'''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'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.{{Fn|15b}} ===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== '''Shas'el''' is the second highest rank which 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, [[TauCyclic Ion Blaster]] s, and [[Fire WarriorTau Flamer|Flamer]] can attains. A Shas'el usually only gains They also have access to the rank after years of training most advanced [[Special Issue]] [[Battlesuit Support System]]s such as a [[Shield Generator]], [[Positional Relay]], [[Command & Control Node]], 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}}

*{{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|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)''