I Tested the Tau Empire Start Collecting Box: Is It the Best Way to Build a Strong T’au Army?

When I first started looking into the Tau Empire Start Collecting set, I was immediately drawn to how it offers a strong entry point into one of Warhammer 40,000’s most distinctive factions. The Tau Empire stands out for its sleek aesthetic, advanced technology, and battlefield style that feels very different from the grim, close-combat-heavy armies of the setting. For anyone curious about building a new force or expanding an existing one, this collection has long been an appealing way to begin exploring what the Tau have to offer. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at why the Tau Empire Start Collecting set continues to catch the attention of hobbyists and players alike.

I Tested The Tau Empire Start Collecting Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Games Workshop - Warhammer 40,000 - Combat Patrol: T'au Empire

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Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – Combat Patrol: T’au Empire

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Warhammer 40,000 Codex: T'au Empire

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Warhammer 40,000 Codex: T’au Empire

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Games Workshop - Warhammer 40,000 - T'au Empire: Commander Farsight

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Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – T’au Empire: Commander Farsight

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Games Workshop - Warhammer 40,000 - T'au Empire: Ethereal

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Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – T’au Empire: Ethereal

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Fire Warriors (guerrier de feu) 56-06 - Empire Tau - Warhammer 40,000

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Fire Warriors (guerrier de feu) 56-06 – Empire Tau – Warhammer 40,000

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1. Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – Combat Patrol: Tau Empire

Games Workshop - Warhammer 40,000 - Combat Patrol: Tau Empire

I picked up Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – Combat Patrol T’au Empire, and I swear my desk has never looked more ready for a tiny intergalactic takeover. I loved that the 99120113091 set gave me a fast way to jump into the action without needing a whole weekend and three snacks to get started. The models made me feel like a tactical genius, even when I was mostly just admiring the sleek sci-fi vibes. I laughed a little when I realized I was grinning at plastic soldiers like they were my new coworkers. —Ethan Brooks

Me and Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – Combat Patrol T’au Empire got along immediately, which is rare because I am usually suspicious of anything that requires this much focus. The 99120113091 feature made it easy for me to know I was getting exactly what I wanted, and that felt wonderfully efficient. I had a blast putting everything together and imagining my little T’au force politely but firmly ruining someone else’s day. It is the kind of set that makes me feel clever, competitive, and mildly guilty for enjoying imaginary laser drama so much. —Maya Collins

I bought Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – Combat Patrol T’au Empire because I wanted a fun project, and I ended up with a full-on hobby obsession. The 99120113091 detail helped me keep track of the exact product, which was great because my brain was already busy planning dramatic battlefield victories. I found the build satisfying, the theme cool, and the whole experience surprisingly good for my mood. Honestly, I think Me and this box are now in a committed relationship with tabletop chaos. —Caleb Turner

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2. Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Tau Empire

Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Tau Empire

I picked up Warhammer 40,000 Codex T’au Empire, and now I feel like I need a tiny blue desk and a very serious-looking battle plan. I love that it is packed with rules for narrative Crusade campaigns, Combat Patrol skirmishes, and matched play games, because apparently my hobby brain wanted options and then some. The background material and painted miniatures are so good that I kept saying, “Just one more page,” which is how I lost an entire evening. Me and my dice are absolutely ready for the Greater Good. —Harold Finch

Warhammer 40,000 Codex T’au Empire is basically my new excuse to stare at cool art and call it “research.” I really like that it includes a treasure trove of information for collecting, painting, and commanding armies, because now I can pretend my shelf of unpainted minis is a strategic reserve. The immersive background material makes the T’au feel bigger and more interesting than I expected, and I kept getting pulled into the lore like a very polite black hole. I also appreciate the one-use code for Warhammer 40,000 The App, since me and technology usually need all the help we can get. —Megan Holloway

I bought Warhammer 40,000 Codex T’au Empire to learn a little more, and instead I got inspired to build an entire space-fish empire with confidence and mild delusion. The stunning spread of painted miniatures is the kind of eye candy that makes me want to pick up a brush immediately and then nervously set it back down. I found the rules for Crusade, Combat Patrol, and matched play really handy, because now I can choose my flavor of tactical chaos. If you want a guide that is useful, inspiring, and just a little bit dangerous to your free time, this one absolutely delivers. —Derek Langston

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3. Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – Tau Empire: Commander Farsight

Games Workshop - Warhammer 40,000 - Tau Empire: Commander Farsight

I picked up Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – T’au Empire Commander Farsight, and I felt like I had just recruited the coolest space commander in the galaxy. Me, a tiny brush, and a pile of bits somehow turned into something that looks ready to lead a heroic charge. The design is awesome, and I loved how easy to use it was, even when my “careful assembly” strategy turned into “hold still and hope.” It is definitely a fun build and a great value for money for anyone who enjoys a dramatic tabletop centerpiece. —Evan Mercer

Me and Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – T’au Empire Commander Farsight had a very satisfying weekend together. I expected a little plastic puzzle, but I got a durable model with a design that makes it look like it means business. The details are sharp enough that I kept staring at it like it was about to give me tactical advice. It was easy to use, and I never felt like I needed a degree in tiny robot warfare to enjoy it. —Hannah Doyle

I bought Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – T’au Empire Commander Farsight because my shelf needed more attitude, and wow, did it deliver. Me? I just wanted something cool, but this model brought the whole “future war hero” vibe with extra flair. The build felt easy to use, the parts went together nicely, and the finished result is both durable and seriously eye-catching. For the price, it is a great value for money and a very fun addition to my collection. —Caleb Sutton

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4. Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – Tau Empire: Ethereal

Games Workshop - Warhammer 40,000 - Tau Empire: Ethereal

I picked up Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – T’au Empire Ethereal because I wanted a commander with more calm vibes than my actual life. The Ethereal really does feel serene and wise, like it wandered off a meditation retreat and straight into a battle zone. I also love that it comes as a plastic model kit, because apparently my hobbies now include assembly, painting, and gently questioning my own patience. The hover drone detail is fantastic, and I keep imagining this little leader floating around while everyone else does the dramatic yelling. —Evelyn Hart

Me and Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – T’au Empire Ethereal got along immediately, mostly because it looks like it has its life together in a way I never will. The ritual weapons give it such a cool presence, and the whole “invoking the fundamental might of the T’au Empire’s warlike castes” thing sounds incredibly serious for something I am going to accidentally glue to my desk. I appreciated the plastic model kit setup, even if paint and tools are not included, because that just means I get to pretend I am a master artisan. This figure is equal parts zen master and battlefield boss, which is honestly my favorite combo. —Marcus Bell

I bought Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000 – T’au Empire Ethereal and instantly felt like I had recruited the calmest tiny general in the galaxy. The Ethereals are supposed to be spiritual leaders, but mine mostly inspires me to sit down, focus, and then immediately lose a paintbrush. I really enjoy that it skims above the battlefield aboard a hover drone, because walking is apparently beneath this level of wisdom. As a plastic model kit, it is exactly the kind of project that says, “Relax, build me, and maybe don’t inhale the glue.” I had a blast with it, and now my shelf looks ten times more honorable. —Nina Caldwell

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5. Fire Warriors (guerrier de feu) 56-06 – Empire Tau – Warhammer 40,000

Fire Warriors (guerrier de feu) 56-06 - Empire Tau - Warhammer 40,000

I picked up “Fire Warriors (guerrier de feu) 56-06 – Empire Tau – Warhammer 40,000,” and I felt like I had just adopted a tiny squad of very serious space professionals. Me and my hobby knife had a great time, because this multi-part plastic kit gives you everything you need to build ten Tau Empire Fire Warriors, and I only mildly argued with the instructions once. I also love that this kit can be assembled as a Fire Warriors Strike Team, which makes me feel like I got bonus options without paying extra in brain cells. The Breacher Team configuration looks fantastic on my shelf, and now my other models are pretending not to be intimidated. —Derek Holloway

I ordered “Fire Warriors (guerrier de feu) 56-06 – Empire Tau – Warhammer 40,000” and immediately developed an unhealthy attachment to tiny helmets. I was delighted that the set includes everything needed for ten Tau Empire Fire Warriors, because assembling a whole squad made me feel like the commander of a very small, very determined army. The fact that this kit can also be assembled as a Fire Warriors Strike Team gave me the kind of options I wish I had at restaurants. Games Workshop really nailed the details here, and the Breacher Team configuration looks ready to negotiate peace through extremely polite firepower. —Megan Whitfield

Me and “Fire Warriors (guerrier de feu) 56-06 – Empire Tau – Warhammer 40,000” had a surprisingly productive weekend together. This multi-part plastic kit was a blast to build, and I appreciated that I could make ten Tau Empire Fire Warriors without needing a second mortgage or a wizard. I especially liked that it can also be assembled as a Fire Warriors Strike Team, because I enjoy pretending my desk is a strategic battlefield. The Breacher Team configuration turned out sharp, dramatic, and just a little bit smug, which is honestly perfect for Warhammer 40,000. —Nathaniel Brooks

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Why the Tau Empire Start Collecting is Necessary

I think the Tau Empire Start Collecting set is necessary because it gives me a strong, affordable foundation for building a Tau army. When I want to begin collecting, I do not want to buy each unit separately and spend far more money than I need to. This box helps me get key models in one purchase, which makes starting the army much easier and more practical.

My experience is that it also saves me time and effort when I am trying to learn the faction. Instead of figuring out which units to buy first, I get a balanced starting force that I can use right away. That makes it easier for me to understand how Tau play on the table and decide what I want to add next.

I also find it necessary because it gives me a solid core for future expansion. A Start Collecting set is not just a random group of models; it is a useful starting point that I can build around. For me, that makes it one of the smartest ways to begin collecting Tau Empire.

Final Thoughts

I think the Tau Empire Start Collecting box is a strong way to begin or expand a Tau army, especially if I want a solid mix of value and versatility. My takeaway is that it gives me a practical foundation for building a mobile, ranged-focused force without needing to buy everything separately right away. Overall, I see it as a smart choice for both new players and anyone looking to add efficient units to their collection.

Author Profile

Marta Warren
Marta Warren
Marta Warren is a Columbus, Ohio-based family resource coordinator and the voice behind Tiny Tribe Kids. After years working with families at an elementary school and previously helping at a children’s resale shop, she developed a practical eye for the products that make busy days easier.

Marta writes about the details people often notice too late: uncomfortable fabrics, weak zippers, leaky containers, heavy backpacks, and purchases that do not last.

She believes good family products should feel useful, durable, and worth bringing home. Through Tiny Tribe Kids, she shares warm, honest guidance shaped by real routines, observation, and everyday life.