M
6"
T
3
SV
6+
W
3
LD
7+
OC
1
For the Greater Good
T'au Empire
“For the Greater Good”
Barely six thousand years removed from tribal warfare, the T'au rose under the guidance of the Ethereal caste and the philosophy of the Greater Good, uniting warring castes into a single expansionist empire. Their Fire Warriors, Crisis suits and titanic Riptides bring overwhelming coordinated firepower to bear on any who resist annexation, while allied races like the Kroot and Vespid are folded into the Empire's endless expansion. Though young and few compared to the ancient empires of the galaxy, T'au technology and unity of purpose have carved out a growing swath of the eastern fringe, one world at a time.
Army Rule
Mont'ka and Kauyon
At the start of the battle round, if it is your turn, you can use one of two rules: Mont'ka (Killing Blow) grants +1 to Wound rolls for ranged attacks made by TAU EMPIRE units against units that Advanced, fell back, are within range of an objective, or that a TAU EMPIRE unit has already targeted this phase; or Kauyon (The Patient Hunter), which grants Sustained Hits 1 to ranged attacks made against the closest eligible target and against units that charged.
3 available
Detachments & Enhancements
Advanced Acquisition Cadre
Expert Fieldcraft
Extensive additional training - including tuition by Trail Shapers - enables these warriors to fire and relocate seamlessly while remaining concealed. In your Shooting phase, when a friendly PATHFINDER TEAM/ STEALTH BATTLESUITS unit is selected to shoot, those ranged attacks do not prevent your unit from being hidden.
Negation Emitters
cost per official appModules of microcircuitry woven through battlesuit armour plating, these devices mask energy emissions, displace comms signals, and blind enemy sensors with particle scatter. STEALTH BATTLESUITS unit only. This unit has -3" detection range.
Unmasking Suite
cost per official appThis advanced AI targeting assistant features incredibly powerful active scanners that can locate and pinpoint even the most well-hidden foes as though they stood revealed in broad daylight. GHOSTKEEL BATTLESUIT / PATHFINDER TEAM / STEALTH BATTLESUITS unit only. When this unit is selected to shoot, you can select one enemy unit within 24" of this unit. That enemy unit has +9" detection range until this unit has shot.
Auxiliary Cadre
Integrated Command Structure
T'au officers given charge of auxiliary cadres receive additional training in optimised doctrinal and strategic alien amalgamation; this - coupled with specialised translation drones and endless integrated combat drills - allows them to get the best out of their alien subordinates. Friendly KROOT/VESPID STINGWINGS units have the following ability: Harnessed Alien Instincts: In your Shooting phase, this unit can select one visible enemy unit within 12". That enemy unit is prey-marked: - While a unit is prey-marked, that unit has +3" detection range. Friendly GHOSTKEEL BATTLESUIT/STEALTH BATTLESUITS units have the following ability: Localised Stealth Projectors (Aura): When a friendly KROOT/ VESPID STINGWINGS unit within 6" of this unit has shot, those attacks do not prevent that unit from being hidden. This detachment has the AUXILIARIES tag and cannot be taken with another AUXILIARIES detachment.
Student of Kauyon
20 ptsThis Shaper has not only studied the Code of Fire but has also adapted it to best suit their people's skills. KROOT SHAPER model only. In the Declare Battle Formations step, you can select up to three friendly KROOT CARNIVORES/FARSTALKERS units. Those units have Deep Strike.
Admired Leader
20 ptsHaving proven themselves to their alien charges, this T'au has won their fierce loyalty and become an iconic folk hero to them. T'AU EMPIRE model only (excluding KROOT models). In your Command phase, you can select one KROOT/VESPID STINGWINGS unit within 12" of this model. If you do, that unit has +1 Ld and OC until the start of your next Command phase.
Experimental Prototype Cadre
Superior Craftsmanship
The applied science divisions of the Earth caste labour endlessly to provide front-line units with superior weapons systems with which to destroy the foe from afar. Friendly BATTLESUIT CHARACTER units' ranged attacks have +6" R. This detachment has the RETALIATION tag and cannot be taken with another RETALIATION detachment.
Thermoneutronic Projector
15 ptsThe thermoneutronic projector uses volatile gases siphoned from the coronas of neutron stars to expel a flame capable of searing through the armour plating of a battle tank. BATTLESUIT model only. In the Declare Battle Formations step, select one of this model's T'au Flamer weapons. That weapon's attacks have: - +2 S - +1 AP and D.
Plasma Accelerator Rifle
20 ptsThe plasma accelerator rifle blends pulse-induction technology with a high-yield plasma generator, rendering it highly effective against both infantry and light vehicles. BATTLESUIT model only. In the Declare Battle Formations step, select one of this model's Plasma Rifle weapons. That weapon's attacks have: - +2 S - +1 A, AP and D.
Supernova Launcher
15 ptsAdapted from standard-issue fragmentation projectors, this weapon enables the bearer to fire explosive plasma charges on parabolic trajectories. These projectiles drop amongst the enemy and explode in a coruscating fireball that evaporates metal and flesh alike. BATTLESUIT model only. In the Declare Battle Formations step, select one of this model's Airbursting Fragmentation Projector weapons. That weapon's attacks have: - +3 S - +1 AP and D.
7 stratagems
Stratagems
Marker Beacon
1 CPDetachment · Movement phase · Advanced Acquisition Cadre
WHEN: End of your Movement phase. TARGET: One friendly PATHFINDER TEAM/STEALTH BATTLESUITS unit. EFFECT: Select one objective your unit is controlling. That objective is secured.
Microdrone Support
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Advanced Acquisition Cadre
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly PATHFINDER TEAM/ STEALTH BATTLESUITS unit starts an action. TARGET: That PATHFINDER TEAM/STEALTH BATTLESUITS unit. EFFECT: That action does not prevent your unit from being eligible to shoot.
Autoreactive Camouflage
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Advanced Acquisition Cadre
WHEN: Your opponent's Shooting phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly PATHFINDER TEAM/ STEALTH BATTLESUITS unit, if that friendly unit is hidden. TARGET: That PATHFINDER TEAM/STEALTH BATTLESUITS unit. EFFECT: Your unit has +1 Sv.
Experimental Modifications
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Auxiliary Cadre
WHEN: Your Shooting phase or the Fight phase, when a friendly KROOT/VESPID STINGWINGS unit is selected to attack. TARGET: That KROOT/VESPID STINGWINGS unit. EFFECT: Your unit's attacks have +1 AP.
Alien Expertise
1 CPDetachment · Movement phase · Auxiliary Cadre
WHEN: Your Movement phase, when a friendly KROOT/VESPID STINGWINGS unit is selected to make an advance move. TARGET: That KROOT/VESPID STINGWINGS unit. EFFECT: That move does not prevent your unit from being eligible to declare a charge.
Guided by Unity
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Auxiliary Cadre
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly T'AU EMPIRE unit (excluding KROOT/VESPID STINGWINGS units) is selected to shoot. TARGET: That T'AU EMPIRE unit. EFFECT: Your unit's ranged attacks that target a unit within 9" of a friendly KROOT/VESPID STINGWINGS unit have [LETHAL HITS].
Experimental Ammunition
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Experimental Prototype Cadre
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly BATTLESUIT CHARACTER unit is selected to shoot. TARGET: That BATTLESUIT CHARACTER unit. EFFECT: Your unit's ranged attacks have: - +1 S. - OR: +1 S, AP and [HAZARDOUS].
47 units
Datasheets
M
6"
T
3
SV
5+
W
5
LD
7+
OC
1
ETHEREAL GUARD
M
6"
T
3
SV
5+
W
2
LD
7+
OC
1
M
20+"
T
11
SV
3+
W
18
LD
7+
OC
0
M
20+"
T
10
SV
3+
W
14
LD
7+
OC
0
M
6"
T
3
SV
4+
W
1
LD
7+
OC
2
M
5"
T
6
SV
2+
W
8
LD
7+
OC
2
M
6"
T
3
SV
4+
W
3
LD
7+
OC
1
M
10"
T
5
SV
3+
W
6
LD
6+
OC
2
M
12"
T
5
SV
3+
W
6
LD
7+
OC
2
M
10"
T
5
SV
3+
W
5
LD
7+
OC
2
M
8"
T
5
SV
2+
W
6
LD
7+
OC
2
M
10"
T
4
SV
3+
W
6
LD
6+
OC
1
M
10"
T
5
SV
3+
W
4
LD
7+
OC
2
M
7"
T
3
SV
4+
W
3
LD
7+
OC
1
M
12"
T
9
SV
3+
W
13
LD
7+
OC
2
M
6"
T
3
SV
5+
W
3
LD
6+
OC
1
M
6"
T
3
SV
4+
W
4
LD
7+
OC
3
M
10"
T
8
SV
2+
W
12
LD
7+
OC
3
M
10"
T
10
SV
3+
W
14
LD
7+
OC
3
M
7"
T
3
SV
6+
W
1
LD
7+
OC
1
M
7"
T
3
SV
6+
W
1
LD
7+
OC
1
KROOT HOUNDS
M
12"
T
3
SV
6+
W
1
LD
7+
OC
0
M
12"
T
3
SV
6+
W
1
LD
8+
OC
0
M
7"
T
3
SV
6+
W
3
LD
7+
OC
1
M
7"
T
5
SV
6+
W
4
LD
7+
OC
2
M
10"
T
10
SV
3+
W
14
LD
7+
OC
3
M
40"
T
14
SV
2+
W
60
LD
7+
OC
-
M
7"
T
3
SV
4+
W
1
LD
7+
OC
1
M
14"
T
7
SV
4+
W
7
LD
7+
OC
2
M
8"
T
10
SV
2+
W
15
LD
7+
OC
4
M
20+"
T
10
SV
3+
W
12
LD
7+
OC
0
M
16"
T
6
SV
3+
W
5
LD
7+
OC
0
M
10"
T
9
SV
2+
W
14
LD
7+
OC
4
M
10"
T
10
SV
3+
W
14
LD
7+
OC
3
M
8"
T
4
SV
3+
W
2
LD
7+
OC
1
M
8"
T
11
SV
2+
W
20
LD
7+
OC
6
M
6"
T
3
SV
4+
W
1
LD
7+
OC
2
M
20+"
T
9
SV
3+
W
12
LD
7+
OC
0
M
8"
T
13
SV
2+
W
30
LD
7+
OC
10
M
8"
T
3
SV
4+
W
1
LD
7+
OC
0
M
14"
T
7
SV
4+
W
7
LD
7+
OC
2
M
10"
T
6
SV
2+
W
8
LD
6+
OC
2
M
4"
T
8
SV
3+
W
10
LD
7+
OC
0
M
4"
T
8
SV
3+
W
14
LD
7+
OC
0
M
4"
T
8
SV
3+
W
10
LD
7+
OC
0
M
20+"
T
11
SV
3+
W
18
LD
7+
OC
0
M
12"
T
4
SV
4+
W
1
LD
7+
OC
1
M
10"
T
9
SV
2+
W
15
LD
7+
OC
4
Rules digest
How This Force Plays
Our own plain-speech digest of how this force's rules hang together — army rule, detachment choice, command-point economy and roster shape. Written by us, not reproduced from the pack; the official PDF is the only authority on exact wording.
Read the official pack PDFHow the army rule shapes play
Every list in this force answers to Mont'ka and Kauyon, so plan your turns around it rather than treating it as a bonus. There is no secondary doctrine to pick, which keeps the force predictable to learn and unforgiving to misplay. Exact wording lives in the official pack PDF; the summary here is ours.
Choosing a detachment
You commit to one of 3 detachments (Advanced Acquisition Cadre, Auxiliary Cadre, Experimental Prototype Cadre), and that choice locks in both your detachment rule and the 7 enhancements available to your characters. Pick the detachment that matches the units you already own, then buy enhancements last.
Command points and stratagems
There are 7 stratagems on offer, costing between 1 and 1 CP. In a normal game you will bank enough for two or three interventions a turn at most, so decide before deployment which one or two plays you are saving command points for.
Building to a points limit
The roster runs to 47 datasheets. The cheapest entry comes in at 45 points and the most expensive at 2100, so a single flagship choice can eat a fifth of a 2,000-point army. Use the list builder to keep the Rule of Three, character limits and your points ceiling honest as you add units.
Official faction pack v1.2
What Changed & Rulings
Our own plain-speech summary of what the current pack alters for this force — no rules text reproduced. The exact wording is authoritative only in the Games Workshop PDF. Legal for matched play from 26th August 2026.
Read the official pack PDFArmy Rules
For the Greater Good
For the Greater Good has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Kauyon Detachment
Through Unity, Devastation Enhancement
Through Unity, Devastation has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Photon Grenades Stratagem, When Section
Photon Grenades's when section has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Patient Hunter Detachment Rule
Patient Hunter has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Mont’Ka Detachment
Coordinated Exploitation Enhancement
Coordinated Exploitation has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Strike Swiftly Enhancement
Strike Swiftly has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Killing Blow Detachment rule
Killing Blow has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Retaliation Cadre Detachment
Puretide Engram Neurochip Enhancement
Puretide Engram Neurochip has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
The Shortened Blade Stratagem
Numbers change only: The Shortened Blade now reads 6" where it used to read 3".
Bonded Heroes Detachment Rule
Bonded Heroes has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Datasheets
Droneport, Tidewall Gunrig, Tidewall Shieldline - Keywords Section
This pack bolts an extra clause onto Droneport, Tidewall Gunrig, Tidewall Shieldline - Keywords Section — the rule does everything it did before, plus more. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Crisis Sunforge Battlesuits, Sunforge Ability
Crisis Sunforge Battlesuits, Sunforge Ability has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Firesight Team, Precise Targeting Ability
Firesight Team, Precise Targeting Ability has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Kroot Trail Shaper
Kroot Trail Shaper is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Pathfinder Team, Target Uploaded Ability
Pathfinder Team, Target Uploaded Ability has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Riptide Battlesuit
Riptide Battlesuit is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
RANGE A BS S AP D
RANGE A BS S AP D is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
RANGE A BS S AP D
RANGE A BS S AP D is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Stealth Battlesuits
Stealth Battlesuits is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Sun Shark Bomber, Pulse Bombs Ability
Sun Shark Bomber, Pulse Bombs Ability has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Ruling on Ethereal’s Coordinated Leadership
Ruled yes in the official pack.
Ruling on Kroot Hunting Pack
Ruled no in the official pack.
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