In the expansive universe that is Warhammer 40,000, the T'au Empire stands out as a beacon of progress, cooperation, and the pursuit of the Greater Good!
Cooperation lies at the heart of T'au society, and it is no different on the battlefield.
In the latest Faction reveal we have seen that the T'au Empire's new rules reward those commanders who build a cohesive firing line, unleashing devastating fusillades of firepower while patiently awaiting the perfect moment to advance.
Embracing this fluid approach will allow T'au Empire units to pair up to support each other - guided by the Markerlights that have been a signature tool of T'au armies since their inception.
Now, almost any T'au Empire unit can act as an Observer to guide another unit's aim, ensuring a deadly combination of accuracy and firepower. Even if Markerlights are destroyed, the T'au Empire can continue to highlight targets for destruction.
Observers equipped with Markerlights also enable their comrades to ignore cover when shooting, significantly enhancing their effectiveness on the battlefield.
The first T'au Empire Detachment, known as the Patient Hunter, embraces the martial philosophy of Commander Shadowsun. The Kauyon strategy rewards cunning commanders who prioritize the safety of their army, luring opponents into compromising positions before unleashing a furious onslaught in the latter stages of the game.
Pathfinders play a crucial role in this strategy, serving as dedicated spotters armed with Markerlights to aid Guided units in penetrating enemy cover.
Additionally, Pathfinders can act as Observers twice per turn with their Target Uploaded ability, further enhancing the efficiency of larger T'au Empire weapons.
Noteworthy changes have also been made to T'au Empire Drones. Instead of being treated as individual models, all Drones now function as equipment on a unit's datasheet.
This streamlines gameplay, eliminating the need for managing separate Drone models and allowing them to assist their masters without obstructing their movements.
The team have already discussed using shield drones as wound tokens - to be removed as damage is taken.
When it comes to firepower, the T'au Empire boasts some of the most formidable weapons in the galaxy.
The Hammerhead's railgun remains a pinnacle of T'au armaments. It’s capable of dealing devastating blows to enemy tanks and vehicles. Even in a game where lethality has been adjusted, the railgun has a stat line that helps it retain that fearsome reputation.
Furthermore, the mighty Stormsurge has received upgrades to its pulse blast cannon, making it even more adept at taking down heavily armored targets.
In line with their tactical doctrine, the T'au Empire prioritizes fluid movement and survival over holding static positions. Infantry units are trained to retreat when faced with overwhelming assaults and often embark on waiting transports to escape imminent threats.
This Combat Embarkation tactic keeps Fire Warriors out of harm's way, allowing them to rain down firepower from the safety of Devilfish transports. By drawing the enemy into prepared kill-boxes and launching well-timed attacks, the T'au Empire ensures their foes are met with a storm of solid shot, plasma, and missiles.
With what we’ve been shown so far the T'au Empire embodies the spirit of the Greater Good and the art of cooperative warfare. Their ability to coordinate overlapping fields of fire and unleash devastating attacks at precisely the right moment showcases that tactical versatility.
Whether it's the graceful flow of their battlesuits, the precise firepower of their weapons, or their commitment to unity, the T'au Empire presents a unique and captivating playstyle in the war-torn galaxy of Warhammer 40,000.
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For the greater good we’ve used photos of our 2022 Player’s Choice winning army - Tauformers. Plus Leigh Ormsby’s ArcOpen entry from 2023. They are all Tau right!
