Kestrel Mk II: Difference between revisions

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==Overview==

The Kestrel Mk II is a reimagining of the original Kestrel Airfighter of ''[[Frontier: Elite II]]''. The Kestrel was derived from an atmospheric fighter and featured high marks for acceleration. It was often used as a fast courier or, in large numbers, a planetary attack craft.

The Kestrel Mk II is an extremely effective and dynamic Federal fighter ship by Core Dynamics, which replaced its aging predecessor, the Vulture, serving as the answer to Gutamaya's [[Imperial Eagle]] and [[Corsair]]. The Kestrel Mk II is a reimagining of the original Kestrel Airfighter of ''[[Frontier: Elite II]]''. The Kestrel was derived from an atmospheric fighter and featured high marks for acceleration. It was often used as a fast courier or, in large numbers, a planetary attack craft. The second ancestor is the [[Eagle]], because it has the same 1 pilot cockpit seat.

~~The cockpit has 1 pilot seat and is similar to the [[Eagle]].~~ The weapon hardpoints are located as follows: two class 1 hardpoints in front of the cockpit, one class 3 hardpoint above and behind the cockpit and two side-mounted class 3 hardpoints under the lower wings.

The weapon hardpoints are located as follows: two class 1 hardpoints in front of the cockpit, one class 3 hardpoint above and behind the cockpit and two side-mounted class 3 hardpoints under the lower wings.

Core Dynamics, used its own [[Core Dynamics Composites|composites]], made it expensive, highly maneuverable, and capacious. However, this came at the expense of hull thickness and durability, which was a positive tradeoff. Its armor rating is 126. The size 5 maneuvering [[thrusters]] are repurposed from [[Drone|drones]], although the Kestrel's thrusters only rotate slightly. [[Federation]] ships are known for their massive firepower, and the Kestrel Mk II has three large and two small slots. The power system consists of a size 5 [[Power Plant]] and a size 5 [[Power Distributor]]. The ship is adapted for [[Frame Shift Drive (SCO)|overcharge]] and is equipped with a size 4 FSD drive. The size 2 [[Sensors]] and size 1 [[Life Support]] were trimmed to meet market demand for lighter weight. External equipment consists of four slots, while internal additional equipment consists of three size 2 slots, one each of size 5, size 3, and size 1, and two size 4 slots, one of which is a [[Fighter Hangar]].

The Kestrel Mk II continues the series of ships featuring unique modules available only to the Mk II. On the Kestrel Mk II, these are presented as the new "Mk II Maneuvering Thrusters" (not to be confused with the Mk II Gravity-enabled Maneuvering Thrusters for the Caspian Explorer), and a new weapon—the "Plasma Shock Accelerator Mk II", which is similar in operation and functionality to a standard [[Shock Cannon]], but fires [[Plasma Slug|Plasma Slugs]] from the [[Fuel Tank|fuel tank]], similar to the experimental "Plasma Railgun" effect. According to initial tests[2], the PShA has 100% absolute damage, unlike classic plasma accelerators, which deal only 60% absolute damage, 20% kinetic damage, and 20% thermal damage. This means that the Kestrel simply ignores any resistance with its unique weapon. However, the PShA significantly heats up the ship when fired intensively over several volleys.

=== Combat Capabilities ===

The new engines give it tremendous maneuverability. Many players note that it's too maneuverable, and its sharp turns and trajectory shifts take some getting used to. However, this high maneuverability is only available with [[Boost Speed]]. Without boost, pitch, roll, and yaw will seem mediocre, but still respectable. A basic variant with new, engineer-improved engines and a blueprint, [[Dirty Thrusters|dirty thrusters]] tune will turn the ship in seconds. With afterburners, the Kestrel Mk II has very strong lateral acceleration, similar to that of standard cruise engines. A single Mk II Plasma Shock Accelerator deals 109 absolute damage at 100% per second, and the ship's fuel consumption allows for ammo reserves to be kept under control. The maximum firing range is 3 km, and the armor penetration is 60. Its accuracy doesn't allow for long-range attacks, but the spread isn't particularly wide. A major drawback, which at least brings some balance, is that the Plasma Shock Accelerator Mk II, like the standard [[Shock Cannon]], cannot be upgraded by [[Engineers]]. While they aren't required, the presence of a classic [[Advanced Plasma Accelerator|Plasma Accelerator]] or a [[Pacifier Frag-Cannon]] makes it no less dangerous for humans, and an upgraded [[Enhanced AX Multi-cannon]] is equally dangerous for [[Thargoid|Thargoids]].

Armor and shields, when equipped with modules upgraded by Engineers, such as Shield and Hull Amplifiers, will reach a combined hull integrity of 3,000-5,000. This, combined with its small size and good maneuverability, makes the Kestrel Mk II a very durable ship, and in the hands of an experienced pilot skilled in maneuverable combat, one of the most dangerous ships in the game.

=== Other Capabilities ===

The Kestrel Mk II is a combat ship, and there's no point in using it as an explorer or trader. Its only secondary role is as a racing fighter for dangerous races in tight rings or deep ravines.

The Kestrel Mk II is a reimagining of the original Kestrel Airfighter from Frontier: Elite II. Based on an atmospheric fighter, the Kestrel boasted high acceleration. It was often used as a fast courier or, in large numbers, as a planetary attack aircraft.

'''Kestrel Mk II''' is a combat ship thus it makes no sense to turn it into an explorer or trader. The only secondary role is a racing fighter for dangerous races in dense [[Planetary Ring System|planetary rings]] or deep [[canyons]].

== Purchase Locations==

@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 ==Overview==
-The Kestrel Mk II is a reimagining of the original Kestrel Airfighter of ''[[Frontier: Elite II]]''. The Kestrel was derived from an atmospheric fighter and featured high marks for acceleration. It was often used as a fast courier or, in large numbers, a planetary attack craft.
+The Kestrel Mk II is an extremely effective and dynamic Federal fighter ship by Core Dynamics, which replaced its aging predecessor, the Vulture, serving as the answer to Gutamaya's [[Imperial Eagle]] and [[Corsair]]. The Kestrel Mk II is a reimagining of the original Kestrel Airfighter of ''[[Frontier: Elite II]]''. The Kestrel was derived from an atmospheric fighter and featured high marks for acceleration. It was often used as a fast courier or, in large numbers, a planetary attack craft. The second ancestor is the [[Eagle]], because it has the same 1 pilot cockpit seat.
-The cockpit has 1 pilot seat and is similar to the [[Eagle]]. The weapon hardpoints are located as follows: two class 1 hardpoints in front of the cockpit, one class 3 hardpoint above and behind the cockpit and two side-mounted class 3 hardpoints under the lower wings.
+The weapon hardpoints are located as follows: two class 1 hardpoints in front of the cockpit, one class 3 hardpoint above and behind the cockpit and two side-mounted class 3 hardpoints under the lower wings.
+Core Dynamics, used its own [[Core Dynamics Composites|composites]], made it expensive, highly maneuverable, and capacious. However, this came at the expense of hull thickness and durability, which was a positive tradeoff. Its armor rating is 126. The size 5 maneuvering [[thrusters]] are repurposed from [[Drone|drones]], although the Kestrel's thrusters only rotate slightly. [[Federation]] ships are known for their massive firepower, and the Kestrel Mk II has three large and two small slots. The power system consists of a size 5 [[Power Plant]] and a size 5 [[Power Distributor]]. The ship is adapted for [[Frame Shift Drive (SCO)|overcharge]] and is equipped with a size 4 FSD drive. The size 2 [[Sensors]] and size 1 [[Life Support]] were trimmed to meet market demand for lighter weight. External equipment consists of four slots, while internal additional equipment consists of three size 2 slots, one each of size 5, size 3, and size 1, and two size 4 slots, one of which is a [[Fighter Hangar]].
+The Kestrel Mk II continues the series of ships featuring unique modules available only to the Mk II. On the Kestrel Mk II, these are presented as the new "Mk II Maneuvering Thrusters" (not to be confused with the Mk II Gravity-enabled Maneuvering Thrusters for the Caspian Explorer), and a new weapon—the "Plasma Shock Accelerator Mk II", which is similar in operation and functionality to a standard [[Shock Cannon]], but fires [[Plasma Slug|Plasma Slugs]] from the [[Fuel Tank|fuel tank]], similar to the experimental "Plasma Railgun" effect. According to initial tests[2], the PShA has 100% absolute damage, unlike classic plasma accelerators, which deal only 60% absolute damage, 20% kinetic damage, and 20% thermal damage. This means that the Kestrel simply ignores any resistance with its unique weapon. However, the PShA significantly heats up the ship when fired intensively over several volleys.
+=== Combat Capabilities ===
+The new engines give it tremendous maneuverability. Many players note that it's too maneuverable, and its sharp turns and trajectory shifts take some getting used to. However, this high maneuverability is only available with [[Boost Speed]]. Without boost, pitch, roll, and yaw will seem mediocre, but still respectable. A basic variant with new, engineer-improved engines and a blueprint, [[Dirty Thrusters|dirty thrusters]] tune will turn the ship in seconds. With afterburners, the Kestrel Mk II has very strong lateral acceleration, similar to that of standard cruise engines. A single Mk II Plasma Shock Accelerator deals 109 absolute damage at 100% per second, and the ship's fuel consumption allows for ammo reserves to be kept under control. The maximum firing range is 3 km, and the armor penetration is 60. Its accuracy doesn't allow for long-range attacks, but the spread isn't particularly wide. A major drawback, which at least brings some balance, is that the Plasma Shock Accelerator Mk II, like the standard [[Shock Cannon]], cannot be upgraded by [[Engineers]]. While they aren't required, the presence of a classic [[Advanced Plasma Accelerator|Plasma Accelerator]] or a [[Pacifier Frag-Cannon]] makes it no less dangerous for humans, and an upgraded [[Enhanced AX Multi-cannon]] is equally dangerous for [[Thargoid|Thargoids]].
+Armor and shields, when equipped with modules upgraded by Engineers, such as Shield and Hull Amplifiers, will reach a combined hull integrity of 3,000-5,000. This, combined with its small size and good maneuverability, makes the Kestrel Mk II a very durable ship, and in the hands of an experienced pilot skilled in maneuverable combat, one of the most dangerous ships in the game.
+=== Other Capabilities ===
+The Kestrel Mk II is a combat ship, and there's no point in using it as an explorer or trader. Its only secondary role is as a racing fighter for dangerous races in tight rings or deep ravines.
+The Kestrel Mk II is a reimagining of the original Kestrel Airfighter from Frontier: Elite II. Based on an atmospheric fighter, the Kestrel boasted high acceleration. It was often used as a fast courier or, in large numbers, as a planetary attack aircraft.
+'''Kestrel Mk II''' is a combat ship thus it makes no sense to turn it into an explorer or trader. The only secondary role is a racing fighter for dangerous races in dense [[Planetary Ring System|planetary rings]] or deep [[canyons]].
 == Purchase Locations==

Kestrel Mk II: Difference between revisions

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