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==Overview==
==Overview==
The Imperial Courier is well armed and very well [[shield]]ed for its small size, making it a punchy and evasive fighter in [[combat]]. In terms of agility, it ranks somewhere close to the [[Viper Mk III]]. While it has a good pitch rotation speed, its slightly weaker vertical-lateral thrusters cause the Courier to drift more than the Viper. Even though the Courier has the same top boost speed as Viper, due to its low hull mass relative to modules, it is slightly slower and can't boost as often as the Viper, dropping down from the top speed faster.
With its three medium [[Hardpoint]]s and low mass, the Imperial Courier is well armed and very well [[shield]]ed for its small size, making it a punchy and evasive fighter in [[combat]]. Its agility is comparable to the [[Viper Mk III]] and [[Viper Mk IV]], having a faster pitch and yaw than the Mk III while having a slower roll than the Mk IV. The Courier also has a boost speed lower than the Mk III and its lower mass (35 vs 50) makes it drop from its boost speed faster than both Vipers.


The Imperial Courier's shields are much better than the [[Viper Mk III]]'s and [[Cobra Mk III]]'s, being almost on par with those on a [[Vulture]]. Unlike the Vulture, the Imperial Courier does not have such severe power management issues, and is thus better able to equip [[Shield Booster]]s and [[Shield Cell Bank]]s.
The Imperial Courier's stock 2E [[Shield Generator]] provides better protection than the stock shield generators equipped on the [[Viper Mk III]] and [[Cobra Mk III]], with only the [[Cobra Mk V]] and [[Vulture]] having better stock shield protection among all small-sized ships. However, the Courier does not experience the same power management issues as the Vulture, and is thus better able to equip [[Shield Booster]]s and [[Shield Cell Bank]]s.


While the Imperial Courier can achieve an excellent jump range between 30-50 ly with [[Engineers|Engineering]], it is not suited for long-term exploration. The Courier's diminutive size and light weight works against it in this situation: it can only fit a Class 3 [[Frame Shift Drive]]. Thus, to keep the ship's mass low and achieve that 50 ly jump range requires undersizing the core internals and eschewing utilities along with most modules suggested for exploration, including a [[Planetary Vehicle Hangar]]. While this does not mean the Courier should never be used for exploration, there are better ships to choose from for the role, such as the [[Diamondback Explorer]].
The Imperial Courier can be outfitted for exploration, with a jump range of 40-50 ly when outfitted with a 3A [[Increased Range Frame Shift Drive|Increased Range]] [[Deep Charge]] [[Frame Shift Drive]]. The Courier's low mass allows it to equip a Size 1 Shield Generator, which provides adequate protection against light collisions, even without engineering. However, its small [[Fuel Tank]] makes long-distance exploration a challenge as it must refuel from fuel stars more often than other similar sized ships with larger Fuel Tanks, such as the [[Diamondback Explorer]], while also making the use of [[Frame Shift Drive (SCO)|supercruise overcharge]] impractical due to the extreme fuel drain. Furthermore, because of its low mass, the Courier's jump range can also be significantly affected by the installation of certain modules, such as the [[Planetary Vehicle Hangar]].
 
As one of the few ships capable of using [[Enhanced Performance Thrusters]], the Imperial Courier can be outfitted to be one of the fastest ships in the game. With a combination of using D-rated and undersized modules, the Courier can achieve a thruster speed of up to 682 m/s and boost speed of up to 885 m/s. The Courier's low mass means its speed will start to be reduced once it is equipped with a few A-rated weighted Core Internal modules, or engineering effects are applied that increase the mass of other installed modules.


[[File:Convergence icourier.png|thumb|250px|Imperial Courier hardpoint convergence]]
[[File:Convergence icourier.png|thumb|250px|Imperial Courier hardpoint convergence]]
The weapon hardpoints are located in the following places: one Class 2 hardpoint at the front of each engine nacelle, and one Class 2 hardpoint underneath the nose. Of the four utility mounts, one is located on top of each nacelle, and the remaining two are behind the cockpit canopy on the ship's dorsal surface. The cockpit has only one pilot seat, and thus the ship is not compatible with [[Multicrew]].
The weapon hardpoints are located in the following places: one Class 2 hardpoint at the front of each engine nacelle, and one Class 2 hardpoint underneath the nose. Of the four utility mounts, one is located on top of each nacelle, and the remaining two are behind the cockpit canopy on the ship's dorsal surface. The cockpit has only one pilot seat, and thus the ship is not compatible with [[Multicrew]].
As one of the few ships capable of mounting Class 3 [[Enhanced Performance Thrusters]], the Imperial Courier is among the fastest ships currently available. With correct engineering it can achieve a flight speed of around 650 m/s and a boost speed of over 880 m/s. Due to it's light hull mass however great care must be taken when engineering other modules, as excess weight can greatly reduce it's maximum speed.


==Purchase Locations==
==Purchase Locations==
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