Due to the ever changing and increasingly unpredictable nature of modern battlefields, independent researchers from each faction came together to solve a particular problem revolving around ships not making it to the field intact. Their original solution was simply to add extra armor to the ships, but this slowed them down and became a liability for the pilot in battle. After numerous trials and experimental ship modifications, they finally landed on a fantastic result. Their ultimate design led to a sort of modular housing for ships for entry in to sectors. The modularity of the shells allowed an impressive range of customization, and different models could offer different advantages in early combat deployment. A basic model without much functionality was mass produced for the everyday pilot, but specialized models can still sometimes be found on obscure markets in obscure sectors.
Introducing: LAUNCH CAPSULES! The latest advancement in flight safety technology! Sick of getting holes blown in your ship before you even get to the real fight? Well these products are for YOU.
Launch Capsules would be a per-slot customization option for all ships in all modes, and come in a variety of shapes and functions. The ability to use launch capsules would start off with only the first ship slot, but as crew are unlocked, so are the other three capsule slots.
They would function as an extention of the ship, allowing the user to fly as normal, but with temporary features at the start of their deployment. They would all function like the Spiral in a way, and while in the capsule, the special module would be replaced with a button labeled “DEPLOY”. This would shed the capsule and allow normal flight as expected. All weapons and active modules on the base ship would also be blocked by the capsule while inside, being replaced with capsule modules found in space and loot. Shield and hull would have zero resistance. Each combat slot would have a little button to the side of it for addition and modification of the capsule. A small button by the ship would reveal/hide the capsule while in the hangar.
Models:
Basic:
Obtained: From the store, for an amount of credits comparable to a mid-tier ship.
Appearance: Bland, gunmetal, cheap, round, and not so intimidating. Just meant for safety of the pilot on entry. Single main engine in back.
Deployment effect: Minor explosion of capsule.
Shield volume: 0pts
Hull volume: 30,000pts
Max speed: 450/350/250/100 m/s (Inty/Fighter/Frig/Dessy)
Weapon: 1 Turret. Can be equipped with a standard thermal blaster as seen on drones.
Modules: None
Mobilizer:
Obtained: Rarely found as a drop from cargo ships in Federation sectors, or crafted using a very pricey blueprint.
Appearance: Sleek, blue and yellow, sharp looking. 6 engines in a hexagon on the back. Engines on all axiis.
Deployment Effect: Capsule is fired forwards in the direction it faces, like a missile, off of the ship.
Shield volume: 5,000pts
Hull volume: 30,000pts
Max speed: 600/475/350/250 m/s
Weapon: 2 Turrets. Can be equipped with short range EM blasters that burn the target for 2 seconds after hit.
Modules: Shock, Warp, Reveal
Defender:
Obtained: Rarely found as a drop from cargo ships in Empire sectors, or crafted using a very pricey blueprint.
Appearance: Robust, rugged shape with two large engines and a single nose thruster.
Deployment Effect: Missile burst made of bits of the hull that pursues nearby targets dealing large damage.
Shield volume: 1,000pts
Hull volume: 60,000pts
Max speed: 450/350/250/100 m/s
Weapon: 4 turrets. Can be equipped with heavy railguns that cause small explosions on impact.
Modules: Push, Ram, Mine
Offender:
Obtained: Rarely found as a drop from cargo ships in Jericho sectors, or crafted using a very pricey blueprint.
Appearance: Dark, red, foxy, sharp looking with typical Jericho aesthetic. Three engines in a triangle on the back.
Deployment Effect: Becomes stationary and emits long range energy pulses for a time before exploding.
Shield volume: 25,000pts
Hull volume: 20,000pts
Max speed: 450/350/250/150 m/s
Weapon: 3 turrets. Can be equipped with mid range lasers that each target a different enemy, up to 3.
Modules: Radiate, Pulse, Stun
Supporter:
Obtained: Rarely found as a drop from ships in Ellydium or non-affiliated sectors, or crafted using a very pricey blueprint.
Appearance: Black and white, organic looking and smooth yet segmented hull, with one main engine surrounded by 4 smaller engines on the back.
Deployment Effect: Turns in to a station that heals shield and hull in a small area, and deploys up to 3 drones over time to support you.
Shield volume: 10,000pts
Hull volume: 25,000pts
Max speed: 500/375/300/175 m/s
Weapon: 1 turret. Can be equipped with drone cannons that fire small stationary drones in space that shoot at nearby enemies for 5 seconds.
Modules: Regenerate, Invigorate, Protect
Modules:
Shock: Electrifies the hull for 8 seconds, damaging nearby enemies with EM radiation. Direct contact deals major shield damage.
Warp: Launches the user forwards at great speeds for 4,000m.
Reveal: Displays the position of nearby enemies for allies for 9 seconds.
Push: Pushes nearby enemies away from the ship at a max speed of 500m/s.
Ram: Pushes the ship forwards at great speeds for 1,500m. If an enemy is struck, great damage is dealt to the hull.
Mine: Drops a mine in space to deal 6,000 thermal damage.
Radiate: The space within 400m of the user becomes radioactive and deals thermal damage for 12 seconds.
Pulse: Releases a massive energy pulse in all directions that deals up to 9,000 EM damage to enemies within 3,000m.
Stun: Releases a surge of energy that disables enemy ships within 2,500m for 2 seconds.
Regenerate: Regenerates the shield and hull of allies within 3,000m by 900pts/s for 15 seconds.
Invigorate: Increases shield and hull resistance by 50pts, and increases speed and maneuverability of allies within 3,500m for 10 seconds.
Protect: The locked ally gains a secondary shield with 4,000pts of durability for 12 seconds.