Warhammer 40k Tau Kill Team
So I’ve begun work on Tau, I know, Shocker!
This group of models will be a strike team of individuals, kitted out in whatever they damn well please. Essentially think a group of monats brought together (and all the pyschological issues that entails) and given free reign across the plethora of Tau wargear.
Yeah, ..this should be fun.
So beginning from the first hooves on the ground, the Pathfinders, at this stage they’re 90% done – small touches of greenstuff yet to go.
I’ve begun work on a veteran shas’vre who has a penchant for overcharging his Ion Rifle whenever the chance provides. He received greivous wounds to the left side of his body, losing a leg and eye to tyrannic bio-acid and maw. Ever since, his aggression levels have been off the chart and he has kept his bionics to remind him never to give ground.
More often than not, when spotting for the QRF team, he’ll engage immediately with the Ion Rifle.
Overall the model is posed to be striding forward, his stance committed and the Ion Rifle aimed decisively. He’s walking heavy firepower across whatever hapless xeno decided to cross his path that rotaa.
The Shadow Warrior cape is excellent due to the twin strap that rides over the cape – which allowed a convincing application of his ‘backup’ pulse rifle. I am yet to decide on what Aerial he will use.
Enter one aspect of my modelling ahead – I’ll be using bionics; as I do not feel limb grafting at the frontlines or in far off operations as an immediately feasible occurence due to down time and recovery. Cybernetics provide a measure of simplicity and functionality that I imagine, a firewarrior would appreciate.
Pathfinder two. Almost a polar opposite. This warrior has a far more pensive pose. He is observing and clearly not showing intent to engage. Suffice to say, his cloak is pulled aside, ready for action.
I’ll be adding another Pathfinder and then beginning to work through the Firewarriors proper. Then some stealth suits and finally a couple of battlesuits.
Should be fun indeed.
Thanks for reading,
Seb.
Those are really sweet. What else is coming on the other members? Rail sniper? Sneaky drones?
Thanks LP 😀
All of the above certainly. I’ve been having.. ‘ideas..’ chuckle.
Always helps when your bitz orders all arrive.
Great conversion, they show lots of life and character. Tau plastics have certainly improved since the first iteration. (And since when do they have portable ion cannon?)
Cheers Modhail, and wow – have tau plastic kits improved.. so much I used to convert or bring in from other kits in the GW range.
As for portable Ion Rifles, thats was a faux pas – shall edit that haha.
Wow! Nobody does tau better than you!
Thanks Tim! Hope to meet the bar set by fellow converters out there! 😀
Wow, these two Pathfinders are simply fantastic! Both are posed to perfection, perfectly embodying their role/actions. The Shadow Warrior capes were a great addition. They are a conversion piece you don’t see too often, but they are wonderful for certain applications.
I love the addition of all the equipment and pouches on the models. They truly look like they are out in a combat operation! The bionic leg on the veteran is a great touch too, it is sized just right for him.
I really need to take a closer look at the newer Tau plastics. The arms on these models look great. It looks like the trigger finger of the second Pathfinder is at ease (ie not on the trigger). That is a detail that just screams realism and elevates the model tremendously. If several of the Tau arms are like that, it is a triumph! I will need to investigate…
Keep up the great work. These make me want to convert some Tau. 🙂
Thanks Adam! The new Tau kits are brilliant for a long destitute tau modeller. I’ve had to be creative all the time and now I have sprues of goodies. UPdates on these guys soon 🙂
Great and naturalistic use of parts – the cleanness of your conversions is a signature; and built on great observation and imagination. The cybernetics over limb replacements idea is a particularly nice touch one that adds a lot of flavour and underlines the thoughtfulness and thoroughness of your plans.
Suffice to say I’m looking forward to seeing this team progress. 🙂
Thank you Apologist, cheers for dropping by 😀 Mostly standard Pathfinders from here to fill out the team, having done the two auxiliaries. Kill Team Auxiliaries
Painting ahead 😀
I love the models and conversions, but it’s more than a year ago! Is there any progress made on this project? I’m starting my Killteam this week so I would love some more inspiration!
Thank you! I know I know – Goblin warband has taken up the majority of my modelling time. You can see two more additions here:
https://www.eastern-empire.com/shadow-war-auxiliaries/ 🙂
Love the looks of these, any chance you remember where the capes came from?
Hi 🙂
These cloaks come from the Shadow Warriors of the High Elf range 🙂
A little late finding these but I’m looking for inspiration for my kill team and I think these are phenomenal. I may have missed it, but where did you get the bionic legs from?
Thank you 🙂 Boinic legs are from Necron warriors – shaved down a little to fit the more stout Tau 🙂
I titled the foot to be shorter and carved it back to be more like a Tau hoof. Hope this helps! 🙂
It does. I appreciate you taking the time to reply. Really excited to make my Tau. Have a great one!
Great! No trouble at all, thank you 🙂
May I ask, what did you use for the prosthethic leg? I really like the idea for a O’Shovah outside his battlesuit miniature.
Hi Sergio; the leg is a lightly modified Necron leg (shortened) with a Tau hoof added, then smoothed to look more artificial. If I recall, I also carved into the upper leg’s hip area to add more curve in the groin-hip join. 🙂
Thanks for your answer! I now realized you had already answered the same question, sorry. Love your page, by the way, it’s full of really cool ideas for Tau players.
All good 🙂 Thank you – always happy to help a Tau brother 😀
I think these are great. I just bought the necessary pieces to make this and then have a play around with my kill team. Keep up the great work!
Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed – if you’re on Instagram, hit me up @eastern.empire.wip to show me pics 🙂
Can you show us how to cut the capes so they can be added on to the tau’s backs?
Hi – unfortunately I have no capes left to demo on, however the main approach is to carve out the inside of the cape to fit the tau torso. I’ll look for some wip images I might have 🙂