With the release of Tau DLC adding to its already impressive roster of playable factions, Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector is rapidly becoming the definitive WH40K game on PC.
For those unfamiliar with WH40K (or, like myself, only really know it from its digital versions), the Tau are something of a glass cannon faction. They rely on advanced weaponry and keeping their foes at a distance, but rapidly find themselves at a disadvantage once enemies get up close and personal. More than once I found my neatly designed battle lines disintegrate as foes got too close for comfort (especially the Necron Flayed Ones, who have the incredibly distressing ability to teleport right next to units that you really don’t want in melee). Not only do weapons have a maximum range, they also have a minimum effective range. So keeping put in such circumstances really isn’t an option (unless you wish to see your Fire Teams and Stealth Suits mulched).
During my playthrough of the Planetary Supremacy mode, I gradually got a feel for the Tau, and the need to keep highly mobile and use hit and run tactics to effectively ‘kite’ your opponents. Sure, Fire Warrior Breacher Teams do a lot of damage close up (at the expense of having almost no range), but they’re still pretty fragile, and are more likely to give your other units a chance to retreat to optimum range.
Speaking of units, Black Lab Games have done a stellar job, providing an extensive, and extremely good looking range of units for people to play with. These range from the iconic Fire Warrior Strike Teams, to the enormous Hammerhead Gunship (which sort of acts as a massive, oversized sniper unit). Gigantic Riptide mechs lay waste to the battlefield, and the Commander, armed with a handy flame-thrower, adds some close-combat options for use in dire straits. They look and sound fantastic, adding even more spectacle to what is a pretty flashy looking game already.
All up, this is an excellent addition to an already great game. If you like Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector and are fond of the Tau, then you’ll definitely enjoy this. If you haven’t already played the base game, however, it adds yet another reason for you to go out and try it. ■