Tau Miniature Starter Set: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners and Enthusiasts
Picture yourself at the helm of a force of sophisticated battlesuits, wielding advanced weaponry and guided by the philosophy of the Greater Good. This is the essence of the Tau Empire in Warhammer 40k, and with the Tau Miniature Starter Sets, you can make this vision a reality on your tabletop. Join me as we delve into the world of the Tau and discover the perfect set to begin your own epic journey.
Key Takeaways:
- The Tau Miniature Starter Sets provide an exciting and accessible way for both novice and experienced hobbyists to dive into the world of Warhammer 40K, offering a diverse range of units, customization options, and opportunities to explore the unique lore and playstyle of the Tau Empire.
- The Tau Empire is a technologically advanced race in the Warhammer 40K universe, known for their sleek designs, long-range weaponry, and the philosophy of the Greater Good.
- Games Workshop offers a variety of Tau Miniature Starter Sets, each catering to different collection sizes and playstyles, including the Combat Patrol: T’au Empire set, the Kroot Hunting Pack, the Tau Pathfinder Team, the XV8 Crisis Battlesuit Team, the Tau Empire Commander, and the KV128 Stormsurge.
- Assembling and painting your Tau miniatures is a rewarding part of the hobby, and WarhammerUniverse.com provides numerous resources, guides, and a supportive community to help you along the way.
- The Tau Miniature Starter Sets offer endless possibilities for customization, allowing you to create a unique and powerful army that reflects your personal vision of the Tau Empire on the tabletop.
Why Choose the Tau Empire?
The Tau Empire is a young, technologically advanced race in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. They seek to spread their philosophy of the Greater Good across the galaxy, either through peaceful diplomacy or by unleashing their impressive array of long-range weaponry, sleek vehicles, and adaptable battlesuits. If you enjoy playing an army that relies on superior technology and tactical flexibility, the Tau Empire is the perfect choice for you.
In the vast universe of Warhammer 40k, the Tau Empire stands apart as a beacon of innovation, progress, and unity in the face of unrelenting darkness. If you find yourself drawn to their sleek, futuristic designs and advanced technology, then the Tau Miniature Starter Sets are the perfect way to immerse yourself in this captivating faction.
The Greater Good
At the core of the Tau Empire’s ideology lies the concept of the Greater Good. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of working together for the benefit of all, rather than pursuing individual goals. The Tau believe that by uniting under this common cause, they can achieve a better future for their species and the galaxy as a whole.
Tau Miniature Starter Sets
To help you begin your journey with the Tau Empire, Games Workshop offers a variety of starter sets that cater to both new and experienced collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of these sets and what they have to offer.
Interested in Space Marines as well? Check out our Chaos Marine Beginner Set!
Tau Miniature Starter Sets: Combat Patrol: T’au Empire
The Combat Patrol: T’au Empire set is an excellent starting point for those looking to build a small, well-rounded force. This set contains approximately 25 power level’s worth of units, making it ideal for Combat Patrol-sized games of Warhammer 40,000. The set includes:
- 1x Ethereal
- 1x Cadre Fireblade
- 1x XV95 Ghostkeel Battlesuit with 2x Drones
- 3x XV25 Stealth Battlesuits with 1x Drone and 1x Homing Beacon
- 10x Fire Warriors with 2x Drones and 1x Support Turret (can be built as a Strike Team or a Breacher Team)
This diverse set provides you with a solid foundation for your Tau Empire army, offering a mix of powerful characters, stealthy battlesuits, and versatile infantry.
Paint with style, paint with purpose! Checkout the Best Airbrushes for Miniatures
Tau Miniature Starter Sets: Kroot Hunting Pack
For those looking to expand their Tau Empire army with some auxiliary allies, the KROOT Hunting Pack is an impressive choice. This massive set includes 26 miniatures and a codex, focusing on the fierce Kroot warriors who fight alongside the Tau. The set contains:
- 1x Kroot War Shaper
- 1x Kroot Flesh Shaper
- 20x Kroot Carnivores
- 1x Krootox Rider
- 3x Krootox Rampagers
- 1x 136-page Codex: T’au Empire (with exclusive cover)
- 44x Datasheet Cards: T’au Empire
The Kroot add a unique flavor to your army, providing melee capabilities that complement the Tau’s ranged prowess. The included codex and datasheet cards offer valuable lore and rules for integrating these units into your force.
Tau Miniature Starter Sets: Tau Pathfinder Team
Pathfinders serve as the eyes and ears of the Tau Empire, scouting enemy positions and relaying vital information to their commanders. The Tau Pathfinder Team set includes 10 highly customizable miniatures, along with three support drones:
- 10x Pathfinders with various weapon options
- 1x Recon Drone (can be mounted on a Devilfish tank, sold separately)
- 1x Pulse Accelerator Drone
- 1x Grav-inhibitor Drone
These light reconnaissance units are essential for any Tau Empire army, providing valuable intel and supporting your main force with their specialized drones.
Tau Miniature Starter Sets: XV8 Crisis Battlesuit Team
The XV8 Crisis Battlesuits are the backbone of many Tau Empire armies, offering unparalleled customization and adaptability on the battlefield. This kit contains:
- 3x XV8 Crisis Battlesuits
- 6x Accompanying Drones
- 152 components in total, with a wide array of weapons and equipment options
With the ability to equip each battlesuit with a unique loadout, the Crisis Team can be tailored to tackle any challenge your opponent throws at you.
Tau Miniature Starter Sets: Tau Empire Commander
Leading your army to victory is the Tau Empire Commander, a highly skilled warrior piloting an advanced battlesuit. This kit allows you to build your Commander in either an XV85 Enforcer Armor Crisis Battlesuit or an XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit, armed with a vast array of weapon options, including:
- Airburst Frag Projector
- Plasma Rifle
- Flamer
- Fusion Blaster
- Cyclic Ion Blaster
- Burst Cannon (with upgrade kit)
- Missile Pod
The Commander kit also includes a drone, which can be assembled as a gun, shield, or marker drone, providing valuable support to your leader on the battlefield.
Tau Miniature Starter Sets: KV128 Stormsurge
For those seeking to add a truly awe-inspiring model to their collection, the KV128 Stormsurge is a must-have. This colossal ballistic suit, piloted by graduates of the Ves’oni’Vash, is designed to take down even the mightiest of foes with its devastating firepower. The kit includes:
- Two missile pod assemblies
- Pulse Driver Cannon
- Pulse ARC Cannon
- Two Ballistic Burst Cannons
- Two Airburst Frag Projectors
- Twin-linked Flamers
- 171 components, allowing for incredible customization and posability
The Stormsurge is the ultimate Titan-killer in the Tau Empire’s arsenal, capable of turning the tide of battle with a single volley.
Painting and Assembling Your Tau Miniatures
Once you have chosen your starter set, it’s time to assemble and paint your miniatures. At WarhammerUniverse.com, we have a wealth of resources to help you in this process, including assembly guides, painting tutorials, and color schemes inspired by the various Tau Septs.
We also reccomend you check-out our guide to The Best Miniature Paint Sets for Warhammer 40k
Using Citadel Paints and Tools
To achieve the best results when painting your Tau miniatures, we recommend using Citadel paints and tools. These high-quality products are specifically designed for use with Warhammer miniatures, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable painting experience.
Citadel Plastic Glue
When assembling your miniatures, Citadel Plastic Glue is an essential tool. This specially formulated glue creates a strong bond between plastic components, allowing you to build your models with confidence.
Interested in something different? Checkout the Plague fathers best in our Death Guard Starter Set article
FAQ:
I’m new to Warhammer 40,000 and the Tau Empire. Which Tau Miniature Starter Set would you recommend for a complete beginner?
For those just starting out, I highly recommend the Combat Patrol: T’au Empire set. This set provides a well-rounded selection of units, including infantry, battlesuits, and drones, giving you a solid foundation to learn the basics of the Tau playstyle and grow your army from there.
Can I combine units from different Tau Miniature Starter Sets to create my own unique army?
Absolutely! One of the greatest joys of collecting Tau miniatures is the freedom to mix and match units from various sets to create an army that reflects your personal playstyle and aesthetic preferences. Feel free to experiment and combine sets to build the Tau force of your dreams.
Do I need to have prior painting experience to work with any of the Tau Miniature Sets?
Not at all! While painting your miniatures can greatly enhance your enjoyment of the hobby and bring your army to life, it is not a prerequisite for getting started.
The Tau Miniature Starter Sets are designed to be accessible to hobbyists of all skill levels, and you can always learn and improve your painting techniques over time.
Where can I find more information about the lore, history, and characters of the Tau Empire?
The Codex: T’au Empire, which is included in the Kroot Hunting Pack set, is an excellent resource for diving deeper into the rich lore of the Tau. Additionally, you can explore the Warhammer 40,000 wiki, novels, and other source books to further immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Tau Empire.
What should I do if I have questions or need assistance while working with my Tau Miniature Starter Set?
A: The friendly and knowledgeable community at WarhammerUniverse.com is always here to help! Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas you may have. We also recommend Goonhammer for painting tips or Squidmar Miniatures on Youtube!
Conclusion
The Tau Miniature Starter Sets offer a fantastic entry point into the world of Warhammer 40k and the Tau Empire. Whether you’re a new hobbyist or a seasoned veteran, these sets provide a diverse range of units, powerful characters, and endless customization options to help you create a truly unique and formidable army.
Together, we can work towards the Greater Good and dominate the battlefields of the 41st millennium!