case you have right now is having the FB and 'ui use Splitfire and the TL to put 2 ML shots into something while the 11 FWs and drones light something else up.

I would suggest dropping the drones and 'ui and just having FB boost the Riptide.

Hope that helps!

Yeah, I haven't purchased any Tau yet, and I wasn't intending to do so unless this list got really good feedback.

As you said, I will probably wait until the new codex, and build a new list around that, with Tau in it if necessary. If I do, I shall definitely take this advice, thanks.