The cyclic ion blaster is an experimental T’au ion weapon built for battlesuits. It’s designed to shred lightly armoured infantry with a torrent of ion fire, but its armour penetration flickers unpredictably.
What it is and who uses it
The cyclic ion blaster is a special issue ion weapon that T’au battlesuits can mount. It’s not standard-issue kit, it’s experimental tech that shows up on the battlefield anyway.
Like other T’au ion weapons, it channels high-energy particles at the target. The difference is how it delivers them: a rapid stream of ion radiation pushed through four barrels.
How it works
Four barrels, constant rate of fire, and an ionisation effect that doesn’t hold steady. That’s the core of the weapon. It spits out a continuous stream of ion radiation, which is great for cutting down crowds of lightly armoured troops.
The catch is the armour penetration. Because the ionisation varies as it fires, the weapon’s ability to punch through armour changes shot to shot. Against massed infantry it’s reliable. Against heavy armour it’s a gamble.
Where it fits in T’au weaponry
Ion weapons are a whole family in the T’au arsenal, and the cyclic ion blaster sits alongside the ion rifle, the cyclic ion raker, and the ion cannon. The blaster is the battlesuit-scale version, smaller than the raker and cannon but bigger than the infantry ion rifle.
It’s also worth knowing that ‘ion blaster’ means something different elsewhere. The Leagues of Votann field their own Ion Blaster, a personal weapon that fires high-energy particle beams capable of vaporising flesh and armour. Same name, different faction, different weapon.
Key facts
- Experimental T’au battlesuit weapon, not standard issue.
- Four barrels firing a rapid stream of ion radiation.
- Designed for anti-infantry work against lightly armoured targets.
- Constant rate of fire, variable ionisation and armour penetration.
- First detailed in Codex: T’au Empire, page 26.
FAQ
What is the cyclic ion blaster used for?
It’s built to mow down lightly armoured infantry. The constant stream of ion fire is ideal against numbers, though its variable ionisation makes armour penetration unreliable.
Is the cyclic ion blaster the same as the Leagues of Votann Ion Blaster?
No. They share a name but belong to different factions. The T’au cyclic ion blaster is a battlesuit weapon; the Votann Ion Blaster is a personal ion weapon that fires high-energy particle beams.
Why is it called ‘cyclic’?
The name comes from the weapon’s four-barrel design and its cycling stream of ion radiation. The ionisation effect cycles as it fires, which is why its armour penetration isn’t consistent.