How the Tau Empire wages war

This is Tau Ghostkeel team 621, callsign Pale Rider, and a Tau Riptide, callsign Brawler Gambit.

With Pale Rider, I wanted to capture the essence of a Ghostkeel in the lore: the lone operative behind enemy lines; the close bond between pilot and suit AI; the need to carry various supplies and equipment for weeks and months of operations; and of course, the dry, grimdark hellscape of a city blasted into a warzone.

With Brawler Gambit, I wanted to capture the terrifying power and cold brutality that an enemy would feel during an encounter with this battlesuit in the 40k universe. A lot of people critique the Tau as not being grimdark enough for 40k; Brawler Gambit and I disagree. As the machine's burst cannon cools after unleashing a blistering plasma salvo, it shifts its gaze, scanning for other threats. It crouches slightly, like a prizefighter, moving with a grace belying its size. Its eye flashes bright green as it acquires a target lock, and it simultaneously raises its shield and begins to engage boosters to charge toward the next foe. Powered by a reactor generating energy comparable to a small star, it will relentlessly hunt those who oppose the Greater Good.