The new Codex: T’au Empire is up for pre-order this weekend, pulse rifles humming and jet thrusters blazing – but its powerful battlesuits and serene Ethereals are following a trail blazed by the Kroot Hunting Pack.
The Kroot are trusted auxiliaries who supplement the T’au Empire’s many Hunter Cadres, and fill a vital role as scouts and objective-grabbers in any of the four Detachments found in the new Codex. One Detachment, however, is designed specifically for players who want to go all-in on these self-evolving soldiers of fortune.
All KROOT models in a Kroot Hunting Pack gain two Detachment rules, from the sneakiest Farstalker to the most well-groomed Kroot Hound. Keen Hunter’s Instincts help your units to pounce on vulnerable prey, providing a bonus to the Hit roll on enemies that have suffered any losses at all – and an extra bonus to Wound rolls if they’re really on their last legs.
These lightly armoured guerillas also operate as Skirmish Fighters, evading incoming attacks with an invulnerable save which only gets better at range.
On top of all that, this Detachment turns your Kroot Carnivore packs into BATTLELINE units, to help you fill up a whole army with esurient avian infantry. The Kroot Hunting Pack doesn’t lock out the rest of your roster, however – there’s no reason a Kroot vanguard can’t be accompanied by T’au observers, or act as an escort for heavy support where needed.This Detachment comes with all the Enhancements and Stratagems you’d expect to spice up your hunting parties. A skilled Trail Shaper can become a Nomadic Hunter, adding extra Movement and the
ability to their ravenous retinue. Toss in a Scout move of 7", and you could rocket your Kroot Carnivores up to 23" up the board by your first turn and still shoot – who needs a
?
When one of your beaked belligerents shoots or fights, you can spend just a single Command point to spring A Trap Well Laid, giving an Armour Penetration bonus to every other KROOT unit in your army that gangs up on the same target.
That’s on top of the benefits from your Hunter’s Instincts, remember – and you can even include a Lone-spear’s Advanced Scouting bonus to really ring the dinner bell for your whole army.
The T’au Empire’s Crusade campaign rules make a welcome return in the new Codex, with tables that will let you generate new and interesting worlds, eager to join the Greater Good… or be forcefully enlightened as to its benefits.
It doesn’t stop there, however – these flavourful narrative rules now also include benefits for Kroot! You’ll find new Battle Traits, a unique Crusade relic, and even a mouth-watering Requisition which allows your Shapers to evolve based on who you’ve headhunted. Want some extra Toughness? Nibble on Votann vittles. Looking for even more Movement? Try the Aeldari à l’orange…
Will you build up a full Warsphere of mercenary Kroot, or supplement your Hunter Cadres with hunters of a hungrier sort? Let us know what kinds of armies you’re planning when you get your hands on the new Codex: T’au Empire over on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.