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I'm new to the WH40k scene as a whole and I've got some Tau to play with:

HQ
1x Ethereal
1x *Commander* [Currently substitute using a Crisis model]

Troops
16x Fire Warriors

Transport
1x *Devilfish* [Future]

Fast Attack
4x Pathfinders

Elite
1x Riptide
3x Crisis
1x *Riptide* [Future]
3x *Crisis* [Future]

Heavy Support
1x Broadside
2x *Broadside* [Future]

Here are the six lists I've managed to come up with to consider trying out with their respective [Titles]:

[Balance]
HQ (50)
1x Ethereal

Troops (120)
6x Fire Warriors: Bonding Knife Ritual
6x Fire Warriors: Bonding Knife Ritual

Fast Attack (48)
4x Pathfinders: Bonding Knife Ritual

Elite (210)
1x Riptide: Ion Accelerator, TL SMS, Velocity Tracker

Heavy Support (71)
1x Broadside: TL HYMP, TL SMS, Bonding Knife Ritual, Early Warning Override

HQ hangs with FWs.
Pathfinders find a sniper position.
Broadside protects mid/back field.
Riptide goes on rampage.

[Bullet Bomb]
HQ (105)
1x Commander: Command and Control Node, Vector Retro Thrusters

Troops (196)
6x Fire Warriors: [1x Devilfish: Automated repair system, Decoy launchers]
6x Fire Warriors

Elite (129)
3x Crisis Shas'ui [Same Loadouts]: 2x Burst Cannon, Bonding Knife Ritual

Heavy Support (71)
1x Broadside: TL HYMP, TL SMS, EWO

Broadside holds mid/back field.
One FW Unit go holds objective.
Devilfish Unit moves towards next objective.
HQ + Elites go and wreak havoc with 24 TL Burst Cannon shots

[Dronestorm]
HQ (182)
1x Commander: Command and Control Node, Multi-spectrum Sensor Suite, Drone controller, Vectored retro-thrusters, XV8-02 Crisis 'Iridium' Battlesuit
2x Gun Drones

Troops (108)
6x Fire Warriors
6x Fire Warriors

Elite (210)
3x Crisis Shas'ui [All same loadout]: 2x Burst cannon, Advanced targeting system
6x Gun Drones

FWs do their jobs
HQ + Elites go around with 12 TL Carbine Drones [hits on 2+] and 24 TL Burst Cannons, all ignoring cover [Command and Control Node+Multi-spectrum Sensor Suite].

[Fireknife Rain]
HQ (150)
1x Commander: Command and Control Node, Multi-spectrum Sensor Suite, Vectored retro-thrusters, XV8-02 Crisis 'Iridium' Battlesuit

Troops (108)
6x Fire Warriors
6x Fire Warriors

Elite (210)
3x Crisis Shas'ui [All same loadout]: Missile pod, Plasma rifle, EWO

Heavy Support (71)
1x Broadside: TL Heavy Rail Rifle, TL SMS, EWO

Broadside protects mid/back field.
FW on objectives.
HQ + Elites go hunting for all types of prey with TL weapons that ignore cover [Command and Control Node+Multi-spectrum Sensor Suite]

[Marker Split Push]
HQ (150)
1x Commander: Markerlight, TL Missile Pod, Drone Controller
2x Markerlight Drones

Troops (108)
6x Fire Warriors
6x Fire Warriors

Elite (255)
1x Crisis Shas'ui: Bonding Knife Ritual
2x Markerlight Drone

2x Crisis Shas'ui [All same loadout]: Missile pod, Plasma rifle

2x Crisis Shas'ui [All same loadout]: Missile pod, Plasma rifle

FWs do their jobs.
HQ + Crisis with Marker Drones act as target painters.
Other two Crisis units go around bombing targets.

[RIP Rampage]
HQ (177)
1x Commander: Command and Control Node, Multi-spectrum Sensor Suite, Vectored retro-thrusters, XV8-02 Crisis 'Iridium' Battlesuit, Neuroweb System Jammer, Onager Gauntlet, Shield generator

Troops (108)
6x Fire Warriors
6x Fire Warriors

Elite (215)
1x Riptide: Ion Accelerator, TL SMS, EWO
1x Shielded Missile Drone

FWs do their jobs.
HQ + Elite goes on a stupid rampage with HQ hiding behind Shield Drone and Riptide.



I'm curious as to which list you all think would work best or if you think I need to edit anything on any of the three lists above. I'm just unsure what to use. I don't have enough battle experience and the only things I can use as justification for the lists above are what I understand as the most reasonable choices. However I do know experience plays a huge part of things and so I've come to this community to ask for it's help/opinions. Thanks for the read!

List #6 is solid good, but list #1 is a close second(Just switch the Broadside's EWO with the Riptides Velocity Tracker). But if you want the MOST competitive, list #6 is the best.

Reserve the Fire Warriors and hide them. They are your only troops. Be bold with the Riptide, and it'll almost single handedly win you the game!

And welcome to 40k! That is very impressive for a first list. I literally did not win a game for the first year and half playing! Well done