XV8 Crisis Battlesuit - Tactical Role: The XV8 Crisis Battlesuit's greatest strength lies in mobility and ranged firepower -- it is the XV8's role to get to the right place, at the right time and eliminate the right targets. XV8s are extremely versatile in that they can be equipped with a wide selection of weapons and combat support systems. This allows this Battlesuit to effectively engage almost any type of enemy it encounters, whether they be heavy or light, infantry or vehicle; the XV8 is capable of tackling any enemy units that the normal Fire Warrior Shas'la Teams cannot handle.The XV8 is also capable of operating in almost any tactical environment, including extreme low-light conditions where their advanced sensor arrays can be combined with a Blacksun Filter to allow for the accurate identification and targeting of enemies. With the small modification of replacing the standard T'au Jetpack with marine impellers, the XV8 Crisis Battlesuit is even capable of operating underwater effectively.XV8 Crisis Battlesuits will often be found in combat where the fighting is thickest and will take the brunt of any enemy attack so that the rest of the T'au Hunter Cadre can advance or retreat. XV8s are usually deployed from T'au transport aircraft such as the Orca and Manta, where their Jetpacks allow them to descend from high altitudes safely. Their incorporated Jetpacks also allow these Battlesuits to pounce out of cover towards the enemy and strafe them before retreating out of range once again.This makes the XV8 hard to counter and very difficult for the enemy to engage. Whether dropping in to counter-strike against an enemy breakthrough, falling upon their foes in the killing blow of a Mont'ka or Kauyon strategy, engaging in opportunist tank-hunting or jetting around the flanks of a foe to encircle them in a lethal net of fire, XV8 Crisis teams are equal to the task.The XV8 Crisis Battlesuit Team is the most widely deployed of any T'au Battlesuit formation, for they are the very epitome of T'au warfare -- mobile, flexible and absolutely bristling with firepower. They are an elite force and often form the cutting edge of a Hunter Cadres' attacks; they can be used as a powerful reserve held by the T'au Commander, to counterattack against advancing foes or to deliver the final hammer blow that is unleashed to break the opposition once and for all.XV8 Crisis Battlesuits can be equipped to handle a variety of battlefield roles. For instance, to combat vast numbers, a XV8 Crisis Team might employ Burst Cannon weapon systems, as their high rate of fire is ideal for scything down lightly armoured infantry. Against more powerful or heavily armoured foes, the ceramite-melting blasts fired from Plasma Rifles are preferable, while the close-ranged Fusion Blaster is unrivalled for tank-hunting teams.The Fire Caste doctrine laid down in the Code of Fire instructs all warriors to fight closely together, with each member of a team doing his utmost to protect not just his comrades, but also nearby teams in his Cadre. With this training, T'au XV8 Crisis Battlesuits can use overlapping fields of fire to provide all nearby teams with mutual support on the battlefield in the case of enemy assaults.XV8 Crisis Battlesuits commonly operate in teams of three, called Ta'ro'cha in the T'au Lexicon ("three minds as one"), and can be equipped for a variety of different battlefield roles. Many different Fire Warrior Septs have developed their own Battlesuit tactics and their preferred weapon and support system load outs are intended to enhance these proscribed tactics. These techniques are taught in each Sept's military academies, where respected Shas'vre pass on their knowledge. Some examples of these tactical formations include the Vior'la Death Rain and Burning Eye configurations, or the T'au Fireknife and Blinding Spear patterns.For example, the XV8 Crisis Teams from Vior'la have a predilection for what is called the Sun Forge configuration. Each member of the XV8 Crisis Team is armed with a twin-linked Fusion Blaster and Target Lock, a combination that turned an entire Leman Russ tank company into piles of slag during the T'au counterattacks on Dal'yth Prime.However, there are those XV8 pilots who have lost their team members and operate alone. These embittered Monat pilots often choose to undertake dangerous missions where the risks are extremely high, and will often be deployed to undertake tactically vital missions which they are not likely to survive; such sacrifices are sometimes necessary in pursuit of the Greater Good.In the dense street fights amidst the ruins of Nimbosa, the T'olku Sept employed lone Monat warriors in an XV8 Crisis Battlesuit armed with a Flamer, Burst Cannon and Stimulant Injector (the Lone Hunter configuration) , which proved the most effective means of driving the many Imperial Guard regiments out of their defensive barricades.