T'au Battlesuit - T'au Battlesuit: A T'au Battlesuit is an advanced, powered, combat exoskeleton that forms an integral part of the T'au Fire Caste's military forces. T'au Battlesuits incorporate many different types of T'au weapons systems and armour and are the foremost sign of reputation and honour amongst the warriors of the Fire Caste -- they are the apex of the T'au Empire's military technology.Only the greatest heroes of the Fire Caste stride to war in these mighty armoured machines, and they are the pride of the caste as well as one of the most important symbols of the T'au Empire. Battlesuits can easily lay down a withering hail of fire to destroy both infantry and armoured vehicles, and possess the resilience and speed to shrug off heavy fire. Though the armies of the T'au rely on their skimmer-tanks and the airborne gunships of the Air Caste for long range support, the battlesuits of the Fire Caste are considered to be the most efficient of all their many killing machines.A battlesuit usually requires only one pilot, and often has much the same firepower as a tank or aircraft. When a cadre comprised of heavy battlesuits is deployed, it can change the course of a war. T'au Battlesuits are worn only by veteran T'au Fire Warriors, and vary in size, shape and tactical role. There are a variety of different models of T'au Battlesuits, each geared towards a different battlefield role.Known battlesuits range from the XV88 Broadside Battlesuit intended for heavy fire support and armed with weapons more similar to those found on the main battle tanks of other intelligent species, to the lightweight XV25 Stealthsuit which is designed for infiltration and sabotage operations. The mainstay of all T'au Battlesuits, however, is the versatile XV8 Crisis Battlesuit and its multiple derivatives, which are capable of carrying a wide variety of weapons and support equipment to optimise them for fighting in any tactical situation or role.All T'au Battlesuits represent the pinnacle of the advanced technologies that have been developed by the Earth Caste, and often wield powerful heavy weapons which are complemented by Battlesuit Support Systems and varying types of T'au wargear -- tools that allow them to defeat any foe and master any situation. A pilot ensconced in a battlesuit can weather some of the harshest conditions the elements can muster, glide through the void, and annihilate foes he could never hope to vanquish otherwise.Most T'au Battlesuits share several similar features and the latest upgraded equipment, such as advanced sensors or Blacksun Filters, the advanced Multi-Tracker target acquisition system, recoil absorbers, an internal environmental seal, and a T'au Jetpack. Many marks of T'au Battlesuit also carry wholly unique gear to better aid them in their designated role. There are always new system upgrades and weapon fittings in the works for T'au Battlesuits by the Earth Caste, usually prototypes that are put into full-scale production only once they have been exactingly tested.All T'au Battlesuits are constructed of a lightweight yet strong nano-crystalline alloy called fio'tak in the T'au Lexicon, which is light, malleable, impact-resistant and corrosion-resistant, reducing the weight of the battlesuit whilst also providing excellent protection. Even the armour's shape helps deflect solid projectiles, while a reflective liquid metal coating can reflect medium-grade laser fire.In the cases of heavier battlesuits, additional nano-layers are added to upgrade the armour's thickness and grant even better protection. All T'au Battlesuits are piloted as much as they are worn, and no matter its model, each battlesuit is a high-technology marvel that maintains a balance between offensive capability, armoured protection, speed, agility and utility. It is little wonder then that only the most experienced of Fire Warriors are promoted to the rank of shas'ui, the first honoured grade within the Fire Caste deemed worthy to pilot a battlesuit.