Dolphin: Difference between revisions

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 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.

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.

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.