T'au Battlesuit - Notable Battlesuits: XV02 Pilot Battlesuit - The XV02 Pilot Battlesuit is a unique and experimental prototype of T'au Battlesuit developed specifically for use in conjunction with T'au vehicles, most notably the Hammerhead gunship. Shas'la T'au Sha'ng, better known as Longstrike, was chosen to trial the newly designed battlesuit. With its upgraded interface, he could become one with his vehicle -- reacting instantaneously alongside various artificial intelligence (AI) functions within the Hammerhead.XV15 Stealthsuit - The XV15 Stealthsuit is one of the smallest and lightest of all the various T'au Battlesuit variants, and is designed for use in operations requiring a high degree of stealth. Squads of Fire Warriors wearing XV15 Stealthsuits operate as the "lone wolves" of a T'au army, specialising in covert operations such as infiltration, sabotage, reconnaissance and ambush.XV17 Battlesuit - Little is known about this battlesuit other than that it exists, is piloted by a single T'au, and is a form of infiltration suit.XV22 Stealthsuit - The XV22 Stealthsuit is an experimental T'au Battlesuit that has been recently developed by the Earth Caste of the T'au Empire. The XV22 itself is of a similar mass to the XV15 and XV25 Stealthsuits, and is designed to fulfil a similar role in covert operations that require a high degree of stealth. Currently, the XV22 has only been issued to trusted Fire Caste commanders and some of their higher-ranking and veteran subordinates.XV25 Stealthsuit - The XV25 Stealthsuit is a relatively recent development of the T'au Earth Caste and shares many of the same features of its predecessor in the T'au armoury, the XV15 Stealthsuit. The XV15 Stealthsuit is currently being phased out of use by the Fire Caste and is being replaced by the XV25, which will serve as the new standard for all T'au stealth forces in the years to come.XV26 Battlesuit - Little is known about this battlesuit other than that it exists, is piloted by a single T'au, and is designated for void and atmospheric operations.XV46 Vanguard Void Battlesuit - The XV46 Vanguard Void Battlesuit is a newly developed T'au Battlesuit that was designed by Earth Caste mechanics of the T'au Empire out of a need for a specialised battlesuit to explore space hulks. They incorporate many advanced and miniaturised technologies in their armour, and are armed with an array of powerful short-ranged weapons and potent defensive systems to aid them in their exploration role.XV46-4 Vanguard Commander Variant Void Battlesuit - The XV46-4 Commander Variant Void Battlesuit is a variant of the standard XV46 designed for use by T'au Commanders. They feature additional command and communication systems, as well as special-issue experimental weapon systems.XV8 Crisis Battlesuit - The XV8 Crisis Battlesuit is the mainstay T'au Battlesuit utilised by the warriors of the Fire Caste, mounting fearsome ranged weaponry and a complement of technologically advanced support systems, all on a comparatively small and agile frame. XV8 Crisis Battlesuits are versatile and formidable weapons that the enemies of the T'au Empire have learned to respect. There are several variants of the XV8 Crisis Battlesuit, including:XV8-02 Iridium Crisis Battlesuit – The XV8-02 "Iridium" Crisis Battlesuit was developed following the death of Commander Pridestar to a sniper's bullet and the subsequent rout of Fire Caste warriors during the Klodate Worlds Suppression. After this tragic event, the Earth Caste developed an experimental iridium alloy that was used to produce enough armour plates to reinforce a small series of battlesuits. The XV8-02 prototype offers T'au Commanders and their bodyguards optimal protection that is by far superior compared to the armour of the standard XV8 Crisis Battlesuit.XV81 Crisis Battlesuit - The XV81 Crisis Battlesuit maintains a Smart Missile System mounted on its back and is intended to be used as a long-range fire support platform.XV84 Crisis Battlesuit - The XV84 Crisis Battlesuit is equipped with a spine-mounted Marker Light and Target Lock sensor support system intended to enhance its target acquisition capabilities in combat conditions against multiple foes.XV85 Enforcer Battlesuit – The XV85 Enforcer Battlesuit is a larger and sleeker variant of the standard XV8 Crisis Battlesuit that provides better protection and joint movement for the pilot, and can mount additional support systems or weapons due to its more powerful reactor. It is produced in limited numbers, and is issued almost exclusively to T'au Commanders.XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit – The XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit, or simply the XV86, is a rare mark of XV8 Crisis Battlesuit that carries many wholly unique support and weapon systems. Designed for operation in a void environment, each XV86 is fitted with integrated interface armour.XV89 Crisis Battlesuit - The XV89 Crisis Battlesuit is intended for assaults against heavily-fortified enemy positions and thus is outfitted with heavier Iridium Armour plating for enhanced protection compared to the more standard Crisis Battlesuit variants.XV88 Broadside Battlesuit - An XV88 Broadside Battlesuit is the most heavily armoured infantry unit that can be fielded by the T'au Fire Caste, and as such are only worn by the most experienced of T'au veterans. While similar to the standard XV8 Crisis Battlesuit, the Broadside sacrifices mobility and manoeuvrability to be armed with some of the most devastating weapons in the T'au arsenal. In this way, the XV88 can engage and destroy the heaviest of enemy targets.XV9 Hazard Battlesuit – The XV9 Hazard Battlesuit is the most sophisticated and powerful T'au Battlesuit yet fielded by the Fire Caste, the use of which has remained controversial amongst the more traditionalist members of the Ethereal and Earth Castes. Though undoubtedly powerful, its armament is short-ranged and the armour's size and mobility difficulties make it more complex to operate than any previous battlesuit, requiring a veteran's skills to master its use and effectively utilise its sheer power in combat.XV95 Ghostkeel Battlesuit - The XV95 Ghostkeel Battlesuit stands at the pinnacle of T'au stealth technology, a battlesuit created specifically for use behind enemy lines in the most gruelling conditions. Its shas'vre pilot is a highly skilled Stealth Team operative, one of the few warriors in a cadre trusted to operate autonomously for extended periods of time. A huge, deadly and nigh-undetectable weapon of impressive killing capacity, the XV95 Ghostkeel Battlesuit is a formidable display of T'au war technology. A lone Ghostkeel is capable of appearing from seemingly nowhere, unleashing a storm of incredible firepower with its weapons, and disappearing into the mayhem and confusion of battle. This battlesuit bristles with a vast array of advanced countermeasures, making it invisible to enemy sensors -- weapons simply refuse to lock-on, and the few that manage to loose off a shot are baffled by a spectacular display of flares and electronic countermeasures.XV104 Riptide Battlesuit – The XV104 Riptide Battlesuit is a newly-developed, experimental heavy battlesuit that towers over all other known T'au Battlesuits save for its variant, the XV107 R'varna. The XV104 was the latest model to arrive on the front lines of the Third Sphere Expansion, and its deadly combination of heavy protection, supreme mobility and devastating firepower makes it an extremely powerful asset for the forces of the T'au Empire.XV107 R'varna Battlesuit - The XV107 R'varna Battlesuit is a rare variant of the recently introduced XV104 Riptide Battlesuit, and mounts two Pulse Submunitions Cannons as its main armament. These are experimental weapons systems which fire micro-cluster projectiles capable of saturating a wide target area with a deadly storm of plasma pulses. The R’varna has far heavier armour than its more mobile, Jetpack-equipped Riptide counterpart, allowing the pilot to stand firm in the face of any foe whilst the more mobile elements of this Hunter Cadre envelop and destroy them.XV109 Y'vahra Battlesuit - Rushed into deployment after the success of the XV107 R'varna Battlesuit, the XV109 Y'vahra is a Class 10 Battlesuit designed for devastating frontline shock assaults. To facilitate this role, the Y'vahra is equipped with a triple-barrelled Phased Plasma-Flamer capable of vaporising even hardened ceramite, and a massive Ionic Discharge Cannon designed to incapacitate enemy war engines. The complex Vectored Thruster Array incorporated into the Y'vahra's impressive armour allows it to traverse the battlefield in long graceful bounds, slamming into the greatest concentration of the enemy and reaping a heavy toll in lives before jetting away.KV128 Stormsurge - The KV128 Stormsurge Ballistic Suit is the latest development in Earth Caste technology. Mag-lifted into battles by Manta gunships, these colossal walking tanks are more akin to mobile artillery pieces than battlesuits, and their weapon systems are capable of obliterating even the most heavily armoured foes. An absolute colossus of a machine, piloted by graduates of the Ves'oni'Vash, the KV128 Stormsurge is designed as an extreme heavy-weapons platform. Not as manoeuvrable as a Riptide, instead relying on its thick armour and devastating weapons, these hulking, squat Ballistic Suits are capable of changing the course of a battle in solar seconds with a decisive volley of astonishing firepower. Fitted with thrusters to counter recoil, bristling with pulse weaponry and Missile Pods, the Stormsurge is the T'au Empire's Titan-killer.KX139 Ta'unar Supremacy Armour - The KX139 Ta'unar Supremacy Armour is larger than any other current class of T'au Battlesuit. It is intended to meet a threat that the T'au Empire has not yet prepared for; the defence of worlds within their growing domain from the counter-expansion forces of other starfaring races. Lacking the manoeuvrability of other battlesuits, the KX139 Ta'unar Supremacy Armour was designed for static defence, carrying massively destructive, long-range weapons. Encountering increasing numbers of enemy heavy assault elements, from Imperial Knights to the towering alien monstrosities that are the Bio-Titans of the Tyranid hive fleets, T'au heavy flyers were often outclassed. Earth Caste engineer Fio'o Ke'lshan Sho'aun developed the KX139 to mount a dynamic yet stoic defence against such foes. Armed with a pair of Tri-axis Ion Cannons and a Pulse Ordnance Multi-Driver, this KX139 Ta'unar Supremacy Armour Battlesuit is ready to engage enemies at range and dominate the battlefield.