The chatter is gradually increasing over the last week or so, and Tau seems to be the topic of it all. Someone out there obviously knows something (or is doing a really good job making it up).
Either way it makes for a fun read about what just could be. Plus Faeit dug up some old UK games days pics from last fall that may prove to be relevant as a new release seems to be imminent. (see below)
I just wanted to take a hot minute and summarize what I think are some of Tau’s inherent weaknesses since their last book, and the two edition changes. That being said this is just my tactical report, and may or may not reflect what you see in your games. So take both my summary and these rumors with a grain of salt 🙂
- 1. Hand to Hand, while not the best at combat, some suits are higher strengths which helps fend off against scouting forces, but doesn’t seem to do much against main force attacks.
- 2. That being said they have no true hand to hand troops (unless you count Kroot), which to me seem to be more of a hybrid scouting force than dedicated assault troops.
- 3. Marker-lights are a inherent part of their overall battle-plan, but once negated the overall force seems to be regulated back to just a normal shooty army with no benefits (besides maybe suit’s jump moves). I don’t feel like they have the rear end to recover from that with their low BS and twin linked weapons.
- 4. No flyer. ‘Nuff said.
Now with that being said, it seems that the current Tau rules can be extremely augmented by using “40k Approved” Forge World Tau models like the Tetra skimmers, Hazzard Suits, and or a Barracuda strike fighter. Even some of the FW HQ’s are pretty good as well.
By why should current Tau players have to rely on expensive imported models to compete at the top events?
It’s obviously time for GW to get a proper 6th Edition rules set on-board for the Tau!
From Faeit, reposting GD UK 2012 Pics
These were sent to me and linked by several people that are getting excited for an upcoming Tau release. Now these pics were from Gamesday last fall, but I figured that since people are rediscovering them, they were worth posting up again. I think people are thinking that these might all be new models for an upcoming release, but I am very certain they are from Gamesday last year.
The site these are coming from is in Hungarian, so I cannot tell if they are proclaiming these as new or who actually took the pics. Anyhow, take a look at the other pics, but please remember that these are at least 6 months old.
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
