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Battlesuit

(Redirected from Her'ex'evre)
Battlesuit size comparison[8d]

Battlesuits (termed Her'ex'vre in the T'au Lexicon, meaning "Mantle of the Hero") are bipedal mobile armoured platforms used by the T'au. They incorporate many weapons, advanced armour, and a variety of systems, allowing them to fulfil many specific roles within the T'au military.[1][2a][12]

Overview

Battlesuits are a type of advanced power armour, with the larger models likened by Imperial observers to fast-moving (and infinitely more graceful) Dreadnoughts.[3] They vary in size, from no bigger than a Fire Warrior in standard armour, to being twice as tall as a Space Marine (with the new XV104 Riptide having surpassed even this).[3]. Battlesuits vary in role, from battlefield infiltration to fire support. Most are designed to be worn by a single Fire Warrior and are packed with advanced weaponry and devices, including multi-spectrum sensors and scanners useful for detecting hidden enemies, and recoil absorption technology which, while not providing the same stability as Terminator Armour, allows for accurate shooting of light weaponry while moving.[1]

 
Battlesuit Shas'vre Pilot[16b]

Battlesuits are piloted directly by a neuro-link from the operator, which interfaces with the vehicle through a monofilament needle inserted through the back of the head into their brain. This allows the pilot to make the Battlesuit an extension of their own body movements, allowing for fast and fluid reactions.[17] Modern Battlesuits are equipped with dense nanocrystalline alloy armour with liquid metal coatings, which while providing superior durability and protection to internal systems is also light enough to avoid unnecessary encumbrance. Damage to armour and internals can be transmitted to the pilot's nervous system as sympathetic pain via the inner cocoon, though only ever at level sufficient to inform pilots and never intense enough to distract.[16a][17]

Only Fire Warriors who have served as standard troopers (or Shas'la) then passed the Trial by Fire can go on to become Battlesuit pilots.[8c] Anti-tampering systems are present to prevent their use by unauthorized pilots, enemy or otherwise; during the mission to assassinate Commander Brightsword, an Imperial saboteur attempted to pilot a Crisis battlesuit, but upon entering the suit's cockpit was fried to a charred corpse.[5] If a Battlesuit is about to be captured, the pilot is trained to detonate a self-destruct mechanism to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.[18]

 
Battlesuit markings depending on rank and Sept[16c]

Standard nomenclature has these Battlesuits categorised by two numbers - the first number denoting which mass class it belongs to, the second its role. For example, in the XV22 Stealth Battlesuit, the first '2' denotes it as a lighter-weight suit, while the second '2' means it is still undergoing field-testing.[2b]

History

The first Battlesuits were used by the T'au during the First Sphere of Expansion, where they were then known as the T-Series, helping to capture Tash'var in 576.M39[8b]. The fossil-fuel powered T-Series was quickly replaced by the V-Series, which used Fission Reactors. However radiation poisoning for pilots was still problematic and it was not until later that they became standard in T'au Cadres. The current X-series of Battlesuits are far more advanced than their predecessors, and are considered the elite tip of the spear of the T'au Empire.[8a]

Battlesuit Classification

Every piece of T'au wargear has a unique identification code detailing its size, design and battlefield role. Battlesuits are given the classification XV followed by a numerical code to denote their mass class (size) and their evolution in the design process. The XV88 Broadside Battlesuit, for example, is a mass class 8 suit, and the eighth variation of the XV8 Crisis Battlesuit. The much larger XV104 Riptide is in the tenth mass class, while the 4 in its classification indicates that it is in the final stages of field testing.[15] Battlesuits can also have a sub-designation of the standard suit, indicating a small alteration on the generic version of the suit, but without a specific battlefield role. For example, the XV8-05 "Enforcer" armour is an enhanced version of the Crisis suit, as opposed to an XV85, which would indicate a mass class 8 stealth suit.

Pilot Battlesuit

 
A pilot battlesuit.

The XV02 Pilot Battlesuit is an small battlesuit intended to be worn by T'au vehicle pilots. Currently it is in trials, with Longstrike as a test subject.[7] Note that this suit is actually a mass-class 0 battlesuit, as shown by the "02" designation. The "2" shows that it has entered field testing stages



Stealth Battlesuit

 
XV15 Stealthsuit

Stealth Battlesuits, also called Stealthsuits, employ a holographic disruption field to make them hard to spot and target. Like the larger XV8 Battlesuit, the Stealth Battlesuits incorporate a Jetpack in their design. Unlike other battlesuits, whose pattern derives from the mass-class, Stealthsuits are identified by the secondary number of "5" which denotes a stealth variation of the mass-class standard pattern (such as the Ghostkeel).

Known existing patterns consist of the XV15, XV22, XV25 and XV95:

  • XV15 — a Mass-Class 1 stealthsuit that adds additional armour plating to the Fire Warrior armour, as well as servos and support for the weapon systems it carries, not unlike Space Marine Terminator Armour
  • XV22 — an experimental stealthsuit worn by Commander Shadowsun. The XV22 is a much more advanced system than the XV25 in current use. Currently in the field testing stage
  • XV25 — The most common version of the stealthsuit in use by the T'au Empire. The Earth Caste hoped to introduce the XV22 en masse to replace the XV15; however, the Kappa Mortis Incident forced them to instead bring the easier-to-produce XV25 into full-scale production. Thanks to their larger frame and augmented muscles, XV25s can replace their Burst Cannon with a Fusion Gun and may also take an additional Battlesuit Support System.
  • XV26 - Newer type of Stealthsuit similar in size and appearance to the XV25.[20]
  • XV95 Ghostkeel Battlesuit — The largest stealthsuit in operation, they are considered the pinnacle of T'au stealth technology


Vanguard Void Battlesuit

The XV-46 Vanguard Void Battlesuit is fairly bulky model, though smaller than the Crisis and Broadside Battlesuits. Its primary function is the exploration of derelict starships. There is a more advanced and heavily protected variant of this battlesuit used by Shas'el ranked T'au or higher called XV-46-4 Vanguard Commander Variant Void Battlesuit.[9]

Crisis Battlesuit

 
XV8 Crisis Battlesuit
 
XV88 Broadside Battlesuit

The XV8 Crisis Battlesuit is the standard battlesuit worn by those Fire Warriors who have proven themselves in battle and earned the rank of Shas'ui.[4] Beside the standard battlesuit systems, the Crisis suit also incorporates a Jetpack for greater maneuverability and flexibility on the battlefield, while three hard-points allow for a mix of weaponry and wargear. The XV8 series comes in many variants:

  • XV81 Crisis Battlesuit — A variant of the Crisis Suit built for T'au Commanders, the XV81 features a back mounted Smart Missile System. The "1" suggests this is a prototype or concept version.
  • XV84 — Another variant built for T'au Commanders, the XV84 features a spine mounted Markerlight and Target Lock. The "4" designation suggests this variant is in final field testing stages.
  • XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit — Based on the Enforcer armour (below) featuring aerodynamic fins along the armour to help streamline the suit and increase mobility. Given to commanders.
  • XV88 Broadside Battlesuit — The XV88 Broadside Battlesuit is based on the same chassis as the Crisis Battlesuit. However it exchanges the Jetpack for heavier weapons and armour for the specific role of destroying enemy armour units. Comes equipped with a Heavy Rail Rifle and or fists armed with High Yield Missile Pods. Can also equip a variety of secondary weapons such as Plasma Rifles or Seeker Missiles.
  • XV89 — Another Commander variant featuring somewhat heavier armour and more rounded design.
  • XV8-05 Enforcer Battlesuit — Another commander variant, this one seemingly a straight evolution of the XV8. It features no unique features as per the above variants, but is taller and has more advanced systems making it ideal for commanders.
  • XV8-02 Iridium Battlesuit — After the death of Commander Pridestar to a sniper's bullet and the subsequent T'au defeat during the Klodate Worlds Suppression, the Earth Caste developed an experimental iridium alloy and produced only enough for a small series of Battlesuits. While it offers T'au Commanders and their Bodyguards optimal protection, it is a luxury that few can afford, though Commander Dawnstar of the Dal'yth Sept is known to call upon them.
  • Warmaker Battlesuit - Advanced experimental system used by the Twin Lances.[21]


Hazard Close Support Armour

 
XV9 Hazard Battlesuit.

The XV9 'Hazard' Close Support Armour is a new design with the aim of providing a powerful counter-attack to T'au forces as well as a stable weapon platform for the battlefield.

Known existing patterns:


Ghostkeel Battlesuit

A newly developed battlesuit, far larger and more powerful than its stealth suit brethren. [16d]

Riptide Battlesuit

 
XV104 Riptide Battlesuit.

The XV104 Riptide is one of the largest types of T'au Battlesuit, standing twice as tall as the XV8 series. They are both agile and heavily armed.[7]

R'varna Battlesuit

 
XV107 R'varna Battlesuit

The XV107 R'varna is a new experimental Battlesuit that was developed from the XV104 Riptide.[10]

Y'vahra Battlesuit

 
XV109 Y'vahra Battlesuit

Rushed into deployment after the success of the R'varna Battlesuit, the XV109 Y'vahra is a Class 10 battlesuit designed for devastating shock assaults.[11]

Ballistic Suits

Ballistic Suits are a specialised variant of T'au Battlesuits. These suits are massive vehicles akin to walking tanks, designed to deliver heavy firepower. Ballistic Suits are not very manuverable, as they are too large to be equipped with jet packs. This excludes them from the type of highly mobile fluid warfare the T'au are known for. Instead, they are used to take down heavy enemy engines such as Super-Heavy Tanks and Titans. Ballistic Suits are also deployed against enemies that greatly outnumber standard T'au Hunter Cadres.[14]

Stormsurge Ballistic Suit

 
KV128 Stormsurge

Designed to hunt enemy Titans, the KV128 is a large, plodding artillery Ballistic Suit designed to deliver enormous amounts of firepower.[14]

Ta'unar Supremacy Armour

 
KX139 Ta'unar Supremacy Armour

The KX139 is the heaviest class of T'au battlesuit, intended for defensive purposes against massive enemies such as Imperial Knights and Tyranid beasts.[13]

Equipment

Battlesuits use a wide variety of advanced Tau equipment and support systems.

Trivia

Conflicting sources

Sources conflict on whether the alphanumerical designations (XV8 etc) are of Tau or Imperial origins. Deathwatch: Mark of the Xenos (pg. 7) and Imperial Armour Volume Three - The Taros Campaign (pg. 172) both have them as being designations of Imperial origin, while Rogue Trader: Tau Character Guide (pg. 32) presents it as a Tau system.

Note that the Tau use a base 8 numeral system,[22] and thus do not have the number 8 (or 9): The XV8, written in a base 8 system, would be the XV10.

See also

Sources

 

This article or article section is based on information included with miniatures showcased in Warhammer: Visions. These showcases regularly featured miniatures submitted with written content by the hobbyist that made them and, as such, their content may or may not be in contradiction to established background lore.

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