Krootox Riders

The Krootox Riders are among the strangest auxiliaries to march beneath the banners of the T'au Empire, each a partnership of two creatures grown from a shared Kroot lineage. The Krootox itself is a massive, ape-like brute, all slabbed muscle and heavy bone, while upon its back rides a smaller Kroot who wields an oversized kroot gun far too cumbersome for any warrior on foot.

Together they form a mobile heavy-weapons platform of surprising power. The rider pours withering fire into the enemy from atop its lumbering mount, while the Krootox lends its own terrible strength should the foe close to arm's reach, hammering armoured warriors from their feet with sweeping blows of its great fists.

Shapers value the Krootox for the raw firepower and muscle it brings to a kindred that otherwise fights light and fast. The beast is slow of thought and slower of foot, yet it soaks up punishment that would fell a dozen lesser auxiliaries and answers with a violence few enemy lines can weather. Where the Krootox goes, the Kroot follow, emboldened by the sheer brute presence at their side.