[Being a study on the methods and culture of the ancient Necrontyr race]
Vehicle Design Rules
Tau Additions
by Erik Setzer
Tau vehicles differ from other vehicles only in weaponry, upgrades, and the drones they can carry. For this reason, you can use the current Vehicle Design Rules system, using the following Tau weapons and additional upgrades. Just like other armies, Tau vehicles created using the VDR may use the vehicle upgrades found in Codex Tau. Note that these rules are completely unofficial, as they are not written by an employee of Games Workshop, and you should get your opponent's permission before using them.
TAU WEAPONS
The Tau use a different set of weapons from other races. When designing a Tau vehicle, you may only choose weapons from the following chart.
| WEAPONS | BS 4 | BS 3 | BS 2 |
| Burst Cannon | +20 | +15 | - |
| Fusion Blaster* | +20 | +15 | - |
| Flamer* | +8 | +8 | - |
| Ion Cannon | +50 | +40 | - |
| Missile Pod | +20 | +15 | - |
| Plasma Rifle* | +25 | +20 | - |
| Pulse Rifle* | +5 | +5 | - |
| Pulse Carbine* | +10 | +8 | - |
| Railgun | +65 | +55 | - |
| Smart Missile System | +30 | +20 | - |
Weapons marked with an asterisk (*) are considered to be small arms.
DRONES
Tau vehicles may purchase drones. To do so, you must purchase either a drone rig at +10 pts., which includes the ability to carry two drones on the vehicle, or an upgraded drone rig for +15 pts., allowing you to carry five drones. You must purchase each drone that is mounted on the vehicle separately, at the cost listed below.
| Drone | Cost |
| Shield Drone | +20 |
| Gun Drone: Twin-linked pulse carbines | +20 |
| Gun Drone: Smart missiles | +25 |
| Gun Drone: Burst cannon | +25 |
ADDITIONAL VEHICLE UPGRADES
Tau vehicles designed with the Vehicle Design Rules are allowed to take additional vehicle upgrades. These upgrades are listed below.
Ethereal Command Vehicle...........30 points
The vehicle is a command vehicle for an Ethereal, which must be purchased separately as part of the Tau army. An Ethereal Control Vehicle extends the range of the Ethereal's Inspiring Presence to 24" while he is inside the vehicle. However, if the vehicle is destroyed while the Ethereal is inside, then all units required to make a Morale test because of the Price of Failure rule must do so with an additional -1 morale modifier.
Upgraded Hover Engines.......10 points
The vehicle's engines have been upgraded to provide most speed. The vehicle is now counted as an agile vehicle. This upgrade may not be given to Tau vehicles with armour greater than 52.
Jump Lift............25 pts.
The vehicle's VTOL engines have been modified to rapidly engage themselves and boost the vehicle directly upwards when shot at. This allows the vehicle to dodge some incoming fire in the course of a battle. The vehicle counts as having a 6+ invulnerable save against all hits.