- Elite Relic Battlesuit (Vehicle) Unit. Regardless size it still qualifies as Infantry, but it can also be repaired by a single unit.
- The pinnacle of Earth caste's tech development, it takes the evolution of the T'au battlesuit technology to a whole new level.
- Its Heavy Burst Cannon has an aggressive rate of suppression fire and can mow down hordes of troops or low-armour foes.
- Can upgrade to an Ion Accelerator, a devastating primary weapon designed for big armoured targets and Infantry alike.
- Also armed with shoulder-mounted, twin-linked Plasma Rifles as secondary weapon systems, upgradeable to missile pods.
- With its Nova Shield it can project a permanent protective energy field, for constant range damage increased defence.
- Although really weak in close encounters its shield deflects good portions of close-combat damage when engaged in melee.
- Like many Battlesuits, the Riptide also employs repulsor jets to jump over large distances and land behind enemy lines.
- Effective against all targets in ranged combat. Has very weak melee potential. Limit of two (2) simultaneous Relic squads.