What to leave on the field?

[Reclusiarch Darius]

If you base your strategy of dealing with high Toughness multi-wound around melee purely, you will get destroyed. Shooty armies are already dominating in 8th, and I see zero reason for that trend to not continue. 

 

Looking around at other armies, I think Venerables are fine. I am considering trying out Mechanicus allies (most probably a Spearhead detachment) for backfield presence, thus allowing the alpha strike to potentially be expanded. Kastellans plug one of the biggest holes in our current firepower, mid-range anti-infantry shooting (and they spit out enough to threaten light vehicles and monsters). Neutron Onagers are broadly similar to Venerables in what they do, and are arguably tougher.

[Riddlesworth]

Storm raven loaded with las, melta and hurricanes. Also lets me put 2 strike squads and a character on the table relatively safe from harm