Snub-Fighters Becoming Obsolete?

[Xenorak]

This is something that's come to mind with the recent additions in "bike" type vehicles like the Nox and the X1.

I own both the P-52 Merlin and P-72 Archimedes snub-fighter ships, currently I can currently only use the P-52 of course, its a neat little vessel mounting 2 S1 weapons with an in-line 20mm Gatling Cannon. However given its size and armament, it seems like using any one of these new bikes would be preferable as opposed to this larger parasite fighter of similar armament.

For instance, you can't really fit a P-52 into a Caterpillar very well, or at all really, but you can probably (guess-timating) fit several Nox or X1's into each compartment side by side, each mounting 2 S1 weapons but lacking in protection and speed (<assuming this) but having fairly good maneuverability. The trade-off being able to load more light agile "fighters" as opposed to a single, larger fighter, If I had to pick which I think would be better it would likely be the former, even more so with the lack of "oomph" you get from the current 20mm GC, it takes a lot of bullets on target to do any significant damage in my experience, but then again I'm not the best pilot with the P-52's limited view.


-[Thoughts_Intensify]-

 

[Sirus7264]

You can fly a snub fighter on planets you cant fly the nox. Pretty sure also snubs will be faster to fly.

 

[NaffNaffBobFace]

This is something that's come to mind with the recent additions in "bike" type vehicles like the Nox and the X1.

I own both the P-52 Merlin and P-72 Archimedes snub-fighter ships, currently I can currently only use the P-52 of course, its a neat little vessel mounting 2 S1 weapons with an in-line 20mm Gatling Cannon. However given its size and armament, it seems like using any one of these new bikes would be preferable as opposed to this larger parasite fighter of similar armament.

For instance, you can't really fit a P-52 into a Caterpillar very well, or at all really, but you can probably (guess-timating) fit several Nox or X1's into each compartment side by side, each mounting 2 S1 weapons but lacking in protection and speed (<assuming this) but having fairly good maneuverability. The trade-off being able to load more light agile "fighters" as opposed to a single, larger fighter, If I had to pick which I think would be better it would likely be the former, even more so with the lack of "oomph" you get from the current 20mm GC, it takes a lot of bullets on target to do any significant damage in my experience, but then again I'm not the best pilot with the P-52's limited view.


-[Thoughts_Intensify]-

Snubs will have superior speed, shield and armor. Imagine a dragonfly and its two pilots against a volley of S3 Tarantula canon shells from a Hornet. Those DragonFly riders are going to turn in to mincemeat, one-shot death guaranteed. Even the P52's 20mm cannon would make short work of a dude in a spacesuit. That is what is sitting on the back of a bike.

The best way to survive on a bike in space will be to not be discovered.

 

[Shadow Reaper]

I would not want to be on a bike in combat. Against any sort of turret it is one hit to die and even shoulder-mounted weapons could get you dead. A single Cutty could eliminate a couple dozen bikes in a few seconds and never suffer a scratch.

Don't take a knife to a gunfight. The P-72 is fast as blazes and fits 4X the firepower of a bike. Neither one can take a hit though, so consider them throw away. Personally I think if you want a base with attending fighters, the StarG and a dozen Tana's is a better choice. They can all jump separately and the Tana's can be refueled in flight. Even with NPCs flying escort, if they can be programmed to launch all those S1 missiles at first opportunity, that is something very hard to swallow. If we find we can refuel Hornets in flight then a whole load of new options emerges.

Thing to keep in mind is, having hangars and facilities to refuel and refit mean you can fly many escorts if they have their own jump drives. It matters enormously what will fit in the Carrack and Polaris hangers. Just because it only fits one fighter doesn't mean you can't fly 20 off it--they just all need jump drives. Looks like the Carrack will fit Avengers and Reliants, and the Polaris will fit Sabres and Hornets.

 

[Blind Owl]

tagging so I remember to read later.

 

[Han Burgundy]

Generally, the only combat-specific function that I think the bikes would excel at is boarding something like an idris after the hangar doors get blown off. Other than that, you are on a suicide-machine (Unless you are mowing down pedestrians at Area 18)

 

[Shadow Reaper]

Looks like there is an X1 scan equipped version though, so a pretty good option for a quiet recon vehicle. Maybe better still for a sniper ride.

 

[FZD]

Generally, the only combat-specific function that I think the bikes would excel at is boarding something like an idris after the hangar doors get blown off. Other than that, you are on a suicide-machine (Unless you are mowing down pedestrians at Area 18)

Well, that, and being more badass. Y'know, because you're on a suicide-machine like you didn't care. Kind of every time you board a ship with a TEST pilot. Same difference, suicide-machines are badass.

 

[Takeiteasy]

As mentioned the snub is a heavier, more protected and better armed machine, and I imagine in space it will be superior in every way, only on planets will the "bikes" have any advantage and still, try eating away a snub shield and body to kill the pilot i recon it'll be like trying to take out a hornet with a snub. It's just outmatched in almost every way BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE!

If snubs can ride along planets I can see situations where snub meets biker or multiple bikers and snub loses. Just depends on if your backseat passenger(Dragonfly) has the weapon to deal with it or you have the numbers. I hope the game can allow for this kind of interaction to be feasible imagine the emergent game play, some pointless rock or ruin held by an org(TEST) armed with beer and bikes and a few players on their snubs or connie wanting to scan/investigate it and we refuse all forms of communication, you know not because we don't want to but we have lost all motor skills to use our comms unit, and they fire on us, our bikes will blot out the.... erm... ground?

 

[EpilepticCricket]

In addition to the durability point, you can only last on a bike as long as you will last EVA'd. No oxygen or life support outside of a first aid kit on a bike. They will have uses in live combat excursions, but I feel that those uses will be narrow in scope.