This content is an Expansion for the turn-based strategy game, *Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War*, requiring the base game for access. Released in 2020, it introduces the T'au Empire as a new playable faction, integrating their unique units and technology focused on ranged combat into the existing 4X strategic framework of Gladius Prime. This addition significantly enhances replayability by providing a distinct new strategic path for players seeking to assimilate or eliminate rivals.
This expansion focuses entirely on introducing the T'au Empire as a new playable race within the existing strategic sandbox of the core game. The T'au are driven by the philosophy of the Greater Good, seeking to expand their influence across the galaxy. On Gladius Prime, this ambition translates into a conflict where the T'au aim to either assimilate or eliminate all existing opposition factions through technological superiority and coordinated warfare.
The core gameplay remains rooted in the turn-based strategy mechanics of the base game—exploration, expansion, exploitation, and extermination (4X). However, the introduction of the T'au Empire brings unique faction-specific units, buildings, and tactical approaches that fundamentally alter how players approach conquest on the planet.
The T'au faction emphasizes ranged combat and advanced technology. Their units often feature superior firepower compared to their melee-focused counterparts in the base game. Players utilizing the T'au will need to leverage their mobility and technological edge to control the battlefield from a distance.
Key elements introduced with this faction include:
This is not a standalone experience; it functions as a major content expansion. Once installed alongside Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War, the T'au Empire becomes selectable as a playable faction when starting a new campaign or multiplayer match on Gladius Prime. The expansion content is woven directly into the existing map, resource management, and victory conditions of the parent game, offering a fresh strategic challenge against or alongside the established races.
While it does not introduce new maps or a separate storyline, the inclusion of an entirely new, fully realized faction—complete with its own units, technology tree, and strategic identity—represents a substantial enhancement to the overall replayability and strategic depth of the parent game. It provides a significant alternative playstyle within the established tactical framework.
As of the current date, this specific content package is listed as having zero additional DLCs or further expansions released for it, meaning the T'au faction content stands as a singular addition to the base game.