XV88 BROADSIDE BATTLESUITS: THE T’AU EMPIRE’S WALKING RAILGUNS OF DOOM
"IF YOU CAN SEE A BROADSIDE, IT'S ALREADY LINING UP THE SHOT. IF YOU CAN’T SEE IT... CHECK YOUR TANK AGAIN—IT’S PROBABLY GONE."
The XV88 Broadside Battlesuit is the T’au Empire’s answer to a simple battlefield question: "What if we took a Crisis Suit and replaced all the agility with EVEN MORE gun?" The result? A near-immovable chunk of death-dealing ceramite and grav-locked weaponry, built to turn battlefields into smouldering craters.
They may move slower than a pensioner queuing at the post office, but make no mistake—when a Broadside sets up shop, something’s going to explode. Probably several somethings, and quite possibly with impeccable aim and a cup of tea on the side.
LORE: A RAILGUN A DAY KEEPS THE LEMAN RUSS AWAY
Developed after the initial success of the XV8 Crisis Battlesuit, the XV88 Broadside was born from a simple T’au doctrine: why dance around the enemy when you could just vaporise them from across the map?
First unveiled during the Damocles Gulf Crusade, Broadside teams were rapidly recognised by Imperial forces as a very serious problem. Their heavy rail rifles—essentially portable tank cannons—turned the most durable vehicles into smoking ruins with pinpoint accuracy. Guardsmen would speak in hushed tones of the rail shot's distinctive whip-crack, which could only be heard after the round had already hit and destroyed its target. In short, if you heard it, it wasn’t meant for you. Lucky you.
As the T’au Empire expanded its borders during the Third Sphere Expansion, Broadsides became an essential part of the Fire Caste’s war machine. Whether holding defensive lines or forming the backbone of a firebase, their mix of precision and sheer brutality earned them a terrifying reputation. Even hardened Ork warbosses have been known to pause when facing a unit of them—although only briefly, before charging and being promptly erased from existence.
During the Kel’shan campaign against Hive Fleet Gorgon, Broadside teams proved their adaptability once again. The standard smart missile systems were swapped for twin-linked plasma rifles—an upgrade that made them even more effective at putting down the largest Tyranid monstrosities. Imagine trying to chew through a T’au defensive line when every one of your big scary bugs is getting double-tapped by walking rail turrets. Bio-Titans? More like Bio-firewood.
Over the decades, Broadside suits have been seen holding key choke points on Dal’yth, dismembering Chaos armour during battles on the Zeist Sector, and even taking part in shadow wars on distant, contested outposts deep in Imperial space. They're the unit of choice when the T’au want to make a point—preferably one that's 12 Strength and -4 AP.
"Warriors of the Fire Caste, today we face foes who believe their tanks are invincible, their fortresses unbreakable. They think steel will shield them. Let them believe. For today, our Broadsides walk with us. Not fast, no—speed is for those who fear the storm. The XV88 is the storm. Where it sets its stance, the ground trembles. Where it sights its rail, the enemy vanishes. One shot, one ruin. And when the dust settles, when the enemy looks up to see what struck them—they will find nothing but silence, and the cold glow of T’au precision. So let them come. Let them bring their tanks, their beasts, their pride. We bring the Broadsides."
– Shas’O Taal’Vyr, before the Battle of Dovar Ridge
STAT BLOCK – BUILT T’AU TOUGH
Movement: 5"
Toughness: 6
Save: 2+
Wounds: 8
Leadership: 7+
Objective Control (OC): 2
Faction Ability:
For the Greater Good – Supports synergy with allied units for efficient focus fire.
Special Abilities:
Advanced Armour: The Advanced Armour ability gives Broadsides a Feel No Pain 4+ save against mortal wounds, which means they shrug off those nasty, unavoidable hits better than most. In the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, where even the toughest tanks can get shredded by toxic spores or psychic blasts, this ability is like having an extra layer of “sorry, not today” built right into their ceramite shells.
Put simply: when the universe tries to kill your Broadside with a dirty mortal wound, there’s a decent chance it’ll just bounce off. This makes them not only a walking fortress but also a headache for enemy armies that rely on those devastating attacks to punch through armour. So while your Broadside might be slower than a Grox stuck in molasses, it’s also way less likely to die to sneaky backstabs or arcane nastiness.
These weapons turn the Broadside into a walking arsenal of doom. The Heavy Rail Rifle is your long-range tank-buster, delivering devastating wounds with deadly accuracy. Missile Pods and Seeker Missiles add explosive firepower for dealing with groups or tougher targets, while Plasma Rifles melt monsters and infantry alike. Smart Missiles offer flexible indirect fire, perfect for hitting enemies hiding behind cover. Pick your loadout wisely—each weapon makes your Broadside a different kind of nightmare.
TACTICAL USE: PARK AND PULVERISE
Hold your ground. With a 2+ save and T6, Broadside suits are rock solid—just don’t expect them to win a footrace.
Cover fire kings. Ideal for locking down lanes and punishing anything that dares to peek out from behind terrain.
Drone friends = best friends. Shield drones keep them alive longer, marker drones help them hit harder. It’s a win-win.
Some commanders prefer the high-yield missile loadout for massed infantry clearing, while others live for the glory of the rail rifle's tank-melting performance. Whatever your flavour, just remember: standing still isn’t lazy—it’s tactical patience.
FINAL THOUGHTS: BIG SUIT, BIGGER BOOM, AND A WHOLE LOT OF PRESENCE
The XV88 Broadside Battlesuit is the embodiment of “don’t mess with me.” It’s not about speed or finesse—it’s about raw, overwhelming firepower and resilience. When you deploy a Broadside, you’re telling the enemy that their tanks, their monsters, their frontline infantry are about to get absolutely shredded.
With weapons that can punch through super-heavy armour and an Advanced Armour system that laughs off mortal wounds, this suit is as tough as it is deadly. Sure, it’s slower than a grox stuck in treacle, but what it loses in speed it makes up for by turning the battlefield into its personal shooting range.
Tactically, Broadsides excel as a backbone to any T’au force. They hold ground, deliver punishing fire support, and force your opponent to rethink their strategies. If you want your army to bring precision and power with a side of “don’t even think about coming close,” then the Broadside Battlesuit is your go-to.
And a quick shoutout to my fellow blogger James over on Blasted Miniatures—his Imperial Fists might be tough, but they’d think twice before standing their ground against the Broadsides’ relentless firepower. When those hypersonic rounds start cracking through the armour, even the hardest fists need to reconsider their stance.
Remember: it might not sprint, but when the dust settles and the enemy counts their losses, it’ll be your Broadsides they remember—and dread.
Built to break tanks and crush dreams Broadsides don’t just fight, they dominate.
NEXT WEEK ON FIREBLADE!
Next week, we’re diving headfirst into the heart of the T’au Fire Caste—the legendary XV8 Crisis Battlesuit units and the brilliant commanders who lead them into battle. These suits are the ultimate blend of speed, firepower, and flexibility, piloted by warriors who don’t just follow orders—they make the orders. We’ll explore how these elite battlesuits adapt to any battlefield, striking fast and hard, and meet the charismatic Tau commanders who inspire their troops with strategy, courage, and maybe just a dash of ego. Get ready for tales of tactical genius, devastating firepower, and the kind of leadership that turns a fight into a flawless victory.
Don’t miss it—because next week, the crisis is about to get personal.
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