The T’au Empire’s battlesuit technology is at the forefront of their military conquests, from prowling Stealth Battlesuits to the towering Riptide. These mighty combat armours allow Fire caste pilots to grapple with the worst horrors the galaxy can muster, and even if you’re not up for ringing the Kroot dinner bell, a new Detachment in Codex: T’au Empire gives your battlesuits even more ways to leap into action.
If you’re a fan of filling the battlefield with high-tech combat walkers – like a certain red renegade – the Retaliation Cadre is just what the Ethereals ordered. Its Detachment rule exemplifies the daring of these Bonded Heroes, delivering a high-stakes, close-range playstyle where battlesuits descend upon enemy units and blast them to pieces.
Have you ever wished your burst cannons could hit Strength 6, or even AP-1, to really mow down infantry? Consider those wishes answered, as BATTLESUIT guns get extra Strength and Armour Penetration depending on how close your pilots dare to advance.
The T’au Empire isn’t reckless or wasteful, though – they make use of canny Stratagems to keep their battlesuits out of harm’s way. The Shortened Blade allows close-ranged suits to stay safely in orbit before dropping down at near point-blank range – perfect for eliminating enemy tanks with a fusion blaster fusillade – then employ The Torchstar Gambit to jet away to safety once their shooting has resolved.
Since we’re on the topic, let’s talk about Crisis Battlesuits. One of the coolest things about the current edition of Warhammer 40,000 is that every unit gets its own special ability. While this is great for most, it hits a snag when massively flexible models need an ability that suits every possible loadout. After all, a bonus that’s ideal for close-range flamers might not be nearly as effective for long-range missile pods.
Imperial strategists have addressed this issue by spreading flexible tanks like the Leman Russ or Gladiator across different datasheets, and the T’au are nothing if not quick learners. The new Codex: T’au Empire splits Crisis Battlesuits into three distinct datasheets based around classic configurations,* and veteran T’au commanders might recognise a few names from lore of yore...
The Sunforge configuration melts down heavy targets with twin fusion blasters, Fireknife battlesuits mix and match plasma rifles and missile pods to crack elite troops, and Starscythe teams choose from a buffet of burst cannons and flamers to wipe out massed hordes.
They’re all still Crisis battlesuits, but now they get custom abilities that really help out their chosen roles. Take the Crisis Sunforge Battlesuits, for instance – their Sunforge ability helps to mitigate the low rate of fire on their fusion blasters by giving powerful re-rolls against their ideal targets. With the Retaliation Cadre Detachment rule in play, you’re firing Strength 10 shots at AP-5, each dealing D6+2 damage – with a re-roll on both Wound rolls and damage!
These new distinctions have another benefit for battlesuit aficionados. No army can contain the same datasheet more than three times,** but each of these configurations is a different datasheet. That means you can squeeze up to nine Crisis teams into your roster, ready to retaliate as pre-emptively as the Greater Good demands.
Don't worry if your own Crisis Suits have different armaments. The current datasheet will be added to Legends so you can keep using a more diverse hardpoint combination if you wish.
Commanders can join all three of these new units, and retain their own flexible weapon options – so you can outfit them according to their chosen bodyguard. Their own abilities focus on supporting the entire unit, with the Enforcer Commander lowering the Armour Penetration of incoming fire, while the Coldstar Commander turbo-boosts its allies so they can keep up with its incredible speed.
More T’au Empire rules are on their way, as the awesome Kroot Hunting Pack – which is your first chance to get your hands on Codex: T’au Empire – goes up for pre-order this Saturday.
* This also allows their points costs to more accurately reflect their equipment, rather than the priciest possible loadout.
** Unless they have the BATTLELINE keyword.