Claim the field with the new Tau 40k 10th Edition codex and our guide to all the how-to-play strategies, index changes, and rules review!
The Tau are back in the spotlight with a fresh codex that pushes their shooting game even harder, rewires their synergy rules, and gives both battlesuits and Kroot some serious glow-ups. If your vision of Warhammer 40k involves clean firing lanes, coordinated volleys, and the Greater Good politely deleting problems at range, this Tau codex has plenty to serve up.
From revamped markerlight interactions to distinct detachment styles, the new Tau rules sharpen the army’s identity as the premier ranged force that wins through teamwork, target priority, and overwhelming firepower.
Let’s break down the new Tau codex 10th Edition rules, detachment vibes, and standout datasheets so you know exactly how to play Tau in 10th Edition, whether you’re flipping through the full book or scrolling the Tau PDF or Tau index for quick reference.
Why Play Tau in Warhammer 40k Tau Codex 10th Edition
Originally published in May 2024. Updated on November 14th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest Warhammer 40k Tau codex 10th Edition rules and information.
If you want an army that rewards clean target priority, coordinated fire, and big anime robots solving problems at long range, the Tau codex is right up your alley. The new Tau rules dial in stronger synergies, smoother markerlight support, and detachment options that let you tune your list from battlesuit alpha strikes to full Kroot stampedes.
With the Tau in 10th Edition, units thrive by working in tandem. Hit the right target with the right spotters, and your firepower jumps through the roof. Crisis Suits hit harder, Kroot move faster, and characters can swing entire shooting phases when placed well.
And thanks to the Tau index and Tau PDF options online, it is easier than ever to reference the core rules while you get comfortable with how to play Tau.
Tau Codex Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths of the Tau Codex 10th Edition
- Army-wide synergies boost accuracy and ignore cover, which is a major upgrade from the Tau 10th Edition index.
- Crisis Suits, Riptides, Broadsides, and the new Kroot units all bring strong rules that reshape how to play Tau on the table.
- Detachments offer distinct playstyles, from the Retaliation Cadre battlesuit smash to Montka and Kauyon timing strategies.
- Excellent ranged pressure that scales from turn one, especially once your support pieces lock in.
- Characters like Shadowsun and the War Shapers add potent buffs that elevate entire squads.
Weaknesses of the Tau Codex 10th Edition
The army still hates being touched. Dedicated melee lists can fold your lines if they get in close, so screening and spacing matter. Managing observer units, synergies, and timing your detachment abilities can also get overwhelming in the midgame, especially when you are juggling drones, spotters, and Kroot combos.
Several older units have shifted around or changed roles, which may require rethinking parts of your collection.
How to Play Tau: Core Tau Rules and Synergies
This how-to-play Tau codex review guide covered the various detachments, their unique rules, and the enhancements players can use to further customize their army. Whether you’re a veteran player or just starting, the Tau codex has something for everyone.
With their army rule, you really want units to work in tandem, as you’ll get better BS and can ignore cover! This really lets you unleash full power in your shooting phase! However, if you shoot at something else, you’ll have worse BS, so pick your targets carefully.
Drones have always been a staple in the Tau army, but they are fairly similar to the index rules. You can either use them to add wounds to your units, give you some extra shots, make your unit harder to wound, or even shoot some missiles!
Tau Detachments Overview: Retaliation, Mont’ka, Kauyon, Kroot
Now, let’s get into the new detachments; the four Tau Detachments for 10th Edition 40k are:
Retaliation Cadre
This is the one detachment we saw preview rules for, and it’s all about making your battlesuits hit harder! Starflare Ignition System is really strong, especially after you can bring them on from any table edge. Then, you can get some grenade mortal wounds shenanigans going, which is always fun.
The Retaliation Cadre specializes in close-range combat, using their powerful battlesuits to take out enemy units with daring and precision. The Cadre’s Detachment rule encourages a proactive and strategic playstyle, where you can surprise your opponents with bold maneuvers and calculated risks.
If you can get within 6″, you’ll get +1 strength and -1AP of all your weapons!
As you would imagine, the stratagems also focus solely on battlesuits. Shortened Blade lets you drop within 3″, meaning you can guarantee the +1 S, -1AP; however, for 2 CP, it’s probably only done once.
Torchstar Gambit is also super annoying for your opponent, as you get to make a normal move after shooting for only 1 CP. If you get within 6″, do this: wipe a unit, and then jump back into cover.
Mont’ka Detachment Rules in the Tau Codex
Getting Lethal Hits (and possibly Assault) on your entire army for three turns is super strong. With this, you’ll want to get a lot of shots, and even if they are lower strength, it won’t matter if you can roll those 6s.
Pinpoint Counter-Offensive is pretty awesome for 1 CP. You get to re-roll all hits against that unit for the rest of the battle. There are plenty of cheap stratagems here to increase your power, but even some nice defensive ones.
Kauyon
This one is a little strange, as you get no benefits until the third battle round. However… Sustained Hits: 1 or 2, for your entire army is very strong. It really just depends on whether you think you can make it through the first two rounds without benefits to make the Sustained Hits worthwhile.
Two of these have the same restriction as the detachment rule but, again, are very strong. We’ll have to see how the combos work out, but they do have some powerful stratagems. Photon Grenades should help you stop the enemy from getting charges off and hopefully keep you alive until the power of this detachment kicks in.
Kroot Hunting Pack Tau Rules in the Tau Codex 10th Edition
Well… if you go all Kroot, they get very similar rules to the Sisters! Depending on how damaged they are, they will get +1 to hit and +1 to wound. They also have pretty bad armor saves, so a 5+ against shooting is quite nice. Nomadic Hunter pushes their movement to 10″, which should let you get into combat quickly.
Finally, Borthrod Gland lets you score criticals on a 5+, which should let you get off plenty of sustained hits.
If you have a huge unit of 20 Carnivores for two CP, you can revive them, but without characters. A trap well-laid will probably see a lot of play since their AP isn’t great, and if you can get a single hit in the shooting phase, you can get huge AP buffs for only 1 CP.
Tau Codex Kroot Datasheets and Unit Rules
Hobbyists had also seen some of the new Kroot rules, but now there looks to be nine datasheets for them in the 10th Edition Tau Empire Codex.
- Kroot Farstalkers
- Kroot Hounds
- Krootox Rampagers
- Krootox Riders
- Kroot Carnivores
- Kroot Lones-Spear
- Kroot Flesh Shaper
- Kroot War Shaper
- Kroot Trail Shaper
They are decently tough, good in combat, and can scout. Their Repeater Cannon should be in Rapid Fire range a lot with a 36″ range and basically has the damage output of an autocannon. However, the strength really comes in with Kroot Packmates because you get a free shooting attack in the opponent’s turn!
The new melee version of the riders is quite strong. With seven (plus some sustained) attacks in melee, Lance, and Impact hits! If you have a unit of just three, you should get off a few mortals before the combat even starts and force a battle-shock test.
30″ is no joke! We assume this means they can move 12″, advance 6″, and charge 12″. It’s hard to say exactly, but that’s what the absolute limit means to us.
They will be an independent unit, but you’ll want to keep them close to your units and characters, as they will get buffed up.
The Carnivores are decent troop options, and you can take 20 in one unit, which is awesome. While their weapons aren’t the strongest, with Scouts and Stealth, they have a lot of options. They also have sticky objectives, which really increases their efficiency.
He’s great for leading a big unit, as they get sustained hits from one-on-one melee attacks and an FNP, not to mention Infiltrators.
With Precision and Three Damage, there’s a chance you can snipe off some characters with this model. However, the next rule makes the long gun awesome even if you don’t kill characters.
This is a pretty wild rule, and if you don’t move with your Lone-spear, you will be hitting on a 2+ (since the gun is heavy). Then, all your Kroot get to re-roll hits against that unit, both in shooting and in melee! We expect a couple of these in most armies, as this rule seems super strong.
This has the free CP ability, a free unbreakable once per game, and decent melee. Overall, the Kroot are looking quite nice.
Tau Battlesuit and Character Datasheets Explained
Commander Shadowsun
Starting with Shadowsun, she has an aura to re-roll hits of ones, can gain you CP on a 5+, and still has plenty of firepower! She will be a great addition if you’re running a heavy battlesuit army!
Commander Farsight
He’s still pretty combat-focused, but with the additional +1 to the wound within 9″, he has some powerful auras. Not to mention, you can target him for 0CP!
Darkstrider
He’s great for forcing enemies to deploy further away, adds one to the wound roll, and with infiltrators and scouts, he’s quite versatile.
Cadre Fireblade
Of course, you still have your classic on-foot Au Empire characters to lead your Fire Warriors.
Crisis Battlesuits
Probably the biggest change to the army was breaking up Crisis Suits into multiple different datasheets.
Instead of one giant datasheet with a bunch of options, you now make totally different styles of units. Let’s hope you have those suits magnetized. However, this also means that you can have three of each of these in one army. So, theoretically, you can have nine units of Crisis Suits in your army.
Talk about spicy! The rerolling wounds are quite strong. Then, when you add in the fact that you get to reroll the damage, this is honestly a wild rule!
Luckily, the Riptide is still here with all the guns you could really ever want!
Final Thoughts on the Tau Codex 10th Edition
That is the rundown on the Tau codex 10th Edition, and honestly, the Greater Good is looking pretty fun right now. Battlesuits hit harder, Kroot run faster, and the detachment rules give you plenty of ways to cook up your perfect list. Whether you are flipping through the Tau PDF on your phone or cracking open the hardback at your FLGS, there is a ton of new tech to play with.
So get those markerlights charged, dust off the Crisis Suits you totally meant to magnetize, and line up those firing lanes. The galaxy will not improve itself, and the Tau are more than happy to lend a helping volley. Now, go make the Greater Good proud.
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If you’re looking for the Tau PDF codex, Wahapedia is the go-to spot for free reference material, but if you want the full book with lore, art, and all the extras, Games Workshop’s official version is the way to go.
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