Editing Plasma (section)

==Tau Ion Weapons==
Ion weapons are not specifically called plasma guns, but seeing as how they shoot a stream of ions at their targets, they meet the scientific definition of "plasma". Fluff says it doesn't so much fire Plasma, but shoots a stream of Ionizing particles that reduce what ever the stream hits to Plasma like a bastard hate child of laser and plasma weapons, and it's [[Grimdark|pretty horrific if you think about it.]] Originally, Ion weapons technology came from the Srry-tok Brotherhood of the Tau Empire member race known as the [[Demiurg]] (who are actually a Tau-friendly Prospect of the Squats/Kin), but then the Earth caste tinkered with it for a bit, and replaced the power source with a more compact one that could also now be "overcharged" by removing its radiation shielding - this results in the weapon firing single powerful blast shots instead of a torrent of weaker ones, but also runs the risk of wounding the weapon operator or damaging his suit/vehicle with a burst of ionizing radiation from the power source. Ion weapons evolved the way opposite to pulse weaponry, which started as small arms and then evolved into bigger and bigger weapons. Ion weapons started from the biggest of the big (spaceship cannons, analogues to imperial lances), and then were miniaturized down to vehicle weapons, to battlesuit weapons, and finally to compact rifles. One wonders when we would finally get ion pistols as things go. Due to their origin, this makes Ion weapons a ''very'' rare case of collaboration between humans and Xenos.

===Ion Rifle===
[[File:IonRifleProfile.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Ion Rifle]]
The aforementioned new power source, called Mor'tonium (a form of hyper-enriched Iridium that quickly decays when exposed to an atmosphere), allowed Earth caste engineers to create a portable Ion weapon.

The resulting weapon that is the Ion Rifle combines the man-portable size of a Pulse Rifle and the firepower equivalent to an Imperial Autocannon in one deadly package. Now, Tau Ion weapons are typically found on heavy vehicles and void craft, and this lightweight man-portable variant is still considered highly experimental. The weapon operates by creating a stream of highly ionized particles and using advanced electro-magnetic fields to direct them at a target. Where the particles strike the target, they react explosively, causing massive trauma.

Currently, the Ion Rifle is carried by [[Pathfinder Team]]s as a variant sniper/anti-materiel weapon to vaporize heavy infantry and light vehicles alike. As an Ion weapon should be capable of, the Ion Rifle’s safety measures can be temporarily shut off, allowing the ion stream to reach dangerous levels of energy before being released. If done correctly, the resulting damage can be spectacular. However, if left active for too long, the Mor'tonium power source will emit to much ionic radiation and cook the user like a popcorn shrimp. Aside from the Pathfinders, the [[Interceptor Drone]]s used by [[Sun Shark Bomber]]s are also armed with a set of twin-linked Ion Rifles as their standard armament, which they use in conjunction with their advanced targeting systems to blow incoming aircraft looking to do harm to the bomber out of the sky.

Ion Rifles are basically the Tau's quintessential [[Lascannon]] or Rocket Launcher equivalent; and like its big brother, the Ion Rifle can be overcharged for an S8 AР4 small blast, but in order to do so a soldier must expose the gun's power source to air. This is not a good idea, considering that said power source is highly radioactive. As a result, Pathfinders equipped with this weapon usually die from [[cancer]], unless they get killed in action before that happens (''and considering the high risk of their job, there is a good chance they will''.)
<center>
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background: white;"
|+ class="nowrap" style="white-space: nowrap"|'''Profile'''
|-
|
{|align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=10
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;"| Gallery
|-
|<gallery class="center">
IonRifleArt.jpg|<center>Profile</center>
IonRiflePathfinder.jpg|<center>Pathfinder</center>
IonRifleInterceptorDrone.jpg|<center>Interceptor Drone</center>
</gallery>
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Stats
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 7th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=30"|strength=7|ap=4|type=Rapid Fire}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=30"|strength=8|ap=4|type=Heavy 1, Blast, Gets Hot}}
|}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 8th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=30"|strength=7|ap=-1|damage=1|type=Rapid Fire 1}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=30"|strength=8|ap=-1|damage=2|type=Heavy D3|abilities=If you roll one or more hit rolls of 1, the bearer suffers a mortal wound after all of this weapon’s shots have been resolved.}}
|}
|}
|}
|}
|}
</center>

===Quad Ion Turret===
[[File:QuadIonTurretSide2.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Quad Ion Turret]]
While the [[Interceptor Drone]] carries two Ion Rifles, the Quad Ion Turret carries four as its name implies as the primary weapon of the [[Razorshark Strike Fighter]].

If you know how anti-tank a single Ion Rifle can be, imagine four of them synchronizing their shots for maximum '''FUCK'''. For some reason, it is never given to ground vehicles and the larger Battlesuits despite it its ludicrous anti-tank capabilities. While it lacks the range and armor-piercing qualities of the Ion Cannon mounted on the Barracuda, it packs pretty much the same power per shot and even a slightly higher rate of fire. Due to it's rather compact size, it may be mounted on a 360° turret, making the Razorshark an excellent ground attack aircraft, as opposed to more of a dogfighter that is the Barracuda which can only lay hate on Groundpounders in strafing runs. This recently translates to an extra one to a hit roll on the poor sods that can't fly.

As with all Tau Ion weapons, the Quad Ion Turret can be overcharged by exposing the reactive Mor'tonium power source to the environment, though this also exposes the vehicle to the dangerous ionizing radiation emitted by the Mor'tonium, not to mention the risk of overloading its primary power cells. Overcharging the Quad Ion Turret allows it to generate a massive and explosive blast with increased damage compared to the normal firing mode, 'cause why not limit yourself in the overkill department? Just don't get too surprised when all your little Tau pilots turn out with cancer at every end of a battle.

By the transition to 8th Edition, the Quad Ion Turret was hit with an equally massive [[Nerf|nerf bat]], basically reduced to a Reaper Autocannon, which are not even any good over the CSM army, though Overcharge helps it out a bit, granting +1 S D3 damage and D6 shots
<center>
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background: white;"
|+ class="nowrap" style="white-space: nowrap"|'''Profile'''
|-
|
{|align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=10
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;"| Gallery
|-
|<gallery class="center">
QuadIonTurretSide.jpg|<center>Side View</center>
QuadIonTurretProfile.jpg|<center>Side View</center>
QuadTurret.jpg|<center>Close-up View</center>
QuadIonTurretPict.jpg|<center>Pict Capture</center>
</gallery>
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Stats
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 7th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=30"|strength=7|ap=4|type=Heavy 4}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=30"|strength=8|ap=4|type=Heavy 1, Gets Hot, Large Blast}}
|}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 8th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=30"|strength=7|ap=-1|damage=1|type=Assault 4}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=30"|strength=8|ap=-1|damage=D3|type=Assault 4|abilities=If you roll one or more hit rolls of 1, the bearer suffers a mortal wound after all of this weapon’s shots have been resolved.}}
|}
|}
|}
|}
|}
</center>

===Cyclic Ion Blaster===
[[File:CyclicIonBlasterProfile.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Cyclic Ion Blaster]]
The smallest Ion weapon mounted on Battlesuits – that is, the Crisis – is the Cyclic Ion Blaster here.

The Cyclic Ion Blaster is an Ion weapon that combines the designs of the Burst Cannon and the Ion Rifle. This quad barreled weapon fires a rapid stream of ion radiation capable of annihilating lightly armored troops at pretty much the same power as the Ion Rifle, but with a considerably reduced effective range. The design, however, is not perfect. Although the rate of fire is stable, the ion radiation is still quite unpredictable, resulting in an uneven performance when deployed against armor. The original design has a static block of four barrels firing in cycles, while the modern rendition uses a new power source with a rotating three-barrel block in an even smaller package. As a result, the Cyclic Ion Blaster's role changed to one more similar to the more stable Ion Rifle design, and now features a moderately high rate of fire with immensely more damage output per shot.

For quite a while it was stuck in development hell as the Earth caste constantly worked to improve it and then re-worked it with a new power source, so the number of working models available to field personnel was rather scarce, but as of recent (''999M41–recent, aka five minutes till advancing the storyline'') the Cyclic Ion Blaster has finally made it out of experimental stage and gone into mass production.

As of the Damocles rematch, it is one of the standard weapons of Crisis Battlesuits, and also available to the Barracudas AX-5-2.
<center>
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background: white;"
|+ class="nowrap" style="white-space: nowrap"|'''Profile'''
|-
|
{|align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=10
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;"| Gallery
|-
|<gallery class="center">
Ion_Blaster.jpg|<center>Battlesuit</center>
CyclicIonBlasterBarracuda.jpg|<center>Barracuda AX-5-2</center>
</gallery>
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Stats
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 7th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=18"|strength=7|ap=4|type=Assault 3}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=18"|strength=8|ap=4|type=Heavy 1, Blast, Gets Hot}}
|}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 8th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=18"|strength=7|ap=-1|damage=1|type=Assault 3}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=18"|strength=8|ap=-1|damage=D3|type=Assault 3|abilities=If you roll one or more hit rolls of 1, the bearer suffers a mortal wound after all of this weapon’s shots have been resolved.}}
|}
|}
|}
|}
|}
</center>

===Cyclic Ion Raker===
[[File:Ion_Raker.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Cyclic Ion Raker]]
Because the Ghostkeel is a much bigger Battlesuit, it would look silly with just the regular Cyclic Ion Blaster.

As the fancy new Ion weapon for the new XV95 Ghostkeel Suit, the Cyclic Ion Raker acts as an advanced version of the Cyclic Ion Blaster (''along with looking like a bigger version'') of the Crisis Battlesuits. Just like the smaller Ion Rifles used by Pathfinder Teams, the Cyclic Ion Raker uses a slab of Mor'tonium as its power source. However, due to its role as the Ghostkeel's principal weapon system, the Raker is calibrated to fire with a complete lack of sound. Yes, you read that right. This is a weapon that rakes through a group of enemies, and neither will they see it coming because the Ghostkeel is a ninja, nor will they hear it coming because the gun has a built-in suppressor. Those caught in its intense high-energy streams suddenly melt away, their flesh vaporizing with such suddenness they often do not even have time to scream.

As with all Tau Ion weapons, the Ion Raker can be overcharged by exposing the unstable alloy inside to the atmosphere. The resultant burst of radiation is so powerful it can destroy entire platoons of the foe – though regrettably the pilot may also sign his own death warrant in the process... yeah, they're getting [[cancer]] for free! Not a particularly good trade off, mind you, but maybe just enough if you can look at the enemy's face once you blow up his precious super-heavy with this cheesemonger of a gun.

The Cyclic Ion Raker features one of the highest rates of fire of any Ion Weapon in its normal firing mode (R 24",S:7, AP4, Assault 6) which can overcharge to a devastated explosion of ionizing radiation (R 24", S:8, AP4, Heavy 1, Large Blast, Gets Hot!).
<center>
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background: white;"
|+ class="nowrap" style="white-space: nowrap"|'''Profile'''
|-
|
{|align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=10
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;"| Gallery
|-
|<gallery class="center">
CyclicIonRakerFront.jpg|<center>Front View</center>
CyclicIonRakerPict1.jpg|<center>Pict Capture</center>
CyclicIonRakerPict2.jpg|<center>Pict Capture</center>
CyclicIonRakerPict3.jpg|<center>Pict Capture</center>
</gallery>
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Stats
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 7th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=24"|strength=7|ap=4|type=Assault 6}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=24"|strength=8|ap=4|type=Heavy 1, Large Blast, Gets Hot}}
|}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 8th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=24"|strength=7|ap=-1|damage=1|type=Heavy 6}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=24"|strength=8|ap=-1|damage=D3|type=Heavy 6|abilities=If you roll one or more hit rolls of 1, the bearer suffers a mortal wound after all of this weapon’s shots have been resolved.}}
|}
|}
|}
|}
|}
</center>

===Phased Ion Gun===
[[File:Phased_Ion_Gun.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Phased Ion Gun]]
The Ion option for the experimental XV9 Hazard Battlesuit is the Phased Ion Gun, which you can probably tell from the looks of it because it doesn't really look like one, or act like one for the matter.

This equally experimental weapon seeks to develop the rapid-firing technology of the Cyclic Ion Blaster and vehicle-mounted Ion Cannon into a stable Battlesuit system. That's right. Despite not having the Cyclic prefix, this gun is at the Dakka side of the spectrum. The Earth caste probably tried to miniaturize the Ion Cannon and incorporate the Cyclic part without the rotation. The result we have seems to be a "Phased Ion", which might be related to the stuff used by the Gatling flamethrower of the XV109 Y'Vahra. The long accelerators of the Phased Ion Gun allow the pilot to engage the enemy at range with a storm of projectiles that react explosively on an atomic level, decimating heavily-armored infantry as well as vehicles.

It is a prototype weapon system for use with the XV9 Hazard Battlesuit because the advanced power cores allow the Battlesuit itself to most effectively use these weapons. While the rate of fire is stable and very high, the ionization effect remains unpredictable and varies due to the developing nature of this still-experimental technology. At its peak, a Phased Ion Gun's energy streams are able to bypass virtually all forms of armor. Whilst a Phased Ion Gun is similar in its tactical role to a Cyclic Ion Blaster, it sacrifices some of the latter’s rate of fire for extra damage per shot.

Strangely for an Ion weapon, the Phased Ion Cannon doesn't get hot – that is, it cannot Overcharge. Perhaps "Phased Ion" is already considered overcharged, or a different breed entirely that cannot overcharge in the first place.
<center>
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background: white;"
|+ class="nowrap" style="white-space: nowrap"|'''Profile'''
|-
|
{|align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=10
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;"| Gallery
|-
|<gallery class="center">
PhasedIonGunTop.jpg|<center>Top View</center>
PhasedIonGunBack.jpg|<center>Back View</center>
</gallery>
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Stats
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-7-8|r7=18"|s7=4|ap7=4|type7=Assault 4, Rending|r8=18"|s8=4|ap8=-1|d8=1|type8=Assault D3|abil8=Any hit roll of 6 made for this weapon is resolved at AP -4 instead of AP -1.}}
|}
|}
|}
</center>

===Ion Cannon===
[[File:IonCannonProfile.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Ion Cannon]]
Listen up, Shas'saals. This point is where things become blurry, because the sizes from here on are all considered Ion Cannons.

The Ion Cannon itself operates by generating a stream of high-energy ionized particles and launching them at a target using an electromagnetic field. These particles react explosively with the target, transferring tremendous energy at the atomic level. The resulting vaporization only magnifies the amount of damage dealt, with starship-based models comparable to Imperial Lances (More can be read below). You see that main gun on the Hammerhead? That's an Ion Cannon. You see those huge guns on the Custodian Battleship? Ion Cannons. Indeed for an Ion weapon, the Ion Cannon sees fairly wide application over the Tau Empire's military; that is, more than two different vehicles use it.

Aside from being an alternative cannon for the [[Hammerhead Gunship]], Ion Cannons may also be found on their aircraft. The [[Barracuda]] may sport one as its big gun, while the bigger [[Tiger Shark]] has double that number, which is two. The huge [[Manta]] in particular does not sport the regular Ion Cannons since it is just that big, but a total of six Long-barreled variant to complement its sixteen Burst Cannons. Originally, this variant is just a better variant with no Overcharge just like the other Long-barreled renditions, but recently we can now do so with an extra effect of being more lethal against numerically large units just in case where the Burst Cannons are not enough or out of reach.

Another notable fact about the Ion Cannon is its range which is a whopping double to what their rifles are capable of, which is likely the reason why their aircraft use it.
<center>
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background: white;"
|+ class="nowrap" style="white-space: nowrap"|'''Profile'''
|-
|
{|align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=10
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;"| Gallery
|-
|<gallery class="center">
Tau_Ion_Cannon.jpg|<center>Hammerhead Gunship</center>
IonCannonHammerheadPict.jpg|<center>Pict Capture</center>
IonCannonBarracuda.jpg|<center>Barracuda AX-5-2</center>
IonCannonBarracudaDetached.jpg|<center>Detached</center>
IonCannonBarracudaPict.jpg|<center>Pict Capture</center>
IonCannonTigerShark.jpg|<center>Tiger Shark</center>
IonCannonTigerSharkCloseUp.jpg|<center>Close-up View</center>
LongIonCannonManta.jpg|<center>Manta</center>
</gallery>
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Stats
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Ion Cannon
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 7th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=60"|strength=7|ap=3|type=Heavy 3}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=60"|strength=8|ap=3|type=Heavy 1, Gets Hot, Large Blast}}
|}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 8th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=60"|strength=7|ap=-2|damage=2|type=Heavy 3}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=60"|strength=8|ap=-2|damage=3|type=Heavy D6|abilities=If you roll one or more hit rolls of 1, the bearer suffers a mortal wound after all of this weapon’s shots have been resolved.}}
|}
|}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Long-barreled Ion Cannon
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 7th
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=90"|strength=7|ap=3|type=Heavy 3}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 8th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=96"|strength=7|ap=-2|damage=2|type=Heavy 3}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=96"|strength=8|ap=-2|damage=3|type=Heavy D3|abilities=Change the weapon’s Type to Heavy 2D3 against units containing 10 or more models. If you roll one or more hit rolls of 1, the bearer suffers a mortal wound after all of this weapon’s shots have been resolved.}}
|}
|}
|}
|}
|}
|}
</center>

===Ion Accelerator===
[[File:IonAcceleratorProfile.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Ion Accelerator]]
While the Tau are still working on accelerating Plasma as with the case of the Plasma Accelerator Rifle above, they seem to already have a knack in accelerating Ion streams.

And while the Long-barreled variant maintains its superiority over range by about ten inches, the Ion Accelerator overshadows the cannon in all other aspects. The blast of an Ion Accelerator's blast is more akin to a torrent, melting its targets entirely. This massive weapon rips through armored fortifications with ease, and can amplify its killing power even further by drawing extra power from an XV104’s Nova Reactor. Indeed, available as an alternative primary armament to the Heavy Burst Cannon, XV104 Riptide Battlesuits may choose to instead sport an Ion weapon that fires a wide stream of volatile energy capable of rupturing the thickest armor-plating and tearing great chunks out of reinforced bunkers and fortress walls.

The cannon is massive, and capable of turning entire squads of heavily armored soldiers into molten slag in mere moments. It would be a fool’s errand to attempt to mount such a weapon on any frame or chassis smaller than an XV104 Riptide. Appearance-wise, it looks to be a double-barreled Ion cannon with not much change length-wise. While it does have double the barrels, it does not have double the rate of fire despite what the fluff seems to suggest, and neither does it count as Twin-linked – both fire simultaneously, combining their streams to increase weapon's armor-piercing capabilities (''to AP2'').

The Nova Reactor can empower its Overcharged blast shot even more, turning it into an S9 and an Ordnance, a potential that could rival the almighty Railgun in its ability to bring down heavy armor.
<center>
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background: white;"
|+ class="nowrap" style="white-space: nowrap"|'''Profile'''
|-
|
{|align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=10
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;"| Gallery
|-
|<gallery class="center">
Ion_Accelerator.PNG|<center>Front View</center>
IonAcceleratorBack.jpg|<center>Back View</center>
</gallery>
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Stats
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 7th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=72"|strength=7|ap=2|type=Heavy 3}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=72"|strength=8|ap=2|type=Heavy 1, Gets Hot, Large Blast}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Nova-charge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile|range=72"|strength=9|ap=2|type=Ordnance 1, Gets Hot, Large Blast, Nova-charge}}
|}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | 8th
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=72"|strength=8|ap=-3|damage=D3|type=Heavy D6}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overchage
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=72"|strength=9|ap=-3|damage=3|type=Heavy D6|abilities=If you roll one or more hit rolls of 1, the bearer suffers a mortal wound after all of this weapon’s shots have been resolved.}}
|}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Nova-charge
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=72"|strength=8|ap=-3|damage=D3|type=Heavy 6}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Overcharge
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-8|range=72"|strength=9|ap=-3|damage=3|type=Heavy 6|abilities=If you roll one or more hit rolls of 1, the bearer suffers a mortal wound after all of this weapon’s shots have been resolved.}}
|}
|}
|}
|}
|}
|}
</center>

===Ionic Discharge Cannon===
[[File:Ionic_Discharge.PNG|200px|right|thumb|Ionic Discharge Cannon]]
Another Ion weapon that is capable of tapping into a Nova Reactor, but this one is mounted on the XV109, not XV104.

Also known as the EMP Discharge Cannon on the store page for some reason we will get to right now, the massive Ionic Discharge Cannon designed to incapacitate enemy war engines. For a most relatable example, imagine the Ion Cannons from Star Wars. Yes, the Discharge Cannon is exactly that, but in a smaller package at the size just right for the Y’vahra.

Appearance-wise, it is little more than a sawn-off Ion Cannon. Possibly due to the lack of barrel length, the Discharge Cannon has one of the lowest effective ranges among Ion weapons on top of not being able to Overcharge. On the bright side, its shots have the aforementioned EMP effect as they likely ionize vehicles at close range with a Haywire hit on top of the damage it does, making it extremely deadly against said vehicles. The alternate name might suggest this cannon to be a Pulse (''of Electromagnetic breed'') weapon. Indeed that unlike its relative, the Ion Accelerator, the Discharge Cannon does not possess the distinctive Overcharge profile alongside the Nova Reactor profile. At its size, it would be one of the only Pulse cannons that is not rapid-firing along with the Pulse Submunitions family. Nevertheless, since the official prefix according to its profile is "Ionic," we are sticking with it and assume that it does fire Ions.

While the usual Ion Cannons may not be found on usual Battlesuits, the Ionic Discharge Cannon fills in that gap nicely in an exclusive manner.
<center>
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background: white;"
|+ class="nowrap" style="white-space: nowrap"|'''Profile'''
|-
|
{|align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=10
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;"| Gallery
|-
|<gallery class="center">
IonicDischargeCannonSide.jpg|<center>Side View</center>
IonicDischargeCannonBack.jpg|<center>Back View</center>
</gallery>
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Stats
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-7-8|r7=12"|s7=8|ap7=3|type7=Heavy 3, Blind, Haywire Burst|r8=12"|s8=8|ap8=-3|d8=1|type8=Heavy 3|abil8=When targeting this enemy VEHICLE, the target suffers a mortal wound in addition to all other damage for each wound roll of 6+ made for this weapon.}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Nova Reactor
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-7-8|r7=12"|s7=8|ap7=3|type7=Heavy 3+D3, Blind, Haywire Burst|r8=12"|s8=10|ap8=-3|d8=3|type8=Heavy 3D3|abil8=When targeting this enemy VEHICLE, the target suffers D3 mortal wounds in addition to all other damage for each wound roll of 6+ made for this weapon.}}
|}
|}
|}
|}
</center>

===Tri-Axis Ion Cannon===
[[File:Tri-axisIonCannonProfile.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Tri-Axis Ion Cannon]]
You can probably tell that this Ion Cannon is a big gun because it comes with three barrels.

As the biggest of the big Ion Cannons you are likely going to find on the ground because spaceships get most of the big guns, this multi-chambered – specifically triple-barreled – possibly Gatling Ion Cannon is a rapid-firing variant of the standard Ion Cannon at a much bigger scale whose firepower is unmatched for its size in the Tau arsenal. The Tri-axis Ion Cannon is particularly designed to reap through enemy formations, though that doesn't stop it from doing a good damage to something more specific by making its beams actually coherent with precisely controlled lethality after some power adjustments.

Seriously this thing is just like the more Dakka version of the Pulse Ordnance Multi-Driver above. But whereas the Pulse Ordnance Multi-Driver is the Tau's Turbo-laser equivalent, the Tri-axis Ion Cannon is the Tau's [[Gatling Blaster]] equivalent... Dakka indeed. Mounted only on the Ta'unar Supremacy Armor as its standard armament over the arms, this... thing can fire either the unholy barrage of standard Ion cannon shots, or slightly less rapid firing torrent of powered up shots that surprisingly for Ion technology are not blasts, but a single-targeted tank-busting coherent beam that may rival the bigger Imperial Lascannons in its potential.

This is the weapon you want to fuck that [[Stompa]] formation quick and clean. This is the weapon you want to give a [[Warhound Scout Titan]] a good pause in its merry run on stomping your forces. This is the weapon you want to shower those pesky [[Tyranid|Nid]] hordes in a good bath of irradiated plasma. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Tri-axis Ion Cannon.
<center>
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background: white;"
|+ class="nowrap" style="white-space: nowrap"|'''Profile'''
|-
|
{|align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=10
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;"| Gallery
|-
|<gallery class="center">
Tri-Axis_Ion_Cannon.jpg|<center>Side View</center>
Tri-axisIonCannonFront.jpg|<center>Front View</center>
</gallery>
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Stats
|-
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Standard
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-7-8|r7=60"|s7=7|ap7=3|type7=Heavy 6|r8=60"|s8=7|ap8=-2|d8=2|type8=Heavy 9}}
|}
|
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="background: white;"
|+style="white-space: nowrap;" | Coherent Beam
|-
|
{{40k-Ranged-Weapon-Profile-7-8|r7=60"|s7=9|ap7=2|type7=Heavy 3|r8=60"|s8=8|ap8=-2|d8=3|type8=Heavy 3D3|abil8=If you roll one or more hit rolls of 1, the bearer suffers a mortal wound after all of this weapon’s have been resolved.}}
|}
|}
|}
|}
</center>

=== Ar'Ka Cannon ===
[[File:Ar'Ka_cannon.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Ar'Ka Cannon]]

So far only featured in ''Soulstorm''. The largest known Tau weapon built on a planetary surface. The Ar'Ka Cannon was the one-of-a-kind brainchild of [[Commander Or'es'Ka|Shas'O Or'es'Ka]], and the centrepiece of his WMD-based combat doctrine used in the [[Kaurava System]].

It was built in Orridune, one of Kaurava II's moons, at the heart of the stronghold of Nan Yanoi ("Sword Moon" in blueberry moonspeak, as they intended to rename the entire moon in honour of the cannon). From there, it could strike at any inhabitable place in the system.

It worked by firing a high-density ion beam that was tuned to only melt the brains of advanced lifeforms, leaving its target's infrastructure and plantlife intact, and free for the taking. That would be good enough for systemwide defence and for risk-free looting of more advanced Xenos' stuff, but there's more than that. The Ar'Ka Cannon acted as the heart of the Ar'Ka System, a satellite array of smaller versions of the weapon that could quickly slaughter any sieging force from orbit.

Nan Yanoi should've been unassailable. Unfortunately, it had a few issues that proved lethal:

1.: The base was unfinished. Despite the Earth Caste's best efforts, Nan Yanoi had serious gaps in its defences, which were hastily plugged in with Tau infantry, Kroot and drone squads. If they couldn't hold the line, there was nothing that could stop enemies from pouring into the stronghold itself.

2. ''[[Derp|The entirety of the Ar'Ka System could be hijacked]]'' if the control terminal in front of the Ar'Ka Cannon was captured by non-Tau, and it's so user-friendly that [[Fail|even an Ork could turn their]] "unassailable" defences [[EPIC FAIL|against their creators]]. This perfectly shows Or'es'Ka's infamous hubris, as he never imagined that enemies could reach the cannon and placed little to no defences around its immediate area (a couple of barracks, Fire Warrior teams and a squad of XV88s won't be enough to hold such an important location against a tide of enemy forces. They will hurt a lot before they go down, though).

3. The Ethereal Aun'Ro'Yr was inspecting the base around the time it was attacked. His death left the Tau so demoralized they promptly retreated from the system, [[FAIL|leaving the cannon and what remained of its array behind.]]

4. They built Nan Yanoi above [[Gorgutz 'Ead 'Unter]]'s stronghold, [[RAGE|pissing off the Warboss]] (If you play as him, [[Lulz|you can reach Nan Yanoi in only 2 turns]]). No base, no matter how well-built or prepared, will be able to resist [[Rape|the full brunt of an angered WAAGH!]], much less so an incomplete one like Nan Yanoi.

As canonically Gorgutz won the Kaurava conflict and abandoned the system afterwards, the Cannon was either looted by the Orks for his WAAGH! or lies abandoned in Nan Yanoi's ruins, surrounded by the star-bleached bones of Aun'Ro'Yr and his escorts and the Ethereal's skull adorning the Warboss' armor. And if it's the first case, the cannon will probably [[Awesome|fire much faster now]] due to Ork beliefs and its red colors.

===Heavy Ion Cannon===
[[File:HeavyIonCannon.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Heavy Ion Cannon]]
Remember the Starship-grade Ion Cannons we talked about earlier? Yeah, here it is in all its glory.

Resembling more like an oversized Tri-axis Ion Cannon, the Heavy Ion Cannon usually come in Batteries and are mounted on Tau Navy ships in the [[Kor'Vattra]], both Merchant Fleets and Warfleets.

As aforementioned before, these things are the Tau equivalent of a [[Lance Weapon]], as such, it is a great weapon when it comes to punching through [[Void shield]]s and armour. Unlike other races' lance weapons which are either fixed in-place like the [[Orks]], [[Tyranids]] and [[Eldar]] or semi-turreted like the [[Imperial Navy]] and [[Chaos]], the Tau aren't stupid and put theirs on an actual turret. This gives it full firing coverage, leaving no blind spots for the vessel. The catch is, of course, the limitation of weapons. The largest Tau Battleship could only carry around three to six of these things before it runs out of space, so it's gonna get out-[[Dakka|Dakka'ed]].

[[Tl;dr]], it is the biggest Ion weapon ever fielded, USE IT.
{{40k-Tau-Weapons}}