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.

BeefCakeSoup wrote:Chaos will never defeat the Tau Empire.

Tau don't fall to the Gods of the Warp.


Once the Empire brings to bear it's full military might against the pathetic stone throwing apes of the Imperium, they will bring a million Railguns to bear on anything that dares leave the warp.


All 4 Gods sitting in a pig pen of warp filth as the smallest, most powerful, technologically advanced Empire ever to exist wipes out the threat of corruption by merely being incorruptible.

3 reasons why this is wrong.

1. By slaughtering their enemies Tau feed Korne.
2. As stated earlier, Tau are killable, just not corruptable.
3. Tau are not the most advanced fighting race, Eldar are.

Avatar 720 wrote:It is the verge of endgame, where there is an eternal stalemate for game reasons; if you timeline were to continue, then every army's endgame would start:

IoM: The Emperor would die and be re-born and the loyal Primarches would return
Chaos: Cadia would fall and the Eye of Terror would be opened by destroying the Pylons and another Heresy-esque assault on the Imperium of Man would start
Eldar: The Phoenix Lords would come together for the Rhana Dandra
Tyranids: The rest of Tyranid invasion force would enter the galaxy
Necrons: All Tomb Worlds would wake up simultaneously and the Void Dragon inside Mars would awaken
Tau: Unknown Endgame, possibly something to do with the Eathereals e.g. a possible link to the Old Ones?
Orks: One Warboss will rise up and unite the entire race under his banner

Just wondering....How about Dark Eldar?

Dark Eldar are the exception to the rule, IMO. They're the only race who are happy with their current situation. The only thing that could really make their life better is if there was no Slaanesh. Otherwise, they're fairly happy in the Webway.

Cottonjaw wrote:Um... they've already indoctrinated the Kroot and the Vespid in what... a few years? The deimurgh are rumored to be next. It's not unlikely that smaller, less powerful races will want to band together under the banner of the greater good.

So that's two then. Both have maybe a couple of planets at the most, adding to the Tau's fifteen systems. Wow, what an Empire eh? Next to the BILLIONS in the IoM.

I don't hate the Tau, I like their background, but they pose the same threat as this wasp I killed today. Annoying for about a minute, until I rolled up my latest White Dwarf and obliterated it against my window. I'm the IoM, my WD is a full IoM crusade, the Wasp is the Tau.

Actually, I'd say Orks are pretty much the only race happy with their current situations; so long as there's war they're happy and well... there's plenty of war.

Dark Eldar whilst seemingly happier than many other races would still much prefer to have their own Empire and freedom rather than the Webway, but beggars can't be choosers.

Also, I'd say that Tau are no-where near the threat or power that their supporters make them out to be, by a LONG way. I would agree with the OP that Chaos does seem to be winning (as the Cabal predicted) and the other races - except the Necrons - are doing nothing to change this, should other races such as the Orks and Tyranids (not the Tau) keep attacking the Imperium then they're likely to stagnate and remain as they are or get weaker and when the Imperium is at its weakest, you can be sure Chaos will be there to strike.

I'd say for now the Imperium is all powerful and in terms of the HH it does appear that Chaos has won, but there are many things that could change, be it in Chaos' favour or not.

Feh, the Horus Heresy was ten thousand years ago and they haven't even gotten past Cadia since. Chaos is a serious threat not from without but from within.

Seriously, how can you think Tau are the end all awesome sauce win it all race. There are so many problems with this.

No warp travel = slow moving.

VERY small numbers when compared to EVERYONE else. Even eldar have more people. Yeah so they indoctrinate other races, but these other races are corruptable. Even the Tau might be, we just don't know.

Nothing in their arsenal is more powerful than anything. You have raid guns? Eldar have D-cannons. You have Manta? IoM have exterminatus. Chaos can destroy entire star systems.

On that note. If the alien becomes that much of a threat, the Ordos will order Exterminatus and Tau's precious planets will be nothing but baren waste.

Let's take history and some other fiction to explain why Tau would get ROFLSTOMPED by eveyone out there.

WWII: Japan has an empire. They have completely conquored the Pacific Ocean, save for one place. They were defeating everyone they came in contact with. They believed that their empire could not be stopped. Such was the dedication to the empire that they would willingly sacrifice their own lives for... the greater good. Sound familiar? Gee it's kinda funny that Tau are actually designed to appeal to anime lovers... Then they got greedy and decided they wanted that one place they didn't have and "woke the sleeping giant." Until then the USA (Imperium) had no need to bother themselves with Japan (Tau). But now it's personaly. The US (IoM) brought all of their might against the caparitively tiny empire and the War Machine pushed in and eventually ordered Exterminatus (Nukes) to be dropped onto their homeland.

Stargate Atlantis: I'll keep this one short. The much more technilogically advanced Ancients faught a war against the endless hordes of their enemy and eventually they were pushed completely back to their home Atlantis where their shields held out for a very long time. Eventually they realized that they could not win, sunk the city, and used the Stargate to retreat back to the Milky Way Galaxy. There's one problem with this.... Tau don't have stargates. Even if it is true that their technology is far more advanced than anyone elses (which I will firmly deny). There's no way they can withstand the endless hordes or nids, orks, or chaos if there was a sustained assault. Can you imagine the devistation if the next Black Crusade were to be dirrected against the Tau? There'd be nothing left.

Also someone said something about Draigo traveling the warp and endlessly slaughtering daemon after daemon and compared this to a "well trained soldier." ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? Draigo, first off, is a Grey Knight. They are trained SPECIFICALLY to handle daemons and the warp so that they are not only completely uncorruptable, but they can withstand the terrors of the warp. Just mearly glancing into the warp by a lesser person can bring their mind crashing down. Second, a Grey Knight's gene seed probably comes DIRECTLY from the Emperor. Third, he's not even just a grey knight, he is the Supreme Grand Master, he is THE Grey Knight. There are no other Grey Knights before him. So comparing him to even the most powerful Tau warrior is laughable at best. It is infact insulting.

Just remember that one day your beloved empire will fall. It has an end, where as Chaos does not for only Chaos is eternal.

Chaos isn't eternal, only Entropy is.

Feh, the Horus Heresy was ten thousand years ago and they haven't even gotten past Cadia since. Chaos is a serious threat not from without but from within.

Chaos worshipers aren't happy but chaos daemons and the gods love it the way it is. The imperium is feeding them much better than humanity would if chaos was in control.

Melissia wrote:Chaos isn't eternal, only Entropy is.

One definition of it is as follows
Entropy: A measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system.

Sounds an aweful lot like the warp to me.

Also Melissia, you must be one of those False Emperor worshiping loyalists. See my sig for info on that.

Again, I appreciate the replies, they are well thought out and I learn much about Imperial perspective.

I will bring the Technology issue to the table in a format I hope is more understanding and less vague.

First I will start by addressing the basics!



The Tau Doctrine of War

The Tau doctrine of warfare is very similar to modern day American SF, SEALS, Rangers or U.K. Royal Marines. They plan careful engagements with set objectives, execute the mission then withdraw once completed. This then allows a gap for the enemy to advance, this is planned by the Tau, as they rely on these missions to constantly be executed despite enemy territory gains. They view a win as the enemy defeated, even if it means up until the last part of the battle, they are losing massive ground, so long as they hold key points. Their doctrine isn't about slugging it out, it's about finesse and execution.

During the Damocles Gulf, they over-extended seasoned generals and astartes by using this tactic. What seemed like a rapid victory march turned into a bloody stalemate. The Tau weren't running from an amazing force they couldn't match fire power against, they were setting a logistical trap along a long array of harrassment lines, while funneling the enemy into a no-win situation in enemy space.

Manta's weren't taken out of desperation in a last ditch effort, they were waiting for the Titans to be away from good troop lines with hydra support. Tau act with purpose, this always tends to look like cowardice because the opposition wants to fight a "manly" battle in his favor.






Technology - Sorry for making this so vague, I should have been more clear.

In 40K Technology is a complex ring of who has what. Even Orkz boast some crafty tech for their part. In terms of an overall view, the Tau have superior weapons for war in direct comparison to the IoM. For one, they strictly employ anti-grav armor on the battlefield and host a variety of Railshots that suck leman russ crews out of holes the size of golf balls. The IoM has no illusion of this, overall the best tech in their empire is reserved for a select few, while they may have some amazing tech hidden or in rare supply, things like lascannons are a day late and a dollar short in STR and AP compared to a Rail shot. For their part, the Imperium does have a VERY impressive line of barrage weaponry.

A Tau example of weaponry - Pulse Rifle

Their most standard Tau infantry rifle, is capable of popping Rhinos. I feel this best represents the comparison as a whole. Imagine holding a rifle and blowing up an APC. Then knowing every guy to your left and right is holding the same weapon or something better. Unless he is a kroot, then you pity him, because he is using something akin to a crappy bolter with slightly worse armor pen.

Magic
Magic? Magic is nice! Tau do not have magic, but thus far is hasn't been anything they need or need to defend against, maybe it will be someday. When that day comes on a large enough scale I'm sure the Tau will find counters using the best minds for the job. For now, random fights here and there aren't really a concern. Though it could quickly become one if a proper enemy fought them.



Also,
The threat percieved of the Tau was from Genetor Secundus, Zachary Santiago - Tau Dex P20.

Funny piece of fluff full of Tau hate lol

OK, your example. Yes, Pulse Rifles are nice. Except fire warriors, the users of said Pulse Rifles are far rarer than, say, a guardsman and his lasgun. Now, compare that different. I wouldn't be shocked in the slightest if it was 10:1. Now, can that pulse rifle kill 10 guardsmen in the same time it takes 10 guardsmen to kill a fire warrior?

Chaos has won...

...A BRAND NEW CAR!!!!!

*cue the Price is Right music*

djphranq wrote:Chaos has won...

...A BRAND NEW CAR!!!!!

*cue the Price is Right music*

Chaos wins here and there. Chaos is bi-winning.

Cerebrium wrote:OK, your example. Yes, Pulse Rifles are nice. Except fire warriors, the users of said Pulse Rifles are far rarer than, say, a guardsman and his lasgun. Now, compare that different. I wouldn't be shocked in the slightest if it was 10:1. Now, can that pulse rifle kill 10 guardsmen in the same time it takes 10 guardsmen to kill a fire warrior?

Correct!

Finally someone who gets it haha

Yes, the guard can outshoot the one FW! Thing is, the doctrine comes into play. They are shooting the guard farther out than the guard can return fire. At that point the FWs withdraw and plan a second attack at the squad level. It fits into the Cadre's larger plan for the battle. Imperial players tend to think this is a retreat, infact, it is a clever way to outgun an opponent with greater volume of fire. It's a clever tactic often mistaken for a retreat. The hook is set and the guard advance only to be engaged again out of range or by a second squad lying in wait.

You really do love those bloody doctrines, don't you? Except they only REALLY work when you fight an enemy who ALSO uses a doctrine. Now, 2 of the biggest threats to the Tau don't use anything CLOSE to a doctrine, the orks and the Tyranids. I'm not sure how you're going to plan a layered defence against foes who can either just drop straight from space directly on top of your delicate plan, or just break your line with numbers alone.

Hawkward wrote:The Emperor is a catatonic corpse, incapable of either physically fighting the Chaos gods or dying and becoming one of them.

The Imperium has become fanatical and religious, the precise opposite of what the Emperor intended.

Technology has stagnated, and as alien and supernatural threats loom humanity drifts deeper and deeper into despair - thus feeding Nurgle.

The Imperium is in a constant state of war and bloodshed, hateful against anything and everything - thus feeding Khorne.

Those at the highest levels of the Imperium scheme and plot and hoard knowledge - thus feeding Tzeentch.

Those same schemers and aristocrats sate their desires in extravagant ways as the masses hunger and lust for the pleasures denied to them - thus feeding Slaanesh.

Abaddon the Despoiler leads Crusade after Crusade, never winning but always posing enough of a threat to terrorize the entire Imperium.

Chaos won the Horus Heresy. It just didn't win in the spectacular, apocalyptic way everyone expected. Horus didn't need to slay the Emperor. Abaddon didn't have to sit on the Golden Throne. Cadia didn't have to be overrun and pillaged. Terra didn't have to burn. The Ecclesiarchy didn't have to bow to Chaos. That would have made it all too easy, too messy. Chaos won in an insidious and tidy way, a way that will forever ensure its dominance over the Galaxy. It allows humanity to live, feeding it with its emotions and lusts without the species even knowing.

Humanity spirals into a never-ending hell of hatred and ignorance, dying not with a triumphant final battle, but instead with a futile whimper of defiance, a whimper that is drowned out by the laughter of thirsting gods.

Chaos won.

I've been trying to write something like this for months. You sir, win the internet. Here's thirteen cheese tokens for you to spend how you like:

BeefCakeSoup wrote:Again, I appreciate the replies, they are well thought out and I learn much about Imperial perspective.

I will bring the Technology issue to the table in a format I hope is more understanding and less vague.

First I will start by addressing the basics!

The Tau Doctrine of War

The Tau doctrine of warfare is very similar to modern day American SF, SEALS, Rangers or U.K. Royal Marines. They plan careful engagements with set objectives, execute the mission then withdraw once completed. This then allows a gap for the enemy to advance, this is planned by the Tau, as they rely on these missions to constantly be executed despite enemy territory gains. They view a win as the enemy defeated, even if it means up until the last part of the battle, they are losing massive ground, so long as they hold key points. Their doctrine isn't about slugging it out, it's about finesse and execution.

And how often to modern day SF operations go off without a hitch?
The Tau method of warfare is inflexible and rigid, with every part of the plan having to go off perfectly or the entire thing spins off the wheels.

When their plans get fethed, they disengage and plan anew--but in that time they almost always regroup and are vulnerable to orbital assets--which the Navy has in spades, but were not really utilized during the Damocles 'Crusade'.

During the Damocles Gulf, they over-extended seasoned generals and astartes by using this tactic.

Very few members of the Guard command structure were seasoned, and practically none had experience fighting the Tau.
There was also far less of an Astartes presence than Tau fans like to point out. The Damocles Crusade had, at best, maybe a company or two worth of Astartes operating throughout the entirety of the Damocles Gulf.

What seemed like a rapid victory march turned into a bloody stalemate. The Tau weren't running from an amazing force they couldn't match fire power against, they were setting a logistical trap along a long array of harrassment lines, while funneling the enemy into a no-win situation in enemy space.

You're putting far too much idealism into the behavior of the Tau.
The Tau were pulling those same tactics on the outer worlds of the Tau Empire, and being crushed left and right.
It wasn't until the Damocles Crusade hit one of the 'Inner Sphere' worlds that the tide changed--and that purely came down to the fact that the Imperium was assaulting a defended position, with established airbases, defensive structures, etc.

Mantas weren't taken out of desperation in a last ditch effort, they were waiting for the Titans to be away from good troop lines with hydra support.

No, they really weren't.
Mantas were pulled from their role of intercontinental transports for entire Hunter Cadres(offsetting ground offensives) and constantly harassing Imperial Troop Ships in orbit to engage a Manciple of Warhound Scout Titans. Add in entire air wings being pulled from providing cover to ground forces, ground forces having to be mobilized to strike at Imperial airbases, orbital assets to be placed to prevent scrambling of Imperial fighters from carriers, and you get a pretty costly operation.

That reeks of "desperation" and a "last ditch effort".

Tau act with purpose, this always tends to look like cowardice because the opposition wants to fight a "manly" battle in his favor.

It has nothing to do with cowardice. It all comes down to pragmatism. The Tau are pragmatists, much like the Eldar. They don't have the bodies to put into the meat grinder like the Imperium does.

And more often than not this supposed "purpose" the Tau have exhibited is merely survival.

Technology - Sorry for making this so vague, I should have been more clear.

In 40K Technology is a complex ring of who has what. Even Orkz boast some crafty tech for their part. In terms of an overall view, the Tau have superior weapons for war in direct comparison to the IoM. For one, they strictly employ anti-grav armor on the battlefield

Anti-grav armor isn't really all it's cracked up to be. The only upside it has is mobility, everything else it has(crafting the machinery, the amount of armor and armament it can carry, troop support, etc) is in fact a downside.

and host a variety of Railshots that suck leman russ crews out of holes the size of golf balls.

Yeah...it's only the Hammerheads and upward that "host a variety of Railshots that suck Leman Russ crews out of holes the size of golf balls".
The Broadsides can damage Imperial tanks, no doubt. But just like Hammerheads, Skyrays, and Devilfish--they're fragile if they can't withdraw or if they don't have infantry support.
You will not see the Tau equivalent of an all-tank formation, simply because their equipment is far, far, far too fragile.

The IoM has no illusion of this, overall the best tech in their empire is reserved for a select few, while they may have some amazing tech hidden or in rare supply, things like lascannons are a day late and a dollar short in STR and AP compared to a Rail shot. For their part, the Imperium does have a VERY impressive line of barrage weaponry.

Lascannons don't need to "compare to a railshot".
They just need to do their job.

The Imperial way of war doesn't rely on every single part having to work in perfect harmony or the plan completely goes awry. More often than not, it deals with improvisation and using the tools at hand.

A Tau example of weaponry - Pulse Rifle

Their most standard Tau infantry rifle, is capable of popping Rhinos. I feel this best represents the comparison as a whole. Imagine holding a rifle and blowing up an APC. Then knowing every guy to your left and right is holding the same weapon or something better. Unless he is a kroot, then you pity him, because he is using something akin to a crappy bolter with slightly worse armor pen.

You know what's also able to blow up a Rhino?
Pretty much every heavy weapon in the Imperial Guard arsenal.

Magic
Magic? Magic is nice! Tau do not have magic, but thus far is hasn't been anything they need or need to defend against, maybe it will be someday. When that day comes on a large enough scale I'm sure the Tau will find counters using the best minds for the job. For now, random fights here and there aren't really a concern. Though it could quickly become one if a proper enemy fought them.

Heh.
Yeah, you don't need to defend against it when a Librarian is ripping apart your lines, slowing down time allowing for his compatriots to close the gap while your men are still busy reloading, erecting kinetic barriers to absorb pulse fire, or opening up rifts sucking your troopers into the Warp.

Nope, no reason at all to worry about those crazy magic users

Also,
The threat percieved of the Tau was from Genetor Secundus, Zachary Santiago - Tau Dex P20.

Funny piece of fluff full of Tau hate lol

Except this isn't talking about when the Imperium was preparing for a full cleansing of the Tau homeworld.

This is once the Tau had been protected by a Warp storm, and effectively cheated their way into becoming a galactic power.

Again, Tau weaponry is all and good, and their tactics are sound. But they cannot face the power of Chaos. The endless hordes of daemons and power warriors of the CSM would, if they cared to, over run the entire empire.

There are only two reasons why Cadia has withstood the onslaught of the Chaos.

1. Because the fighting force consists of billions.
2. Because the Ruinous Powers want it to.

It's been pointed out that Chaos is stronger with the current arangement. They constantly win battles. They're not the tipical enemy that gets shut down at the end of every story. No, the prevail. They prosper. And in the destruction of a Chaos force, it only feeds Korne.

Tau feed Chaos too.

Korne: Tau kill thier enemies.
Nurgle: Tau are born and they die. They also get sick, and are not immune to disease.
Tzeentch: They seek knowledge, such as a greater understand and advancement of technology. I'd also like to add that this is at an astonishing rate.
Slaanesh: They have desires. They wish to gain power and territory. They need it. This is how they survive. Their very existance feeds our Prince of Chaos.

So as you can see, as long as Tau live, even if they manage some how to defeat every other race in the known universe, Chaos will still be there

..for only Chaos is eternal.

Sothas wrote:There are only two reasons why Cadia has withstood the onslaught of the Chaos.

1. Because the fighting force consists of billions.
2. Because the Ruinous Powers want it to.

This is a fallacy.

The reason "why Cadia has withstood the onslaught of Chaos" has nothing to do with the Ruinous Powers.

The reason "why Cadia has withstood the onslaught of Chaos", however, has everything to do with Cadia itself.

Cadia is far too valuable to be destroyed.
Why?
The pylons on Cadia, which are supposedly of Necrontyr manufacture, are responsible for the calming effect on the Warp which has resulted in the nomenclature of the "Cadian Gate".

The pylons effectively form a 'breakwater', allowing for easy passage for large numbers without having to worry about your forces being scattered all over the bloody place.
The Gate, however, allows for the forces of the Ruinous Powers to move in unison and in unprecedented numbers.

It's been pointed out that Chaos is stronger with the current arangement. They constantly win battles. They're not the typical enemy that gets shut down at the end of every story.

Actually, they are. Chaos has goals which can be countered. Simply spilling blood doesn't mean that Chaos "becomes stronger".
The forces of Chaos still rely upon traditional methods of warfare in the main, the only difference is that they can forcibly(in most cases, at least) pull planets into their turf.
But that requires absurd amounts of preparation(sometimes decades worth), willing sacrifices, ritual objects, and knowing the rituals along with having the power to perform them.

No, they prevail. They prosper. And in the destruction of a Chaos force, it only feeds Khorne.

Again, a fallacy.
If the "destruction of a Chaos force" fed Khorne, he'd be one of the strongest of the Ruinous Powers.
He's not.

He relies upon active worship, as they all do, for his power to grow. It's a mindset that has to be reached, not a simple action.

He relies upon active worship, as they all do, for his power to grow. It's a mindset that has to be reached, not a simple action.

Which is agression, something you usually find a lot of in war. This is why khorne is often domminating.

Chaos (gods and daemons rather than mortal worshippers) isn't after any solid item. They just want to generate as much emotion as possible. If they attack a planet it doesn't matter if they are pushed back because they still caused a huge amount of suffering. Chaos could be stopped at the cadian gate each time and the gods woudn't care as long as enough destruction was caused. Unlike other races they haven't lost anything as their troops with return. All it cost them is time which being immortal they have quite a lot of.

Just want to point one thing out here.

The Damocles Crusade was small.... very small. Like pathetically small.

It Didn't include full chapters, it included parts of many chapter of space marines, and I think a few regiments of guard.

Thats a small tiny crusade.

The Tau would have been screwed during the time of Solar Macharius who reclaimed over 1000 planets in the span of 7 years. Many of them much more technologically advanced then his armies.

But then again, Solar Macharius was the man. Best the IoM can come up with nowadays is Creed.

4M2A wrote:

He relies upon active worship, as they all do, for his power to grow. It's a mindset that has to be reached, not a simple action.

Which is agression, something you usually find a lot of in war. This is why khorne is often domminating.

Except, once again, you need active worship for Khorne to be gaining power in any noticeable amount.

Just because people have aggression doesn't mean that he's gaining absurd amounts of power from the mere emanation of the emotion.

Chaos (gods and daemons rather than mortal worshippers) isn't after any solid item. They just want to generate as much emotion as possible. If they attack a planet it doesn't matter if they are pushed back because they still caused a huge amount of suffering.

And if that were true, then Nurgle would have absurd amounts of power.
He doesn't.
The simple feeding of emotions is a mere morsel to the ruinous powers. Active worship is what they want, and need, to really gain any noticeable amount of powers.

Chaos could be stopped at the cadian gate each time and the gods woudn't care as long as enough destruction was caused.

If that were true, then they wouldn't punish their followers by creating spawn or refusing to restore their followers' essence.
They do both of those actions, however.

Unlike other races they haven't lost anything as their troops with return. All it cost them is time which being immortal they have quite a lot of.

Uh, actually they have.
Every Traitor Astartes killed is a life snuffed out that has existed for quite a long time with the combat experience(and utter and complete devotion to the Ruinous Powers) to go with it.

In many instances, the Dark Gods then have to expend part of their own power to resurrect their followers. Which kinda negates the whole "passive feeding".

Orkz and Tau have a pretty big hatred for each other.

Orkz hate Tau fighting with "range stuff" cuz it's cheatin!

Tau hate Orkz because they are savage baddies.


Tau fear Tyranids more than anything. Tau may be able to put an armor column on it's butt faster than you can eat a mars bar, but a Hive eating a planet is something they don't like too much. Tau tactics aren't at all suited for fighting a Hive Fleet the size of say behemoth or leviathan. Tau are civilized fighters that prefer civilized enemies. Tyranids represent a scary reminder that everything in this galaxy is still in a food chain.

But Nids aren't really drawn to Tau. They are heading toward the Golden Steak on Terra. Guess fish wasn't their thing.

Korne was created by the Christain Crusades.
Nurgle was created by the Black Plague.
Slaanesh was created by the Eldar's lust.
Tzeentch was created when the first guy stole thousands of SSNs (ok not really, I don't actually know where he came from)

The reason I say these things is that each god was created by ONE race, 2 of which were created by a very small race at the time.

So please explain to me how these such minor events in the history of the universe creating gods happens and yet the, as you call it, "passive" worship isn't enough to fuel a Dark God in any substantial way. This is mind blowing to me that you could think this is true. ALL races feed the Dark Gods, and the Dark Gods feed Korne. This is why Korne is the most powerful. I'm going to let you in on a little secret...

THE ENTIRE CONCEPT OF THE 40K UNIVERSE AND THE GAMES CREATED WITH IN IT FEED KORNE!

Forgive the caps but they fuel the Ruinous Powers too. I just want to make sure that you understand that when you place your models on the table, you are preparing them to provide fuel for the Blood God.

The reason Nids "aren't really drawn to Tau" has nothing to do with "fish wasn't their thing".

It has everything to do with the direction the Hive Fleets are arriving from.

Hive Fleet Leviathan is arriving from beneath the Galactic Plane.
Behemoth was stopped before it could reach past Ultramar/Macragge( which would have brought it in contact with the Tau), etc, etc.

The only contact that the Tau have had with the Tyranids was Hive Fleet Gorgon, and they were getting stomped by it.
To quote the Tyranid codex:

page 19 wrote:Although Hive Fleet Gorgon wrought havoc across a sizeable swathe of the Tau Empire, the Imperium of Man considered it to have been a minor threat. The Tyranid forces encountered by the Cadian XVIIIth army on the surface of Kel'shan were but a tiny fragment of the Hive Fleet's former strength. Castellan Crask wasted no time in declaring the Tau to be weaklings for their apparent inability to scour such a minor Tyranid threat. This viewpoint, and the wilfully misinterpreted conclusions that fed it, was the chief precipating factor in the commencement of the Iron Hammer campaign, which soon escalated into the greatest confrontation yet seen between the Imperium of Man and the Tau Empire. But that is another story...

To put it simply: The near-extinction level event for the Tau was considered a joke by the Imperium.

Sothas wrote:One definition of it is as follows
Entropy: A measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system.

Chaos is as predictable as the Imperium.

Avatar 720 wrote:It is the verge of endgame, where there is an eternal stalemate for game reasons; if you timeline were to continue, then every army's endgame would start:
Orks: One Warboss will rise up and unite the entire race under his banner

Orks out number humans now...Humans out number everyone 2:1 Easily..Not including SM as humans.

..if that happened than Orks would most likely have a numbers advantage. Plus Gorka or Morka or Gorkamorka depending on if you think its two gods or one would probably be there to watch them.

Melissia wrote:

Sothas wrote:One definition of it is as follows
Entropy: A measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system.

Chaos is as predictable as the Imperium.

Which Chaos are you talking about? Chaos is chaotic, hense it's name. I'm quite unclear as to how you believe Chaos is predictable? How is the warp predictable? Warp storms consume traveling ships all the time. If they were predictable then it would be possible to avoid them. If Chaos was predictable then Grey Knights would show up at every world prior to the warp overtaking it.

How is Chaos predictable?

Sothas wrote:

Melissia wrote:

Sothas wrote:One definition of it is as follows
Entropy: A measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system.

Chaos is as predictable as the Imperium.

Which Chaos are you talking about?

The one in 40k.

Yes, the warp might be unpredictable, but the forces of Chaos are not.