Darkstrider is a renowned T’au Pathfinder leader, famous for his cunning and survival skills. He’s a key character in the T’au Empire’s arsenal, offering unique tactical advantages on the tabletop.
Who is Darkstrider?
Darkstrider is a T’au Pathfinder, a scout and infiltrator who’s earned a reputation for outsmarting enemies and surviving impossible situations. He’s not a battlesuit commander, but a ground-level hero who leads from the front.
His full name is Shas’vre Darkstrider, and he’s known for his unorthodox methods, which sometimes raise eyebrows among the rigid T’au command. But his results speak for themselves, making him a legend among the Fire Caste.
Why Darkstrider matters
On the tabletop, Darkstrider is a force multiplier. He makes the units he leads deadlier and protects them from enemy reinforcements. His presence can turn a humble Pathfinder team into a serious threat.
In the lore, he represents the T’au ideal of adaptation and intelligence over brute force. He’s a living example of how a single clever warrior can change the course of a battle.
- Adds +1 to wound rolls for his unit’s ranged attacks, making even pulse carbines punch harder.
- Blocks enemy reserves from setting up within 12″, disrupting deep strike and outflanking tactics.
- Infiltrates and scouts, giving you early board control and forward deployment.
- Leads from the front with a respectable statline for a character, including 3 wounds and a 4+ save.
Darkstrider in 10th edition
In the current edition, Darkstrider is a character that can attach to T’au Empire infantry units. He comes with a Shade assault weapon and a close combat weapon, but his real value is in his abilities.
He has the Infiltrators, Leader, and Scouts 7″ core abilities, plus the For the Greater Good faction rule. His Structural Analyser and Jammer Array are what make him stand out.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Movement | 7″ |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Save | 4+ |
| Wounds | 3 |
| Leadership | 7+ |
| Objective Control | 1 |
How Darkstrider connects to T’au lore
Darkstrider’s story ties into the T’au Empire’s expansion efforts, particularly against the Orks and other threats. He’s a product of the Fire Caste’s meritocratic system, where skill and results matter more than birth.
He often operates alongside Pathfinder teams, and his methods have influenced T’au military doctrine. Some commanders see him as a maverick, but his successes have earned him a place in T’au legend.
Key facts
- Darkstrider is a T’au Pathfinder character with the Infiltrators, Leader, and Scouts 7″ abilities.
- His Structural Analyser adds 1 to wound rolls for ranged attacks made by his unit.
- His Jammer Array prevents enemy reserves from setting up within 12″ of him.
- He has a Shade assault weapon with 18″ range, 2 shots, S5, AP0, D2.
- In 10th edition, he costs 60 points and can be attached to T’au Empire infantry units.
FAQ
Can Darkstrider lead any T’au unit?
No, he can only lead T’au Empire infantry units, like Pathfinders or Strike Teams. He can’t join battlesuit units.
What’s the best unit to attach Darkstrider to?
Pathfinders are a natural fit, as they benefit from his wound bonus and can use their markerlights to support the rest of your army.
Does Darkstrider’s Jammer Array affect all reserves?
It stops enemy units from setting up within 12″ of him when they arrive from Reserves. That includes deep strike, outflank, and similar rules.