Difference between revisions of "Cruiser"

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(Overhaul. This page really wasn't that bad before I got to it.)
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[[Image:Star_control_i_earthling_cruiser_databank.png|thumb|225px|Starship Databank Entry]]  
 
[[Image:Star_control_i_earthling_cruiser_databank.png|thumb|225px|Starship Databank Entry]]  
The [[Earthling]] '''Cruiser''' is a vessel of happenstance.  [[Human]]ity was brought into The [[Ur-Quan Slave War]] with almost no preparation.  It was only their long history of proliferation that allowed this vessel to be so effective in the (ultimately losing) battle against the [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za|Ur-Quan]] [[Hierarchy]]. Unlike their decision regarding the [[Syreen]] [[Penetrator]]s, the Ur-Quan destroyed the entire Cruiser fleet as well as every database for constructing the Cruisers. The notable exceptions to this destruction were the derelict [[Tobermoon]] drifting in [[Vela]]'s Oort Cloud and copies of blueprint disks hidden by a former production assistant of the Detroit shipyards. It was these blueprint disks that allowed the recently formed [[New Alliance]] to manufacture Cruisers prior to the liberation of [[Earth]].
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The [[Earthling]] '''Cruiser''' is a vessel of happenstance.  [[Human]]ity was brought into The [[Ur-Quan Slave War]] with almost no preparation.  It was only their long history of proliferation that allowed this vessel to be so effective in the battle against the [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za|Ur-Quan]] [[Hierarchy]]. Unlike their decision regarding the [[Syreen]], the Ur-Quan destroyed the entire Human fleet as well as every database used for constructing Cruisers. The notable exceptions to this destruction were the derelict [[Tobermoon]] drifting in [[Vela]]'s Oort Cloud and copies of blueprint disks hidden by a former production assistant of the Detroit shipyards. It was these blueprint disks that allowed the recently formed [[New Alliance]] to manufacture Cruisers prior to the liberation of [[Earth]].
  
 
==Navigation==
 
==Navigation==
The Cruiser is a rather slow ship with abhorrent acceleration that nonetheless somehow manages to spin like a top. The turn rate complements its weaponry well when [[pillbox]]ing is the preferred tactic. If speed is needed, a healthy gravity whip can be a boon.
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The Cruiser's poor acceleration and top speed leave much to be desired. However, this ship turns very quickly.
  
 
==Armament==
 
==Armament==
  
 
===Primary===
 
===Primary===
The Cruiser's primary weapon earned them quick respect in the [[Alliance of Free Stars|Alliance]]. It's not terribly advanced, but with the number that were stored in [[Earth]]'s [[Peace Vaults]] during (and before and after) Humanity's wars against itself they were a pleasant surprise to their allies and a devastating blow to their enemies.  Based in part on the [[wikipedia:LGM-118A Peacekeeper|Peacekeeper]] missiles of the Cold War, the "Fire-and-forget" Nuclear Missile is a simple concept. Put the biggest explosive that a post-industrial nuclear society has on the end of vaguely competent tracking and navigation system; repeat several million times.  This weapon has long range and can correct for significant variation in original trajectory and later enemy movement. Unless the weapon can be shot down (no mean task) or cunningly evaded, the power of the atom will be unleashed on the enemy crew. Each missile strike kills four crew members.
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The Cruiser's primary weapon earned humanity quick respect during [[The Great War]]. These long range "fire-and-forget" nuclear missiles are based on the [[wikipedia:LGM-118A Peacekeeper|Peacekeeper]] missiles of the Cold War. While these weapons are quite primitive by Ur-Quan standards, the number that were stored in [[Earth]]'s [[Peace Vaults]] after Humanity's various wars nevertheless came as a pleasant surprise to the [[Alliance of Free Stars|Alliance]]. Nuclear missiles can travel over a very long distance and correct their trajectory to follow enemy movement. Unless the weapon can be shot down or cunningly evaded, the power of the atom will be unleashed on the enemy ship. Each missile strike inflicts four damage.
  
Use of the missile does carry a certain amount of risk. It is one of the few weapons in the game that can strike the ship that launched it. Fortunately, this is a rather rare occurrence.
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===Secondary===
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The Cruiser's alternate weapon is a short range point-defense laser system that is based on mid-1980s [[wikipedia:Strategic Defense Initiative|SDI "Star Wars"]] missile defense technology. It fires a laser at each enemy ship, projectile, asteroid, or other object within close proximity to the Earthling ship. Each laser hits for a single point of damage. The point-defense laser suffers from a long firing delay, making it a poor choice for short range combat. It is a situational utility weapon more than anything else.
  
===Secondary===
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==Tactical Overview==
The Cruiser's alternate weapon is a very short range point-defense laser system, killing one crew member per hit, based on mid-1980s [[wikipedia:Strategic Defense Initiative|SDI "Star Wars"]] missile defense technology. It fires lasers at all enemy ships, projectiles, asteroids, or anything else within a close radius to the Earthling ship. This system is highly effective against daughter ships like the Ur-Quan [[Dreadnought]] Fighter and [[Orz]] [[Nemesis]] Space Marine, as well as some weaker projectiles.  
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The Cruiser was made to fight at long range. It is a slow ship, but in most circumstances the limited mobility which it does possess should be used to maintain distance for as long as possible. The [[Leyland Gravity Whip]] can often be of tremendous help when stalling for time. The Cruiser's rapid turn rate allows it to [[Pillbox]] effectively. Pillboxing is most beneficial against high mobility, low firepower adversaries. It is otherwise better to be on the run if your opponent does not meet that description.
  
On occasions where both the primary and secondary buttons are pressed simultaneously, the point-defense laser can actually shoot down the Cruiser's own missile immediately upon launch.
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A nuclear missile can potentially whirl back around and hit the Cruiser that launched it while seeking a hostile craft. Incoming friendly fire is fortunately quite rare and can be prevented by the point-defense laser. Aside from that, missiles do not require much aim or forethought to use effectively.
  
==Tactical Overview==
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The point-defense laser's most common purpose is to shoot down asteroids in the Cruiser's flight path. Because the Cruiser has such terrible acceleration, it usually cannot afford to be knocked off course by one of these. The laser is also effective at wiping out subsidiary enemy craft and can provide a limited degree of protection against smaller projectiles.
The Cruiser is highly effective when used as a stand-off ship; it is capable of delivering punishing blows from great distances, and the auto-tracking aspect of its weapons makes aiming of secondary importance. The Cruiser can even defeat an Ur-Quan Dreadnought without taking a hit, as long as it can keep its distance. Its slow speed makes this easier said than done, however.
 
  
Unfortunately, the turning radius of the missiles can sometimes miss faster ships such as the [[Slylandro]] [[Probe]]. In some rare instances the missile can even go off course in such a way that it can hit the Cruiser that fired the missile.  Very high-speed ships like the [[Pkunk]] [[Fury]] can deliberately take advantage of this, but not so easily as against a [[Mycon]] [[Podship]]
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==Minutiae==
  
Against the [[Druuge]] [[Mauler]], the Cruiser can exploit the Mauler's slow speed and turning rate, making it difficult for the Mauler to dodge the auto-tracking missiles. The same tactic also works when up against a [[VUX]] [[Intruder]].
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* If the point-defense laser and nuclear missile launcher are activated at the same time, a missile will launch without being shot at by the laser. However, the Cruiser's energy banks will drain as if both weapons had been used. The laser will shoot down outgoing missiles if activated immediately after a missile has launched.
  
Since the Cruiser can fire two consecutive missiles (with full battery), it can almost instantly destroy a [[Thraddash]] [[Torch]].
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* The point-defense laser will always consume four energy regardless of how many targets it fires upon.
  
 
==Known Ships==
 
==Known Ships==
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*Zybernaut
 
*Zybernaut
  
{{ShipBox|image=Cruiser_icon.png|link=cruiser|race=[[Earthling]]|crew=18|value=11|batt=18|regen=0.111|primary="Fire-and-forget" Nuclear Missile|prim-cost=9|prim-rate=10|secondary=Point-Defense Lasers|sec-cost=4|sec-rate=9|speed=24|turn=0.5|accel=0.6|mass=6}}
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{{ShipBox|image=Cruiser_icon.png|link=cruiser|race=[[Earthling]]|crew=18|value=11|batt=18|regen=0.111|primary="Fire-and-forget" Nuclear Missile|prim-cost=9|prim-rate=10|secondary=Point-Defense Laser|sec-cost=4|sec-rate=9|speed=24|turn=0.5|accel=0.6|mass=6}}
 
[[Category:Ships]]
 
[[Category:Ships]]
 
[[Category:Human]]
 
[[Category:Human]]

Revision as of 00:04, 5 March 2009

Starship Databank Entry

The Earthling Cruiser is a vessel of happenstance. Humanity was brought into The Ur-Quan Slave War with almost no preparation. It was only their long history of proliferation that allowed this vessel to be so effective in the battle against the Ur-Quan Hierarchy. Unlike their decision regarding the Syreen, the Ur-Quan destroyed the entire Human fleet as well as every database used for constructing Cruisers. The notable exceptions to this destruction were the derelict Tobermoon drifting in Vela's Oort Cloud and copies of blueprint disks hidden by a former production assistant of the Detroit shipyards. It was these blueprint disks that allowed the recently formed New Alliance to manufacture Cruisers prior to the liberation of Earth.

Navigation

The Cruiser's poor acceleration and top speed leave much to be desired. However, this ship turns very quickly.

Armament

Primary

The Cruiser's primary weapon earned humanity quick respect during The Great War. These long range "fire-and-forget" nuclear missiles are based on the Peacekeeper missiles of the Cold War. While these weapons are quite primitive by Ur-Quan standards, the number that were stored in Earth's Peace Vaults after Humanity's various wars nevertheless came as a pleasant surprise to the Alliance. Nuclear missiles can travel over a very long distance and correct their trajectory to follow enemy movement. Unless the weapon can be shot down or cunningly evaded, the power of the atom will be unleashed on the enemy ship. Each missile strike inflicts four damage.

Secondary

The Cruiser's alternate weapon is a short range point-defense laser system that is based on mid-1980s SDI "Star Wars" missile defense technology. It fires a laser at each enemy ship, projectile, asteroid, or other object within close proximity to the Earthling ship. Each laser hits for a single point of damage. The point-defense laser suffers from a long firing delay, making it a poor choice for short range combat. It is a situational utility weapon more than anything else.

Tactical Overview

The Cruiser was made to fight at long range. It is a slow ship, but in most circumstances the limited mobility which it does possess should be used to maintain distance for as long as possible. The Leyland Gravity Whip can often be of tremendous help when stalling for time. The Cruiser's rapid turn rate allows it to Pillbox effectively. Pillboxing is most beneficial against high mobility, low firepower adversaries. It is otherwise better to be on the run if your opponent does not meet that description.

A nuclear missile can potentially whirl back around and hit the Cruiser that launched it while seeking a hostile craft. Incoming friendly fire is fortunately quite rare and can be prevented by the point-defense laser. Aside from that, missiles do not require much aim or forethought to use effectively.

The point-defense laser's most common purpose is to shoot down asteroids in the Cruiser's flight path. Because the Cruiser has such terrible acceleration, it usually cannot afford to be knocked off course by one of these. The laser is also effective at wiping out subsidiary enemy craft and can provide a limited degree of protection against smaller projectiles.

Minutiae

  • If the point-defense laser and nuclear missile launcher are activated at the same time, a missile will launch without being shot at by the laser. However, the Cruiser's energy banks will drain as if both weapons had been used. The laser will shoot down outgoing missiles if activated immediately after a missile has launched.
  • The point-defense laser will always consume four energy regardless of how many targets it fires upon.

Known Ships

Cruiser icon.png
3DO Earthling Cruiser
Basic stats
Crew: 18 Value: 11 pts
Battery: 18 Batt. Regeneration: 0.111 units/frame
Armament
Primary: "Fire-and-forget" Nuclear Missile Secondary: Point-Defense Laser
Refire delay: 10 frames Refire delay: 9 frames
Energy use: 9 units Energy use: 4 units
Propulsion
Max speed: 24 world units/frame Turn rate: 0.5 facings/frame
Acceleration: 0.6 units/frame Mass: 6