Ion weapon: A weapon whose profile includes the word ‘ion’, or a Relic that replaces an ion weapon. From: The sept that a unit belongs to is the sept they are from. A unit is from a certain sept if they have that sept’s name listed on its Faction keyword line. While none of these losses are tremendous, these sorts of small details are the sorts of things between a good army and a great one. Aun’shi does have advantages of his own- the extra wound, the CP saved, the shield, and the melee combat, but these have to be weighed against whether you will get use out of them. If Aun’shi gets caught in combat, is he going to die even despite his 4++? Will it make a difference given the enemies you are likely to face at a tournament? Will the slower speed be relevant- how do you deploy your Ethereals, and how do you keep them safe? Do you use Saviour Protocols to protect your other units often, or is it largely a non-issue? None of these questions have strict right or wrong answers, but they require balancing different factors against each other. XV02 Pilot Battlesuit • XV8 Crisis Battlesuit ( XV8-02 Crisis Iridium Battlesuit • XV81 Crisis Battlesuit • XV84 Crisis Battlesuit • XV85 Enforcer Battlesuit • XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit • XV89 Crisis Battlesuit • XV88 Broadside Battlesuit) • Stealthsuits ( XV15 Stealthsuit • XV22 Stealthsuit • XV25 Stealthsuit • XV95 Ghostkeel Battlesuit) • XV46 Vanguard Void Battlesuit • XV9 Hazard Battlesuit • Class 10 Battlesuits ( XV104 Riptide Battlesuit • XV107 R'varna Battlesuit • XV109 Y'vahra Battlesuit) • KV128 Stormsurge • KX139 Ta'unar Supremacy Armour

It is as we join with others, in a way that only T'au can, in shared engagement to the Greater Good, that we find ourselves able to fully realise our true potential. And that is the final source of our hopes and inspirations." a. Head. Endoskeletal "skull" reveals age-knitted growth plates: close analogy to human cranium. Cavity contains spongy cerebrum encased in fluidic membrane. "Hair" analogue is protein-fibre extruded from dermis (speculation: hormonally triggered?).Some Ethereals have been known to accompany T'au forces into battle, and indeed a number always accompany T'au colonisation and expansion forces. It has been theorised by Imperial scholars that T'au, especially those of the Fire Caste, not operating under the high-level guidance of an Ethereal are likely to regress to the warlike state that so nearly destroyed their species at the dawn of its history. How ironic it is that as fast as we spread progress and hope throughout the galaxy, the Tyranids spread death and despair. Only united can we hope to stand against them." Aun'Ro'Yr - Aun'Ro'Yr was the Ethereal who accompanied Shas'O Or'es'Ka during the Kaurava Campaign. His ultimate fate is unknown. The following is a transcript of an interview between Inquisitor Maturin Ralei and an unnamed female Ethereal, the same Ethereal later dissected by Magos Biologis Sharle Darvus. Note that some Relics replace one of the models existing items of wargear. Where this is the case, you must, if you are using points values, still pay the cost of the wargear that is being replaced. Write down any Signature System Relics your models have on your army roster.

Known by the titular designation of aun in the T'au Lexicon, their name translates variously as the "Celestial" or "Ethereal Caste." Though their numbers are small compared to the other castes, the Ethereals are the rulers of the T'au Empire, and command near-total authority and loyalty from every other T'au.

Vior’la

For weighty decisions, a wise Ethereal will take counsel from the senior members of each caste, although ultimate sovereignty falls upon them and them alone. The Ethereals find themselves in a binding role -- guiding the other castes to work together for the Greater Good, and they are headed by a council on T'au of the wisest Ethereals called the Ethereal High Council that is headed by a presiding officer with the rank of Ethereal Supreme or Aun'o. Paradox of Duality - This staff projects a protective energy field whose strength grows with the power of the weapons fired into it. Aun'Va knew that to achieve victory he needed commitment from the warriors at the tip of the spear, as well as from every citizen behind them. With the Third Sphere Expansion, the empire was on a total war standing; a whole realm committed to conquest and control in an overwhelmingly hostile galaxy.

On their foreheads resides a small organ, smaller than the ones the other castes have. Imperial studies on the organ show no biological function, but it's suspected that the ethereal studied is a dud, or that the way the Ethereal control the Tau is more esoteric in nature [4] While a VEHICLE or DRONE unit is performing the Fire Markerlights action, that unit can move without that action failing. If it does, until the end of the turn, models in that unit without the VEHICLE or DRONE keyword that are equipped with any markerlights are treated as not being equipped with any markerlights for the purpose of the Fire Markerlights action. Some weapons have ‘Blast’ listed in their profile’s abilities. These are referred to as Blast weapons. In addition to the normal rules, the following rules apply to Blast weapons: I have taken great pains not to laugh at the actions of aliens, nor to weep at them or to hate them, but to understand them." It was assumed that this organ must be key to the control effect, yet the specimen captured has been extensively examined and no functioning biological system has been identified. Either the captured Ethereal is a deliberate attempt to misdirect the Imperium, or the matter is far more esoteric than had previously been thought.Again and again the Orks were repelled from the ever constricting perimeter. Despite the growing mounds of dead, the Greenskins hurtled forwards and everywhere they reached the T'au lines, Aun'Shi was there to meet them. Tirelessly he chopped the savages down, but always, they returned. Hailing from the proud martial Sept of Vior'la, Aun'Shi is an indomitable Ethereal whose iron will has steeled the resolve of multitudes of T'au across many frontiers. A dedicated student of the fighting arts for virtually all his life, he has a level of expertise with the Honour Blade that few T'au can match. After a long rule, the ethereal supreme, Aun'Wei, knew it was time for his Last Walk, the ceremony when an ancient member of that secretive caste disappears forever within one of their mysterious temple-domes. Today we’re talking about T’au Ethereal – Master of the Blade, Aun’shi. One of the only T’au warriors (Ethereal, at that) to be either brave enough to dumb not go into battle with a ranged weapon, Aun’shi has won honors and victories across the T’au battlefront time and time again. Hailing from the hot-headed Viorla sept, Aun’shi chooses to lead his troops personally into battle and inspires hope and respect wherever he goes. However, he also comes with two unique rules of his own. The one you’ll notice most immediately is his Shield Generator, which gives him a 4+ invulnerable save- and considering how squishy normal Ethereals are, this is a huge upgrade. The second is Inspirational Defiance, which lets nearby Vior’la Core units either Set to Defend or Hold Steady when charged, which makes them a bit more dangerous on the defensive. It isn’t huge, but players from last edition will remember that overwatching on 5+s is no joke, so it shouldn’t be underestimated.

So it was that Aun'Va assumed the role of the Great Leader of his people, assuming the title that translates best as "Master of the Undying Spirit" - or, he that directs the Greater Good.He even offered advice to his caste-brethren, the Ethereals, saying that the only way to lead was from the front. The barbaric races of the galaxy were desperate for enlightenment and only the castes combined, working for the Greater Good, could bring it to them. In this way, all castes were motivated as never before. Upon waking from cryogenic sleep, O'Shassera was debriefed by Aun'Va alone. Never was the tale of Farsight's betrayal more skillfully told, and the story of his disregard for the Greater Good caused the young commander to shake with rage. Ralei: "Let me start you off. It's a story I heard from a trader an the edge of the Damocles Gulf. Seems this O'Shovah was a great hero of yours in the Fire Caste. Genius at whatever he did, just so long as what he was doing was fighting. Isn't that how it is with you T'au? Water Caste to talk and debate, Air Caste to shuttle you around, Earth Caste to do the dirty work. Everyone with their niche, no interbreeding, no intermixing. So, O'Shovah sets off to reclaim some colonies, and naturally there's an Ethereal in charge. Except the Aun gets killed and O'Shovah ends up in command. Suddenly there's no one reminding him about the bloody Tau'va, and he's a long way from home. So what does he do, Aun? I mean, like you said, the Tau'va is something you choose to follow, yes? Surely O'Shovah would've carried on with the peace and tranquillity crap, despite it all? Aun?" Farsight Enclaves Detachment: A Detachment in a Battle-forged army where every model has the FARSIGHT ENCLAVES keyword (excluding models with the T’AU AUXILIARY or UNALIGNED keywords).