I'm going to offer some suggestions on a unit by unit basis, so it won't be the best advice but I find I can do that a lot better than providing list changes due to my low confidence in 6th from still not having enough games
However firstly this really stands out as a bad idea
I added the drones to the riptide so my commander can join him and then get him out of combat since that's where he usually ends up. But that's just one possibility.
This leads me onto a really simple suggestion either plan on them either staying:
a) together and drop the XV8-02 Iridium Battle Suit and a Shield Drone off the Commander as you have a 2+ LOS to a Riptide / Shielded Missile Drone or
b) apart and drop the Stimulant Injector for Vectored Retro-Thrusters on the Riptide so he can get himself out of CC and drop the VRT off the Commander and avoid CC with anything but a Tank
I would go for the apart option as the Onager Gauntlet's main use is against Tanks and should only be used opportunistically as a Fusion Blaster does a much better job at 9". The Onager Gauntlet does not make anyone a close combat unit. If you want that go for the Dawnblade or Fusion Blades. Even more importantly your putting over 400pts of Tau into combat. 400pts is the equivalent of 8 XV8's with 30pts of stuff each or 4 Shas'ui lead, 10 strong, Fire Warrior Teams...
Commander - Hailforge - 179
Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Vectored Retro-Thrusters, Advanced Tarting System, Shield Drone x2, XV8-02 Iridium Battle Suit, Onager Guantlet,
Neuroweb System Jammer
Aside from what's said above this guy has conflicting equipment. To me each piece of equipment implies the following...
Onager Gauntlet implies Tank Hunting
Plasma Rifle implies anti-MEQ/TEQ
Cyclic Ion Blaster implies Template for anti-XEQ* and regular shooting for anti-Light Tank (low AV)
Advanced Targeting System implies regular shooting at not Tank or Monstrous Creatures
Neuroweb System Jammer implies being close to the enemy
*Xeno Equivalent basically T3 and an AS worse than MEQ, I just made it up
From what you've said: you have issues with Tanks; you love the Onager Gauntlet; and I'm guessing you have issues with MEQ. So I've refocused of your Commander slightly
Onager Gauntlet for Tank Hunting
Plasma Rifle for anti-MEQ/TEQ and can also work against very low AV
Fusion Blaster for Tank Hunting and can also work as anti-MEQ/TEQ (but low volume of fire)
Advanced Targeting System for when you shoot as MEQ/TEQ
Neuroweb System Jammer since you're close to the enemy
Plus extras including perhaps the PEN
This puts your Commander somewhere between Farsight and Shadowsun, it may be better points wise to focus on either of them as opposed to trying to do both. Anyway that's how my mind works, moving on...
Ethereal with Fish of Fury is great.
Riptide as discussed above.
Crisis Suits Deathrain x3 - 275
2 with; Missile Pod x2, Target Lock
Shas'vre has Command and Control Node, Multi-Specturm Sensor Suite, Drone Controller
Marker Drone x6
Curious to why the Command and Control Node and Multi-Spectrum Sensor Suite as it's just something I wouldn't do. I'd be tempted to have the PEN here or just as a Shas'ui with Missile Pod, Target Lock and Drone Controller or similar... But I'm genuinely interested as it's growing on me and I'd like to hear your thoughts...
Fire Warriors are fine except
Fire Warriors x12
Pulse Carbines, Shas'ui, Gun Drone x2
Switching to Pulse Rifles, dropping the Gun Drones and making them 9 strong would make more sense to me. Then they can sit backfield and hold an objective
Kroot x10 - 159
Shaper with pulse Carbine
Krootox Rider x3, Hound x1
Curious about the Pulse Carbine but I love the flexibility of this unit. 3 outflanking Missile Pods on legs sounds fantastic
Hammerheads are cool! I know you're thinking about a Skyray, extra Tanks means that the enemy's anti-Tanks have a harder time as you already know
Also Seeker Missiles fired from Marker Lights are very good at killing MEQ in Cover. Perhaps proxy one before buying it.
Last game I had trouble taking down tanks, I couldn't stop the landraider and 3 rhinos which is really embarrassing for tau.
Meh. If({W,D,L}*{+1;0,-1}==0) then your list is extremely well balanced for your local meta.*
*If you times you Wins by 1, Draws by 0, Losses by -1 and add them up and get around 0 then your list is well balanced.
I'd suggest having a think and re-writing the list both with and without the Skyray trying to get rid of unnecessary upgrades on your Commander. Also try and think where he'd fit in with each of the different Warlord Traits as it saves having that blank look for a minute while you think about it after your roll
From your reloader, aim well!
Slick Samos