Battlesuit

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Battlesuits are powered exoskeletons used by the forces of the Tau Empire.

Role on the Battlefield

Tau Battlesuits are not like Imperial Power Armor in their role. 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.

Types

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 a pilot 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 (aka Longstrike), who was selected for his reputation as a peerless Hammerhead pilot.

XV15 Stealthsuit

Little more than modified Fire Warrior Armor, it was outfitted with stealth systems allowing it to infiltrate. Also carries markerlights. These older units are being phased out in favor of the XV25 series.

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). With the right equipment and abilities you can make it go three times faster than a normal Stealth Suit (red paint optional).

XV25 Stealthsuit

An improvement over the XV15, larger, heavier and better armored while still retaining the maneuverability and subtlety of the XV15 series.

XV8 Crisis Battlesuit

The Tau's general-purpose battlesuit that can be outfitted with a dizzying array of weaponry and be built for any occasion. It also comes in with jump jets that allow it to bypass dangerous/impassable terrain and also allows it to quickly shoot at enemies and jump back to safety before the enemy has any time to react.

XV88 Broadside Battlesuit

An XV8 battlesuit that traded its jump packs for two smart missile systems and twin-linked Railguns. Say it with me now: HA-SHAAAAAAA!!!

A single 3-man team of Broadsides entrenched in cover is enough to deter any tank from getting in range of it, lest he wants his warmachine to turn into an overpriced brick of burning cover.

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 and long or being cloaked while engaging the enemy up-close, which is quite odd since this is a bit of deviation from traditional the T'au combat doctrine. XV9 series suits are noticeably tougher than any battlesuit available, can carry absurdly powerful weaponry due to their increased power output, and along with the standard jump packs, comes in by default with vectored retro-thrusters that allows them to escape close combat if they're ever charged.

XV104 Riptide Battlesuit

A new, extra-large battlesuit (at twice the size of the XV8) that resembles the bastard offspring of a Gundam and a Metal Gear that will be making its first appearance in the 6th edition codex. 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 a smart missile system or twin fusion blaster 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; however, doing so runs the risk of overloading the generator, releasing deadly radiation that can injure or kill the pilot.