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I really enjoyed the Kauyon and especially Mont Ka books. I was glad they finally did a story where the Imperium were for once not the absolute focus of attention. But it did feel like a very unusual ending.

To summarise:

The Third Sphere Expansion appears to have been stopped

Aun Va is dead

Half of the Tau Empires main army (at least those past the Gulf) in the field is on Perfectia whilst the other half was pretty much wiped out during the fighting on Agrellen.

The territory conquered by Shadowsun during the Third Sphere is cut off by the Damocles Gulf from the rest of the Empire.

The Imperium is defeated and has withdrawn to fight in other combat zones. At least the White Scars at any rate. Its not clear what the Imperiums intention is at this point generally. I mean they technically won. Killing the leader of the Tau, stopping Tau expansion and driving the Tau off Agrellen. But at a horrific cost to their own forces. A lot depends on if they decide to destroy the Enclaves and Shadowsuns remaining territories following from that battle.


Its not quite a return to the status quo since there is still a very large Tau army in Imperial space but the character does seem to have changed. What I think they might do is portray the Tau situation as much more vulnerable, being cut off from the Empire in a hostile galaxy and less this seemingly unstoppable juggernaught that it was in the Third Sphere. They've got limited numbers and resources to work with.

I also think they might pit the Tau against an alien enemy instead of the Imperium. I would say tyranids since that is how the book ends. The only problem is that I think Tyranids are more likely to appear in a continuation of the Shield of Baal campaign. Which IMO sort of rules them out.

So what do you think is going on lorewise? Tau expansion halted, GW writing a line under this story? An opportunity for Shadowsun? They did seem to talk a lot about conquering the Dovar system but we never actually got there. Personally I really like all of the narrative campaigns and definitely think that they should continue this one in the future.

From a fluff standpoint Tyranids or Orks would make sense but from a marketing perspective GW will probably pick the second best selling faction outside of the IoM which (correct me if i'm wrong) is Eldar. They might even throw in a 3rd faction to compensate for the loss of sales from omitting an imperial faction in the campaign. Since Necrons and Eldar are ancient enemies and the Sautehk dynasty seems to be north of Tau space they could make a campaign about some Eldar farseer foreseeing some major catastrophe involving the Necrons and lacking the strength to get the job done manipulate/bribe the Tau to attack the Necrons. Twists and turns ensue Eldar and Tau losses are devastating but ultimately stop the Necron McGuffin device, Eldar escape mysteriously and Tau get their hands on some Necron tech to study... or something, meanwhile it alludes to the Sautehk dynasty being poised to get their revenge. It would give GW an opportunity to really flesh out war between various xenos races against each other in a way that is usually limited to small timeline blurbs. Of course, the best part will be that Eldar, Tau and Necrons will get new formations because as everyone knows those 3 races really need the power boost.

Ah but the Necrons are in Shield of Baal as well.

I mean, Dark Eldar? They would be an odd choice to be set against the Tau. I mean there aren't too many factions that have not appeared in a campaign in some form.

Space Wolves:

Space Wolves
Guard
Chaos Space Marines
Dark Angels
Orks (although that seems to have been a one off)
Chaos Daemons

Shield of Baal

Blood Angels
Guard
Sisters of Battle
Tyranids
Necrons
(IMO I think Daemons might also show up here if this campaign continues since that's what happens in codex)

Warzone Damocles

Space Marines
Guard
Knights
Mechanicum
Tau

So assuming no repeats that really only leaves

Eldar
Dark Eldar

There were some rumors that DE would be coming later in the year with updated rules and stuff. Not sure how accurate they are. But, they are certainly not a full 7th edition codex since they lack formations and the force org chart. Plus, they kind of really really suck.

Ultramarines are in that neck of the woods. Could be a way to introduce the Bugcruion for Nids or Delfcurion for Dark Eldar. The Dark Eldar could be preying on vulnerable worlds after the losses sustained during the Damocles campaign. A hive fleet could be on the way. The Ultramarines/Black Templar/first founding with out a unique decurion could be making rapid strikes to weaken or damage Tau supply lines.

While it would be nice to see Xenos/Xenos book, they have been tending to do Imperium/Enemy in each book, since you know the Imperium will sell books.

Shadowsun still has Perfectia, which is apparently some sort of super generator planet. If she can wrestle the supplies she needs from the worlds she has, as well as take the Dovor system, then there could absolutely be a third Tau empire in a few decades.

As for an all Xenos book: All I can really say is that I'm in favor of it but doubt it will ever happen.

But, why are you speaking about what is coming next ? The campaigns are only two books, no ? The Tau had their two books.
Did I miss something, or is it just a "What if GW continues the campaign ?"

 godardc wrote:
But, why are you speaking about what is coming next ? The campaigns are only two books, no ? The Tau had their two books.
Did I miss something, or is it just a "What if GW continues the campaign ?"

There's an new Imperial Armour just a few months away that pits Tau v Admech and Red Scorpions. It may be completely unrelated to the end of the Damocles campaign, or it may make mentions.

 SinisterSamurai wrote:
Shadowsun still has Perfectia, which is apparently some sort of super generator planet. If she can wrestle the supplies she needs from the worlds she has, as well as take the Dovor system, then there could absolutely be a third Tau empire in a few decades.

As for an all Xenos book: All I can really say is that I'm in favor of it but doubt it will ever happen.

It's already happened before. Valedor.

 Robin5t wrote:

 SinisterSamurai wrote:
Shadowsun still has Perfectia, which is apparently some sort of super generator planet. If she can wrestle the supplies she needs from the worlds she has, as well as take the Dovor system, then there could absolutely be a third Tau empire in a few decades.

As for an all Xenos book: All I can really say is that I'm in favor of it but doubt it will ever happen.

It's already happened before. Valedor.

Don't really count Valedor, Damnos, the DAngels and GK books because they were for apocalypse and not really for mainstream 40k.

Perhaps if Valedor didn't do very well, on top of that, could be another reason why they seem to be doing all Imperial vs books.

Imperial vs X is logical from GW's standpoint, as more people play Space Marines than any other army. Why sell a campaign boxed set that only appeals to two Xenos/Chaos armies, when you could appeal to Space Marine players, and have them pick up the box set (because space marines) along with the other side in it?

We know a new army is coming this year. My bet is on a Xenos one after all the Imperium ones. I suspect this is going to tie into the eastern fringe somehow.

Also I do believe it was said this is not the end of the Tau campaign wise. They might appear in one more this year. But the reliable rumor didn't necessarily specify their own.

I personally think the Tau are going to do what they do best. Think their way out of the problem. They need two things. Auxillaries and warp drives. I would like to see a Tau Auxillaries army. Could also be Kroot Mercs since every other minor race has been released and next year we are allegedly getting Eldar Exodites.

Then a gain perhaps its a new Xenos enemy? Could be something in the Ghoul Stars?

Perhaps we will see a Nids vs Tau book? All I know is their situation is very much not resolved and it's going to continue. I think the Imperium has turned the Tau from a small idealistic expanding Empire into a small pissed off expanding Empire. Rage is a hell of an anesthetic.

We also know there is FW Tau vs AdMech release. I wonder if it will tie in to the general front? Or will be a separate thing?

So much possibilities.

 Totalwar1402 wrote:


So assuming no repeats that really only leaves

Eldar
Dark Eldar

There were some rumors that DE would be coming later in the year with updated rules and stuff. Not sure how accurate they are. But, they are certainly not a full 7th edition codex since they lack formations and the force org chart. Plus, they kind of really really suck.

you forgot Grey Knights, although I imagine they'll be included in Warzone Fenris 2

 Gamgee wrote:
We know a new army is coming this year. My bet is on a Xenos one after all the Imperium ones. I suspect this is going to tie into the eastern fringe somehow.

Also I do believe it was said this is not the end of the Tau campaign wise. They might appear in one more this year. But the reliable rumor didn't necessarily specify their own.

I personally think the Tau are going to do what they do best. Think their way out of the problem. They need two things. Auxillaries and warp drives. I would like to see a Tau Auxillaries army. Could also be Kroot Mercs since every other minor race has been released and next year we are allegedly getting Eldar Exodites.

Then a gain perhaps its a new Xenos enemy? Could be something in the Ghoul Stars?

Perhaps we will see a Nids vs Tau book? All I know is their situation is very much not resolved and it's going to continue. I think the Imperium has turned the Tau from a small idealistic expanding Empire into a small pissed off expanding Empire. Rage is a hell of an anesthetic.

We also know there is FW Tau vs AdMech release. I wonder if it will tie in to the general front? Or will be a separate thing?
So much possibilities.

Where did you get rage from? The words I believe were despair, and the Tau were so upset over the thrashing they got from the Imperium that they couldn't even announce that Aun'va bought it.

The latest sphere of expansion is over. The next supplement could deal with auxiliaries and a farsight coup, I suppose.

Once the initial shock wears off there will be anger. Aun'va's death wont be hidden forever.