The Sniper Drone Team is a T’au Empire unit that teams three MV71 Sniper Drones with a Firesight Marksman, creating a long-range anti-infantry threat that can punch through armour and force enemies to keep their heads down.
What the sniper drone team is
It’s a small T’au formation built around three MV71 Sniper Drones and one Firesight Marksman. The drones carry rail rifles, while the Marksman acts as the spotter and controller who keeps them on target.
On the tabletop, the unit is sold as a boxed set with 19 components: three drones on flying bases and one Marksman on a 40mm round base. The models are resin and need assembly and painting.
Why it matters
The rail rifle is the draw. It fires a hypervelocity projectile that can punch through armour that would stop a normal rifle, which makes the team a real threat to heavily armoured infantry.
That threat has a psychological edge too. When a single shot can drop a target outright, enemies tend to dive for cover rather than stand in the open, so the team shapes how opponents move even when it isn’t firing.
How it fits into T’au warfare
The T’au lean on ranged firepower and drone support, and the Sniper Drone Team fits that doctrine neatly. It’s a precision tool, not a frontline brawler, so it works best when it’s parked in cover with clear lanes of fire.
The Firesight Marksman is the key link. Without a controller, the drones lose the coordination that makes them deadly, so protecting the Marksman matters as much as protecting the drones.
- Role: long-range anti-infantry and character hunting
- Core models: 3 MV71 Sniper Drones + 1 Firesight Marksman
- Weapon: rail rifle on each drone
- Box contents: 19 components, 1x 40mm base, 3x flying bases, 3x flying stems
- Assembly: unpainted resin, needs glue and paint
Related lore and units
Sniper Drones belong to the broader T’au drone family, which includes gun drones, shield drones, and marker drones. Each type handles a different job, and the sniper variant is the dedicated marksman of the group.
The Firesight Marksman is a T’au character in his own right, often used to buff and direct drone teams. If you’re building a T’au force around precision shooting, he’s the natural HQ to pair with these drones.
Key facts
- Unit type: T’au Empire infantry drone team
- Composition: 3 MV71 Sniper Drones led by 1 Firesight Marksman
- Primary weapon: rail rifle (anti-armour, anti-infantry)
- Box contents: 19 components, 1x 40mm base, 3x flying bases, 3x flying stems
- Models are unpainted resin and require assembly
FAQ
What models come in the Sniper Drone Team box?
You get three MV71 Sniper Drones and one Firesight Marksman. The set includes 19 components, one 40mm round base, three flying bases, and three long flying stems.
What weapon do the drones use?
Each drone carries a rail rifle, a high-velocity weapon that can punch through heavy armour.
Do I need to assemble and paint them?
Yes. The models are supplied unpainted and unassembled, so you’ll need glue and paints to finish them.