Target: Deth Specula Class Frigate

Tactical Specifications

• RACE: The Empire of the Bird Men (B), The Fascist Empire (F)
• HULL: Mass 113, Fuel 140, Cargo 35, Crew 240 Tech Level 6
• HULL COST: MC 280, Dur 25, Tri 45, Moly 89 Tech Level Upgrades 1500
• ARMAMENT: 2 Engines, 6 Beams, 4 Launchers
• SHIP ABILITIES: Cloak, Radiation Shielding, Priority Intercept Attack, Debris Disc Navigation
• RACIAL ENHANCEMENTS: Loki Immunity (B), Fast Beams (F), Planetary Immunity (F), Partial Planetary Immunity (B), Pillage Planet (F), Super Spy (B), Cloak & Intercept (B)

General Analysis

This agile vessel is a relentless hunter. It can track its prey in difficult-to-reach locales, like the radiation halos of star clusters and the harsh environments of debris discs. It can easily shoot down scouts, probes, and freighters, and it is especially adept at eradicating planetary defenses. Planets with up to 100 defense outposts and partially-defended bases are easily cut down.

Talespin’s Deployment: “The Bloodhound”

ENGINES: Transwarp Drive

BEAMS: x6 Laser

TORPEDO LAUNCHERS: x4 Mark 6

PAYLOAD: 15-25 torpedoes, 350-525 MCs

The Bloodhound is designed for sniffing out and tearing apart the enemy’s economic hubs. With this loadout, the Deth’s mission should be to avoid ships and kill planets. Because of their low mass, Lasers and Mark 6 Launchers are the weapons of choice. With these lightweight armaments, the Bloodhound is the lightest of all Deth Specula builds. While cloaked, it flies over 5 turns and more than 400 Light Years before seeking to refill its tank. This gives the predator time to find its prey.

The Bloodhound deployment is best used to destroy an enemy’s planetary development. Infiltrate foreign territory, find important planets, and take them out. Avoid fighting enemy warships, and strike hard at mining facilities, freighter hubs, and colonies with lots of natives.

Gnerphk’s Deployment: “First Turn Commerce Raider”

ENGINES: HeavyNova Drive 6

BEAMS: x6 X-Ray Laser

TORPEDO LAUNCHERS: x4 Mark 6 or higher

PAYLOAD: 35 torpedoes

With its light hull and weapons, this early-game model is inexpensive and disposable yet murderously damaging to one’s enemies. Tow it to the frontier to save fuel, then fly cloaked into enemy territory where it can capture freighters with NTP or planets without. One thing people overlook about Mk6 torpedoes is the high crew kill rate; 6es, 7s, and 8s can all be used to capture an early under-gunned enemy Merlin where Mk4s and 5s fail, and a Mk8 can capture a Refinery. One drawback is the required torpedo loadout; this ship can refill its magazines best by scooping a friendly minefield, or possibly gain resupply from a handy D7.

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Keep your notepad ready: The next Insights In Sight will target the Super Star Carrier.

– TS and G

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