More and more Tau rumors seem to be popping up lately, perhaps a sign that their codex is being worked on? All signs seem to point to a new codex early next year.
Here's Stickmonkey's latest from Warseer.com:
This is what I had earlier this year:
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
There has been some speculation on this, and
I'm getting chatter now that seems to reinforce a few things, so I
thought I'd post what is floating my way.
Tau Codex early next year.
Source still have first part of next year as timeline, I'm going to
speculate and put this Q2/Q3, a little later as it does seem to have a
lot ahead of it.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
Kroot and other existing allies are there,
however they are limited. There appears to be an "Allies" supplement
which will be out about the same time and include many more options.
(aside: Dare I start a Spring of Allies moniker...ah well then it will
end up being 2 years from now)
My sources are telling me kroot are in fact still part of Tau, and have a
new unit or two including a beastly transport. They may have more
options in a later supplement.
I also checked into the demiurge rumors, and was told "There are no demiurge in the Tau codex."
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
Crisis suits completely redone.
My sources all said to expect new crisis suits. These are not the
forgeworld style, but are much more elegant compared to the current
models. I also have rumors that confirm there are multiple new suits in
the codex, crisis being what we know, there is also a smaller suit
similar to the stealth suit, but not as bulky designed for close combat,
and the broadsides while the same relative size as a crisis suit have
much more bulk to them and are a separate build/model. Finally, I do
have sources telling me there is a bigger suit, which has been reported
from others. Reports have it being a ranged beast(metaphorically, not
literally) with 2 twin linked rail cannons and a missile option. So I'm
sure it will become a target of choice in games
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
Stealth suits completely redone.
Sounds like the reason for the redesign was this new cc suit which will share a box with the new stealth suit.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
Pirahna has new option and I am not sure if it will be reboxed together or be sold as an upgrade kit.
From out of left field is word the new piranha option is to transport a
cc suit unit, this option replaces the drone pods on the sides... I am
personally very skeptical of this rumor. I really don't see it
happening, based on other conversations I've had I expect the Pirahna
will remain unchanged at this point.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
New Pathfinders were seen being worked on a while back.
There is a plastic kit in the works for pathfinders, however my sources don't think it will be part of the initial tau release.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
Ethereals expanded, new unit options around them.
This is again from the left field world...supposedly the ethereals have a
new race that they are using as a psychic conduit. This new unit
option is similar to a psychic choir, and their effectiveness diminishes
the smaller the unit gets. Sounds like a way to retcon psychic powers
into tau...I would steer clear of this rumor for now, their might in
fact be a new unit here, but the established tau no psykers fluff seems
too strong to do this IMO. And barring some stronger confirmation, I
think this one can be dismissed for now.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
There is a FW Tau model which has a unit entry
in the codex. (My take is this might actually be a new plastic kit
taking over a FW model, and before anyone yells GW doesnt cannibalize
FW...yes, they do, they have, and they will.)
Supposedly the remora drones will be in the codex. And will be flyers.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
The floating chair ethereal was seen being worked on for a new model.
Sources say this was a designer test model and the existing model is still in the line.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
New fast skimmer sized between hammerhead and pirahna.
Could be the cc transport Pirahna, none of my sources had anything on this now. It could also be the flyer.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
Flyer has dual gattling cannons
Sources are all sticking by this on the flyer.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
Flyer has option for rail guns
Sources say there is a rail gun option for the flyer.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
Flyer has bombs (not missiles!?)
Sources say it has options for AA missiles or bombs, But can't take both.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
Rule rumors (these are rumors people! I hate posting rule rumors cause I am not involved in that. Please take fwiw)
Railguns have a JOWW effect, they can hit multiple models in a line, but
if hitting vehicles has a max number of hull points it can cause. the
way this is described is it draws a line from the barrel to table edge,
every model under starts taking hits starting with the closest. if it
hits a vehicle or structure with HP, its strength drops, once it hits 3
or a table edge or fails to make a penetrating hit its done. rhino
line's watch out!
Little more on this. Mostly confirmed this is the way of it, but that
it does have a max distance. Some conflicting rumors that you roll for
number of hull points it penetrates when fired, or it's fixed. And also
conflicting sources saying if it penetrates it causes 2 hull points of
damage vs 1.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
There is some rumor of an Anti Psyker weapon. like night fighting, but no psychic powers for a game turn.
. My sources had little on this other than the one which attributed this to the new ethereal unit.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
There is no flyer dedicated transport, and the existing flyer is going to be competing against some very good other options
. All sources confirmed. There isn't a dt flyer.
Originally Posted by Stickmonkey
The jetpack troops have some option to "pop up and shoot" from cover.
no information on this from anyone. So I'm going to say this is probably not valid any longer.
Next up is rumors from Faeit 212:
Please remember that these are rumors
via Faeit 212 (A Must Remain Anonymous Source)
-Tau are coming early next year.
-Unit profiles are being finalized.
-The Tau are looking more and more like it will utilize and potentially modify the allies feature.
-unique fortifications.
-Just info on rules, no idea on models:
-HQ option to make crisis suits troops (not a special character, just an upgrade)
-crisis suits remain roughly the same but have a couple new weapon options.
-New 1-per-squad weapons
-new heavy support suit that has stats like a carnifex and no jet pack, just a big mech
-new elite suit that has a lot of sub 18" gun options, with a high rate
of fire, or low AP. High toughness and -good armour save at a minor
loss of mobility (think jump pack instead of jet pack)
-two flyers, one for AtA one for AtG (same basic fuselage)
-fire warriors are a little bit better and have more of a stormtrooper / commando feel, than a rank and file guardsman feel.
-oh and one of the other things right now, I was able to confirm that
the current playtest is that firewarriors who do not move in the
movement phase may immediately run after firing their pulse carbines in
the shooting phase.
Some very interesting bits. No more Demiurg rumors, I guess that was a complete fabrication. But, it looks like the Tau are using a wide variety of suits to solve different tactical problems. Close combat suits, heavy support carnifex/like suit, elite suits with more gun options. The crisis suits are what got me into the tau (that and their vehicles) so I would LOVE to see a wide variety of suit options with an updated look.
Like I said earlier I really like the Anti-Psyker rumors for Ethereals (and this may tie in to the Space Marines interest/battle brother status with Tau in the 6th edition rulebook). This would definately give a reason to actually take them. I don't want Tau to have psyker abilities but would LOVE for them to negate them more easily (like dwarfs in Fantasy). Definately excited by these rumors!
