As you may have heard, the newest supplement for Warhammer 40k, is now here; Tau: Farsight Enclaves.
Clocking in at about 110 pages (like the Iyanden supplement), this supplement again features only about two pages of “must have” 40k relevant rules (as well as Warzone missions, and other various scenarios towards the back of the book)
This book re-introduces O’shovah (Commander Farsight), explains his history and gives a few hints at why he decided to cause a schism within “The Empire”.
The fluff and stories are pretty revealing and written to the standard we all have come to expect from Games Workshop.
Strangely(?) enough their history is very similar to more familiar “heresy” in the heart of another Empire, be it that of the Empire of Man.
The new supplement gives the Tau a few more toys, but keeps their play style once again as that of a primarily “overwhelming application of fire” type army.
What I really like about the list is that you can play it as loyalist or “renegade” Farsight as his exploits are legendary as both a hero and a “villain”.
Another cool feature of the Farsight list is the inclusion of “The Eight” a command squad made of battlesuits (Crisis, Riptide, and Broadside variants) of O’shovah’s most trusted lieutenants. It’s both characterful and competitive at the same time, which leaves me very hopeful for future rules installments.
The book itself is divided into four sections; an Introduction (to 40k mostly), O’shovahs histroy in ” A Warrior Born”. “Unity and Glory” is the obligatory painted model showcase to inspire us, and finally “The Way of War” Army list and Scenarios section.
Overall the fluff accounts for about 80 pages with rules covering about half as many themselves, however just like the Iyanden book the amount of 40k specific rules is about 2-3 pages.
However with all this promise of superior technology, an army is only as effective as it’s most basic unit of troops. Wars in real life, and on the table top, seem to be won or lost by the boots on the ground, and this is where the Tau have their work cut out for them.
This book, however, has a few tricks up it sleeves when it comes to getting stuck in.
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.
