XV9 Hazard Battlesuit
The XV9 Hazard Battlesuit is the first iteration of Tau Battlesuits who like to go all-in close and dirty. Despite its capabilities, its design has caused some in-universe Skub between the weebs. More of which can be read below.
Overview[edit]
At its core, the XV9 is a short-range close combat weapons platform meant to deal with CQC-heavy army after the Tau realized that their entire neighborhood is filled with these fuckheads. It has a reinforced chassis to accommodate in its new role while being much larger than any other Battlesuit design and using experimental technology to pack enormously-powerful weapons powered by a compact energy core.
Origin of the Skub[edit]
So this is where we get into the shonen-levels of intra-political controversy within Weeaboo land.
This loadout, besides going against typical Tau military doctrines of standing back and shoot, also requires a substantial expenditure of resources to produce. Traditionalist elements of the Ethereal and Earth Caste have argued that that these costs would be better used building more tried and true weapons, however those Fire Caste members who use it, especially members of the Ke'lshan Sept, swear by its ability to fulfill the counter-attack role.
Because of the sophisticated nature of the XV9's controls, only Shas'vre with years of experience piloting Crisis Battlesuits are assigned to pilot the 'Hazard' armour. They will typically operate in teams of one to three, including a team leader. Three of these teams will often operate as part of a Swift Protector Wing to perform dangerous battlefield duties.
Equipment[edit]
As a more shotgun-happy cousin of the Battlesuit family, the Hazard Battlesuit is equipped with weapons that does the job well at close range. This includes two Twin-linked Burst Cannons which also has an inbuilt photon casters to launch defensive Photon Grenades. In addition to their jetpack, the armour also has Vectored Retro-Thrusters for increased maneuverability. Support systems include a Multi-tracker and either a Blacksun Filter, Drone Controller, Target Lock or Shield Generator. One or both of the Burst Cannons can be replaced with a Pulse Submunitions Rifle.
Crunch[edit]
In 9th Edition, the Hazard is basically a larger and more expensive version of the Crisis Battlesuits. Having 1 extra wounds, +1 attack and Ld (beh), -2" to hostile chargers and one other Support System per suit adds to that somewhat. Can take two weapons of a Twin Hazard Burst Cannon (which is two Burst Cannons). At a glance, seems to be most cost-effective if you need a single suit to perform a task. Past that it may be more effective/reliable to look towards normal Crisis suits.
Variants[edit]
The Hazard also has two sub-variants noted here:
XV9-01[edit]
The XV9-01 is the Hazard Suit armed with with Fusion Cascades, basically the more Melta heavy variant of the Hazard Battlesuit. While the Cascade lacks the same power as its Imperial equivalent on a per-shot basis, the Fusion Cascade fires in bursts, allowing it to overwhelm the target.
Crunchwise, it is the same as the Hazard Battlesuit, but its Fusion Cascades allows it to peppershot TEQs to death slag. The Fusion Cascades are basically Fusion Blasters D3 but with melta rules.
XV9-04[edit]
The XV9-04 is the second variant of the Hazard Suit, this time armed instead, with a pair of Phased Ion Guns. The Phased Ion Guns are essentially an upscaled and more Dakka'ed Cyclic Ion Raker. If you want to wield a pair of plasma Assault Cannons, these are the Battlesuits for you.
On the tabletop, the XV9-04 has the same stats as the normal Hazard Battlesuit, but this time, you can melt hordes of MEQs and GEQs on a single turn. For a little bit more points, you are essentially getting a Burst Cannon but with +1 strength and better AP. Overall, a much better variant than the stock standard, just a bit more pricier.