Iaera's Skunkworks

[Iaera]

GSF is a pretty deep game. There are a lot of combinations to play with, and even ones that aren't strictly "meta viable" can be made to work in a lot of situations. In this thread, I'm going to post some of my ideas/experiments/concepts, especially with the recent update that has breathed a huge amount of new life into previously underwhelming ships and components. I'll post a brief overview of what the build is conceptually supposed to do, my intentions with it, and what my results (if any) have been using it in matches.

Mostly, these are for fun. I'm just not the meta tryhard type... some of these may or may not be super amazing builds, but that really doesn't concern me much. I'm just interested in experimenting with the game and finding fun combinations!

For added fun, I think I'm going to give a semi-IC/RP flair to these. The canon of it is dubious, so as much as I despise the notion, these should probably be considered "fanon." With that said, there's not a whole lot of fleshed out technical information about these SWTOR-era starfighters as there is about, say, the Incom T-65 X-Wing. So, the following entries will be presented in that style... if someone by chance wants to use that in RP, feel free!

~ to be continued ~

[Iaera]

Rendili FT-6 Pike "Halberd" multi-role interceptor

The Halberd variant of the FT-6 Pike is designed to build upon the already solid Pike platform by specialising it as a medium-range interceptor without sacrificing its multi-role mission capabilities. Its primary purpose is to interdict and destroy Imperial light bombers such as the Legion while still serving as an effective space superiority platform against the heavier Imperial fighters currently in service. The Halberd's modus operandi is to use its speed to maintain clear firing positions at range, safely apart from the chaos of a short-range furball, and destroy targets with its complement of proton torpedoes and concussion missiles. Should the Halberd be forced into a closer engagement by light Imperial fighters such as the Blackbolt, it can defend itself with the considerable firepower of its Merr-Sonn LCQ-4 quad laser cannons.

Primary Weapon: Quad Laser Cannon
Secondary #1: Proton Torpedo
Secondary #2: Concussion Missile
Miscellaneous: Upgrades should select for engine speed and enough capacity/regen to stay comfortably at range

Iaera's notes: I've used this setup pretty frequently before the changes, but now it should be significantly more effective. The Strike Fighter's overall buffs, enhanced lasers, and the buffs to proton torpedoes in particular should make this "interceptor" build a lot nastier in a serious match. As mentioned, in excels primarily in stopping Bombers from reaching a satellite, killing them in mid-flight before they turtle underneath the sat and become much harder to kill. Even with the missile and Strike buffs, however, it's still going to struggle against dedicated gunships, who outrange it.

[Iaera]

Corellia StarDrive NovaDive "Liberator-II" Jedi starfighter

Succeeding the Republic's Liberator as one of the Jedi Order's starfighters of choice, the Liberator-II variant of the NovaDive builds on its predecessor as a snubfighter ideal for the independent missions of a Jedi Knight. Equipped with an astromech socket and a hyperdrive, the Liberator-II is essentially a NovaDive with a few minor service life extensions and small-scale modifications to meet the needs of the Jedi Order. Primarily intended as an all-purpose starfighter capable of ferrying a Jedi Knight from system to system, it can still hold its own in the context of a larger battle, especially when aided by the famed flying reflexes of Jedi aces. Twin BlasTech HMC-15 medium laser cannons provide reliable if unexceptional firepower during a dogfight, and dumb-fired multiple-launch rocket pods allow for limited strikes against larger targets.

Primary Weapon: Laser Cannon
Secondary: Rocket Pods
System: Booster Recharge
Miscellaneous: Upgrades should select for engine power/regen, as well as turning rate to assist in dogfights. Distortion Field is recommended, but Quick Charge Shields also work. Lightweight Armour is mandatory, obviously. Range Capacitor, Dampening Sensors, and Turning Thrusters round it out.

Iaera's notes: This is what Iaera has been flying (more or less) since day one! The idea is based heavily on the canon Liberator and Striker starfighters used by the Jedi Order of this time period, with the NovaDive serving as the logical upgrade from those older fighters. As a T1 scout with Rockets, it's perfectly capable of DPSing down anything that lingers in your sights, and excels in a hunter/killer role against enemy gunships. It has the engine power to move around the map with utter impunity, and no gunship can escape it. Its only real weakness is dedicated bomber/gunship deathballs, where there are simply too many mines, drones, and railguns making survival impossible.

[Iaera]

SoroSuub GSS-5D "Krayt" Dustmaker

A variant of the successful GSS-5C, the Krayt exists to provide the Sith Empire with an assault interdictor starfighter capable of punching well above its weight. Designed to deliver crippling strikes against larger capital ships and their escorts, it is a platform also capable of supporting nimbler starfighters with its vicious arsenal of torpedoes. Pilots are advised to avoid a serious dogfight, as its mass and general lack of manoeuvrability make it a liability in a close-quarters engagement. Instead, the Krayt should use the impressive range of its boosted torpedoes to hammer large targets before inflicting additional damage with its pair of heavy laser cannons.

Primary Weapon: Heavy Laser Cannon
Secondary #1: Thermite Torpedo
Secondary #2: Proton Torpedo
Miscellaneous: Range Capacitor, and any and everything that gives engine power, regen, and/or speed.

Iaera's notes: I've been wanting to try this one for awhile! Although not fully leveled up yet, I got to try it out against Elaeis and several other Republic aces in an otherwise grueling match for the Empire, and it held up much better than I thought it would. I've never cared for the railgun gameplay they intended with gunships, and always likened them instead to the Imperial Assault Gunboat, a fat, slow attack craft loaded with missiles. Thanks to the recent changes, this playstyle is now much more viable with the Dustmaker, which allows stripping off the railguns for two torpedoes. As one might expect, it's pretty worthless in a real close-in dogfight, but it can lob its torpedoes at a disgusting 12,000m range! The target invariably dodges the first one, which usually makes them easy pickings for the second torp. Even better, by the time you're done locking and firing the second torp, your first torp is almost off cooldown, allowing a perpetual volley of death as long as your target is in the open!

The Krayt's weaknesses, aside from being a fat gunship useless in a dogfight, is its severe lack of engine-related abilities. Barrel Roll at least gives you an evasion and a little speed boost when leveled, but for an interdictor designed to get rapidly into position it will invariably struggle on engine power. It's absolutely brutal against exposed bombers, however, and if you don't mind spending the ammo it can also serve as an inefficient way to pick off drones, turrets, etc.