Fixing Tau Fire Warriors

Before the time of the Mont'au, the Shas'la formed a subspecies of the Tau genus. Stocky of build and physically fit, they roamed the plains and savannas following the great herds on Tau'n. They moved from place to place and revered the beasts that sustained them. 


The Shas'la were social hunters, they set upon their prey in coordinated teams, each with a defined role. One team would move ahead of the main group, scouting out the terrain and locating prey. They would relay back information to their Shas'O who would in turn send another team would make chase, corralling the large herds of prey into a carefully chosen kill-zone. Once their prey was in position, still another team would spring from cover to execute the killing blow or as known in their native tongue, the Mont'Ka.


During droughts or other times of scarcity, the tribes of Shas'la would disperse and form smaller hunting bands. These bands would select and track a single large animal for days, waiting for the right moment when their prey was weakest to strike. These hunts tested both stamina and fortitude but their gain could sustain the bands for weeks of inactivity. Such methods were named the Patient Hunter or Kauyon. 

The Shas'la of the Tau Empire today use those same skills and techniques, imprinted in genetic memory, to wage war. The hunter culture is still very much apart of their being. To be a Fire Warrior is to kill in the name of sustaining their people and their empire.


In battle, they are cautious warriors, who tread lightly least their positions be revealed to the enemy. They use stealth and careful planning to eliminate the enemy, luring prey into kill zones and strike at once from hiding. Many Gue'la have fallen prey to the Fire Warrior's carefully laid ambushes. 

Without a doubt, Fire Warriors are probably my favorite models in the Tau range. Sure, XV8 and XV25s are cool but it is the light infantry of the Empire that originally caught my imagination. Unfortunately, their rules barely match the fluff. There are numerous instances all over the codex about the Tau military's use of stealth and careful planning yet their are few rules to support this.

I propose two simple changes to the rules for Fire Warriors that would change them for the better. Neither of these changes would "break" them. Neither rule makes them better at the assault. But both changes make better what they already do.

I think a Ballistic Skill increase is out of the question. With markerlights, we should not really be complaining about our BS of 3. There really is no need to be fielding BS4 Fire Warriors. No these two rules changes will make them easier to field and make them more tactical. It will allow you, the Tau Player, more flexibility and give them more utility.

Here they are:

1) Give Fire Warriors, Pathfinders, and Kroot the Stealth USR across the board. Give Tau foot infantry a chance to survive being shot at so they get a chance to shoot back.

2) Give them and any dedicated transport the Infiltrate USR. This would allow you the option to outflank and infiltrate your warriors. Now certainly, you would not want your Fire Warriors to infiltrate closer to the enemy, but it would give you the option to deploy them last if need be, or deploy them a top tall buildings and in advantageous firing positions.

Both of these rules additions would fit nicely into Tau fluff, wouldn't they?

Now sit back and imagine the possibilities.