The Phoenix is a pilotable ship in Tachyon: The Fringe.
Overview[]
Background[]
The Phoenix is the primary heavy bomber in GalSpan's fleet. Like other ships of its class, it is used to take out capital ships and other large targets with a large array of weaponry. However, unlike other ships of its class, it features a notably elegant design. Because of this many pilots call it the "Dragon of Space."[1]
The Phoenix is built to withstand direct fire from turret emplacements during bombing strikes, so its heavy fortifications make it a slow and sluggish ship. This means it is difficult for the Phoenix to keep up with assailants in a dogfight. Wingmen are recommended to defend this ship, or else more agile ships will have an easy time whittling down a lone Phoenix.
However, the sheer firepower that the Phoenix can bring to an engagement has led some wingmen to fly it with ally fighters specifically for dogfights. One notable pilot is Bernardo, whose mission record with the heavy bomber has earned him multiple awed rumors to explain his combat proficiency.[2] Additionally, GalSpan occasionally employs Phoenixes to take out smaller targets like shuttles, such as when they try to prevent the Bora from retaking a captured base.[3]
Design[]
While heavy bombers typically look bulky, GalSpan adhered to its design philosophy with the Phoenix and fashioned it into a sleek and angular ship like other fighters in the fleet. In fact, its "Dragon of Space" nickname appears to come mainly from its aesthetic. The sharp, pointing canopy is flanked by two blade-like rack mounts. These racks resemble whiskers trailing off from the snout of a creature. The tail of the ship is long and narrow like a reptile's, and the ship's own wings mimic the backswept wings of a dragon in flight.
The Phoenix boasts a very strong shield and hull. This makes the bomber resistant to light and moderate attack, and it can absorb heavier fire for repeated bombing runs. The ship's biggest drawbacks are its size and speed. Like the Claymore, the Phoenix's profile is easy to hit from any angle, and its slow speed does not allow it to escape from engagements easily. Otherwise, Phoenix pilots can use the ship's sluggish handling to line up precise long-range salvos. Additionally, particularly brazen pilots can use the large size and the durability of the Phoenix to their advantage and ram into other fighters to bring an otherwise unfair dogfight to an abrupt end.
Armaments[]
The Phoenix has two cannon hardpoints and three rack hardpoints. Most of its fire is delivered from the four specialized weapon ports that straddle the cockpit and fire both lasers and explosive ordnance. Additionally, the Phoenix has notably powerful fire modes on its hardpoints that allow it to launch heavy barrages in a short amount of time.
The primary cannon fires from the two outer ports. The secondary cannon fires from all four ports. By linking two cannons together and toggling the fire mode, it is possible to fire six shots of any type of laser at once. While landing all six shots on a target can be challenging, this can destroy smaller fighters in one to two salvos.
The rack hardpoints can support either missiles or rockets. The primary hardpoint fires from the two inner weapons ports. The secondary and tertiary racks fire from the right and left thruster heads, respectively. By linking the rack hardpoints and toggling the fire mode it is possible to fire three missiles or rockets at once.
Like all GalSpan fighters, the Phoenix features a special mount that can equip the Tractor Wave device.
Thanks to its large build, the Phoenix has twelve CPU slots: ten normal card slots and two engine upgrades. Pilots will not be wanting for upgrade space as this provides ample room for must-have system cards and luxury upgrades alike with room to spare.
Notes[]
- The Phoenix is unlocked by completing the contract Crystal Hunt. It is the fourth unlockable ship in the GalSpan storyline.
Notable appearances[]
- A group of Phoenixes attempt to destroy a Bora shuttle in the mission Aftermath of Destruction.
- In the contact The Attack, a group of Phoenixes are deployed in a mixed-fighter fleet.
- A group of Phoenixes help Jake Logan attack a Bora destroyer in the mission Fleet Battle.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ In-game shipyard description.
- ↑ In-game wingman description.
- ↑ As seen in Aftermath of Destruction.