d20 Starships of the Tau

Though lacking the warp-space abilities of the Imperium and the cloaking abilities or technomancy of the Eldar, the Tau are ultimately the undisputed masters of dogfighting and spacecraft designs. Their vehicles are simply bristling with weaponry and carry more punch than any other spacecraft in the Dark Millennium. A full Tau battlefleet brought to bare is a terrible thing to behold and such is their reputation that it is believed a Tau fleet could successfully engage and destroy an Eldar craftworld.

The Imperium try to avoid conflicts with the air-caste preferring to engage the Tau on ground where their physical weaknesses can prove an advantage to the humans and the humans can overcome the disadvantage of possessing inferior technology.

The Tau space fleet is referred to Kor’vattra in their native tongue.

CUSTIODIAN CLASS TAU STARSHIP

A Custodian Starship is the Tau’s primary fleet carrier; the Custodian serves as a mobile base for smaller craft. (In addition to packing a fair punch of fire-power itself.) A star carrier’s fighting space takes up 36 500- foot squares (a 6-square-by-6-square area).

In addition to its normal cargo capacity, a custodian starship can hold 3 Warden Gunships, 5 Manta Bombers and 10 Barracuda Fighters. Its listed crew complement does not include the ace pilots who fly these fighter craft. (Pilots count against the passenger capacity.) A Custodian can deploy up to 3 light craft or 5 ultra-light craft as a move action.

Type: Superheavy

• Size: Colossal (–8 size)
• Defense: 14 (+3 forcefield)
• Tactical Speed: 4,500 ft. (9 sq.)
• Flat-footed Defense: 10
• Length: 3,000 feet
• Autopilot Defense: 7
• Weight: 600,000 tons
• Hardness: 40
• Targeting System Bonus: +5
• Hit Dice: 1,400d20 (28,000 hp)
• Crew: 600 (expert +8)
• Initiative Modifier: +8
• Passenger Capacity: 2,400
• Pilot’s Class Bonus: +7
• Cargo Capacity: 200,000 tons
• Pilot’s Dex Modifier: +6
• Grapple Modifier: +16
• Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +4
• Base Purchase DC: X

Attack:

Forward Facing: 45 degree firing arc from front of ship. Two sets of twin fire-linked Starship Railcannons +1/+1 ranged (2d100 x 10),

and

Turret-mounted: 360 degree firing arc. 6 Ion Cannons -4 ranged (2d20/turbo-fire option)

and

Concealed Bays: 360 degree firing arc. 6 Smart Torpedo Systems -4 ranged (4d12/hyper-fire option) and 4 seeker missile launchers (3d20) -4 ranged.

Attack of Opportunity: Point-defense system +5 ranged (5d12×10)

Custodian Design Specs:

• Engines: Gravitic Redirector, Thrusters
• Armour: Neutronium
• Defense Systems: Decoy drone launcher, ion-gas cloud emitter (as chaff launcher – no ammo used), improved autopilot system, advanced damage control (7d10), medium fortification, magnetic field, particle field, point-defense system, radiation shielding, repair-drones, self-destruct system
• Sensors: Class VII sensors, improved targeting system, multi-tracker
• Communications: Tachyon Comm-Array, Laser and Radio Comm Systems (as Imperial Laser and Radio Vox-casters).
• Weapons: 2x 2 fire-linked starship railcannons (range 24,000ft), 6 Ion Cannons (range 2,500ft), 6 Smart Torpedo Systems (range 5,000ft), 4 seeker missile launchers (80 seeker missiles). 1 minelayer (100 gravitic mines with stealth systems, magnetic fields, and particle fields; 10d10×10 damage).
• Grappling Systems: Gravity Well

EMISSARY CLASS TAU STARSHIP

The Emissary is a combat support cruiser not unlike the Imperial Tyrant. It sports a potent armoured hull and is bristling with well concealed weapons. Most noticably the ‘wings’ of the ship sport 14 armoured launch holes from which seeker missiles can be sprung effectively making the Emissary a sort of massive armoured bomber.

It also sports battery-upon-battery of smart torpedo systems on its nosebride; 4 forward mounted railguns and a triple ion-cannon turret.

Type: Heavy

• Size: Colossal (–8 size)
• Defense: 14 (+3 forcefield)
• Tactical Speed: 4,500 ft. (9 sq.)
• Flat-footed Defense: 10
• Length: 2,310 feet
• Autopilot Defense: 7
• Weight: 285,000 tons
• Hardness: 40
• Targeting System Bonus: +5
• Hit Dice: 600d20 (12,000 hp)
• Crew: 80 (expert +8)
• Initiative Modifier: +4
• Passenger Capacity: 320
• Pilot’s Class Bonus: +5
• Cargo Capacity: 20,000 tons
• Pilot’s Dex Modifier: +4
• Grapple Modifier: +16
• Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +4
• Base Purchase DC: X

Attack:

Forward Facing: 45 degree firing arc from front of ship. 2 sets of 2 fire-linked railguns +1 ranged (4d100),

and

Turret-mounted: 360 degree firing arc. Battery of 3 long-barrelled Ion Cannons +3 ranged (2d20/19-20/turbo-fire option)

and

Concealed Bays: 360 degree firing arc. 6 batteries of 4 Smart Torpedo Systems -1 ranged (4d12/19-20/hyper-fire option) and 14 seeker missile launchers (3d20) -4 ranged.

Attack of Opportunity: Point-defense system +5 ranged (4d12×10)

Emissary Design Specs:

• Engines: Gravitic Redirector, Thrusters
• Armour: Neutronium
• Defense Systems: Decoy drone launcher, ion-gas cloud emitter (as chaff launcher – no ammo used), improved autopilot system, advanced damage control (6d10), medium fortification, magnetic field, particle field, point-defense system, radiation shielding, repair-drones, self-destruct system
• Sensors: Class VII sensors, improved targeting system, multi-tracker
• Communications: Tachyon Comm-Array, Laser and Radio Comm Systems (as Imperial Laser and Radio Vox-casters).
• Weapons: 2 sets of twin fire-linked railguns (range 2,500ft), Battery of 3 long-barelled Ion Cannons (range 5,000ft), 6 batteries of 4 Smart Torpedo Systems (range 5,000ft), 14 seeker missile launchers (280 seeker missiles). 1 minelayer (100 gravitic mines with stealth systems, magnetic fields, and particle fields; 10d10×10 damage).
• Grappling Systems: Gravity Well

CASTELLAN CLASS TAU ESCORT

Castellan Class Tau Escorts are essentially fast, lightly armed superheavy fighters. Since a ship must be at least of medium-weight size to carry a starship rail cannon; they are essentially the rail cannon gunners. Plus they carry the traditional smart-torpedo systems and seeker missiles.

Type: Mediumweight

• Size: Colossal (–8 size)
• Defense: 14 (+3 forcefield)
• Tactical Speed: 4,500 ft. (9 sq.)
• Flat-footed Defense: 10
• Length: 850 feet
• Autopilot Defense: 7
• Weight: 39,000 tons
• Hardness: 40
• Targeting System Bonus: +5
• Hit Dice: 270d20 (5,400 hp)
• Crew: 60 (expert +8)
• Initiative Modifier: +8
• Passenger Capacity: 160
• Pilot’s Class Bonus: +5
• Cargo Capacity: 400 tons
• Pilot’s Dex Modifier: +4
• Grapple Modifier: +16
• Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +4
• Base Purchase DC: X

Attack:

Forward Facing: 45 degree firing arc from front of ship. 2 fire-linked Starship Railcannons +1 ranged (2d100 x 10),

and

Concealed Bays: 360 degree firing arc. 6 Smart Torpedo Systems +1/-4/-4/-4/-4/-4 ranged (4d12/hyper-fire option) and 4 seeker missile launchers (3d20) -4/-4/-4/-4 ranged.

Attack of Opportunity: Point-defense system +5 ranged (3d12×10)

Castellan Escort Design Specs:

• Engines: Gravitic Redirector, Thrusters
• Armour: Neutronium
• Defense Systems: Decoy drone launcher, ion-gas cloud emitter (as chaff launcher – no ammo used), improved autopilot system, advanced damage control (5d10), medium fortification, magnetic field, particle field, point-defense system, radiation shielding, repair-drones, self-destruct system
• Sensors: Class VII sensors, improved targeting system, multi-tracker
• Communications: Tachyon Comm-Array, Laser and Radio Comm Systems (as Imperial Laser and Radio Vox-casters).
• Weapons: 2 sets of twin fire-linked starship railcannons (range 24,000ft), 6 Smart Torpedo Systems (range 5,000ft), 4 seeker missile launchers (80 seeker missiles). 1 minelayer (100 gravitic mines with stealth systems, magnetic fields, and particle fields; 10d10×10 damage).
• Grappling Systems: Gravity Well

TAU WARDEN GUNSHIP

The Warden Gunship is an extremely potent light-weight fighter craft intended to disable escorts and other larger ships be taking advantage of things like superior numbers. Wardens (like the rest of the Tau fleet) are faster than most Imperial vessels of the same class and therefore are able to ‘toggle’ quickly dis-engaging when damaged while other Warden close rank and then re-engaging when the repair-drones and improved damage control have worked.

Type: Light

• Size: Colossal (–8 size)
• Defense: 14 (+3 forcefield)
• Tactical Speed: 4,500 ft. (9 sq.)
• Flat-footed Defense: 10
• Length: 280 feet
• Autopilot Defense: 7
• Weight: 9,000 tons
• Hardness: 40
• Targeting System Bonus: +5
• Hit Dice: 120d20 (2,400 hp)
• Crew: 10 (expert +8)
• Initiative Modifier: +4
• Passenger Capacity: 40
• Pilot’s Class Bonus: +5
• Cargo Capacity: 200 tons
• Pilot’s Dex Modifier: +4
• Grapple Modifier: +16
• Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +4
• Base Purchase DC: X

Attack: 8 batteries of 2 railguns each +1/+1/-4/-4/-4/-4/-4/-4 (3d100/19-20).

Attack of Opportunity: Point-defense system +3 ranged (2d12×10)

Warden Gunship Design Specs:

• Engines: Gravitic Redirector, Thrusters
• Armour: Neutronium
• Defense Systems: Decoy drone launcher, ion-gas cloud emitter (as chaff launcher – no ammo used), improved autopilot system, advanced damage control (4d10), medium fortification, magnetic field, particle field, point-defense system, radiation shielding, repair-drones, self-destruct system, stealth screen
• Sensors: Class VII sensors, improved targeting system, multi-tracker
• Communications: Tachyon Comm-Array, Laser and Radio Comm Systems (as Imperial Laser and Radio Vox-casters).
• Weapons: 16 Railguns (2,500ft). 1 minelayer (10 gravitic mines with stealth systems, magnetic fields, and particle fields; 10d10×10 damage).
• Grappling Systems: Gravity Well

TAU MANTA BOMBER

The Manta Bomber’s primary function is to take a distant bombing position and then fire salvo after salvo of seeker missiles into a target. The Manta Bomber is specifically designed so that it can maintain stationary positions while firing and its seeker missiles do not need line of sight to hit correctly.

Manta Bombers often hide behind larger capital ships, remain stationary, and fires round after round of crippling weapon fire. It is a simple but effective tactic.

Type: Light

• Size: Colossal (–8 size)
• Defense: 14 (+3 forcefield)
• Tactical Speed: 4,500 ft. (9 sq.)
• Flat-footed Defense: 10
• Length: 110 feet
• Autopilot Defense: 7
• Weight: 2,000 tons
• Hardness: 40
• Targeting System Bonus: +5
• Hit Dice: 75d20 (1,500 hp)
• Crew: 4 (expert +8)
• Initiative Modifier: +4
• Passenger Capacity: 16
• Pilot’s Class Bonus: +5
• Cargo Capacity: 50 tons
• Pilot’s Dex Modifier: +4
• Grapple Modifier: +16
• Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +4
• Base Purchase DC: X

Attack: 8 batteries of 2 seeker missiles each +1/+1/-4/-4/-4/-4/-4/-4 ranged (3d20/19-20).

Attack of Opportunity: Point-defense system +3 ranged (2d12×10)

Warden Gunship Design Specs:

• Engines: Gravitic Redirector, Thrusters
• Armour: Neutronium
• Defense Systems: Ion-gas cloud emitter (as chaff launcher – no ammo used), improved autopilot system, advanced damage control (4d10), medium fortification, magnetic field, particle field, point-defense system, radiation shielding, repair-drones, self-destruct system, stealth screen
• Sensors: Class VII sensors, improved targeting system, multi-tracker
• Communications: Tachyon Comm-Array, Laser and Radio Comm Systems (as Imperial Laser and Radio Vox-casters).
• Weapons: 16 seeker missile launchers (320 seeker missiles). 1 minelayer (10 gravitic mines with stealth systems, magnetic fields, and particle fields; 10d10×10 damage).
• Grappling Systems: Gravity Well

TAU BARRACUDA FIGHTERS

The Barracuda is the primary one man fighter craft of the Tau combining a speed and maneuverability that no Imperial fighter can match along with potent offensive weapons and thicker armour. Like the Hammerhead they are occasionally given a single Seeker Missile each.

Each Barracuda has a hole in each of its wings that is just large enough for a special artificially intelligent heavy gun drone to affix itself. Since enemy ships cannot fire within 500 feet they are often released by the Barracudas in close proximity of enemy ships where they attach grappling cables and start burst firing into the sides of the ship point-blank. The only way to get rid of these pesky things is by use of the Point-Defense System.

Type: Ultralight

• Size: Gargantuan (–4 size)
• Defense: 22 (+3 magnetic field)
• Tactical Speed: 4,000 ft. (8 sq.)
• Flat-footed Defense: 16
• Length: 42 feet
• Autopilot Defense: 6
• Weight: 43,000 lb.
• Hardness: 40
• Targeting System Bonus: +4
• Hit Dice: 9d20 (180 hp)
• Crew: 1 (ace +12)
• Initiative Modifier: +8
• Passenger Capacity: 0
• Pilot’s Class Bonus: +7
• Cargo Capacity: 1,000 lb.
• Pilot’s Dex Modifier: +6
• Grapple Modifier: +8
• Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +8/+3
• Base Purchase DC: X

Attack: 2 sets of twin fire-linked long-barrel rail guns +8/+8 (4d100);

or

2 sets of twin fire-linked long-barrel rail guns +8/+3 (4d100) and Seeker Missile +8 (3d20/one only).

Attack of Opportunity: None

Barracuda Design Specs:

• Engines: Plasma Engine, Thrusters
• Armour: Neutronium
• Launch Bays: The Barracuda Fighter carries a pair of Heavy Gun Drones equipped with Burst Cannons. These can fire while attached to the ship and can detach themselves as a move action. Statistics for heavy gun drones can be found in the Tau section of the Playing Alternate Races chapter.
• Defense Systems: Improved autopilot system, advanced damage control (3d10), medium fortification, magnetic field, particle field, radiation shielding, repair-drones, stealth screen
• Sensors: Class VII sensors, advanced targeting system, multi-tracker*
• Communications: Tachyon Comm-Array, Laser and Radio Comm Systems (as Imperial Laser and Radio Vox-casters).
• Weapons: 4 railguns (range 5,000ft), Seeker Missile Launcher (1 seeker missile).
• Grappling Systems: Gravity Well

* A Tau pilot with the ace qualification can handle three weapons at once, one normal weapon, one additional weapon at full base attack due to the special multi-tracker wargear, and one weapon at -5 from his iterative attacks. Since the burst cannons are fired by the heavy gun drones AI a Tau Barracuda can potentially fire 5 separate weapons (2 twin fire-linked railguns, 1 seeker missile, 2 burst cannons) – a frighteningly large quantity for a one man fighter vessel!

TAU HAMMERHEAD GUNSHIP

The Hammerhead Gunship is not so much a starship as it is a battle tank for the Tau and could rightly appear in both the Starship and the Vehicles/Warmachines section. It can fly in deep space but is more commonly used for atmospheric battle. It is a venerable piece of wargear, probably the oldest piece of technology in the Tau arsenal; the Hammerhead assembly lines still design it with the old Tau plasteel polymer – a very cheap and durable but heavy metal.

Type: Ultralight

• Size: Gargantuan (–4 size)
• Defense: 19
• Tactical Speed: 3,500 ft. (7 sq.)*
• Flat-footed Defense: 13
• Length: 28 feet
• Autopilot Defense: 6
• Weight: 43,000 lb.
• Hardness: 30
• Targeting System Bonus: +4
• Hit Dice: 3.5d20/7d10 (70 hp)
• Crew: 1 (ace +12)
• Initiative Modifier: +8
• Passenger Capacity: 0
• Pilot’s Class Bonus: +7
• Cargo Capacity: 1,000 lb.
• Pilot’s Dex Modifier: +6
• Grapple Modifier: +8
• Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +8/+3
• Base Purchase DC: X

*In an atmosphere this speed is divided by 5 due to wind resistance. (See starship combat rules for more details.) In Warmachine scale rather than starship scale a Tau Hammerhead moves 700ft or 14 squares per round.

Attack:

One rail gun +8 (2d100/19-20) and two non-linked Burst Cannons +8/+3 (3d12/turbofire option);

or

Two non-linked burst cannons +8/+8/+3 (3d12/turbofire option);

or

Seeker Missile +8 (3d20/one only).

Attack of Opportunity: None

Barracuda Design Specs:

• Engines: Thrusters
• Armour: Tau Plasteel
• Defense Systems: Autopilot system, light fortification, radiation shielding
• Sensors: Class VII sensors, advanced targeting system, multi-tracker
• Communications: Tachyon Comm-Array, Laser and Radio Comm Systems (as Imperial Laser and Radio Vox-casters).
• Weapons: 4 railguns (range 5,000ft), Seeker Missile Launcher (1 seeker missile).
• Grappling Systems: Gravity Well

Originally produced by Daniel Saier in the fan-produced D20 Warhammer 40,000 Core Rulebook, further edited and modified by Dane of War.