The Epee isn't as bad as it's made out to be. You just have to play to its strengths, which are ...
1. Speed. It's 80kps faster then anything the Kilrathi have (except perhaps the Bloodfang )
2. Manouvreablilty. It's the most manouvreable ship in the game by at least 25%.
3. Guns. True the Particle Cannon is weaker than the Mass Drivers of the Ferret, but the area it excels in is RANGE - over twice the range of the Mass Driver.
So the key to using the Epee is to keep your enemy at arms length. If you run in close behind a Grikath or Jalekhi the turret will kill you in seconds. But you can sit back outside their turret range. Against neutron gun armed Grikaths and Sarthas, you can go head to head at long range. Your guns will inflict a lot of damage before they can get within range, at which point you turn and run. Drakhris are fairly even - similar firepower, but you're faster and more manouvreable. And considering that the range on a Kamekh flak turret is 2500, compared to the Epees 4200 and the Ferret's 2000, I know which I'd prefer to go corvette hunting in.
All that being said, I personally prefer the Ferret's heavier mass drivers - it suits my flying style better. Get in close, let 'em have it at close range, get out. Still, I am prepared to change my flying style to suit the Epee when I have to use it, rather then complain about how poor it is
1. Speed. It's 80kps faster then anything the Kilrathi have (except perhaps the Bloodfang )
2. Manouvreablilty. It's the most manouvreable ship in the game by at least 25%.
3. Guns. True the Particle Cannon is weaker than the Mass Drivers of the Ferret, but the area it excels in is RANGE - over twice the range of the Mass Driver.
So the key to using the Epee is to keep your enemy at arms length. If you run in close behind a Grikath or Jalekhi the turret will kill you in seconds. But you can sit back outside their turret range. Against neutron gun armed Grikaths and Sarthas, you can go head to head at long range. Your guns will inflict a lot of damage before they can get within range, at which point you turn and run. Drakhris are fairly even - similar firepower, but you're faster and more manouvreable. And considering that the range on a Kamekh flak turret is 2500, compared to the Epees 4200 and the Ferret's 2000, I know which I'd prefer to go corvette hunting in.
All that being said, I personally prefer the Ferret's heavier mass drivers - it suits my flying style better. Get in close, let 'em have it at close range, get out. Still, I am prepared to change my flying style to suit the Epee when I have to use it, rather then complain about how poor it is