I can't thank all you guys that responded enough for your responses to my concerns facing Tau for the first time, and the further advise after a devasting loss my first time around (objective game being shutout 8-0). My 2nd game was a totally different story after considering everyon'es input after my loss. I combined you guys suggestions with my own play style to make a roster that caused a turn 5 Tau surrender.....mwahahaha. Again, it was 2000pts and objective, (Crusade) but only 4 objective total rather than 6 with certain values. Our battlefield was also lengthwise with 24inch d-zones. We still did the D3 terrain pieces per 2 foot square. We had more total terrain this time, which made a huge difference. I gave up my superstar Grotesques and 1 wych unit to get 2 units of 6 reavers each, Sathonyx with 11 Hellions and 9 Trueborn (6 shardcarbines, 1 blaster, 2 splinter cannon) on a Raider with Sliscus. Here's my winning 2000pt roster vs Tau. HQ: Sliscus, Sathonyx, 2 naked Hamoncului; Elite: The 9 trueborn on raider mentioned above; Troops: 5 Wracks w/1 liquifier gun and Venom; 9 Wyches (1 hydra gaunt, Hektrx with PGL & pwr lance) on Raider w/naked Haemi; 10 Kabalite warriors (1 splintr cannon) on Raider; 11 Hellions; Fast Attack: 2 units of 6 Ravers each with 2 caltrops in each unit (no AT wpns); HVY SPT: 3 Ravagers (2 w/dark lances, 1 w/disintegrator cannons).
I did the hellion, haemi, wrack pain token switcheroo recommended here to me and put a hemi with the 9 wyches (both suggested here by all you guys). I also increased my reaver unit sizes from 3 units of three to 2 units of 6 as you guys suggested. My opponent hated seeing his 2 rail gun broadsides get killed in assault by 5 Reavers on turn 2 after they'd killed 3 of 10 markerlight pathfinders on turn 1. My ONLY bad side was his rolling a 6 to steal initiative on turn 1 and promptly blowing up 1 ravager (yeah, I deployed gambling he wouldn't steal initiative...LOL). Bottom line, the Sliscus/Trueborn group, Sathonyx/Hellion group and 2 larger Reaver groups were superstars.
Thanks a million guys!! I couldn't have done it without all the GREAT ADVISE HERE. I have 2 more boxes of Hellions on order. As my user name indicates, Hellions are my favorite unit anyway. It'll be fun experimenting with 2 units of 11 Hellions each or going with 20-22 in one unit.