frostytheplebe
Seventh Part of the Seal
Privateer is the last of the Wing Commanders that I had to play now, looking back on the game, I must say it is one of my favorites. I do love the fully customizable ships but the selection left me... well I found myself wanting for more. Here's my take, feel free to agree or disagree.
Tarsus: It sucks. I could end it right there, but I'll go into a little more detail; No turrets, two weapon ports, armor is paper thin and it can't handle the heavier equipment. You can, however add a ton of cargo space. This is basically a "Use until you can buy something better." In its defense, however, I will say that it is a fast cargo vessel that can get out of situations like no other... but that's it.
Talon: These, as Worf would say, "Glob flies" get really annoying, but that's all. One on one, pretty much anything can take it down. The problem is there is just so damn many of them and EVERYONE uses them; Militia, Pirates, and Retros (I LOOOOVE retros). Pretty much little more than a nuisance, and it's very rare to find one carrying cargo of any consequence, so shooting them down serves little purpose unless its a mission requirement. I usually just ignore them unless they piss me off enough.
Stiletto: I don't spend much time on Confed's bad side, but these don't really bother me and I can't usually take them down pretty quick if I can get in behind them. I will say this though, I would not be surprised to find out that they are the fastest ship in the game... too bad you can't fly them right? (Thanks Standoff!)
Demons: I HATE THESE EFFIN' THINGS! Why? Oxford, mission 3, enough said. They usually have firepower only slightly better then the Talon, usually anyway, but I've observed them taking two direct dumbfire hits and they're still coming! It's usually best to keep on the mercs good side. One or two should be little trouble, a bunch though... unless your flying something with speed and/or armor, my recommendation is to run... FAST.
Drayman: ... not really sure where to put this as it is almost totally incapable of defending itself. The few guns it has seem to be forward and rear mounts. I will say this, it's armor seems to keep it alive far more then the Kamekh. It's really a roll of the dice killing one. Sometimes they have good payouts, sometimes you'll get nothing for your troubles.
Dralthi: Ok I'm trying to go from weakest to toughest here and I'm having a hard time between the Dralthi and the Demon. The Dralthi may have the armor down, but I'm not 100% sure on firepower. Either way, this thing usually doesn't pose a problem as its rare to run into more then one or two of them at any given nav. I usually find them flying escort for the larger *shudders* Gothri.
Galaxy: The Medium transport, and the only ship here I can honestly say I love. (I know, I know, the Centurion is the typical fan favorite.) This thing boasts two turrets, decent armor and shields, and a fine speed. Moreover, I just like the feel of this ship. I find it very reminiscent of the Millennium Falcon in terms of weapons and cockpit layout. Playing it through the entire game is somewhat unrealistic and usually takes longer, but I'm usually unwilling to give this ship up.
Gladius: Unwieldy, slow, and pretty dumb. Don't be stupid about it though, it does have the firepower to make you dead all the same. Approach it from behind, hit it quick and it will never see you coming.
Centurion: Well what can I say? The 4 weapons platforms clearly makes this the ship of choice for all you privateer fans out there. Not sure why everyone likes 4 tachyon guns so much. They have the range, but in terms of actual stopping power, I prefer two Tachs and two plasma cannons similar to the Dragon in WC4. I know its more of a drain on the reactor, but I always get a quicker kill that way. The ship reminds me of the WC1 rapier; Fast, heavily shielded, but its armor shreds rather quickly. Also, it appears that the cargo compartments can't be fitted to take on more, so if its smuggling or delivery missions you want, choose another ship.
Orion: Merc Gunship!? Don't make me laugh. Although I find this extremely distasteful, I'd compare it to the scimitar (even though I love my scim). I love that it can take on a massive reactor and almost never run out of energy, but it takes a long time to get that kind of money. It has a lot of armor, which is good, because you'll need it. Its not very fast or maneuverable, and with only a single turret, your defense choices are limited. This thing sucks down credits in repair bills faster then a f... well you get the idea.
Gothri: I try to avoid these. The sides seem to be the only way to attack them and even then it's not a sure win. As it was in SO2, that damn rear turret wreaks havoc and at times, is more lethal then the forward mount guns. Kill it if you can, but it will usually cost you a fortune in repairs if you get too close.
Broadsword: Tough to kill... very tough. The only good approach vector is from above since most of its turrets (key word, MOST) can't hit you. I've found it to be far more durable then the WC2 model.
Kamekh (If i spelled this wrong I apologize): These aren't that difficult to kill. They really are pushovers. Avoid the guns and hammer away until it's dead. 3 or 4 passes with Torps will usually kill it, and the rewards are usually well worth it, KEEP AN EMPTY CARGO BAY AND TRACTOR BEAM WAITING!
Paradigm: STAY AWAY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! This thing is bristling with guns going in every direction. I'd love to brag about the times I've taken this thing down single handed, but it would be one bitter lie. In truth, I've shot it down once, ONLY ONCE, and that's after it took down a Kamekh and a few wings of fighters I'd lured to close to it while I pummeled it with torpedoes. By the time I was one on one with it, it was already spinning out of control. I delivered the finishing blow only to be shot down by a Talon while I was limping back to base to buy new armor.
Steltek probe: This is pure annoyance. You can't kill it until the last mission. Even then it is not easy.
Steltek Scout: Go ahead and TRY to take it on, I DARE YOU!
Tarsus: It sucks. I could end it right there, but I'll go into a little more detail; No turrets, two weapon ports, armor is paper thin and it can't handle the heavier equipment. You can, however add a ton of cargo space. This is basically a "Use until you can buy something better." In its defense, however, I will say that it is a fast cargo vessel that can get out of situations like no other... but that's it.
Talon: These, as Worf would say, "Glob flies" get really annoying, but that's all. One on one, pretty much anything can take it down. The problem is there is just so damn many of them and EVERYONE uses them; Militia, Pirates, and Retros (I LOOOOVE retros). Pretty much little more than a nuisance, and it's very rare to find one carrying cargo of any consequence, so shooting them down serves little purpose unless its a mission requirement. I usually just ignore them unless they piss me off enough.
Stiletto: I don't spend much time on Confed's bad side, but these don't really bother me and I can't usually take them down pretty quick if I can get in behind them. I will say this though, I would not be surprised to find out that they are the fastest ship in the game... too bad you can't fly them right? (Thanks Standoff!)
Demons: I HATE THESE EFFIN' THINGS! Why? Oxford, mission 3, enough said. They usually have firepower only slightly better then the Talon, usually anyway, but I've observed them taking two direct dumbfire hits and they're still coming! It's usually best to keep on the mercs good side. One or two should be little trouble, a bunch though... unless your flying something with speed and/or armor, my recommendation is to run... FAST.
Drayman: ... not really sure where to put this as it is almost totally incapable of defending itself. The few guns it has seem to be forward and rear mounts. I will say this, it's armor seems to keep it alive far more then the Kamekh. It's really a roll of the dice killing one. Sometimes they have good payouts, sometimes you'll get nothing for your troubles.
Dralthi: Ok I'm trying to go from weakest to toughest here and I'm having a hard time between the Dralthi and the Demon. The Dralthi may have the armor down, but I'm not 100% sure on firepower. Either way, this thing usually doesn't pose a problem as its rare to run into more then one or two of them at any given nav. I usually find them flying escort for the larger *shudders* Gothri.
Galaxy: The Medium transport, and the only ship here I can honestly say I love. (I know, I know, the Centurion is the typical fan favorite.) This thing boasts two turrets, decent armor and shields, and a fine speed. Moreover, I just like the feel of this ship. I find it very reminiscent of the Millennium Falcon in terms of weapons and cockpit layout. Playing it through the entire game is somewhat unrealistic and usually takes longer, but I'm usually unwilling to give this ship up.
Gladius: Unwieldy, slow, and pretty dumb. Don't be stupid about it though, it does have the firepower to make you dead all the same. Approach it from behind, hit it quick and it will never see you coming.
Centurion: Well what can I say? The 4 weapons platforms clearly makes this the ship of choice for all you privateer fans out there. Not sure why everyone likes 4 tachyon guns so much. They have the range, but in terms of actual stopping power, I prefer two Tachs and two plasma cannons similar to the Dragon in WC4. I know its more of a drain on the reactor, but I always get a quicker kill that way. The ship reminds me of the WC1 rapier; Fast, heavily shielded, but its armor shreds rather quickly. Also, it appears that the cargo compartments can't be fitted to take on more, so if its smuggling or delivery missions you want, choose another ship.
Orion: Merc Gunship!? Don't make me laugh. Although I find this extremely distasteful, I'd compare it to the scimitar (even though I love my scim). I love that it can take on a massive reactor and almost never run out of energy, but it takes a long time to get that kind of money. It has a lot of armor, which is good, because you'll need it. Its not very fast or maneuverable, and with only a single turret, your defense choices are limited. This thing sucks down credits in repair bills faster then a f... well you get the idea.
Gothri: I try to avoid these. The sides seem to be the only way to attack them and even then it's not a sure win. As it was in SO2, that damn rear turret wreaks havoc and at times, is more lethal then the forward mount guns. Kill it if you can, but it will usually cost you a fortune in repairs if you get too close.
Broadsword: Tough to kill... very tough. The only good approach vector is from above since most of its turrets (key word, MOST) can't hit you. I've found it to be far more durable then the WC2 model.
Kamekh (If i spelled this wrong I apologize): These aren't that difficult to kill. They really are pushovers. Avoid the guns and hammer away until it's dead. 3 or 4 passes with Torps will usually kill it, and the rewards are usually well worth it, KEEP AN EMPTY CARGO BAY AND TRACTOR BEAM WAITING!
Paradigm: STAY AWAY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! This thing is bristling with guns going in every direction. I'd love to brag about the times I've taken this thing down single handed, but it would be one bitter lie. In truth, I've shot it down once, ONLY ONCE, and that's after it took down a Kamekh and a few wings of fighters I'd lured to close to it while I pummeled it with torpedoes. By the time I was one on one with it, it was already spinning out of control. I delivered the finishing blow only to be shot down by a Talon while I was limping back to base to buy new armor.
Steltek probe: This is pure annoyance. You can't kill it until the last mission. Even then it is not easy.
Steltek Scout: Go ahead and TRY to take it on, I DARE YOU!
