Tau Codex Review: Kroot Squads

The unloved unit of Tau but one of the most important units a Tau general has at their disposal. The inability for Farsight armies to take Kroot is one of the two biggest reasons that list isn't competitive and suffers in comparison to a balanced Hybrid Tau list (the other being limiting the other important units outside of Crisis suits). Kroot are the defensive unit Tau need to fend off enemy assualts and are basically a meatshield. If you don't like it, tough because Tau need them to survive. Whilst Kroot provide some decent anti-infantry firepower through their rapid fire guns and in combat against low I units, they are a DEFENSIVE unit. Don't bother with outflank unless you are playing against a crappy gunline who will not advance (i.e. foot IG/Eldar) and can actually damage things in combat without suffering mass carnage in return. Infiltrate is very important for this role however as they can therefore deploy in front of (and after) the main body of the Tau army has deployed as they can deploy outside of the deployment zone. This is important to layer up your lines properly and expand the area with which your Tau army has to move behind its protective bubble. Make sure this isn't messed up by enemy infiltration though.

Let's take a look then at the Kroot options. For the most part, they suck and only the basic 10 Kroot and up to 7 Hounds should be taken. It is important to aim for numbers which require an extra casualty to get over the 25% mark (i.e. 11, 13, 17, etc.) as it forces your opponent to cause just one more kill and can keep your Kroot from taking those crappy Ld tests. The Shaper provides a minor Ld buff which Commanders can do better (with Target locks), takes away from the squad's numbers and encourages individuals to spend more points and give the Kroot armor saves. Pass on this as cover gives you a better one for free. The Krootox are the only other place outside of Ionheads Tau can get S7 firepower but are very expensive for a unit that is meant to die for the Greater Good, so they should be given a miss, too. Hounds are taken over more Kroot because they are 1pt cheaper and have I5 which enables them to do some damage to assaulting units before falling over and dying.

Remember, Kroot are there to protect your army from assaults and two squads should be taken buffed out with Hounds to avoid as many Ld tests as possible. Their offensive application is minimal but there and they can provide decent anti-infantry fire. Where forests are available, attempt to deploy your army nearby so Kroot can gain +1 cover but otherwise ensure half the unit is in cover and go to ground when a lot of firepower is directed their way. 2+/3+* is hard to shift and annoys your opponent (especially on 7/6pt models). Kroot squads need to be layered so your opponent cannot take out both squads in one turn. This is very important as you are paying the points to delay your enemy and allowing your opponent to take out multiple delaying units at once is inefficient.

So, another good unit for Tau which doesn't really need fixing but more streamlining. The main issue with Kroot again is their lack of options. Whilst they don't really need options because they are a defensive unit, much cheaper Krootox would be a welcome sight as the Kroot unit would be able to put out suppression fire (much like IG blobs). Otherwise a 1pt reduction in Kroot/Hound costs and universal Stealth and Move Through Cover are musts. Like newer books I would also imagine Shapers would come as standard in the squad providing the minor Ld buff and some special options for him would be nice but not really needed. Thoughts are welcome there! I think an upgrade character like Lukas, Arjac, Telion, Lemartes, etc. would be a good option here though no idea what...

So let's hear it people!