The Let's Play Archive

Escape Velocity: Nova

by Decoy Badger

Part 65: Ships Part 08 - Federation

Let's Meet the Federation Warships!

Fed ships by and large lose to Auroran and Polaris ships, except when in their Missile variants, at which point they become terrors of the space-ocean, spouting nuclear death all 'round. It's usually more worthwhile to capture the Rebel or Pirate equivalent, however.

Federation Viper
Covered in an earlier ships post. Not like anyone reads these.

Federation F-29 Anaconda

quote:

The main problem with the Viper as a fighter craft is a complete lack of any form of explosive projectile. A new variant that has the 'long distance kill' capacity, based on the Viper chassis, has been the Federation's choice of Space Superiority Fighter ever since. Although this ship, named the Anaconda, suffers from a slightly slower acceleration and top speed than the Viper, its ability to destroy enemy fighters before that fighter can get within gun range more than compensates.
A handful of these can ruin the AI's day, but are largely useless against a decent human pilot. Good as escorts, but ultimately still a fighter.

Sigma Shipyards H-28 Scout Ship

quote:

Every successful military force in history has relied on accurate intelligence for their success. So the Federation Navy has created the Scout Ship, capable of operating for long periods behind enemy lines without resupply so that if war does break out, they will be able to send these vessels far behind enemy lines to help with information gathering. High-ranking strategists believe that this vessel may well prove invaluable in enabling the Federation Navy to defeat any all-out assault by the Auroran Empire.
You can safely treat them as a slower Anaconda. It's not much slower, a lot better armoured, and has a lot more energy, making it a safe, cheap choice if you're in the market for a fighter.

Federation G-32 Patrol Boat

quote:

The concept of a fast boat with more firepower than a fighter and more speed than a capital ship has been around for the last millennium. The latest incarnation of this ideal is the Federation Patrol Boat. Named for the patrol boats that guarded Australia and the Pacific islands during World War II and beyond, the patrol boat is packed with anti-fighter weaponry. It's often used as a picket ship in fleet duty, or in its primary role as a patrol vessel in the outer territories.
It's tough and can ruin your day. The Close-Quarters variant mounts ion particle cannons and a lot of turrets. The Heavily Armed variant has Hellhound missiles and tons of blasters. A pack of them can even shred capital ships with ease. Fun to fly too, as it still has lots of speed behind it.

Reactive Armor General Equipment (RAGE) Gunboat

quote:

In an attempt to combat the Abomination and the Striker, Federation Scientists have developed the Reactive Armor General Equipment (RAGE) Gunboat. The hyperbolic 'General Equipment' refers to the fact that the Gunboat mounts Auroran FPC technology, and stolen Polaris wraithii material. The reactive armor plating is nearly impenetrable to lesser weapons, and the ship has outstanding speed and maneuverability for a vessel its size. Only time will tell if it is enough to stand up to the might of the Aurora, or the technology of the Polaris.
These are fast, strong at all ranges and will tear anything up. They intentionally keep their distance when fighting, making packs of them very difficult to avoid and subdue. Avoid fighting groups of them, especially if your ship is too slow to outrun their missiles. A player-driven Gunboat can easily take down capital ships and even the smaller Polaris ships.

Federation E-41 Destroyer

quote:

The Federation Destroyer was developed to cope with the defense of an ever-changing frontier. Capable of quickly responding to an incursion and equipped with versatile weapons to meet a wide range of foes, the E-41 was dubbed the 'guard-dog' of the Federation. Effective as a peace-keeper during the time of expansion, the E-41 is now nearly obsolete as a primary weapons platform.
It's not obsolete, the Heavy Missile Variant carries EMPs and Hellhounds and will absolutely destroy anything too slow to run away. They usually come in packs, and can effectively take on enemy capital ships at close range. Since most battles occur at long range, AI Destroyers typically lose to Auroran rail guns.

E-60 Federation Carrier

quote:

The biggest war machine in Federation space, the Federation Carrier houses squadrons of fighters and can hold its own without its formidable escort. Capable of long-range tactical power projection, the E-60 is effectively a mobile base, and is often used by Admirals and Commodores as a safe vantage point to gauge the ebb and flow of space battles. It mounts heavy laser batteries along its top flight deck.
Carriers have a turret blindspot directly at their 6 o'clock. If you can get in that spot with a fighter (especially an inertialess one), you can take one down without getting killed yourself. The hard part is separating a carrier from its escort - it carries its own!