Factions — Codex: T’au Empire
T’au Empire
Drones #
If you have upgraded a model to have a drone, place a Drone token next to your model as a reminder. These do not count as models for any rules purposes.
Guardian Drone
Each time a model makes a ranged attack that targets the bearer’s unit, subtract 1 from the Wound roll.
Gun Drone
The bearer is equipped with the following ranged weapon:

Marker Drone
The bearer’s unit has the MARKERLIGHT keyword and can act as an Observer unit for another unit even if it Advanced this turn.
Missile Drone
The bearer is equipped with the following ranged weapon:

Shield Drone
Add 1 to the bearer’s Wounds characteristic.
For the Greater Good #
If your Army Faction is T'AU EMPIRE, at the start of your Shooting phase you can select units from your army with this ability to become Observer units.
During your Shooting phase, for each Observer unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase and is eligible to shoot (excluding FORTIFICATION and Battle-shocked units) select one enemy unit that is visible to be marked as their Spotted unit until the end of the phase. Each enemy unit can only be marked as a Spotted unit once per phase.
Units from your army with the For the Greater Good ability (excluding Observer units) are Guided units while targeting one or more Spotted units.
Until the end of the phase, each time a model from your army in a Guided unit makes an attack that targets a Spotted unit, improve the Ballistic Skill characteristic of that attack by 1 and, if the Spotted unit was marked by an Observer unit that has the Markerlight keyword, that attack has the [IGNORES COVER] ability.
FAQ
Errata Army Rules, For the Greater Good
Change to:
'If your Army Faction is T'AU EMPIRE, at the start of your Shooting phase you can select units from your army with this ability to become Observer units.
During your Shooting phase, for each Observer unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase and is eligible to shoot (excluding FORTIFICATION and Battle-shocked units) select one enemy unit that is visible to be marked as their Spotted unit until the end of the phase. Each enemy unit can only be marked as a Spotted unit once per phase.
Units from your army with the For the Greater Good ability (excluding Observer units) are Guided units while targeting one or more Spotted units.
Until the end of the phase, each time a model from your army in a Guided unit makes an attack that targets a Spotted unit, improve the Ballistic Skill characteristic of that attack by 1 and, if the Spotted unit was marked by an Observer unit that has the Markerlight keyword, that attack has the [IGNORES COVER] ability.’
Advanced Acquisition Cadre 1 pts #
expert fieldcraft #
In your Shooting phase, when a friendly PATHFINDER TEAM/ STEALTH BATTLESUITS unit is selected to shoot, those ranged attacks do not prevent your unit from being hidden.
Enhancements
Negation Emitters (Upgrade) #
15 ptsStealth Battlesuits unit only. This unit has -3" detection range.
Unmasking Suite (Upgrade) #
15 ptsGhostkeel Battlesuit/Pathfinder Team/Stealth Battlesuits unit only. When this unit is selected to shoot, you can select one enemy unit within 24" of this unit. That enemy unit has +9" detection range until this unit has shot.
Stratagems
Autoreactive Camouflage #
- When
Your opponent’s Shooting phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly PATHFINDER TEAM/ STEALTH BATTLESUITS unit, if that friendly unit is hidden.
- Target
That Pathfinder Team/Stealth Battlesuits unit.
- Effect
Your unit has +1 Sv.
Marker Beacon #
- When
End of your Movement phase.
- Target
One friendly Pathfinder Team/Stealth Battlesuits unit.
- Effect
Select one objective your unit is controlling. That objective is secured.
Microdrone Support #
- When
Your Shooting phase, when a friendly Pathfinder Team/Stealth Battlesuits unit starts an action.
- Target
That Pathfinder Team/Stealth Battlesuits unit.
- Effect
That action does not prevent your unit from being eligible to shoot.
Auxiliary Cadre 1 pts #
Integrated Command Structure #
Friendly Kroot/Vespid Stingwings units have the following ability:
Harnessed Alien Instincts: In your Shooting phase, this unit can select one visible enemy unit within 12". That enemy unit is prey‑marked:
Localised Stealth Projectors (Aura): When a friendly Kroot/Vespid Stingwings unit within 6" of this unit has shot, those attacks do not prevent that unit from being hidden.
This detachment has the AUXILIARIES tag and cannot be taken with another AUXILIARIES detachment.
Enhancements
Admired Leader #
20 ptsT’au Empire model only (excluding Kroot models). In your Command phase, you can select one Kroot/Vespid Stingwings unit within 12" of this model. If you do, that unit has +1 Ld and OC until the start of your next Command phase.
Student of Kauyon #
20 ptsKroot Shaper model only. In the Declare Battle Formations step, you can select up to three friendly Kroot Carnivores/Farstalkers units. Those units have Deep Strike.
Stratagems
Alien Expertise #
- When
Your Movement phase, when a friendly Kroot/Vespid Stingwings unit is selected to make an advance move.
- Target
That Kroot/Vespid Stingwings unit.
- Effect
That move does not prevent your unit from being eligible to declare a charge.
Experimental Modifications #
- When
Your Shooting phase or the Fight phase, when a friendly Kroot/Vespid Stingwings unit is selected to attack.
- Target
That Kroot/Vespid Stingwings unit.
- Effect
Your unit’s attacks have +1 AP.
Guided By Unity #
- When
Your Shooting phase, when a friendly T’au Empire unit (excluding Kroot/Vespid Stingwings units) is selected to shoot.
- Target
That T’au Empire unit.
- Effect
Your unit’s ranged attacks that target a unit within 9" of a friendly Kroot/Vespid Stingwings unit have [Lethal Hits].
Experimental Prototype Cadre 1 pts #
Superior Craftsmanship #
Friendly Battlesuit Character units’ ranged attacks have +6" R. This detachment has the RETALIATION tag and cannot be taken with another RETALIATION detachment.
Enhancements
Plasma Accelerator Rifle #
20 ptsBattlesuit model only. In the Declare Battle Formations step, select one of this model’s Plasma Rifle weapons. That weapon’s attacks have:
- +2 S
- +1 A, AP and D.
Supernova Launcher #
15 ptsBattlesuit model only. In the Declare Battle Formations step, select one of this model’s Airbursting Fragmentation Projector weapons. That weapon’s attacks have:
- +3 S
- +1 AP and D.
Thermoneutronic Projector #
15 ptsBattlesuit model only. In the Declare Battle Formations step, select one of this model’s T’au Flamer weapons. That weapon’s attacks have:
- +2 S
- +1 AP and D.
Stratagems
Experimental Ammunition #
- When
Your Shooting phase, when a friendly Battlesuit Character unit is selected to shoot.
- Target
That Battlesuit Character unit.
- Effect
Your unit’s ranged attacks have:
- +1 S.
- Or: +1 S, AP and [Hazardous].
Kauyon 2 pts #
Patient Hunter #
During the third, fourth and fifth battle rounds, ranged weapons equipped by T’AU EMPIRE models from your army have the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability. During the third, fourth and fifth battle rounds, while a unit is a Guided unit (see For the Greater Good), each time a ranged attack is made by a model in that unit that targets a Spotted unit, you can ignore any or all modifiers to that attack’s Ballistic skill characteristics and/or all modifiers to the Hit roll.
Enhancements
Exemplar of the Kauyon #
20 ptsT’AU EMPIRE model only (excluding KROOT SHAPER models). While the bearer is leading a unit, the Patient Hunter Detachment rule applies to that unit from the second battle round onwards instead of from the third.
Precision of the Patient Hunter #
15 ptsT’AU EMPIRE model only. Each time the bearer makes a ranged attack, add 1 to the Hit roll. From the third battle round onwards, add 1 to the Wound roll as well.
Solid-image Projection Unit #
20 ptsT’AU EMPIRE model only. After both players have deployed their armies, select up to three T’AU EMPIRE units from your army and redeploy them. When doing so, you can set those units up in Strategic Reserves if you wish, regardless of how many units are already in Strategic Reserves.
Through Unity, Devastation #
30 ptsT’AU EMPIRE model only (excluding KROOT SHAPER models). While the bearer is leading a unit, each time that unit is an Observer unit, until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in a Guided unit have the [LETHAL HITS] ability while targeting their Spotted unit.
Errata Kauyon Detachment, Through Unity, Devastation Enhancement
Change to:
'T'AU EMPIRE model only (excluding KROOT SHAPER models). While the bearer is leading a unit, each time that unit is an Observer unit, until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in a Guided unit have the [LETHAL HITS] ability while targeting their Spotted unit.'
Stratagems
A Tempting Trap #
- When
Your Shooting phase.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase. The first time you use this Stratagem, you must also select one objective marker that is not in your opponent’s deployment zone; until the end of the battle, this becomes your Trap objective marker.
- Effect
Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes a ranged attack that targets an enemy unit within range of your Trap objective marker, add 1 to the Wound roll.
- Restrictions
You cannot use this Stratagem during the first or second battle rounds.
Point-blank Ambush #
- When
Your Shooting phase.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
- Effect
Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes a ranged attack that targets an enemy unit within 9", improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
- Restrictions
You cannot use this Stratagem during the first or second battle rounds.
Coordinate to Engage #
- When
Your Shooting phase.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE unit from your army that has just been selected as an Observer unit (see For the Greater Good).
- Effect
Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack that targets their Spotted unit, improve the Ballistic Skill characteristic of that attack by 1 and, if your unit has the Markerlight keyword, that attack has the [IGNORES COVER] ability.
Combat Embarkation #
- When
Your opponent’s Charge phase, just after an enemy unit has declared a charge.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE INFANTRY unit from your army that was selected as one of the targets of that charge, and one friendly TRANSPORT.
- Effect
Your unit embarks within that TRANSPORT.
- Restrictions
Every model in your INFANTRY unit must be within 3" of that TRANSPORT and there must be sufficient transport capacity to embark the entire unit.
Photon Grenades #
- When
Your opponent's charge phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its charge target.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE GRENADES unit from your army that was selected as one of the targets of that charge.
- Effect
That enemy unit must immediately take a Battle-shock test, and until the end of the phase, subtract 2 from Charge rolls made for that enemy unit.
- Restrictions
You cannot target a unit that is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units.
FAQ
Errata Kauyon Detachment, Photon Grenades Stratagem, When Section
Change to:
'Your opponent's charge phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its charge target.'
Wall of Mirrors #
- When
End of your opponent’s Fight phase.
- Target
One STEALTH, GHOSTKEEL or COMMANDER SHADOWSUN unit from your army.
- Effect
Remove your unit from the battlefield and place it into Strategic Reserves.
- Restrictions
You cannot target a unit that is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units.
FAQ
Errata Kauyon Detachment, Patient Hunter Detachment Rule
Change to:
'During the third, fourth and fifth battle rounds, ranged weapons equipped by T'AU EMPIRE models from your army have the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability. During the third, fourth and fifth battle rounds, while a unit is a Guided unit (see For the Greater Good), each time a ranged attack is made by a model in that unit that targets a Spotted unit, you can ignore any or all modifiers to that attack’s Ballistic skill characteristics and/or all modifiers to the Hit roll.'
Mont’ka 3 pts #
Killing Blow #
During the first, second and third battle rounds, ranged weapons equipped by T’AU EMPIRE models from your army have the [ASSAULT] ability. During the first, second and third battle rounds, while a unit is a Guided unit (see For the Greater Good), its ranged weapons have the [LETHAL HITS] ability.
Enhancements
Exemplar of the Mont’ka #
10 ptsT’AU EMPIRE model only (excluding KROOT SHAPER models). While the bearer is leading a unit, the Killing Blow Detachment rule applies to that unit during the fourth battle round as well.
Strike Swiftly #
35 ptsT’AU EMPIRE model only. In the Resolve Pre-battle Abilities step, you can select up to two friendly T'AU EMPIRE units within 6" of this model that do not have the Scouts ability. Until the end of the battle, all models in the selected units have the Scouts 6" ability.
Errata Mont'ka Detachment, Strike Swiftly Enhancement, Second Sentence
Change to:
'In the Resolve Pre-battle Abilities step, you can select up to two friendly T'AU EMPIRE units within 6" of this model that do not have the Scouts ability.'
Strategic Conqueror #
15 ptsT’AU EMPIRE model only. At the start of the first battle round, before the first turn begins, select one objective marker on the battlefield. While a friendly T’AU EMPIRE model is within range of that objective marker and the bearer is on the battlefield, add 1 to that friendly model’s Objective Control characteristic.
Coordinated Exploitation #
30 ptsT’AU EMPIRE model only (excluding KROOT SHAPER models). While the bearer is leading a unit, each time that unit is an Observer unit, until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in a Guided unit have the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability while targeting their Spotted unit.
Errata Mont'ka Detachment, Coordinated Exploitation Enhancement
Change to:
'T'AU EMPIRE model only (excluding KROOT SHAPER models). While the bearer is leading a unit, each time that unit is an Observer unit, until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in a Guided unit have the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability while targeting their Spotted unit.'
Stratagems
Pinpoint Counter-offensive #
- When
Any phase.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE unit (excluding KROOT units) from your army that was just destroyed. You can use this Stratagem on that unit even though it was just destroyed.
- Effect
Until the end of the battle, each time a T’AU EMPIRE unit (excluding KROOT units) from your army makes an attack that targets the enemy unit that just destroyed your unit, you can re-roll the Hit roll.
Aggressive Mobility #
- When
Your Movement phase.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE unit from your army that has not been selected to move this phase.
- Effect
Until the end of the phase, if your unit Advances, do not make an Advance roll for it. Instead, until the end of the phase, add 6" to the Move characteristic of models in your unit.
Focused Fire #
- When
Start of your Shooting phase.
- Target
Two T’AU EMPIRE units from your army that have not been selected to shoot this phase, and one enemy unit.
- Effect
Until the end of the phase, each time a model in either of your units makes an attack, it can only target that enemy unit (and only if it is an eligible target for that attack), and when resolving that attack, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic by 1.
- Restrictions
You cannot use this Stratagem during the fourth or fifth battle rounds.
Combat Debarkation #
- When
Your Shooting phase.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE INFANTRY unit from your army that disembarked from a TRANSPORT this turn.
- Effect
Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack that targets the closest enemy unit, you can re-roll the Wound roll.
Pulse Onslaught #
- When
Your Shooting phase.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE INFANTRY unit (excluding KROOT units) from your army that has just shot, and one enemy unit (excluding MONSTERS and VEHICLES) hit by one or more of those attacks.
- Effect
Until the end of your opponent’s next turn, that enemy unit is shaken. While a unit is shaken, subtract 2 from its Move characteristic and subtract 2 from Advance and Charge rolls made for it.
Counterfire Defence Systems #
- When
Your opponent’s Shooting phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
- Effect
Until the end of the phase, each time an attack is allocated to your unit, subtract 1 from the Damage characteristic of that attack.
FAQ
Errata Mont'ka Detachment, Killing Blow Detachment rule
Change to:
'During the first, second and third battle rounds, ranged weapons equipped by T'AU EMPIRE models from your army have the [ASSAULT] ability. During the first, second and third battle rounds, while a unit is a Guided unit (see For the Greater Good), its ranged weapons have the [LETHAL HITS] ability.'
Retaliation Cadre 2 pts #
Bonded Heroes #
Each time a T’AU EMPIRE BATTLESUIT model from your army makes a ranged attack that targets a unit within 12", improve the Strength characteristic of that attack by 1. If that attack targets a unit within 8", improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1 as well.
Enhancements
Puretide Engram Neurochip #
15 ptsT’AU EMPIRE BATTLESUIT model only. Each time you target the bearer’s unit with a Stratagem, roll one D6: on a 4+, you gain 1CP.
Errata Retaliation Cadre Detachment, Puretide Engram Neurochip Enhancement
Change to:
'T'AU EMPIRE BATTLESUIT model only. Each time you target the bearer’s unit with a Stratagem, roll one D6: on a 4+, you gain 1CP.'
Starflare Ignition System #
20 ptsT’au EMPIRE BATTLESUIT model only. At the end of your opponent’s turn, if the bearer’s unit is not within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units, you can remove that unit from the battlefield and place it into Strategic Reserves.
Internal Grenade Racks #
20 ptsT’AU EMPIRE BATTLESUIT model only. The bearer has the GRENADES keyword, and each time the bearer ends a Normal move, you can select one enemy unit that it moved over during that move. If you do, roll six D6: for each 4+, that enemy unit suffers 1 mortal wound.
Prototype Weapon System #
15 ptsT’AU EMPIRE BATTLESUIT model only. Each time the bearer is selected to shoot, select either the [LETHAL HITS] or [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability. Until those attacks are resolved, ranged weapons equipped by the bearer have the selected ability.
Stratagems
Fail-safe Detonator #
- When
Any phase, just after a T’AU EMPIRE BATTLESUIT model from your army is destroyed.
- Target
That destroyed model’s unit. You can use this Stratagem on that unit even if that unit was just destroyed.
- Effect
Before removing your model from play, if it has the Deadly Demise ability, do not roll for that ability; instead, you can choose whether the result of that roll is a 1 or a 6. If your model does not have the Deadly Demise ability, roll one D6 for each unit within 6" of it: on a 4+, that unit suffers D3 mortal wounds.
Stimm Injectors #
- When
Your opponent’s Shooting phase or the Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE BATTLESUIT unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
- Effect
Until the end of the phase, models in your unit have the Feel No Pain 6+ ability.
The Shortened Blade #
- When
Your Movement phase.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE BATTLESUIT unit from your army that is arriving using the Deep Strike ability this phase.
- Effect
Your unit can be set up anywhere on the battlefield that is more than 6" horizontally away from all enemy models.
- Restrictions
A unit targeted with this Stratagem is not eligible to declare a charge in the same turn.
FAQ
The Arro’kon Protocol #
- When
Your Shooting phase.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE BATTLESUIT unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
- Effect
Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack that targets an enemy unit that contains 6 or more models, that attack has the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability. If that attack targets an enemy unit that contains 11 or more models, it has the [SUSTAINED HITS 2] ability instead.
The Torchstar Gambit #
- When
Your Shooting phase.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE BATTLESUIT unit from your army that can FLY whose attacks have been resolved this phase.
- Effect
If your unit is not within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units, it can make a Normal move. If it does, your unit cannot declare a charge this turn.
Grav-inhibitor Field #
- When
Your opponent’s Charge phase, just after an enemy unit has declared a charge.
- Target
One T’AU EMPIRE BATTLESUIT unit from your army that was selected as a target of that charge.
- Effect
That enemy unit must immediately take a Battle-shock test and you must roll one D6 for each model in that enemy unit: for each 6, that enemy unit suffers 1 mortal wound.
FAQ
Errata Retaliation Cadre Detachment, Bonded Heroes Detachment Rule
Change to:
'Each time a T'AU EMPIRE BATTLESUIT model from your army makes a ranged attack that targets a unit within 12", improve the Strength characteristic of that attack by 1. If that attack targets a unit within 8", improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1 as well.'
Kroot Hunting Pack 2 pts #
Keywords
If you select this Detachment, KROOT CARNIVORE units from your army have the BATTLELINE keyword.
Hunter’s Instincts #
Each time a KROOT model from your army makes an attack, add 1 to the Hit roll if the target of that attack is below its Starting Strength, and add 1 to the Wound roll as well if the target of that attack is Below Half-strength.
Skirmish Fighters #
Kroot models from your army have a 6+ invulnerable save against melee attacks and a 5+ invulnerable save against ranged attacks.
Enhancements
Kroothawk Flock #
10 ptsKROOT model only. Ranged weapons equipped by models in the bearer’s unit have the [IGNORES COVER] ability, and enemy units that are set up on the battlefield as Reinforcements cannot be set up within 12" horizontally of the bearer.
Nomadic Hunter #
20 ptsKROOT TRAIL SHAPER model only. While the bearer is leading a unit, add 3" to the Move characteristic of models in that unit and ranged weapons equipped by models in that unit have the [ASSAULT] ability.
Root-carved Weapons #
10 ptsKROOT WAR SHAPER model only. All weapons equipped by the bearer have the [PRECISION] and [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] abilities.
Borthrod Gland #
15 ptsKROOT FLESH SHAPER only. While the bearer is leading a unit, each time a model in that unit makes a melee attack, an unmodified Hit roll of 5+ scores a Critical Hit.
Stratagems
Join the Hunt #
- When
Any phase.
- Target
One KROOT INFANTRY or KROOT HOUNDS unit from your army that was just destroyed. You can use this Stratagem on that unit even though it was just destroyed.
- Effect
Add a new unit to your army identical to your destroyed unit, in Strategic Reserves, at its Starting Strength.
- Restrictions
This Stratagem cannot be used to return destroyed CHARACTER units to Attached units. You can only use this Stratagem once per battle.
A Trap Well Laid #
- When
Your Shooting phase or the Fight phase.
- Target
One KROOT unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot or fight this phase.
- Effect
After your unit has resolved its attacks this phase, select one enemy unit that was hit by one or more of those attacks. Until the end of the phase, each time a KROOT model from your army makes an attack that targets that enemy unit, unless the attacking unit is Battle-shocked, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
EMP Grenades #
- When
Your opponent’s Shooting phase or the Fight phase, just after an enemy VEHICLE unit is selected to shoot or fight.
- Target
One KROOT GRENADES unit from your army within 8" of that enemy VEHICLE unit.
- Effect
Until the end of the phase, worsen the Weapon Skill and Ballistic Skill characteristics of that enemy VEHICLE unit’s weapons by 1.
The Grisly Feast #
- When
Fight phase.
- Target
One KROOT unit from your army that destroyed one or more enemy units this phase.
- Effect
In your opponent’s next Command phase, each enemy unit within 6" of your unit must take a Battle-shock test. If the unit taking that test is Below Half-strength, subtract 1 from that test. Enemy units affected by this Stratagem do not need to take any other Battle-shock tests in the same phase.
Guerrilla Warriors #
- When
Your Movement phase, just after a KROOT unit from your army Falls Back.
- Target
That KROOT unit.
- Effect
Until the end of the turn, your unit is eligible to shoot and declare a charge.