Hard-Wired Support Systems
In addition to their battlesuit systems, some Tau have support systems hard-wired in. These systems are cybernetic in nature and are either entirely contained within the battlesuit helmet or are implanted as warrior jewellery and cannot be removed without surgery.
The same model may not have more than one of each hard-wired support system and may not duplicate any battlesuit support system on the same model.
Multi-tracker. The multi-tracker enables the wearer to fire two weapon systems in the same turn. Normal Fire warriors would gain no benefit from this upgrade, as they cannot carry two weapons.
Target Lock. The target lock enables the suit wearer to target a separate enemy unit to that engaged by the rest of his own unit.
Blacksun Filter. The blacksun filter enables the user to see up to 4D6 x 3" when fighting at night. See the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook for details of night fighting.
Only models equipped with the blacksun filter gain any extra benefit. If, for example a Broadside team leader has the filter and his team doesn't then only the team leader may fire at ranges above the normal 2D6 x 3" visibility distance at night.
Drone controller. A drone controller enables the suit wearer to select gun and shield drones. Each controller commands from 1 to 2 drones.
Drones
Drones are independent artificial intelligences, programmed to protect the Tau. Unlike the Imperium, the Tau make extensive use of machine intelligences. The standard drone consists of an advanced processor, which individually is approximately as intelligent as a pterasquirrel.
The Drone unit is conventionally disc-shaped, well-armoured and used for both tedious and dangerous duties. Normally drones will require regular orders from a Tau but when several intelligences are networked together in a squadron they become capable of acting independently for a long period.
Drones, Objectives and Victory Points. Drones that are under the command of a drone controller are counted when assessing if the unit they are with should take a 25% Casualty test. They are similarly counted when determining if the unit is strong enough to claim an objective. If their unit suffers losses, drones are counted when determining if it is below 50% for victory point purposes.
If a unit consists entirely of drones (included as a separate Fast Attack choice or detached from a vehicle) it is treated as a normal unit except that it must be at least four models strong to hold an objective. This is the minimum number required to form a fully effective self-aware network.
Targeting Mixed Units. When shooting at Tau units containing drones, hits must be allocated before rolling to wound. All drones that can possibly be hit must have hits allocated to them before any are allocated to the rest of the unit. The Tau player allocates weapon hits to targets. For example, a team of three Tau Crisis battlesuits and two gun drones are hit by a lascannon, a plasma gun and three bolters. The Tau player takes the lascannon and plasma gun hits on the gun drones. The Crisis battlesuits are each hit by a bolter shot.
When assaulting Tau units containing drones, attacks must be allocated to drones where possible. Any model in base-to-base contact with a drone must attack it and any model not in base-to-base contact at all but within 2" of a drone must attack the drone.
Errata — Chapter Approved: Codex: Tau Q&A (v2.0): Confirmed: if drones are in close combat alongside other Tau models, opponents must attack the drones if they can. For example, a Space Marine Chaplain attacking a Shas'o with one Shield Drone, where the Chaplain is in contact with both models, must attack the drone as it seeks to get between him and the Tau.
If an attack form is specifically allowed to target a specific opponent - for example a Vindicare Assassin or a Farseer with Mind War - then drones are unable to intercede.
Controlled Drones. Drones must maintain coherency with the unit their controller is in. If he is an independent character then the drones and character form a unit but the character may still join another unit. If the character with the drone controller is killed then all his drones are removed at the end of the Shooting or Assault phase in which he died.
Gun Drone
| WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | Sv | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gun Drone | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | n/a | 4+ |
Weapons: Twin-linked pulse carbine
Jetpack: Drones are equipped with Tau jetpacks.
Leadership: If in an independent squadron, gun drones have leadership 7. If the number of drones in the squadron drops below 4 then their Leadership is reduced to 4.
Shield Drone
| WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | Sv | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shield Drone | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | n/a | 4+* |
Weapons: None
Jetpack: Drones are equipped with Tau jetpacks.
Invulnerable Save: The shield drone is equipped with several powerful energy shields and counter-measures and its 4+ save is invulnerable.
Other Wargear
Bonding Knife. This is a ceremonial knife, not intended for combat, carried by the leader of Fire caste warrior teams who have performed the Ta'lissera ritual and bonded as a group.
The bonded team may regroup even if below half strength. Battlesuit wearers need not actually carry the knife but may have a knife design painted onto their armour. However many Tau are in the team, they are all considered to be bonded for 10 points.