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Hunter Cadre

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Tau are organised in tems of warriors originating from the same sept, often bound by the Ta'lissera. These teams are grouped into an all-arms combat force known as Hunter Cadre under the leadership of a Commander. In many cases, an Ethereal will accompany the force, and the balance of teams will be selected for the particular hunt to be undertaking.

The two most common forms of Hunter Cadre are the Mont'ka and Kauyon. Each method is taught by the great Fire Caste academies on each Fire Caste world and have their own adherents amongst the Shas'o and Shas'el masters. They are both based on two approaches to hunting; the first involves bringing the prey to the hunter, the second involves the hunter running the prey to ground; the former is Kauyon, the latter Mont'ka.

Mont'Ka - Killing Blow

Roughly translated, Mont'ka is the Killing Blow. It is the art of identifying a target of opportunity and attacking it swiftly with a Hunter Cadre, often deployed from a Manta missile destroying. A Cadre pursuing the Mont'Ka may stand in readiness for several days awaiting the command to strike. During this time they will plan exact movements they will perform when the call comes. Often the decision to strike will come from a Shas'el or Shas'o with a good view of the enemy or the input of well-sited Pathfinder team. It is firmly beleived that the bond of trust between the Cadre that conducts the Mont'ka and the Commander who orders it brings honour to both. The attack will immediatly be called off if the prey resilient or evasve.

Kauyon - Patient Hunter

In the Tau language the words hunter and patience are derived from the same root. This technique is the oldest of the Tau techniques and has the most variations. Essentially the technique relies on the interaction of the hunter and the lure. In recent times, auxiliary troops such as Kroot are used as the lure, although some septs still regard the role as one that honours both hunter and prey and allow only bonded Fire Warrior teams undertake it. The lure's role is to expose itself to the prey and draw it into a position where it can be killed by the hunter. The more subtle Commanders have been known to use the use the absense of troops as a lure. Once the prey is in position, the lure is free to escape or help the hunter as the situation dictates. Hunters are frequently equipped with Crisis, Stealth or Broadside armour with weapons carefully selected for the particular.