Tau
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| This article is part of the Dawn of War Player's Guide. → guide discussion |
The Tau are a relatively young race in the 40k universe yet they have made their presence known via great technological achievements. On the Eastern Fringe of the galaxy, a they have emerged to challenge the might of the Imperium of Man and the other established races in the 41st millennium. They are a surprisingly advanced race that has organized itself around a single guiding principle known as "The Greater Good." By setting aside individualism to serve the needs of society as a whole, the Tau have developed and expanded at an astounding rate. In just over 6,000 years, they evolved from savannah-dwelling primitives to space-faring colonists.
This unhindered progress has given the Tau confidence that there is no obstacle that their society and their science cannot overcome. Indeed, they believe that they can help the rest of the galaxy find their way to peace and prosperity. All the other races must do is accept the Greater Good and obey the Ethereals, the mysterious Tau leaders.
Not surprisingly, the established races have other plans. To help "bring them around," the Tau have invented some of the most lethal ranged weaponry in Warhammer 40,000. Their basic troop type, called Fire Warriors, are armed with pulse rifles and pulse carbines that can punch through armour like a comet through a dust cloud.
Pulse weapons would be devastating enough, but the Tau also have powered armour and anti-gravitic vehicles galore. Their Crisis and Stealth battlesuits have unrivaled mobility on the battlefield, popping out from behind cover, firing a thunderous barrage, and disappearing again before the enemy can react. The Tau's Hammerhead and Sky Ray gunships, along with Broadside battlesuits, pound opposing forces to bits while their Devilfish troop carriers reposition Fire Warriors for better shots. At a distance, the Tau can lay waste to all but the hardiest of enemies.
Yet, the Tau disdain up-close fighting and are unskilled in hand-to-hand combat. They have hired the mercenary Kroot and inducted the insectoid Vespid to make up for this lack, but the Tau still try to avoid close-quarter engagements. Despite this limitation, the Tau are an emerging force in the galaxy that the established races cannot ignore.
Backstory
A race that advanced several technological millenia in 2,000 years, the Tau were given ion drives by the Squats, which they studied and then created their own technology from. They have a hierarchical socialistic government, where each caste fights for the Greater Good and supports the other castes, Fire (Warriors), Water (Diplomats and Merchants) Earth (Laborers and Constructors), Air (Pilots and Navigators) and Ethereal (Ultimate Authority). The Tau's alliance with the Kroot was created when a Tau armada came across a band of Kroot War Spheres under attack by Orks. The Tau aided the Kroot, and helped them reclaim the Kroot-colonized Planets. The wasp-like Vespids have also joined, supposedly due to interest in the Greater Good philosophy.
Dark Crusade
The Tau are only available in Dark Crusade and forward.
With the rise of the Necrons and the arriving of other invading factions, the Tau forces and Kroot allies could not sit idly by with their thriving empire in danger. The Tau defend their recently acquired world of Kronus from the invaders, including the planet's original owners, the Imperial Guard. The Tau Forces on Kronus are led by Shas'o Kais.
As the Tau forces and allies deploy on the many critical locations of Or'es Tash'n, Shas'o Kais leads them into the war zones of Kronus. With the Ethereal Aun'el Shi'ores supporting them, the Greater Good could not fail. The Tau forces saw through the Eldar's treachery and tricks. They withstood the God-Emperor's mighty Blood Raven Space Marines at North Vandea. The Imperial Guard survivors, even after the vicious fight at Victory Bay, were allowed safe haven within the Tau society. Although the Necrons proved to be a bothersome infection on Kronus, they too were gunned down by the Tau squads. The Word Bearers of the Chaos Gods tried to bring forth their twisted daemons on Kronus, but the Tau forces resisted the whispers of Chaos and purged them. The Orks, led by Gorgutz, proved a great challenge to the Kroot Warriors, but they too were eliminated for the Greater Good as the Tau attacked the Green Coast.
As the Tau remake Kronus into a Tau colony, the remaining humans on Kronus were sent to reeducation camps. Though the human population dwindled down to a fraction of its former size, the Tau would still be willing to welcome any man, woman, or child into the Greater Good.
Tau Units
Earth Caste Builder
"Each caste does its part for the Greater Good."
The Earth Caste Builder Drone is the basic building unit for the Tau Empire, provided at the beginning of every game.
Despite its lack of weaponry, the builder drone can move quickly to avoid enemy fire and may be "danced" to buy time for your warriors to move into position to eliminate the threat.
XV15 Stealth Team
"The technology of Tau makes us strong!"
Built from the Cadre Headquarters, the XV15s have the natural ability to infiltrate and can only be detected by opposing leaders. A leader, known as a Shas'vre can be purchased as well as a jetpack upgrade.
Vespid Stingwing Strain
The Vespid Stingwings are a close-combat unit available early in the tech-tree, recruited from the insect-like "Vespid" in the Tau Empire. Vespid units excel at destroying buildings with their Destabilization ability.
Fire Warrior Team
"Fire team deployed."
Fire Warriors are the basic Tau fighting unit. Like most Tau units, they are terrible in close combat but their advanced weaponry, the most powerful of all basic DoW troops, more than makes up for it.
Kroot Carnivores
"The Shapers sent us to serve."
Kroot Carnivores are a close-combat unit recruited from a barbarian race in the Tau Empire. They may "Cannibalize" chunks of the dead (enemy or ally) to give all Kroot Carnivore units health bonuses.
Kroot Shaper
"I will lead our warriors."
The Kroot Shaper is a leader for Kroot units, be they Kroot Carnivores or Kroot Hound Packs.
Pathfinder Team
"Pathfinders lead the way!"
The lightly-armored Pathfinder Team does ranged spotting for the Tau army. Although individually weak, they are paired with other hard-hitting units (such as the XV88 Broadside Battlesuit) to inflict heavy damage on specific targets.
XV88 Broadside Battlesuit
"Where do you need firepower?"
A slow-moving mobile turret, the XV88 Broadside Battlesuit is armed with heavy railguns. However, because they are Tau warriors in suits and not machines, they may not be repaired.
XV8 Crisis Battlesuit
"Where do you need the elite?"
Equipped with jump jets and heavy weapons, the XV8 Crisis Suit is Tier 3 infantry available only to Tau forces following the Path of Mont'Ka.
Kroot Hound Pack
Kroot Hounds are close-combat specialists which are more durable than Kroot Carnivores, supporting any Tau force following the Path of Kauyon. They are one of the most capable melee units in the game.
Tau Commander
"I will spread the Greater Good."
The Tau Commander is the primary hero of the Tau Empire. Encased in an experimental XV22 Battlesuit, he can use jump jets to quickly get into battle, ready to unleash a barrage of firepower from the many weapon systems his battlesuit can be outfitted with.
Ethereal
"The Ethereal Caste leads for the Greater Good."
The Ethereal is a member of the Tau Ethereal Caste and a secondary hero/commander unit for the Tau Empire. While physically weak, he is able to spawn his own units and give bonuses to the entire Tau army.
Shas'Ui Bodyguard
"Our bond is strong, we will not fail."
The Ethereal's bodyguards consist of specially trained Shas'Ui outfitted with the most advanced portable infantry weapons available. Their precision allows them to fire on targets from much further away than regular Fire Warriors, long before they can ever pose a threat to the Ethereal.
Devilfish Troop Carrier
"Devilfish swims silently."
Naturally cloaked, the Devilfish Troop Transport hold three squads of Tau forces, which cannot include Kroot units.
Skyray Missile Gunship
"You needed fire support?"
The basic tank for the Tau Empire, the Skyray Missile Gunship can be augmented with the Missile Barrage ability to quickly take out tough targets.
Drone Squad
The Drone Squad is a cluster of flying Tau drones which may lie buried and invisible in order to surprise invaders.
Barracuda
"The Air Caste serves Tau!"
The premiere combat aircraft of the Tau Empire, the Barracuda soars over ruined battlefields, delivering anti-air and anti-vehicle support for the Tau war effort. The Earth Caste designed the Barracuda's weaponry to attack hardened targets effectively, while ensuring that it had the speed and maneuverability to battle against other dogfighters.
Drone Harbinger
"Drones ready to go, sir."
The Drone Harbinger is a mobile Drone factory that can continue to churn out cheap gun drones, overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers.
Hammerhead Gunship
"The fist of Mont'ka is here."
The heavy-hitting tank of the Tau, the Hammerhead Gunship is available only to Tau forces following the Path of Mont'Ka.
Krootox
"Kroot and Tau stand as one."
A Kroot gunner riding a gorilla-like mount, Krootox is available only to Tau armies following the Path of Kauyon. Counts as a vehicle but is essentially a close-combat unit, like a Space Marine Dreadnought.
Greater Knarloc
A giant dinosaur-like monster kept by the Kroot, the Greater Knarloc is the relic unit of the Tau.
Tau Buildings
Cadre Headquarters
The Tau forces begin with a Cadre Headquarters made to produce Earth Caste Builders, XV15 Stealth Teams, and the Vespid Stingwing Strain.
Listening Post
Like any faction, the Tau's Earth Caste Builder can create a small protective turret for the listening post at any strategic point taken by Tau units.
Plasma Generator
A Plasma Generator is made by the Earth Caste Builder. It is capable of providing the Tau faction with an endless supply of power.
Thermo Plasma Generator
A Thermo Plasma Generator is capable of producing enormous amount of powers.
Tau Barracks
The enemy is numerous, and they battle against the Greater Good. The Tau Barracks trains and creates many teams of warriors capable of long range fire. The units trained are Fire Warrior Teams, Kroot Carnivores, Pathfinder Teams, XV88 Broadside Battlesuits, XV8 Crisis Battlesuits, and the Tau Commander.
Kroot Shaping Center
Although the Tau forces are mostly ranged weapon fighters, their Kroot allies make up for the melee combat. The Kroot Shaping Center trains Kroot Shapers, Kroot Hound Packs, Krootox, and the all-powerful Greater Knarloc.
Path to Enlightenment
The Path To Enlightenment is one of the basic research facilities of the Tau forces.
Vehicle Beacon
The Vehicle Beacon provides the Tau ground forces with strong, advance vehicles capable of devastating entire armies and enemy vehicles. The Devilfish Troop Carrier, Skyray Missile Gunship, Drone Squad, Barracuda, Drone Harbinger, and Hammerhead Gunship are made from this building.
Mont'Ka Command Post
Upon completion of the Mont'Ka Command Post, the Kauyon Command Post becomes unavailable. The Mont'Ka Command Post allows for the advanced XV8 Crisis Battlesuit and Hammerhead Gunship to be used on the battle field.
Kauyon Command Post
Upon the completion of the Kauyon Command Post, the Mont'Ka Command Post becomes unavailable. The Kauyon Command Post allows the Kroot Hound Pack and Krootox to be used in battle; in fact, the Path to Enlightenment allows for the other two technologies to be researched with the creation of the Kauyon Command Post.
Coalition Center
With the creation of the Mont'Ka or the Kauyon Command Post finished, the Coalition Center comes into play. The Coalition Center serves as the the tower that strengthens the resolve of the Tau and Kroot forces. The Coalition Center produces the Ethereal.
The Dawn of War Player's Guide
The Dawn of War Player's Guide
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