Sidewinder: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Convergence sidewinder.png|thumb|250px|Sidewinder hardpoint convergence]] | [[File:Convergence sidewinder.png|thumb|250px|Sidewinder hardpoint convergence]] | ||
The Sidewinder's two | The Sidewinder's two Small Hardpoints are located in front of and just below the cockpit, on the ship's frontal surface. The cockpit itself has only a single pilot seat, and the Sidewinder cannot utilize [[Multicrew]]. | ||
== Purchase Locations == | == Purchase Locations == | ||
Revision as of 00:40, 31 October 2020
Template:Quote The Sidewinder MkI is a ship manufactured by Faulcon DeLacy. The Sidewinder was originally released in 2982 as a light support ship and lacked any jump capability until the advent of the Frame Shift Drive, which was compact enough to allow jump-capable versions to be produced. As a small, inexpensive vessel designed to tackle a variety of roles, including light transport and combat, the Sidewinder is often the first ship that a newly-registered Pilots Federation pilot will fly and own. Its dependability, versatility, and agility combine to make it a useful all-rounder and an excellent choice for green and experienced pilots alike. Some independent navies still use the Sidewinder as fighters and patrol craft, and it is also one of the four vessels permitted in the CQC Championship.[1][2]
Overview
The Sidewinder MkI is a low-cost starter craft given to newly-licensed pilots. In the event that a pilot loses their current ship, they can elect to accept a Sidewinder on loan from the Pilots Federation if they are unable to afford a replacement for the destroyed ship or do not want a replacement.
Although the Sidewinder is cheap, it is not harmless, and is one of the most agile ships available. In particular, it can out-turn most other ships, being topped in that category only by the Eagle MkII, and Vulture, and has solid lateral thrust. It is, however, one of the slowest-moving and weakest-hulled ships available. Only the Anaconda and certain dedicated trading ships have slower maximum speeds, and only the Eagle MkII has a weaker hull.
The Sidewinder is therefore an acceptable ship in combat, but lacks firepower. When flying one, using its excellent turning to lock opponents into circling matches, and burning away opposite of the enemy to escape are advised tactics. When fighting a Sidewinder, keep it at range and lay down heavy fire if the current ship cannot outmanoeuvre it, and it should be destroyed quickly; with a ship that can keep up with its turning, close in and blast away, making sure to stay away from its front. While it has terrible damage output, it still beats out Hauler for damage and is better than Type-6 Transporter and Dolphin in combat, due to superior mobility and cheaper price.
As a trader, the Sidewinder is has the worst performance of all ships. With a cargo capacity of only 12T it's rare to find missions that even allow such small cargo transfer. Therefore, its advisable to make profit with data delivery missions and small cargo missions until either Hauler or Adder become options. The same applies to its role as a miner.
With approximately 24ly of potential jump range, (with some outfitting, but before engineering,) the Sidewinder is not a terrible option for exploration and can be a good introduction to the role. However, most of the time, it's favorable to skip the sidewinder entirely regarding exploration. Instead, it is recommended to outfit an equivalent long-range Hauler, as it has a significantly higher jump-range for a minuscule increase in price tag.
Overall, the Sidewinder fulfills its purpose as a starter ship perfectly. It is capable in most roles, but is one of the worst choices in each individual role, even when specialised for them. The Sidewinder lets pilots come to grips with what exactly they want to do to earn credits before upgrading to something better, though experienced and wealthy pilots may enjoy keeping one on hand for joyriding.
The Sidewinder's two Small Hardpoints are located in front of and just below the cockpit, on the ship's frontal surface. The cockpit itself has only a single pilot seat, and the Sidewinder cannot utilize Multicrew.
Purchase Locations
The Sidewinder is the cheapest and most common ship on the market. It can be purchased at the vast majority of shipyards, and is the only ship available at Detention Centres.
Outfitting
- Main article: Outfitting
All ships are highly customisable through the Outfitting menu of Station Services. Listed below is the default load-out for the Sidewinder MkI.
| Category | Slot Size | Size | Grade | Module | Cost | Module Power Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidewinder MkI (Stock) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 31,000 | -- |
| Core Internal | -- | L | -- | Lightweight Alloy | -- | -- |
| 2 | 2 | E | Power Plant | -- | -- | |
| 2 | 2 | E | Thrusters | -- | 1 | |
| 2 | 2 | E | Frame Shift Drive | -- | 1 | |
| 1 | 1 | E | Life Support | -- | 1 | |
| 1 | 1 | E | Power Distributor | -- | 1 | |
| 1 | 1 | E | Sensors | -- | 1 | |
| 1 | 1 | C | Fuel Tank | -- | -- | |
| Optional Internal | 2 | 2 | E | Shield Generator | -- | 1 |
| 2 | 2 | E | Cargo Rack | -- | -- | |
| 1 | -- | -- | [Empty] | -- | -- | |
| 1 | -- | -- | [Empty] | -- | -- | |
| 1 | -- | -- | [Empty] | -- | -- | |
| 1 | -- | -- | [Empty] | -- | -- | |
| Hardpoints | S | 1 | G | Gimballed Pulse Laser | -- | 1 |
| S | 1 | G | Gimballed Pulse Laser | -- | 1 | |
| Utility | U | - | - | [Empty] | -- | -- |
| U | - | - | [Empty] | -- | -- |
For beginner Commanders, the Sidewinder is a decent option for Exploration. Below is a recommended loadout for new Commanders looking to jump into exploration. As an alternative to this, a nearly equivalent Hauler is highly recommended for the increased jump range and better Fuel Scoop/Fuel Tank.
| Category | Slot Size | Size | Grade | Module | Cost | Module Power Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner Exploration Sidewinder MkI (Total) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 648,259 | -- |
| Core Internal | -- | L | -- | Lightweight Alloy | -- | -- |
| 2 | 2 | D | Power Plant | 5,930 | -- | |
| 2 | 2 | D | Thrusters | 5,930 | 1 | |
| 2 | 2 | A | Frame Shift Drive | 160,220 | 1 | |
| 1 | 1 | D | Life Support | 1,290 | 1 | |
| 1 | 1 | D | Power Distributor | 1,290 | 2 | |
| 1 | 1 | D | Sensors | 1,290 | 1 | |
| 1 | 1 | C | Fuel Tank | -- | -- | |
| Optional Internal | 2 | 2 | C | Fuel Scoop | 17,800 | 4 |
| 2 | 2 | D | Shield Generator | 5,930 | 2 | |
| 1 | 1 | C | Auto Field-Maintenance Unit | 90,000 | 2 | |
| 1 | 1 | C | Auto Field-Maintenance Unit | 90,000 | 2 | |
| 1 | 1 | E | Advanced Docking Computer | 13,509 | 4 | |
| 1 | 1 | I | Detailed Surface Scanner | 250,000 | 4 | |
| Hardpoints | S | -- | -- | [Empty] | -- | 1 |
| S | -- | -- | [Empty] | -- | 1 | |
| Utility | U | -- | -- | [Empty] | -- | -- |
| U | -- | -- | [Empty] | -- | -- | |
| Other (Cargo Hatch) | -- | -- | -- | Cargo Hatch | -- | 5 [Disabled] |
Notes
- The Sidewinder MkI is equipped with a DeLacy Spin Ionic MV.
- The official Elite Dangerous Player's Guide explains the lore behind why players start with a loaned Sidewinder: "Every player starts as a new member of the Pilots Federation. After being notified of your successful membership a secret benefactor has a transmission delivered to you with a secure code. It gives you access to a starship account that's preconfigured with your credentials. This is how you gain an indefinitely loaned and insured Sidewinder. Behind this windfall is a secret organisation which seeks those with the potential to become real movers and shakers who can mould and shape the galaxy. This gift is a test so they can see whether you have those qualities."[3]
Trivia
- The Sidewinder MkI length (14.9 m) is similar to a General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon (15.06 m).[4]
- Larger ships such as Anaconda are capable of carrying a Sidewinder in-universe but this is currently not possible in-game.
- On December 16, 2019, it was reported that the longest total distance travelled by a single Sidewinder was 167,277 LY, a feat accomplished by CMDR RinceWindCymru.[5]
Videos
Gallery
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Sidewinder MkI blueprint
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Over heating sidewinder
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A Sidewinder found adrift in a signal source debris field
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A Sidewinder MkI with ship kit
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Faulcon DeLacy Sidewinder Blueprint
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Sidewinder and a planet
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Sidewinder underside and a station
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Sidewinder MkI in an asteroid ring
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Sidewinder MkI in CQC
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Sidewinder MkI front docked
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Sidewinder MkI pirate ship
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Sidewinder MkI heat vents and a neutron star
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Sidewinder MkI mining
