KV128 Stormsurge Ballistic Suit
The first type of Tau 'Titan' and a literal walking Metal Gear set piece. The KV128 Stormsurge Ballistic Suit is a giant overcompensator penis enlargement program built by the Tau to fuck with Titans after the Imperium decided to shoot down all of their Mantas and Tiger Sharks with anti-air weapons.
The Weebs finally relented and started building monsters of their own to combat other monsters.
Overview
The KV128 was the first of the Tau's new generation of heavy artillery assets known as Ballistic Suits. Less maneuverable than a Riptide, such is the power of the Stormsurge's weapons that the suit is equipped with thrusters and retractable ground anchors to counter recoil. In truth, the Stormsurge is more of a walking tank than a true Battlesuit. Unusually for a Tau battlesuit, the Stormsurge has two crew instead of one. It is operated by a selected pairing of veteran Hammerhead crewmen, who have graduated in the ballistic suit academies on Bork’an. A Shas'vre experienced in Battlesuit piloting controls the suit itself, while a Ves'oni'Vash graduate controls the weapons systems. It is said that crewing a Stormsurge is less prestigious than a standard Battlesuit. Which is weird since a standard Battlesuit is where pilots start as beginners whereas this thing requires an experienced Battlesuit pilot, an experienced tanker, and graduation from a specialized academy just for this suit. Yet we’re to believe noobs in baby’s first Battlesuit are more prestigious?
The Stormsurge's primary weapon consists of either a Pulse Driver Cannon or Pulse ARC Cannon but it bristles with numerous secondary weapons systems that include two Cluster Rocket System pods, four Destroyer Missiles, two Airbursting Fragmentation Projectors, two Smart Missile Systems, two Burst Cannons, and twin-linked Tau Flamers. The immense power required for its weapons systems means that the Stormsurge is equipped with two slow-charge reactors. It is also used regularly as a platform to field-test experimental weapons so big and heavy they have previously only used on spaceships.
The Stormsurge itself is transported into battle by specifically modified Tau Mantas.
Crunch
On 9th Ed, the Stormsurge is a better option than the Riptide in some ways. For weapons get the Pulse Blastcannon for more average wounds at a lower cost or the Pulse Driver Cannon for a vastly increased range and points cost. Practically mandatory upgrades are trading out the Flamers for Burst Cannons and taking a shield generator and ATS to improve both durability and destructive power. Can no longer double shoot by anchoring down, now it improves its to-hit roll by 1. As standard for TITANIC units, it takes extra damage from some particularly massive weapons but suffers no penalty for moving and shooting and can Fall Back and still shoot. It ends up being about 30% more expensive than the Riptide once equipped but with more Wounds, better base invuln save (only if equipped with shield generator), and more firepower. Note that it is not a BATTLESUIT, so cannot take advantage of drone sacrifices via Saviour Protocols or certain stratagems.
If going up against a deep strike heavy opponent, consider taking a Stormsurge with a Blastcannon, and Early Warning Override, in order to fire all the things. If going this route, the Airbursting Fragmentation Projectors can actually become a viable option, depending on how much terrain is on the board. They can admittedly just deep strike more than 12" away to bypass this, but it will still help protect against / deter charges. For only the low cost of a single Fire Warrior in points to do it.