Rapier

Terran Rapier Class M5 Scout Buy: Regional Representative @ 61,802 Cr Speed (Min-Max) 131 - 458.5 m/s Acceleration (Min-Max) 64 - 225 m/s2 Steering (Min-Max) 16.4 - 57.6 RPM Hull Strength 1,300 Max. Shield (Total) 5 x 1 MJ (5 MJ) Shield Reactor 130 MW Cargo Class (Min-Max) 20 - 100 @ S Laser Capacitor 5,000 MJ Laser Recharge 25 MW                                                                                                          Main x 2

Overview

The Rapier is fast and is amongst the most well-defended and powerful M5s. However, the inability to mount a Triplex Scanner means that it is not the first choice for a scout ship.

Background

The USC's ability to patrol remote areas of the Solar System and to reconnoiter hostile territory is due in no small part to the Rapier's agility and speed.

Physical Characteristics

The Rapier has a streamlined, rocket-shaped fuselage with three thrusters. Like all Terran ships, it is white with red trim.

Combat

The Rapier can be used as a very light fighter. However, its weapons are very expensive, and since M5s do not have a high survival rate in fights, it is best employed away from anything that will shoot at it.

As a personal ship the EMPC battery and Poltergeist Missiles make it one of the strongest M5s, capable of bringing down M3s with relative ease. Unfortunately, the small weapons power generator makes it ill-suited to intense combat.

Equipment

• Poltergeist Missile

Availability

The Rapier is available at all Terran shipyards.

Availability

Variant	Mars	The Moon	Saturn	Terran Unknown Sector 1
Rapier	x	x	x	x

Suggested Roles

The Rapier is a bit of an oddball and not suited to most M5 roles.

It can't mount a Triplex Scanner, limiting its utility as a sensor platform. Its weapons are too expensive for the high attrition the M5 frame suffers to make it a good screening element. It isn't the fastest M5 making it unsuitable for a courier.

Perhaps its best use is to chase down and kill another M5.

See Also

Ships by Class

M5 Ships