§ WIN · 11th edition
T'au Empire MetaRank 7 of 28 in the 11th edition field: 5.5% of recent winning lists, fading. What its winners run, merged down to the models.
T'au Empire ranks 7th of 28 factions in the 11th edition field, holding 5.5% of the winning tournament lists the feed carries: 47 lists across 6 detachment builds. Its largest build, Retaliation Cadre, took 24 of them, 24 of which could be read and merged into the list below. A player of that build owns 8 datasheets in its spine, 48 models in all.
- Rank by winners
- #7of 28
- Share of winners
- 5.5%
- Winning lists (GT)
- 47lists
- Last 2 weeks v prior 2
- Fading11 v 17
- Feed as of
- 2026-09-17
What is winning
The detachment builds that won for T'au Empire at Grand Tournaments, largest share first. Most of them play Purge the Foe.
6 builds · 47 winning lists
| № | Detachment | Lists | Share of winners | Record | Top disposition | Biggest win |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Retaliation Cadre | 24 | 51% | 110-2-16 | Purge the Foe | WTC Warmaster GT 2026 · 578p |
| II | Experimental Prototype Cadre + Kauyon | 13 | 28% | 56-11 | Reconnaissance | The MANCHESTER 40k SUPER-MAJOR - SUMMER · 226p |
| III | Mont'ka | 6 | 13% | 28-6 | Priority Assets | NOVA Open 2026 Grand Tournament · 373p |
| IV | Kroot Hunting Pack + Advanced Acquisition Cadre | 2 | 4% | 9-2 | Take and Hold | The Upkeep Games GT I 2026 · 123p |
| V | Kroot Hunting Pack | 1 | 2% | 4-1 | Take and Hold | The MANCHESTER 40k SUPER-MAJOR - SUMMER · 226p |
| VI | Kroot Hunting Pack + Experimental Prototype Cadre | 1 | 2% | 4-1 | Priority Assets | DAWN OF ARMAGEDDON GT · 18p |
The list
Take the spine, choose from the flex, and treat the rest as tech. Copies count only the lists that take a unit; the loadout is the one most of them run.
Retaliation Cadre · 24 of 24 lists merged
Spine
in four lists in five or more
8 datasheets
- 1–3×Crisis Starscythe Battlesuits100 ptsEvery build100 pts24/24 lists1x Crisis Starscythe Shas'vre · 1x Battlesuit fists · 2x Burst cannon · 1x Gun Drone · 1x Shield Drone · 2x Crisis Starscythe Shas'ui · 2x Battlesuit fists · 4x Burst cannon · 2x Gun Drone · 2x Shield Drone · 5 of 24 run this loadout
- 2–3×Stealth Battlesuits100 ptsEvery build100 pts24/24 lists1x Stealth Shas'vre · 1x Battlesuit fists · 1x Fusion blaster · 1x Gun Drone · 1x Marker Drone · 1x Pulse pistol · 4x Stealth Shas'ui · 4x Battlesuit fists · 3x Burst cannon · 1x Fusion blaster · 1x Homing Beacon · 9 of 24 run this loadout
- 1×The Twin Lance220 ptsEvery build220 pts23/24 lists1x Ri'Lantar · 1x Fusion eliminator · 1x MV15 Gun Drone · 1x Shardstorm burst system · 1x XV pulse pistol · 1x Ri'Locai · 1x Ion scattercannon · 1x MV15 Gun Drone · 1x Shardstorm burst system · 1x XV pulse pistol · 6 of 23 run this loadout
- 1–3×Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit95 pts95 pts23/24 lists1x Battlesuit fists · 4x Fusion blaster · 1x Marker Drone · 1x Shield Drone · 4 of 23 run this loadout
- 1×Commander Farsight70 ptsWarlord70 pts23/24 lists1x Dawn Blade · 1x High-intensity plasma rifle · 9 of 23 run this loadout
- 1–2×Crisis Fireknife Battlesuits100 pts100 pts21/24 lists1x Crisis Fireknife Shas'vre · 1x Battlesuit fists · 1x Gun Drone · 2x Plasma rifle · 1x Shield Drone · 2x Crisis Fireknife Shas'ui · 2x Battlesuit fists · 2x Gun Drone · 4x Plasma rifle · 2x Shield Drone · 5 of 21 run this loadout
- 1–2×Pathfinder Team85 ptsEvery build85 pts21/24 lists1x Pathfinder Shas'ui · 1x Close combat weapon · 1x Pulse carbine · 1x Pulse pistol · 1x Recon Drone · 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher · 2x Shield Drone · 9x Pathfinder · 9x Close combat weapon · 6x Pulse carbine · 9x Pulse pistol · 3x Rail rifle · 4 of 21 run this loadout
- 1–2×Commander in Enforcer Battlesuit100 ptsStarflare Ignition SystemEvery build100 pts20/24 lists1x Battlesuit fists · 1x Marker Drone · 4x Missile pod · 1x Shield Drone · 3 of 20 run this loadout
Flex
a real choice, in a third of the lists or more
7 datasheets
- 1–2×Crisis Sunforge Battlesuits125 ptsEvery build125 pts18/24 lists1x Crisis Sunforge Shas'vre · 1x Battlesuit fists · 2x Fusion blaster · 1x Gun Drone · 1x Shield Drone · 2x Crisis Sunforge Shas'ui · 2x Battlesuit fists · 4x Fusion blaster · 2x Gun Drone · 2x Shield Drone · 8 of 18 run this loadout
- 1–2×Broadside Battlesuits150 pts150 pts13/24 lists1x Broadside Shas'vre · 1x Crushing bulk · 1x Heavy rail rifle · 2x Missile Drone · 1x Twin smart missile system · 1x Weapon Support System · 1x Broadside Shas'ui · 1x Crushing bulk · 1x Heavy rail rifle · 2x Missile Drone · 1x Twin smart missile system · 1x Weapon Support System · 2 of 13 run this loadout
- 1–2×Ghostkeel Battlesuit165 pts165 pts12/24 lists1x Battlesuit Support System · 1x Cyclic ion raker · 1x Ghostkeel fists · 1x Twin fusion blaster · 4 of 12 run this loadout
- 1×Kroot Carnivores65 pts65 pts12/24 lists1x Long-quill · 1x Close combat weapon · 1x Kroot carbine · 1x Kroot pistol · 9x Kroot Carnivore · 9x Close combat weapon · 8x Kroot rifle · 1x Tanglebomb launcher · 4 of 12 run this loadout
- 1×Darkstrider60 pts60 pts11/24 lists1x Close combat weapon · 1x Shade · 6 of 11 run this loadout
- 1–3×Riptide Battlesuit215 pts215 pts10/24 lists1x Ion accelerator · 2x Missile Drone · 1x Riptide fists · 1x Twin fusion blaster · 3 of 10 run this loadout
- 1×Vespid Stingwings70 pts70 pts9/24 lists1x Vespid Strain Leader · 1x Neutron blaster · 1x Stingwing claws · 4x Vespid Stingwing · 4x Neutron blaster · 4x Stingwing claws · 6 of 9 run this loadout
Tech
in fewer than a third: one player's answer to one matchup
10 datasheets
- 1–2×Hammerhead Gunship150 pts150 pts8/24 lists2x Accelerator burst cannon · 1x Armoured hull · 1x Railgun · 2x Seeker missile · 2 of 8 run this loadout
- 1×Firesight Team55 pts55 pts5/24 lists1x Close combat weapons · 1x Longshot pulse rifles · 1x Pulse pistol · 2 of 5 run this loadout
- 1×Krootox Riders60 pts60 pts2/24 lists2x Krootox Rider · 2x Close combat weapon · 2x Krootox fists · 2x Repeater cannon · 1 of 2 run this loadout
- 1×Stormsurge375 pts375 pts1/24 lists1x Cluster rocket system · 1x Destroyer missiles · 1x Pulse blast cannon · 1x Thunderous footfalls · 1x Twin burst cannon · 2x Twin smart missile system
- 1×Commander Shadowsun100 ptsWarlord100 pts1/24 lists1x Advanced Guardian Drone · 1x Battlesuit fists · 1x Command-link Drone (Aura) · 1x Flechette launcher · 2x High-energy fusion blaster · 1x Light missile pod · 1x Pulse pistol
- 1×Breacher Team90 pts90 pts1/24 lists1x Support turret · 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas'ui · 1x Close combat weapon · 1x Guardian Drone · 1x Gun Drone · 1x Pulse blaster · 1x Pulse pistol · 9x Breacher Fire Warrior · 9x Close combat weapon · 9x Pulse blaster · 9x Pulse pistol
- 1×Devilfish75 pts75 pts1/24 lists1x Accelerator burst cannon · 1x Armoured hull · 2x Seeker missile · 2x Twin pulse carbine
- 1×Strike Team70 pts70 pts1/24 lists1x Support turret · 1x Fire Warrior Shas'ui · 1x Close combat weapon · 1x Pulse pistol · 1x Pulse rifle · 9x Fire Warrior · 9x Close combat weapon · 9x Pulse pistol · 9x Pulse rifle
- 1×Piranhas65 pts65 pts1/24 lists1x Armoured hull · 1x Piranha fusion blaster · 2x Seeker missile · 2x Twin pulse carbine
- 1×Ethereal50 pts50 pts1/24 lists1x Honour stave · 1x Warlord, Hover Drone, Marker Drone, Shield Drone
Consensus list1,665 pts
One list, taken from the copies and loadouts most of this build's lists run. 335 pts are left for flex, most often Broadside Battlesuits (13/24), Ghostkeel Battlesuit (12/24), Darkstrider (11/24).
META CONSENSUS (1665 points)
T'au Empire
Strike Force (2000 points)
Retaliation Cadre
Force Dispositions: Purge the Foe
Crisis Starscythe Battlesuits (100 Points)
• 1x Crisis Starscythe Shas'vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
• 2x Burst cannon
• 1x Gun Drone
• 1x Shield Drone
• 2x Crisis Starscythe Shas'ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
• 4x Burst cannon
• 2x Gun Drone
• 2x Shield Drone
Crisis Starscythe Battlesuits (100 Points)
• 1x Crisis Starscythe Shas'vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
• 2x Burst cannon
• 1x Gun Drone
• 1x Shield Drone
• 2x Crisis Starscythe Shas'ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
• 4x Burst cannon
• 2x Gun Drone
• 2x Shield Drone
Stealth Battlesuits (100 Points)
• 1x Stealth Shas'vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
• 1x Fusion blaster
• 1x Gun Drone
• 1x Marker Drone
• 1x Pulse pistol
• 4x Stealth Shas'ui
• 4x Battlesuit fists
• 3x Burst cannon
• 1x Fusion blaster
• 1x Homing Beacon
Stealth Battlesuits (100 Points)
• 1x Stealth Shas'vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
• 1x Fusion blaster
• 1x Gun Drone
• 1x Marker Drone
• 1x Pulse pistol
• 4x Stealth Shas'ui
• 4x Battlesuit fists
• 3x Burst cannon
• 1x Fusion blaster
• 1x Homing Beacon
The Twin Lance (220 Points)
• 1x Ri'Lantar
• 1x Fusion eliminator
◦ 1x MV15 Gun Drone
◦ 1x Shardstorm burst system
◦ 1x XV pulse pistol
• 1x Ri'Locai
• 1x Ion scattercannon
◦ 1x MV15 Gun Drone
◦ 1x Shardstorm burst system
◦ 1x XV pulse pistol
Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (95 Points)
• 1x Battlesuit fists
◦ 4x Fusion blaster
◦ 1x Marker Drone
◦ 1x Shield Drone
Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (95 Points)
• 1x Battlesuit fists
◦ 4x Fusion blaster
◦ 1x Marker Drone
◦ 1x Shield Drone
Commander Farsight (70 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dawn Blade
• 1x High-intensity plasma rifle
Crisis Fireknife Battlesuits (100 Points)
• 1x Crisis Fireknife Shas'vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
◦ 1x Gun Drone
◦ 2x Plasma rifle
◦ 1x Shield Drone
• 2x Crisis Fireknife Shas'ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
◦ 2x Gun Drone
◦ 4x Plasma rifle
◦ 2x Shield Drone
Crisis Fireknife Battlesuits (100 Points)
• 1x Crisis Fireknife Shas'vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
◦ 1x Gun Drone
◦ 2x Plasma rifle
◦ 1x Shield Drone
• 2x Crisis Fireknife Shas'ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
◦ 2x Gun Drone
◦ 4x Plasma rifle
◦ 2x Shield Drone
Pathfinder Team (85 Points)
• 1x Pathfinder Shas'ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Pulse carbine
• 1x Pulse pistol
• 1x Recon Drone
• 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher
• 2x Shield Drone
• 9x Pathfinder
• 9x Close combat weapon
• 6x Pulse carbine
• 9x Pulse pistol
• 3x Rail rifle
Pathfinder Team (85 Points)
• 1x Pathfinder Shas'ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Pulse carbine
• 1x Pulse pistol
• 1x Recon Drone
• 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher
• 2x Shield Drone
• 9x Pathfinder
• 9x Close combat weapon
• 6x Pulse carbine
• 9x Pulse pistol
• 3x Rail rifle
Commander in Enforcer Battlesuit (100 Points)
• Enhancement: Starflare Ignition System
• 1x Battlesuit fists
◦ 1x Marker Drone
◦ 4x Missile pod
◦ 1x Shield Drone
Crisis Sunforge Battlesuits (125 Points)
• 1x Crisis Sunforge Shas'vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
• 2x Fusion blaster
• 1x Gun Drone
• 1x Shield Drone
• 2x Crisis Sunforge Shas'ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
• 4x Fusion blaster
• 2x Gun Drone
• 2x Shield Drone
Crisis Sunforge Battlesuits (125 Points)
• 1x Crisis Sunforge Shas'vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
• 2x Fusion blaster
• 1x Gun Drone
• 1x Shield Drone
• 2x Crisis Sunforge Shas'ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
• 4x Fusion blaster
• 2x Gun Drone
• 2x Shield Drone
Kroot Carnivores (65 Points)
• 1x Long-quill
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Kroot carbine
• 1x Kroot pistol
• 9x Kroot Carnivore
• 9x Close combat weapon
• 8x Kroot rifle
• 1x Tanglebomb launcher
The models
What a winning Retaliation Cadre player puts on the table: the usual number of models per datasheet, and how most of them build it.
25 datasheets · 23 of 24 lists
48 models in the spine · 72 with the flex · 8 datasheets in the spine
| Datasheet | Lists | Models | When taken | How it is built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stealth BattlesuitsEvery build | 23/23 | 10 | 10–15 | |
| Crisis Starscythe BattlesuitsEvery build | 23/23 | 6 | 3–9 | 4× Crisis Starscythe Shas’ui · 2× Crisis Starscythe Shas’vre |
| Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit | 22/23 | 2 | 1–3 | 2× Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit |
| The Twin LanceEvery build | 22/23 | 2 | Always 2 | 1× Ri'Lantar · 1× Ri'Locai |
| Commander Farsight | 22/23 | 1 | Always 1 | 1× Commander Farsight |
| Pathfinder TeamEvery build | 20/23 | 20 | 10–20 | 12× Pathfinders w/ pulse carbine · 6× Pathfinders w/ rail rifle · 2× Pathfinder Shas'ui · also seen: Pathfinders w/ pulse carbine and grenade launcher, Pathfinders w/ ion rifle |
| Crisis Fireknife Battlesuits | 20/23 | 6 | 3–6 | 4× Crisis Fireknife Shas’ui · 2× Crisis Fireknife Shas’vre |
| Commander in Enforcer BattlesuitEvery build | 19/23 | 1 | 1–2 | 1× Commander in Enforcer Battlesuit |
| Crisis Sunforge BattlesuitsEvery build | 18/23 | 6 | 3–6 | 4× Crisis Sunforge Shas’ui · 2× Crisis Sunforge Shas’vre |
| Broadside Battlesuits | 13/23 | 4 | 1–4 | 2× Broadside Shas’vre · 2× Broadside Shas’ui |
| Kroot Carnivores | 12/23 | 10 | Always 10 | 8× Kroot Carnivores · 1× Long-quill · 1× Kroot Carnivore w/ tanglebomb launcher |
| Ghostkeel Battlesuit | 11/23 | 1 | 1–2 | 1× Ghostkeel Battlesuit |
| Riptide Battlesuit | 10/23 | 2 | 1–3 | 2× Riptide Battlesuit |
| Darkstrider | 10/23 | 1 | Always 1 | 1× Darkstrider |
| Vespid Stingwings | 8/23 | 5 | Always 5 | 4× Vespid Stingwings w/ Neutron Blaster · 1× Vespid Strain Leader |
| Hammerhead Gunship | 7/23 | 1 | 1–2 | 1× Hammerhead Gunship |
| Firesight Team | 4/23 | 1 | Always 1 | 1× Firesight Team |
| Krootox Riders | 2/23 | 2 | 1–2 | 2× Krootox Rider w/ repeater cannon |
| Breacher Team | 1/23 | 10 | Always 10 | 10× Breacher Fire Warriors |
| Strike Team | 1/23 | 10 | Always 10 | 9× Fire Warrior w/ pulse rifle · 1× Fire Warrior Shas'ui |
| Commander Shadowsun | 1/23 | 1 | Always 1 | 1× Commander Shadowsun |
| Devilfish | 1/23 | 1 | Always 1 | 1× Devilfish |
| Ethereal | 1/23 | 1 | Always 1 | 1× Ethereal |
| Piranhas | 1/23 | 1 | Always 1 | 1× Piranhas |
| Stormsurge | 1/23 | 1 | Always 1 | 1× Stormsurge |
The sources
The lists behind the numbers above, from the largest event down.
24 lists · largest event first · 12 shown
- Durante "Glynisir" BozziniWTC Warmaster GT 2026 · Retaliation Cadre578p2026-08-115-1
- Durante "Glynisir" BozziniNOVA Open 2026 Grand Tournament · Retaliation Cadre373p2026-09-048-1
- Rad BoltCrucible 2026 · Retaliation Cadre163p2026-09-116-1
- Kenneth FialaThe Upkeep Games GT I 2026 · Retaliation Cadre123p2026-08-156-0
- Gregor WildmoserBAYERN MAJOR 40k 2026 · Retaliation Cadre114p2026-09-125-0
- ZoZikBMC Cup · Retaliation Cadre84p2026-08-074-1-0
- Chris BradySummer Slaughter: Warhammer 40K Grand Tournament · Retaliation Cadre73p2026-08-155-0
- Alex HollingsOxford Onslaught Major 40k · Retaliation Cadre63p2026-08-154-1
- Michael Aigner21st Legion Wargaming Presents: Heart of War 2026 40K hosted by Away Games · Retaliation Cadre60p2026-08-154-1
- Noah Keeth21st Legion Wargaming Presents: Heart of War 2026 40K hosted by Away Games · Retaliation Cadre60p2026-08-154-1
- Campbell FreemanBattle in the Bush 2026 · Retaliation Cadre59p2026-09-114-1
- Thibault KINEIDERGeneva GT III · Retaliation Cadre58p2026-09-054-1
How this is computed
A list counts here when it went undefeated or lost once at a Grand Tournament in the weeks the feed covers; the smaller events the tool can add are left out of this page. The feed carries no losing lists, so no share on it is a win rate. 1 list could not be read and is counted as a winner but left out of the merges.
The list is sorted by take rate across the build's readable lists: a datasheet in 80% of them or more is spine, 35% or more is flex, and the rest is tech — one player's answer to one matchup.
The consensus list takes the number of copies and the loadout most of those lists run for each datasheet, then drops the least-shared datasheets until it fits 2,000 points. Model counts come from the 11th edition catalogue, not from how an export spells its models out.