Battlesuit: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Battlesuits''' are powered exoskeletons used by the forces of the [[Tau]] | [[File:9cc4.jpg|thumb|right|500px|right|'''MECHA RAPE SQUAD UP IN THIS BITCH YO!!!''']] | ||
'''Battlesuits''' are powered combat exoskeletons used by the forces of the [[Tau|Tau Empire]] to fill a number of tactical roles on the battlefield. The Tau have developed several different battlesuit models, each equipped with different technologies and weapons pertaining to the suit's purpose in battle. [[Stealthsuit|Some]] are built to be [[Just As Planned|small, stealthy and precise]], while [[Riptide|others]] are built to be [[RAPE|lumbering battlemechs that ionize everything in their paths]] while soaking up weapons fire like they're being pelted with [[Lasgun|spitballs]]. Each model's designation is preceded by the letters "XV", which derives from the Tau term "Her'Ex'Vre", meaning "Mantle of the Hero". Note that some sources place a hyphen between the "XV" and the numbers, and others don't. | |||
== Role on the Battlefield == | ==Role on the Battlefield== | ||
Tau | Tau battlesuits are not like [[Imperial]] [[power armor]] in their roles. They serve as command platforms for 'Vre, 'El, and 'O level officers as well as heavy mobile weapons platforms, able to swiftly relocate from firing position to firing position while laying down constant barrages of long range firepower. Most of them are outfitted with [[jetpack]]s for this purpose. All battlesuit pilots are veteran soldiers, given the privilege of piloting one after extensive service. Most [[Fire Warrior|Fire Warriors]] accept the honor of piloting these revered rape machines for the [[Greater Good]], although there are some traditional crazies who shun the use of battlesuits and instead choose to continue to lead their Shas'la as front-line field commanders. | ||
==Models== | |||
== | |||
=== {{anchor|XV02|XV-02}} XV02 Pilot Battlesuit=== | === {{anchor|XV02|XV-02}} XV02 Pilot Battlesuit=== | ||
An experimental model made for vehicle pilots (obviously) currently undergoing field testing; although it provides less protection than Fire Warrior armor, it compensates by allowing | An experimental model made for vehicle pilots (obviously) currently undergoing field testing; although it provides less protection than Fire Warrior armor, it compensates by allowing pilots to interface more effectively with their vehicles, negating the need for multiple crew members. The only one known to exist is in the possession of Shas'la T'au Sha'ng (a.k.a. Longstrike), who was selected for his reputation as a peerless [[Hammerhead Gunship|Hammerhead]] pilot. | ||
=== {{anchor|XV15|XV-15}} XV15 Stealthsuit === | === {{anchor|XV15|XV-15}} XV15 Stealthsuit === | ||
Little more than modified Fire Warrior | Little more than modified Fire Warrior armor, the XV15 was outfitted with stealth systems allowing it to infiltrate, jetpacks for mobility, and burst cannons for firepower. It also carried [[markerlight]]s. These older units are being phased out in favor of the XV25 series after the Imperium got their hands on an intact helmet from one, and the Tau fear it will be reverse-engineered and countered by the humans. Of course, the Imperium being the Imperium, they're never actually going to do this, because using alien technology is [[HERESY]], and so is common sense. (But apparently not anymore! See below.) | ||
[[File:ShadowsunNov.jpg|200px|thumb|left|0% blueberry edition.]] | [[File:ShadowsunNov.jpg|200px|thumb|left|0% blueberry edition.]] | ||
=== {{anchor|XV22|XV-22}} XV22 Command Suit === | === {{anchor|XV22|XV-22}} XV22 Command Suit === | ||
Officially part of the | Officially part of the stealthsuit line, this heavier unit is quite expensive to produce; as such, it is limited in use to commanders (like [[Shadowsun|Commander Shadowsun]] and [[Shas'o Kais]]). With the right equipment and abilities you can make it go three times faster than a normal stealthsuit (red paint optional). This was originally built as a prototype design for a next-generation stealthsuit pattern, but finding ways to mass-produce the required components proved more difficult than anticipated. After the Imperium managed to reverse-engineer some of the XV15 suits ([[Advancing the Storyline|which, for some reason, doesn't cause the Inquisition to foam at the mouth anymore]]) recovered from the battlefield, the Tau had to compromise by moving forward with the less advanced but easier to manufacture XV25. | ||
[[File:StealthSuit.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Citadel exclusive "Tau Stealth" paint. Order it now.]] | [[File:StealthSuit.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Citadel exclusive "Tau Stealth" paint. Order it now.]] | ||
=== {{anchor|XV25|XV-22}} XV25 Stealthsuit === | === {{anchor|XV25|XV-22}} XV25 Stealthsuit === | ||
An improvement over the XV15 | An improvement over the XV15 which is larger, heavier and better armored while still retaining the maneuverability and subtlety of the XV15 series. Development and deployment of the XV25 was largely due to the fact that the Imperium managed to acquire a functioning sample of the old XV15 stealth suit during the [[Damocles Crusade]], compromising its use as a recon platform. | ||
=== {{anchor|XV46|XV-46}} XV46 Vanguard Void Suit === | === {{anchor|XV46|XV-46}} XV46 Vanguard Void Suit === | ||
Basically a Tau Terminator armor, bigger than XV2 series, smaller than XV8 and as heavily armoured as XV88 while still light enough to have jetpacks. It is designed solely for operating in spaceborn situations at (unusually for the Tau) close quarters, which means boarding action and Space Hulk | Basically a Tau version of [[Terminator|Terminator armor]], bigger than the XV2 series, smaller than the XV8 and as heavily armoured as XV88 while still light enough to have jetpacks. It is designed solely for operating in spaceborn situations at (unusually for the Tau) close quarters, which means boarding action and [[Space Hulk]]-type investigation missions. The XV46 is highly effective against [[Genestealers|certain xenos species]] that are famous for slaughtering Terminators like they are nothing. With a fuckton of burst cannons, flamers and fusion guns on each of the suits, the little buggers would have a hard enough time getting close, but then there are electroshocks, grav-repulsors, and photon grenades to zap any fuckers lucky enough to break through the walls of fire, all triggered automatically. To make the Tau version of Space Hulk even less [[grimdark]], these suits are even equipped with smart ejection systems which are programmed to deliver the pilot back on board his ship if his suit gets wrecked. Being both niche equipment and difficult to manufacture critical parts for, XV46s are rarely seen outside of space hulk missions. Even rarer is the XV-46-4 Commander variant. | ||
The XV46 doesn't appear in the tabletop wargame; [[Fantasy Flight Games]] made it up for the [[Deathwatch (RPG)|Deathwatch RPG]]. | The XV46 doesn't appear in the tabletop wargame; [[Fantasy Flight Games]] made it up for the [[Deathwatch (RPG)|Deathwatch RPG]]. | ||
[[File:Tau Crisis Suit Close Up.jpg|240px|thumb|left|Keep trying, Gue'La | [[File:Tau Crisis Suit Close Up.jpg|240px|thumb|left|Keep trying, Gue'La. You have a 1 in 18 chance of actually wounding me.]] | ||
=== {{anchor|XV8|XV-8}} XV8 Crisis Battlesuit === | === {{anchor|XV8|XV-8}} XV8 Crisis Battlesuit === | ||
'' Main Article: [[XV-8 Crisis]]'' | '' Main Article: [[XV-8 Crisis]]'' | ||
The Tau's general-purpose battlesuit that can be outfitted with a dizzying array of weaponry and | The XV8 is the Tau's general-purpose workhorse battlesuit that can be outfitted with a dizzying array of weaponry to fit any situation: burst cannons and flamers for infantry, plasma rifles and missile pods for heavier targets, fusion blasters for tank busting, etc. It also comes with jump jets that allow it to bypass dangerous/impassable terrain and quickly shoot at enemies and jump back to safety before the enemy has any time to react. | ||
[[File:Broadside Battlesuit.jpg|200px|thumb|right|It's been a good run, shoulder-mounted death cannons.]] | [[File:Broadside Battlesuit.jpg|200px|thumb|right|It's been a good run, shoulder-mounted death cannons.]] | ||
=== {{anchor|XV88|XV-88}} XV88 Broadside Battlesuit=== | === {{anchor|XV88|XV-88}} XV88 Broadside Battlesuit=== | ||
[[Nazi|88mm guns]] IN SPESSS | [[Nazi|88mm guns]] IN SPESSS! | ||
They are | The Broadside battlesuit is a modified, heavy version of the XV8 that trades lightness and maneuverability for two smart missile systems (or plasma cannons) and twin [[railgun|railguns]]. They provide Tau infantry with anti-armor, and now anti-air, fire support. 6th Edition nerfed these twin-linked railguns into a single, less potent "rail rifle". Broadsides can also carry loads of seeker missiles now. A single 3-suit team of Broadsides entrenched in cover is enough to deter all but the heaviest of tanks from getting in range, lest those war machines become overpriced bricks of burning cover. They are as well armored as a [[Space Marine]] [[Terminators]], but thanks to the bulk of their weapons and portable generators needed to charge them, Broadsides are one of the few battlesuit models to lack jetpacks. | ||
Crisis suits are | <strike>Crisis suits are cheaper than Broadsides (a unit of three costs about 30% more than a single Broadside), so a Tau player on a budget can buy | ||
a trio of Crisis suits and then convert the railgun and missiles out of tubing and plasticard</strike> '''LOLNOPE.gw''' They figured out that players were doing this so | a trio of Crisis suits and then convert the railgun and missiles out of tubing and plasticard.</strike> '''LOLNOPE.[[Games Workshop|gw]]'''. They figured out that players were doing this, so they started manufacturing a different model for Broadsides which costs half of your monthly salary to buy. It looks kickass, but we all know Games Workshop never shakes your hand without also giving you the finger! | ||
[[File:XV9 smug face.jpg|200px|thumb|left| | [[File:XV9 smug face.jpg|200px|thumb|left|I'll tell you what's a hazard: being hostile and near this motherfucker.]] | ||
=== {{anchor|XV9|XV-9}} XV9 Hazard Battlesuit === | === {{anchor|XV9|XV-9}} XV9 Hazard Battlesuit === | ||
Unlike most Tau battlesuits, the XV9 is designed solely for fast and hard close-range engagements rather than having the option of going either close | Unlike most Tau battlesuits, the XV9 Hazard model is designed solely for fast and hard close-range engagements rather than having the option of going either close or long, or being cloaked while engaging the enemy up close, which is quite odd since this is a bit of a deviation from traditional Tau combat doctrine, which is all about far away [[Shooty|shootiness]]. XV9 series suits are noticeably tougher than any battlesuit available except for the Riptide, can carry absurdly powerful weaponry due to their increased power output ([[RAPE|dual, twin-linked burst cannons, phased ion guns, fusion cascades, pulse submunitions rifles]]), and along with the standard jump packs, come by default with vectored retro-thrusters that allow them to quickly escape close combat if they're ever charged. It should be noted that the number 9 is a significant number to the Tau given that they count in an octal numeral system (there is no 8 or 9; 10 comes immediately after 7), as opposed to [[humanity]]'s decimal system. [[Awesome|This means that to the Tau, the XV9 is literally cranked up to 11.]] | ||
<strike>Wait...if they use a base 8 system wouldn't [[C.S.Goto|9 not exist?]]</strike> In Tau numerals 8 would be like 10 (pronounced "one oh") as that is the point you start using a second digit to create bigger numbers. We have reached "explaining the joke", ladies and gents. | <strike>Wait...if they use a base 8 system wouldn't [[C.S.Goto|9 not exist?]]</strike> In Tau numerals 8 would be like 10 (pronounced "one oh") as that is the point you start using a second digit to create bigger numbers. We have reached "explaining the joke", ladies and gents. | ||
=== {{anchor|XV104|XV-104}} XV104 Riptide Battlesuit === | |||
[[File:Nova Reactor Energy.jpg|200px|thumb|right|"So this is the power of the Nova Reactor... Not bad, not bad at all..."]] | [[File:Nova Reactor Energy.jpg|200px|thumb|right|"So this is the power of the Nova Reactor... Not bad, not bad at all..."]] | ||
A new, extra-large battlesuit (at twice the size of the XV8) that made its first appearance in the 6th edition codex, the Riptide resembles the bastard offspring of a Gundam (specifically the ZZ Gundam, what with its XBAWKS HUEG build, optional missile system and destructive but stupidly risky energy weapon) and a Metal Gear. Arguably more of a vehicle than a suit of armor, the Riptide's primary weapon can be either a heavy burst cannon or an ion accelerator (with twin smart missile systems, fusion blasters or plasma rifles as backup weapons), while its defensive prowess is supplemented by a portable shield generator. All of these can be made significantly more powerful if the prototype Nova reactor built into the suit is used to charge the weapon or shield; however, doing so runs the risk of overloading the generator, releasing deadly radiation that can injure or kill the pilot. | |||
While incredibly powerful, the Riptide's primary drawback ([[fluff]]-wise) is that the materials used to manufacture it are rare. Thus, their numbers remain fairly small within the Tau Empire's forces. Not that you'd know since every goddamn Tau list has them flying out of their asses. Then again, every Imperial Guard force on the tabletop is full of elite veterans, heavy tanks and flyers instead of swarms of regular Guardsmen... | |||
While incredibly powerful, Riptide's primary drawback is that the materials used to manufacture it are rare. Thus, their numbers remain fairly small within the Tau Empire's forces. Not that you'd know since every | |||
An extremely cheesetastic rapetactic on the tabletop with this fella is to model it to be as low as possible (like crouching forward) and then put it behind a piece of very big cover, like a bastion. It moves out during the movement phase, revs the Nova reactor, blasts nearby enemies into oblivion, then jet boosts back behind the bastion during the assault phase to block enemy LoS. | |||
Now, Codex: Craftworlds brings us the [[Wraithknight]]. 295 point Strength D weapons and close combat. Yeah, you thought the Riptide was bad. | Now, Codex: Craftworlds brings us the [[Wraithknight]]. 295 point Strength D weapons and close combat. Yeah, you thought the Riptide was bad. | ||
[[File:Xv-107-rvarna-battlesuit.jpg|400px|thumb|left|That's a nice gargantuan creature you have | [[File:Xv-107-rvarna-battlesuit.jpg|400px|thumb|left|That's a nice gargantuan creature you have there…it'd be a shame if something were to happen to it...]] | ||
=== {{anchor|XV107|XV-107}} XV107 R'varna Battlesuit === | === {{anchor|XV107|XV-107}} XV107 R'varna Battlesuit === | ||
Essentially a Riptide (made by [[Forge World]] of all folk) that threw mobility away for more armour and two exceedingly huge pulse submunition cannons (think plasma cluster bomb) for the purpose of fucking everything up for the enemy. Its Nova Reactor also grants some unusual properties like a turn with Fleet, an | Essentially a Riptide (made by [[Forge World]] of all folk) that threw mobility away for more armour and two exceedingly huge pulse submunition cannons (think plasma cluster bomb) for the purpose of fucking everything up for the enemy. Its Nova Reactor also grants some unusual properties like a turn with Fleet, an electromagnetic shockwave that hits everyone around it, or double-firing weapons, but is no less risky to use. It's essentially the Broadside battlesuit to the Riptide's Crisis battlesuit. | ||
The fluff behind this involves an Earth Caste engineer from sept Ke'lshan who managed to go behind the Ethereals' backs by building something so huge, expensive (even in in-universe terms), and lethal when he was supposed to make more stealthsuits. | The fluff behind this involves an Earth Caste engineer from sept Ke'lshan who managed to go behind the Ethereals' backs by building something so huge, expensive (even in in-universe terms), and lethal when he was supposed to make more stealthsuits. One [[Tyranids|Tyranid]] swarm later, however, he revealed this behemoth and it helped curb-stomp all of the things and save the sept. | ||
One interesting note of mention is that in the early days of the R'varna's conception, well before it was officially announced, there was indeed a rumor floating around that Forgeworld was actually designing a new | One interesting note of mention is that in the early days of the R'varna's conception, well before it was officially announced, there was indeed a rumor floating around that Forgeworld was actually designing a new stealthsuit. This was before 6th Edition Tau were even released, so it makes sense that nobody even knew about the Riptide aside from the weeks preceding the new codex, but what is interesting is that, given the fluff behind the R'varna, it's almost as though Forgeworld chuckled at the rumors and used those as a basis for their fluff, going so far as to craft the rumors of a stealthsuit into the XV107's fundamental history. '''The more you know!''' | ||
And unlike plenty of other things in lore | And unlike plenty of other things in lore, the R'varna, with its bigass pulse submunitions cannons, is as big a rape machine on the table as it is in the fluff. With the ability to fire two pie plates a turn at AP3 and S6 (and FOUR plates using the Nova Reactor) the thing turns [[Space Marines]] to ceramic shards, [[Tyranids]] to garden mulch, and [[Orks]] to fertilizer. And since the cannons basically fire plasma cluster bombs, they get Cluster Fire, which means Monstrous Creatures, buildings, and vehicles each take THREE hits at +2 Strength. Let that sink in. In addition, anything with Very Bulky, Bike, Jetbike, Cavalry, or Beast takes two hits at +1 Strength, so things like [[Ogryn|Ogryns]] and [[Centurion Squad|Centurions]] will be almost as readily vaporized. All in all, the R'varna is considered to be horribly, horribly, horribly broken by non-Tau players, and by Tau players still using it to be the most brokenly rapetastic thing since [[Fish of Fury|Fish of]]—{{BLAM}} {{BLAM|HERESY!}} | ||
=== {{anchor|XV109|XV-109}} XV109 Y'Vahra Battlesuit=== | === {{anchor|XV109|XV-109}} XV109 Y'Vahra Battlesuit=== | ||
The newest baby in the [[Forge World]] fleet, this is a Riptide that now embraces its mobility and gets a super-flamer | The newest baby in the [[Forge World]] fleet, this is a Riptide that now embraces its mobility and gets a super-flamer, a mega-haywire gun and has super-jetpacks able to turn it into a flying monstrous creature. | ||
Made by the same Earth Caste bastard behind the R'Varna, this one is made with the opposite goal in mind: | Made by the same Earth Caste bastard behind the R'Varna, this one is made with the opposite goal in mind: jump in close and take the fight to the enemy, fling a burst of flechettes as it lands and then jump back out before it can be overwhelmed. With its S6 Torrent (at 6") Flamer that goes either AP3 Heavy 1 or AP2 Heavy 2, and its S8 AP3 Haywire Cannon that also blinds, it can effectively total entire enemy forces, and even moreso with the Nova Reactor on (which gives it some more tricks, like the ability to Jink or move back into reserves while in close combat). It would also be utter fucking cheese if you ran this thing plus a [[Farsight]] list with O'Vesa, Riptides, R'Varnas, and a minimal number of [[Fire Warrior|Fire Warriors]] for [[markerlight|markerlights]]. Just try taking this against a [[Necron]] or a [[Dark Eldar]] list, I dare you. | ||
=== | === KX139 Ta'Unar Supremacy Armour === | ||
A new super-heavy Compensator Class battlesuit, massive enough to claim the title of Tau [[Titan]], and shown on the recent Games Day. It looks much like Thor from StarCraft with massive arm-cannons and an even more massive battery of three artillery guns on its back, as well as four chest-mounted burst cannons and a smart missile system. No jet packs, much like the R'varna. There's no fluff or crunch yet, but pretty much everyone is certain it's going to be a gargantuan creature, and most think either the back or arm cannons are going to have D-strength. Unlike other battlesuits that require a single Fire Warrior to operate, the KX139 is instead piloted by a crew of three, similar to human-built Titans. | |||
{{40k-Tau-Vehicles}} | {{40k-Tau-Vehicles}} | ||
| Line 90: | Line 84: | ||
== Homebrew Battlesuits == | == Homebrew Battlesuits == | ||
One of the best things about | One of the best things about battlesuits is the versatility that they allow in both their creation and battlefield purpose, and unlike the overzealous [[Techpriests]] of the [[Imperium]], the Tau Earth Caste are not bound by any fear or hatred of innovation or redesigning their technology. As such, I've no doubt that somewhere, somewhen, somehow, someone has come up with their own interesting Homebrew Battlesuits. | ||
=== Darkfire Assassin Squad === | === Darkfire Assassin Squad === | ||
| Line 96: | Line 90: | ||
'''Darkfire Assasin Squad(Elites, Infantry, Jet-Pack, Unit Composition 3 Darkfire Shas’ui) (120 Points)''' | '''Darkfire Assasin Squad(Elites, Infantry, Jet-Pack, Unit Composition 3 Darkfire Shas’ui) (120 Points)''' | ||
After each achieving the rank of Shas’ui, these highly trained Tau snipers are taught the arts of stealth, infiltration and sharpshooting for several years, honing their talents on the battlefield before advancing to the rank of Shas’vre and earning the right to wear the advanced XV 25-78 Darkfire Battlesuit. | |||
Darkfire Shas’ui (Infantry, Jet-Pack) | Darkfire Shas’ui (Infantry, Jet-Pack) | ||
| Line 132: | Line 126: | ||
Options | Options | ||
* Any Darkfire Shas’ui may take one item from the support system | * Any Darkfire Shas’ui may take one item from the support system. | ||
* One Darkfire Shas’ui may take a | * One Darkfire Shas’ui may take a markerlight and target lock. (5 Points) | ||
* May upgrade 1 Darkfire Shas’ui to a Darkfire Shas’vre (10 points) | * May upgrade 1 Darkfire Shas’ui to a Darkfire Shas’vre. (10 points) | ||
* May upgrade the Darkfire Shas’vre’s Longshot Pulse Rifle to a Longshot Ion Rifle. (Range 48”, S: X, AP: 3, Rapid Fire, Sniper) (Overcharge Profile: Range 48”, S:X, AP: 3, Heavy 1, Blast, Shred, Sniper, Gets Hot) (10 Points) | * May upgrade the Darkfire Shas’vre’s Longshot Pulse Rifle to a Longshot Ion Rifle. (Range 48”, S: X, AP: 3, Rapid Fire, Sniper) (Overcharge Profile: Range 48”, S:X, AP: 3, Heavy 1, Blast, Shred, Sniper, Gets Hot) (10 Points) | ||
* May upgrade the Darkfire Shas’vre’s Longshot Pulse Rifle to a Longshot Rail Rifle (Range: 48” S: X AP: 1 Sniper, Rapid Fire) (15 points) | * May upgrade the Darkfire Shas’vre’s Longshot Pulse Rifle to a Longshot Rail Rifle. (Range: 48” S: X AP: 1 Sniper, Rapid Fire) (15 points) | ||
* Any Darkfire Shas’vre may take one item from the support system. | * Any Darkfire Shas’vre may take one item from the support system. | ||
* The entire unit may take the Bonding Knife special rule (2 points/Model) | * The entire unit may take the Bonding Knife special rule. (2 points/Model) | ||
[[category:Tau]] | [[category:Tau]] | ||
Revision as of 21:37, 24 July 2015
Battlesuits are powered combat exoskeletons used by the forces of the Tau Empire to fill a number of tactical roles on the battlefield. The Tau have developed several different battlesuit models, each equipped with different technologies and weapons pertaining to the suit's purpose in battle. Some are built to be small, stealthy and precise, while others are built to be lumbering battlemechs that ionize everything in their paths while soaking up weapons fire like they're being pelted with spitballs. Each model's designation is preceded by the letters "XV", which derives from the Tau term "Her'Ex'Vre", meaning "Mantle of the Hero". Note that some sources place a hyphen between the "XV" and the numbers, and others don't.
Role on the Battlefield
Tau battlesuits are not like Imperial power armor in their roles. They serve as command platforms for 'Vre, 'El, and 'O level officers as well as heavy mobile weapons platforms, able to swiftly relocate from firing position to firing position while laying down constant barrages of long range firepower. Most of them are outfitted with jetpacks for this purpose. All battlesuit pilots are veteran soldiers, given the privilege of piloting one after extensive service. Most Fire Warriors accept the honor of piloting these revered rape machines for the Greater Good, although there are some traditional crazies who shun the use of battlesuits and instead choose to continue to lead their Shas'la as front-line field commanders.
Models
XV02 Pilot Battlesuit
An experimental model made for vehicle pilots (obviously) currently undergoing field testing; although it provides less protection than Fire Warrior armor, it compensates by allowing pilots to interface more effectively with their vehicles, negating the need for multiple crew members. The only one known to exist is in the possession of Shas'la T'au Sha'ng (a.k.a. Longstrike), who was selected for his reputation as a peerless Hammerhead pilot.
XV15 Stealthsuit
Little more than modified Fire Warrior armor, the XV15 was outfitted with stealth systems allowing it to infiltrate, jetpacks for mobility, and burst cannons for firepower. It also carried markerlights. These older units are being phased out in favor of the XV25 series after the Imperium got their hands on an intact helmet from one, and the Tau fear it will be reverse-engineered and countered by the humans. Of course, the Imperium being the Imperium, they're never actually going to do this, because using alien technology is HERESY, and so is common sense. (But apparently not anymore! See below.)
XV22 Command Suit
Officially part of the stealthsuit line, this heavier unit is quite expensive to produce; as such, it is limited in use to commanders (like Commander Shadowsun and Shas'o Kais). With the right equipment and abilities you can make it go three times faster than a normal stealthsuit (red paint optional). This was originally built as a prototype design for a next-generation stealthsuit pattern, but finding ways to mass-produce the required components proved more difficult than anticipated. After the Imperium managed to reverse-engineer some of the XV15 suits (which, for some reason, doesn't cause the Inquisition to foam at the mouth anymore) recovered from the battlefield, the Tau had to compromise by moving forward with the less advanced but easier to manufacture XV25.
XV25 Stealthsuit
An improvement over the XV15 which is larger, heavier and better armored while still retaining the maneuverability and subtlety of the XV15 series. Development and deployment of the XV25 was largely due to the fact that the Imperium managed to acquire a functioning sample of the old XV15 stealth suit during the Damocles Crusade, compromising its use as a recon platform.
XV46 Vanguard Void Suit
Basically a Tau version of Terminator armor, bigger than the XV2 series, smaller than the XV8 and as heavily armoured as XV88 while still light enough to have jetpacks. It is designed solely for operating in spaceborn situations at (unusually for the Tau) close quarters, which means boarding action and Space Hulk-type investigation missions. The XV46 is highly effective against certain xenos species that are famous for slaughtering Terminators like they are nothing. With a fuckton of burst cannons, flamers and fusion guns on each of the suits, the little buggers would have a hard enough time getting close, but then there are electroshocks, grav-repulsors, and photon grenades to zap any fuckers lucky enough to break through the walls of fire, all triggered automatically. To make the Tau version of Space Hulk even less grimdark, these suits are even equipped with smart ejection systems which are programmed to deliver the pilot back on board his ship if his suit gets wrecked. Being both niche equipment and difficult to manufacture critical parts for, XV46s are rarely seen outside of space hulk missions. Even rarer is the XV-46-4 Commander variant.
The XV46 doesn't appear in the tabletop wargame; Fantasy Flight Games made it up for the Deathwatch RPG.
XV8 Crisis Battlesuit
Main Article: XV-8 Crisis
The XV8 is the Tau's general-purpose workhorse battlesuit that can be outfitted with a dizzying array of weaponry to fit any situation: burst cannons and flamers for infantry, plasma rifles and missile pods for heavier targets, fusion blasters for tank busting, etc. It also comes with jump jets that allow it to bypass dangerous/impassable terrain and quickly shoot at enemies and jump back to safety before the enemy has any time to react.
XV88 Broadside Battlesuit
88mm guns IN SPESSS!
The Broadside battlesuit is a modified, heavy version of the XV8 that trades lightness and maneuverability for two smart missile systems (or plasma cannons) and twin railguns. They provide Tau infantry with anti-armor, and now anti-air, fire support. 6th Edition nerfed these twin-linked railguns into a single, less potent "rail rifle". Broadsides can also carry loads of seeker missiles now. A single 3-suit team of Broadsides entrenched in cover is enough to deter all but the heaviest of tanks from getting in range, lest those war machines become overpriced bricks of burning cover. They are as well armored as a Space Marine Terminators, but thanks to the bulk of their weapons and portable generators needed to charge them, Broadsides are one of the few battlesuit models to lack jetpacks.
Crisis suits are cheaper than Broadsides (a unit of three costs about 30% more than a single Broadside), so a Tau player on a budget can buy
a trio of Crisis suits and then convert the railgun and missiles out of tubing and plasticard. LOLNOPE.gw. They figured out that players were doing this, so they started manufacturing a different model for Broadsides which costs half of your monthly salary to buy. It looks kickass, but we all know Games Workshop never shakes your hand without also giving you the finger!
XV9 Hazard Battlesuit
Unlike most Tau battlesuits, the XV9 Hazard model is designed solely for fast and hard close-range engagements rather than having the option of going either close or long, or being cloaked while engaging the enemy up close, which is quite odd since this is a bit of a deviation from traditional Tau combat doctrine, which is all about far away shootiness. XV9 series suits are noticeably tougher than any battlesuit available except for the Riptide, can carry absurdly powerful weaponry due to their increased power output (dual, twin-linked burst cannons, phased ion guns, fusion cascades, pulse submunitions rifles), and along with the standard jump packs, come by default with vectored retro-thrusters that allow them to quickly escape close combat if they're ever charged. It should be noted that the number 9 is a significant number to the Tau given that they count in an octal numeral system (there is no 8 or 9; 10 comes immediately after 7), as opposed to humanity's decimal system. This means that to the Tau, the XV9 is literally cranked up to 11.
Wait...if they use a base 8 system wouldn't 9 not exist? In Tau numerals 8 would be like 10 (pronounced "one oh") as that is the point you start using a second digit to create bigger numbers. We have reached "explaining the joke", ladies and gents.
XV104 Riptide Battlesuit
A new, extra-large battlesuit (at twice the size of the XV8) that made its first appearance in the 6th edition codex, the Riptide resembles the bastard offspring of a Gundam (specifically the ZZ Gundam, what with its XBAWKS HUEG build, optional missile system and destructive but stupidly risky energy weapon) and a Metal Gear. Arguably more of a vehicle than a suit of armor, the Riptide's primary weapon can be either a heavy burst cannon or an ion accelerator (with twin smart missile systems, fusion blasters or plasma rifles as backup weapons), while its defensive prowess is supplemented by a portable shield generator. All of these can be made significantly more powerful if the prototype Nova reactor built into the suit is used to charge the weapon or shield; however, doing so runs the risk of overloading the generator, releasing deadly radiation that can injure or kill the pilot.
While incredibly powerful, the Riptide's primary drawback (fluff-wise) is that the materials used to manufacture it are rare. Thus, their numbers remain fairly small within the Tau Empire's forces. Not that you'd know since every goddamn Tau list has them flying out of their asses. Then again, every Imperial Guard force on the tabletop is full of elite veterans, heavy tanks and flyers instead of swarms of regular Guardsmen...
An extremely cheesetastic rapetactic on the tabletop with this fella is to model it to be as low as possible (like crouching forward) and then put it behind a piece of very big cover, like a bastion. It moves out during the movement phase, revs the Nova reactor, blasts nearby enemies into oblivion, then jet boosts back behind the bastion during the assault phase to block enemy LoS.
Now, Codex: Craftworlds brings us the Wraithknight. 295 point Strength D weapons and close combat. Yeah, you thought the Riptide was bad.
XV107 R'varna Battlesuit
Essentially a Riptide (made by Forge World of all folk) that threw mobility away for more armour and two exceedingly huge pulse submunition cannons (think plasma cluster bomb) for the purpose of fucking everything up for the enemy. Its Nova Reactor also grants some unusual properties like a turn with Fleet, an electromagnetic shockwave that hits everyone around it, or double-firing weapons, but is no less risky to use. It's essentially the Broadside battlesuit to the Riptide's Crisis battlesuit.
The fluff behind this involves an Earth Caste engineer from sept Ke'lshan who managed to go behind the Ethereals' backs by building something so huge, expensive (even in in-universe terms), and lethal when he was supposed to make more stealthsuits. One Tyranid swarm later, however, he revealed this behemoth and it helped curb-stomp all of the things and save the sept.
One interesting note of mention is that in the early days of the R'varna's conception, well before it was officially announced, there was indeed a rumor floating around that Forgeworld was actually designing a new stealthsuit. This was before 6th Edition Tau were even released, so it makes sense that nobody even knew about the Riptide aside from the weeks preceding the new codex, but what is interesting is that, given the fluff behind the R'varna, it's almost as though Forgeworld chuckled at the rumors and used those as a basis for their fluff, going so far as to craft the rumors of a stealthsuit into the XV107's fundamental history. The more you know!
And unlike plenty of other things in lore, the R'varna, with its bigass pulse submunitions cannons, is as big a rape machine on the table as it is in the fluff. With the ability to fire two pie plates a turn at AP3 and S6 (and FOUR plates using the Nova Reactor) the thing turns Space Marines to ceramic shards, Tyranids to garden mulch, and Orks to fertilizer. And since the cannons basically fire plasma cluster bombs, they get Cluster Fire, which means Monstrous Creatures, buildings, and vehicles each take THREE hits at +2 Strength. Let that sink in. In addition, anything with Very Bulky, Bike, Jetbike, Cavalry, or Beast takes two hits at +1 Strength, so things like Ogryns and Centurions will be almost as readily vaporized. All in all, the R'varna is considered to be horribly, horribly, horribly broken by non-Tau players, and by Tau players still using it to be the most brokenly rapetastic thing since Fish of—*BLAM* HERESY!
XV109 Y'Vahra Battlesuit
The newest baby in the Forge World fleet, this is a Riptide that now embraces its mobility and gets a super-flamer, a mega-haywire gun and has super-jetpacks able to turn it into a flying monstrous creature.
Made by the same Earth Caste bastard behind the R'Varna, this one is made with the opposite goal in mind: jump in close and take the fight to the enemy, fling a burst of flechettes as it lands and then jump back out before it can be overwhelmed. With its S6 Torrent (at 6") Flamer that goes either AP3 Heavy 1 or AP2 Heavy 2, and its S8 AP3 Haywire Cannon that also blinds, it can effectively total entire enemy forces, and even moreso with the Nova Reactor on (which gives it some more tricks, like the ability to Jink or move back into reserves while in close combat). It would also be utter fucking cheese if you ran this thing plus a Farsight list with O'Vesa, Riptides, R'Varnas, and a minimal number of Fire Warriors for markerlights. Just try taking this against a Necron or a Dark Eldar list, I dare you.
KX139 Ta'Unar Supremacy Armour
A new super-heavy Compensator Class battlesuit, massive enough to claim the title of Tau Titan, and shown on the recent Games Day. It looks much like Thor from StarCraft with massive arm-cannons and an even more massive battery of three artillery guns on its back, as well as four chest-mounted burst cannons and a smart missile system. No jet packs, much like the R'varna. There's no fluff or crunch yet, but pretty much everyone is certain it's going to be a gargantuan creature, and most think either the back or arm cannons are going to have D-strength. Unlike other battlesuits that require a single Fire Warrior to operate, the KX139 is instead piloted by a crew of three, similar to human-built Titans.
Homebrew Battlesuits
One of the best things about battlesuits is the versatility that they allow in both their creation and battlefield purpose, and unlike the overzealous Techpriests of the Imperium, the Tau Earth Caste are not bound by any fear or hatred of innovation or redesigning their technology. As such, I've no doubt that somewhere, somewhen, somehow, someone has come up with their own interesting Homebrew Battlesuits.
Darkfire Assassin Squad
Darkfire Assasin Squad(Elites, Infantry, Jet-Pack, Unit Composition 3 Darkfire Shas’ui) (120 Points)
After each achieving the rank of Shas’ui, these highly trained Tau snipers are taught the arts of stealth, infiltration and sharpshooting for several years, honing their talents on the battlefield before advancing to the rank of Shas’vre and earning the right to wear the advanced XV 25-78 Darkfire Battlesuit.
Darkfire Shas’ui (Infantry, Jet-Pack)
WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | Sv 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3+
Darkfire Shas’vre (Infantry, Jet-Pack, Character)
WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | Sv 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 3+
Wargear
- XV 25-78 Darkfire Battlesuit
- Longshot Pulse Rifle
- Multi-Tracker
- Blacksun Filter
Special Rules
- Infiltrate
- Stealth
- Shrouded
- Supporting Fire
- Bulky
Options
- Any Darkfire Shas’ui may take one item from the support system.
- One Darkfire Shas’ui may take a markerlight and target lock. (5 Points)
- May upgrade 1 Darkfire Shas’ui to a Darkfire Shas’vre. (10 points)
- May upgrade the Darkfire Shas’vre’s Longshot Pulse Rifle to a Longshot Ion Rifle. (Range 48”, S: X, AP: 3, Rapid Fire, Sniper) (Overcharge Profile: Range 48”, S:X, AP: 3, Heavy 1, Blast, Shred, Sniper, Gets Hot) (10 Points)
- May upgrade the Darkfire Shas’vre’s Longshot Pulse Rifle to a Longshot Rail Rifle. (Range: 48” S: X AP: 1 Sniper, Rapid Fire) (15 points)
- Any Darkfire Shas’vre may take one item from the support system.
- The entire unit may take the Bonding Knife special rule. (2 points/Model)