Viper Mk IV: Difference between revisions

Added Overview section with expansion
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{{quote|Faulcon deLacy's Viper MkIV takes the MkIII model and beefs it up to a heavy fighter role. While it lacks the speed of the older ship, it enjoys much better protection from its shields and armour. With the capacity for a more capable powerplant and frame shift drive, the MkIV is also better suited for long-range patrols and rapid deployment. The powerplant upgrade potential supports greater customization for weapons and modules, making this a versatile fighter that would be and excellent addition to any navy or private-security concern.|In-Game Description}}The '''Viper MkIV''', built by [[Faulcon DeLacy]], is a heavy fighter craft designed for ship-to-ship combat superiority. Its improved internal capabilities, such as its ability to fit a class-4 [[Power Plant|power plant]], make it more capable as a multirole fighter compared to the [[Viper MkIII]], of which it is the successor.<sup><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/node/291 Dev Update (17/09/2015)]</ref></sup>
{{quote|Faulcon deLacy's Viper MkIV takes the MkIII model and beefs it up to a heavy fighter role. While it lacks the speed of the older ship, it enjoys much better protection from its shields and armour. With the capacity for a more capable powerplant and frame shift drive, the MkIV is also better suited for long-range patrols and rapid deployment. The powerplant upgrade potential supports greater customization for weapons and modules, making this a versatile fighter that would be and excellent addition to any navy or private-security concern.|In-Game Description}}The '''Viper MkIV''', built by [[Faulcon DeLacy]], is a heavy fighter craft designed for ship-to-ship combat superiority. Its improved internal capabilities, such as its ability to fit a class-4 [[Power Plant|power plant]], make it more capable as a multirole fighter compared to the [[Viper MkIII]], of which it is the successor.<sup><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/node/291 Dev Update (17/09/2015)]</ref></sup>


The Viper MkIV has a delta-shaped hull which is significantly wider than the MkIII. The cockpit is situated just behind the bow, slightly raised. Compared to the MkIII, the MkIV's cockpit is less exposed.
==Overview==
The Viper MkiV is a variant of the MKIII; sacrificing mobility for armour and multirole. Its appearance is almost identical the to MkIII and it can be extremely difficult to tell the two apart, especially with the former's ship kit.  


The MkIV lands on two small rear struts and one large front strut which doubles as a boarding ramp to the cockpit.
By default, the MkIV has weaker shields than the MkIII due to its higher hull mass. However, the MkIV is capable of fitting a larger, class-4 [[Shield Generator|shield generator]], unlike the MkIII's class-3. This, combined with an improved hull, gives the MkIV superior protection. These improvements over the MkIII come with the drawbacks of slightly reduced manoeuvrability and speed. The MkIV also features a larger hull, which makes it a bigger target. Like the MkIII, it has poor [[heat]] dissipation. Prolonged usage of high-output modules easily pushes the ship's temperature over its cooling capacity. This makes it easy to take out with nimble ships like [[Eagle]] and [[Cobra MkIII|Cobra]] and has the disadvantage in a direct firefight against a Viper MkIII.


By default, the MkIV has weaker shields than the MkIII due to its higher hull mass. However, the MkIV is capable of fitting a larger, class-4 [[Shield Generator|shield generator]], unlike the MkIII's class-3. This, combined with an improved hull, gives the MkIV superior protection.
The Viper MkIV's hardpoint options are identical to its predecessor. It has two small [[hardpoints]] located on either side of the cockpit and two medium hardpoints located beneath it. However, unlike the Viper MkIII (which has underside-mounted class-2 medium hardpoints on a horizontally flat plane), the class-2 medium hardpoints of the MkIV are on a slightly angled part of the hull. Overall the Viper MIV is a trade of mobility for defences and can more appealing to commanders used to bulkier ships. Whether it is better or worse comes down to player preference and skill, however, it does have a much higher pricetag. The higher cargo capacity also makes it a more viable pirate to carry loot, however, it is worse at interdicting ships.


These improvements over the MkIII come with the drawbacks of slightly reduced manoeuvrability and speed. The MkIV also features a larger hull, which makes it a bigger target. Like the MkIII, it has poor [[heat]] dissipation. Prolonged usage of high-output modules easily pushes the ship's temperature over its cooling capacity.
The Viper MIV can be useful in multirole. With 50T of capactiy it is a surprisingly effective trader for a fighter class and an average jump range lets the ship take on an explorer role. The issue is that its price puts it above the [[Cobra MkIII]] which is a far better multirole ship and is also just as effective in combat. The Viper MkIV can be seen as a more combat focus alternative to the [[Cobra MkIII|Cobra]].


The Viper MkIV's hardpoint options are identical to its predecessor. It has two small [[hardpoints]] located on either side of the cockpit and two medium hardpoints located beneath it. However, unlike the Viper MkIII (which has underside-mounted class-2 medium hardpoints on a horizontally flat plane), the class-2 medium hardpoints of the MkIV are on a slightly angled part of the hull.
The Viper MkIV's underside-mounted class-2 medium hardpoints have a fairly narrow field of fire. Because they are placed further down the ship, gimballed and turreted weapons cannot aim very far above the center crosshair without the front of the ship obstructing their line of fire. The two class-1 small hardpoints, which are placed in front of the cockpit of the ship, do not suffer from this problem. The Viper MkIV has a delta-shaped hull which is significantly wider than the MkIII. The cockpit is situated just behind the bow, slightly raised. Compared to the MkIII, the MkIV's cockpit is less exposed. The MkIV lands on two small rear struts and one large front strut which doubles as a boarding ramp to the cockpit.


The Viper MkIV's underside-mounted class-2 medium hardpoints have a fairly narrow field of fire. Because they are placed further down the ship, gimballed and turreted weapons cannot aim very far above the center crosshair without the front of the ship obstructing their line of fire. The two class-1 small hardpoints, which are placed in front of the cockpit of the ship, do not suffer from this problem.
While the Viper MkIV has no Ship Kit, it seems to have several pieces of the Viper MKIII kit permanently attached.


==Purchase Locations==
==Purchase Locations==
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* At the EGX event [[David Braben]] said it ''"trades a bit of manoeuvrability and speed for better internals, but it's got the same hardpoint layout as the standard [[Viper MkIII|Viper]]"''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Em7TLwFifE&t=31m Elite Dangerous EGX panel livestream]</ref>
* At the EGX event [[David Braben]] said it ''"trades a bit of manoeuvrability and speed for better internals, but it's got the same hardpoint layout as the standard [[Viper MkIII|Viper]]"''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Em7TLwFifE&t=31m Elite Dangerous EGX panel livestream]</ref>
* In Newsletter #92 it was stated that every Kickstarter beta backer or above will find a Viper MkIV docked at a [[starport]] for free.<ref>[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=5fd2c5476a Elite: Dangerous Newsletter #92]</ref>
* In Newsletter #92 it was stated that every Kickstarter beta backer or above will find a Viper MkIV docked at a [[starport]] for free.<ref>[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=5fd2c5476a Elite: Dangerous Newsletter #92]</ref>
* Along with the Cobra and Viper MkIII, the MkIV is one of the most common ships piloted by security forces.


==Videos==
==Videos==