40K PLAYAID: Forgotten Heroes 3

Welcome to Forgotten Heroes, a continuing series of articles updating classic Warhammer 40,000 special characters. In this episode we’re bringing some of the greatest heroes of the Tau Empire from the shadows of obscurity and into the light of 5th Edition!

Hey You!: These characters were chosen solely on the basis of the emails and comments I received, so if you have a character you’d like to see updated to 5th Edition email me at [email protected] or post a comment with a character that needs some 5E lovin’.

In this episode we’re updating Anghkor Prok (the Great Shaper of the Kroot that united the kindreds and led them to the stars), Commander Puretide (legendary Tau Commander during the Second Expansion), and Aun’shi (member of the Ethereal caste and one of the greatest blade masters and leaders of the Tau).

Let’s jump into it!

ANGHKOR PROK, THE GREAT UNITER

Anghkor Prok was a Kroot chief and holy man that united the Kroot kindreds of Pech and brought them into the Tau empire. He was celebrated for his ferocity in battle and came to be recognized among his kindred as a visionary leader committed to preserving the traditions and values of the Kroot way of life.

Note: Anghkor Prok is an Independent Character and may be taken as an HQ choice for a Tau Empire army for 150 points.

SPECIAL RULES
Friend of the Tau: Anghkor Prok was instrumental in forging the treaties between the Tau and the Kroot. Because of this he is accorded great respect by the Tau. Anghkor Prok may lead Tau into battle — the only one of his kind to be extended this honor. Any army led by Anghkor Prok does not require compulsory Tau Commander or Fire Warrior units.

Inspirational Presence: Anghkor Prok has the ability to motivate his kindred like no other Shaper. All Kroot units in an army led by Anghkor Prok gain the Fleet and special rule and are not affected by the No Retreat rule. Additionally, any friendly unit of Kroot with a model within 6″ of Anghkor Prok gains the Preferred Enemy rule and are Stubborn (including Anghkor Prok).

Great Shaper: Anghkor Prok is perhaps the greatest leader in Kroot history and Kroot kindreds under his command follow his orders without question. As normal, each Kroot Carnivore Squad counts as a single Troops choice in the force organization chart, when deploying, and is rolled for collectively when rolling for reserves. However, in an army led by Anghkor Prok, each distinct kindred of Kroot in a unit (i.e., Kroot, Kroot Hounds and Krootox Riders) may be deployed and operate as independent units.

COMMANDER PURETIDE

Commander Puretide was one of the most famous Tau Commanders during the Second Expansion. His campaigns greatly expanded the Tau Empire and most of the great leaders that followed him mentored under this great general. His teachings are required to all in the Fire caste, although none have fully assimilated his tactical wisdom. In battle, Commander Puretide wears an experimental XV88 (broadside) battlesuit.

Note: Commander Puretideis an Independent Character and may be taken as an HQ choice for a Tau Empire army for 210 points.

SPECIAL RULES
Tactical Acumen: Commander Puretide could adapt to any battle conditions and used a balanced, variable and flexible approach to his tactics. Just before deploying his forces, Puretide can select one of the following tactics:
* Fio’shi (Balanced Approach): When using the Balanced Approach, all Infantry units gain the Relentless special rule. In addition, all vehicles gain the Tank Hunter special rule.
* Kor’shi (Variable Approach): When using the Variable Approach, Puretide’s forces gain a +1 on all Reserve rolls and may choose to outflank any vehicles (and embarked units) held in Reserve.
* Por’shi (Flexible Approach): When using the Flexible Approach, any Elite choices in the army are considered scoring units. In missions that use kill points, only units that include Tau (including transports crewed by Tau) generate kill points. For example, Kroot, Vespids and drones do not generate kill points in Annihilation missions,

XV88 Battlesuit: Puretide’s experimental battlesuit is equipped with an advanced stabilization system, a multi-tracker and stimulant injector. The suit is armed with a twin-linked railgun an advanced smart missile system. As part of the weapon system, the suit contains an integrated shield generator that grants Commander Puretide a 4+ Invulnerable save.

Advanced Smart Missile System: Puretide’s XV88 battlesuit is equipped with an experimental smart missile system. The missiles use the same highly-energized and unstable crystals as are used in the Vespid Neutron Blaster. Due to the dangerous effects of the weapon’s ultrasonic shielding, the XV88 suit has special stimulant injectors to keep the pilot in operational condition.

AUN’SHI, DEFENDER OF FIO’VASH

A modest hero of many battles, Aun’shi longs for peace but is bound by duty to his comrades to wage war. Lionized by the Fire caste, he is seen as a good luck charm by those would have served with him.

Note: Aun’shi is an Independent Character and may be taken as an HQ choice for a Tau Empire army for 175 points.

SPECIAL RULES
Blade Master: Aun’shi is a dedicated student of the fighting arts and has been for virtually all his life. He has a level of expertise with the honor blade that few Tau can match. Aun’shi can either use his skills to parry or to attack (he must choose his Blade Master skill at the beginning of each Assault phase; before any dice are round).
* Parry: If Aun’shi chooses to parry, he deftly blocks each incoming attack with his honor blades. Aun’shi makes no attacks. Any enemy model in base contact with Aun’shi cannot make any close combat attacks in the Assault phase. Friendly models, and enemy models not in base contact with Aun’shi, may fight normally in the close combat.
* Attack: If Aun’shi chooses to attack, his true mastery of the martial arts becomes clear. Aun’shi adds the number of enemy models in base contact with him to his Attacks characteristics. Additionally, Aun’shi’s attacks ignore armor saves in close combat.

Fire Caste Hero: Aun’shi prefers the company of the Fire caste and frequently accompanies a squad of Fire Warriors into battle. No Tau leader evokes as much courage and determination as Aun’shi. All units in Aun’shi’s army are marked for glory and hurls themselves at the enemy with complete confidence that they will be victorious. All Tau units (not including Kroot, Vespid or drones) gain the Furious Charge, Counter-Attack and Preferred Enemy special rules (retaining them even if Aun’shi is removed as a casualty).

Hard-Wired Shield Generator: Aun’shi has a 4+ Invulnerable save.

Exceptionally Inspiring Presence: All Tau units (not including Kroot, Vespid or drones) with a line of sight to Aun’shi automatically pass any Morale checks or Pinning tests they are required to take.

Superlative Price of Failure: Should Aun’shi be removed as a casualty, every Tau unit on the table (not Kroot, Vespid or drones) must take a Pinning test if they are not in close combat. All Tau units (even those that fail the Pinning test) gain the Fleet and Rage special rules. In addition, they close combat attacks gain the Rending special rule.

~I’d love your thoughts and feedback on these forgotten heroes! If you actually give any of them a spin in a game, please let me know what happened. You can leave comments here or email me at [email protected].

Author: Guest Columnist

This article was written by a Guest Columnist who requested anonymity.