Hello ATT! This is my very first post though I have been perusing through this site for quite a while. I have been seriously considering starting a Tau Cadre for quite some time and this site has helped me endlessly by answering all of my Tau questions.

I really love many of the Tau models, I think the Fire Warriors are just boss when painted up really well and the vehicles are elegant and unique. However I have never been a fan of the venerable XV-8 and 88 Crisis Suits. I have seen some amazing conversions around the internet, especially on this site, and though I would give it a try myself. I made a list of all the things I didn't care for on the model and then started collecting good ideas from around the internet to use as inspiration. I am not a stranger to conversion work and I have two rules when ever I start building something. First, any design I put together has to be repeatable. I want to build out a full on Tau Cadre so only having one awesome XV-8 isn't going to cut it. I try to document every step in my process and I make sure that I can easily aquire all the bits I will need to make more of the same conversion. Secondly, my conversion has to be strong. I can't tell you how many times I have seen an AWESOME model start to fall apart the moment someone touches it.

I have a few questions at the end of my post here and I REALLY welcome any thoughts or criticisms anyone might have. I want my models to really stand out so I won't turn any advice away.



Front


Plasma Side


Torso Close Up


Rear Design


Another Front Design Shot


I am still trying to figure out an alternative to the feet which I think look a little out of place on my conversion. The other issue I am having with my design is the square reactive armor bits that I cut from the floor of a Devil Fish. I need to find an alternative to these as I didn't even have enough to put on the shin guards as I had originally planned. If anyone has a suggestion of different bits I could use to achieve the same effect I would really appreciate it. I am already working on a second model using the same design however I am hopping to gain some thoughts here before I glue it all together.

@Resv The crisis looks great

It looks like a that guy could be getting 2+ saves from IAP

I also experemented abit with the interior bit for plating from a blog. But i made copies of it with green stuff+mold,
the only problem being that the edges wern't as crisp as the origional.

I love the Dreadnought plate as a shield, it reminds me of the Zaku II from M.S 0079. The hand is also a nice touch, though I don't recognize the kit it's from. I also love how you made it taller and more dynamic by converting the waist and pelvis, it reminds me of the XV-9s on ForgeWorld :] My only criticism is the saddlebag under the power core on the back, I'm not sure why the pilot would attach that to his battlesuit, unless he really likes camping out

That looks incredible!
It's not typically tau with the wires and the shapes. But you could pass it off for a farsight model.
I'm incredibly tempted to do something like this too!
Love how you angled the booster backpack, I knew there was something goofy looking with the regular one. Your version is ten times better!

Thanks for the replies! I'm really glad you guys like my design, I'll admit I have been really worried about it. I'm not sold on the head yet either, but that is just means I need to experiment more.

@Terror: I was looking at the Zaku and other Mobile Suits however I have been pulling inspiration more from the utilitarian suits rather than the sleek look of the Gundams. The utilitarian aspect is why I put the little bed roll under the power plant, but it is a little out of place I grant you. Originally I wanted to make almost like a utility belt of ammo pouches and a combat knife. I'm still considering this but I need to find some bits that will work best. I have never liked the standard Crisis Suit arms as they have always looked like they have had their hands cut off. I happened to have done a series of GK Paladin conversions and the hands that come with the GK Terminator kit fit PERFECTLY onto the Crisis suit arms. I wanted to treat the main weapon of the Crisis suit as a carbine or rifle and the GK hands worked out perfectly.

The pelvis conversion is really easy and I agree it adds quite a lot!

@Seiseki: The Backpack/Jetpack is made from combining the missile pods from a Land Speeder Typhoon to the existing pack on the Tau model. I was really surprised that it all matched up so well! I plan on converting all of my Crisis Suits to this variant including my Broadsides, though I don't quite know what to do for my the heavier suits yet.

The pelvis area is definitely another problem area for the XV8 and I think the issue is that the upper body is like a upside down pyramid.
You've managed to actually separate it into a lower and upper body which looks great!
I'm so glad I picked Tau, this is a mech/mecha lovers paradise

Damn someone beat me to the punch with Coaxial Pulse Weaponry!!

Looks good mate. Got a guide on how you did those booster packs?

As for feet options, have you seen/played Muv-Luv Unlimited/Alternative? The Tactical Surface Fighters in it have been most of the inspiration behind my XV8s.

The Takemikazuchi pattern of TSF is my favourite with it's angular armour designed to be a weapon in it's own right.



The Russian SU-37 Flanker has like chain fists for CQB. :3

I have to say I am huge fan of your helmet. (no pun intended) It reminds me of the vulcan cannons on the gundam head.

Lets hoping that games workshop do make a "gun head".

Do you mind if I borrow your ideas for my broadside suit? Love the use of the old jetpack parts for knee guards.

I would be flattered Orgun! By all means run with the idea, the only request I have is that you share pictures of your Broadside when you finish it. The guns on the head were part necessity and part nostalgia for the older Gundam versions where they mounted Vulcan Cannon in the head. I'm a big fan of the older Gundam shows in general; 0083, ZZ, 8th MS Team and the like.

I am currently working on Suit #2 and have started to stream line the process a bit more, I'm waiting on more bits to finish the Back Pack but soon as I get them in I will document my process and share it here. I also think I may have found a solution for the feet as well and will post up a photo when I get them put together if people are interested. I am really eager to get an "official" pattern put together so I can start producing a couple teams for my cadre. Right now I am just sketching everything out.

Anyone have a suggestion of a name for this design?

Oh names, how I love coming up with names for suits.

The heavy armour draws something "tankish" to mind, but the suit also seems to possess a rather clear "finesse" if you will. The up'd armor is well designed while the hands and "carbine" plasma rifle give the suit a more personal and human feel than most "I am a giant robot" conversions.

Therefore, I'd like to be the first to suggest that you call this...

XV-87 "Ronin"

For those that don't know, Ronin is a japanese term for a masterless Samurai, essentially Japans "merc" class of warriors. I feel this suit fits so well with this name. Big, intimidating weapon, enhanced armour and suit functions and a really nonchalant "Hey you, over there, I'm going to kill you next" feel. It's big enough and "scrappy" enough to look like maybe a personal bodyguard of O'Shovah, the Farsight, but also well converted enough and clean looking that it could also be a low production Empire special forces suit. Brilliant stuff, mate. This conversion is at the top of the list.

PS: Just to describe how awesome your suit is, I logged on for the first time in months and posted just for this. I even made my desktop background the first picture. With your permission, I'll be drawing lots of inspiration off this one.

@ J'Kaara: Wow! I am honestly just stunned. I am really glad you liked my design and I think you name is perfect for the design.

I finished up my second suit. I just trimmed up the feet a little but and I think the design is better however I still need to think about the feet a bit more.


Suit #2 Front


Suit #2 Plasma


Suit #2 Shield Side


My Ronin

I took photos of all of the steps for making the JetPack and I will be posting soon as I work out the steps and clean up images. I have to say the people on this forum are AMAZINGLY supportive. I can't wait to make even more.

While not as meaningful as "Ronin", my XV8s are divided into separate classes depending on their upgrades and Combat Role within the Cadre.

Here's a rundown on my system if you're interested;

XV8 Specialized Enhancement-Model # Role

The XV8S is the base model, the "S" signifying Specialized to accomodate Long Arms rather than arm mounted weaponry. Still called a Crisis Battlesuit

Next is the XV8SE1 pattern which features extra heavy armour to increase combat survivability. It has since been superseeded in my Cadre's history and what SE1s are left have been repurposed as Broadside Battlesuits. Designated "Unyielding Crisis".

XV88SE1 Repurposed SE1 Broadside Designation.

The Cadre standard is the XV8SE2 which is the first model to feature the Coaxial Pulse Weapons (head mounted weapons) with the same heavy armour as the SE1 but with an improved power plant increasing Power to Weight ratios and extra close defence weaponry systems to combat hostile foot mobiles. Designated "Relentless Crisis".

A further upgrade is the XV88SE2M Marksman variant which has the jump unit replaced with power packs to power an advanced Rail Rifle. Broadside Count As.

The newest pattern to see extensive service is the XV8SE3 mainly in use by Team Leaders and Commanders. Distinguished from the SE2 by extra sensors especially on the head and further anti-personal charges and firmware improvements to the Suits primary systems. Designated "Unending Crisis".

Due to the scarcity of this new design they have been further enhanced to meet specialized criteria.

XV8SE3C Command variant, Squad Leader Pattern. Focus on Situational Awareness with extra sensor splines and advanced armour to increase pilot combat survivability.

XV8SE3H Honour Guard Variant for Shas'O and Shas'El. Advanced avionics however reduced heavy armour plating for superior maneuverability to protect their charges from danger.

Finally the XV8SE4 Prototype Command Variant. Currently undergoing field testing within the Cadre to guage it's overall potential in comparison to current models. Nicknamed the "Vindicated Crisis".

XV8SE4C Command Variant utilized by Cadre Shas'O. Unit houses multiple Virtual Intelligences to control the flow of information from the battlefield to the Commander and serve to greatly increase the Commander's felt influence on the battlefield.

XV8SE4H Honour Guard Command Variant used by the Shas'El. Like the XV8SE3H, it has less armour than the SE3 and SE2 but boasts further increased Power Outputs to heighten combat performance and agility.



Bare in mind a lot of that is just what the fluff dictates in my Cadres combat style and draws a lot of inspiration from various mech anime and games.

So far I've only half built a XV8SE2. XD

Got to say I also like the second suit. Really like what your doing with them suits. Only negative for me is I'm not keen on the flamer part on the second plasma rifle. I perfer the scope target lock that was on your 1st model. But its your model so if you like then keep it.

Keep up the good work. Looking forward to more of it.

Orgun

I agree, I'm not a huge fan of the flamer part, it is just a little to big. I don't know what other bits I have on hand that I could use instead of it however. I need to do some digging but I just don't know. I like the idea of having a scope or lens type of attachment to the top of my plasma carbines to represent the target lock or multi-tracker. Soon as I can figure out a standard part I intend to replace the flamer portion.

I also removed the power cable from bottom of the carbine but soon as I am able I still plan on adding one in.

More on the way, I am working on my third model for this unit so I will have one full unit of crisis suits. Then I plan to move onto a Broad Side possibly, or maybe a commander. I don't have my cadre list finalized yet but I plan on having quite a few suits in it.

i'm for one a big fan of the "zaku" style armor you put on, the use of the dread part is smart Hope you don't mind me borrowing that idea in the future, can't wait to see more.

Sorry I haven't followed up on my recent work. My first two initial models picture above became the victims of a bad can of primer. I sprayed them down and lost a ton of detail in both models. I tried to save them but even letting them sit in Simple Green for two days didn't remove as much of the primer as I would have hoped. A tragedy to be sure but not the end of the world, my first two conversions gave me a ton of good practice and a lot of insight into how best to go about cutting my suits and also how to pose them. I have been referring to them as my Team 0, MK1 and MK2 designs and my current design as my MK3 production model. There is a little bit of art to the chest plates but all in all I can reproduce it all easily enough.

Here is my latest suit conversion, I am really happy with it and have another in mid build right now.


Front


Shield Side


My now familiar jet pack design


Plasma Carbine and a little liquid green stuff needed to hide a bad cut in the elbow gear


Another Front shot properly showing my final chest design.

I will post up my Jet Pack conversion steps as well as my next conversion. All of the parts I needed recently arrived from Spikey Bits and Battle Wagon Bits so I can start pumping these out. Next thing to do is figure out a final color scheme! That will be quite the challenge.

I'm loving your designs they are pretty awesome can't wait to see the final painted versions of everything.

I like the bulked up chest on the new model, that looks great. I also really like the foot conversion, I've always hated the Crisis suit feet with a passion. The knife reminds me the vibro-knives from Evangelion; seeing that brought a huge smile to my face :] You should try to find a knife from the SM Scouts box, they're closer to short-swords but I think it would look proportionate on this model.

One question: Do you order the shoulder plates individually from somewhere or do you just have them left over from a Blood Angels Dreadnought box?

Very heavy set designs, really get one thinking about armored suits and methods of conveying the weight and utility. I wasn't a fan of the blast shield, but the most recent model has won me over. Definitely think it is the detailing on the bare surface.

Unfortunate that it is a X marking the target but hey?

The helm design is interesting as well; just added this and the full body image to my inspiration folder

- T.

I have grown to quite like the giant X. I know it is a giant target but I like to think of it almost like a jolly roger. The simple truth is that I can get the Death Company Dreadnought shields easily from Spikey Bits so I chose to try to make it work for me. The inspiration for the shield was taken from the Fire Warriors shoulder armor and it took me a little while to get figure out a good place to hang it, as well as a good technique to hang it. One of my major criticisms of the standard Crisis Suit is that it just doesn't look alien enough. Not nearly on the level of Eldar Warwalkers, the crisis suit lacks...movement. So I decided to split the difference and just push the design more towards the familiar side.

The fluff I was considering to explain the design is a group of humans who have been raised in the Tau Empire and have had specialty suits designed for them. Basically just a group of pirates, the Cross Bone Vanguard (borrowing the name from one of my favorite Gundam comic series). It is very goofy but I think it is a good name, and that is about as far as I am willing to go into the fluff world for now.

More to come soon!