Body right Body left Legs 1 Legs 2 Shas’vre Legs Left arm 1 Left arm 2 Left arm 3 Right arm 1 Right arm 2 Right arm 3 Shoulder pad right Shoulder pad left Head 1 Head 2 Burst cannon left Burst cannon right Burst cannon barrel Fusion blaster Drone Controller Drone Controller antenna Target lock Objective marker Antenna 1 Antenna 2
Marker Drone
1
16
24 x3
XV25 Stealth Suit
12
29 20
3
17 x3
26
Standard Optional
5
19
The new plastic Tau Stealth Team kit allows you to field a dynamic and deadly squad of shadowy Tau infiltrators. Here we look at assembly, modelling and the rules for these models.
Cloaked Stealthsuit This Stealth Suit diorama was created by expert painter Neil Hodgson. Neil painstakingly blended the armour to match the backdrop, so that it seems to almost dissappear. He photographed the model at every stage for reference, and had to keep one eye closed while painting it to ensure that all the details lined up.
Stealth TEAM (Tau: Shas’ui) Stealth teams, equipped with XV15 or the slightly larger XV25 Stealthsuits, are the ‘lone wolves’ of the Tau army, operating independently of other formations, intent upon ambushing isolated enemy troops and intervening in support of friendly units. They are not factored directly into Tau battle plans and so enjoy a great deal of freedom of action within very broad parameters. The leaders of Stealth teams are often regarded as being slightly eccentric and delight in employing new and unpredictable tactics. Many a foe of the Tau empire has found himself attacked from an unexpected quarter by Stealth teams positioned ahead of the main army. Shas’ui Shas’vre
Points 30 +10
WS 2 3
BS 3 3
S 4 4
T 3 3
W 1 1
I 2 3
A 2 2
Ld 8 8
Sv 3+ 3+
Team: A team consists of 3-6 Shas’ui. Unit Type: Jump Infantry (jet pack). Equipment: Burst cannon and Stealth armour with integral stealth field generator. Each team member may select one battlesuit support system. If this option is taken, all members must do so, though each may select a different system. The model from a side angle, just to prove that it really is hand painted, and there’s no digital trickery involved. It took Neil ten hours to complete, but we think the results are well worth it.
Options: One in three models may replace their burst cannon with a fusion blaster at a cost of 2 pts per model. Character: One Shas’ui may be designated as a team leader at +5 points, and may select items from the Battlesuit Wargear list (see Codex: Tau Empire). A Shas’ui team leader may be upgraded to a Shas’vre for an additional 5 points. The team leader or Shas’vre may also purchase a markerlight at an additional 10 points.
SPECIAL RULES Infiltrate: Stealth armour teams can set up using the Infiltrators scenario special rule if the mission allows it. Any drones attached to the unit may accompany them. Stealth Armour: The battlesuits grant the team the Acute Senses and Deep Strike special rules.
Stealth Team equipment Burst cannon
Wargear and battlesuit support systems
170%
Neil painted the Tau’s foot to look like a rock. Even in this close-up it’s difficult to tell where rock ends and model begins.
Weapon Range Burst cannon 18"
Str 5
AP 5
Bonding Knife
Target lock
As long as the bearer is alive, the team may regroup even if below half strength.
This enables the model to target a different enemy unit from the rest of the Stealth team.
Type Assault 3
Drone Controller A model with a drone controller must take one or two gun, marker or shield drones, in any combination, from the Wargear list.
Fusion blaster
Marker Drone
Painting intricate designs that match a sculpted background onto a 3D model is not for the faint-hearted.
80 WHITE DWARF
TAU STEALTH TEAM
Neil added a tag to the base, so that when he replaced the model after painting a stage it would always be in the same position.
As you can see from these photos, the lines look straight head-on, but they actually had to follow the curves of the model.
Weapon Range Fusion blaster 12"
Str 8
AP 1
Type Assault 1, Melta
WS 2
BS 2 (3)
S 3
T 3
W 1
I 4
A 1
Ld n/a
Sv 4+
Equipment: Networked markerlight; targeting array (included in profile)
