Warhammer 40K: The New T’au Codex – A Glimpse Into The Future?
The Age of Drones is over? Hints at future codexes? What the heck is going on with the T’au Empire Codex? Let’s find out!
We got our hands on the T’au Codex and Abe has taken a look inside the covers to gather some thoughts about this new codex.
The New T’au Codex Is…
Different. While it’s still T’au at its core the army has shifted focus. You could say it’s a renewed focus on doing what this army has always done well: Shooting. They have lost some of the interactions that made them tougher than they perhaps should have been. The Overwatch tricks by the Greater Good is gone…because Greater Good is gone. The Mont’ka and Kauyon abilities have been reworked to sort of fill that void of army wide special rules.
These are not new names for the T’au but the way they work has been significantly redone.
Markerlights also got a pretty big rework as well. They are now an action that is used in the movement phase. For each Markerlight in the unit, you roll a D6. On a 3+ the target unit (which still has to be in LoS and follows basic targeting restrictions) receives a markerlight token. When the target unit is getting shot at by a T’au Empire unit, that unit gets to add 1 to the hit roll. After that unit is done shooting, remove 1 markerlight token from the target unit. That’s it. No crazy chart. Just a +1 to hit.
Oh, and because it’s an action during the movement phase, infantry units basically have to sacrifice their movement (but not their shooting) to do it. Vehicles and Drones do not and can still move. And speaking of drones…
T’au Drones got a pretty big rework as well. And that’s because Saviour Protocols has effectively been nerfed into the ground. It’s no longer a drone ability; it’s now a stratagem that costs 1 CP. It also only works on 1 failed save a phase. Oh and the failed saved straight up destroys the drone. So those 2 wound shield drone units? Yeah – they are a thing…but they don’t work like they used to!
Aside from those pretty major changes the T’au also got several boosts to their weapons and unique systems. We’ve talked about many of them already. But in case you missed them Railguns are devastating. So are the Pulse Blast Cannons.
It shouldn’t be a shock that the T’au weapons hit really hard. With the new Markerlight rules, they are also going to be fairly accurate as well. Again, this book feels like a refocusing on what the T’au do extremely well. If you’re caught in their firing sights, you’re going to have a bad time.
What About The Future?
Abe breaks down this concept a lot more in the video. He explains that this codex does something some of the newer codexes haven’t really messed with a ton. That new “thing” is the amount of actions this army has. Could this be a tease at future codexes design direction? We’ll have to wait and see. Regardless, it’s an interesting development. It’s not that other codexes didn’t provide new actions for the army to do — it’s that this codex has so many. Who knew the T’au were so into experimental rules!?
Codex: T’au Empire
The T’au are a young and dynamic race of technologically advanced aliens whose empire is spreading like wildfire across the stars. Ruled and guided by the enigmatic Ethereals, the T’au seek to unite every sentient being under the light of the T’au’va, or Greater Good. They prefer that others join this growing alliance willingly, but do not hesitate to use force to fulfil their destiny wherever they must. At the forefront of this fight are the Hunter Cadres of the Fire Caste. Comprising highly mobile and well-armed soldiery, led and supported by veteran warriors piloting deadly battlesuits, gunships and strike fighters, these armies sweep all before them in a blizzard of devastating firepower. Signature battle strategies such as the decisive Mont’ka or the cunning ambush of the Kauyon see the enemy outmanoeuvred at every turn, while their potent blend of technological might and ideological fanaticism ensure the T’au achieve victory after victory.
This 136-page book comprehensively covers the T’au Empire. It has everything you need to bring the technological might of the T’au to bear on the tabletop in order to expand the empire, plus a selection of lore and art to inspire your own collection.
Inside this hardback codex you’ll find:
– The origins of the T’au Empire, their desire for unity through the Greater Good, and their will to expand as a species
– A detailed description T’au’s caste-based society, the various Spheres of Expansion, the Septs that form the Empire, and the technological and military might of the T’au
– Background information on the Ethereals, as well as characters such as Aun’Shi, Shadowsun, and Commander Farsight
– A showcase of stunningly painted Citadel miniatures
– 37 datasheets for the units that make up the T’au forces, from squads of Fire Warriors, to incredible Battlesuits, and heavily armed tanks
– Battle-forged rules that represent how the T’au wage war, from Sept Tenets, Cadre Commands, Independent Powers, as well as Bespoke Stratagems, Prototype Systems, and more.
– Crusade Rules that let you bring the Greater Good to various planets through overpowering force and subtle diplomacy
– And more!
