Tempest

Up to date for latest version, 0.98a.

	An asymmetric, advanced design from the late Expansion Epoch, the Tempest-class is the quintessential attack frigate - fast, deadly and difficult to destroy.
–In-game description

Overview

A high tech frigate equipped with Terminator Drones, the Tempest is built for hit and run attacks, especially with its Termination Sequence ship system that turns its drones into kamikaze ship-seeking missiles.

Notes

Terminator Drones

The Tempest is accompanied by 2 drones that behave like normal fighters. They have an engagement range of 0, which forces them to stay around the Tempest. Each Terminator Drone has a PD Laser and an IR Pulse Laser, along with the Terminator Core hullmod, which massively amplifies its effectiveness against fighters and missiles. Though not very sturdy, these drones are elusive and provide good firepower with a 360 coverage, complementing the main ship.

The Tempest's Termination Sequence turns the Termination Drones into missiles that seek out enemy ships, ignoring anti-PD flares. The drones are still capable of using their armament in this process.

Tips and strategies

The following section contains user-submitted suggestions, these may be inaccurate or outdated.

• When using the Expanded Deck Crew hullmod, the skeleton crew requirement will be 35, exceeding the 25 maximum crew cap. Using either Additional Berthing or having spare crew space from other ships helps Tempest avoid degraded performance due to understaffing issues.
• Defensive Targeting Array will not stop the fighter from launching, but will augment the drones for better PD duty.
• The hullmod Missile Autoloader is very effective on Tempest due to its single small missile mount, giving it 6 points of reload, translating to a bonus of 3 Reapers/ 6 Hammer-class Torpedos/ 4 Atroposs/ 6 Sabots.
• Manage the flux to vents relationship carefully, as the system may increase the flux usage more than expected.

Knife fighting

Temptest's weapon slots can be utilized to an advantage by slotting in a combination of either two Ion Pulser or one Pulser and one Graviton Beam. Using the Pulser take down the shields, and once the target is overfluxed/has the shields down, use the Termination Sequence.

Another build is using 2 Phase Lances along with High Scatter Amplifier. While this loadout lacks range, the burst damage generated by 2 Phase Lances can easily take down Frigates' or even Destroyers' shield. Tanking them on hull is not a choice either, given Phase Lance's effectiveness against Armor as a burst beam.

Changelog

Patch 0.98a: Reduced Terminator Drone replacement time to 10 seconds (was: 20) Patch 0.95.1a:  Replaced "High Energy Focus" ship system with "Termination Sequence" Turns one of the drones into a high-damage guided missile Patch 0.9a:  Increased maintenance/deployment cost from 6 to 8 Replaced Active Flare Launcher with High Energy Focus Terminator Drone built-in wing rework Patch 0.8a:  "Terminator" drone now a built-in fighter wing, 1 drone, uses AM blaster Ship system is now "Active Flare Launcher" Modified to have unlimited uses and slightly improved flare speed Increased shield arc to 120 degrees (was 90) Increased Terminator drone speed, now armed with Ion Pulser