T'au Drone Swarm

Senses: Networked sensors ignore dim light and smoke within 60 feet

Distributed Mind. The swarm does not make Morale checks and is immune to fear and Suppression. For every 10 Vitality it loses, its Pulse Hail loses one damage die.

Scattered Frames. The swarm is many small machines: attacks and effects that damage an area deal one extra die of damage to it, while single-target attacks against it never deal more than 10 damage per hit.

Screening Formation. Allied T'au behind the swarm gain the benefit of Light Cover against ranged attacks, and the swarm ignores difficult terrain.

Pulse Hail. The swarm rakes a 10-foot zone within 60 feet. Creatures in the zone make an Agility Save DC 12, taking 3d6 energy damage on a failure, or half on a success.

Interpose. When an enemy moves toward a T'au unit the swarm is screening, the swarm may move up to half its Movement to block the charge lane or firing line.

Morale: Does not make Morale checks (machine protocol). Withdraws only when its controller recalls it or the cadre falls back.

Tactics: Fly between the party and whatever the T'au actually care about. Force area weapons or wasted turns to clear it, then let the real threats fire through the gap it bought. It screens; it never chases.

Loot / Evidence / Hooks: Salvageable drone cores and anti-grav units, contraband the Mechanicus pays for and executes over.

A drifting cluster of T'au drones acting as one unit — guns, shields, and markers in a humming cloud. It exists to clog angles, absorb fire, and make every approach to the cadre expensive.

Use this enemy as a mobile screen in front of suits and fire teams, or as ambient security around T'au installations.

Threat Profile: Horde-pattern machine unit, moderate ranged harassment, blocks charge lanes and sightlines, damage falls off as drones are destroyed.

Screening Formation. Allied T'au behind the swarm gain the benefit of Light Cover against ranged attacks.

Distributed Mind. Immune to fear and Morale; loses one attack die for every third drone destroyed.

Hover Agility. Ignores difficult terrain and may hold position at any elevation with line of sight.

Pulse Hail. Area harassment fire into a 10-foot zone; failed Agility Saves take light damage.

Interpose. Moves to block a charge lane or firing line as a reaction to enemy movement.

Disperse and Reform. Scatters to deny area attacks, reforming at the start of its next turn.

Morale: No Morale — machine protocol; withdraws only when its controller recalls it or the cadre falls back.

Tactics: Fly the swarm between the party and whatever the T'au actually care about. Force area weapons or wasted turns to clear it, then have the real threats fire through the gap it bought. Never let the swarm chase; it screens.

Full Stat Block Priority: Low