XV29 Interceptor Battlesuit by ENGINEER24
The XV29 Interceptor is an experimental Tau Battlesuit developed by the Earth caste in response to the close-range combatants the enemies of the Tau Empire seem to utilize. As the engineers of the Earth caste continued to innovate and experiment alongside the Fire caste for their military needs, battle data has demonstrated that many losses are accrued from enemies charging in close combat and at incredible speeds, alongside relentless enemy pursuits towards withdrawing formations. There has been a long-held debate on responding to such scenarios, the most common was using Sniper drones and other long-ranged units. The most controversial of these was the utilization of their own close-quarters units, outside of the Kroot auxiliaries, which drew a lot of ire from traditional Tau commanders given their relation to the doctrines of the renegade Commander Farsight.
However, with the reckless and experimental creations used to fight Hive Fleet Gorgon, none could deny that such measures would become necessary. The problem simply became a matter of cost and practicality, such is the case for the XV9 Hazard Battlesuits. The Earth caste decided that perhaps instead of developing a bigger chassis, they could produce something smaller, and it just so happens that the Empire still has stockpiles of decommissioned XV15 Stealth Battlesuits, that many Commanders still insist on using despite being replaced by the newer XV25. It was decided and approved that engineers of the Fal'shia Sept would experiment with the XV15 chassis and create a new suit for a unique purpose.
After years of trial and error, a working prototype was made: the XV29 Interceptor Battlesuit. While this suit maintains the same size as the XV15, the contrast becomes apparent in its sleeker and slimmer chassis. On the surface, such a suit appeared too fragile for the primary purpose it was made for. However, such an appearance can be deceiving, for in place of stealth equipment it has been outfitted with Repulsor Impact Fields which allowed it to generate shockwaves upon anything the suit would collide with, resulting in devastating effects for the enemy. In addition, the suit has been paired with a modified Grav-inhibitor Drone, ensuring it will slow down enemy advances and have the chance to disengage before suffering retaliation.
For its main armaments, the Interceptor can be outfitted with a varied arsenal such as a Burst Cannon, Flamer, or a Fusion Blaster that can be modified into a Fusion Blade. The Earth caste has mentioned that they could fit the other hand with a miniature variant of the experimental Onager Gauntlet or any type of melee weapon. However, most pilots prefer the Flechette Launcher. The XV29 is equipped with an enhanced jetpack, akin in power to the XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit, which granted the suit the ability of nearly sustained flight and able to redeploy almost anywhere during a planetary invasion. The XV29 Interceptor Battlesuit also has room for one support system of the pilots' choosing for certain mission parameters.
The XV29 Interceptor is an experimental Tau Battlesuit developed by the Earth caste in response to the close-range combatants the enemies of the Tau Empire seem to utilize. As the engineers of the Earth caste continued to innovate and experiment alongside the Fire caste for their military needs, battle data has demonstrated that many losses are accrued from enemies charging in close combat and at incredible speeds, alongside relentless enemy pursuits towards withdrawing formations. There has been a long-held debate on responding to such scenarios, the most common was using Sniper drones and other long-ranged units. The most controversial of these was the utilization of their own close-quarters units, outside of the Kroot auxiliaries, which drew a lot of ire from traditional Tau commanders given their relation to the doctrines of the renegade Commander Farsight.
However, with the reckless and experimental creations used to fight Hive Fleet Gorgon, none could deny that such measures would become necessary. The problem simply became a matter of cost and practicality, such is the case for the XV9 Hazard Battlesuits. The Earth caste decided that perhaps instead of developing a bigger chassis, they could produce something smaller, and it just so happens that the Empire still has stockpiles of decommissioned XV15 Stealth Battlesuits, that many Commanders still insist on using despite being replaced by the newer XV25. It was decided and approved that engineers of the Fal'shia Sept would experiment with the XV15 chassis and create a new suit for a unique purpose.
After years of trial and error, a working prototype was made: the XV29 Interceptor Battlesuit. While this suit maintains the same size as the XV15, the contrast becomes apparent in its sleeker and slimmer chassis. On the surface, such a suit appeared too fragile for the primary purpose it was made for. However, such an appearance can be deceiving, for in place of stealth equipment it has been outfitted with Repulsor Impact Fields which allowed it to generate shockwaves upon anything the suit would collide with, resulting in devastating effects for the enemy. In addition, the suit has been paired with a modified Grav-inhibitor Drone, ensuring it will slow down enemy advances and have the chance to disengage before suffering retaliation.
For its main armaments, the Interceptor can be outfitted with a varied arsenal such as a Burst Cannon, Flamer, or a Fusion Blaster that can be modified into a Fusion Blade. The Earth caste has mentioned that they could fit the other hand with a miniature variant of the experimental Onager Gauntlet or any type of melee weapon. However, most pilots prefer the Flechette Launcher. The XV29 is equipped with an enhanced jetpack, akin in power to the XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit, which granted the suit the ability of nearly sustained flight and able to redeploy almost anywhere during a planetary invasion. The XV29 Interceptor Battlesuit also has room for one support system of the pilots' choosing for certain mission parameters.