- "High speed aircraft. Strong against ranged vehicles." — In game description
The Harpy-class Aerial Strikecraft, also known as the F'xbat-class Interceptor by Coalition Intelligence is a high speed Kiith Gaalsien interceptor strikecraft. Its capabilities are beyond that of its Coalition counterpart the Hammer, with greater speed, firepower and an overall more compact frame.
Lore[]
- "At the moment, the main Gaalsien interceptor, codenamed the F'xbat, is outclassed by the alliance Hammer strike fighter in terms of both speed and maneuverability. Against other coalition aircraft, the F'xbat is still a deadly threat with its air to air missiles, and it can even interdict ground units using its complement of four air-to-surface missiles. While the alliance holds the upper hand in the air war at the moment, there are rumors that a new generation of F'xbat's are arriving on the battlefield with improved engines, making them even faster than the Hammer." — Expedition Guide
Campaign[]
Gaalsien interceptors serve as the Kiith Gaalsien's high speed aircraft built and launched by Kiith Gaalsien, integrating various exotic technologies discovered within various ship wrecks scattered on Kharak.
Armed with guided air to air and air to ground missiles, Gaalsien interceptors deal a moderate amount of damage. Gaalsien interceptors are particularly vulnerable to coalition missile batteries or support cruisers upgraded with anti-air missile weapons. AA turrets can also prove effective when placed along likely approach vectors or near their targets, as the AI makes no effort trying to avoid known turret locations.
Gaalsien interceptors are encountered at the Kalash Site, probing Kapisi expedition's positions. With the numbers encountered by them increasing towards the end of the expedition. Gaalsien interceptors do not always indicate the presence of a Gaalsien carrier, as they're known to enter the area of operation from beyond the map. Despite their name and aerial combat capacities (which Coalition Strike Fighters lack in the campaign), they are never really employed to fight aerial threats, but might occasionally attack aircraft if it happens to be patrolling near their ground target.
As flying units, interceptors may not be captured by Rachel S'jet's Science Baserunner. Additionally, as they may only be built from carriers, which also cannot be captured, interceptors may never be built by the player.
Multiplayer[]
Gaalsien feature powerful aircraft, with the Gaalsien interceptor having a higher speed and firing more missiles than the coalition strike fighter. They however do have a slightly weaker hull, making them more susceptible to anti-air cannon fire. They are highly constrained by the fact that only one may be built at a time, compared to the three strike fighters at a time coalition carriers may build. Interceptors have more upgrades than coalition strike fighters, and so are more expensive and time consuming to be built to their full potential, though the end result is faster and more powerful units with a faster refitting process. Up to 15 interceptors may be built and held by the carrier.
Given their speed and firepower, Gaalsien interceptors can respond to situations more quickly, reach distant fire fights faster and usually win in any air to air engagements with coalition strike fighters, especially if the Gaalsien interceptors target the coalition strike fighters first. Gaalsien interceptors are effective general purpose strike units, capable of destroying formations of heavy vehicles, cruisers and interdicting inbound bombers.
The presence of any anti-air threats are extremely effectively at deterring small numbers of interceptors, as only two missiles are need to down a single interceptor. Large numbers of Gaalsien interceptors can easily overwhelm several anti-air missile platforms like missile batteries or support cruisers. Losing interceptors can be rather costly, given that they do cost high amounts of RUs and only a single one of them can be produced at a time.
Queue multiple move commands can keep interceptors in the air, and ready to respond to a new sortie more quickly than launching from the carrier can.
Strong Against:[]
Coalition/Soban:
Gaalsien/Khaaneph:
Weak Against:[]
Coalition/Soban:
Gaalsien/Khaaneph:
Abilities[]
Veterancy[]
Rank | Effect | XP Required |
---|---|---|
Novice | +20% Sensors | 370 |
Acolyte | +100m Range | 703 |
Sentinel | +10% Speed and Turning Rate | 1336 |
Guardian | +15% Damage | 2538 |
Elder | +200 Hull | 4822 |
Research[]
Name | CU Cost | RU Cost | Time | Effect | Prerequisites |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Interceptor Fabrication | 250 CUs | 250 RUs | 55s | Enables Interceptor Production | Assault Ship Fabrication |
Interceptor - Afterburner | 350 CUs | 90 RUs | 60s | Increase speed by 60% | Interceptor Fabrication |
Aircraft - Recharge Upgrade | 350 CUs | 70 RUs | 40s | Reduce refuel/rearm of aircraft by 50% | Precision Bomber Fabrication |
Trivia[]
- Gaalsien interceptors require only a single pilot.
- The name F'xbat is a reference to the real life MiG-25 Foxbat, which is also an interceptor.