What’s in the T’au Empire Combat Patrol?
The T’au Empire Combat Patrol delivers a technologically advanced force that excels at ranged firepower and strategic positioning. The Greater Good calls — here is everything in the box [VERIFY — box contents may change with new editions]:
- 1x Cadre Fireblade — A veteran Fire Warrior officer who provides invaluable shooting buffs to nearby T’au infantry. The Cadre Fireblade’s Volley Fire ability allows nearby Fire Warriors to generate additional hits, dramatically increasing your shooting output. He is the cornerstone of your gunline strategy.
- 10x Fire Warriors — The core infantry of the T’au Empire, armed with pulse rifles that have excellent range and stopping power for a basic troop unit. These can be built as either Strike Team (with pulse rifles for longer range) or Breacher Team (with pulse blasters for devastating close-range firepower). The box includes enough parts for both configurations.
- 3x Ghostkeel Battlesuit — One of the most visually impressive models in the T’au range. The Ghostkeel is a stealth-focused battlesuit armed with heavy weapons and equipped with advanced cloaking technology that makes it incredibly difficult to hit at range. It serves as both a durable fire platform and a board control tool.
- 10x Pathfinders — Scouts and forward observers for the T’au cadre. Pathfinders carry markerlights that designate priority targets, improving the accuracy of your entire army’s shooting. They also have access to rail rifles and ion rifles for sniping key enemy models.
In total, you get 22 models plus 2 tactical drones that accompany the Ghostkeel — a force that dominates the shooting phase and controls the battlefield through superior firepower.
How Much Is It Worth?
The T’au Empire Combat Patrol retails at approximately £85 / $150 USD [VERIFY current pricing]. Individual pricing breakdown:
- Cadre Fireblade: ~£18 / $30
- Fire Warriors (10): ~£32 / $50
- Ghostkeel Battlesuit: ~£50 / $80
- Pathfinders (10): ~£28 / $45
Total individual value: approximately £128 / $205 [VERIFY — prices change regularly]
You save roughly £43 / $55 — about 34% off buying individually. The Ghostkeel alone accounts for a huge portion of the box’s value, making this a smart buy even if you only want that single model.
Is the T’au Empire Combat Patrol Good?
Rating: 7/10
The T’au Empire Combat Patrol is a solid box that plays to the faction’s core identity — superior ranged firepower with zero melee capability.
Strengths:
- Outstanding shooting. T’au have the best basic infantry shooting in the game, and the Cadre Fireblade makes it even better.
- The Ghostkeel is excellent. It is durable, hard to hit, and provides a strong anchor for your gunline.
- Pathfinders add tactical depth. Markerlights give you a unique mechanic that rewards careful planning.
- Visually stunning models. T’au battlesuits are some of the coolest-looking models in the hobby.
Weaknesses:
- Absolutely no melee ability. If an enemy reaches your lines, you are in serious trouble. T’au cannot fight their way out of a wet paper bag in close combat.
- Fragile infantry. Fire Warriors and Pathfinders die very quickly when exposed to enemy fire.
- High skill ceiling. T’au require careful positioning and movement. Newer players may struggle with the army’s reliance on spacing, positioning, and threat assessment.
How to Play the T’au Empire Combat Patrol
The T’au game plan is straightforward in theory but demanding in execution: stand back, shoot everything that moves, and never let the enemy reach melee range.
Deployment
Deploy your Fire Warriors and Cadre Fireblade near a home objective, preferably behind cover with good fire lanes. Place the Ghostkeel forward in the midfield — its stealth technology makes it difficult to dislodge. Deploy Pathfinders with clear line of sight to the enemy deployment zone so they can begin marking targets immediately.
Turn 1
Use Pathfinders to mark the highest-priority target with markerlights. Focus your Fire Warriors’ shooting on the marked target — with the Cadre Fireblade’s buffs, your pulse rifles output surprising damage. The Ghostkeel should fire its heavy weapons at the biggest threat while using its stealth to stay alive. Avoid moving your gunline unnecessarily — T’au shoot best when stationary.
Turn 2
Continue the shooting plan. By now, your opponent should be approaching the midfield. Reposition Pathfinders if needed to maintain markerlight coverage. The Ghostkeel can play a dual role — contesting a midfield objective while acting as bait, daring the enemy to commit to a fight they might not win. If melee units are bearing down on your Fire Warriors, consider falling back and setting up for a punishing overwatch.
Turn 3-5
Late game is where T’au need to adapt. If you have maintained your gunline, you should have significantly reduced the enemy threat. Use the Ghostkeel to hold midfield objectives while your Fire Warriors score from your deployment zone. If the enemy has reached your lines, you may need to sacrifice Pathfinders as screens while repositioning your Fire Warriors. Every turn you keep shooting without being engaged is a turn you are winning.
Key Tactical Tips
- Markerlights first, always. Boosting your accuracy across the board is T’au’s greatest strength.
- Maintain spacing to prevent your opponent from engaging multiple units in a single charge.
- The Ghostkeel is your most durable unit — use it to bait charges and contest objectives.
- Fire Warriors in a castle formation with the Cadre Fireblade are surprisingly lethal. Do not underestimate pulse rifles.
Painting the T’au Empire Combat Patrol
T’au models feature clean lines, smooth armour panels, and a sci-fi aesthetic that suits clean, crisp painting styles.
Recommended Colour Scheme
- Armour (Sept Ochre/T’au): Tau Light Ochre base, shaded with Seraphim Sepia, layered with Ungor Flesh.
- Alternative (Vior’la White): Corax White base, shaded with Apothecary White, highlighted with White Scar.
- Cloth/undersuit: Mechanicus Standard Grey or The Fang for a blue-grey look.
- Weapons and lenses: Mephiston Red or Warpstone Glow for weapon glow effects.
- Metallics: Leadbelcher for any mechanical parts, washed with Nuln Oil.
Painting Tips
- T’au armour panels are large and flat — thin your paints well to avoid brush strokes.
- Edge highlighting is very effective on T’au battlesuits due to their sharp, angular design.
- The Ghostkeel is an excellent centrepiece model — consider painting it separately from the infantry and giving it extra attention.
- Lenses and sensor dots look great with a simple gemstone technique (dark base, bright highlight, white dot).
For more T’au painting guides and army tips, visit our T’au Empire army hub.
Expanding Beyond the Combat Patrol
Path to 1,000 Points
- Crisis Battlesuits — The iconic T’au unit. A squad of 3 Crisis Suits gives you mobile, heavily armed platforms that can deep strike and deliver devastating firepower exactly where it is needed.
- Commander in Coldstar or Enforcer Battlesuit — Upgrades your HQ to a powerful battlesuit character with commander-level shooting buffs.
- Broadside Battlesuits — Long-range fire support with railguns or missile systems. These anchor your gunline.
Path to 2,000 Points
- More Crisis Battlesuits (you can never have too many)
- Riptide Battlesuit for a massive centrepiece with incredible firepower
- Devilfish transport to make Fire Warriors/Breachers mobile
- Kroot Carnivores for cheap screening units
- Hammerhead Gunship with its devastating railgun
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the T’au Empire Combat Patrol good for beginners?
T’au are moderately beginner-friendly. The shooting-focused gameplay is straightforward to understand — point and shoot. However, T’au require good positioning and spacing to avoid being overwhelmed in melee, which takes practice to learn. If you enjoy a strategic, shooting-focused playstyle and do not mind learning positioning fundamentals, T’au are a great choice. If you prefer a more forgiving, charge-forward army, look elsewhere.
Can you play a full game with just the Combat Patrol box?
Yes. The T’au Combat Patrol is specifically designed for Combat Patrol game mode. In this format, T’au are strong — the shorter game length means you have fewer turns where the enemy can close the gap, and your shooting advantage is amplified. For larger games, you will want to expand to 1,000 or 2,000 points with additional battlesuits.
What paints do I need for the T’au Empire Combat Patrol?
For the classic T’au Sept colour scheme: Tau Light Ochre, Seraphim Sepia, Ungor Flesh, Mechanicus Standard Grey, Leadbelcher, Nuln Oil, and whatever colour you choose for lenses (Mephiston Red is popular). For the popular Vior’la white scheme, you just need Corax White spray, Apothecary White contrast, and White Scar.
What should I buy after the T’au Empire Combat Patrol?
Crisis Battlesuits should be your first purchase. They are the backbone of every competitive T’au list and fill the role of mobile, hard-hitting firepower that the Combat Patrol lacks. After Crisis Suits, a Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit gives you a powerful HQ that can assassinate enemy characters and relocate quickly.
Are T’au Empire competitive in Warhammer 40,000?
T’au are consistently competitive and have had periods of being one of the strongest factions in the game. Their strength comes from overwhelming ranged firepower and the ability to destroy enemy units before they reach combat. The faction rewards skilled play — positioning, target priority, and movement are crucial. In casual play, T’au are fun but can feel oppressive if your opponent does not have a plan for dealing with massed shooting.