Tau rumors are still rather thin at this time, however, we do once in a while get a trickling in of them. Tau are in 6th edition have garnered a new and sometimes very powerful codex, especially when it comes to allies and double focs. With a new codex rumored to be coming early next year, Tau are very much on the forefront of what I am watching out for when it comes to rumors.
A big thanks to Stickmonkey who has done some extra digging to discover rumors about what might be coming along with a Tau codex next year. This post has his old rumors that he was addressing in italics and his new comments just below on them, to see if the rumors are still holding true.
Please remember that these are rumors.
via Stickmonkey over on Warseer
So I got a moment to go back and spend sometime with some old rumors. And I was able to get some updated information on where these rumors are...at least in so far as my sources will comment... So let's have a look shall we?
This is what I had earlier this year:
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.
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."
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Flyer has dual gattling cannons
Sources are all sticking by this on the flyer.
Flyer has option for rail guns
Sources say there is a rail gun option for the flyer.
Flyer has bombs (not missiles!?)
Sources say it has options for AA missiles or bombs, But can't take both.
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.
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.
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.
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.