I was thinking of possibly starting Tau in a little while, I like the ascetic of the army, but I don't know much of their fluff and thats 75% of what I pick an army based on so what are they like past being Space Commies

They are far from being Space Commies that is the first thing you should know. The Tau are a young species only around 6000 years old. They develop and evolve very quickly compared to other species this however causes them to have a limited life-span of around 40 years.

They had a civil war between the early tribes (now the casts) until the Ehtreals united them the air cast were messangers with wings but are now space ship crews and what not. Ethreals are spiritual leaders of the Tau. The water castw are the poletitions and the Earth Caste are they labourers and bulders. The Fire Cast are the fighting force of the Tau Empire and are the best fighters and the defenders of T'au and the other colinized planets.

The castes never reproduce with someone outside their own caste. This is to make sure that they are the very best at what they do. This is sort of like selective breeding so the best fighter genes are passed to the fire warriors. E.g. a member of the Fire Warrior will never reproduce with a water caste member. Only another Fire Caste member. Reproducing with a different caste member is forbidden by the Ethreals.

Thats what I can tell you in short. Just download the PDF of the codex and read through the fluff.

They are a cast style with the 4+1 cliche elements Earth Air Fire Water and Aun.

The fire caste are aggressive hunters who are the military. They have little mini mech and very powerful weapons. Starting with pulse rifles that fire mini plasma and just getting more deadly from there.

The air caste like the fire cast only they fly around in space ships and live in space houses. The tau use there space fighters in ground support roles. That is why the manta and tigershark are so OP, they are meant to be shooting spaceships.

The earth caste builds. Not a whole lot is know about them. (It's called warhammer not buildhammer) They work in teams and manage everything from farming to high level string theory. Tau are a very tech oriented race.

The water caste is all about diplomacy and trading. Not a lot is know about them. (I did a thread asking, and that's literally all people could tell me.) They have convinced quite a few client races to join the tau. Kroot, Vespin and some humans.

The last caste is the Aun. They are the leader caste acting as philosopher kings. It's there job to make sure everyone is united and working hard for the GG.

They are a small empire that could be blinked out with out anyone noticing, but they also have a chance of being the next golden age. You know if they don't die first.

So could they be compared to Avatar, the TV show? The castes being different nations and the Aun being Avatars?

I never thought of it like that, but it dosen't seem too far off.

Good then, it's one of my favorite shows

Just know you won't find tau performing magic based martial arts. They can't do ether. Well farsight can do a little swordplay, but he is a brake away and not Representative of the average tau.

Tau are called "Space Commies" because their ideology ( the Grater Good ) is almost identical to Earth communist ideology ( remember: what we saw in USSR and other countries ISN"T communism ), that doesen't mean they are USSR is space.

For their fluff:

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Tau#.Tr77t_SXu7s

http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Tau

enjoy.

So they have no psykers and are immune to Chaos? Can they be hurt by daemons if this is the case?

Brother Coa wrote:Tau are called "Space Commies" because their ideology ( the Grater Good ) is almost identical to Earth communist ideology ( remember: what we saw in USSR and other countries ISN"T communism ), that doesen't mean they are USSR is space.

For their fluff:

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Tau#.Tr77t_SXu7s

http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Tau

enjoy.

"From each according to abilities, to each according to need." Everyone works for the good of all and only takes what they need. (Fairy dust sold separate.) The tau do fit well with true communism. Though the tau cast system would not fit.

They aren't immune so much as warp-neutral. Think about it like a stone being dropped in a pond. A powerful psyker is like a big stone, their minds cause large ripples in the warp. a norma human is like a pebble. small ripples. Tau minds have almost no impact on the warp, it's like dropping a tiny fleck in the pool, there is virtually no effect. So while not immune to deamons they are very difficult to detect.

Ok then, little communism mixed with Indian caste system and Japanese mangas and anime.

TheAngrySquig wrote:So they have no psykers and are immune to Chaos? Can they be hurt by daemons if this is the case?

They have no pyskers and can't really feel chaos. They can be hurt by demons though. When a demon manifest and slaps you upside the head, it's just like getting slapped upside the head by a giant claw. I don't think they are immune to chaos (Many do) , but they don't really have a concept for it and classify demons and chaos as more real world terms. Demons are thought of as nasty space jumping aliens. Chaos corruption is thought of as a mental disorder.

Lol, just don't ask about tau fluff at the flgs I go to, we do not like the space commies here.

Brother Coa wrote:Ok then, little communism mixed with Indian caste system and Japanese mangas and anime.

You can't actually have a caste system in communism. The whole point is that your not forced into any job. You can do whatever you want and it all works out because of the faerie dust. (Marks never really explains how communism was going to happen. It was like Revolution, socialism, ??? , communism) A caste system forces you into a job.

nomotog wrote:I don't think they are immune to chaos

Doesnt it say specifically that no Tau has ever fallen to Chaos?

Nvm, was wrong.

Wait, whats this about mind-control?

TheAngrySquig wrote:

nomotog wrote:I don't think they are immune to chaos

Doesnt it say specifically that no Tau has ever fallen to Chaos?

As far as we know, no tau have ever fallen to chaos, but they wouldn't know it if it happened. Battlesuit pilots can suffer from a slickness that resembles blood lust, but they consider it a brain disorder.


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TheAngrySquig wrote:Wait, whats this about mind-control?

That Aun exhume almost a magical effect on the tau. The IoM believes it to be a form of mind control.

TheAngrySquig wrote:

nomotog wrote:I don't think they are immune to chaos

Doesnt it say specifically that no Tau has ever fallen to Chaos?

Where?

Chaos corrupts almost everything it can. Tau are of little interest yet, but this can change.
Minions of chaos have shown interest in Tau, as subjects for experiments for example and the Tau are not immune.
Just not tasty enough....

Kroot have fallen to chaos, other allies of the Tau could be of greater interest to chaos than the Tau themselves.

TheAngrySquig wrote:Wait, whats this about mind-control?

As already mentioned, the Aun have a serious control on Tau. To the point that if an Ethereal willed it, a Tau would kill himself on command. This is all in their Codex, I strongly suggest you give it a read, not very good compared to what's out now in terms of content, but it's a fun read.

Brother Coa wrote:Tau are called "Space Commies" because their ideology ( the Grater Good ) is almost identical to Earth communist ideology ( remember: what we saw in USSR and other countries ISN"T communism ), that doesen't mean they are USSR is space.

For their fluff:

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Tau#.Tr77t_SXu7s

http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Tau

enjoy.

Very simplistic view of Communism to call it almost identical. Key parts of communism that aren't included is the history of struggle, societal change, and the dialectic.

Anyway I think the coolest way to work with the Tau is the "these guys actually fight semi-smart/realistically" angle. They use high-tech weaponry more down-to-earth and realistic (railguns and drones over psychics or void shields), don't use close the kind of ridiculous combat/melee tactics, have no interest in honor or glory, are highly mobile and professionalized, and use things like electronic warfare. Really, while the Tau do have some unrealistic aspects but they're an actual vision of what armies can fight like some day. You can tell that the Tau scratch their heads at Space Marines riding bikes while waving power swords just as players do.

Another thing people may find attractive about them is they represent hope and progress in a Galaxy wrought with terrors, carnage, and anti-progression. Yes, they're not perfect, but I would much rather be an "average" citizen in the Tau Empire then anywhere else in 40k and I would much rather have my world attacked by the Tau then anyone else in 40k.

So as per playstyle, they don't do close combat well, but they have godlike firepower to make sure that never happens?

TheAngrySquig wrote:So as per playstyle, they don't do close combat well, but they have godlike firepower to make sure that never happens?

In the fluff, yes.

And does this translate to the game?

TheAngrySquig wrote:And does this translate to the game?

It's a 6 year old codex. You score a few good hits before they make it into melee and destroy you. On the upside, S10 AP1 railguns. (Three tanks in three rounds with just one hammerhead.)

So does that mean it's in the pipe for an update?

In brief: The Tau are the emerging power of the 40k Universe, just like the BRICs are in our own. Powerful, willing, just not there yet. And with lots of obstacles to overcome along the way.

The Tau are a relatively young race from the Galactic Eastern Fringes. Massive warpstorms kept their world hidden from hostile eyes as they developed from nomadic hunter-gatherers to an industrial civilization in a mere 6.000 years, a sudden change that can be explained by the unifying influence of the mysterious Ethereals, who ended the bitter internecine wars amongst the Tau castes, binding the race together after the ideal of the Greater Good.

The Greater Good, part manifest destiny, part political philosophy, part religion, dictates a strict social order presided by utilitarian ideas of duty, selflessness and solidarity. Besides the pervasive notion of the Greater Good, Tau society is structured around the four ancient castes, Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. Earth Caste provides the scientists, engineers, workers and builders. The Water Caste is made of diplomats, administrators and traders. The Wind Caste, once that of the messengers and couriers, is now that of pilots and spacefarers. Finally, the Fire Caste is the Tau Empire's military arm. A fifth caste, the Ethereals, rules over the Empire. Ethereals are inspirational figures, lawmakers, leaders and priests, the Greater Good incarnate. An individual tau's caste is determined by birth.

After the warpstorms enveloping their homeworld waned, the Tau set to colonize the nearby worlds, soon carving a small empire of their own. Inevitably, with expansion came conflict. The Tau Empire has survived the onslaught of the Orkish hordes, of a Tyrannid Hive Fleet, of numerous pirates and raiders such as the Noisome Reek or the Dark Eldar of Urien Rakarth, and even fought an ill-prepared Imperial Crusade set to reclaim the worlds of the Damocles Gulf threatened or lost to Tau influence. Despite facing a vastly superior foe, the Tau held ground long enough for the Crusade to reach a standstill, and finally both sides retreated with few to no territorial gain.

Despite their moderate success againt the forces of the Imperium, The Damocles Gulf Crusade proved the Tau are not yet in a position to confront a powerful enemy head-on. Accordingly, they avoid direct confrontation choosing to subtly influence other worlds or races to join the Greater Good instead. Tau forces are known to field alien auxiliaries that help the Fire Caste armies to cope with some known weaknesses or provide specialized support. So far we've been introduced to the carnivore Kroot, who lend the Tau armies much-needed close combat and infiltration capabilities, the Vespid Stingwings, insectoid beings who often act as shock troops, the psychic Nicassar and the enigmatic Demiurg.

A decisive factor in some of these conflicts has been the Tau's technology, surprisingly advanced for such a young race. While it still lags behind the older races, the Tau are a dynamic society and, whether by research or trade, their technological know-how keeps improving. The Tau, however, are not a psychically gifted race, and thus lack any presence in the Warp. Their starships can skim the quieter surface of the Inmaterium, but can't use it to its full extent in the way Imperial vessels can. This severely limits the speed and range in which Tau ships can travel, hampering their expansionist urges and keeping the Empire small - for now.

It is said that the Tau are, either by social design or due to their limited echo in the Warp, impervious to the malignant lures of Chaos. Their society is notably free of rebellion and internal strife. However, there's a recorded case in which a Tau commander, after losing all of his accompanying ethereals during a protracted campaing against the orks, went rogue, severing all ties that bound him and his forces to the Empire and choosing to pursue a way of life declared anathema by the ruling Ethereal Caste. For all his ferocity and brutality in battle, it's still unknown if this Commander Farsight is under some perfidious influence, or if he has just regained freedom after shaking the shackles imposed on his race by the Ethereals.

Long story short: The Tau blend utopian, emergent power, sci-fi, and oriental themes. Their disposition to negotiate, their purely political, material goals, the use of alien allies, their progressive mindset and the fact that, unlike most armies in the 40k 'verse they are able to keep the bloodlust in check, make them an interesting addition to 40k fluff.

BTW, I wrote the above piece without looking at the codex. Please excuse (or politely point out) any inconsistences.

If their on the Galactic East does that mean they do extensive fighting against the BT? Getting blammed by badass space knights isn't really my style

It's actually the Ultramarines who do most of the fighting against the Tau. Dunno if BT are even mentioned.

Still, Space Marines - 10.000 men. Tau - A whole race.

Ultramarines are unconcerning. BT however are some hardcore mf's

TheAngrySquig wrote:And does this translate to the game?

Not as OP as stated.
You rely on Crisis suits and their different set ups.
They have very long range though, so you could say that. But they have good firepower.

They're not communists as such. As previously states.

So the Crisis suits are used for large scale blamming and are fire warriors better as an infantry force or mech?

Think Crisis as close support, with mid-range weapons and plenty of dirty tricks to offer. It's the Broadside suits who pack the long range blammers


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AND can be squadroned. One of the best units in the whole game IMHO.

Are there any really solid HQ's? I love adding character to my forces with a badass HQ

Hmmm... Farsight is a cool named character, but puts limits to what you can take in your army for fluff reasons. See my summary of Tau fluff in pg. 1 for an explanation.

Shadowsun has cool fluff (she's been commisioned to hunt down the rogue Farsight) but I've never tried or fought against her. And avoid Aun'va, the dreaded spacepope, like the plague!

Non named options include the (broken and mostly unplayable out of fluffy games) Ethereal and Tau commander, be it Shas'o or the lower ranking Shas'el. Shas'o is a tad expensive for a couple of upgrades that are not really that useful, so your HQ will invariably be a Shas'el in a Crisis suit. Don't worry, command suits have a droolsome ammount of wargear to choose from .

You can also give your HQ crisis-suited bodyguards. You can't never have enough suits.

In all, HQ options are limited but solid. However, they can also be pretty fragile under certain... ummm... circumstances. Never get too confident on your seemingly-unstoppable mecha dudes and everything will be fine


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We're straying a bit off from fluff territory, btw

I have a habit of underestimating my things, so I should be ok

1. Not space commies. They're Utilitarianists.
2. NOT SPACE COMMIES.
3. Once upon a time the 4 castes of tau society were separate races who fought. One day a mysterious figure appeared who offered a new way of living. All members of society striving for "A Greater Good" for all. Each member of society working for society's benefit, not for that of an individual. Think of them like Sparta (in fact, they are ALOT like Sparta) in that the warriors are constantly training, there is a rigid Caste structure, warriors are not allowed to take part in government until retirement age, marriages/matings are arranged or not often consummated save in need, and reproduction of good additions to society is more important than love.
4. It is SUSPECTED that the Etherials control the Tau via pheromones or latent psychic abilities, as Imperial Xenobiologists can't comprehend people actually not being total self serving jag-offs. (Until Mat Ward gets ahold of the fluff, that is.)
5. The different Septworlds are stereotyped within the Tau culture to have different attributes. (Some being particularly hard working, or innovative, or hotblooded or fast.) These stereotypes were hardly mentioned in the 4e book, but were discussed a few times in the 3e book. These also form the basis of most people's army fluff, founding warriors from a world containing attributes that they admire.
6. The Tau DO have an excellent propaganda machine, and love to educate other races about how awesome they are. Whether you see this as a means of control or a way of "selling" themselves to new races in order to make themselves more attractive to new races joining the Empire is up to speculation. Much like the "Helmets" worn by Vespid, the true reasons behind such efforts are left up to you to decide. (I personally hate the idea that the vespid helmets are mind control devices. It's rediculous and unnecessary, given that the Vespid offer nothing to the Tau they can't get better from other member races and their own tech.)
7. They believe that technology is it's own reward. Advancing technology will advance their agenda, and therefore have things that other species do not have (techno sorcery) including IR goggles and advanced AI systems.
8. The Tau little understand Chaos and have little to no warp presence. Also, their belief in the "Greater Good" functions much like belief in the Emperor. To have the mind focused and rigid and not open to other ideas by definition protect's you from Chaos. These things make them very difficult to possess or corrupt. The Tau have faith in this Greater Good, and it gives them direction. Without wondering about other things or trying to be what they shouldn't (Firewarriors do not tinker, Earth Caste do not arrange treaties) Chaos finds them little worth the effort. Not when there are sooooo many delicious humans and eldar about...
9. The Tau do not breed between Castes. They stick within their own castes only, even if they find members of the opposite sex (and outside caste) attractive.

I have found that if you build and play your army based on the fluff descriptions of how it functions, you will do very well for yourself.

TheAngrySquig wrote:Ultramarines are unconcerning. BT however are some hardcore mf's

At least they were until Imotehk beat the s*&# out of their Chapter Master, told him he sucked in a monologue, cut his hand off as a reminder of who his daddy was, then tossed him off a cliff.

Well you see,

One for all and all for one!

That's basically all you need to know about Tau.

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Tau#.Tr8muHIyTYQ

Also, Crisis suits destroy almost anything 1-on-1 as long as no CC is involved.


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BeefCakeSoup wrote:

TheAngrySquig wrote:Ultramarines are unconcerning. BT however are some hardcore mf's

At least they were until Imotehk beat the s*&# out of their Chapter Master, told him he sucked in a monologue, cut his hand off as a reminder of who his daddy was, then tossed him off a cliff.

Lysander is better.

In what way is Lysander better?

TheAngrySquig wrote:In what way is Lysander better?

Im2randomhgh has a huge hard-on for the Imperial Fists.

I seeee

Imperial Fists = awesome.

Just sayin'.

They're ok, if a bit dickish

Coolyo294 wrote:

TheAngrySquig wrote:In what way is Lysander better?

Im2randomhgh has a huge hard-on for the Imperial Fists.

I won't deny it. If the Tau and IF had some inter-breeding happening I would totally buy the resulting models.

And Lysander is better for five reasons:

1. CC Monster

2. Hammer shaped like a fist.

3. Takes balls like watermelons to go into battle wearing bright yellow

4. His MELEE weapon is one of the best anti-tank weapons in the game.

5. He was taken prisoner. He then proceeded to, completely unarmed/armoured, escape, killing all the IW he saw along the way and getting his sexy hammer back.


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TheAngrySquig wrote:They're ok, if a bit dickish

Dickish? How so, praytell?

Where can I read his fluff? I only assumed he was worse because he's an IF and usually BT>IF


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And their dickish because of the whole almost starting a second heresy because they didn't quite like Guillimans idea

TheAngrySquig wrote:Where can I read his fluff? I only assumed he was worse because he's an IF and usually BT>IF

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Lysander#.Tr88onIyTYQ

And IF>BT

IF have mustaches


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TheAngrySquig wrote:Where can I read his fluff? I only assumed he was worse because he's an IF and usually BT>IF


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And their dickish because of the whole almost starting a second heresy because they didn't quite like Guillimans idea

You mean right after they fortified earth and saved terra and, by extension, the human race and the UM, who were across the galaxy fighting a smaller force than themselves, told them that they weren't good enough and had to fight like ultramarines?

The UM also had ideas that were tactically solid whereas when the IF stepped down they decided to go get trolled by Perturabo


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And Dorn is kind of a whiny bitch

I'd be down for IF...

Sadly they are so owned at all times in every dex, film, book, codex, WD, and even picture...

It seems like your awesome in 40K is measured in how many IF you punk.

I mean, Ultramarine Movie? Company of IF got owned.. New Necron Codex? IF termi gets pwnd in the Destroyer entry.. look at pic. Tau? Company of them get owned at koloth..

Srsly, so many examples not even mentioned. Sucks too, they are a ballin chapter.

TheAngrySquig wrote:The UM also had ideas that were tactically solid whereas when the IF stepped down they decided to go get trolled by Perturabo


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And Dorn is kind of a whiny bitch

Okay, that's one fail. Whereas the UM almost had their entire homeworld eaten so...there's that.

And Dorn is the least whiny of all the primarchs. He is very, quiet honourable and honest. Also, this is after they trolled all of the chaos legions on terra.

PLUS they have a spaceship the size of a moon. Closest thing the IoM has to a craftworld, with it's own ecosystem and everything!


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BeefCakeSoup wrote:I'd be down for IF...

Sadly they are so owned at all times in every dex, film, book, codex, WD, and even picture...

It seems like your awesome in 40K is measured in how many IF you punk.

I mean, Ultramarine Movie? Company of IF got owned.. New Necron Codex? IF termi gets pwnd in the Destroyer entry.. look at pic. Tau? Company of them get owned at koloth..

Srsly, so many examples not even mentioned. Sucks too, they are a ballin chapter.

I think you are thinking of the SoB, actually

plus, ANGRY PRUSSIANS IN SPACE.

Also, they took the Soul Drinkers Prisoner. Without a casualty.

I concede that IF can be cool and it does take brass balls to wear yellow into combat, but Dorn, I just can't stand. He is calm and goes off half cocked at the same time. He wants to be like daddy too much and I can't recall a single badass primarch fight he has been in

TheAngrySquig wrote:I concede that IF can be cool and it does take brass balls to wear yellow into combat, but Dorn, I just can't stand. He is calm and goes off half cocked at the same time. He wants to be like daddy too much and I can't recall a single badass primarch fight he has been in

Well Valdor, who beat Horus in a sparring match, was afraid to duel Dorn.

Why don't you like him? He is the single wisest, fairest, most honest, most level-headed primarch of them all. He really doesn't want to be like the empy. You hate calmness?

Agent_Tremolo wrote:It's actually the Ultramarines who do most of the fighting against the Tau. Dunno if BT are even mentioned.

Still, Space Marines - 10.000 men. Tau - A whole race.

Actually a lot of SMs do battle with the tau. I think it was something like 5 chapters in the gulf crusade alone. (Only about 50 SM give or take. There are no exact number for this battle, they vary just crazy amounts.) The imperial fist get get the odd honor of supervising diplomatic talks with the tau.

nomotog wrote:

Agent_Tremolo wrote:It's actually the Ultramarines who do most of the fighting against the Tau. Dunno if BT are even mentioned.

Still, Space Marines - 10.000 men. Tau - A whole race.

Actually a lot of SMs do battle with the tau. I think it was something like 5 chapters in the gulf crusade alone. (Only about 50 SM give or take. There are no exact number for this battle, they vary just crazy amounts.) The imperial fist get get the odd honor of supervising diplomatic talks with the tau.

I think it was stated as being closer to a company worth of marines? idk.

Also, they battled the raptors and some other chapter during the Taros campaign, right?

And their primary enemies are orks and nids.

im2randomghgh wrote:

nomotog wrote:

Agent_Tremolo wrote:It's actually the Ultramarines who do most of the fighting against the Tau. Dunno if BT are even mentioned.

Still, Space Marines - 10.000 men. Tau - A whole race.

Actually a lot of SMs do battle with the tau. I think it was something like 5 chapters in the gulf crusade alone. (Only about 50 SM give or take. There are no exact number for this battle, they vary just crazy amounts.) The imperial fist get get the odd honor of supervising diplomatic talks with the tau.

I think it was stated as being closer to a company worth of marines? idk.

Also, they battled the raptors and some other chapter during the Taros campaign, right?

And their primary enemies are orks and nids.

I actually can't recall the SM forces at taros. It dose bring up taros though. The biggest tau victory. (That wasn't retconned away or retconned smaller.) That battle likes to cause a lot of debates.

And yes, there primary enemy is orks. Nids are kind of new in that sector. Every codex seems to include one battle with the tau though. This is 40k everyone fights everyone.

im2randomghgh wrote:And Dorn is the least whiny of all the primarchs.

Sanguinius, went to his death without even thinking about it. Dorn is a close second.

im2randomghgh wrote:He is the single wisest, fairest, most honest, most level-headed primarch of them all.

Again, Sanguinius. Except maybe the level-headed bit, Dorn might squeak that one.

Also, if anyone mentions nipple armour, I will be bringing a chainsword and flamer to visit you.


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Also, Dorn got falcon punched by Curze.

im2randomghgh wrote:

TheAngrySquig wrote:I concede that IF can be cool and it does take brass balls to wear yellow into combat, but Dorn, I just can't stand. He is calm and goes off half cocked at the same time. He wants to be like daddy too much and I can't recall a single badass primarch fight he has been in

Well Valdor, who beat Horus in a sparring match, was afraid to duel Dorn.

Why don't you like him? He is the single wisest, fairest, most honest, most level-headed primarch of them all. He really doesn't want to be like the empy. You hate calmness?

He wasn't afraid, it says that it wouldn't be appropriate to ask a Primarch to duel. And wisest goes to Magnus, fairest goes to Sanguinius, most honest goes to Russ, I will admit that Dorn is high up in level-headedness, maybe surpassed by Guilliman. And Dorn is also not the calmest, after the Ultramarines owned him, which I actually take Dorn's side on, he decided to go get half his legion killed. And also which IF has a mustache, that is an extremely redeeming characteristic.

TheAngrySquig wrote:

im2randomghgh wrote:

TheAngrySquig wrote:I concede that IF can be cool and it does take brass balls to wear yellow into combat, but Dorn, I just can't stand. He is calm and goes off half cocked at the same time. He wants to be like daddy too much and I can't recall a single badass primarch fight he has been in

Well Valdor, who beat Horus in a sparring match, was afraid to duel Dorn.

Why don't you like him? He is the single wisest, fairest, most honest, most level-headed primarch of them all. He really doesn't want to be like the empy. You hate calmness?

He wasn't afraid, it says that it wouldn't be appropriate to ask a Primarch to duel. And wisest goes to Magnus, fairest goes to Sanguinius, most honest goes to Russ, I will admit that Dorn is high up in level-headedness, maybe surpassed by Guilliman. And Dorn is also not the calmest, after the Ultramarines owned him, which I actually take Dorn's side on, he decided to go get half his legion killed. And also which IF has a mustache, that is an extremely redeeming characteristic.

For the honesty part: "Dorn himself was fiercely loyal to the Emperor, and never once sought any favour from him. He exemplified the truth, and could never tell a lie, even if it would have aided his cause"

I don't remember seeing anything else about honesty on any other page.

Also, fairest would also have to go to Dorn. In Flight of the Eisenstein, after Garro explained about the betrayal at Istvaan to Dorn, it said that any primarch other than Dorn would have killed Garro.

As for wisest, it is debatable, but I don't think Magnus is quite as Sage as Rogal. Magnus was fairly short-sighted and Naive, and quite fanatical about knowledge. Dorn was quite the opposite, planning ahead very thoroughly, and in this way reminds me of Arthur Currie. I guess it is all about opinion though.

Because you have to realize, every primarch was supposed to represent a facet of the Emperor, with Dorn being all that is noble and honourable in the Emperor.

Plus, his mustache alone could destroy Perturabo.

I need a picture to confirm this glorious stache

.

Dorn is superior to all but Sanguinius, Russ, and Khan. I concede defeat

TheAngrySquig wrote:Dorn is superior to all but Sanguinius, Russ, and Khan. I concede defeat

Sanguinius and Russ okay, but Khan?

I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree

I like Khan... he's fast and strong and has a moustache to rival even Dorn

nomotog wrote:

Brother Coa wrote:Ok then, little communism mixed with Indian caste system and Japanese mangas and anime.

You can't actually have a caste system in communism. The whole point is that your not forced into any job. You can do whatever you want and it all works out because of the faerie dust. (Marks never really explains how communism was going to happen. It was like Revolution, socialism, ??? , communism) A caste system forces you into a job.

Ostrakon wrote:

nomotog wrote:

Brother Coa wrote:Ok then, little communism mixed with Indian caste system and Japanese mangas and anime.

You can't actually have a caste system in communism. The whole point is that your not forced into any job. You can do whatever you want and it all works out because of the faerie dust. (Marks never really explains how communism was going to happen. It was like Revolution, socialism, ??? , communism) A caste system forces you into a job.

+1 to

im2randomghgh wrote:

TheAngrySquig wrote:I concede that IF can be cool and it does take brass balls to wear yellow into combat, but Dorn, I just can't stand. He is calm and goes off half cocked at the same time. He wants to be like daddy too much and I can't recall a single badass primarch fight he has been in

Well Valdor, who beat Horus in a sparring match, was afraid to duel Dorn.

This, is a fabrication. It did not happen.

Why don't you like him? He is the single wisest, fairest, most honest, most level-headed primarch of them all. He really doesn't want to be like the empy. You hate calmness?

Sanguinus and Guilliman would very much like to have a word about those points.

Dorn was sort of like a combo of those two, just with out super badass angel wings

iproxtaco wrote:

Why don't you like him? He is the single wisest, fairest, most honest, most level-headed primarch of them all. He really doesn't want to be like the empy. You hate calmness?

Sanguinus and Guilliman would very much like to have a word about those points.

Not a combo of wrath I would ever wish to see/recieve!

Castiel wrote:

iproxtaco wrote:

Why don't you like him? He is the single wisest, fairest, most honest, most level-headed primarch of them all. He really doesn't want to be like the empy. You hate calmness?

Sanguinus and Guilliman would very much like to have a word about those points.

Not a combo of wrath I would ever wish to see/recieve!

No blood angel can ever be called level-headed. The only primarch who is honest enough to actually have it mentioned in his blurb is Dorn. Wisest sure go ahead debate it, it depends what your definition of wise is. Definitely the fairest though, as he was stated as being the only one who would have listened to Garro rather than execute him for lies.

All points addressed

The IF and Sallies are tied for my favorite SM Chapter/Legion.
You have to admit though that the IF seems to be the Chapter called upon when a bunch of SM have to die, and that Dorn died a pretty ignominious death.

forruner_mercy wrote:The IF and Sallies are tied for my favorite SM Chapter/Legion.
You have to admit though that the IF seems to be the Chapter called upon when a bunch of SM have to die, and that Dorn died a pretty ignominious death.

Well, Dorn destroyed an entire Black Crusade more or less solo, and in a time where it might have caused permanent damage to the IoM, and his death is still less than 100%, because in some version they just found his hand.

im2randomghgh wrote:The only primarch who is honest enough to actually have it mentioned in his blurb is Dorn. Definitely the fairest though, as he was stated as being the only one who would have listened to Garro rather than execute him for lies.

These are the only two I don't agree with. I think Russ is the most honest because he doesnt give a flaming gak about what anyone thinks of him. And I'm 100% certain that Sanguinius would have listened to Garro, remember that the BA only went crazy after he died, before that there was no Red Thirst or Black Rage

How does not caring=honest?

^ +1 to this.

[quote=im2randomghgh

Also, they took the Soul Drinkers Prisoner. Without a casualty.

EDIT: It didn't look the same, the quote worked when I quoted.

Ostrakon wrote:

nomotog wrote:

Brother Coa wrote:Ok then, little communism mixed with Indian caste system and Japanese mangas and anime.

You can't actually have a caste system in communism. The whole point is that your not forced into any job. You can do whatever you want and it all works out because of the faerie dust. (Marks never really explains how communism was going to happen. It was like Revolution, socialism, ??? , communism) A caste system forces you into a job.

I do not understand the face palm.

forruner_mercy wrote:How does not caring=honest?

He wouldn't lie because he didn't need to. He didn't care if you knew his thoughts, he was still gonna head butt your face in

im2randomghgh wrote:

forruner_mercy wrote:The IF and Sallies are tied for my favorite SM Chapter/Legion.
You have to admit though that the IF seems to be the Chapter called upon when a bunch of SM have to die, and that Dorn died a pretty ignominious death.

Well, Dorn destroyed an entire Black Crusade more or less solo, and in a time where it might have caused permanent damage to the IoM, and his death is still less than 100%, because in some version they just found his hand.

Oh joy, another fabrication.

im2randomghgh wrote:

forruner_mercy wrote:The IF and Sallies are tied for my favorite SM Chapter/Legion.
You have to admit though that the IF seems to be the Chapter called upon when a bunch of SM have to die, and that Dorn died a pretty ignominious death.

Well, Dorn destroyed an entire Black Crusade more or less solo, and in a time where it might have caused permanent damage to the IoM, and his death is still less than 100%, because in some version they just found his hand.

They encased his body in clear amber IIRC

Wrong thread...

TheAngrySquig wrote:

im2randomghgh wrote:The only primarch who is honest enough to actually have it mentioned in his blurb is Dorn. Definitely the fairest though, as he was stated as being the only one who would have listened to Garro rather than execute him for lies.

These are the only two I don't agree with. I think Russ is the most honest because he doesnt give a flaming gak about what anyone thinks of him. And I'm 100% certain that Sanguinius would have listened to Garro, remember that the BA only went crazy after he died, before that there was no Red Thirst or Black Rage

Sanguinius is just about the most likely to have executed him, being the closest to Horus.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

TheAngrySquig wrote:

im2randomghgh wrote:

forruner_mercy wrote:The IF and Sallies are tied for my favorite SM Chapter/Legion.
You have to admit though that the IF seems to be the Chapter called upon when a bunch of SM have to die, and that Dorn died a pretty ignominious death.

Well, Dorn destroyed an entire Black Crusade more or less solo, and in a time where it might have caused permanent damage to the IoM, and his death is still less than 100%, because in some version they just found his hand.

They encased his body in clear amber IIRC

Conflicting sources.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

nomotog wrote:

Ostrakon wrote:

nomotog wrote:

Brother Coa wrote:Ok then, little communism mixed with Indian caste system and Japanese mangas and anime.

You can't actually have a caste system in communism. The whole point is that your not forced into any job. You can do whatever you want and it all works out because of the faerie dust. (Marks never really explains how communism was going to happen. It was like Revolution, socialism, ??? , communism) A caste system forces you into a job.

I do not understand the face palm.

Because you are so entirely, amazingly, absurdly wrong.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

King Pariah wrote:[quote=im2randomghgh

Also, they took the Soul Drinkers Prisoner. Without a casualty.

Yeah, after the Soul Drinkers had just finished shutting down an uber Necron Destroyer Lord and it's army. Had their numbers cut from what, 200 -> 50 in Hell Forged of which easily half served the chaplain and whatever his secret motives were/where ever his allegiance laid so actually more like 25.

So a thoroughly exhausted and worn thin Chapter exits a tomb world they just more or less shut down to be greeted by a battle ready, fresh and prim Lysander and company thanks to Ad Mech backstabbing them. Yeah, not really surprised that Sarpedon would get beaten down by Lysander and besides, Sarpedon ORDERED the Soul Drinkers with him to stand down and surrender if he lost to Lysander.

im2randomghgh wrote:

TheAngrySquig wrote:

im2randomghgh wrote:The only primarch who is honest enough to actually have it mentioned in his blurb is Dorn. Definitely the fairest though, as he was stated as being the only one who would have listened to Garro rather than execute him for lies.

These are the only two I don't agree with. I think Russ is the most honest because he doesnt give a flaming gak about what anyone thinks of him. And I'm 100% certain that Sanguinius would have listened to Garro, remember that the BA only went crazy after he died, before that there was no Red Thirst or Black Rage

Sanguinius is just about the most likely to have executed him, being the closest to Horus.

Um..what? Sanguinius would listen to reason, he is one of the least likely to go off half cocked

Anyone who deliberately takes the soul drinkers out of action no matter the circusmtances warrants a gold star in my book.

Connor MacLeod wrote:Anyone who deliberately takes the soul drinkers out of action no matter the circusmtances warrants a gold star in my book.

+1 to that


Automatically Appended Next Post:
This thread has taken a turn for the Imperial. But in regards to my original question, how does Tau stealth technology work?

Edits for spelling

TheAngrySquig wrote:

Connor MacLeod wrote:Anyone who deliberately takes the soul drinkers out of action no matter the circusmtances warrants a gold star in my book.

+1 to that


Automatically Appended Next Post:
This thread has taken a turn for the Imperial. But in regards to my original question, how does Tau stealth technology work?

Edits for spelling

Magic and Xenos trickery.

TheAngrySquig wrote:

Connor MacLeod wrote:Anyone who deliberately takes the soul drinkers out of action no matter the circusmtances warrants a gold star in my book.

+1 to that


Automatically Appended Next Post:
This thread has taken a turn for the Imperial. But in regards to my original question, how does Tau stealth technology work?

Edits for spelling

Active camo. It projects the imagine from behind it in front of it, and disguises it in all wavelengths.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

TheAngrySquig wrote:

im2randomghgh wrote:

TheAngrySquig wrote:

im2randomghgh wrote:The only primarch who is honest enough to actually have it mentioned in his blurb is Dorn. Definitely the fairest though, as he was stated as being the only one who would have listened to Garro rather than execute him for lies.

These are the only two I don't agree with. I think Russ is the most honest because he doesnt give a flaming gak about what anyone thinks of him. And I'm 100% certain that Sanguinius would have listened to Garro, remember that the BA only went crazy after he died, before that there was no Red Thirst or Black Rage

Sanguinius is just about the most likely to have executed him, being the closest to Horus.

Um..what? Sanguinius would listen to reason, he is one of the least likely to go off half cocked

No, Sanguinius is all about emotion and elemental force, and Horus was the closest person to him in the IoM. Even Rogal Dorn, who is all about logic and cool-headedness, punched Garro in the face. He pulled the punch though.

Sanguinius was also more focused on the protection of his allies and the people of the Imperium bar Vulkan


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Coolyo294 wrote:

TheAngrySquig wrote:

Connor MacLeod wrote:Anyone who deliberately takes the soul drinkers out of action no matter the circusmtances warrants a gold star in my book.

+1 to that


Automatically Appended Next Post:
This thread has taken a turn for the Imperial. But in regards to my original question, how does Tau stealth technology work?

Edits for spelling

Magic and Xenos trickery.

Damn technosorcery

Has anyone seen the thread on tau fluff?

It got lost when someone mentioned Dorn. I'm trying to revive it. Speaking of which, who are Farsight and Shadowsun?

TheAngrySquig wrote:It got lost when someone mentioned Dorn. I'm trying to revive it. Speaking of which, who are Farsight and Shadowsun?

Farsight:
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Farsight
Shadowsun:
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Shadowsun

Lexicanum is your friend.

U are the true master of google Coolyo, I can only hope to one day atain your power. So is Shadowsun trying to hunt down Farsight or what, doesn't say in the article.

TheAngrySquig wrote:U are the true master of google Coolyo, I can only hope to one day atain your power. So is Shadowsun trying to hunt down Farsight or what, doesn't say in the article.

Yes and no.

There would fairly likely be conflict if they were to meet, but at the same time she had bigger fish to fry. Like the Imperium of man, Orks and Tyranids

Lol. So he's a disgruntled fire warrior who deserted the Empire and runs around with a like minded warband going "Ethereals are dicks!" And shes the new commander of all Tau forces?

TheAngrySquig wrote:Lol. So he's a disgruntled fire warrior who deserted the Empire and runs around with a like minded warband going "Ethereals are dicks!" And shes the new commander of all Tau forces?

...Basically.

And he has a pimpin sword

Daemonblade or not?

TheAngrySquig wrote:Daemonblade or not?

Most likely not.

The Codex kinda hints to a C'tan Phase Weapon.

Someone buy TheAngrySquig a Tau Empire Codex!

I looked on Scribd... could only find 5th ed fan dex's


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I am also a lost primarch, I epitomize the Emporers fail

Check ebay.
I got my Tau 'dex for £4 inc P&P.

Also I think the Tau stealth tech is a mix of counter electronic suites and optic camo.

Also an ethereal for £2.50 but I'm not sure if anyone cares about them apart from me

Ethereals always seemed kind of meh to me when you could have a monster sized walking weapons platform as an HQ instead

There's a simple reason I want to run and bought an ethereal.
People said no to. It's also cheap money and points, and boosts my fire warriors.

Sure it's a fire sponge, but oh well. I'll also have shadowsun, as either shadowsun or a badass looking crisis commander.

I dont really like the Shadowsun mOdel tbh, I like the stealth suit, but painted white it looks kinda silly imo

Fair 'nough.

I'm doing a Bork'an force so everythings white anyway.
Wanted something the complete opposite of my other armies.

What are the Septs and their colors?

These are the ones in the Codex I could see.
I was initially going to go with White and Red, but the Bork'an Sept colours I liked more tbh xD

The Sa'Cea and Kel'Shan look pretty cool, but so does the Au'Tal

TBH, all of them apart from T'au and D'yanoi I rather like.
But being I wanted a white army, Bor'kan were the best choice.
Sa'cea would probably be my second choice.

I like the dark blue. Maybe a home made one though, dark purple and red

Dark purple and red would be cool. My Kabal is Dark Purple and Cyan.
Half of why I went Bor'kan is I couldn't be bothered thinking of another custom name/force etc as with my 2 DE armies and Skaven.

Nice mine is white and green, so I don't think I could handle painting another white army.

Coolyo294 wrote:

TheAngrySquig wrote:It got lost when someone mentioned Dorn. I'm trying to revive it. Speaking of which, who are Farsight and Shadowsun?

Farsight:
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Farsight
Shadowsun:
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Shadowsun

Lexicanum is your friend.

TheAngrySquig wrote:Daemonblade or not?

Iur_tae_mont wrote:

TheAngrySquig wrote:Daemonblade or not?

Most likely not.

The Codex kinda hints to a C'tan Phase Weapon.

I had a few questions about Farsight myself.

First, I haven't read through the fluff in quite some time, where does it make hints that Dawnblade is either of these two?
Second, I've heard that in addition to hating the mainstream Tau, Farsight is also a racial supremacist. They use one of his quotes:

“Each must find their own way. If those in our heartland had witnessed the savageries of the void as have we they would know this. The hand of each of the great starfarers is turned against the other, none will join their strength together just to see their ancient enemies prosper. Neither should we."

Is this why Farsight Enclaves can't use auxiliaries? I can understand the Vespid who are loyal/enslaved by the Tau, but aren't the Kroot Mercenaries who work for everyone?

Another thing I wanted to ask, is I remember reading somewhere that some Kroot, after eating Eldar, gained psychic powers. Does anyone know the source of this?

acekevin8412 wrote:
Another thing I wanted to ask, is I remember reading somewhere that some Kroot, after eating Eldar, gained psychic powers. Does anyone know the source of this?

The Kroot have a thing where they absorb the genetics of what they eat, he could get Psychic powers from Eldar, muscles from Ork, or whatever

Yeah,I know about the Kroot's special evolution method. I even found a pdf of the old CA Army where you could take evolutions like +1T for Ork Hybrids. My question was whether or not their Eldar Kroot existed, because I think I remember hearing it somewhere, probably from one of the novel, none of which I have read yet.

The reason I asked, is because if they did have psykers, it'd be a good excuse to bring psychic abilities/defense to the Tau Empire.

I don't know, it's definitely reasonable.

TheAngrySquig wrote:The Sa'Cea and Kel'Shan look pretty cool, but so does the Au'Tal

The general opinion is that T'au and Sa'cea look the best.

My army is Sa'cea

But you can paint any army any colour because each of those is a camo scheme the tau use, and mostly associated with a certain sept because that is the dominant environment on that sept.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

acekevin8412 wrote:Yeah,I know about the Kroot's special evolution method. I even found a pdf of the old CA Army where you could take evolutions like +1T for Ork Hybrids. My question was whether or not their Eldar Kroot existed, because I think I remember hearing it somewhere, probably from one of the novel, none of which I have read yet.

The reason I asked, is because if they did have psykers, it'd be a good excuse to bring psychic abilities/defense to the Tau Empire.

They have shamans.

Also, the tau have nicassar, a psychic race on par with or superior than an eldar.

How many races are in the Tau Empire?

TheAngrySquig wrote:How many races are in the Tau Empire?

Tau, Kroot, Vespid, Demiurg, Human traitors... and that's about it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

TheAngrySquig wrote:I looked on Scribd... could only find 5th ed fan dex's

Torrent is your friend, + it's free.

Allies and Mercenaries
Nicassar
Kroot
Vespid
Demiurg
Gue'vesa - Human Auxiliaries
Galgs
Tarellian Dog-soldiers
Morralian
Hrenian

The link isn't working on my school computer, what was that you said about the Nicassar being better psykers then Eldar?

If you are interested in Tau, you should buy the Codex. We can't retell the whole book here for you.

Some of it isn't in the codex though (I don't remember seeing things like the Nicassat in there, nor are the demiurg mentioned in its pages).

Though I completely agree buying the codex is key.

Here's an Ebay search for the codex. xD

Well I don't want to buy one, because I may end up doing a Valhallan army based on the Ciaphas Cain books

For how little the Tau book costs second-hand there's little reason not to get it anyway

Brother Coa wrote:

TheAngrySquig wrote:How many races are in the Tau Empire?

Tau, Kroot, Vespid, Demiurg, Human traitors... and that's about it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

TheAngrySquig wrote:I looked on Scribd... could only find 5th ed fan dex's

Torrent is your friend, + it's free.

You forgot Nicassar




Automatically Appended Next Post:

TheAngrySquig wrote:Well I don't want to buy one, because I may end up doing a Valhallan army based on the Ciaphas Cain books

BL books aren't a good reason to pick an army.

3 ways.

1. You like the background material, so basically everything we've been telling you.

2. You like the look

3. You like the play style.

im2randomghgh wrote:
BL books aren't a good reason to pick an army.

3 ways.

1. You like the background material, so basically everything we've been telling you.

2. You like the look

3. You like the play style.

Why arn't Bl books a good reason to choose an army? It's his prefrences and his army. You can't stop him.

im2randomghgh wrote:
Also, the tau have nicassar, a psychic race on par with or superior than an eldar.

Source? As far as I know, the Eldar have been consistently described as the superior Psychic race (aside from certain exceptional individuals from other species').

SomeRandomEvilGuy wrote:

im2randomghgh wrote:
Also, the tau have nicassar, a psychic race on par with or superior than an eldar.

Source? As far as I know, the Eldar have been consistently described as the superior Psychic race (aside from certain exceptional individuals from other species').

The Eldar have mental blocking put in place. The farseers are most definately more powerful, though I would guess the warlocks are on par, by virtue of individual Nicassar propelling a space ship.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Gree wrote:

im2randomghgh wrote:
BL books aren't a good reason to pick an army.

3 ways.

1. You like the background material, so basically everything we've been telling you.

2. You like the look

3. You like the play style.

Why arn't Bl books a good reason to choose an army? It's his prefrences and his army. You can't stop him.

Of course I can't stop him, I just making sure he doesn't make a mistake.

BL don't necessarily reflect an army. The look is important because you will spend much more time modeling and painting than gaming, how they play is important for obvious reasons, and their background fluff is important because it is the fulcrum around which the other two reasons pivot.

Chances are next BL book you read, you'll like that faction too. It is very much a temporary liking, in most cases.

im2randomghgh wrote:

Chances are next BL book you read, you'll like that faction too. It is very much a temporary liking, in most cases.

Most BL books aren't really that good, I just really like the Valhallans because they look good and Ciaphas reminds me of my Grandpa

TheAngrySquig wrote:

im2randomghgh wrote:

Chances are next BL book you read, you'll like that faction too. It is very much a temporary liking, in most cases.

Most BL books aren't really that good, I just really like the Valhallans because they look good and Ciaphas reminds me of my Grandpa

That's...unique.

but generally, the best way to pick an army is to think about which army best reflects your personality. I picked tau because I had always agreed with utilitarianism, and because I love the concentrated force represented by XV8s.

Because your preferences can change, your personality won't.

Whatever you want though. Just I always want to start every single army out there (except orks and nids) and I only JUST managed to stop myself at 4.

Well, Valhallans do reflect a lot of my charicterisics, love cold, wear silly hats, tea. But I also may do Traitor Guard to join my friends Black Crusade

im2randomghgh wrote:

You forgot Nicassar

Thanks, I knew I forgotten something

Yeah I think I'm doing a regiment of traitor Valhallans, but thanks for all the help