Scanning Tau Empire listings…
Related factions & systems
Tau Empire faction overview
The T'au Empire is 40K's youngest civilisation — a technologically advanced caste society spreading the Greater Good through diplomacy and overwhelming long-range firepower. Battlesuits define the faction: Crisis Suits, Broadsides, Ghostkeels, Riptides and Stormsurges, supported by Fire Warrior breachers and drone networks.
Buying advice for second-hand collectors
Tau plastics are robust and widely available second-hand. Riptides, Stormsurges and Ghostkeels are the most-sought big kits. Watch for missing drone sprues and Crisis Suit weapon options — both routinely go missing in bulk lot listings. Kroot and Vespid allies are increasingly collectible after Kroot range refreshes.
Collecting & army-building advice
Tau reward magnetisation — Crisis Suits especially benefit from magnetised weapon arms so a single unit can fill multiple roles. Sept colour identity (T'au sand/red, Farsight red/black, Sa'cea white, Vior'la red) drives the paint scheme. Most lists run 12+ Crisis Suits, two Riptides and a Ghostkeel or Stormsurge.
Popular units & kits
- Combat Patrol: T'au Empire
- Crisis Battlesuits
- Riptide Battlesuit
- Stormsurge
- Fire Warrior Breacher / Strike Team
- Commander Shadowsun and Farsight
Frequently asked questions
- Should I magnetise Crisis Suits?
- Strongly recommended. Plasma rifles, fusion blasters, missile pods and burst cannons all have different rules; magnets let you swap loadouts list-by-list.
- Are old T'au metal characters still legal?
- Most have current warscrolls. Aun'Va, Aun'Shi and Commander Farsight have all had plastic refreshes; original metals remain usable.
- Which T'au unit gives the best value second-hand?
- The Riptide and Stormsurge often appear at 30%+ off RRP in collection clear-outs, especially unprimed.