Krootox
Krootox or Krootis troglodytes if you're feeling scientific, are the space chicken-gorilla of the Kroot genus. A Krootox is a large beast used in Tau or Kroot mercenary forces. They are a dead-end evolutionary path from Kroot who consumed the flesh of especially muscular and barbaric beasts, losing their intelligence. The result is a hugely muscled, oversized variant of Kroot physiology, its mind capable of little more than unreasoning brutality.If not for the Kroot using them as beasts of war, the Krootox might have died out generations ago, but instead, they are a common sight all over the Tau Empire and beyond.
Krootox Herd[edit]
Are made up of 1 to 3 krootox. Often deployed next to Shapers or Carnivore Kindred.
Kroot Herders saddle the Krootox and mount on their backs a Kroot Gun - an oversized version of the Kroot rifle - which is crewed by a single Kroot rider. They are large and solid enough to provide a stable and mobile firing platform for the weapon, while at the same time serving as powerful assault troops in close combat, and while relatively placid under the control of a Kroot, the Krootox becomes enraged by the presence of an enemy and their huge powerful arms and fists are capable of caving in vehicle hulls and power armour with equal ease.
Just don't try and put your Krootox near an Ogryn, trust us that 3-meter tall brute can break the spine of Space Harambe, Bane style, if it is not careful.
Krootox Rampagers[edit]
The new variant 10th Edition introduces that makes them be the angry bird-gorillas they're meant to be.
In lore, these Krootoxes are actually younger and thus far more impulsive than the ones that we've seen thus far. As such, the Kroot riding them is there to just guide them along to where they can smash the most shit while occasionally shivving some lads.
The riders of these Krootoxes are also armed with more variety than usual. Kroot Spear-throwers with Hunting Javelin ammunition, Hunting Knives and Axes are used for close-combat whilst Kroot Pistols, Repeater Cannons and Tanglecannons are used for more ranged combat.
