Post by Neo-Devil on Oct 5, 2015 6:25:51 GMT 10
RACE INFORMATION SHEET
Name: The Tau
Alliances: Drones/Buggers (Yanme'e) are now part of the Tau empire after the collapse of the Covenant.
Technological Achievement Tier: Tier 2 (Interstellar)
-
Homeworld: T'au
T'au is the homeworld of the Tau species in the star system of the same name and the largest and most politically important Sept of the Tau Empire. The High Council, led by Ethereal Supreme Aun'Va, convenes here, its decrees shaping the entire empire. Even after the growth of the Tau Empire into an interstellar civilization, T'au remains the center of Tau culture and bureaucracy. No other Sept world can challenge the prestige of T'au, and only Vior'la can match it's power.
Appearance:
The Tau are humanoid in shape, although they have hoofed feet and four-digit hands (three fingers and one thumb). Their skin is grey-blue (although this can vary in pigmentation between Tau colony worlds), rough in texture, leathery, and exudes almost no moisture. Their faces are flat, wide around the eyes, with an "I"-shaped slit running from the center of the forehead to where a human's nose would be. Tau vision is considered slightly superior to that of humans - their visual spectrum extends a little more into the ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths. However their pupils do not dilate, giving poorer depth perception and providing slower vision focusing reflexes than humans. The olfactory organs of a Tau are inside the mouth. Physical strength and size varies between the Tau castes with the Fire Caste being the strongest of their kind, roughly the size and slightly weaker than an average baseline human.
Culture: Tau society is centered around the concept of the Greater Good, where individual Tau sacrifice personal gain in favour of benefiting the Tau race as a whole. It is from this philosophy that the Tau's all-purpose motto, "For the Greater Good!", is derived. The castes, although different in role and organisation, work together for the benefit of all Tau. he Earth caste provide and produce, the Water caste communicate and distribute, the Air caste connect the worlds of the Tau Empire, and the Fire caste protect and defend. The external image of the Tau is that they are altruistic and idealistic, believing in the unification of all "for the Greater Good".
Tau ground warfare is carried out almost exclusively by the Fire caste, while the Air caste is responsible for aerial and space combat, and providing transport between systems. The Tau prefer long-ranged combat over close-quarters fighting, and use the speed and agility of their anti-gravity vehicles to fight a war of maneuverability. Pinpoint destruction is favoured over massive barrages, hence the preponderance of laser-guided missiles as artillery. The destruction of the enemy's forces is considered more important than the capture of territory, and the Tau will willingly give ground in order to achieve a more advantageous position. Battle plans are complex affairs, with each Cadre given specific targets and launch times, and if the initiative is lost the Tau will fall back to plan a new strategy. The Tau military has neither the inclination nor the numbers to fight a war of attrition, and so must choose its battles carefully.
After four years 'on the line' as a standard Shas'la, Fire Warriors can undertake the Trial by Fire, an ancient ritual that can see them promoted to Shas'ui. If they succeed in the Trial, they can go on to serve in elite Battlesuit units.
Military Classing/Ranks:
Fire Caste
Underling [Shas'saal]
Fire Warrior [Shas'la]
Fireblade [Shas'nel]
Veteran [Shas'ui] (Equivalent: Commander)
Hero [Shas'vre] (Equivalent: Captain)
Noble [Shas'el]
Knight [Shas'el]
Commander B [Shas'o]
Commander A [Shas'o'el] (Equivalent: Fleet Admiral)
History:
on a planet known as T'au, there were 3 warring clans, Fire caste, Earth caste, and Air caste. for ages they warred against one another, but then, a 4th caste appeared, the Etherals...they brought peace and organized the 3 castes. Earth caste would begin developing things, Fire Caste would be ground forces. Air Caste became the Air or space bound military. The Etherals brought upon a philosophy known as the 'Greater Good' to the Tau and became the leaders. as a result of the new-found unity under the 'Greater Good', The Tau Empire developed very fast. Earth Caste made the space craft for the Air Caste to use to explore the regions of space. The Etherals found this to be a grand opportunity to spread the Greater Good to other races. the System of T'au became the greatest Sept. over the course of many years, several other Septs were made, then, in the system that would be called the Sept of Vior'la they began to upgrade their weapons. once the Sept of Vior'la was in control of the Tau, Pathfinder ships were sent out and witnessed that Covenant. knowing they were too strong to fight, they waited until they moved on from the system after glassing a planet, they then went to the planet and scavenged the weapons and elite armor back to the sept of Vior'la, where the Earth Caste began to upgrade their weapons with the knowledge of the covenant sent to the Etherals who approved of the upgrades. they bided their time, and waited as they continued to upgrade.
years later, they sent a pathfinder ship to check the human covenant war, only to find it was over already. as a result, when this was reported to the Etherals, they knew that it was time to begin working on setting up things to prepare for first contact. but then, a ship arrived in the Vior'la Sept, it held the former covenant drones, so the Etheral on the planet negotiated with the drones, and in the end, the drones joined the Tau Empire all for the 'Greater Good'. they traded technological studies, which thus got them even more of an advantage. they later found a shield world, they sent Earth Caste with Fire Caste troops to ensure the Earth Caste's saftey, they studied the Forerunner ruins, and they discovered that the Forerunner had a similar belief to them...the Mantel...after information on this was sent to the Etherals, they knew that this was a race that probably sacrificed themselves so that other race's could live.
But they discovered that the Shield world was not safe. Commander Puretide and his men found storage units on the shield world, they found what the Forerunner called 'The Flood', knowing what they could do thanks to the data studied, but thanks to the superior intellect of Commander Puretide, the Flood was held off long enough that they could gather just enough data to get their tech up to where the human tech is now. they left the shield world, and destroyed it to prevent the parasite from spreading. Unfortunately, Commander Puretide was injured during the battle with the flood, to the point where he could no longer be on the field, so Puretide, in an effort to continue to serve the Greater Good, went out of his way to begin teaching future commanders. Most notable are Commander Shas'O Vior'la Shovah Kais Mont'yr(AKA Farsight), Commander O'Shaserra, and Aun'Shi, they learned much, but Farsight learned much.
Commander Farsight was an honest one. he was perhaps the best of Puretide's students. Shas'O after a skrimish against brutes began to suspect things, he questioned the Etheral Caste, albeit inwardly. at first it was light questioning, but after a hard battle with the flood ordered by the Etherals, his suspicion changed to deep worry, he wondered if the Etheral rule was completely honest or not, or if the Etherals were actually controlling the Tau through sinister means, his worries cut him deep, after several more missions, he felt his suspicions were confirmed, but knowing that if he were to tell anyone, the Tau would end up breaking apart. So he instead of following anymore orders, he self exiled himself.
Aun'Va the Supreme Etheral noticed that some others of his caste had died, and the way they died is what worried him, so he called for Commander Farsight, who didn't answer, instead the guy made another group of Tau under what became called the 'Farsight Enclaves', in another sept, the enclaves had the sept under their control, and broke all contact with the Tau Empire. is unknown as to what they are up to now...
Puretide had finally died of old age, and he passed with a smile on his face knowing he had passed on his knowledge to the younger generation. Aun'Va decided, that it was now time to begin sending more pathfinders out to the main galaxy.
years later, they sent a pathfinder ship to check the human covenant war, only to find it was over already. as a result, when this was reported to the Etherals, they knew that it was time to begin working on setting up things to prepare for first contact. but then, a ship arrived in the Vior'la Sept, it held the former covenant drones, so the Etheral on the planet negotiated with the drones, and in the end, the drones joined the Tau Empire all for the 'Greater Good'. they traded technological studies, which thus got them even more of an advantage. they later found a shield world, they sent Earth Caste with Fire Caste troops to ensure the Earth Caste's saftey, they studied the Forerunner ruins, and they discovered that the Forerunner had a similar belief to them...the Mantel...after information on this was sent to the Etherals, they knew that this was a race that probably sacrificed themselves so that other race's could live.
But they discovered that the Shield world was not safe. Commander Puretide and his men found storage units on the shield world, they found what the Forerunner called 'The Flood', knowing what they could do thanks to the data studied, but thanks to the superior intellect of Commander Puretide, the Flood was held off long enough that they could gather just enough data to get their tech up to where the human tech is now. they left the shield world, and destroyed it to prevent the parasite from spreading. Unfortunately, Commander Puretide was injured during the battle with the flood, to the point where he could no longer be on the field, so Puretide, in an effort to continue to serve the Greater Good, went out of his way to begin teaching future commanders. Most notable are Commander Shas'O Vior'la Shovah Kais Mont'yr(AKA Farsight), Commander O'Shaserra, and Aun'Shi, they learned much, but Farsight learned much.
Commander Farsight was an honest one. he was perhaps the best of Puretide's students. Shas'O after a skrimish against brutes began to suspect things, he questioned the Etheral Caste, albeit inwardly. at first it was light questioning, but after a hard battle with the flood ordered by the Etherals, his suspicion changed to deep worry, he wondered if the Etheral rule was completely honest or not, or if the Etherals were actually controlling the Tau through sinister means, his worries cut him deep, after several more missions, he felt his suspicions were confirmed, but knowing that if he were to tell anyone, the Tau would end up breaking apart. So he instead of following anymore orders, he self exiled himself.
Aun'Va the Supreme Etheral noticed that some others of his caste had died, and the way they died is what worried him, so he called for Commander Farsight, who didn't answer, instead the guy made another group of Tau under what became called the 'Farsight Enclaves', in another sept, the enclaves had the sept under their control, and broke all contact with the Tau Empire. is unknown as to what they are up to now...
Puretide had finally died of old age, and he passed with a smile on his face knowing he had passed on his knowledge to the younger generation. Aun'Va decided, that it was now time to begin sending more pathfinders out to the main galaxy.
-
Offensive Technology/Weapons:
Pulse Rifle
Description: The Pulse Rifle is the standard weaponry of Tau Fire Warriors and their Shas'ui leaders. It fires a plasma pulse, which is generated when an induction field accelerates a particle which breaks down as it leaves the barrel. The small circular device near the end of the barrel is a housing for a gyroscope that is part of an aim-stabilization system that allows the rifle to remain steady on target and angled for optimal firing at distance, regardless of factors like shaking hands. This helps to give pulse rifles a greater effective range than many other infantry weapons. The power cell from which it draws energy must be replaced after fifty shots total, and needs to cool down for a moment after five shots.
Pulse Pistol
Description: The Pulse Pistol is a small sidearm version of the Tau Pulse Rifle, issued to personnel only as a hold-out weapon for desperate situations. It's shots are less accurate and have a lesser range, and it's battery is smaller and holds less. But it's shots are more powerful than it's larger version by a small fraction.
Ion Rifle
Description: The Ion Rifle is an experimental Tau Ion Weapon intended to be wielded by light infantry. Currently, it is employed exclusively by Pathfinders. It holds 30 shots total and needs to cool down after every three, but is more accurate and powerful than the Pulse Rifle due to using Ion projectiles rather than Plasma.
Kles'tak Explosives
no image available
Description: Kles'tak Explosives are high-density Tau explosives, that can be packed into the chassis of their military drones. Generally coming in the form of throw able grenades for use on the battlefield, their grenades are twice regular size and as such can only be held in half capacity.
Rail Rifle
Description: The Rail Rifle is a devastating Sniper rifle used by Tau Pathfinders. Using linear accelerators to launch a hyper-velocity, tungsten-tipped solid dart, the Rail Rifle is capable of mortally wounding even a shielded, densely armored brute with ease. It can hold up to three shots and needs to reload after each shot, which takes a moment.
Honour Blade
Description: An Honour Blade is a weapon carried by Tau Ethereals and Ethereal Guards for a number of uses. It's mainly used as a symbols of their office, ceremonial weapons, and in self-defence. While each weapon is custom-made, they all feature a broad blade fitted to a long, lightweight metallic staff. Some Ethereals carry their Honour Blades on the field of battle, not expecting to have to use them, but prepared to make a last stand against their foes nonetheless. Ethereals with non-Ethereal descendants have been known to leave their Honor Blades to them on death. These blades can do as much damage as a melee from a Bruteshot.
Description: The Pulse Rifle is the standard weaponry of Tau Fire Warriors and their Shas'ui leaders. It fires a plasma pulse, which is generated when an induction field accelerates a particle which breaks down as it leaves the barrel. The small circular device near the end of the barrel is a housing for a gyroscope that is part of an aim-stabilization system that allows the rifle to remain steady on target and angled for optimal firing at distance, regardless of factors like shaking hands. This helps to give pulse rifles a greater effective range than many other infantry weapons. The power cell from which it draws energy must be replaced after fifty shots total, and needs to cool down for a moment after five shots.
Pulse Pistol
Description: The Pulse Pistol is a small sidearm version of the Tau Pulse Rifle, issued to personnel only as a hold-out weapon for desperate situations. It's shots are less accurate and have a lesser range, and it's battery is smaller and holds less. But it's shots are more powerful than it's larger version by a small fraction.
Ion Rifle
Description: The Ion Rifle is an experimental Tau Ion Weapon intended to be wielded by light infantry. Currently, it is employed exclusively by Pathfinders. It holds 30 shots total and needs to cool down after every three, but is more accurate and powerful than the Pulse Rifle due to using Ion projectiles rather than Plasma.
Kles'tak Explosives
no image available
Description: Kles'tak Explosives are high-density Tau explosives, that can be packed into the chassis of their military drones. Generally coming in the form of throw able grenades for use on the battlefield, their grenades are twice regular size and as such can only be held in half capacity.
Rail Rifle
Description: The Rail Rifle is a devastating Sniper rifle used by Tau Pathfinders. Using linear accelerators to launch a hyper-velocity, tungsten-tipped solid dart, the Rail Rifle is capable of mortally wounding even a shielded, densely armored brute with ease. It can hold up to three shots and needs to reload after each shot, which takes a moment.
Honour Blade
Description: An Honour Blade is a weapon carried by Tau Ethereals and Ethereal Guards for a number of uses. It's mainly used as a symbols of their office, ceremonial weapons, and in self-defence. While each weapon is custom-made, they all feature a broad blade fitted to a long, lightweight metallic staff. Some Ethereals carry their Honour Blades on the field of battle, not expecting to have to use them, but prepared to make a last stand against their foes nonetheless. Ethereals with non-Ethereal descendants have been known to leave their Honor Blades to them on death. These blades can do as much damage as a melee from a Bruteshot.
Defensive Technology/Armor:
Armor
Combat Armour
Description: Combat Armour is the standard armor worn by Tau Fire Warriors on the battlefield. Constructed in two layers, the outer face is hard and ultra-dense metal veneer bounded to an inner layer of high-performance, thermo-set, molecular polythene. This is about as defendable as better than the UNSC Marine BDU but less so than the Ballistics Armor worn by ODSTs.
Recon Armour
Description: Recon Armour is the standard Tau Armour worn by Pathfinders. Similar to Combat Armour, it lacks some of its segmentations and trades a level of protection for greater movement. Additional, the nanocular-thread fatigues beneath are interwoven with sound-absorbing fibers to aid in avoiding detection. This is about as defendable as the UNSC Marine BDU.
Tau Shield Generator
Description: A Tau Shield Generator is a Tau battlesuit / armor support system used to generate a small energy field which is useful for defending against attacks that would normally bypass normal armor and affect the wearer directly. The field generated encompasses the user completely. These shields are strong enough to absorb a small number of DMR shots without breaking, and on larger battlesuits or mechs, the shields are stronger.
Battlesuits /Mechs
XV8 Crisis Battlesuit
Description: The XV8 Crisis Battlesuit is an advanced piece of Tau technology. These Battlesuits are issued to veteran Shas'ui Fire Warriors in order to provide the Tau military with a highly-mobile weapons platform. The suit stands at twice the height of an armoured Fire Warrior (and thus, twice the height of a Spartan). This armour is unusual, as although it has only slightly more physical protection than the titanium alloys employed by the UNSC (roughly 1.5x), it possesses a unique ability to deflect much of the fire directed at it. Their mobility comes from their Repulsor Jet Engines, a complex piece of technology that uses anti-grav systems to slow falls, and allow the battlesuit to pull off graceful leaps and dodges at high speeds.
As for their firepower, the XV8 can be refitted in numerous configurations, a short list of the most common present here:
Plasma Rifle (Not the same as covenant tech, much more heavy-duty but slower fire rate)
Burst Cannon
Drone Controller
Missile Pods
Fusion Blasters
Multi Tracker
Flamer
XV-88 Broadside Battlesuit
Description: The Broadside Battlesuit or XV-88 is the heaviest variant of the Crisis Battlesuit. Used by the Tau, these Battlesuits' design is an effective compromise between offensive firepower, defensive protection, and tactical maneuverability. The original generation of XV88 Battlesuits mounted their twin Railguns on their shoulders, but recent Earth Caste innovations have found that a Heavy Rail Rifle mounted in a hand-held position is more efficient. The repulsor jets of the XV8, which output insufficient to lift such a heavy weight, were substituted by additional layers of armor plating, allowing battlesuit to weather rather than evade incoming fire. The additional recoil dampers and ballistic anchors provide increased accuracy and an extended arsenal of heavy weaponry, which means Broadsides can be equipped to engage massed infantry or armored targets with equal success.
XV9 Hazard Close Support Armour
Description: The XV9 'Hazard' Close Support Armour is a newly-introduced Battlesuit used by the Tau Empire. Though highly sophisticated and powerful, the XV9's introduction has caused controversy. At its core, the XV9 is a short-range close combat weapons platform, its reinforced chassis being much larger than any other Battlesuit design and using experimental technology to pack enormously-powerful weapons powered by a compact energy core. This loadout, besides going against typical Tau military doctrines, also requires a substantial expenditure of resources to produce. The standard XV9 armour is armed with two Twin-linked burst cannons and has inbuilt photon casters to launch defensive Photon Grenades. In addition to their jetpack, the armour also has Vectored Retro-Thrusters for increased maneuverability. Support systems include a Multi-tracker and either a Blacksun Filter, Drone Controller, Target Lock or Shield Generator.[1] One or both of the Burst Cannons can be replaced with a Pulse Submunitions Rifle.
XV15 Stealth Battlesuit
Description: 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 armor - but that only enhances its role as infiltrator and saboteur. 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.
Combat Armour
Description: Combat Armour is the standard armor worn by Tau Fire Warriors on the battlefield. Constructed in two layers, the outer face is hard and ultra-dense metal veneer bounded to an inner layer of high-performance, thermo-set, molecular polythene. This is about as defendable as better than the UNSC Marine BDU but less so than the Ballistics Armor worn by ODSTs.
Recon Armour
Description: Recon Armour is the standard Tau Armour worn by Pathfinders. Similar to Combat Armour, it lacks some of its segmentations and trades a level of protection for greater movement. Additional, the nanocular-thread fatigues beneath are interwoven with sound-absorbing fibers to aid in avoiding detection. This is about as defendable as the UNSC Marine BDU.
Tau Shield Generator
Description: A Tau Shield Generator is a Tau battlesuit / armor support system used to generate a small energy field which is useful for defending against attacks that would normally bypass normal armor and affect the wearer directly. The field generated encompasses the user completely. These shields are strong enough to absorb a small number of DMR shots without breaking, and on larger battlesuits or mechs, the shields are stronger.
Battlesuits /Mechs
XV8 Crisis Battlesuit
Description: The XV8 Crisis Battlesuit is an advanced piece of Tau technology. These Battlesuits are issued to veteran Shas'ui Fire Warriors in order to provide the Tau military with a highly-mobile weapons platform. The suit stands at twice the height of an armoured Fire Warrior (and thus, twice the height of a Spartan). This armour is unusual, as although it has only slightly more physical protection than the titanium alloys employed by the UNSC (roughly 1.5x), it possesses a unique ability to deflect much of the fire directed at it. Their mobility comes from their Repulsor Jet Engines, a complex piece of technology that uses anti-grav systems to slow falls, and allow the battlesuit to pull off graceful leaps and dodges at high speeds.
As for their firepower, the XV8 can be refitted in numerous configurations, a short list of the most common present here:
Plasma Rifle (Not the same as covenant tech, much more heavy-duty but slower fire rate)
Burst Cannon
Drone Controller
Missile Pods
Fusion Blasters
Multi Tracker
Flamer
XV-88 Broadside Battlesuit
Description: The Broadside Battlesuit or XV-88 is the heaviest variant of the Crisis Battlesuit. Used by the Tau, these Battlesuits' design is an effective compromise between offensive firepower, defensive protection, and tactical maneuverability. The original generation of XV88 Battlesuits mounted their twin Railguns on their shoulders, but recent Earth Caste innovations have found that a Heavy Rail Rifle mounted in a hand-held position is more efficient. The repulsor jets of the XV8, which output insufficient to lift such a heavy weight, were substituted by additional layers of armor plating, allowing battlesuit to weather rather than evade incoming fire. The additional recoil dampers and ballistic anchors provide increased accuracy and an extended arsenal of heavy weaponry, which means Broadsides can be equipped to engage massed infantry or armored targets with equal success.
XV9 Hazard Close Support Armour
Description: The XV9 'Hazard' Close Support Armour is a newly-introduced Battlesuit used by the Tau Empire. Though highly sophisticated and powerful, the XV9's introduction has caused controversy. At its core, the XV9 is a short-range close combat weapons platform, its reinforced chassis being much larger than any other Battlesuit design and using experimental technology to pack enormously-powerful weapons powered by a compact energy core. This loadout, besides going against typical Tau military doctrines, also requires a substantial expenditure of resources to produce. The standard XV9 armour is armed with two Twin-linked burst cannons and has inbuilt photon casters to launch defensive Photon Grenades. In addition to their jetpack, the armour also has Vectored Retro-Thrusters for increased maneuverability. Support systems include a Multi-tracker and either a Blacksun Filter, Drone Controller, Target Lock or Shield Generator.[1] One or both of the Burst Cannons can be replaced with a Pulse Submunitions Rifle.
XV15 Stealth Battlesuit
Description: 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 armor - but that only enhances its role as infiltrator and saboteur. 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.
Vehicles:
Light Vehicles
Piranha Skimmer
Description: The Piranha Skimmer is a light skimmer which is comparable in both size and battlefield roles to a Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle (Ghost). The most common armament for the Piranha is a chin-mounted burst cannon and two detachable Gun Drones. The Piranha levitates using the same boosted gravity propulsion drive technology as the Covenant Ghost, also sharing the ability to boost forwards like a Ghost. The vehicle requires two operators to efficiently be used on the battlefield.
Tetra
Description: The Tetra is a light skimmer reconnaissance vehicle used by the Tau Empire. Operated by a two-man Pathfinder Team, it is not a true combat vehicle, instead designed for long-range patrols and infiltration missions. It is equipped with a Disruption Pod, distorting the vehicle's image in both the visual and magnetic spectra, to facilitate its use for surveillance, sabotage and ambush missions. It cannot move and us the Disruption Pod at the same time. The vehicle also possesses advanced communications and surveillance equipment.
Heavy Vehicles
Devilfish
Description: The Devilfish is the armored personnel carrier of the Tau Empire. It is the standard transport for Fire Warriors as well as Pathfinder Teams and serves as the chassis for the Hammerhead Gunship and the Sky Ray Missile Destroyer. Primary armament is provided by a burst cannon mounted in the chin-turret, which is aimed and fired by the Devilfish's pilot. Secondary armament is typically a pair of Gun Drones, though these may be replaced with a Smart Missile System. The Devilfish is protected by a lightweight metal. While lightweight and malleable, the metal is strong and corrosive-resistant, providing good protection while cutting down on weight, improving the vehicle's speed and flight characteristics. The Devilfish is propelled by two powerful jets, and a boosted gravity propulsion drive.
Hammerhead Gunship
Description: The Hammerhead Gunship is the main battle tank of the Tau army. It is based on the standard Devilfish chassis but sacrifices transport capacity for high-powered weapon capacitors and extra armor. Though it can be fitted with a variety of weapon, the most common (and most feared) is the Railgun, a linear accelerator capable of firing solid projectiles at hyper-velocity speeds. A second common weapon is the Ion Cannon. The Devilfish is protected by a lightweight metal. While lightweight and malleable, the metal is strong and corrosive-resistant, providing good protection while cutting down on weight. The Hammerhead's armor can be penetrated by anti-tank weaponry. The Hammerhead's pilot and co-pilot sit in the vehicle's climate-controlled cockpit, the latter charged with controlling the Hammerhead's navigation, communications, and secondary weapon systems. The vehicle commander sits in the top turret and controls the primary weapon, assisted by a Targeting Array for improved accuracy. Automated overrides allows any crew member to take another's role should they become incapacitated. The Hammerhead is propelled by two powerful jets, and a boosted gravity propulsion drive.
Drone Harbinger
Description: The Drone Harbinger is the main drone transport and storage of the Tau army. It is based on the standard Devilfish chassis but sacrifices high-powered weapons down to only two pulse carbines, to make room for transporting of many drones. The Drone Harbinger is protected by a lightweight metal. While lightweight and malleable, the metal is strong and corrosive-resistant, providing good protection while cutting down on weight. The Drone Harbinger's armor can be penetrated by anti-tank weaponry. The Hammerhead's pilot and co-pilot sit in the vehicle's climate-controlled cockpit, the latter charged with controlling the Hammerhead's navigation, communications, and secondary weapon systems.
Sky Ray Gunship
Description: The Sky Ray Gunship is a low altitude assault vehicle. It is based on the standard Devilfish chassis but sacrifices transportation and high-powered weapons to make room for it's maneuverability. The Sky Ray Gunship is protected by a lightweight metal. While lightweight and malleable, the metal is strong and corrosive-resistant, providing good protection while cutting down on weight. The Sky Ray Gunship's armor can be penetrated by anti-tank weaponry. The Hammerhead's pilot and co-pilot sit in the vehicle's climate-controlled, covered-topside cockpit, the latter charged with controlling the Hammerhead's navigation, communications, and secondary weapon systems. The Sky Ray Gunship only has a two Gatling Guns that shoot at speeds comparable to the UNSC's SAW; Also having two missile pods to fire off against stronger targets, though in limited supply.
Air Vehicles
Barracuda
Description: A Barracuda is armed with a nose-mounted, rechargable, pilot-aimed Plasma Cannon. This is the aircraft's primary weapon of use in dogfights, backed up by two drone controlled Burst-fire artillery cannons in the wings. For ground attacks, it is primarily armed with wing mounted missile pods. When used in a ground attack role a Barracuda can carry additional armament of up to four plasma missiles.
Manta
Description: The primary armament of the Manta are two Heavy Railguns located in each wing, massive weapons which together can destroy an immobile Warthog in a single hit. Besides the standard rounds these Railguns can also fire special sub-munitions which double the strength of the shot while compensating by essentially EMPing the Manta besides basic flight. For short-range engagements the Manta is equipped with six long-barreled mini-Plasma Cannons grouped in batteries of three in each wing, which provide for saturation fire when in the thick of battle. Sixteen long-barreled artificially targetted Burst-fire artillery cannons provide close defense during landings and anti-aircraft fire during flight, and are positioned at points all around the Manta's hull so that all firing arcs can be covered by multiple cannons. Finally the ten mini-plasma missiles loaded in prow-mounted launch ports can be fired by the crew, though the Manta can only hold one set. This is triple the size of a Barracuda.
Piranha Skimmer
Description: The Piranha Skimmer is a light skimmer which is comparable in both size and battlefield roles to a Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle (Ghost). The most common armament for the Piranha is a chin-mounted burst cannon and two detachable Gun Drones. The Piranha levitates using the same boosted gravity propulsion drive technology as the Covenant Ghost, also sharing the ability to boost forwards like a Ghost. The vehicle requires two operators to efficiently be used on the battlefield.
Tetra
Description: The Tetra is a light skimmer reconnaissance vehicle used by the Tau Empire. Operated by a two-man Pathfinder Team, it is not a true combat vehicle, instead designed for long-range patrols and infiltration missions. It is equipped with a Disruption Pod, distorting the vehicle's image in both the visual and magnetic spectra, to facilitate its use for surveillance, sabotage and ambush missions. It cannot move and us the Disruption Pod at the same time. The vehicle also possesses advanced communications and surveillance equipment.
Heavy Vehicles
Devilfish
Description: The Devilfish is the armored personnel carrier of the Tau Empire. It is the standard transport for Fire Warriors as well as Pathfinder Teams and serves as the chassis for the Hammerhead Gunship and the Sky Ray Missile Destroyer. Primary armament is provided by a burst cannon mounted in the chin-turret, which is aimed and fired by the Devilfish's pilot. Secondary armament is typically a pair of Gun Drones, though these may be replaced with a Smart Missile System. The Devilfish is protected by a lightweight metal. While lightweight and malleable, the metal is strong and corrosive-resistant, providing good protection while cutting down on weight, improving the vehicle's speed and flight characteristics. The Devilfish is propelled by two powerful jets, and a boosted gravity propulsion drive.
Hammerhead Gunship
Description: The Hammerhead Gunship is the main battle tank of the Tau army. It is based on the standard Devilfish chassis but sacrifices transport capacity for high-powered weapon capacitors and extra armor. Though it can be fitted with a variety of weapon, the most common (and most feared) is the Railgun, a linear accelerator capable of firing solid projectiles at hyper-velocity speeds. A second common weapon is the Ion Cannon. The Devilfish is protected by a lightweight metal. While lightweight and malleable, the metal is strong and corrosive-resistant, providing good protection while cutting down on weight. The Hammerhead's armor can be penetrated by anti-tank weaponry. The Hammerhead's pilot and co-pilot sit in the vehicle's climate-controlled cockpit, the latter charged with controlling the Hammerhead's navigation, communications, and secondary weapon systems. The vehicle commander sits in the top turret and controls the primary weapon, assisted by a Targeting Array for improved accuracy. Automated overrides allows any crew member to take another's role should they become incapacitated. The Hammerhead is propelled by two powerful jets, and a boosted gravity propulsion drive.
Drone Harbinger
Description: The Drone Harbinger is the main drone transport and storage of the Tau army. It is based on the standard Devilfish chassis but sacrifices high-powered weapons down to only two pulse carbines, to make room for transporting of many drones. The Drone Harbinger is protected by a lightweight metal. While lightweight and malleable, the metal is strong and corrosive-resistant, providing good protection while cutting down on weight. The Drone Harbinger's armor can be penetrated by anti-tank weaponry. The Hammerhead's pilot and co-pilot sit in the vehicle's climate-controlled cockpit, the latter charged with controlling the Hammerhead's navigation, communications, and secondary weapon systems.
Sky Ray Gunship
Description: The Sky Ray Gunship is a low altitude assault vehicle. It is based on the standard Devilfish chassis but sacrifices transportation and high-powered weapons to make room for it's maneuverability. The Sky Ray Gunship is protected by a lightweight metal. While lightweight and malleable, the metal is strong and corrosive-resistant, providing good protection while cutting down on weight. The Sky Ray Gunship's armor can be penetrated by anti-tank weaponry. The Hammerhead's pilot and co-pilot sit in the vehicle's climate-controlled, covered-topside cockpit, the latter charged with controlling the Hammerhead's navigation, communications, and secondary weapon systems. The Sky Ray Gunship only has a two Gatling Guns that shoot at speeds comparable to the UNSC's SAW; Also having two missile pods to fire off against stronger targets, though in limited supply.
Air Vehicles
Barracuda
Description: A Barracuda is armed with a nose-mounted, rechargable, pilot-aimed Plasma Cannon. This is the aircraft's primary weapon of use in dogfights, backed up by two drone controlled Burst-fire artillery cannons in the wings. For ground attacks, it is primarily armed with wing mounted missile pods. When used in a ground attack role a Barracuda can carry additional armament of up to four plasma missiles.
Manta
Description: The primary armament of the Manta are two Heavy Railguns located in each wing, massive weapons which together can destroy an immobile Warthog in a single hit. Besides the standard rounds these Railguns can also fire special sub-munitions which double the strength of the shot while compensating by essentially EMPing the Manta besides basic flight. For short-range engagements the Manta is equipped with six long-barreled mini-Plasma Cannons grouped in batteries of three in each wing, which provide for saturation fire when in the thick of battle. Sixteen long-barreled artificially targetted Burst-fire artillery cannons provide close defense during landings and anti-aircraft fire during flight, and are positioned at points all around the Manta's hull so that all firing arcs can be covered by multiple cannons. Finally the ten mini-plasma missiles loaded in prow-mounted launch ports can be fired by the crew, though the Manta can only hold one set. This is triple the size of a Barracuda.
Vessels:
Kir'qath Class Starship
Description: The Kir'qath (or Defender) is an Escort vessel, and for a time was the only true Escort in the Kor'vattra. It is unusual for an Escort in that it is quite slow and not as maneuverable as the other escort vessels in it's tier. It possesses greater firepower than other escorts however, being equipped with both a multi-arc Railgun battery and a respectable Torpedo salvo.
Skether'qan Class Starship
Description: The Skether'qan, aka the Messenger, is one of the smallest Tau ships equipped with a Slip Space Drive. It is not a true fighting vessel in its own right, possessing only a single small Railgun battery. Instead, it stays near larger ships and uses its excellent maneuverability to stay out of danger as it uses its sophisticated Tracking System to aid other vessels in a fleet in targeting enemy ships.
Lar'shi Class Cruiser
Description: The Lar'shi Class Starship - codenamed "Hero" - is a battleship cruiser in the Tau Empire. As a purebred combat ship, the Lar'shi is significantly more effective in a straight-up firefight than its Gal'leath and Il'fannor predecessors. In its primary Vash'ya configuration, the Lar'shi packs a great deal of firepower in the form of a forward Gravitic Launcher (MAC Cannon Equivalent), a forward Railgun turret, two launch bays for Barracudas and Mantas, and a pair of Ion Cannon turrets, the latter of which are replaced by slightly weaker but longer-ranged Railgun batteries in the less-common Tolku variant. Both versions are protected by a 'Deflector' Energy Shielding Array that projects UNSC level shields around the ship.
Il'fannor Class Cruiser
Description: The Il'Fannor class cruiser (designated as Merchant class) was the next major ship designed by the Tau after the Gal'leath Class Battleship. It was originally designed to become the new workhouse of the fledgling Tau Empire, its Slip Space Drive being faster and more accurate than the Gal'leath. As a cruiser, it lacks the hard-hitting firepower, speed and durability of those of the other major races, but makes up for it by being very cheap and easy to produce. There exist two current configurations of the Il'fannor cruiser, the Ke'lshan and Dal'yth. Ke'lshan Conguration: The more popular design incorporates mid-range port, prow and starboard Railgun batteries that are able to fire in multiple arcs. They also utilize two Gravitic Pounders (much weaker variant of the Gravitic Launcher). Dal'yth Configuration: This subtle redesign replaces the Gravitic Pounders with short range Ion Cannons and is thus able to be better utilized in up close engagements independently.
Gal'leath Class Battleship
Description: The Gal'leath class battleship (known as the Explorer) was the first major interstellar vessel developed by the Tau. Compared to the average slip space capabilities of Humanity or the Covenant, the Explorer could barely approach a fifth of this accuracy, speed and efficiency. It is also significantly less well armed and armored, compared to most battleships only wielding point-defense burst cannons and a single Gravitic Pounder. It does have a massive cargo capacity, however, and is much cheaper to produce than other ships of similar tonnage. The Explorer has undergone many different refits and re-configurations since its inception. The two most common that are still active are the Vash'ya and the Bor'kan configurations. Vash'ya Configuration: The more popular design incorporates a multi-arc prow Railgun battery, and the capacity to field eight squadrons of attack craft as well as escorts that do not have Slip Space Capabilities, being able to carry them through slip space with a small shielding ability. Bor'kan Configuration: This arrangement utilizes two of the flight bays to house drone controllers, allowing the ship to use Tau ion torpedoes and plasma missiles.
Description: The Kir'qath (or Defender) is an Escort vessel, and for a time was the only true Escort in the Kor'vattra. It is unusual for an Escort in that it is quite slow and not as maneuverable as the other escort vessels in it's tier. It possesses greater firepower than other escorts however, being equipped with both a multi-arc Railgun battery and a respectable Torpedo salvo.
Skether'qan Class Starship
Description: The Skether'qan, aka the Messenger, is one of the smallest Tau ships equipped with a Slip Space Drive. It is not a true fighting vessel in its own right, possessing only a single small Railgun battery. Instead, it stays near larger ships and uses its excellent maneuverability to stay out of danger as it uses its sophisticated Tracking System to aid other vessels in a fleet in targeting enemy ships.
Lar'shi Class Cruiser
Description: The Lar'shi Class Starship - codenamed "Hero" - is a battleship cruiser in the Tau Empire. As a purebred combat ship, the Lar'shi is significantly more effective in a straight-up firefight than its Gal'leath and Il'fannor predecessors. In its primary Vash'ya configuration, the Lar'shi packs a great deal of firepower in the form of a forward Gravitic Launcher (MAC Cannon Equivalent), a forward Railgun turret, two launch bays for Barracudas and Mantas, and a pair of Ion Cannon turrets, the latter of which are replaced by slightly weaker but longer-ranged Railgun batteries in the less-common Tolku variant. Both versions are protected by a 'Deflector' Energy Shielding Array that projects UNSC level shields around the ship.
Il'fannor Class Cruiser
Description: The Il'Fannor class cruiser (designated as Merchant class) was the next major ship designed by the Tau after the Gal'leath Class Battleship. It was originally designed to become the new workhouse of the fledgling Tau Empire, its Slip Space Drive being faster and more accurate than the Gal'leath. As a cruiser, it lacks the hard-hitting firepower, speed and durability of those of the other major races, but makes up for it by being very cheap and easy to produce. There exist two current configurations of the Il'fannor cruiser, the Ke'lshan and Dal'yth. Ke'lshan Conguration: The more popular design incorporates mid-range port, prow and starboard Railgun batteries that are able to fire in multiple arcs. They also utilize two Gravitic Pounders (much weaker variant of the Gravitic Launcher). Dal'yth Configuration: This subtle redesign replaces the Gravitic Pounders with short range Ion Cannons and is thus able to be better utilized in up close engagements independently.
Gal'leath Class Battleship
Description: The Gal'leath class battleship (known as the Explorer) was the first major interstellar vessel developed by the Tau. Compared to the average slip space capabilities of Humanity or the Covenant, the Explorer could barely approach a fifth of this accuracy, speed and efficiency. It is also significantly less well armed and armored, compared to most battleships only wielding point-defense burst cannons and a single Gravitic Pounder. It does have a massive cargo capacity, however, and is much cheaper to produce than other ships of similar tonnage. The Explorer has undergone many different refits and re-configurations since its inception. The two most common that are still active are the Vash'ya and the Bor'kan configurations. Vash'ya Configuration: The more popular design incorporates a multi-arc prow Railgun battery, and the capacity to field eight squadrons of attack craft as well as escorts that do not have Slip Space Capabilities, being able to carry them through slip space with a small shielding ability. Bor'kan Configuration: This arrangement utilizes two of the flight bays to house drone controllers, allowing the ship to use Tau ion torpedoes and plasma missiles.
