This is still a sort of work-in-progress, the title may be a bit misleading but its basically a rundown on Imperial tech differences with the Tau.
But something I've noticed, the Imperium is often criticized for the fact that the greater portion of humans don't know how their own technology works, and that this is one of the major strengths of the Tau.
But this isn't even true. The Tau Earth Castes knows all the tech, the other people just use it.
Just like the Adeptus Mechanicus' role in the Imperium, and technicians in the present day. Sure most of loosely know how say, a plane is made but few outside the actual employ of an aerospace industry would know the details of construction and each and every piece.
In fact the Imperium actually enjoys some advantages, they know last-ditch methods of recharging their ammo (tossing it on the fire) and they also know how to maintain it.
Despite the fact that Imperial weaponry is seen as having sacred spirits, the way to appease these spirits is just standard maintenance, a spirit is happy if you keep the weapon well-maintained basically.
Another point to make is the fact that the Imperium reveres technology and treats it with a great deal of mysticism, but Imperial technology is actually more mystical!
Take the Golden Throne, Stasis cells, warp tech, bionics, Psycannon bolts, Rosarius and much more. Unlike the Tau where we can see a clear clean-cut nature of a weapon, such as Tau pulse rifles and railguns, Imperial tech actually does seem to be partly reliant on belief and ritual or in some cases at least utilising other powers than the scientific.
People also criticize the Imperium for the low quality of weapons given to Imperial Guard when compared to the Tau's weapons, but anyone with military knowledge knows it takes a huge amount of resources and time to institute new weapons and it is a miracle the Imperial Guard have relatively standard weapons at all. Not to mention the Imperial guard are still quite effective at what they do, sure it'd be great if they had Hellguns instead of Lasguns, but that just isn't feasible.
The Tau are a small force and so they can afford to make things count, changes can be instituted rapidly because there aren't that many Fire Warriors, tens of thousands, maybe a couple of hundred thousand if the figures I've read are to be believed.
Contrast this with the literal billions of men in the Imperial Guard and you can see the differences, it is a miracle an organisation the size of the Imperium keeps its men as well supplied as they do.
People also complain the Imperium can not adapt, but that is clearly false, I'll provide two examples of how they adapted to new threats, such as the Tyranids.
Firstly they developed Gland Warriors to fight the Tyranids, engineering a whole new strain of Guardsmen is something to be impressed by!
Secondly I'm quite sure the Hellfire bolt was designed for anti-Tyranid actions.
Thoughts?
But something I've noticed, the Imperium is often criticized for the fact that the greater portion of humans don't know how their own technology works, and that this is one of the major strengths of the Tau.
But this isn't even true. The Tau Earth Castes knows all the tech, the other people just use it.
Just like the Adeptus Mechanicus' role in the Imperium, and technicians in the present day. Sure most of loosely know how say, a plane is made but few outside the actual employ of an aerospace industry would know the details of construction and each and every piece.
In fact the Imperium actually enjoys some advantages, they know last-ditch methods of recharging their ammo (tossing it on the fire) and they also know how to maintain it.
Despite the fact that Imperial weaponry is seen as having sacred spirits, the way to appease these spirits is just standard maintenance, a spirit is happy if you keep the weapon well-maintained basically.
Another point to make is the fact that the Imperium reveres technology and treats it with a great deal of mysticism, but Imperial technology is actually more mystical!
Take the Golden Throne, Stasis cells, warp tech, bionics, Psycannon bolts, Rosarius and much more. Unlike the Tau where we can see a clear clean-cut nature of a weapon, such as Tau pulse rifles and railguns, Imperial tech actually does seem to be partly reliant on belief and ritual or in some cases at least utilising other powers than the scientific.
People also criticize the Imperium for the low quality of weapons given to Imperial Guard when compared to the Tau's weapons, but anyone with military knowledge knows it takes a huge amount of resources and time to institute new weapons and it is a miracle the Imperial Guard have relatively standard weapons at all. Not to mention the Imperial guard are still quite effective at what they do, sure it'd be great if they had Hellguns instead of Lasguns, but that just isn't feasible.
The Tau are a small force and so they can afford to make things count, changes can be instituted rapidly because there aren't that many Fire Warriors, tens of thousands, maybe a couple of hundred thousand if the figures I've read are to be believed.
Contrast this with the literal billions of men in the Imperial Guard and you can see the differences, it is a miracle an organisation the size of the Imperium keeps its men as well supplied as they do.
People also complain the Imperium can not adapt, but that is clearly false, I'll provide two examples of how they adapted to new threats, such as the Tyranids.
Firstly they developed Gland Warriors to fight the Tyranids, engineering a whole new strain of Guardsmen is something to be impressed by!
Secondly I'm quite sure the Hellfire bolt was designed for anti-Tyranid actions.
Thoughts?