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Another dakka user asked me to give a shot at rewriting the Tau fluff after reading my rewrite of the Necron fluff and I, being a bit unfamiliar with Tau fluff, am going over the Tau Codex and Xeneology but would like to know what people would like to see in the Tau (aside from utter removal, not going there).

I like them to have a very dark side but not show it on the outside.

I would just like more fluff on Farsight and his enclaves, we know surprisingly little about him in the present, like how he has lived for so long.

Buttons wrote:I would just like more fluff on Farsight and his enclaves, we know surprisingly little about him in the present, like how he has lived for so long.

That one was kept secret a bit, it could be anything from genetic manipulation life enhancement, to another taking his place (Farsight being a "Title" rather than a true name) or the dawn blade keeping him alive.

The draw to the Tau for me was the belief in the greater good.
I dislike the Orwellian theam that has croped up about the Tau (mind control helms and that sort of thing) but.....
What I would like to be examined in the fluff is the difficulties of having high ideals in an imperfect universe. Things can be corupted , good intentions can go astray and yes things like mind control could happen. But what I would love to see is these things can be overcome, mistakes and wrongs made right even at great cost, that even with an imperfect grim dark universe there is hope for those who embrace the philosophy of the greater good.

Personally I want the Tau to become the USSR to the Imperiums U.S. I want them to become a MAJOR power in 40k. I would like it if they woulf militarize to the extreme. Aun'VA just orders the Empire to go balls out mass production of XV8's, drones and Hammerheads. Specially their fleets. To make them darker they no longer negotiate with alien races. 2 options join and provide troops for us or Die.

Highlight the fact that they're just as 'grimdark' as everyone else in the fiction is, with subliminal messaging, mind control, sterilization, and so on...

I would like to see them having the same dreary, Grimdark story as all the other factions.

I think it's terrible that there is a faction that can be differentiated from the other factions.

I want Tau to have use of Slaves. I want a specific Slave cast of Tau which can't rise any higher than what they already are. They use extensive Propanganda and Censorship. They send subliminal messages to other planets using their goods. They also try to purge anyone who does not believe in their goal and try to rehabilitate them.

Yes, they are called "helping hands"

I came back to 40k because Tau were not a "arrrgh must kill everything in sight" race like every other race. I know there are Tau haters who want the Tau to be exactly like every other race, but Tau players like the Tau to stay different: They never run with a sword to a gunfight, because that's dumb. Be aware that most people on forums have no idea about Tau but love to tell made up things as fact about them. So doublecheck every claim, esp. when it is not backed up by the Codex.

The novel "For the Emperor" and Taros campaign give a good insight how this race was intended. Also have a look at the link in my sig about what "The Greater Good" really means. And if in doubt, have a look at Japanese society/history/philosophy and you will probably understand how Tau think.

Original Tau designer notes wrote:In contrast to other races, we wanted the Tau to be altruistic and idealistic, believing heartily in unification as the way forward. This meant that they would happily incorporate other races into their empire without subjugating them, instead enticing them in with the benefits of mutual protection, trade and technology.

Kroothawk wrote:I came back to 40k because Tau were not a "arrrgh must kill everything in sight" race like every other race. I know there are Tau haters who want the Tau to be exactly like every other race, but Tau players like the Tau to stay different: They never run with a sword to a gunfight, because that's dumb. Be aware that most people on forums have no idea about Tau but love to tell made up things as fact about them. So doublecheck every claim, esp. when it is not backed up by the Codex.

The novel "For the Emperor" and Taros campaign give a good insight how this race was intended. Also have a look at the link in my sig about what "The Greater Good" really means. And if in doubt, have a look at Japanese society/history/philosophy and you will probably understand how Tau think.

Original Tau designer notes wrote:In contrast to other races, we wanted the Tau to be altruistic and idealistic, believing heartily in unification as the way forward. This meant that they would happily incorporate other races into their empire without subjugating them, instead enticing them in with the benefits of mutual protection, trade and technology.

Funny, I have a 2k fully tau army and I want them to be grim dark. In fact my tau are army performs black ops for the tau. Sorta, like the Secret police in nazi germany or the inquisition. They specialize in fighting humans.

Also, OP if your going to do some special character do some a really biggoted tau and some eldar that a leader in there army. I think that would be really intresting.

Kroothawk wrote:I came back to 40k because Tau were not a "arrrgh must kill everything in sight" race like every other race. I know there are Tau haters who want the Tau to be exactly like every other race, but Tau players like the Tau to stay different: They never run with a sword to a gunfight, because that's dumb. Be aware that most people on forums have no idea about Tau but love to tell made up things as fact about them. So doublecheck every claim, esp. when it is not backed up by the Codex.

The novel "For the Emperor" and Taros campaign give a good insight how this race was intended. Also have a look at the link in my sig about what "The Greater Good" really means. And if in doubt, have a look at Japanese society/history/philosophy and you will probably understand how Tau think.

Original Tau designer notes wrote:In contrast to other races, we wanted the Tau to be altruistic and idealistic, believing heartily in unification as the way forward. This meant that they would happily incorporate other races into their empire without subjugating them, instead enticing them in with the benefits of mutual protection, trade and technology.

I would prefer them to follow an Indian Hierachy.

I'd rather prefer the grimdarkness to be subtle for the Tau. They look like a bright light in a sea of darkness, but the shadows they cast are just as dark.

but to be honest, I'd be fine with anything so long as you don't turn them into paragons of good and light and awesome and herp a derp ba derp.

i like the idea of them being outwardly peacefull and a well ordered empire but inwardly constantly combating there warlike nature (the reason the Ethereals turned up and all), I also want to see them combating a major Waaagh or hivefleet to make them seem more desperate than they used to be, not quite grimdark but or a empire on the brink of greatness or death

Luke_Prowler wrote:I'd rather prefer the grimdarkness to be subtle for the Tau. They look like a bright light in a sea of darkness, but the shadows they cast are just as dark.

but to be honest, I'd be fine with anything so long as you don't turn them into paragons of good and light and awesome and herp a derp ba derp.

This, I don't want it to be
*Tau arrive at human planet
*Tau ask if humans want to join them
*Humans say no
*Tau invade the world and kill everyone

Just subtle implications that the Tau ways may be... Unethical. Perhaps implications that they are using mind control or brain washing on their allies, perhaps something regarding the active breeding of human and other psykers to breed superior psykers.

Tau exceptionalism is what makes them such an interesting and dynamic race for 40k. For a young, small backwater race they pose a huge threat to the rest of the universe because of the power of their ideals. They value mutual protection, trade and technology and the some of the other factions are rightly threatened by this, it undermines their postition of dracionian control .

For the small Tau Empire the only hope of survival is mutual aid , trade and technology. They have to live the philosophy for the greater good , they have to incorporate and work with other races. Otherwise they'll end up a footnote of history.

To factions like the orcs or nids it wouldnt matter in the slightest but to the imperium of man it could mean a division so great that they could face annihilation faster than they are already.
So to keep this from happening: A propaganda campain unitil such a time as large military resources come availible to wipe out the tau.
Rumors of sterilization and brainwashing reeducation camps is probably Imperial propaganda at work. In actuality the human population got universal healthcare with access to birthcontrol and free universites.

For one thing, I would like the new book to drop the Empire name. Something like "Tau Federation" or similar. It fits in more with the inclusive nature with their alien allies.

I would prefer they don't go all in on Grimdark, there's plenty of other races for that. It would be good to see an evolution in their philosophy. I would like to see how they adapt from their initial naivety with regards to the intentions of their galactic neighbors.

I actually don't want the Tau to be more grimdark. The whole mind control thing is a load of gak. I mean really, just because there was a crystal in the head of an Ethereal, and the Vespid Fluff is vague mixing with the DoW fluff it adds up to a mixed signal of so called mind control. Me personally I'm not buying it.

Now I would like to see the Tau start to become more imperialistic like the Japanese in WW2. More rapid expansion, and more fanatics for the greater good. I would also like to know more about Farsight and what his end goal is. Also a few more IC would be nice.

I would like to see them remain a non grimdark faction, even though I know people will freak out gnash their teeth at the merest thought of a race not being "grimdark" enough. Orks get this a lot too, and to be honest I get sick of it fast. Why on earth does everyone want them to be grimdark? If you want a grimdark faction, why not pick one of the 8 or 9 imperial codexes, or the necrons, or the tyranids, or the Dark Eldar, etc. If you make tau grimdark, what would they have left to make them interesting? Now they're going from hopeful, unified, upbeat anime inspired race (argue all you want, but that's what they come across as) to a depressing, oppressive, totalitarian society (so basically they'll become the IG, except with crummier tanks, better walkers, and even worse CC Skills) Making the Tau uber duber grimdark would ruin them I think.

I say make them the happiest race ever. I mean I want sparkly rainbows coming out of their mouths and friendship hugs everywhere. They need to all have smiley faces painted on their armor, peace symbols, etc. When they find a new race, they should be deploying "hello neighbor!" goodie baskets and throwing a "welcome to the club!" party and stuff. I mean I want them so happy they make anything grimdark within 24" suffer dangerous terrain checks.

Of course, this is coming from a guy who's IG army is working for a dimwitted inquisitor who thinks they're all elite assassins and whose ork army is going to be a bunch of orks who think they're Ultramarines, so you may want to take my post with a dumptruck full of salt.

Hmmm. There's a myriad of things I'd like to see with the Tau. The first thing is to have two-page time line like the Necron Codex, giving them a little more clout against Bleh Marines and the Imperium. I'd also like a more explored approach to the smaller Xenos races that have joined their cause.

-> Give them a better depiction of their Fleets and Ships. And give them a sort of non-warp fast travel so they can drift by Tadashi's and Brother Coa's battle barges while giving them rasberries as they push westward from the Galactic East.

-> A better, more solid description of their Caste System. A clear cut picture of Imperial Citizens' lives weh they have joined the Greater Good.

-> Detailed reports of major victories for the Tau Emprie.

-> An in depth description of a Fire Caste Cadre, what its elements are and what contributes to a Fire Caste Cadre.

-> More Independent Character that embarass Space Marines or Orks would be awsome...

Give the Codex to Matt Ward!!

I want my Tau to be super-bright without even the slightest trace of grimdarkness. Because of THIS. The Tau should be the nice good guys, throwing flowers around and making progression/living in prosperity/being totally fair. The big thing should be the contrast with the other players, and how the Tau is essentially doomed to fail with their attitude in the galaxy of grimdarkness.

Oh, and lots of Farsight/Shadowsun please! Especially "Farsight trolling Shadowsun" and "Shadowsun taunting Farsight" and "Fire/Ice battle couple" stories!

BeefCakeSoup wrote:Give the Codex to Matt Ward!!

Oh God no with the Fluff

I agree with Kroothawk and MrMoustaffa, let the many other faction take the grimdark and leave the Tau if anything brighter. I would not make the all happy-sunshine but keep the Orwellian/grimdark vibe toned down; we really don;t need anymore grimdark faction anyhow. I mean the IoM did not become the corrupt, evil hellhole that it is today. It took a long and time and alot of bitter experience with this galaxy before they became they way they are, it should be the same with the Tau. They are young and naive for now; given enough time they will in the end they will succumb. For now let them have their dreams and ideals.

As far as changing them one thing that really makes the Tau stand out compared to really the other factions is their ideology. The Tau are not just a Empire; they are also a believe, an idea. A set idea that they believe that should shape the galaxy; only Chaos is really the other faction with a similar ideological bent to them. The Greater Good is what makes the Tau unique and is their greatest strength. It give's the Tau an option that no one else really can get except outside special circumstances; Allies. The Tau can get people of their own free will to join them, which in my opinion is their greatest weapon against all other faction. While all other faction must fight or die on their own, the Tau can get people to help them. Supplement their strength with their's for a stronger whole. So what I would like to see is,

-The Message of the Greater Good being spread out across the Galaxy. Enticing other alien and human worlds to join them.
- The Nightmare scenario of 1950's America where Communism( In this case the Greater Good) spread across the world and turn/convert the whole world to the red side. Leaving the poor America(Insert faction here) all by itself in a sea of red.
- The Tau Empire becoming not only a physical threat to other factions but an ideological one.

Other general things like increase their technological progression, show more of how Tau society works, illuminate other cool but obscure aspect of the Tau as a whole yada yada. Also this might be my personal bias, but get ride of Farsight or at least change him, he is the proverbial low hanging fruit on a tree that has enough problems without him.

Right now, I'm considering having the Empire being sort of a speck of light in a galaxy of darkness but have the Farsight Enclaves - them being thoroughly ruled by the Fire Caste - have a sort of Imperium like tone believing that the stars are their birthright and all others must kneel before them/die.

Read Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.

Realize that is the Tau in a nutshell.

Re-write.

Profit.

Essentially, the Tau don't really need a re-write, because they already are a genetically, and socially engineered race ruled by subtle, cunning, sneaky leaders who use pervasive propaganda and genetic and social manipulations to create a unified cultural ideal called "The Greater Good". The average Tau has no idea he's serving these manipulative bastards because the Ethereals are so good at manipulating them.

A lot of people claim the Tau shouldn't be grimdarked up, without realizing that they already are. The Tau are the least understood race in 40K, and amusingly enough, the least aware are their player base who believe all the "Greater Good" propaganda, and refuse to see the light when it's shined right in their eyes. Of course, I guess that the fluff for the Tau is a little too subtle. It's a strategy game, not a course in literary analysis and study. I like to think that the Tau's true nature is a bit of an Easter egg for the game's smarter players. An inside joke, so to speak. There are plenty of hidden cultural references in 40K, so it only seems obvious that this is another one.

I think it should stay clear that the Tau are the "best" 40k race, even though they're not perfect. The fact that they're somewhat humane comes off as a unique point in the 40k verse.

In terms of fluff I'd just like to see more interesting characters.

Fralethepalewhale wrote:I actually don't want the Tau to be more grimdark. The whole mind control thing is a load of gak. I mean really, just because there was a crystal in the head of an Ethereal, and the Vespid Fluff is vague mixing with the DoW fluff it adds up to a mixed signal of so called mind control. Me personally I'm not buying it.

Now I would like to see the Tau start to become more imperialistic like the Japanese in WW2. More rapid expansion, and more fanatics for the greater good. I would also like to know more about Farsight and what his end goal is. Also a few more IC would be nice.

THIS
Also, more vehicles... I heard Cruddace was writing the new codex so that shouldn't be a problem, I'm one of the few that really like his writing, save the new Carnifex rules...

Veteran Sergeant wrote:Read Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.

Realize that is the Tau in a nutshell.

Re-write.

Profit.

Essentially, the Tau don't really need a re-write, because they already are a genetically, and socially engineered race ruled by subtle, cunning, sneaky leaders who use pervasive propaganda and genetic and social manipulations to create a unified cultural ideal called "The Greater Good". The average Tau has no idea he's serving these manipulative bastards because the Ethereals are so good at manipulating them.

A lot of people claim the Tau shouldn't be grimdarked up, without realizing that they already are. The Tau are the least understood race in 40K, and amusingly enough, the least aware are their player base who believe all the "Greater Good" propaganda, and refuse to see the light when it's shined right in their eyes. Of course, I guess that the fluff for the Tau is a little too subtle. It's a strategy game, not a course in literary analysis and study. I like to think that the Tau's true nature is a bit of an Easter egg for the game's smarter players. An inside joke, so to speak. There are plenty of hidden cultural references in 40K, so it only seems obvious that this is another one.

This post seems kinda arrogant (though probably unintentionally). I mean, I agree with you. When I read Brave New World I was immediately reminded of Tau. But you're post mostly seems to be about how everyone is dumb and no one is nearly as insightful enough as you to recognize this. If I 'ere you I'd edit it.

I dunno, maybe I'm just over analyzing and misinterpreting everything in my sleep deprived state.