Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hi guys

I want to build a little tau list with only stealth and ghostkeel suits: some kind of shadowy faction of tau rebels, mercenaries and with no bound with the tau empire.
I have an issue about the QG: this will be an unbound list, so i want to ask: there are any qg's from other codexes that have some kind of stealth/improve cover rules? I want my QG to stick with the shadow theme of the army

Many thanks

There might be a new formation (certainly a collection set on GW site with Stealth Suits and Ghostkeels) that you could build your army with to keep it bound once the Codex is released.

That said, you could look into Assassins and LotD for Stealth tactics.

Tau can also do 'Ninja' Tau, which involves manipulating reserves to get Crisis Suits DS where you need them and slowly crippling the enemy with precise shots, should you ever venture into further Tau units. Could forge the narrative to fit them into your rebel idea.

What is a QG?

With QG i mean the generale of the army

orsonero wrote:
Hi guys

I want to build a little tau list with only stealth and ghostkeel suits: some kind of shadowy faction of tau rebels, mercenaries and with no bound with the tau empire.
I have an issue about the QG: this will be an unbound list, so i want to ask: there are any qg's from other codexes that have some kind of stealth/improve cover rules? I want my QG to stick with the shadow theme of the army

Many thanks

Assuming you are going to run Shadow sun? She can either beef up a stealth squad, or turn a body guard unit in to a stealth team.

In codex the Sniper drones fit and are effective units.

I'm also unsure what QG stands for, even after the explanation

I would wait until the 31st when the new Tau dex comes out. Could change a lot but it sounds like you're looking for Ghostkeels and stealth suits

The issue with going unbound is that not a lot of units work stand-alone. Most rely on psychic powers/surgery to make them ultra-stealthy or invisible.

Those that do that the best on their own are the Assassins (culexus would probably be ideal for your needs) or even the Tyranid Deathleaper.

QG = HQ (at least, in French. I didn't know it was in Italian too, apparently)

If i were doing unbound, I would load up on ghostkeels and just use a Vindicare assassin.

I just thought of something...

with the new ruling on infiltrate and IC's joining squads how would that work for Shadowsun's bodyguard unit??

Since everyone has been telling me I can't deploy her (or even keep her in reserve) with the Farsight Bomb this is confusing..

I felt this was fitting enough for this topic (I hate to derail it) but I also don't feel it necessary to start a whole new thread.

Any thoughts?

Also would love to see a ghostkeel army.

What's the new ruling?

I could be wrong.

I just remember some discussion suggesting that IC's with the infiltrate special rule cannot join units without it.


I could be wrong

could anyone clarify?

 digital-animal wrote:
could anyone clarify?

40k Rulebook FAQ. An update added in January:

Page 166 - Independent Character, Independent Characters and Infiltrate
Change this sentence to read:
'An Independent Character without the Infiltrate special rule cannot join a unit of Infiltrators during deployment, and vice versa.'

Because Shadowsun has Infiltrate, she can only begin the game with Infiltrators (which is why Stealthsuits get the Sworn Protector special rule when they're with her). She cannot begin the game with a 'normal' Crisis Bodyguard unit, but then an XV8 Commander isn't forced to start the game with them either.

I think one of my favorite things about the Ghostkeel is the fact that ICs can join them, unless 7th changed it so ICs can't join units of MCs.

Which they did, so nevermind.

Well, now that we know the codex's formations... All you need is Optimised Stealth Cadre. Many of those. Doesn't even need to go Unbound.

The whole ICs and Infiltrate rule is so annoying. You should be able to simply not use infiltrate, both units have deepstrike so why cant you deepstrike them?

Simply giving a unit infiltrate via the IC though is definitely a no. Imagine shadowsun infiltrating a broadside team into a perfect sniping position as well as stealth and shroud.


Optimized Stealth Cadre is seriously golden. Makes our mediocre stealth suits pretty powerful with stock BS4 and always hitting rear armor, not to mention ignore cover.

 Vineheart01 wrote:
The whole ICs and Infiltrate rule is so annoying. You should be able to simply not use infiltrate, both units have deepstrike so why cant you deepstrike them?

Simply giving a unit infiltrate via the IC though is definitely a no. Imagine shadowsun infiltrating a broadside team into a perfect sniping position as well as stealth and shroud.


Optimized Stealth Cadre is seriously golden. Makes our mediocre stealth suits pretty powerful with stock BS4 and always hitting rear armor, not to mention ignore cover.

That is how it works. It says you cannot join a group of infiltrators if you do not have infiltrate, and vice versa. Meaning that you can't bring crisis suits along for the ride to infiltrate with shadowsun, nor can stealth suits allow ethereals to infiltrate with them. But it's not a restriction against deploying with them. You just can't deploy with them if they are infiltrating and you can't. It's like deep strike. Can I start Kharn on the table in a unit of Terminators even though he doesn't have deep strike? Sure can - I just can't start them both in deep strike reserves