Kroot are famed for their ability to slip through dense terrain without disturbing so much as a leaf, which makes them exceptional practitioners of the kind of close-up guerilla warfare their T’au allies so abhor. Much of this knowledge is epigenetic, but true mastery comes only with hard-won experience, and the Kroot leaders known as Trail Shapers are the most experienced of all.
Where War Shapers directly lead their kindred in battle, Trail Shapers are responsible for the overall plan of attack. As their name suggests, they prepare the battlefield for their army’s arrival by picking out routes for infiltration, identifying advantageous terrain, and choosing how their forces will fight.
They are equipped in the traditional Kroot manner, with a sturdy Kroot rifle in hand and several practical blades hanging about their person. This light equipment helps them move unhindered through forests and jungles, and evade enemy units who attempt to chase them down.
Intimate knowledge of the local terrain keeps Trail Shapers one step ahead of keen opponents who might have thoughts about charging the Kroot. The Trail Finding ability makes sure that opponents have to get seriously close before success is guaranteed, while unlucky prey Falling Back will find their predators in hot pursuit.
Even before the battle begins, Trail Shapers can pull a fast one over their opponents by launching a Kroot Ambush. They, the unit they join, and a whole other Kroot unit melt into the background and reappear where they’re least expected – taking advantage of the Scouts 7” rule shared by almost all Kroot to pressure vulnerable troops away from their objectives.
This new leader will be deploying alongside even more new miniatures – such as the fast and vicious Kroot Hounds revealed last week – later on this year.