The Orginal Tau Ally: A look at the Kroot.

Sidenote
Today marks the third day of my favorite month August 19th to September 19th (which would technically make it 32 days). August 19th is my anniversary to my lovely and supportive wife, August 24th is my son's birthday, somewhere between my son's birthday and Septmeber 5th (my birthday) is the Nova Open which takes place just a few miles from my house every year, and it all ends with my daugther's birthday on Septemeber 19th.  Which would make both my kids Virgos like their daddy.  I figured that to stay in the spirit of my favorite time of year i'll write about my all time favorite unit, the Kroot.





The kroot stole my heart and sealed my loyalty as a Tau player during my introduction to the game (against Space Marines) around a decade ago.   Without me knowing, my opponent took an extra 500 points (apparently, me never playing the game before wasn't enough of an advantage).  The game was a victory for my army.  To put this in perspective, other than my Commander I had no battle suits, that means, no extra crises suits, no broadsides, and no stealth suits. Although my Fire Warriors destroyed a Land Raider with their EMP Grenades.  My Kroot blew up a rhino with the Kroot Gun, picked apart a taxtical squad with rapid fire, then wiped out the remnants of an assault squad.  So I hope you understand why i'm not jumping right onto the "Forget Kroot" band wagon.

Background
Kroot Carnivores made their debut 3 years before the original Tau codex.  This appearance was nothing more than a footnote on a page titled "Other Dangerous Aliens" in the 1998 release of the Third edition Rulebook.

Notice how this crude sketch vaguely resembles the modern Kroot Carnivore.  Fortunately, 3 years following the release of this picture, the Kroot would be one of two aliens pictured here to receive a stat line (The necron warrior which was ironically labeled as "unknown" was the only alien here not making it's first appearance, it had recieved stats in White Dwarf publications towards the end of second edition, but would not be featured in a codex until 2002).  Following the release of Codex: Tau, White Dwarf released an all Kroot codex and a system that would foreshadow allies, that allowed Kroot to be fielded alongside other armies.  With the release of Imperial Armour III in 2005, the Kroot saw added variety in both rules and sculpts with four separate units.  These units all featured varying sizes of Knarlocs.  With the release of the 4th edition codex: Tau Empire, the Kroot saw a change from occupying Troops, Fast Attack, and Heavy Support Slots, to strictly Troops choices.  We also saw the disappearance of 2 rules specific to the Kroot ("Eaters of the Dead", and "Release the Hounds").  For the stat line changes the Krootox was changed from 50 to 35 points but lost it's 3(5) tougness and kroot hounds went from initiative 4 to initiative 5.  Within Fluff Kroot hold Change as an ideal higher than the convenience of "The Greater Good".  The Kroot also show an adaptability to their surroundings that is second only to the Tyranids. As a whole the Kroot fight as Mercenaries hoping to expose themselves to a wider variety of species in the hopes of assimilating a greater deal of advantageous traits into their gene pool.

Tactica
Better Than the Alternative
With the introduction of Allies i've heard it argued that  kroot have lost their role as screens for other Tau units with the availability of Imperial Guardsmen and Orks.  Just take into consideration that if you take meat-shield armies you lose the option of taking a Battle Brother.  With a better ballistic skill than the Ork the Kroot has a better chance at hitting at range and provides strength 4 in place of the lasgun's strength 3.  Not to mention when you fully kit out the Kroot you can have a squad that is 35 models deep. 

Outside the Gun Line
Unlike the Troops from most other armies, the Kroot can infiltrate or outflank (without krootox), this can allow the kroot to contest objectives early on in the game, or even set up inside of a forest.  If you need to disrupt a firing line the kroot can also outflank.  With the inclusion of the new rules independent Characters will inherit these rules if you declare that you are going to start the game attached to the kroot. 

Can't get paid if the boss is dead
One of the main functions of the Kroot is to counter-attack troops that are tying up your FireWarriors, suits, broadsides, etc.  Being  armed with two close comabt weapons at WS 4 and S4 means that you will be tearing down all but the most elite of close combat units.  Don't forget that if you add at least one kroot hound you have the option of making a sweeping advance at initiative 5 as long as you have at least one kroot hound. 

It's like a Missle Pod
With the changed rules to rapid fire, the krootox can now move and shoot 1 S7 shot at 48 inches  ot two shots at 24 inches.  This makes the kroot capaple of threatening light to medium vehicles if you want.   And have 3 S6 attacks each the krootox are capable of threatening tyranid MC's in close combat. 

Power weapons are pointless
Use your lack of armor as an advantage.  Charge units with power fists and power weapons, they really don't get much of an advantage against your kroot, as opposed to a unit of battlesuits. 
Things to avoid
Fried Chicken
Having a toughness of 3 a max armor save of 6+ and relying on cover make the kroot especially vulnerable to the flamer, which we are bound to see plenty more of with 6th edition changers to flamers.

Out in the open in the middle of the day
Hug Cover, with rapid fire weapons receiving a boost, if you leave your kroot out in the open they are as good as dead.  At the end of combat consolidate towards cover and spread out to avoid blasts. 

Thought for the Day
Ethereal Outflanks with Kroot and Issues a challenge in close combat.

On August 19th not too many years ago, she had no idea she was marrying Warhammer too.  She's been amazing!!!  Two kids, two degrees, and three jobs later she is still just  as amazing.