Forgeworld, 100% official?

I feel like a bit of an idiot starting a new thread to ask this question, but didn't want to interrupt another one.
Are all the rules and models in "Imperial Armour volume three - the Taros campaign" 100% official to be used in tabletop 40k games?
I'm yearning for the book but extremely hesitatnt to cash out; if it's not then that would make me happy to not buy it. But if so.................

Not exactly.

Part of the problem is that "official" isn't a hard and fast term with GW, it's more of a gray area/guidelines type of thing.

As far as tournaments go, it is my understanding that it is up to the tourny organizer to declare what is and is not "official".

Forgeworld stuff generally falls into a couple of categories

Alternate models or variations of existing unit types. This would be like the forgeworld command battlesuits. These tend to be very minor tweaks of existing rules. Most people I have talked to don't care whether you use these, they are mainly an excuse to get a cool model.

Brand new, non-super heavy units. This would be the Tetra or Drone turrets and the like. Some people might complain a bit about this stuff because they may not know what it is or what it is capable of before the game begins but probably anyone who is familiar with FW will be fine with you using these.

Super-Heavies and Flyers. This is the category people sometimes have a problem with and is what FW is most known for. People generally don't want to face super-heavy stuff in a pick up game but are more than happy to schedule a big mega battle in advance so you can use it.

Most Forgeworld stuff is over-priced point-wise for what you get because their goal is to create cool models, not change the balance of the game, so most people will be only to happy to let you play with the stuff, but the only "official" answer you are likely to get from GW is to discuss it with your opponent before the game and make sure he's OK with it.

As far as IA3 the Taros Campaign goes, it pretty much rocks. I think it is the best of the IA books to date and I don't mean that just because I play Tau. The story of the war (which takes up like a quarter of the book) is totally cool and original (IA 4 I thought was too derivitive), and all the new units are laid out well and easy to access (again IA 4 does it badly). With lots of scenarios and stuff linked to the narrative so you can refight the Taros Campaign.

That said, if money is an issue, you might consider trying to find a used copy of the "Imperial Armour Update 2004" It has the rules for alot (but not all) of the FW Tau models in it. It is missing a couple, notably the battlesuits, and one or two have rules that have been slightly modified, but it should be alot cheaper (and it also includes rules for a bunch or ork and eldar stuff).

Thanks for the detailed response. Hmm... I think I'll put this into the "want to buy but won't specifically save up for" section of things!

Can you tell the story of the Taros Campign?

Forgeworld stuff is "official", but like Nevermore said, that is an extremely gray area for GW. Their are very few nonos which you arent allowed to do.

I very brief, an Imperial governor began trading with the Tau. Tau goods were in demand because they were so much better than imperial stuff so the trade increased. Eventually, he realized he had fallen down a slippery slope and was too deep;y involved with the Tau for the Imperium to let him live, so when they found him out he called to the Tau for help and the planet switched sides.

Elysian Drop troops and other IG and some SMs were sent in to reclaim the planet. Shas'O R'Myr led the Tau forces in defense.

A number of battles are described in exciting detail, as well as the overall strategy of the generals, space battles between ships, etc...

I don't want to spoil the ending by telling who won, but I found it to be a very exciting and believable war story.

Are the rules for Shas'O R'Myr very different from normal battlesuits? Ive been wondering whether hes worth buying for a while but i dont have the money for the book ;-;

The rules for R'Myr are pretty different from other suits. An assault plasma rifle, advanced shield generator, flechette discharger, I think a couple of other things, and his rules are only (legally) available in IA3.

On the other hand he is a totally awesome model and you can just use him as a standard battlesuit, probably with twin linked plasma rifles and shield generator.

Thanks, ill probobaly use him as a normal battlesuit considering i cant afford IA3