How do the Tau take a planet.

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**Happygrunt**

Okay, so, The tau take over a planet with imperial citizens. The PDF has been mostly destroyed. What do they do next. Do the tau kill the rest of the humans. Do they leave the construction and heavy equipment for the citizens to work with. What happens?

(I am writing some fluff, and I need to know what my men will have to work with.)

**Klawz**

They convert as many humans as possible to the greater good, kill off the rest, and begin importing (earth-caste mostly) tau to build new stuff. The humans who survieved become 2nd-class citizens.

**lordrevege**

Well, 1st they probably facilitated trade with the planet, so they'd probably have at least a minor influence over the world.
Assuming that they can't infiltrate the hierarchy of the planet, they can usually overwhelm the PDF garrison.
Most imperial buildings would be razed and the earth cast would create tau buildings.
Any loyalists to the imperial cause would be hunted down, while tau sympathizers would be given submissive roles in tau society.
The humans and tau would be segregated, with tau districts and human/non-tau districts.
Humans have been known to be recruited to fight for the Tau as mercs, as do many other races.

IMO the tau are an inferior race and have scant years to survive until Hive fleet Behemoth consumes their pathetic "empire"

**crazykiwi**

all the while the traitors pee them selves thinking of the day the imperium comes to reclaim the world lol

**Zio**

It's true, Tau might be good in a fight, but on a galactic scale their whole empire is little more than a pea. No more than a snack to most of the other races.

**sniperjolly**

Because they are representative of the five buhmillion minor races that get steamrolled each year. They just happen to have gained plot armour ever since getting their own codex.

**Kroot Loops**

Klawz wrote:They convert as many humans as possible to the greater good, kill off the rest, and begin importing (earth-caste mostly) tau to build new stuff. The humans who survieved become 2nd-class citizens.

Which is a vast improvement over their worthless lives as one of the teeming billions of downtrodden imperial citizens :p

Tau benefit from two things:

That they are actually good in a fight (in the fluff anyway); and that the Imperium has too many bigger threats to worry about

**Che-Vito**

lordrevege wrote:Well, 1st they probably facilitated trade with the planet, so they'd probably have at least a minor influence over the world.
Assuming that they can't infiltrate the hierarchy of the planet, they can usually overwhelm the PDF garrison.
Most imperial buildings would be razed and the earth cast would create tau buildings.
Any loyalists to the imperial cause would be hunted down, while tau sympathizers would be given submissive roles in tau society.
The humans and tau would be segregated, with tau districts and human/non-tau districts.
Humans have been known to be recruited to fight for the Tau as mercs, as do many other races.

IMO the tau are an inferior race and have scant years to survive until Hive fleet Behemoth consumes their pathetic "empire"

Klawz wrote:They convert as many humans as possible to the greater good, kill off the rest, and begin importing (earth-caste mostly) tau to build new stuff. The humans who survieved become 2nd-class citizens.

Both posters have given purely bias speculation. The real answer? It depends on what fluff you are reading!

**IvanTih**

The Tau are going to be smash either by Imperium,massive Ork Waagh! or Tyranid Hive fleet.They can resist them for some time,but they'll fall when some of these powers diverts enough attention to them.Their plot armor will be destroyed by a massive lasgun barrage coupled by the volcano cannon laser barrages form the super heavy tank and titans.
When Tau take any planet they treat native race as 2nd grade citizens,indoctrinate them to serve the greater good and they order them things as they see fit?
Average human could kill a unarmed and unarmored Fire Warrior without much trouble.
I heard that Fire Warriors are 1.50m tall is that true.

**BOSS_PIMPALOTZ**

When the Tau try to pacify a planet they do it in these stages.

1: They send diplomats to try and negoiate a settlement to lay out the benefits of the greater good (New Technology,improved protection,No reglion,Freedom if somewhat limited,)
2:If that fails I should imagine they jump a fleet in and blockade the planet the shortages and no food or resources usually bend the planet to their will
3:If this doesnt work I should imagine a ulitimatum is issued surrender or face mass bloodshed Tau Forces are landed and mobilised
4: 0 hour Kroot infiltrators and Human supporters start sabotaging key installations and routes of mobilisation
5: Tau units move out and start pacifying areas of limited resistance i.e observation ports and small outlying bases
6:Tau forces now hold massive superiorty and start to move on small settlements neutralising all "armed" resistance as they go collecting supporters as well in a couple of days the planet is pacifed and a new domain is added to the empire

In very rare circumstances when the resistance of the PDF and the citizentry is too much the Tau will unleash the ultimate sanction a salvo of darkstar warheads..... which destroy all biological matter on the planet rendering it down to its molecules allowing for a blank slate of which to the Tau can use as a colony.

**ph34r**

Well, according to codex Tyranids, the Tau are the only ones that could beat the nids. In fact, they out tyranided the tyranids by continually changing battle styles to counter nids doing the exact same thing.

When Tau conquer a world, they try to convert everyone, then anyone that doesn't convert becomes a second class citizen, those that do convert are still treated a bit worse than Tau, and they move in a ton of Tau colonists.

**BOSS_PIMPALOTZ**

But from what i imagine the Tau dont oppress their people imperial propaganda saids different as with many of the entries in the Imperial Armour Taro's book but I should imagine many humans would be glad to be free of their shackles of praying to a corpse...

Of course their is the whole worry that the Sons of Ultramar might come knocking on the door but until then its a sound lifestyle I should imagine.

The Tau are actually the only thing thats acting as a buffer against the Tyranids...

**IvanTih**

Failure to be miserable will result in visit by your local Inquisitor or a Commisar.Does anyone know how much tall and strong are Tau Fire Warrior caste,I heard that in unarmed combat humans would own them.
When a world is converted by the Tau the Imperium sends Spess Muhriness and Imperial Guard to liberate a world.That thing happened many times so it's not good to be a Tau sympathizer.

**crazykiwi**

IvanTih wrote:Failure to be miserable will result in visit by your local Inquisitor or a Commisar.Does anyone know how much tall and strong are Tau Fire Warrior caste,I heard that in unarmed combat humans would own them.
.

id say by the way tau refer to humans as Gue'rella (i think that's written) im pretty sure the average human grunt has a good bit of physical strength over a fire caste warrior (they may be fighters but it just means they are stronger than the other tau which doesn't say much lol)

and the good old fashioned human hatred to back it up

**Kroothawk**

Seems like all Tau threads are filled with "I hate Tau, they are damn (insert what you hate most, default setting is Nazi), I hope they get smashed" posts, regardless of the topic.

To answer your question:
Best read "Imperial Armour 3: Taros campaign" and the novel "For the Emperor", where this exact scenario is dealt with.

Otherwise these official statements might help you:

Original GW designer's 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.

Battlefleet Gothic Rulebook wrote:As the Tau Empire expands out from its homeworld, the Tau inevitably encounter new races previously unknown to them, and to each of these an offer of allegiance is made. There are many aggressive, arrogant and selfish races in the galaxy, however, and even the Tau often find first contact results in nothing more than yet another bloody war. There are other races however, who readily accept the message of the greater good and take up their place in the Tau Empire. Some of these races are small, perhaps located on just a single world, or else primitive with little useful resource to offer the Tau, in which case their accession to the Empire is simply a formality, with the benevolent Tau offering protection to these lesser races while they can expect little other than appreciation and friendship in return.

Other additions to the Empire are advanced in themselves, and the union of two such cultures provides valuable new knowledge, technology and understanding for both parties. Such races, where able, fulfil their debt to the Tau Empire by a series of tithes which suit their own particular abilities. Able craftsmen, for instance, may be called upon to provide manufacturing capacity, while aggressive or warlike races will be obligated to provide troops to the armies of the Tau. There are other races still who do not wish to fully submit to the Empire, but who likewise have no wish for war with the Tau and will instead strike up armistices or treaties of neutrality, opening up lucrative new markets or providing new allegiances for mutual protection. Such races are also likely to hire themselves out as mercenaries to the Tau Empire when the opportunity arises.

**Kroot Loops**

Yeah, in regards to the whole 'Tau are dead if IG or SM show up' check at least a little of the fluff. In the BRB Tau fluff it describes the Tau taking over a planet, crushing 7 regiments of Catachan IG in the process. In the IA: Taros campaign they do a lot of IG stomping, and about as much SM stomping as GW will allow anyone to do.

**SideEffect46**

Yeah why does everybody think that the Tau are weak? They have advanced weapons, I mean c'mon it's not like they're totally defenseless.

**Shas'O Dorian**

SideEffect46 wrote:Yeah why does everybody think that the Tau are weak? They have advanced weapons, I mean c'mon it's not like they're totally defenseless.

Because as a whole Tau are very small in number. Were it not for chaos, eldar, orks, necrons, nids ect. . . The Imperium would steam roll the Tau easily. However people need to remember that "Well IF" is not a valid argument because Chaos, eldr, orks, nids, necrons ect . . . are not going anywhere any time soon so you might as well get used to the tau being around.

**lordrevege**

Che-Vito wrote:

Both posters have given purely bias speculation. The real answer? It depends on what fluff you are reading!

For the Emperor clearly defines Tau policy. Die Tau Scum.

You all ask "why does everybody think the tau are weak?"
Well for starters, they have reproductive organs on their foreheads.

**SideEffect46**

lordrevege wrote:
Che-Vito wrote:You all ask "why does everybody think the tau are weak?"
Well for starters, they have reproductive organs on their foreheads.

That is just pure awesome^

**agnosto**

I am blow away by the maturity level of some posters.

**lordrevege**

agnosto wrote:I am blow away by the maturity level of some posters.

c'mon lighten up.

**SideEffect46**

Uh oh *goes and grabs some popcorn* this should be interesting..........

**orkylooter**

I don't want to have a flame war start and the mods to come and close this thread.

**lordrevege**

orkylooter wrote:I don't want to have a flame war start and the mods to come and close this thread.

Very well. I don't want to be the jerk to ruin the fun.

**agnosto**

lordrevege wrote:
agnosto wrote:I am blow away by the maturity level of some posters.

Hey agnosto, why don't you contribute something useful to this forum, instead of complaining?

I will as soon as you do. Yes, you're right, stating they have "reproductive organs on their heads" is clearly contributing to the topic of how they take a planet. I apologize, now back to your tomfoolery before recess ends.

The 4th edition Tau codex tells how the Tau go about expanding their empire; Boss was pretty close in his post.
1) Develop trade ties
2) Formal diplomatic discussion
3) Offer of joining "the greater good"
4) Incorporation into the empire through diplomacy or invasion

The general concensus is that Tau treat incorporated/conquered races fairly well; however, the Tau themselves are very Romanesque in that they are "first among equals". The Tau don't force other races to fight for them, that's the Fire Caste's job; however, they employ the services of other races as auxiliaries (again, very Roman Empire) if they so desire to contribute.

The one incongruity that I see is in regards to the Vespid and the "communion helm" that strain leaders wear. Some think it's a form of mind control and others a simple communication device. The jury's out.

I suppose at some point, someone is going to mention DoW and the ending where the Tau are assumed to kill the entire human population of a planet or sterilize them. There's no fluff to support this AFAIK.

GW even makes the point of stating that the Tau were designed to be the "good" guys of the grimdark universe which is why many hate them I suppose.

**Kroot Loops**

lordrevege wrote:
Che-Vito wrote:

Both posters have given purely bias speculation. The real answer? It depends on what fluff you are reading!

For the Emperor clearly defines Tau policy. Die Tau Scum.

You all ask "why does everybody think the tau are weak?"
Well for starters, they have reproductive organs on their foreheads.

Yes, and Courage and Honor showed a dreadnought chasing down a crisis suit, and Tau crisis suits were at their deadliest when wielding their... giant...swords... WTF.

Black Library novels are not fluff, they're something to prop up a table with a short leg.

**4M2A**

I would guess that the tau would remove all opposition as peacefully as possibly. This may sound weird in 40k but tau do try to persuade people to join them before they start firing (they also happen to be quite good at it). If this fails they would seperate all the humans loyal to the greater good then wipe out the others. Next they would rebuild the planet in a tau style.

The population of the planet would be incorperated into the greater good and the tau would find them something to do to help the empire. I don't know where the idea of them sterilising/ treating others badly. In the codex it mentions how they genuinly respect the vespid for their skill in battle. It hints about mind control but theres not definate proof. Even if they become lesser citizens to the tau they would still have a much better life than on an imperial planet.

Everyone says that they are weak because of lower numbers but you need to consider that the Tau empire is expanding rapidly, and that tau tactics don't rely on numbers hit and run warfare has a lot less casulties than just sending in wave after wave. Also as they actualy care about the normal soldiers they keep losses as low as possible. Tau are also one of the best chances against the nids. Hit and run style minimalises the amount of biomass the nids get to eat and as they regularly adapt it's hard for the nids to keep up with them.

**Happygrunt**

So the human technology goes away? Like lifting gear and factories?

**agnosto**

Happygrunt wrote:So the human technology goes away? Like lifting gear and factories?

Nope but for the most part Tau technology is ahead of human tech because they don't have the whole "heresy" thing to keep them from moving forward.... The Tau codex even has some fluff about imperial worlds trading with Tau for "advanced" technology and I think there's a blurb about manufacturing tech but I'm not sure.

Now if they can just figure out that power fists are good...

Edit:
Found the fluff on page 20, right side about half-way down.
"....trading with these aliens for their technology in the form of improved construction and agricultural machinery..."