Ion Accelerator

An Ion Accelerator is an experimental Tau Ion Weapon developed during the Tau Empire’s Third Sphere Expansion. The Ion Accelerator is based on Ion Weapon technology acquired as part of a fruitful alliance between the Syrr’Tok Brotherhood of the Demiurg and the Water Caste of the Dal’yth Sept, and is a prototype weapon designed for use as a primary weapon system for the experimental XV104 Riptide Battlesuit. An Ion Accelerator is a huge weapon, and is capable of engaging enemies at extremely long ranges with high energy ion streams that react explosively with their target; vaporising flesh and metal with equal ease. For their size, Ion Accelerators have a relatively high rate of fire; and their strength allows them engage both heavy infantry and vehicles effectively. Indeed, Riptides have used their Ion Accelerators to devastating effect on even. Leman Russ Battle Tanks and reinforced Imperial bunkers

Tau Ion Weapon designs also allow for the weapons to be overcharged by exposing the reactive Mor’tonium power source to the environment, though this also exposes the user to the dangerous ionising radiation emitted by the Mor’tonium. Overcharging an Ion Accelerator allows it to generate a wide explosive blast with increased power compared to its normal fire mode. An Ion Accelerator can also be nova-charged by the Riptide’s Dark Matter Nova Reactor to produce an even more devastatingly wide blast that can destroy virtually anything but the most heavily armoured of vehicles and bunkers.