Mule (P)

Up to date for latest version, 0.97a.

Mule (P)-class Combat Freighter
Pirate Destroyer
40,800c
Logistical data
CR per deployment	10%
CR per deployment	10%
Recovery rate (per day)	5%
Recovery rate (per day)	5%
Recovery cost (supplies)	7
Recovery cost (supplies)	7
Deployment points	7
Deployment points	7
Peak performance (sec)	420
Peak performance (sec)	420
Ordnance points	80
Ordnance points	80
Maintenance (supplies/month)	7
Maintenance (supplies/month)	7
Cargo capacity	250
Cargo capacity	250
Maximum crew	100
Maximum crew	100
Skeleton crew required	40
Skeleton crew required	40
Fuel capacity	80
Fuel capacity	80
Maximum burn	9
Maximum burn	9
Fuel per LY / Jump cost	2
Fuel per LY / Jump cost	2
Combat performance
Hull integrity	5500
Armor rating	650
Flux capacity	3000
Flux dissipation	150
Top speed	60
Systems
Defense	Omni Shield
Shield arc	120
Shield upkeep/sec	60
Shield flux/damage	1
System	Maneuvering Jets
Mounts	1x Medium Universal 2x Small Missile 3x Small Ballistic
Hullmods	Shielded Cargo Holds

	This ship has been heavily modified - and poorly maintained - by its pirate crew. The Mule is a rugged and reliable combat-capable freighter which built its reputation on the sparsely-patrolled frontiers of the Domain. Post-collapse, the appeal of the Mule-class has only grown due to the cycles of chaos wracking the Persean Sector, elevating the need for strong armor and powerful weapons to otherwise thrifty traders, scavengers, and prospectors. The original design officially designated its medium turret mount as a 'gimbaled mining utility attachment point', and even Domain operators from time past knew to read between the lines: without an escort, the Mule-class packs enough of a kick to make pirates think twice before attacking. Of course this also means that the Mule has become the ideal vehicle for a down-on-its-luck or merely opportunistic civilian crew to themselves turn pirate.
–In-game description

Mule • Mule (P)

Often found in Pirate fleets, this red-painted Mule has seen its Medium Composite upgraded into a Medium Universal mount, along with having Shielded Cargo Holds installed.

Overview

This section of the article is transcluded from Mule#Overview.

A freighter that doesn't shy away from combat, the Mule strikes an excellent middle-ground for Captains who engages in both smuggling and bounty-hunting. Thanks to its low maintenance and deployment costs (for a Destroyer), high cargo capacity (for a combat vessel), and fairly tough armor (for something the Pirates will throw at you); the Mule can easily serve as a staple spacecraft of most early-game fleets. This is a vessel which shines because of its flexibility; the clever Captain will put careful consideration into what they want out of their Mule and will outfit accordingly.

It however suffers from a lack of speed, with its top speed capping at 60, though it does have high agility by virtue of its Maneuvering Jets system.

Strategy and tips

This section of the article is transcluded from Mule#Strategy and tips.

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

Despite its decent omnidirectional shield that has low upkeep, the Mule suffers from poor flux stats, meaning it must instead rely more upon its shield and hull to tank enemy damage. Its Medium Composite will also serve as the Mule's main source of firepower, meaning any damage taken to the front of the Mule could potentially disable the turret when the Mule's armor is stripped away. The Mule's single engine is also inadequately covered by only a single Small Ballistic, forcing Mule captains fired upon with Salamanders to choose to take damage to their frontal mounts, or to have their engines shot out for some time.

The Pirate Mule traditionally comes with built-in Shielded Cargo Holds; it also has an Universal Medium slot rather than a Composite one. With respect to this, the Mule (P) is a Swiss Army knife of destroyers. The potential to outfit the Mule with Energy weapons allows it to work around its limited number of weapon mounts. This provides for an additional number of possibilities:

• Mules (P) may be outfitted with more generalized energy-based weapons such as the Pulse Laser for improved cohesion with the rest of the fleet as a line-vessel, as this allows it to deal useful damage no matter which vessel may be supporting it.
• Mules (P) may be outfitted with powerful EMP weaponry like the Ion Pulser, which allows it to play a supportive role in combat by 'locking down' exposed enemy ships so that they may be 'executed' by damage dealers in your fleet.

It is important to note that although the Mule has very low passive shield upkeep at 60 flux/s, its overall flux dissipation rate is on the slow side. Highly flux-intensive weapons should not be mounted without the appropriate amount of vents, otherwise the Mule will frequently find itself hamstrung by flux constraints.

Loadout Tips

• Heavy Armor and Shield Shunt are controversial but solid picks for the Mule, as a large source of its flux weakness comes from tanking fire with its shield. This combo ensures the Mule is aggressively pressuring opponents with its weapon loadout as well dedicating all flux to its small ballistics. Beware the typical weakness of shieldless ships against beams and emp weaponry.
• Due to the Mule's poor flux stats, it's highly suggested to mount missile weaponry where possible. For a mere 7 Deployment Points the Mule can comfortably mount Expanded Missile Racks and missiles (ie: Proximity Charge Launcher & Swarmers).
• The Mule decent Ordinance Point to Deployment Cost ratio (as well as overall low Deployment Cost) makes it a viable Converted Hangar ship.

Changelog

This section of the article is transcluded from Mule#Changelog.

Patch 0.9a:  Increased OP from 65 to 80 Changed medium turret type to composite from energy (Pirate version keeps its universal mount) Increased max speed from 40 to 60