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I've noticed that a lot of Tau armies chose not to use the Krootox (actually I don't think I've ever seen an army field one.) A lot of Tau players lament the fact that there are no heavy weapons that can be integrated into troop choices. I figured it may be an interesting unit to field. I understand certain limitations (limiting the mobility of your kroot) but it seems to me that having a Krootox would either cause your opponent to focus firepower on the kroot making it a good distraction, or it would allow you to catch him off guard if he doesn't consider it much of a threat.

Has anyone had any expierience trying to field this unit?

If you want a S7 AP4 weapon, bring some Missile Pods.

There really is no good reason to bring them.

1) They hinder the Kroot's deployment opportunities.
2) They don't mesh well with the Kroot's other ranged weaponry (twice the range, but still rapid fire?)
3) You are required to bring at least 10 Kroot before adding Krootox Riders or Kroot Hounds. The hounds mesh well with the Kroots ability to get into combat fast and do some damage on an outflank, the Krootox does not. Yes, it is okay in CC, but it keeps the Kroot from getting there.

Unfortunately, with the rules as they are, there is just no real reason to bring them. For just a wee bit more you can have a Crisis suit that is much more capable in movement and shooting.

I had intended to add Krootox to a herd type army, with Kroot units being 35 strong with the 3 Krootox. I then planned to add an ethereal to make one fearless. Not a viable unit but quite a sight.

In general, Krootox are not that impressive for all the reasons given above. I hope, like many Tau players, that a new codex will put some life into these models. Till then, they mostly gather dust on the shelf!

horsa wrote:I had intended to add Krootox to a herd type army, with Kroot units being 35 strong with the 3 Krootox. I then planned to add an ethereal to make one fearless. Not a viable unit but quite a sight.

In general, Krootox are not that impressive for all the reasons given above. I hope, like many Tau players, that a new codex will put some life into these models. Till then, they mostly gather dust on the shelf!

This won't work as joining a unit loses him fearless (just like killing him for preffered enemy kroot doesn't work as they aren't affected by price of failure).

If you did this I would attach a shas'o/el for a Ld boost and to soak up some small arms fire.

If you took krootox I would advise either:

-Deploying as far forwards as possible and run up and pop transports
-Sit back and either use as psuedu deathrains or a countercharge unit in a gunline

Krootox aren't usually worth it as deathrain do the same job infinity times better. The only reason I might recommend taking krootox is if you were going to camp a back objective, with plenty of cover. In that case, I would take three krootox if you were worried about your kroot getting assaulted by something heavy. People often forget that a krootox is often a monster in CC. But only if you can get them there, and I wouldn't recommend them for anything other than camping duty. Like I said, ONLY if you are camping a back objective, have cover, and are worried about getting assaulted by something you won't be able to handle without the extra strength and wounds.

Actually the codex on ethereals states clearly that it makes any Tau unit it joins fearless. The rule for rerolling morale clearly states all Tau units except Kroot and Vespeds. Thus, unless there has been a ruling to the contrary, an ethereal that joins a Kroot unit makes them fearless.

Either way it is a mute point for competitive play.

Its a pretty moot point for friendly play too unless your friend needs a huge handicap to play you :p

Krootox + ethereal boggles the mind.. Maybe throw in some vespids and burst cannon crisis suits to make the worst tau army ever?

Don't laugh, but I have fielded such armies. I like mixing things up. I have also fielded Sniper Drones as well! Vespeds can be a real surprise to a player the first time. Shame they are so expensive.

actually i almost always deploy a unit of 15 kroot with 2 krootox in my armies. when playing capture and control they can hold the objective better then almost any other unit in the tau inventory, and ive actually taken out a unit of Gene stealers on several occasions

I feild 2 squads of 10 Kroot and 10 Hounds in every game i've played with my Tau this year. However I'm always flanking them into play. So the Krootox stay home. I wish I could find a use for them. I own three of them. They are really the only Tau unit I havent figured out how to use effectivly yet.

Sniper Drones I have used to great effect, and the same with vespid.

Kroot are valuble objective holders which lets you use all of you fire warriors with great mobility. The Krootox is a beast people will think twice about when assaulting an objective (especially in woods as kroot dont have to take tests to assault through, into, or out of it) with a krootox



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*with a kroot squad holding it.


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Kroot would for example, murder Dark Eldar, ect... in forests hounds or no hounds. A Krootox only adds Flexibility to the unit (minus infiltration) A unit of kroot holding an objective would get demolished by Kugoth (chaos deamons) or a dread for example... At least they stand a chance with a Krootox. One is crucial for this reason. More than one...not so much.

Best use of Krootox for me so far is in the Kill Team type games.

I leave him out for regular games for the reasons already mentioned.

You can't infiltrate with them. Prolonged scream, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Cough, splutter, fall dead. Sorry if that was too dramatic.

Furthurmore if you upgrade to a Shaper with the unit you have one more point of leadership with 2 extra attacks (from a base of 1 to 3) You don't really need the armour saves but they do come in handy v.s. chaos daemon plague bearers for example.

The bottom line is if you use your kroot for infiltration krootox obviously won't work for you. But it shouldn't be overlooked for holding objectives at any rate...


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There are many more useful ways to utilize Kroot than just infiltrate... It is nice...but it all depends on what kind of amy you run, and how you play them.

Krootox offer 2 valuable services no other Tau Troop can manage.

1. Ranged anti-tank fire.
2. Assault impact.

They are really quite good, particularly when deployed in a forest on an objective.

Agreed!

Well.
Kroot are not really primarily a combat force.
Krootox don't offer that much wrt points invested.

You have a thing there with 'troop' ranged anti-tank fire... but I know that Tau players love their missile pods and generally they are 'good enough'.

/shrug. Taking away infiltrate takes away a big reason why the kroot are there in the first place. Bunkers are cool, but bunkers that can't choose where they dig in is not so cool IMO.