There aren’t any new pre-orders coming next week for Warhammer AoS or 40k, but we are finally getting to figure out what this mystery model is!
Games Workshop just let us in on their plan to hold off on new releases for a week, but instead are doing a model reveal this week!
Let’s check out what we know about upcoming Tau releases and the news straight from Warhammer Community.
GW Confirms New Tau 40k Codex Among First in 2022
Here’s what Warhammer Community had to say:
On the T’au side, the snazzy upgraded Pathfinders can be used as a normal unit in your T’au army. Their kit won’t remain ornamental for long, though – brand new options for Pathfinders will be arriving in an upcoming codex. In fact, Fire Caste commanders among you will be excited to discover that it’s one of the first new codexes coming in 2022.
Cast your mind back to a certain silhouette – well, that miniature will be striding out of the shadows very soon.
Striding huh? Subtle and well played GW.
So now that we know what’s coming for sure, the credibility of the recent new Tau rumors predicting a similar release date seems to have gone up for sure.
RUMORS: New 40k Tau Codex & Models On The Way!
Most of the models in the Tau line are fairly old (about 10 years or so) but the miniatures themselves all still look pretty good (okay- except maybe the Vespid). So we personally expect GW to focus more on the rules than the models when it comes to updating Tau.
Why? Well if GW just gives the current models better rules, then we think that will just lead to more sales overall, which is what GW seems to want when they update an army.
First up, according to old rumors, it looks like January was the release date for the 9th Edition Tau 40k codex, and if there were any big delays, it might get pushed to February. With GSC and Custodes getting pushed into 2022, it might be even further than February, but still, that’s really not too far off either way.
Next, it’s rumored they will receive a few other models other than just the Pathfinders with one being a plastic Darkstrider model. We’re not sure if these will also be upgrade sprues or brand new kits. However as we said before though, GW probably doesn’t need to give them a huge model update to get people to buy them.
They simply need rules that make them more fun not only to field but also play against and people will buy them. Right now they basically aren’t selling. Since the minis are so cool, it just comes down to rules to get them moving off store shelves. So hopefully in the update, they give them some fun mechanics.
New Tau Pathfinders & Darkstrider
As you know the community had whispered that the Darkstrider would be the new character update. Since he is still Finecast it’s one of the only logical choices. Named characters are the most popular when GW decides on reworking a model.
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Take a look at the preview image spoiled by Warhammer Community.
Before we go, we’ve seen one more Pathfinder sneaking around the edge of our vision, and we managed to catch a quick snap of them. Who could this be?
Our best guess right now is this could be the new Darkstrider model. Looking at the stat card you can make sense of some of the shapes of this outline image. For instance, he appears the have the same hair, and either of those drones could count as his ‘Structural Anaylizer’, or some new piece of wargear the ‘ghost who walks amongst us’ may be getting.
With the most recent mention of the model, they also has this to say:
Cast your mind back to a certain silhouette – well, that miniature will be striding out of the shadows very soon.
Which more or less confirms our premonitions about the mystery model being Darkstrider! Now, all we have to do is wait till later this week.
The outline could be either a terrain feature, as his base looks to once again be textured, or perhaps a cape, although our money is on the latter.
He also may not have his hand left hand open, that could be his rifle, or perhaps an I-beam/ piece of terrain, or a new piece of equipment even.
The thought of this being Darkstrider could also be playing tricks on the mind, that’s the fun part of these preview images.
Considering this and the confirmed Pathfinder update, a new codex may be more infantry-focused. That’s all we’ve heard so far, but a new codex right after GSC and Custodes is most likely now, at least a couple more kits, and getting rid of Finecast is always a good thing.
All the Newest GW Model Previews For DEC & Beyond
Are you excited about a new Tau 40k codex and the possibility of a new Darkstrider model?
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About the Author: Andrew Schrank
Andrew Schrank
Job Title: Miniatures & Warhammer Hobby Staff Writer
Socials: Facebook
About Andrew Schrank: Over the past 15 years, Andrew has played all the games, including tabletop and video games, and immersed himself in the associated lore. Andrew joined the Spikey Bits team in 2018 and covers the Warhammer hobby and tournament scene, along with the latest in tabletop miniatures, each week.
Aspiring diplomat, Lord of Fluff, and Master of Ice Hammer, He loves Star Wars, Chaos Undivided, and Gundam. During his free time, he hunts Platinum trophies on PS5 and reads international news. On weekends, Andrew plays commander and cEDH games, often with unique strategies that push the limits.
He believes each day presents a new opportunity to grow and be challenged.
