Conversion: Darkstrider

Darkstrider is one of the new additions in the latest Tau Codex. With his Structural analyser, he will lower the Toughness value by one for his target, which also counts for his whole unit. Should be quite effective if you put him in the lead of a 12-man Fire warrior squad. You can also outflank with that squad, thanks to Darkstrider's special rule. A nice addition is that his unit may retreat D6 inches if charged. But make sure not to put him in the front row. Whit only a scout armour, he'll soon bite the dust.

Here I used a pathfinder officer (metal model), cut the head off and replaced it with a Fire warrior head. I also cut off the "ponytail", making him bald.

The Structural analyser is made from a battlesuit antenna and a piece of transparent plastic, which shows a little better on the second picture below.

I only used Darkstrider on one occasion yet (I find him a bit expensive). I used him to outflank together with a Fire warrior unit in a Devilfish troop carrier. Generally, it can be a good tactic to keep troops in transports in the reserve, since bringing them into the fight later in the game will increase their odds of survival. After all, they are the ones you want near the objectives at the end of the game. With Darkstrider's outflanking ability, you have a chance to get a troop unit close to an objective near the opponent's table edge, possibly getting a victory point for "Linebreaker" in the process.