How to Play T’au Empire in Warhammer 40K 9th Edition
Today take a look at some basics of how to play and get started with Warhammer 40k T’au Empire.
The T’au Empire is a powerful coalition of Xenos species in Warhammer 40K. At the heart of this coalition are the T’au themselves, a hyper-technologically advanced species of ungulate from the Eastern Fringes of the galaxy. They come to battle in myriad ways and bring allies such as the bloodthirsty Kroot and insect-like Vespid.
So below we will offer some tips on how to play T’au Empire and how to get started with the army.
Who Are The T’au Empire?
The T’au (or Tau) are a young race of technologically-oriented beings from the Eastern Fringe and the dominant species of the Tau Empire. T’au, the Tau home planet, was discovered in 789.M35 by the Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator Fleet ship Land’s Vision. Adeptus Mechanicus records indicate that at that time, the Tau species had mastered the use of simple tools and weapons, as well as fire. Before the planet could be cleansed and colonized by the Imperium, however, a violent Warp-storm erupted around the planet. The outbreak of the wars of the Age of Apostasy shortly thereafter preempted any further Imperial follow-up and the then-minor xenos race was effectively forgotten by humanity outside a few Explorator records.
It would be another six-thousand years before the Imperium had any further contact with the T’au, when an unknown class of alien vessel was encountered by system defense ships at Devlan in the Ultima Segmentum. After failing to respond to naval challenges, the ship was opened fire on and destroyed. Bodies recovered from the wreckage were a close match to the records from the Land’s Vision. The rapid elevation from a primitive species on a single planet to a starfaring power in only six millennia represented a new danger to Imperial interests, especially as some of the human worlds on the fringes of Imperial territory were discovered to already have trade relations with the Tau. Almost a century later, the Damocles Crusade smashed into T’au space, bringing the two powers into war.
Why Play T’au Empire
T’au are a powerful faction of gun-toting Xenos. Their Codex represents not just the T’au in their battlesuits, but also Kroot and Vespids as well. Do you like hard-hitting shooting? Space cow anime? Do you want to blast your opponent from afar? T’au Empire might just be your faction.
Strengths of the T’au Empire Army
- Shooting! Tau have some of the most powerful ranged weapon profiles in the game.
- Synergy. Tau units gain great advantages by working in tandem.
- Mobility. Despite sometimes playing as a gun line, Tau can be a fast and dynamic army capable of completing missions.
Weakness of the T’au Empire Army
- Close combat. While some of their allies can be decent, the Tau themselves lack any credible combat threat.
- Psychic phase. Since they are not connected to the Warp, Tau do not take part in the Psychic Phase.
- What gun do you pick? With so many tools that do the same job (kill things far away) it can be hard to decide how you want to do it.
T’au Empire Signature Rules
The army has a number of special rules, the key ones to remember are:
- Philosophies of War – This rule affects units army-wide in a pure Tau army, adding bonuses to either the first or second half of the game.
- Markerlights – Some of your units can ‘mark’ enemy units, giving bonuses to other friendly units who fire at them.
- Drones – A rule set for a whole sub-group of Tau units; Drones.
T’au Empire Sub-factions
The army has a great number of sub-factions, called Septs to choose from. Almost every T’au unit must belong to one.
Which one you select will determine what stratagems, relics, and warlord traits you have access to. To play these to the fullest you will need Codex: T’au Empire.
Key T’au Empire Units To Know
Warhammer 40K T’au have a sizable unit roster and knowing what units to take can be tricky. Here are some suggestions to get you off on the right track.
1. Commander
A powerful Sept leader, clad in the advanced technology of a battlesuit. The Commander can be equipped with a plethora of different weapon options to suit any mission. In addition, like many HQs, he is a source of re-rolls for nearby CORE units.
2. XV8 Crisis Battlesuit Team
Like the Commander, Crisis Suits can be equipped with a variety of powerful weapon options and surrounded by a cloud of friendly Drones.
3. T’au Fire Warriors
The backbone of many T’au Empire forces is its Fire Warriors. Their long-ranged shooting weapon, the pulse rifle, is one of the most powerful basic rifles in the game.
4. Riptide Battlesuits
The Riptide is a larger and more powerful suit than the Crisis. They are able to overpower their sometimes experimental weapons with their reactor, risking damage in exchange for extra firepower.
5. Stormsurge Battlesuit
The Stormsurge is the largest and (arguably) the most powerful Battlesuit in the Codex. Occupying a prestigious ‘Lord of War’ slot, the Stormsurge lays down oppressive amounts of firepower.
6. Kroot Carnivores
The Kroot are horrific cannibal, mercenary, bird-people. They’re the closest thing Tau have to a combat threat.
7. Vespid Stingwings
One of the lesser Xenos species of the Empire, Vespids are exceptionally fast, and pack neutron blasters perfect for killing Primaris marines.
8. Hammerhead Gunship
The Hammerhead is the premier gunship used by the Tau. Its mighty, turret-mounted railgun can take out some truly impressive foes with a single shot.
Sample Starter Warhammer 40k T’au Empire Army
Army: T’au Empire
Sept: T’au
Patrol Detachment
HQ: Commander in Crisis Battlesuit. One Model. He is equipped with: three fusion blasters- 160 pts
Troop: Fire Warriors. Ten Models. Each model is equipped with: pulse rifle; pulse pistol.- 80 pts
Heavy Support: Riptide Battlesuit. One Model. It is equipped with: heavy burst cannon; 2 plasma rifles; Riptide fists. -240
Total: 480 pts.
Let’s make 1,000 points of Tau!
Patrol Detachment
HQ: Commander in Crisis Battlesuit. One Model. He is equipped with: three fusion blasters- 160 pts
HQ: Ethereal. One Model. An Ethereal is equipped with: honour stave.- 80 pts
Troop: Fire Warriors. Ten Models. Each model is equipped with: pulse rifle; pulse pistol.- 80 pts
Troop: Fire Warriors. Ten Models. Each model is equipped with: pulse rifle; pulse pistol.- 80 pts
Troop: Kroot Carnivores. Twenty Models. Every model is equipped with: Kroot rifle; quill grenades. -120 pts
Heavy Support: Riptide Battlesuit. One Model. It is equipped with: heavy burst cannon; 2 plasma rifles; Riptide fists. -240
Heavy Support: Riptide Battlesuit. One Model. It is equipped with: heavy burst cannon; 2 plasma rifles; Riptide fists. -240
Total: 1000 pts.
How to Play Tau Empire
The name of the game is shooting. Does the name have a subtitle? It is screening. Dynamic, moving screening, and shooting is the key here. Fortunately, T’au have excellent shooting and cheap screens available. It can be easy to go for the ‘castle’ build, but you will quickly find your lack of movement and board control will make it difficult to win missions- you absolutely have to shoot on the fly. Be dynamic!
