Wayfarer

Up to date for latest version, 0.97a.

Wayfarer-class Combat Freighter
Midline Frigate
14,000c
Logistical data
CR per deployment	10%
CR per deployment	10%
Recovery rate (per day)	8%
Recovery rate (per day)	8%
Recovery cost (supplies)	5
Recovery cost (supplies)	5
Deployment points	5
Deployment points	5
Peak performance (sec)	240
Peak performance (sec)	240
Ordnance points	55
Ordnance points	55
Maintenance (supplies/month)	5
Maintenance (supplies/month)	5
Cargo capacity	150
Cargo capacity	150
Maximum crew	50
Maximum crew	50
Skeleton crew required	25
Skeleton crew required	25
Fuel capacity	40
Fuel capacity	40
Maximum burn	10
Maximum burn	10
Fuel per LY / Jump cost	1
Fuel per LY / Jump cost	1
Combat performance
Hull integrity	2250
Armor rating	250
Flux capacity	1600
Flux dissipation	120
Top speed	120
Systems
Defense	Front Shield
Shield arc	180
Shield upkeep/sec	48
Shield flux/damage	0.8
System	Flare Launcher
Mounts	2x Small Hybrid 2x Small Ballistic 2x Small Universal

	With respectable armor and armament for a heavy frigate, the Wayfarer does not cut close the ruthless economy that would suit it for bulk trade on the dedicated lanes where safety is guaranteed by civilized locale (or, at least, an armed escort). No, the Wayfarer is a starship for the lonely runs on the frontier, between worlds where the tough law of necessity reigns, where brigands roam, and the crossed arcs of one's own gun turrets are the best comfort to be found in the cold reach of space.
–In-game description

A freighter designed for combat, the Wayfarer contains small weapon mounts covering each side of it.

Strategy and tips

The following section contains user-submitted suggestions, these may be inaccurate or outdated.

Due to its large cargo hold - best among frigates by a quite large margin - and lack of Civilian-grade Hull sensor profile penalty, the Wayfarer serves as a great ship for smuggling purposes.

Face approx. 25 degrees off center to converge three mounts

Combat-wise, like all midline ships, the Wayfarer comes with a respectable 0.8 flux/damage shields, acceptable hull/armor and six small mounts: two ballistic facing forward, two hybrid facing sideways and two universal facing rear-left and rear-right. The side weapon mounts are asymmetrical and both do not have firing arc width necessary to support front-facing guns at once, which limits the Wayfarer's combat capability. Nonetheless, at any moment, one of the two side facing turrets may overlap with the front-facing turrets. This provides Wayfarer vessels with the chance to line up three turrets on an enemy for a much needed boost in firepower.

Outfitting the Wayfarer's side hybrid turrets with damage-dealing weapons detracts from their clearly intended purpose though- being Point Defence. The Wayfarer has much potential as a point defence vessel provided the relatively wide arcs of its side and rear turret mounts. In a pinch, with the correct loadout, a few Wayfarers can act as a low DP Point Defence counter to fleets with high amounts of carriers.

Alternatively, rear facing turrets can be outfitted with guided missile platforms, which further augments the Wayfarer's already high amount of versatility. Point defence options on these rear turrets can be neglected without significant risk to the Wayfarer itself, thanks to the Flare Launcher, which allows it to evade guided missiles quite handily. Strong picks for rear missiles include Salamanders for sustained battlefield presence or Gorgon DEMs for augmented, short-term, flexible firepower.

Whilst by no means is the Wayfarer unfit for combat, it is still not a dedicated combat vessel and will not be able to endure a significant amount of bullying on its lonesome. In many respects, the Wayfarer shares overlap with the Mule, insofar that it can perform as a very capable combatant if properly supported by other ships in your fleet, although usually for specific functions rather than as a multi-role ship. In any case, custom loadouts are your friend with the Wayfarer.

Suggested Loadouts

• Balanced Support: A Railgun and a Light Assault Gun placed on your front facing weapon mounts for mixed damage capabilities. Burst PD Lasers on side facing mounts. Salamander SRMs on your back facing mounts. ECCM Package and 10 Vents/Capacitors. Although in many cases the Wayfarer will never be able to strip away the armor of larger ships with a LAG, it provides the ship with the option to strip armor of enemy frigates, which it is likely to skirmish with. Burst PD Lasers, whilst expensive, are least 'distracting' to the piloting AI. An argument can be made for PD Lasers or Vulcan Cannons instead with the addition of the Extended Shields hullmod to compensate for the low shield angle innate to the Wayfarer. The ECCM Package and Salamanders provide for fast, agile missiles which have an improved likelihood of getting past enemy point defence and causing an engine flameout, granting a ripe opportunity for other ships in your fleet to secure a kill.

Changelog

Patch 0.95.1a:  Increased ordnance points to 55 (was: 45) Increased cargo capacity to 150 (was: 100)