Kestrel Mk II: Difference between revisions
No need to add a comma to "24th February, 2026" simple is 24 February 2026 (or 24 Feb 2026) or 24th of February 2026. Logical order is Day Month Year. |
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{{quote|The Kestrel is a purpose-built combat fighter engineered for speed, agility and lethal efficiency. Its compact frame and high-thrust maneuverability make it exceptionally effective in close-combat, interception, and rapid strike operations. The ship's sharper handling and turn of speed is also complemented with its ability to handle supercharged FSDs. In the hands of a skilled fighter pilot the Kestrel will prove itself to be unmatched.|In-Game Description}} | {{quote|The Kestrel is a purpose-built combat fighter engineered for speed, agility and lethal efficiency. Its compact frame and high-thrust maneuverability make it exceptionally effective in close-combat, interception, and rapid strike operations. The ship's sharper handling and turn of speed is also complemented with its ability to handle supercharged FSDs. In the hands of a skilled fighter pilot the Kestrel will prove itself to be unmatched.|In-Game Description}} | ||
The '''Kestrel Mk II''' is a small combat [[Ships|ship]] produced by [[Core Dynamics]]. Designed with maximum agility in mind, the | The '''Kestrel Mk II''' is a small combat [[Ships|ship]] produced by [[Core Dynamics]]. Designed with maximum agility in mind, the Kestrel is the most maneuverable ship to date.<ref name=":1">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNYo_yRsSws Kestrel Mk II Review – Medium-Ship Firepower in a Small Frame | Elite Dangerous] - Mile 13 Gaming - YouTube - 22 Feb 2026</ref> Early access purchase with [[ARX]] began on 24 February 2026.<ref name=":0">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf2wuh_09eo Elite Dangerous | Developer Log - 16 February 2026] - YouTube</ref><ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/elite-dangerous-kestrel-mk-ii-update-out-now.645581/ Elite Dangerous | Kestrel Mk II Update Out Now!] - 24 Feb 2026 - Frontier Forums</ref> It is estimated to become available with [[credits]] for all [[Elite Dangerous: Odyssey|Odyssey]] owners, approximately 3 months after release.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The | The Kestrel Mk II is an extremely agile fighter developed by Core Dynamics for the Federal Navy, intended to replace the aging fleet of [[Vulture|Vultures]], and counter Gutamaya's new [[Corsair|Corsairs]]. | ||
The | The 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 | The Kestrel Mk II features a generous array of weapon [[Hardpoint|hardpoints]]: two Class 1 hardpoints are located on both sides and slightly in front of the cockpit, one Class 3 hardpoint behind the cockpit on top of the fuselage, as well as two Class 3 hardpoints underneath the front wings. The ship also features four Utility Mounts. | ||
Core Dynamics chose to sacrifice the | Core Dynamics chose to sacrifice the Kestrel’s internal space and raw armor protection, in pursuit of maximum speed and maneuverability. The wing-mounted reaction thrusters share design similarities with that of sentry skimmers, such as the [[S4 Sentry]] or the [[S9 Goliath]], although the Kestrel's thrusters do not deflect nearly as much as those of the drones. | ||
The ship features a size 5 [[Power Plant]] and a size 5 [[Power Distributor]]. A polymer weave hull structure enables full use of [[Frame Shift Drive (SCO)|Supercruise Overcharge]] technology, and is equipped with a Size 4 [[Frame Shift Drive]] bay. Size 1 Life Support and Size 2 Sensors round up the Core Internal selection. | The ship features a size 5 [[Power Plant]] and a size 5 [[Power Distributor]]. A polymer weave hull structure enables full use of [[Frame Shift Drive (SCO)|Supercruise Overcharge]] technology, and is equipped with a Size 4 [[Frame Shift Drive]] bay. Size 1 Life Support and Size 2 Sensors round up the Core Internal selection. | ||
The | The Kestrel, due to its stripped-down nature, features a rather limited selection of optional internals. Featuring eight internal compartments, of which there are: one Size 5, two Size 4, one Size 3, three Size 2 compartments, and one Size 1 compartment. It should be noted that one of the Size 4 compartments is restricted for military modules only. | ||
The | The Kestrel Mk II also continues the trend of ships featuring unique modules. The Kestrel coincidentally features two modules exclusive to it: the Mk II Maneuvering Thrusters, and the Plasma Shock Accelerator Mk II. | ||
== Capabilities == | == Capabilities == | ||
=== Combat === | === Combat === | ||
The new drives give the | The new drives give the Kestrel Mk II incredible maneuverability, allowing it to simply run circles around larger vessels like the [[Anaconda]] or the [[Imperial Cutter]], and even if the bigger ship does manage to land a hit, the Kestrel packs surprisingly durable shields. The Plasma Shock Accelerator Mk II functions much like the standard [[Shock Cannon]], although it is fully automatic, and has a much larger ammunition reserve. It excels at short range, although its forgiving spread pattern allows for reasonably effective mid-range fire. It must be noted that the Plasma Shock Accelerator Mk II cannot be engineered at the time of writing this article. | ||
Many players have noted that the ship is ''too'' maneuverable, making target acquisition very difficult, especially while boosting. | Many players have noted that the ship is ''too'' maneuverable, making target acquisition very difficult, especially while boosting. | ||
=== Other === | === Other === | ||
The | The Kestrel Mk II is a pure-bred combat ship, and is wholly unsuitable for other roles, such as [[Trader|trading]] or [[Miner|mining]], and its undersized FSD bay limits is capability as an [[explorer]]. | ||
Its only secondary role is as a racing vessel, where its maneuverability and speed shine that much brighter, similarly to the [[Viper Mk III]]. | Its only secondary role is as a racing vessel, where its maneuverability and speed shine that much brighter, similarly to the [[Viper Mk III]]. | ||
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==Outfitting== | ==Outfitting== | ||
All ships are highly customizable through the [[Outfitting]] menu of Station Services. Listed below is the default loadout for the | All ships are highly customizable through the [[Outfitting]] menu of Station Services. Listed below is the default loadout for the Kestrel Mk II. | ||
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