Brawler
| Typically deployed to beef up system police forces and port authority security, the Brawler-class frigate is a robust design which trades mobility for impressive firepower, armor, and a destroyer-grade power generator. | ||
–In-game description | ||
Overview
The Brawler-class Gunship is a Midline Frigate fielded by several factions in the Persean Sector.
Possessing considerable frontal firepower, destroyer-grade flux dissipation, and decent survivability; the Brawler-class Gunship is designed to punch above its weight class with its 2 Medium Ballistic and 2 Small Universal hardpoints.
Balancing out this firepower is the fact that the Brawler is slow by frigate standards, and has low maneuverability; while the ship's Maneuvering Jets system assists in position the Brawler into place, the ship's frontal shielding and lack of turret mounts leaves it vulnerable to flank attacks, as well as fighters.
Availability
The Brawler can be found within Persean League, Sindrian Diktat, and independent markets. Variants can also be found sold amongst Tri-Tachyon and Diktat markets; the Luddic Path also utilizes a unique variant within their fleets which can be acquired from their markets or hidden bases but usually in poor conditions due to the absence of Heavy Industry on Path controlled colonies. The Lion’s Guard variant is the least common and hardest to acquire, as they are not offered on sale on any market and can only be acquired by defeating Lion’s Guard fleets and recovering the wrecked hulls.
Variants
Notes
Tips and strategies
The following section contains user-submitted suggestions, these may be inaccurate or outdated.
The Brawler's firepower is entirely forward facing. Therefore, prudent decisions have to be made to ensure it's effectiveness. Deciding how it's Maneuvering Jets is used is vital to it's success. Whether it is to close into weapon range in order for the Brawler to engage with it's weapons or to maintain stand-off ranges, the decision made during refitting must be considered carefully.
Regardless of it's role, the Brawler's frontal shield coverage means that should it be ever flanked, whether by hostile fighters or missiles as the Brawler is defenseless in the rear. It's lack of turrets for point-defense is also it's potential downfall, leading it to rely on other means to deter hostile fighters or missiles.
The Brawler's two medium ballistic mounts and two small universal mounts presents interesting choices to be made.
Direct fire
A load out with both medium ballistic mounts with two Assault Chaingun weapon systems. This, like it's namesake, makes the Brawler capable to "Brawl" with other vessels and exchange a constant hail of firepower. It's universal slots can be outfitted with support weapons, like Railgun or Sabot SRM, to assist in neutralizing the hostile vessel's shields. With the Brawler's Maneuvering Jets, closing into weapon ranges with it's Assault Chaingun is a lethal combination. This however also puts the Brawler in a precarious position as if the hostile vessel is still active, the Brawler would be in a position where it is unable to retreat. Therefore it is vital to be aware when and where to close the distance to strike.
Fire support
Another load out with a pair of Hypervelocity Driver and Tactical Laser can change the Brawler to a fleet support role. The Brawler can, out towards maximum ranges, maintain pressure on a slower, helpless target by forcing it to raise it's shields while it's allies move in for the kill. Using its Maneuvering Jets to stay away from more concerning threats, this load out allows both survivability and endurance for longer engagements.
All in all, the Brawler is a hard-hitting frigate. Capable from dueling one on one against vessels of similar size or using it's larger and flexible weapon mounts as a fleet support vessel. But careful consideration has to be made on how and where to employ it. Nevertheless, the Brawler is a tough frontline Frigate that should not be underestimated.
Changelog
|
| Ships | |
|---|---|
| Frigates | Afflictor (Pirate) • Brawler (Lion's Guard - Luddic Path - Tri-Tachyon) • Centurion (Lion's Guard) • Cerberus (Luddic Path - Pirate) • Dram • Gremlin (Luddic Path - Pirate) • Hermes • Hound (Auxiliary - Luddic Church - Luddic Path - Pirate) • Hyperion • Kite (Auxiliary - Luddic Path - Pirate - Stock) • Lasher (Luddic Church - Luddic Path) • Mercury • Monitor • Mudskipper (Mk.II) • Omen • Ox • Scarab • Shade (Pirate) • Shepherd • Tempest • Vanguard (Pirate) • Vigilance • Wayfarer • Wolf (Hegemony - Pirate) |
| Destroyers | Buffalo (Auxiliary - Luddic Church - Mk.II - Pirate - Tri-Tachyon) • Condor • Drover • Enforcer (Pirate - XIV) • Gemini • Hammerhead (Lion's Guard) • Harbinger • Manticore (Luddic Path - Pirate) • Medusa • Mule (Pirate) • Nebula • Phaeton • Phantom • Salvage Rig • Shrike (Pirate) • Sunder (Lion's Guard) • Tarsus • Valkyrie |
| Cruisers | |
| Capitals | |
| Stations | |
| Hidden ships | |
|---|---|
| Explorarium | |
| Remnant | |
| Unknown | |
| Other | |