Colossus Mk.III

Up to date for latest version, 0.97a.

Colossus Mk.III-class Modified Freighter
Pirate Cruiser
50,000c
Logistical data
CR per deployment	20%
CR per deployment	20%
Recovery rate (per day)	3%
Recovery rate (per day)	3%
Recovery cost (supplies)	8
Recovery cost (supplies)	8
Deployment points	8
Deployment points	8
Peak performance (sec)	480
Peak performance (sec)	480
Ordnance points	55
Ordnance points	55
Maintenance (supplies/month)	8
Maintenance (supplies/month)	8
Cargo capacity	300
Cargo capacity	300
Maximum crew	160
Maximum crew	160
Skeleton crew required	80
Skeleton crew required	80
Fuel capacity	60
Fuel capacity	60
Maximum burn	7
Maximum burn	7
Fuel per LY / Jump cost	4
Fuel per LY / Jump cost	4
Combat performance
Hull integrity	6000
Armor rating	600
Flux capacity	3250
Flux dissipation	180
Top speed	50
Systems
Defense	Front Shield
Shield arc	150
Shield upkeep/sec	90
Shield flux/damage	1
System	Flare Launcher
Fighter bays	2
Mounts	12x Small Ballistic
Hullmods	Civilian-grade Hull Converted Cargo Bay Ground Support Package

	The Colossus was first adapted for war by Pather militants, but enterprising pirates soon followed their lead. A similarly haphazard process sees most cargo decks collapsed and re-welded to form thick armor dotted with numerous weapons emplacements. The primary cargo bay was left open, however, and converted into an ersatz fighter launch bay with the addition of a micro civilian forge-vat intended for the manufacture of machine parts hacked to accept fighter LPC chips. The forge is poorly integrated with the hull's base power system, resulting in unreliable overall performance. The Colossus heavy freighter formed the core of Domain frontier supply fleets before it was outmatched by the brutal economic efficiency of the Atlas superfreighter. Thicker than strictly necessary hull plating provides protection against cosmic hazards both natural and human.
–In-game description

A Colossus modified by Pirates into a Carrier and Transport Cruiser, the Colossus Mk.III-class Modified Freighter now sports multiple ballistic mounts and an in-built Hanger where most of its cargo bay once stood.

Overview

Once a civilian cargo freighter, the Colossus Mk.III has instead been converted into a Transport Carrier under Pirate colors; though elements of its past still shines through its Civilian-grade Hull.

The Mk.III retains the 4 original Small Ballistic turrets of the original Colossus, but now sports several more Small Ballistic turrets; 2 turrets (160°) covers the front, 4 turrets cover the frontal corners (the external turrets with 200° rotation, and the internal turrets with 170° rotation), and 2 turrets (130°) have been added to the sides.

The Mk.III's internal cargo bays have also been gutted and replaced with an integrated Converted Cargo Bay hanger, letting the Mk.III field two fighter wings; the ship now also serves as a Marine support ship with its new Ground Support Package.

The Mk.III retains its original shield system with 150° of protection.

Acquisition

The Colossus Mk.III is commonly found within Pirate fleets and worlds. Its blueprint is shared with the other pirate blueprints.

Strategy and tips

The following section contains user-submitted suggestions, these may be inaccurate or outdated.

Slow and lumbering, the Colossus Mk III combines two barely functioning flight decks with a myriad of small ballistic mounts haphazardly positioned around them, as such, this ship is often the Pirates primary source of fighters and bombers during combat during the early-game.

With a combination of several ballistic mounts and two fighter wings, this gives the Mk.III a surprisingly large amount of close-range firepower and long-range force projection despite its slow speed. Its weapons loadout also tends to discourage smaller ships from assaulting it directly - A hail of light mortar or machinegun fire however offers little threat to larger vessels such as destroyers or cruisers.

The Colossus Mk III is sadly let down in fights by its atrocious mobility and defensive stats, having a mediocre 600 armour and 3250 flux capacity with a 1 efficiency shield. While this is adequate against some of the less threatening destroyers, it will quickly find itself overwhelmed and destroyed by any serious opposition.

Like the Valkyrie heavy transport, the Colossus Mk III's Ground Support Package system is ideal for planetary raids and invasions, increasing the effective strength of raids upwards to 100 marines. As it is often more available than the Valkyrie (which is often only available from military markets, which requires commissions), the Mk.III is a useful addition as a raiding support ship.

Changelog

Patch 0.95a: Colossus (all versions): increased fuel/ly to 4 (was: 3) Patch 0.9a:  Added Civilian-grade Hull (a correction not a nerf) Removed Ill-Advised Modifications built-in hullmod Added Converted Cargo Bay built-in hullmod Added Ground Support Package built-in hullmod Patch 0.8.1a-RC5: Added to the game