vizn3r/warhammer40k-lore huggingface dataset:
T'au Protection Fleet - Gal'Leath (Explorer)-class Starship: The Gal'leath-class starship was the cornerstone of the early T'au Protection Fleet. Its massive Ether Drive allowed it to move through Warpspace at a pace 5 times slower than its Imperial counterparts, but this speed was fast enough to facilitate the expansion of the T'au Empire in its fledgling steps outside of its home star system.The Gal'Leath boasted a massive cargo capacity, extensive scientific research facilities and the ability to serve as a mobile dock for semi-independent starships. Its cargo bays were also large enough to carry modular orbital units, waystations and even (more recently) message boats. It was the galleon of the T'au Empire and for nearly a hundred tau'cyr it was the only class of starship continually in production. During this time it moved from Mark I to Mark XXIII, benefiting from a succession of improvements and special adaptations.Conflict with the Orks was the class' death knell. It was not a specialist warship and its weaponry was incapable of keeping Terror Ships and Kill Kroozers at a distance. Work on the Il'Fannor-class was accelerated. When it was complete, production of the Gal'Leath-class dropped by 85%. There are, however, still a number in service.The most recently completed member of the Gal'Leath-class was the Dal'yth Gal'Leath Kessan, the first of the Mark XXIV designs, and the T'au flagship in an expedition launched by the former Ethereal Supreme Aun'shi to discover more about the breakaway Farsight Enclaves. It is unknown whether any further plans exist for continued support of this design.
T'au Protection Fleet - Or'es El'leath (Custodian)-class Carrier: The T'au Protection Fleet's Or'es El'leath (Custodian)-class carrier is the largest of the starships built under the T'au Empire's Kor'Or'Vesh initiative to expand their military forces. Though it lacks the durability of other races' Battleships, the Or'es El'leath-class is armed to the teeth with every weapon in the T'au arsenal: a staggering array of Railgun batteries, Ion Cannons, and Gravitic Launchers; launch bays for Mantas and Barracudas; and three Gravitic Hooks for carrying Kir'la escorts.The Or'es El'leath's first major combat action came during the Taros Campaign, when the Or'es El'leath-class carrier A'rho led a T'au fleet against the Imperial forces seeking to retake that system from the T'au Empire. The A'rho acted as a decoy, drawing off several Imperial ships as two Lar'shivre-class cruisers wreaked havok on Imperial supply convoys.
T'au Protection Fleet - Il'Fannor (Merchant)-class Starship: The Il'Fannor-class Starship was originally developed to be the new workhorse of the T'au Empire. Its reactors were a fraction the size of the much larger Gal'Leath-class' power plant but were capable of reaching a third of the average Warp speed of an Imperial starship, making them significantly faster. This was deemed essential to bind together the emergent T'au Empire.Conflict with the Orks caused significant revision of the design with field modifications that allowed virtually all of the cargo space to be converted to weapons systems if needed. The continued requirements of the fleet ensured that the Il'Fannor-class remained predominantly a warship until the Lar'Shi-class was laid down.
T'au Protection Fleet - Lar'Shi (Hero)-class Starship: The pinnacle of T'au technology, the Lar'Shi-class Starship was the product of the T'au's first experience with the Imperial Navy during the Damocles Gulf Crusade. The T'au were determined that they should have a starship that could match the Imperial Lunar-class Cruiser.As soon became evident, the T'au designers failed at this task but they did succeed in producing a credible ship of the line in the Lar'shi-class.
T'au Protection Fleet - Lar'shi'vre (Protector)-class Cruiser: The T'au Protection Fleet's Lar'shi'vre (Protector)-class Cruiser is the T'au Empire's primary warship, purpose-built for engaging and destroying enemy starships. Two Lar'shi'vre cruisers participated in the Taros Campaign, wreaking havok upon Imperial shipping as the Or'es El'leath-class carrier A'rho drew off part of the Imperial fleet.While lacking the armoured bulk and potent, layered defences of its Imperial counterparts, the Lar'shi'vre-class' firepower allows it to go head-to-head with them nonetheless, unleashing terrible barrages of Railgun batteries, Ion Cannons, and Gravitic-launched missiles alongside its squadrons of Barracudas and Mantas.
T'au Protection Fleet - Il'porrui (Emissary)-class Starship: The T'au Protection Fleet's Il'porrui (Emissary)-class starship is designed for the transport of T'au dignitaries like Ethereals, Fire Caste commanders, and Water Caste diplomats, and not as a true warship.However, it is armed well enough to protect itself, with gravitic launchers, Railgun batteries, and a pair of launch bays. It is further protected by a deflector that enhances the effectiveness of its front armour. Il'porrui-class starships are becoming increasingly common within the T'au Empire, roving far and wide on diplomatic missions and as merchant vessels.
T'au Protection Fleet - Kir'Qath (Defender)-class Starship: Just as the Lar'shi is the T'au response to the Imperial Lunar-class Cruiser, the Kir'Qath is their answer to the Imperial Sword-class Frigate. The Kir'Qath is the only true escort in the T'au Protection Fleet and is used in squadron formations to provide close support for the larger vessels.Its main weakness is the lengthy recharge time for its Phased Warp-Drives. It can make up to half a dozen Warp dives in succession but will then be unable to do any more for at least a rot'aa. This means it is not suitable for scouting as it either travels slowly across interstellar space or risks being unable to retreat when it arrives. This can make it a liability in rapid fleet maneuvers. Consequently, Kir'Qath-class squadrons are spread through T'au space where heavier units can call upon them for support if required.
T'au Protection Fleet - Skether'Qan (Messenger)-class Starship: The Skether'Qan is the smallest self-sufficient T'au Protection Fleet vessel. It mostly comprises a drive and a cargo hold but it is occasionally used as a fleet scout because it is quite maneuverable and has unmatched data-handling and communications facilities.These systems were soon adapted for combat applications. The Skether'Qan 's weaponry is purely intended to deter pursuit, so in fleet actions it tends to stay close to a capital ship, helping against attack craft in return for protection against true warships.
T'au Protection Fleet - Kass'l (Orca)-class Gunship: The Kass'l (Orca)-class Gunship was designed to provide the T'au fleet with an Escort starship. Unable to build a drive light enough to produce a normal Escort, the Kass'l is transported within a capital ship's gravitic sheath. Once unleashed, however, it is a powerful gunship able to contend with any Imperial or Ork escort vessel of similar size.
T'au Protection Fleet - Kir'la (Warden)-class Carrier Escort: The Kir'la (Warden)-class Escort is a small T'au spacecraft that, lacking a Gravitic drive, must be carried into battle via Gravitic Hooks. It commonly accompanies the T'au Protection Fleet's Or'es El'leath Carrier into battle, as the larger starship contains three Gravitic Hooks purpose-built for carrying Kir'las. Three Kir'la-class ships fought alongside their mothership, the A'rho, during the Taros Campaign.
T'au Protection Fleet - Kir'shasvre (Castellan)-class Heavy Escort: The Kir'shasvre (Castellan)-class Heavy Escort is a T'au gunship designed during the T'au Empire's Kor'Or'Vesh initiative. It is armed with a Gravitic Launcher and relatively heavy Railgun battery, and is roughly analogous to the Imperium's Sword- and Firestorm-class frigates. Twenty Kir'shasvres accompanied the T'au fleet during the Taros Campaign.
T'au Protection Fleet - Orca Dropship: The Orca Dropship is a dedicated transport vehicle, designed to ferry troops and supplies between orbiting starships and a planet's surface. Despite sharing a codename with the Kass'l-class Gunship, the Orca Dropship is a pure-bred troop transport designed for use in relatively secure areas, and as such carries only minimal armaments.
T'au Protection Fleet - Manta Dropship: The T'au Manta Super Heavy Lander is a Missile Destroyer that serves as the T'au equivalent of an Imperial Titan and specialises in supporting ground assaults. It is the largest dropship of its kind, carrying staggering numbers of Fire Caste warriors into battle, supported by dozens of Gun Drones as well as XV8 Crisis Battlesuits.The Manta consists of two decks, an upper deck where Fire Warriors sit as well as an overseeing member of the Ethereal Caste, and a lower deck, where up to four Devilfish or two Devilfish and two Hammerheads can sit. In addition, up to eight fully armed XV8 Crisis Battlesuits can sit in the lower deck, with half a dozen gun drones up top. The Manta is piloted by at least four Air Caste pilots.
T'au Protection Fleet - Orbitals (Space Stations): The T'au have made extensive use of the space stations called orbitals since their earliest forays in space. The Air Caste had always been at the forefront of the conquest of the upper atmosphere for the T'au and provided enthusiastic crews for the first orbitals.Many orbitals exist purely to provide homes for the Air Caste. Others are used for manufacturing and interstellar trade. Normally, individual orbitals are assembled into arrays of up to five individual orbitals which are all linked together.
T'au Protection Fleet - Waystations: Orbital waystations are distributed through the T'au Empire. These mark the main routes between T'au Septs (colony worlds) and are used to speed communications between outposts, since the T'au cannot rely on Astropathic messengers as they do not possess any psykers. These waystations typically consist of a core orbital module and a security module for defence.
T'au Protection Fleet - Sources: Battlefleet Gothic - To Unite the Stars: Tau VesselsCodex: Tau Empire (6th Edition), pp. 11-13Death from the Skies (7th Edition), pp. 20-21Imperial Armour Volume Three - The Taros Campaign, pg. 212Battlefleet Gothic: Armada (Image) (PC Game)Battlefleet Gothic Armada II (PC Game)
T'au Wargear - T'au Wargear: This page describes the T'au Wargear wielded by the Fire Caste of the T'au Empire.The T'au are an intelligent, humanoid alien race, first discovered by the Imperium in the late 35th Millennium. They were at a hunter-gatherer stage of development at this time, and were earmarked for cleansing to open their homeworld of T'au up for Human settlement.The combination of intense Warp Storms in the Eastern Fringe of the galaxy where the T'au homeworld was located and the outbreak of the Age of Apostasy within the Imperium in the 36th Millennium prevented this from occurring, and during the next six Terran millennia of isolation the T'au were able to evolve, unite, and develop an extremely advanced level of technology and interstellar civilisation. Also during this time, the T'au  incorporated numerous other intelligent alien species into their fledgling T'au Empire, the most significant of these being the Kroot and the Vespid.This page will describe the various weapon types and common equipment used by the T'au Fire Caste and their Kroot, Vespid and even Human auxiliaries.
T'au Wargear - Fire Warrior Combat Armour: T'au Combat Armour is a form of standard-issue infantry armour worn by all Fire Warriors in battle, and is constructed in two layers. The outer face is a hard, ultra-dense nano-crystalline metal veneer bonded to an inner layer of high performance, thermo-set, molecular polyethene.The outer layer material is known as Fio'tak in the T'au Lexicon, and is commonly used as a form of armour across nearly all types of T'au units due to its lightweight nature and impact-resistant structure. The inner layer of Combat Armour acts as an energy-absorbent padding for energy dispersal, and helps prevent blunt trauma effects from high velocity impacts.The highly advanced materials used in Combat Armour's construction are very resilient to penetration and lightweight compared to more conventional Imperial materials such as plasteel. The construction techniques are unknown to the Imperium as the Adeptus Mechanicus is forbidden from investigating potentially dangerous alien technology by the Ordo Xenos.Standard Fire Warrior Combat Armour usually also features an elongated and thickened left shoulder plate, which acts as an additional protective shield when the Fire Warrior is kneeling to fire a weapon more accurately, exposing their left shoulder to retaliatory fire.
T'au Wargear - Recon Armour: Recon Armour is a form of T'au infantry armour that is a variant of the Combat Armour worn by all Fire Warriors in battle. Recon Armour lacks several of the reinforced layers and armoured plates of Combat Armour, trading a degree of protection for greater freedom of movement. Recon Armour is most commonly utilised by T'au Pathfinders as it is more suited to their role as forward scouts.Recon Armour is constructed in two layers. The outer face is a hard, ultra-dense nano-crystalline metal veneer bonded to an inner layer of high performance, thermo-set, molecular polyethene. The outer layer material is known as Fio'tak in the T'au Lexicon, and is commonly used as a form of armour across nearly all T'au units due to its lightweight nature and impact-resistant structure. The inner layer of Recon Armour acts as an energy-absorbent padding for energy dispersal, and helps prevent blunt trauma effects from high-velocity impacts. Additionally, the nanocular-thread fatigues worn beneath Recon Armour by a Fire Warrior are interwoven with sound-absorbing fibres to aid in avoiding detection.The highly advanced materials used in Recon Armour's construction are very resilient to penetration and lightweight compared to more conventional Imperial materials such as plasteel. The techniques used in the fabrication of Recon Armour are unknown to the Imperium as the Adeptus Mechanicus is forbidden from investigating dangerous alien technology by the Inquisition's Ordo Xenos.
T'au Wargear - Weapons: The T'au Empire uses a variety of advanced weaponry developed by the Earth Caste that are often technologically superior to those of other races. Pulse and Rail Weapons technology are such examples, and can be seen as the "trademark" weapons of the T'au armed forces. However, the T'au Empire also has developed weapons for allied races such as the Kroot and Vespid. Another common feature of T'au technology is its constant adaptation to meet the ever-changing needs of the battlefield. As such, there are several pieces of T'au weaponry and wargear that have been designated as experimental for various reasons. These weapons and devices are special-issue and only given to those experienced commanders who can field-test the weaponry.
T'au Wargear - Airbursting Fragmentation Projector: The Airbursting Fragmentation Projector is an experimental weapon developed by the T'au Empire during the Third Sphere Expansion. The weapon operates by firing a proximity-fused explosive projectile on a trajectory computed by a simple on-board Drone intelligence within the warhead itself. This artificial intelligence (AI) calculates the precise height and distance of each submunition it fires so as to provide optimum explosive damage across a wide area. The Airbursting Fragmentation Projector is currently still undergoing field tests and thus is considered a special-issue weapon to T'au forces due to its experimental nature. Its use is only entrusted to a number of senior Fire Caste T'au Commanders.A known variant of the Airbursting Fragmentation Projector is the Microburst Fragmentation Launcher. A Microburst Fragmentation Launcher is also an experimental weapon and has thus far been only entrusted and issued to T'au Commanders piloting XV46 Vanguard Commander Variant Void Battlesuits. A Microburst Fragmentation Projector features a similar range to a standard Airbursting Fragmentation Projector, but fires projectiles that detonate with more focused, concussive, explosive force, sacrificing a large blast for more power per shot. It also has a far faster rate of fire, and is smaller and more portable; allowing the XV46 to use it more effectively in the close confined environments it is designed to operate in.
T'au Wargear - Dawn Blade: The Dawn Blade is a unique, alien artefact sword wielded by the T'au leader known as Commander Farsight to the Imperium of Man. Farsight was the rebel T'au Commander who founded the separatist Farsight Enclaves on the far side of the Damocles Gulf in the Eastern Fringes of the galaxy. He recovered the weapon from the pre-Imperial xenos ruins of the Dead World of Arthas Moloch, wrenching it in desperation from a fallen alien statue to fend off the assault of a Bloodthirster daemon following the incursion of the Forces of Chaos upon that deserted planet. The Dawn Blade is older than even the Imperium of Man, and it was fashioned aeons ago by the strange xenos race that once inhabited the haunted world of its origin. Forged from materials that even the finest Earth Caste minds cannot fathom, its blade is sharp enough to cut through rock and all known forms of infantry and even vehicle armour; and its sculpted surface flickers with unknown energies which paint glittering arcs of destruction as it is swung. Since taking it up on Arthas Moloch, and modifying it for use in battle on his personal XV8 Crisis Battlesuit, it has been Commander Farsight's weapon of choice for close-combat engagements.
T'au Wargear - EMP Blaster: An EMP Blaster is an experimental T'au weapon that fires short-ranged rounds which explode in a small blast and generate an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) upon impact. EMP Blasters are issued exclusively to XV46-4 Vanguard Commander Variant Void Battlesuits. Whilst the weapon's rounds do not physically damage foes, they send out powerful electromagnetic pulses that disable electrical wiring and all kinds of mechanical systems, playing havoc with the internal systems of armour and other vehicles and disabling them temporarily. Sometimes, the EMP effect will even cause catastrophic failure in a system, leading to an explosive reaction for the unfortunate vehicle or robotic construct.
T'au Wargear - EMP Grenade: An EMP Grenade is a type of grenade that is sometimes issued to Fire Caste infantry such as Fire Warriors and Pathfinders. EMP Grenades are technological marvels that briefly emit an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) upon detonation, which can overload electronic circuitry, causing anything from minor malfunctions in electronics to fires, complete meltdowns and other critical malfunctions. Whilst EMP Grenades do not physically damage foes, the havoc they play with the internal systems of powered armour and vehicles is enough to at the very least disable them temporarily, or, more often than not, cause some form of catastrophic failure in a system, leading to an explosive reaction for the unfortunate vehicle or robotic construct.
T'au Wargear - Equalizer: An Equalizer is a T'au close combat weapon that is utilised exclusively by members of the Ethereal Caste. Equalizers are carried in pairs. Similar in appearance to batons, Equalizers serve as badges of an Ethereal's office, and also double as potent self-defence weapons. Each Equalizer contains a powerful disruption field that can shatter armour and bone on impact.
T'au Wargear - Flamer: T'au Flamers are very similar to the Flamers used by Space Marines and Imperial Guardsmen in role and use, but differs slightly in construction because of the use of more stable T'au technology. Flamers can be mounted on XV8 Crisis Battlesuits and are commonly used to engage massed hordes of lightly armoured enemies. Flamers are also lethal weapons when used by Crisis Battlesuits fighting in dense terrain.
T'au Wargear - Honour Blade: An Honour Blade is a two-handed T'au close combat weapon utilised exclusively by members of the Ethereal Caste. Honour Blades, whilst custom-made to each individual, all consist of a long, broad-bladed halberd mounted on a lightweight metallic shaft. Honour Blades serve as symbols of an Ethereal's office, ceremonial weapons and, in emergencies, weapons of self-defence. Honour Blades are typically used to settle disputes between Ethereal Caste members in highly stylised, bloodless duels that are more coordinated co-meditation than combat. In the hands of an Ethereal, Honour Blades are used in elegant sweeping movements where the blade becomes virtually invisible. Whilst some Ethereals carry their Honour Blade onto the field of battle, they do not expect to have to actually use them, but are nevertheless prepared to make a last stand against their barbaric foes if the situation should require it.
T'au Wargear - Ion Weapons: Ion Weapon technology was originally given to the T'au Empire by the Demiurg. Since then, the technology has been adapted to be used in various directed energy weapons. Ion Weapons unleash high-energy streams of ionised subatomic particles, vaporising flesh and metal with equal ease. These high-energy ions are accelerated by an electromagnetic field and react explosively with the target as a result of the direct transfer of energy at an atomic level. The recent discovery of a Mor'tonium power source revolutionised the technological possibilities for Ion Weapons, allowing smaller weapons to be built. Ion Weapons using this power source can be overcharged, which generates far more powerful blasts. However, doing so exposes the wielder or vehicle to the dangerous ionising radiation emitted by the Mor'tonium, and risks overloading the weapon's primary power cells.
T'au Wargear - Cyclic Ion Blaster: Cyclic Ion Blasters are experimental T'au Battlesuit weapon systems. Early prototypes of the weapon were developed to combat multiple, lightly-armoured enemies at short ranges, and functioned by generating a rapid stream of ionised radiation that is unleashed through the Ion Blaster's four barrels. Though the extremely high rate of fire of this early prototype was stable, the ionisation effect on armour was variable. Later developments almost completely changed the nature of the weapon. 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 capabilities per shot. The real similarities of later models to their older counterparts lies in their range and armour penetration capability.
T'au Wargear - Ion Rifle: Ion Rifles are a recently developed form of Ion Weapon that is infantry portable. Ion Rifles are normally issued as special weapons to T'au Pathfinders to augment their offensive capabilities in the field, and allow them to engage heavy infantry and light vehicles effectively.
T'au Wargear - Ion Cannon: The Ion Cannon was developed during the T'au Empire's early expansions into space, and is a large weapon most commonly found as a primary turret weapon on Hammerhead gunships, though numerous other T'au aircraft and voidships also make use of Ion Cannons. Ion Cannons are the most common adaptation of Ion Weapon technology in the T'au arsenal. Although the firepower of Ion Cannons are significantly less than the Railgun, they have a high rate of fire that is very effective against heavily-armoured infantry such as Space Marines, and lightly-armoured vehicles.
T'au Wargear - Ion Accelerator: Ion Accelerators are large Ion Weapons developed for use by the experimental XV104 Riptide Battlesuit. For their size, Ion Accelerators have a relatively high rate of fire, and their high damage output allows them to engage both heavy infantry and vehicles effectively. Indeed, Riptide Battlesuits have used their Ion Accelerators to devastating effect on even Leman Russ Battle Tanks and reinforced Imperial bunkers.
T'au Wargear - Ionic Discharge Cannon: Ionic Discharge Cannons are large Ion Weapons developed for use by the experimental XV109 Y'vahra Battlesuit. Most likely a derivative of the Ion Accelerator, unlike most Ion Weapons the Ionic Discharge Cannon cannot overcharge its shots; instead they emit an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) upon detonation, which can overload electronic circuitry, causing anything from minor malfunctions in electronics to fires. The effects of this can also blind enemy infantry and sensors that are hit.
T'au Wargear - Phased Ion Gun: A Phased Ion Gun is a prototype weapon system designed specifically for use by XV9 Hazard Battlesuits, as their advanced power cores allow them to most effectively wield these weapons. The Phased Ion Gun melds the rapid-firing technology of the Cyclic Ion Blaster with the power of the vehicle-mounted Ion Cannon into a stable Battlesuit weapon system. The lengthy particle accelerators that comprise the Phased Ion Gun's mechanism allow the Battlesuit pilot to engage the enemy at range with a storm of subatomic projectiles that react explosively at an atomic level, decimating heavily armoured infantry and vehicles. While the rate of fire is stable and very high, the ionisation effect remains unpredictable and varies due to the developing nature of this still-experimental technology. At its peak, a Phased Ion Gun's directed energy streams are able to bypass virtually all known forms of armour.
T'au Wargear - Quad Ion Turret: A Quad Ion Turret is essentially a battery of four linked Ion Rifles designed as a primary weapon for Razorshark strike fighters. A Quad Ion Turret is mounted on a gimbal turret on the rear underside of a Razorshark, allowing the weapon to strike at targets in all directions. Many an enemy aircraft has found itself under assault by a fusillade of deadly ion streams as T'au aircraft streak past. Linked together as a battery, the Ion Rifles that make up a Quad Ion Turret give the weapon system a high rate of fire, and their strength allows them to engage heavy infantry, light vehicles, and aircraft with equal effectiveness.
T'au Wargear - Ar'Ka Cannon: The Ar'Ka Cannon is a unique weapon design that was constructed on Nan Yanoi ("Sword Moon" in the T'au Lexicon), one of the two moons of the world of Kaurava II in the Kaurava System. The Ar'Ka Cannon fired a concentrated "Ion Beam", which was tuned to a frequency and wavelength that only destroyed the central nervous systems of advanced organic life forms, and ignored plant life and inorganic structures. This allowed the structures and plant life of a targeted area to remain, allowing the T'au Empire to strike at their enemies in the Kaurava System without wreaking too much damage to the environment of the system's habitable planets. This allowed the T'au to maintain the targeted location's suitability for future T'au colonisation. The Ar'Ka Cannon could fire its beam at any point on the surface of any world in the Kaurava System. This weapon was unique, and the T'au built extensive fortifications at the base they established on Nan Yanoi to protect it. A modified version of the Ar'Ka Cannon was mounted on satellites orbiting above Nan Yanoi, which acted as a defence mechanism if any intruders made it past the orbital cannons and landed on the moon.
T'au Wargear - Kroot Weapons: Before the Kroot race was found by the T'au Empire, their ranged weaponry consisted primarily of primitive slug throwers that relied on the use of chemical propellants, solid ammunition, and the transfer of kinetic force. Once the Kroot had been absorbed into the T'au Empire, their weapons were upgraded to utilise the charged pulse rounds that are favoured by the T'au. This unleashed far greater damage and armour penetration capabilities for the Kroot.
T'au Wargear - Kroot Rifle: The members of a Kroot Carnivore Squad often favour the use of the Kroot Rifle, which serves as their standard weapon. Kroot Rifles are commonly fitted with blades near the barrel and stock, which are a throwback to early traditional Kroot fighting staves. Combined with the incredible hand speed that Kroot possess, Kroot Rifles are not only effective ranged weapons, but also effective assault weapons as well.
T'au Wargear - Kroot Gun: Kroot Guns are larger calibre versions of the Kroot Rifle. These heavy weapons have the equivalent range and firepower of the Autocannons used by the Imperial Guard, and are primarily used to engage light vehicles. Kroot Guns are significantly heavier than the Kroot Rifle, and thus must be mounted on the back of a lumbering Krootox. They can also be mounted on Great Knarlocs.
T'au Wargear - Kroot Bolt Launcher: Kroot Bolt Launchers are primitive and effective weapons that were used by the Kroot long before they met the T'au Empire. As with Kroot Rifles and Kroot Guns, the T'au have aided the Kroot by replacing the original basic sharpened bolts that were originally used as the ammunition with impact-infused explosive tips, which are smaller versions of the warheads used in T'au Missile Pods. This made the weapon far more dangerous, and it now has a significantly larger area of effect. The actual bolt-thrower is operated by an ingenious hand-crank system which drops the bolts from the magazine into position before quickly drawing the bow-string. This system allows the weapon to keep up a high rate of fire with little effort from the crew. The Kroot Bolt Launcher is only found mounted on Great Knarlocs.
T'au Wargear - Fusion Weapons: Tau Fusion Weapons are similar in effect to the technology employed in Imperial Melta Weapons, in that they use small fusion reactors to produce blasts of intense heat. They usually have short ranges, but are more dangerous the closer they are used to the target.
T'au Wargear - Fusion Blaster: A Fusion Blaster is a short-ranged T'au Melta Weapon capable of reducing even the most heavily armoured vehicles and fortifications to slag in the blink of an eye with its nuclear fusion-powered blast. The Fusion Blaster is most commonly utilised as a weapon system on Battlesuits. The Fusion Blaster is similar both technologically and tactically to an Imperial Meltagun, albeit it possesses a longer range and is most commonly employed by more mobile units. Many Battlesuit pilots have become adept at stalking and hunting down enemy armour, using the mobility gained from their Jetpacks to outflank the enemy and attack the more vulnerable rear and side armour of their targets. Fusion Blasters can also be used to eliminate heavy armoured enemy infantry, as the sheer heat will melt all kinds of armour as well as the wearer.
T'au Wargear - Fusion Cannon: A Fusion Cannon is a larger version of the Battlesuit-mounted Fusion Blaster, and fire blasts of Melta energy that can penetrate vehicles or eliminate heavy infantry. Currently, it can only be mounted as a variant turret for Hammerhead gunships, and this weapon was first encountered during the Taros Campaign, where it is believed to have been undergoing field-testing. A Fusion Cannon possesses an extended range compared to the Fusion Blaster, and also has a blast radius that allows it to destroy closely-packed groups of enemy vehicles and heavy infantry.
T'au Wargear - Fusion Cascade: The Fusion Cascade is an experimental, cutting-edge Fusion Blaster variant that is designed to be integrated with the systems of the XV9 Hazard Battlesuit. A Fusion Cascade engulfs its target with powerful Melta energy, and fires in bursts. This means that despite each charge being less powerful than an equivalent Imperial Melta Weapon of similar size, the Fusion Cascade can overwhelm its target through its sheer quantity of fire.
T'au Wargear - Fusion Blades: Fusion Blades are in actuality a pair of heavily modified T'au Fusion Blasters, but in truth, they are miracles of science. When the firing impulse is sustained, each weapon can unleash a constant stream of nuclear fusion-based Melta energy that blazes from the muzzle of the weapons like a blade of pure light. Fusion Blades are a rare T'au Battlesuit weapons system that was created at the request of the third bearer of the title of Commander Brightsword. Fusion Blades are potent close combat weapons that are easily able to vaporise infantry and carve through tanks. Indeed, the seventh Commander Brightsword used his Fusion Blades to extreme effectiveness against even the giant bio-monsters of the Tyranids. However, Fusion Blades consume an incredible amount of energy, and are prone to shorting out in the midst of battle. Fusion Blades are a T'au weapons technology employed exclusively by the military forces of the Farsight Enclaves.
T'au Wargear - Fusion Torch: A Fusion Torch is a T'au utility tool issued to XV46 Vanguard Void Battlesuits to aid them in exploring the hazardous interior environments of Space Hulks. A Fusion Torch is a short-ranged and very high-powered Melta cutting tool, utilising an atomic fusion reaction to generate an immensely hot beam capable of cutting through even the thickest of bulkheads and barriers. Whilst designed to breach obstacles, a Fusion Torch can also be used as an incredibly potent, if clumsy, close combat weapon capable of vaporising anything that its wielder happens to target within reach of its beam.
T'au Wargear - Marker Light: A Marker Light is essentially an advanced T'au hand-held laser range finder that is used to "paint" targets for other T'au units to fire upon. When activated, a Marker Light projects a simple beam at the target which measures the exact distance between the Marker Light and the user. This and a torrent of other targetting information then is fed into the Fire Caste Cadre's tactical network and becomes available on the wider T'au electronic battle network, relaying ranges to the marked target, triangulating optimum firing trajectories and superimposing aiming vectors. All of this information is transmitted to other T'au units to guide their fire and engage the enemy with unerring accuracy. During the Damocles Gulf Crusade, the Marker Light was also dubbed the "Valkyrie's Mark" by Imperial forces, because those marked with it were soon numbered amongst the dead. A Marker Light can allow T'au Fire Warriors and vehicles to fire more accurately upon targets, be able to see and target enemies in darkness clearly, call in Seeker Missiles on the target from Sky Rays or missiles mounted on other T'au vehicles, pin enemy units under fire from T'au troops more easily, or allow shots to strike more accurately at targets who take cover.
T'au Wargear - Missile Weapons: The T'au Empire uses a range of Missiles, often in very different tactical roles from the Imperium. These Missiles commonly have Drone intelligences built into them.
T'au Wargear - Missile Pod: A Missile Pod is a small silo of missiles which are primarily mounted on XV8 Crisis Battlesuits and act as medium to long-range mobile fire support weapons. They are commonly shoulder or arm-mounted and function using a relatively simple multiple missile delivery system. The missiles housed in these pods are fired in straight lines from the wielder to the target and can carry enough punch to destroy lightly armoured vehicles. Well-placed shots can even bring down heavier tanks. They are similar in power and role to Imperial Autocannons.
T'au Wargear - High-yield Missile Pod: A High-yield Missile Pod is essentially a larger and more rapidly-firing T'au Missile Pod. XV88 Broadside Battlesuits wield twin-linked High-yield Missile Pods as alternative primary weapon systems to Heavy Rail Rifles. High-yield Missile Pods were developed during the T'au Empire's Great War of Confederation after initial setbacks were encountered fighting the Ork menace, where the sheer mass of attacking Greenskin waves and the light nature of their vehicles meant that the Heavy Rail Rifle, although deadly, could not stem the overwhelming tide of attackers. By arming XV88s with High-yield Missile Pods, the Battlesuits sacrificed range and damage for the ability to lay down faster barrages that proved more than adequate in destroying the crude scrap-armoured Ork vehicles.
T'au Wargear - Smart Missile System (SMS): A Smart Missile System is an advanced weapon system that fires clusters of small missiles, each guided by a Drone processor unit built into its warhead, intended for use against masses of enemy infantry, particularly those hiding in cover. Upon their launch, the "Smart Missiles" will search for targets within sensor range before selecting and engaging one based on criteria previously detailed by the weapon's operator. These targets do not have to be within line of sight of the operator, as once the target has been acquired, the missiles are able to effectively home in on it, manoeuvring their thrusters to propel them around any intervening terrain as they hunt the enemy down to an explosive conclusion. Smart Missiles are smaller than the Missiles used in Missile Pods, and as a result have a shorter range and less power. However, they make up for this though the number of missiles that can be fired at once, making them effective in an anti-infantry role.
T'au Wargear - Seeker Missile: A Seeker Missile is a single, high-strength missile which is designed to strike targets that have been designated using a Marker Light. Seeker Missiles are commonly used in place of artillery, as T'au battle doctrine dictates that all forces should always remain mobile. As such, the T'au Fire Caste generally does not rely on static defensive positions unless absolutely necessary, and instead uses Seeker Missile strikes from roving Sky Rays in place of artillery bombardments.
T'au Wargear - Phased Plasma-Flamer: The Phased Plasma-Flamer is a large triple-barrelled rotary Flamer Weapon capable of generating temperatures so hot that the emitted flames are in a plasma-like state capable of even vaporising ceramite. As such, the weapon is deadly to even the most heavily armoured infantry. The Phased Plasma-Flamer can be fired in two modes: single canister which only uses a single barrel, and full rotation which uses all three barrels to generate an extended flame burst with the drawback of a small potential for danger and damage to the Battlesuit itself. All XV109 Y'vahra Battlesuits wield a Phased-Plasma Flamer as part of their standard armament.
T'au Wargear - Plasma Weapons: As with many of the other major starfaring races in the Milky Way Galaxy, the T'au have developed Plasma Weapons technology that is extremely potent against heavily armoured infantry. However, T'au Plasma Weapons do not suffer the drawback of occasionally fatally overheating, unlike the Imperium's more unstable Plasma Weapons. Instead, the T'au favour a form of the technology that forgoes a degree of damage for increased safety levels for the operator, similar to the variant of the technology employed by the Eldar.
T'au Wargear - Plasma Rifle: Plasma Rifles deliver pulses of searing energy and superheated matter that has been transmuted into a gaseous plasma state that carries an electrical charge. The plasma "bolts" fired by these weapons generate the destructive heat of a small sun; impacting with the fury of a supernova and scything through steel, flesh and bone as if they were nothing. Whilst Plasma Weapons technology is employed by many of the main spacefaring races of the 41st Millennium, the T'au favour a form of technology in their Plasma Rifles that exchanges some damage output for increased safety for the user by almost completely eliminating the risk of a catastrophic overheat of the weapon. Nevertheless, T'au Plasma Rifles are still extremely effective against targets such as heavy infantry, and are able to melt even Ceramite with ease. The T'au Plasma Rifle can be considered the equivalent of an Imperial Plasma Gun.
T'au Wargear - Plasma Cannon: So far, T'au Plasma Cannons have only been mounted as a variant turret on Hammerhead gunships and were first identified by the Imperium during the Taros Campaign, where it is believed they were being field-tested. They use the same Plasma Weapons technology as that employed in Plasma Rifles, but are far larger in size. Because of this, they are more powerful and also fire faster. However, the Plasma Cannon sacrifices some of its armour penetration capability, making it similar in damage output to the Ion Cannon.
T'au Wargear - Photon Grenade: A Photon Grenade is a type of defensive grenade that all Fire Warriors and Pathfinders are equipped with as standard arms.Photon Grenades are designed to be used in a situation where enemy forces advance too close to a T'au firing line. A Photon Grenade can repel the attackers with a dazzling pulse of multi-spectrum light and a deafening sonic burst. This will often blind and disorient attackers, confusing them and slowing their charge so that the T'au infantry are able to respond with further volleys of lethal firepower.Whilst disc-like Photon Grenades are usually thrown by hand, Pulse Carbines mount underslung Photon Grenade launchers as standard so that the grenades can be used to pin down enemies from a further distance.
T'au Wargear - Pulse Weapons: Pulse Weapons are a family of advanced Plasma Weapons developed by the Earth Caste of the T'au Empire, and exclusively used by the T'au Fire Caste. Pulse Weapons operate by utilising pulsed induction fields to propel lethal micro-bursts of plasma over long ranges. Pulse Weapons such as the Pulse Rifle and Pulse Carbine are issued as standard arms to every frontline Fire Warrior. Pulse Weapons are notorious amongst many of the starfaring races of the galaxy, for they have a range and damage output that outclasses the standard weapons of every other intelligent species the T'au have yet encountered.
T'au Wargear - Pulse Blaster: The Pulse Blaster, also known as a Pulse Shotgun, is a type of T'au Pulse Weapon, commonly used by Fire Warrior Breacher Teams. Similar to the Imperial shotgun in function, the Pulse Blaster is designed to deliver powerful, close-range firepower. Though the T'au are historically disdainful of close-range warfare, the Pulse Blaster had to be developed due to T'au difficulties in urban combat on labyrinthine and confined Imperial Hive Worlds.The Pulse Blaster uses a two-stage firing process to enhance the lethality of its plasma-based ammunition. When the trigger is pulled halfway, an invisible volley of negatively charged particles paint the target, followed by the full plasma payload. This causes victims to glow with a ghostly light moments before they are struck by the weapon's discharge.
T'au Wargear - Pulse Pistol: A pistol-sized Pulse Weapon, Pulse Pistols are only used by certain T'au personnel as a basic defence and hold-out weapon unleashed in desperate situations.
T'au Wargear - Pulse Rifle: Pulse Rifles are the most common form of Pulse Weapon, and are elongated rifles that are utilised as standard weapons by T'au Fire Warriors. Pulse Rifles can be wielded effectively whether the user is stationary or moving, and when compared to a Space Marine bolter, it fires at a far slower rate but does significantly more damage and possesses a much longer range.
T'au Wargear - Pulse Carbine: The Pulse Carbine is similar in most respects to a Pulse Rifle, but sacrifices the Pulse Rifle's longer range for greater portability and an underslung Photon Grenade launcher. This allows the weapon to fire a Photon Grenade over a short distance, a capability that is especially useful in close quarters where the weapon can then be used to pin down those enemies affected by the Photon Grenade's flashbang effect.
T'au Wargear - Longshot Pulse Rifle: A Longshot Pulse Rifle is a variant of the T'au Pulse Rifle, modified specifically for a sniping role. As such, it has a greater range and fires more focused plasma pulses, whilst maintaining a similar rate of fire to its standard counterpart. Lethal weapons capable of sending plasma pulses over great distances, a well-placed shot from a Longshot Pulse Rifle is capable of taking out any target.
T'au Wargear - Burst Cannon: Multi-barreled weapons capable of sustaining very high rates of fire, Burst Cannons are an offshoot of T'au Pulse Weapon technology. They are usually mounted on T'au Battlesuits and vehicles, providing heavy anti-infantry support. Burst Cannons have four barrels and are short-ranged like Pulse Carbines, though this deficiency is offset by the maneuverability of the T'au units commonly armed with them. Long-barrelled Burst Cannons are variants of the standard Burst Cannons usually mounted on T'au aircraft, and possess almost double the range due to their extended barrel lengths.
T'au Wargear - Heavy Burst Cannon: A Heavy Burst Cannon is a larger variant of the standard Burst Cannon that is only mounted as the primary arm weapon on the experimental XV104 Riptide Battlesuit. A Heavy Burst Cannon possess six large barrels with extended lengths, and is capable of ferocious rates of fire that can mow down enemy hordes with ease. A Heavy Burst Cannon can also draw upon an XV104's Dark Matter Nova Reactor to nova-charge its power, allowing for a devastating hail of pulse rounds that can crack even the toughest of armour with ease.
T'au Wargear - Pulse Submunitions Rifle: A Pulse Submunitions Rifle is a newly developed form of Pulse Weapon, designed to saturate large areas with plasma pulses at range. Whilst it possesses a slightly shorter range compared to a Pulse Rifle, the scattered nature of its fire allows it to bypass cover more effectively to target fortified enemies. Pulse Submunitions Rifles were first developed as primary T'au Battlesuit weapon systems for the XV9 Hazard Battlesuit to complement its battlefield role as close-ranged fire support, and thus far have not been deployed on any other T'au weapons platforms.
T'au Wargear - Pulse Submunitions Cannon: Unlike standard Pulse Weapons, these Pulse Submunitions Cannons are powerful weapons that fire clusters of sophisticated micro-submunitions that detonate in close proximity to their target in a storm of separate pulse-discharges, showering a wide area with deadly effect. Larger targets such as bulky infantry, monstrous creatures and vehicles inevitably suffer proportionally greater harm from Pulse Submunitions Cannons as they can be struck with a wave of near-simultaneous detonations, magnifying the blast and ripping them apart. Pulse Submunitions Cannons have an extreme range and generally are used in a heavy long-range fire support role. Pulse Submunitions Cannons are only wielded in pairs by XV107 R'varna Battlesuits, which can also nova-charge the weapon systems via its Dark Matter Nova Reactor and double its rate of fire.
T'au Wargear - Pulse Bomb Generator: A Pulse Bomb Generator is a primary weapon system for a Sun Shark bomber, and is mounted underneath the aircraft's rear hull. When activated, a Pulse Bomb Generator produces a ball of deadly plasma beneath the aircraft in the course of spinning its generating mechanisms. At the pilot's command, a pulsed electromagnetic induction field propels the glaring energy ball towards targets on the battlefield below. Sizzling the air around it, the Pulse Bomb explodes on the ground with an incandescent fury, spreading destruction over a wide radius.
T'au Wargear - Neutron Blaster: A Neutron Blaster is a weapon unique to the Vespid race. They are made using a hybrid of Vespid and T'au technology. Mounted at the end of the barrel of each weapon is a highly energetic and unstable crystal that has been harvested from the deepest layers of the world of Vespid's cloud seas. This is combined with an efficient neutron projection system created by the T'au Earth Caste to produce a weapon capable of bypassing all but the most effective armour. The weapon emits short-ranged streams of neutron radiation when firing and can reduce biological matter and machine components to cinders. Neutron Blasters can only be used by members of the Vespid race, such as Vespid Stingwings. This is mainly because Neutron Blasters constantly emit radiation that only the Vespid can handle, whereas the radiation will prove ultimately lethal to other intelligent races. It has also been theorised by Imperial scholars that Vespid wing membranes emit a constant harmonic ultrasonic tone that is required to modulate or aid the containment of the crystals used in the weapons.
T'au Wargear - Rail Weapons: Rail Weapons are large T'au ballistic weapons that make use of electromagnetically-induced linear acceleration to fire a projectile at hypersonic speeds. Rail Weapons typically possess an extreme range, and are particularly renowned for their destructive capabilities upon single targets, especially against armoured vehicles or fortifications. T'au Rail Weapons are fearsome weapons and are characterised by their long range, extreme damage and excellent armour penetration capabilities.