"Xeno-Tech Heresy!" Topic

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And in action:

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(I love these. Tau and Marines are Battle Brothers in 6th's Ally system, and I'll have to make up some of these…)

Actual Pics:

I'm actually working on converting some marines into Phobos pattern armor now. Although, I'm at a loss for what to use for the arms on the backpack. Can't get anywhere near enough of the loading arms from the missile backpacks in the Dev kit.

Instead of the skeletal pad on the other side, I'm using FW shoulder pads and for guns and arms, using these from Anvil Industries:

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And planning to use some of these:
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As the backstory for the Phobos pattern units (Created by same fellow who did those pictures.) is they they're Gue'vesa who've been badly miamed or otherwise crippled, I figured making sure as many models as possible have bionics would add to the overall result.

Hmmm…. Need to design a Tau'd up Terminator… or perhaps another version of the power armor to represent a Sternguard equal. Or…Legion of the Damned stand-ins feel like they'd fit the best. Slap a shield generator to their back, give them Widow Maker carbines with a bunch of add-ons… make them look the part of Elites.

So did the Tau use armor from downed marines to equip their Gue'vesa? I guess the Tau could probably figure out how to make the stuff work without the linking organ marines have.

that would be a morale shot to the enemy until – hey! those aren't real marines! ;) the know fear !

Of course they know fear, but the onboard AI (Gue'vesa'vesa, 'Human Helper Helper'?) would hopefully calm them, and keep them on the battlefield longer. Combat drugs also help.

So, I'd use the Marine Codex for 'em.

Wolfprophet, those are pretty much what I was thinking about, too, the Anvil stuff. Sternguards would be fun to model, as would Legion of the Damned. Terms just don't feel right for them, and I'm not sure why. Not mobile enough?

Also, what FW pads are you using?

As for the Anvil guns with all the 'modern' add-ons, oh yes.

OK those Anvil Industries bits are just gob smacking amazing. Damn it! Now I want to convert an entire Space Marine force.

I've never seen Anvil Industries before. Nice options!

I would think they would be better as stormtroopers than marines. While the armour would warrant a 3+ save the guy inside wouldn't be anywhere near as tough or strong as a marine. Even if the armour makes him stronger it would also increase the marines strength. In the case of a normal person I'd think that they would just be capable of moving inthe armour normally with the help from it.

Combat drugs would go some way to fix that but I'd imagine the Tau wouldn't give them so much that they it would damage their subjects. Not positive about that but they don't waste troops needlessly.

So the biggest discrepancy would be the save and that could be justified by saying that the armor is more fragile with all the new gear on it than it was prior to the modification. Or that the damage it sustained when the original marine was killed was not completely reparable.

Sorry--are we supposed to know what this is just by looking at the picture?

So did the Tau use armor from downed marines to equip their Gue'vesa? I guess the Tau could probably figure out how to make the stuff work without the linking organ marines have.

Not quite, here's the text from the creator that goes with the battle photo.

For those who remember this piece of mine: [link] and left cool story ideas about the origins of such a "heretical" IG design, thank you! I've been considering different plots and the whole Tau engineering collaboration + Gue'vesa auxillary idea seemed the most plausible and exciting for me.

Here's an updated story on its origins:

The Phobos Pattern was originally designed by an eccentric, albeit well-meaning techpriest on a forgeworld along the dark fringes of Imperium space. It was built in memory of his son, who died on an icy moon while serving as a Imperial Guard conscript in some forgotten campaign against Tyranids.

His labour of love, the Phobos Pattern, a semi autonomous exo-suit, was designed for normal human proportions, and for deployment amongst the Imperial Guard. The suit was not intended to replace or even come close to an Astartes armour, but act as a 'force multiplier' to bolster IG ranks and to allow once disabled soldiers to fight as equals alongside their own. Once complete, the Phobos MK1 plans were presented to the Imperium, and deemed absolutely heretical. As a result, his Forgeworld was to be swept by Space Marine kill teams in a purge mission. The Older brother sent to kill the younger brother as ordered by their Father.

The small Astartes force that was sent to wipe them out realised the visionary aspect of the project during the mission briefing itself, but continued their mission without question for fear of being labelled traitors.

The IG test-pilot force that comprised of young and old, able-bodied and paraplegic, all suited up in Phobos Pattern armour and fought back bravely to preserve their project; as well as to prove their undying love for the Imperium's future.

Eventually, the Astartes force was reduced to the last Marine, a Sargeant who called down an orbital nuclear bombardment when the mission was deemed a failure.

In his final moments he looks on as a shuttle escapes the facility and into the warp, and with it, the construction template for the Phobos Pattern armour. That was his only act of defiance to the Emperor in his lifetime as a Space Marine, one that he hoped would help pave the way to a brighter future for the Imperium.

The shuttle emerged from the warp years later, and found itself in Tau space. The Tau, learning of its origins and potential, openly embraced the Phobos Pattern prototype and began additional R&D work to implement it into their Gue'vesa/Human Auxillary force.

***END TRANSMISSION***

Also, what FW pads are you using?

D'oh. Sorry, should have been more clear on that. Extra Fire Warrior shoulder pads from ebay. Nothing from Forgeworld! Here's few photos of the test model I made to see how it might come out. I haven't decided on a color scheme yet though as my tau are all in digital camo.

All of the rivets and raised bits like that have been removed to streamline the armour a bit. I specifically used the torso with just a skull on it as it was the easiest to modify. The rounded pad is the studded pad with the studs removed. I'm thinking the backpack would look good with spare antennas from Stealth kits perhaps, or Fire Warrior Antennas.

I'm not sure yet which HQ to try to make to go with them, but I'm going to play them out of the Marine codex as allies. Very much a themed force…so might not be totally effective, but hey, it'll be pretty!