Dolphin: Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==Overview==
The Dolphin is one of the three [[Saud Kruger]] line of ships, along with the [[Orca]] and [[Beluga Liner]]. It can be considered the passenger equivalent to the [[Type-6 Transporter]]. Like its sisters, it is capable of carrying Luxury Cabins and has a focus on Passenger Missions, however it is somewhat viable in other roles as well.
The Dolphin is one of the three [[Saud Kruger]] ships designed as passenger liners, along with the [[Orca]] and [[Beluga Liner]]. Its intended role is as an entry-level passenger liner, similar to how the [[Type-6 Transporter]] is an entry-level freighter. However, the Dolphin's characteristics makes it a viable ship in other roles as well.


The Dolphin has 84T of cargo space available for [[trading]]. Considering it has a similar price tag to the Type-6 and similar combat ability this makes the Dolphin a rather poor trading vessel; however, its higher jump range makes it a good [[Rare Goods]] trader or for long range transport.
Passenger missions are the Dolphin's primary focus. It can carry one Luxury [[Passenger Cabin]], and up to 42 passengers when completely outfitted with Economy Cabins. Due to its high base jump range and low compartment space, the Dolphin is better suited for conducting VIP contracts than bulk contracts.
 
The Dolphin can be outfitted to haul up to 84 t of cargo. Considering it has a similar price tag and combat ability to the Type-6, this makes the Dolphin a subpar bulk [[trading]] vessel. However, its higher jump range makes it a good choice for trading [[List of Rare Commodities|Rare Commodities]] over long ranges.


In [[combat]], the Dolphin is just as bad as the Type-6 and suffers from many of the same downsides with its [[Sidewinder]] grade offenses and mediocre shields and armour. However, it has better mobility and better hardpoint placement, allowing it to be much more nimble as well as making it easier to keep Fixed Hardpoints on target. Installing heavier [[Bulkheads]] will seriously reduce the Dolphin's jump range, as upgrades weigh in at 32t for [[Reinforced Alloys]] and 63t for [[Military Grade Composite|Military Grade]], [[Mirrored Surface Composite|Mirrored Surface]] and [[Reactive Surface Composite|Reactive Surface]] Composites. Fitting a class 1 or 2 [[Hull Reinforcement Package]] will offer a comparable improvement in armour with only a small mass increase.
In [[combat]], the Dolphin is just as bad as the Type-6 and suffers from many of the same downsides with its [[Sidewinder]] grade offenses and mediocre shields and armour. However, it has better mobility and better hardpoint placement, allowing it to be much more nimble as well as making it easier to keep Fixed Hardpoints on target. Installing heavier [[Bulkheads]] will seriously reduce the Dolphin's jump range, as upgrades weigh in at 32t for [[Reinforced Alloys]] and 63t for [[Military Grade Composite|Military Grade]], [[Mirrored Surface Composite|Mirrored Surface]] and [[Reactive Surface Composite|Reactive Surface]] Composites. Fitting a class 1 or 2 [[Hull Reinforcement Package]] will offer a comparable improvement in armour with only a small mass increase.


As an [[explorer]], the Dolphin is a suitable low-budget option. It has a potential jump range of 35 ly before engineering, higher than that of the standard Type-6 and just slightly short of the more expensive [[Asp Explorer]]. The Dolphin also has excellent [[heat]] management compared to most other ships, and will rarely exceed 70% heat even when fuel scooping and charging its [[Frame Shift Drive]] simultaneously. Its main weakness with regard to exploration is its low number of internal compartments, which leaves less room for staple exploration modules such as a [[Fuel Scoop]], [[Guardian Frame Shift Drive Booster]], [[Auto Field-Maintenance Unit]], and [[Planetary Vehicle Hangar]]. Pilots who wish to embark on long-term expeditions may want to consider upgrading to a more spacious vessel.
The Dolphin excels as a budget [[explorer]]. By equipping a 4A [[Frame Shift Drive]] and the appropriate undersized and/or D-rated modules, as well as removing irrelevant optional modules, the Dolphin can hit potential jump ranges of 32-35 ly before engineering, giving it a jump range that is slightly better than the Type-6 and only marginally worse than the [[Asp Explorer]], the latter which is considerably more expensive. Once engineered, the Dolphin can reach jump ranges approaching 70 ly. The Dolphin also has excellent [[heat]] management compared to most other ships and will rarely exceed 70% heat even when fuel scooping and charging its Frame Shift Drive simultaneously. With 9 optional module slots—the same number of slots as the [[Krait Phantom]] and 1 more than both the [[Diamondback Explorer]] and Asp Explorer—the Dolphin can be outfitted with all the standard modules for exploration, including a class 5 [[Guardian Frame Shift Drive Booster]], a [[Fuel Scoop]], two [[Auto Field-Maintenance Unit]]s, and a [[Planetary Vehicle Hangar]]; removing [[Supercruise Assist]] and the [[Advanced Docking Computer]] frees up enough slots for a [[Repair Limpet Controller]] and [[Cargo Rack]] for storing limpets. Furthermore, the Dolphin is well suited for [[exobiologist|exobiology]] as its smaller profile makes it easier to land on uneven terrain versus medium and large ships. However, the Dolphin's 16 t fuel tank can be a hindrance during long-distance travel, as it requires more frequent refuels while traversing multiple star systems and limits extended use of Supercruise Overcharge for quickly crossing large distances within systems.
 
Passenger missions are its focus and it does them more effectively than most other ships. It has one slot for a Luxury Passenger Cabin and plenty of space for more passengers alongside. With its very high jump range this makes it great at doing long-range passenger missions, including those looking to go thousands of light-years. It is not as good for bulk missions as it has low compartment space.


Overall, the Dolphin is a stylish exploration ship, the most efficient choice for transporting luxury VIP passengers, and a reasonable alternative to the trade focused Type-6 Transporter, but any combat activities should be avoided.
Overall, the Dolphin is a stylish exploration ship, the most efficient choice for transporting VIP passengers, and a reasonable alternative to the trade focused Type-6 Transporter, but any combat activities should be avoided.


[[File:Convergence dolphin.png|thumb|250px|Dolphin hardpoint convergence]]
[[File:Convergence dolphin.png|thumb|250px|Dolphin hardpoint convergence]]