After doing some looking around through the designation guide and thinking about the gear that my custom light combat suit has, I'm going to redesignate it the XV-16. The 7 in the chart denotes a unit used for long range, inderect fire, or for anti-air warfare. Sadly, with the model that I've made so far and the gear I've given it, I think the 6 designation works much more in line with the unit. According to Doom's amazing designation chart, a unit with the second number listed as 6 would be used for anti-personnel operations. Much more in like with the twin-linked pulse carbines I've mounted on my model. As such, I'm planning to re work the stat line and the optional equipment to some extent.


XV-16 Light Combat Suit
.................points...ws..bs.s.t.w..I..a.ld.sv
Shas'ui..........25.......3...3..4.3.1..2.2.8..3+
Shas'vre.......+10......3...3..4.3.1..3.2.8..3+

Type: Jump Infantry
Team: 3-6 Shas'ui
Equipment: Twin Linked Pulse Carbine, close combat weapon. One model in three may replace thier carbines with a flamer for 5 points. May also take one Battlesuit Support system. If one member does, they all must.
Character: One Shas'ui may be promoted to Team Leader for 5 points and the team leader may be made a Shas'vre for an additional 5 points. A team leader may also buy a marker beacon (as per the Pathfinder Dfish) for 20 points. A Shas'vre may also replace his close combat weapon with a power weapon for 15 points.

Special Rules:
Accute senses.

The XV-17 may be taken as an Elite choice for the Tau Empire.

That's it for now. I'll have a new picture of this little beasty up in a bit, working on rounding out the last few details of the new weapons and ideas.

Jin'Dal
(SirDuck13)

The cloaks look awesome, what minatures are they from?

I'm guessing warhammer woodelves? more specifically gladeguard?

Actually that looks like a standard wood elf archer cloak, with the quiver arrows shaved and a sword put in instead. Should just be the wood elves box.

Paulson, that is the Glade Guard sprue I jacked those off of. M'yen is right though, I just shaved the arrows out of them and put the sword hilt in thier place.

Anyway, here's the updated pics of the small squad of the xv-16. One with flamer and squad leader with Marker Beacon.
Squad leader.




Better shot of the first go. Still not happy with this one.


Flamer equiped Shas'ui.





Whole squad.



That's probably all from me for a few days. Things are starting to pick up for the weekend again. I'll get back to y'all soon. As always, comments and critisism is always welcomed.

Jin'Dal
(SirDuck13)

So I revamped the model prototype for the XV-16. I'm still not satisfied with the rules I've written previously, since they seem to fit somewhere between the Vespid and the Stealth Suits, but not really having a really defined role on the battle field. The Tau being as they are, I realize that every unit has a purpose. So, I'm thinking that these guys could be good for use as skirmishers. Forward of the main body of the cadre, out ahead of the lines used to stall the advancing troops of the enemy. So, giving them a little close combat ability, at least enough to maintain some distance between some enemy units and our main host. So, revised rules, and new pics of the revised suit.

XV-16 Light Combat Suit
........................pts.....ws.....bs.....s.....t.....w.....i.....a.....ld.....sv
Shas'ui...............35......3.......3......4.....3.....1.....3....2.....8......3+
Shas'vre............+10......3......3......4.....3.....1.....3....3.....8......3+

Type: Jump Infantry (Jet Pack)
Team: 3-6
Equipment: Twin Linked Pulse Carbines, Close Combat weapon, photon grenades. One in three models may replace thier carbines with flamer for 5 additional points.
Character: One member of the squad may be upgraded to a team leader with access to the battle suit wargear list for 5 points. The team leader may be upgraded to a Shas'vre for an additional 5 points. A Shas'vre may replace his close combat weapon with a Power weapon for an additinal 15 points and may take a Marker Beacon (as per the Pathfinder Devilfish entry on pg. 38 of the Tau Codex) for 20 points.

Special Rules: Deep Strike, accute senses, scout. The light jump pack also grants the wearer a 12" movement in the movement phase instead of the standard jump pack 6" move.
An alternative to the longer movment is Hit and Run... Just an idea, not sure yet though. I'm trying to base the idea off of tiny bit of fluff in the base book about the lighter suits being faster and more agile.

Edit: The XV-16 will count as a fast attack unit in the Tau Empire's army.

Anyway, here are the pics.



And the side by side comparison.


C&C very much needed on the rules bits and is always appreciated on the models.

Jin'Dal
(sirDuck13)

I think the jet pack is too large for a model that small. If you could find a metal stealth suit jet pack instead, they fit almost perfectly onto the fire warrior torso.

Yeah, Argent, I agree. If I can find something that'll be somewhere between the two, I think it'll be great... I'm going to a Games Workshop store this afternoon, since I'm up around Chicago for work for the week. For once it's easy to find a variety of stuff. Thanks for the feed back though.

Jin'Dal
(SirDuck13)

that's rather funny, i went to chicago for Games day and just got home a few hours ago. Didn't stay as long as I expected, but there were sooooo many games workshop stores around, not to mention forge world kits with no shipping costs or wait time for shipping at games day (since I bought them right then and there!)

Well, after my trip out last night, if I want to fiddle with using the older xv-15 metal jump packs, I'm going to have to order them online. I had 0 luck finding them at the few stores I managed to make it to. So, I guess for now, we're going to use the bigger packs...It looks clunky, but I'll figure something out...

Jin'Dal
(SirDuck13)

The XV-15 suits are online order only, I don't think any Games Workshop in the US carries them in-store now that the plastic versions are out.

Well that's reasuring. I'll have to order some when I get home then... That'll boost the cost of this unit a lot though. I better find some uses for the rest of the suit, right? Other than that, I did pick up a few things while I was at the GW store yesterday. Two new crisis suits, and I'll be ordering two of the command stuits from Forgeworld soon. I also picked up some stuff pertaining to the Empire army for Fantasy. My brother and a few friends are getting into the game, and that's what they're starting with, so I jumped in with them, at least enough to play a little. I've also picked up a second Dreadnaught for my Grey Knight/ SoB army, and I plan to order a few Grey Knight kits from Forgeworld as part of that order as well. Paticularly interested in a Landraider... Leaning towards the Crusader version, since I'll just be carting around the Knight's termies...

Other than that, still in Chicago and not able to work on anything, which sucks because I'm very much in the mood to build some more stuff. I'm interested in trying out a few new Crisis configurations. Leaning towards the Plasma Rifle/flamer and the Plasma Rifle/Fusion Blaster combinations. I've got a very shooty nid-zilla list that's going to be hitting the table soon, and I think both of those configs will shine against that kind of force, and should be a big help against the MEQ armies I play against right now. (Chaos Marines, Necrons, and Dark Angels.) Any suggestions or thoughts about rules that apply to the XV-84 and 81's weapons? I recall reading somewhere that Markerlights and Smart Missle Systems aren't battle suit weapons, and so will not work with the Multi-Tracker? Is there any relevance to that statement, or is that just a comment someone made that got taken too far? Or, is this yet another instance of RAW vs. RAI? Any input would be much appritiated, as always.

Jin'Dal
(SirDuck13)

After doing some looking around and talking with a friend who's very rules oriented, I think I'm changing the statline of the basic XV-16 suit again. The 12" move followed by a JSJ move of 6" was overpowering to him, putting them as fast as most bikes. So, what he proposed was to up thier initiative by 1 and give them Hit and Run USR. It would be a good depiction of them being faster and more agile than the standard XV-8, but also not making them so fast as to be over powered. So, with that in mind, here's the new stat lines.

XV-16 Light Combat Suit
........................pts.....ws.....bs.....s.....t.....w.....i.....a.....ld.....sv
Shas'ui...............35......3.......3......4.....3.....1.....4....2.....8......3+
Shas'vre............+10......3......3......4.....3.....1.....4....3.....8......3+

Type: Jump Infantry (Jet Pack)
Team: 3-6
Equipment: Twin Linked Pulse Carbines, Close Combat weapon, photon grenades. One in three models may replace thier carbines with flamer for 5 additional points.
Character: One member of the squad may be upgraded to a team leader with access to the battle suit wargear list for 5 points. The team leader may be upgraded to a Shas'vre for an additional 5 points. A Shas'vre may replace his close combat weapon with a Power weapon for an additinal 15 points and may take a Marker Beacon (as per the Pathfinder Devilfish entry on pg. 38 of the Tau Codex) for 20 points.

Special Rules: Deep Strike, Accute Senses, Scout, Hit and Run.

The XV-16 will count as a fast attack unit in the Tau Empire's army.

That pretty much sums up what's been on my mind as far as rules ideas goes for now. I've put in my Forgeworld order, and according to the emails, I should have an XV-81 and 84 on thier way to my home as we speak. I'm now sitting on 5 crisis suits waiting to be built, and 2 more on thier way. I'm still trying to decide how I want to field these new toys. I think I'm liking the idea of the XV-81 being used in a Planetstrike army using SMS, TL:Plasma Rifle and a pair of heatwaves that are packing plasma rifles. The 84 I think I'm going to work into a squad of deathrains.

Anyway, that's it from me for now.
Jin'Dal
(SD13)

Alright, so I'm back to work now, but I've been fidgeting with my Tau for a little bit during my down time. My Forgeworld order came in finnaly, so I'm going to be working on that soon as I get back to the workshop, which should be Saturday at the latest. I'm hoping to get them built and on the field as soon as I can, but I'm going to take the time to really make them a pair of stand out models in my force. I'm very much looking forward to building these models. Pictures to follow.

Jin'Dal
(SD13)

Alright, so I've finally gotten a chance to get back into the mix a little and after painting a few Grey Knights models to get a taste for it and figure out my paint scheme, I'm ready to get back into my Tau in full force. My Tau are growing quite nicely. I've added a Devilfish and 2 more Crisis Suit commanders to my force, though I'm still in the middle of building the two crisis commanders. I've mostly finished the XV-81, since I liked that model more. The jump pack assembly is very solid and the mounts for the Smart Missile System are equally stable. The model is a bit top heavy, but I remedied that problem with a very scenic base. My problem with this model right now is I don't know how to finish it. The weapon systems are kinda making me nuts. I want to kit it out as an infantry mob hunter, but I've already got a squad to fill that role. So, now I'm torn. My flamers/missile pods that I was using to hunt transports and then fry the contents needs rethinking. I'm thinking of taking the SMS with Burst cannon/flamer equipped guys to really make the most of the anti-infantry aspects of this unit. Give the XV-81 TL-Burst Cannons and a HW Multi-tracker, then give his side kicks a mix of burst cannons and flamers to maximize the potential killing.

The XV-84 is much easier to pick a role for. He's going to head a team of Deathrains. The range match and the Target Lock make that a very easy decision. My only complaint with this model is that the sensor boom is a separate piece from the backpack and seems like it could be a little flimsy. I haven't built that one yet, so I don't know.

Any input or advice about how the XV-81 is currently being deployed would be a big help... Pictures of the Grey Knights and of the built Crisis Suits to follow.

Anti-Heavy Infantry/Monster team.


Deathrain team.


XV-81





My scratch built Positional Relay.



That's about all from me for now. I'm gonna work on the XV-81 Next. But first, here are my two Grey Knight schemes for your suggestions and voting pleasure. I'm still not sure which scheme I prefer.

Grey Knights.
Blue and Silver.



White and Red (There's pitting in the metal model that I wish I could fill in a little better.)



Side by side comparisons.




Jin'Dal
(SD13)

Hey SirDuck,
For the XV-81 I would suggest giving him a AIrburster, because it, like the SMS, ignores LOS.

As for the Grey Knights, IMHO the white and red looks better.

I like the suggestion of the air burster, Jester. Also, thanks for your input on the color schemes for my knights. Seems that the white and red one is the popular choice here around home too. I hadn't considered the Airburster, and that's a fine idea. With the high BS of the Shas'O or El, the AFB is going to stay pretty much where you put it. I like it. Thanks a ton, Jester.

Jin'Dal
(SD13)

The Grey Knights would look better with a light black wash or ink on them I emphasize LIGHT since you do not want to darken them too much.

So, I've been doing a little shopping since I can't be doing any modeling on the road. I did pic up a few things to use when I finaly make it home though. I'm in Massachusetts right now for work and one of the malls here on the northern edge of Boston, had a store that happened to sell crystals and the like. Fourtunatly for me, some of the quartz crystals were (I'm assuming) artificialy colored. I picked out some that I thought could make good pieces to use in my terrain project for my Tau's homeworld. Here's an idea what they look like.



I'm fond of the clarity of a few of the blue pieces in paticular.

Also, I think I've elected to go with the XV-81 being equiped with an AFP and a flamer or plasma rifle. I like the idea of how much versatility it's going to have for dealing with targets in cover or out of LoS. Really leaning towards the flamer though. It'll save points and be more fitting for the mass of templates this model is going to bring to the table anyway. I'll iron out the details later, when I get home and can really study the model and what I want to field with it.

Anyway, that's it for me from now. I'm looking forward to getting home next week though, I'll be recieving another ForgeWorld order that was just the Imperial Armour book 2 for my Inquisition forces. Also bought a Space Marines force via Ebay, mostly for the two landraiders that came with it that would have been as much new as the whole lot. Pics to follow when I can.

That's about it from me for now. More updates after I get started with the new toys or get more work done on the old ones.

Jin'Dal
(SD13)

Well, I'm finnaly home off the road again, so I'll be starting in on my back log of projects this week. I think my first order of buisness is to get the game tables put together. I'll hope to have pics up by the end of the week of new stuff. Wish me luck!

Jin'Dal
(SD13)

Well, it's been awhile again. The driving restrictions that I've landed myself in thanks to (my own) stupidity have kept me from getting my game tables built, but I have had some time to work on some smaller projects. I've got a few new pieces of terrain built and pics to post, so I'm back to toss them up here for C&C. I've got some more materials and more ideas for things to make to go with the eventual table, so any other ideas that my fellows here would find interesting are always welcome. Anyway, here are some pics of the new additions.

A Wrecked Rhino painted in the colors of an eventual Space Marines force I'll be building. A few of these pics didn't turn out so well.


This was essentialy built when I got it. The original piece came with a lot of stuff I bought off of a friend. I decided to adapt it to my board I'm making and paint it up to match the other army I'm planning instead of leaving it the bland primer and grey that it was before.

This piece is a set of ruins using parts from one of the GW building kits. Not sure which one, since I got a bunch of those with the lot as well. The crystals are real and the sandbags are GS. One pic has a few Fire Warriors for scale reference and to kind of add to the "painted and ready to actualy play" feel.







That's it for now. I'm liking the way the more built up terrain is coming along. I still have ambitions to build the full blown game table in this scheme. Right now, I'm planning on 1/2" Plywood boards with 3/4" edge trimming around the outer edge of a 2'x2' section. The board itself with have a 1" or 1/2" piece of foam on the top of it to alow me to give the board some depth and include the possiblity of adding a trenching system or river to another section of boards without the need to build up one small piece, there by adding to the realism of the whole thing, making the level ground much more level. I hope that made some sense...

Jin'Dal
(SirDuck13)