Alliance Crusader
Template:Quote The Alliance Crusader is a ship manufactured by Lakon Spaceways for the Alliance. It represents a middle-ground between the Alliance Chieftain and the Alliance Challenger,[1] combining heavy firepower with a Fighter Hangar for Ship-Launched Fighters and two additional pilot seats to accommodate Multicrew.[2] While the inclusion of the Fighter Hangar has resulted in a noticeable decrease in overall speed and manoeuvrability, Lakon is confident that the Crusader can hold its own in any combat situation, especially against the Thargoids.[3]
Overview
The third ship in the Alliance faction ship series and the second variant of the Alliance Chieftain, the Alliance Crusader's primary advantage over the other two Alliance ships is its ability to equip a Fighter Hangar for Ship-Launched Fighters, a feature that both the Chieftain and the Alliance Challenger lack. Consequently, it also boasts an additional pilot seat for Multicrew, giving it a total of three seats versus the two of its companion ships.
The Alliance Crusader possesses an almost identical Hardpoint layout to the Alliance Chieftain, but trades one Class 3 Hardpoint for one Class 2 Hardpoint, making it comparable to a Federal Assault Ship in terms of base firepower. Its increased mass also drags its manoeuvrability down, somewhat hindering its capability as a pure combat vessel compared to the more agile Chieftain and Challenger. Fortunately, the Crusader can compensate for its reduced Hardpoints and agility with Ship-Launched Fighters, resulting in it being a stronger option for combat than it would appear to be at first glance.
The Crusader retains the three Military Compartments found in both of its predecessors, but trades the Chieftain's single Class 4 Internal Compartment for two Class 3 slots. This alteration provides slightly more flexibility in terms of module selection, but results in the same maximum cargo capacity as the Chieftain: 120t.
The Alliance Crusader is most commonly available in Alliance systems. Despite its name and affiliation, it requires no rank or reputation with the Alliance to purchase.
Purchase Locations
| System | Station | Date Seen | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinrarta Dezhra | Jameson Memorial | Always available | 10% discount |
| Brestla | i Sola Prospect | Always available | 20% surcharge |
| Ross 490 | Dunyach Enterprise | Aug. 28, 2018 | |
| Huokang | Steiner City | Aug. 28, 2018 | |
| Bragurom Du | Pellegrino STation | Aug. 28, 2018 | |
| Rahu | Acharya Station | Aug. 28, 2018 | |
| LHS 2771 | Sarafanov Vision | Aug. 28, 2018 | |
| Wolf 406 | Hamilton Gateway | Aug. 28, 2018 | |
| Lagrange Gateway | Ringardha | Aug. 28, 2018 |
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 Alliance Crusader.
| Category | Default System | Default Rating | Default Class | Max Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Hardpoint | Empty | -- | -- | 1 |
| Empty | -- | -- | 1 | |
| Empty | -- | -- | 1 | |
| Medium Hardpoint | Pulse Laser (L) | F | 1 | 2 |
| Pulse Laser (L) | F | 1 | 2 | |
| Large Hardpoint | Empty | -- | -- | 3 |
| Utility Mount | Empty | -- | -- | 0 |
| Empty | -- | -- | 0 | |
| Empty | -- | -- | 0 | |
| Empty | -- | -- | 0 | |
| Bulkheads | Lightweight Alloys | C | 1 | 8 |
| Reactor Bay | Power Plant | E | 6 | 6 |
| Thrusters Mounting | Thrusters | E | 6 | 6 |
| Frame Shift Drive Housing | Frame Shift Drive | E | 5 | 5 |
| Environment Control | Life Support | E | 5 | 5 |
| Power Coupling | Power Distributor | E | 6 | 6 |
| Sensor Suite | Sensors | E | 4 | 4 |
| Fuel Store | Fuel Tank [x16] | C | 4 | 4 |
| Internal Compartments | Cargo Rack [x32] | E | 5 | 6 |
| Shield Generator | E | 5 | 5 | |
| Cargo Rack [x4] | E | 2 | 3 | |
| Cargo Rack [x4] | E | 2 | 3 | |
| BDS | E | 1 | 2 | |
| Empty | -- | -- | 2 | |
| Military Compartments | Empty | -- | -- | 4 |
| Empty | -- | -- | 4 | |
| Empty | -- | -- | 4 |
- (L) = Loaned
- [x#] = Capacity
- BDS = Basic Discovery Scanner
Notes
- The Alliance Crusader was released with the Chapter Three (3.2) update of Elite Dangerous: Beyond on August 28, 2018.
- The Alliance Crusader's name was accidentally first revealed on the Frontier Store shortly after the release of the 3.1 update. It was promptly removed, leading many to believe that "Alliance Crusader" was an old internal name for the Alliance Challenger rather than a new ship.[4]
Trivia
- Like the Alliance Chieftain and Alliance Challenger, the Alliance Crusader is named after a British tank, the A15 Crusader.
- Visually, the Crusader has an identical body to the Alliance Challenger, however its wings are instead those found on the Alliance Chieftain.
Gallery
- Alliance Crusader
- Alliance Crusader rear
- Alliance Challenger and Chieftain and Crusader
- Guardian Javelin and Alliance Crusader
- Alliance Crusader vs Thargoid Cyclops Interceptor
