Welcome to Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum! Log in and join the community.

Stealth Battlesuit

From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
Revision as of 11:27, 31 August 2019 by KazilDarkeye (talk | contribs)
Jump to: navigation, search

Stealth Battlesuits (or Stealthsuits) are advanced Tau Battlesuits 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.

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]

XV15 Stealthsuit

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.[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]

File:Stealth suit.jpg
An XV22 Stealthsuit

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] The 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 a 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

Main article: XV95 Ghostkeel

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]

XV95 Ghostkeel

Related Articles

Sources



Tau Empire Forces
Leadership EtherealTau CommanderFireblade
Troops Fire Warrior Team (Strike TeamBreacher Team) • Pathfinder TeamStealthsuit TeamDrone Squadron
Battlesuits XV8 Crisis (XV8XV8-02XV81XV84XV85XV86XV89)XV15 StealthXV22 StealthXV25 StealthXV95 GhostkeelXV88 BroadsideXV9 Hazard
XV46 VanguardXV104 RiptideXV107 R'varnaXV109 Y'vahraKV128 StormsurgeKX139 Ta'unar
Vehicles DevilfishDrone HarbingerHammerheadPiranhaSky RayTetraSwordfish
Aircraft BarracudaMantaOrcaSun SharkRazorsharkTiger SharkRemora
Auxiliaries Kroot ShaperKroot Carnivore SquadKroot HoundKrootoxKnarlocGreat KnarlocVespid StingwingGue'vesa
Special Characters Aun'vaAun'shiShadowsunFarsightDarkstriderLongstrike