Care and Feeding of M6 Craft
Posted: Mon, 24. May 04, 19:44
Inspired by Tsar of Cows and boredom.
EDIT: Amended with an M5 recommendation.
So you finally have enough scratch to trade in the ole M3 for a better set of wheels. Here's a little guide to help you choose, and care for, your Corvette for the next stage of your game.
1. M6 in a nutshell
Bigger than a heavy fighter, smaller than a destroyer, and (usually) heavily armed. They cannot dock inside stations; the only places you can dock your M6 at are Shipyards, Dry-Docks and Equipment Docks. You can dock, and carry around, a single M5-class ship.
Some things to remember about M6s:
- You cannot dock anything other than an M5 in an M6, so don't even try.
- When docking at a station, the game won't auto-save. Moreover, if you want to save, you'll have to spend Goner Insurance. If you want to auto-save or save for free, get into your M5 (by going to the Ship menu and selecting "change ship") and dock with the station of your choice.
- The best M5 for your M6 is a Teladi Harrier. Why? Cargo space. You probably won't jump out of your Corvette to go after something in a Scout. Your M5 will primarily serve as a tender, ferrying over Energy cells and other goods. The Harrier has decent speed and good looks combined with a vast cargo hold - what more would you need in a tender?
- If you haven't already, get Xai Corp's Fleet Support Software mod and install this upgrade on your M5 tender. The "resupply ship" command automates re-acquisition of energy cells and other goods, while you are free to take care of business in the sector.
- Absolutely, positively install a Transporter Device on your M6. This way, you can use your TS ships to ferry items that will not fit into an M5, and quickly and painlessly transfer them to your Corvette.
2. Boron Hydra
http://www.the-commander.com/x2/pics/hydra4.jpg
What a horrible, horrible ship. Not only it looks like a stoner's rendtion of a blowfish, it is also woefully underpowered. Hydra carries a total of two weapon emplacements, and is good for basically nothing.
Pros: You get to drive it for free during a plot mission. Don't get to keep it though.
Cons: It sucks. Possibly more than any other ship in X2.
3. Argon Centaur
http://www.the-commander.com/x2/pics/centaur1.jpg
A typical Argon workhorse, this Corvette carries four weapon emplacements (two forward-facing guns and two one-gun turrets). Average speed (207 m/s) and decend shielding make this M6 a good choice for OOS defense.
Pros:
- Jack of all trades.
- Can equip mass drivers.
- Best choice for OOS defense.
Cons:
- Not particularly good at any one thing.
- Doesn't look too exciting either.
4. Split Dragon
http://www.the-commander.com/x2/pics/drag.jpg
This is the same ship as Julian's daddy's AP Hammer. Dragon's looks make everyone weak in the knees. It is also incredibly fast (324 m/s) and turns on a dime. Great as a personal "fun ship". However, the appeal of the Dragon is severely undercut by a weak forward gun emplacement and lousy shielding and hull strength.
Pros:
- Fast!
- Looks great.
- Can be dangerous if handled right.
- Can equip mass drivers all around.
Cons:
- Very fragile.
- No good at dogfighting (one forward-facing gun).
- Fire arcs are not the most efficient.
- You will be accused of elitism and get into shouting matches with Osprey pilots.
5. Paranid Nemesis
http://www.hrh1000.com/x2/pics/nemes4.jpg
Reasonably fast and durable, this M6 is a bit of a one-trick pony. Because of its weapon loadout, it can be a beast against Khaak and Xenon in their sectors. Its power, however, is severely diminished in sectors where friendly fire is not permissible.
Pros:
- Three words: Capital Ship Killer. This is the only M6 that can carry a GPSG.
- Quite fast and durable.
Cons:
- Lousy cargo space.
- Sucks at OOS defense.
- Loses a lot of power in friendly sectors.
- Not exactly the coolest m6.
6. Teladi Osprey
http://www.hrh1000.com/x2/pics/ospr8x6.jpg
Contrary to popular belief, this isn't a "cheater ship". The Teladi M6 was "omitted" from the game by oversight and put back in by the 1.3 patch. This Corvette is slow, heavily shielded, and carries the most guns of all M6s (six emplacements in four turrets). Because of its ability to mount dual BPSGs front and back, it works great against capital ships and Khaak clusters. At the same time, it remains powerful when equipped with "safe" weapons (HEPTs).
Pros:
- So much firepower that it can be considered a mini-destroyer.
- Superb fire coverage.
- Oodles of cargo space.
- Can take a lickin' and keep on tickin' (3x125MW shields!)
Cons:
- The slowest M6, which isn't saying much - it is faster than a Nova.
- Not the greatest choice for OOS defense due to speed.
- You will be accused of cheating and get into shouting matches with Dragon pilots.
EDIT: Amended with an M5 recommendation.
So you finally have enough scratch to trade in the ole M3 for a better set of wheels. Here's a little guide to help you choose, and care for, your Corvette for the next stage of your game.
1. M6 in a nutshell
Bigger than a heavy fighter, smaller than a destroyer, and (usually) heavily armed. They cannot dock inside stations; the only places you can dock your M6 at are Shipyards, Dry-Docks and Equipment Docks. You can dock, and carry around, a single M5-class ship.
Some things to remember about M6s:
- You cannot dock anything other than an M5 in an M6, so don't even try.
- When docking at a station, the game won't auto-save. Moreover, if you want to save, you'll have to spend Goner Insurance. If you want to auto-save or save for free, get into your M5 (by going to the Ship menu and selecting "change ship") and dock with the station of your choice.
- The best M5 for your M6 is a Teladi Harrier. Why? Cargo space. You probably won't jump out of your Corvette to go after something in a Scout. Your M5 will primarily serve as a tender, ferrying over Energy cells and other goods. The Harrier has decent speed and good looks combined with a vast cargo hold - what more would you need in a tender?
- If you haven't already, get Xai Corp's Fleet Support Software mod and install this upgrade on your M5 tender. The "resupply ship" command automates re-acquisition of energy cells and other goods, while you are free to take care of business in the sector.
- Absolutely, positively install a Transporter Device on your M6. This way, you can use your TS ships to ferry items that will not fit into an M5, and quickly and painlessly transfer them to your Corvette.
2. Boron Hydra
http://www.the-commander.com/x2/pics/hydra4.jpg
What a horrible, horrible ship. Not only it looks like a stoner's rendtion of a blowfish, it is also woefully underpowered. Hydra carries a total of two weapon emplacements, and is good for basically nothing.
Pros: You get to drive it for free during a plot mission. Don't get to keep it though.
Cons: It sucks. Possibly more than any other ship in X2.
3. Argon Centaur
http://www.the-commander.com/x2/pics/centaur1.jpg
A typical Argon workhorse, this Corvette carries four weapon emplacements (two forward-facing guns and two one-gun turrets). Average speed (207 m/s) and decend shielding make this M6 a good choice for OOS defense.
Pros:
- Jack of all trades.
- Can equip mass drivers.
- Best choice for OOS defense.
Cons:
- Not particularly good at any one thing.
- Doesn't look too exciting either.
4. Split Dragon
http://www.the-commander.com/x2/pics/drag.jpg
This is the same ship as Julian's daddy's AP Hammer. Dragon's looks make everyone weak in the knees. It is also incredibly fast (324 m/s) and turns on a dime. Great as a personal "fun ship". However, the appeal of the Dragon is severely undercut by a weak forward gun emplacement and lousy shielding and hull strength.
Pros:
- Fast!
- Looks great.
- Can be dangerous if handled right.
- Can equip mass drivers all around.
Cons:
- Very fragile.
- No good at dogfighting (one forward-facing gun).
- Fire arcs are not the most efficient.
- You will be accused of elitism and get into shouting matches with Osprey pilots.
5. Paranid Nemesis
http://www.hrh1000.com/x2/pics/nemes4.jpg
Reasonably fast and durable, this M6 is a bit of a one-trick pony. Because of its weapon loadout, it can be a beast against Khaak and Xenon in their sectors. Its power, however, is severely diminished in sectors where friendly fire is not permissible.
Pros:
- Three words: Capital Ship Killer. This is the only M6 that can carry a GPSG.
- Quite fast and durable.
Cons:
- Lousy cargo space.
- Sucks at OOS defense.
- Loses a lot of power in friendly sectors.
- Not exactly the coolest m6.
6. Teladi Osprey
http://www.hrh1000.com/x2/pics/ospr8x6.jpg
Contrary to popular belief, this isn't a "cheater ship". The Teladi M6 was "omitted" from the game by oversight and put back in by the 1.3 patch. This Corvette is slow, heavily shielded, and carries the most guns of all M6s (six emplacements in four turrets). Because of its ability to mount dual BPSGs front and back, it works great against capital ships and Khaak clusters. At the same time, it remains powerful when equipped with "safe" weapons (HEPTs).
Pros:
- So much firepower that it can be considered a mini-destroyer.
- Superb fire coverage.
- Oodles of cargo space.
- Can take a lickin' and keep on tickin' (3x125MW shields!)
Cons:
- The slowest M6, which isn't saying much - it is faster than a Nova.
- Not the greatest choice for OOS defense due to speed.
- You will be accused of cheating and get into shouting matches with Dragon pilots.
I dont think it's cheat, it's so slowest in m6 and cost more than Dragon 6 million and up to 9 million max and Osprey 8 million and up to 12 millions Max, but I could be wrong about price.
