'''Commander''' is the [[Imperial]] translation of a [[Tau]] rank. {{Fn|1}} The Tau rank includes two grades, [[Shas'o]] and [[Shas'el]]. Both ranks indicate the authority to lead a [[Hunter Cadre]]. Usually Commanders and usually see the officer go to battle war in a [[Crisis Battlesuit]]. Tau Commanders differ in doctrine depending on their [[Sept]] of origin. Commanders hailing from [[Vior'la]], [[Tash'var]], and [[Kel'shan]] are noted for their personal kills while those from [[Elsy'eir]] and [[T'olku]] are known to be more cerebral in nature.{{Fn|4}}

==Overview==Regardless of specific rank, all Tau Commanders are consummate warriors and tacticians who have worked hard to achieve their status. The [[Tau'va]] offers no shortcuts to promotion to such a rank, performance and skill are the only methods of success, and all have risen from the lowly rank of [[Fire Warrior]] [[Shas'o==la]] and completed multiple [[Trial By Fire|Trials By Fire]]. Depending on the situation, a Commander may be called upon to lead anything from a [[Cadre]] to [[Coalition]].{{Fn|15b}} The number and size of previous commands is reflected in the rings confining their long scalp lock.{{Fn|15c}} There are vast differences in the approach and philosophy between Tau Commanders. Some prefer to lead from the front to push their own Battlesuits to the fullest in an [[XV85 Enforcer Battlesuot|XV85 Enforcer]], while others may prefer to dominate the skies in an agile [[XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit|XV86 Coldstar]]. Commanders from [[Vior'la]], [[Tash'var]], and [[Kel'shan]] are particular noted for their personal skills, and are often accompanied into the thick of battle by a bodyguard guard of [[Crisis Battlesuit]]s. Those from [[Elsy'eir]] and [[T'olku]] are usually more cerebral, ordering their troops from behind the front and only entering the fray upon great need. Despite their skill, there are still times when the hubris of a Tau Commander can get the better of them, and in such situations the [[Ethereal Council]] will rein them in. If a Commander erred in an especially shameful way, an [[Ethereal]] may order a [[Malk'la]] take place.{{Lex-DeFn|Destination15b}} ===Shas'el==='''Shas'el''' is the second highest rank which a [[Tau]] [[Fire Warrior]] can attain. A Shas'el usually only gains the rank after years of training and battle experience. A Shas'el will usually command smaller engagements of small Cadres leaving full Cadre and multi-Cadre actions to a full [[Shas'o}}]]. ===Shas'O===

A '''Some Shas'o''' is the highest rank in the [[Tau]] army which a [[Fire Warrior]] can attainO wear armour with inverted colour schemes. Becoming a Shas'o means going through several For instance, [[Trial By Fire|Trials By FireO'Shaserra]] and progressing up the ranks from [[ShasO'laKais]] to [[Shas'ui]] to both wore white armour with sept markings picked out in yellow, the reverse of the regular [[ShasT'vreau]], then becoming a member of another commanderSept's colour scheme. [[XV8 Crisis Bodyguard Team|bodyguard]], to [[ShasO'elShovah]] and then finally to Shas'ois another example of this. After becoming a Shas'o, the only remaining option Whether this is to either teach at an academy, become a military advisor to the norm for Shas'ar'tol or join in politics and be on one of the many councils in the [[Tau Empire]]. Besides death, this o is the only way a member of the [[Fire Caste]] can leave the Tau militaryunknown.

Some Shas'o wear armour with inverted colour schemes. For instance===Equipment===Tau Commanders typically go to war in a [[XV8 Crisis Battlesuit]] or its many variants, such as the [[O'ShaserraXV85 Enforcer]] and , [[O'KaisXV8-02 Crisis Irdium]] both wore white armour with sept markings picked out in yellow, the reverse of the regular or [[T'auXV86 Coldstar]] Sept's colour scheme. Some famous Tau commanders have even been issued the experimental [[O'ShovahXV22 Stealth Battlesuit]] is another example of this. Whether this is the norm for Shas'o is unknown.{{Fn|2a}}

==Shas'el==These Battlesuits are equipped with a wide array of advanced weapons on both of their battlesuit arms such as a High-Output [[Burst Cannon]]s, [[Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Fusion Blaster]]s, [[Missile Pod]]s, [[Airbursting Fragmentation Projector]]s, [[Image:TauCommander6Cyclic Ion Blaster]]s, and [[Tau Flamer|Flamer]]s.jpg|thumb|right|Tau Commander in They also have access to the most advanced [[XV8-05Special Issue]] [[Battlesuit (6th Edition){{Fn|3}}Support System]]{{Lex-De|Destination=Shas'el}}'''Shas'el''' is the second highest rank which s such as a [[TauShield Generator]], [[Positional Relay]] , [[Fire WarriorCommand & Control Node]] can attain. A Shas'el usually only gains the rank after years of training , and battle experiencemany more. A Shas'el will usually command smaller engagements of small Cadres leaving full Cadre and multi-Cadre actions to a full They are also frequently accompanied by support [[Shas'oDrone]]s.{{Fn|20b}}

{{Columns-list|Columns=2|Font-size=12px|Content=*[[Arra'kon]]*[[Bravestorm]]*[[Commander BravestormBrightmoon]]{{Fn|20a}}*[[Commander Coldfire|Coldfire]]*[[Darktide (Tau Commander )|Darktide]]*[[Commander Darkstar|Darkstar]]{{Fn|12}}*[[Dawnhammer]]{{Fn|7}}*[[Commander Dawnstar]]*[[Commander Dawnstrike]], the '''Desert Beast'''{{Fn|8a}}*[[Commander Dawnstone]]*[[Commander Dawnsword]]*[[Commander PridestarEl'Jan’kai]]{{Fn|14}}*[[Flamechild]]{{Fn|18}}*[[Commander PuretideMoata]]- The '''Burning Chameleon'''*[[Commander QuickstrikeNobledawn|Nobledawn]]{{Fn|8a21}}*[[Quicktide|Commander QuicktideO'Kais]], '''The Living Weapon'''*[[Starblaze|Commander StarblazeO'Ka'tu]], '''Commander Moonblade'''*[[Commander TruestarO'Namo]]{{Fnfn|8a15a}}*[[O'Ryn]]

*[[O’Sharrek]], '''Commander Darkwind'''.{{Fn|6}} (See also [[Tau Quotes#O|his quote]])*[[O'Shasan]]

*[[ShienR'th]] - see [[Tau Quotes#R|his quote]], '''Commander Swiftwing'{{Fn|10}}*[[Sha'kanthas]]{{Fn|11}}*[[Skyfire]]*[[Starblaze]]*[[Starstrider]]{{Fn|19}}*[[Starstrike]]{{Fn|13}}*[[Starshrike]] - [[Sa'cea]] [[Sept]]{{Fn|9}}

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Tau (3rd Edition)]], {{Cite This}}pg.57*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Tau Empire (4th Edition)]], {{Cite ThisMarker End}}**{{Endn|2a}}: pg. 35

*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Tau Empire (6th Edition)]] , pg.57

*{{Endn|7}}: [[White Dwarf 91 (2015)]], — ''Tau Empire Commander''

**{{Endn|8b}}: pg. 48, — ''T'au Sept''*{{Endn|9}}: [[White Dwarf 92 (2015)]] — ''Armies on Parade 2015''*{{Endn|10}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20070310101216/http://medusav.uk.games-workshop.com/events/endgame.htm GW - Medusa V Campaign] ''(save archive page, dated March 2007, last accessed 7 August 2019)''*{{Endn|11}}: [[Redemption on Dal'yth (Short Story)]]*{{Endn|12}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 9th Edition Rulebook]], pg. 171*{{Endn|13}}: [[White Dwarf December 2019]], pg. 90*{{Endn|14}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade]]: Campaign - ''The Morriah Coast'', archive screen*{{Endn|15}}: [[Codex: Tau Empire (8th Edition)]]**{{Endn|15a}}: pg. 31**{{Endn|15b}}: pg. 45**{{Endn|15c}}: pg. 34*{{Endn|16}}: [[War Zone Damocles: Kauyon]], pg. 110*{{Endn|17}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/01/13/psychic-awakening-beyond-the-startide-nexusgw-homepage-post-2/ Psychic Awakening: Beyond the Startide Nexus (Posted on 13/01/2020)] (Last accessed on 13 January 2020)*{{Endn|18}}: [[Farsight (Novella)]], 4-0*{{Endn|19}}: [[White Dwarf 13 (2014)]], pg. 45*{{Endn|20}}: [[Codex: T'au Empire (10th Edition)]]**{{Endn|20a}}: pg. 27**{{Endn|20b}}: pgs. 90-91*{{Endn|21}}: [[Elemental Council (Novel)]] - Chapter 9