Stealth Battlesuit
The Stealth Battlesuit is an advanced Tau Battlesuit used for operating well ahead of the main Tau army, often behind enemy lines. They are worn by Stealthsuit Teams, and come in a variety of models.
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XV15 Stealth Battlesuit
The XV15 is amongst the smallest Battlesuit ever used by the Tau - indeed the XV15 is hardly larger than a Fire Warrior in his typical armour - but that only enhances its role as infiltrator and saboteur.[3] As with other battlesuits the XV15 incorporates multi-spectrum sensors and recoil absorption technology, but in addition it is also equipped with a jetpack and stealth field generator, a holographic disruption field making the suit harder to spot. The suit increases the user's strength, allowing them to hit harder in close combat and carry a burst cannon into battle.[1]
XV22 Stealth Battlesuit
The XV22 is a new stealth battlesuit that is still in the field-testing stages.[2a] It was first issued to Commander Shadowsun at the beginning of the Third Sphere Expansion, and is armed with two Fusion Blasters. In addition to its stealth field generator and jetpack, the XV22 comes equipped with a Multi-tracker, an advanced version of the Target Lock system, and a Drone Controller with a Command-link Drone and two MV52 Shield Drones. Shadowsun also carries with her a Bonding Knife.[2b]
Since its first introduction, other Tau Commanders have been granted access to the XV22 suit, although these sometimes lack the stealth field generator common to Shadowsun's suit.[4] 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.[6]
XV25 Stealth Battlesuit
The XV25 Stealthsuit is a much larger version than the XV15, remarked as being broader than a Space Marine.[5] Their pilots are viewed as eccentric loners, operating either in single teams or as members of an Optimised Stealth Cadre.[8] XV25 Stealthsuit first saw combat in the Kappa Mortis Incident and has since largely replaced the smaller XV15.[6] Like the XV15, it is equipped with all the standard battlesuit systems, including a burst cannon, jetpack and stealth field generator.[2a] It also incorporates full medical suite, passive sensor arrays and nutrient reservoirs. Because of its support systems, Stealth Teams can call in reinforcements, command Drones to aid them in battle, or direct seeker missiles straight onto the targets.[8] Thanks to their larger frame and augmented muscles, XV25s can replace their burst cannon for a fusion gun, and may also take an additional Battlesuit support system. The team leader may also be equipped with a markerlight.[2a] However, the XV25 provides little protection against large-calibre small arms such as Astartes bolters.[5]
XV95 Ghostkeel Stealth Battlesuit
The XV95 is the heaviest class of Tau stealth battlesuit, designed to infiltrate enemy lines and create confusion by unleashing a torrent of heavy weaponry before disappearing. It is considered the pinnacle of Tau stealth technology.[7]
See Also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Tau (3rd Edition), pg. 16
- 2: Codex: Tau Empire (4th Edition)
- 3: Imperial Armour Volume Three - The Taros Campaign, pg. 280
- 4: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade
- 5: Courage and Honour (Novel) by Graham McNeill, [Needs Citation], pg. 135
- 6: White Dwarf #321 (UK), pg. 76
- 7: White Dwarf 89 (2015) - XV95 Ghostkeel
- 8: Codex: Tau Empire (7th Edition), pg. 29, XV25 Stealth Battlesuits
Tau Empire Forces | |
---|---|
Leadership | Ethereal • Tau Commander • Fireblade |
Troops | Fire Warrior Team (Strike Team • Breacher Team) • Pathfinder Team • Stealthsuit Team • Drone Squadron |
Battlesuits | XV8 Crisis (XV8 • XV8-02 • XV81 • XV84 • XV85 • XV86 • XV89) • XV15 Stealth • XV22 Stealth • XV25 Stealth • XV95 Ghostkeel • XV88 Broadside • XV9 Hazard XV46 Vanguard • XV104 Riptide • XV107 R'varna • XV109 Y'vahra • KV128 Stormsurge • KX139 Ta'unar |
Vehicles | Devilfish • Drone Harbinger • Hammerhead • Piranha • Sky Ray • Tetra • Swordfish |
Aircraft | Barracuda • Manta • Orca • Sun Shark • Razorshark • Tiger Shark • Remora |
Auxiliaries | Kroot Shaper • Kroot Carnivore Squad • Kroot Hound • Krootox • Knarloc • Great Knarloc • Vespid Stingwing • Gue'vesa |
Special Characters | Aun'va • Aun'shi • Shadowsun • Farsight • Darkstrider • Longstrike |