Commander is a position of great honor for Tau of the Fire caste. It is attained only after years progressing through the ranks of Fire Warriors to fight first in the Battlesuit teams and then as part of another Commander's Bodyguard. Proof of accomplishment in not only the tactical but also the strategic arts of war may then earn the Commander's approval and elevation from Shas'vre. Tau Commanders are formidable warriors, frequently sporting scars, bionics and disfigurements earned in their career. According to their renown they may be called upon to command anything from a Cadre to a Battle. The number and size of previous commands is reflected in the rings confining their long scalp locks. A Shas'el can only progress to the rank of Shas'o after repeated success in the field.

The most reliable and commonplace of battlesuits, XV8 suits are the mainstay of the elite Crisis teams of the Fire caste. Crisis suits are Jump Infantry subject to the Jetpack special rules, as described in the Warhammer 40,000 Unit Types Rules section, and the wearer and any attached drones may be deployed using the Deep Strike special rule if the mission being played permits it (though he may not make the additional 6" move in the turn he arrives). In addition, the advanced sensor suite employed by the battlesuit grants the wearer the Acute Senses special rule, found in the Warhammer 40,000 Universal Special Rules section. The battlesuits are designed to compensate for the recoil of light weapons fire, so they do not count as moving when they fire Rapid Fire weapons. This ability does not extend to heavy weapons, however, and the user must be stationary to fire them.

You may take an XV8 Crisis Battlesuit Commander in your Tau army as an HQ choice.