Firestorm

2024-10-16T08:59:31Z

Cort: /* Vital Statistics */ added construction requirements

[[Image:firestorm.png|right|Firestorm - New Fighter Craft]]
The first X-COM craft engineered from Alien technology, the '''Firestorm''' is a direct replacement for the standard combat craft [[Interceptor]].

With a crew of one, the Firestorm has been designed around the classic "Flying Saucer" concept, with a central propulsion unit identical to those found in UFOs.

This craft appears in ''[[X-COM|UFO: Enemy Unknown]]''. For the ''[[TFTD|Terror from the Deep]]'' equivalent, refer to the [[Manta]].

== How to use it ==

As a fighter the Firestorm is much faster than the [[Interceptor]], capable of travelling fast enough to keep up with almost any [[UFO]]. It also has much better armor and is not easily destroyed by enemy return fire. It therefore makes an excellent interceptor in the true sense of the word: launch, intercept, return to base. However, that's about all it can do: Due to its very low range it is incapable of shadowing the enemy and following them around half the world as you're used to from the Interceptor craft.

So you only should launch the Firestorm if you positively want to shoot down an alien craft.

Due to a [[Known Bugs#Elerium-fueled Craft Bug|design flaw]], the Firestorm must immediately return to base upon depleting half of its fuel supply, regardless of the distance it was deployed to.
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== Special Requirements ==
The Firestorm is fueled by [[Elerium-115]], so before manufacturing this craft, make sure that you have sufficient stocks of Elerium in your [[General_Stores|general stores]].

When airborne, the Firestorm consumes fuel at the rate of 1 fuel unit (1/5th unit of [[Elerium-115]], 5% total fuel) every ten minutes, regardless of the speed of the craft. The Firestorm has a maximum (radial) range of only 7,000 nautical miles, while being airborne for a paltry 1h, 40m. Its maximum (distance) range is 14,000 nautical miles, while having a total fly time of only 3h, 20m. Patrolling has no effect on fuel consumption.

One Firestorm requires 4 units of [[Elerium-115|Elerium]] for refueling. When refueling, the Firestorm receives 25% more fuel (i.e., 1 Elerium) every half hour, on the half hour. So it can take up to two hours to refuel, and will be finished fueling precisely on the turn of a half hour.

If [[Plasma_Beam|Plasma Beams]] have been fired, it will take 3 hours to re-arm, regardless of how many PB shots were used. At the turn of the first hour after refueling (measured by hour on the clock, straight up), your left Plasma Beam goes to 100 ammo. At the turn of the second hour, the right one goes to 100. Turn of third hour: Craft drops out of REARMING status and is ready to fly. Even if your craft has not fired (ammo=100), it will still wait until the next hour (straight up) going through that last REARM phase after refueling.

Firestorms are repaired at the rate of 1 HP per hour(4.8% per day), and this is updated on an hourly basis. Service is done in this order: [[Repairs]], [[refueling]], [[rearming]]. If you transfer a Firestorm between bases, it will still need refuelling and rearming when it arrives even though 12+ hours have passed (if it needed them before it left). Presumably, your maintenance personnel are hesitant to inject explosives or a highly volatile, poorly-understood alien fuel into a damaged fighter.

== Vital Statistics ==
<table>
<tr><td>Maximum Speed:</td><td>4,200</td></tr>
<tr><td>Acceleration:</td><td>9</td></tr>
<tr><td>Fuel Capacity:</td><td>20</td></tr>
<tr><td>Weapon Pods:</td><td>2</td></tr>
<tr><td>Damage Capacity:</td><td>500</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cargo Space:</td><td>None</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[:Category:Heavy Weapons Platforms|HWP]] Capacity:</td><td>None</td></tr>

<tr><td>'''Construction Requirements'''</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Work Space Required:</td><td>30</td></tr>
<tr><td>Man hours:</td><td>[TBD]</td></tr>
<tr><td>Alien Alloys:</td><td>68</td></tr>
<tr><td>UFO Power Source:</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>UFO Navigation:</td><td>1</td></tr>
</table>

== See Also ==
{{Craft Navbar}}

[[Category: Research (EU)]][[Category:X-COM Craft (EU)]]
[[Category:Enemy Unknown/UFO Defense]]

Lightning

2024-10-16T08:59:14Z

Cort: /* Vital Statistics */ added construction requirements

[[Image:UP003.gif|right|Lightning - New Fighter-Transporter]]
The prototype X-Com fighter/transporter, the '''Lightning''' is the second UFO-based craft [[research]]ed, with the emphasis on troop transport capabilities.

This craft appears in ''[[X-COM|UFO: Enemy Unknown]]''. For the ''[[TFTD|Terror from the Deep]]'' equivalent, refer to the [[Hammerhead]].

==Limitations==
The Lightning is a 'Jack of all trades, master of none' as it neither excels at being an interceptor nor does it excel at being a troop transporter. Either role may be better filled with other aircraft, such as [[Firestorm]]s or [[Skyranger]]s, but the Lightning is a meld of both.

As an interceptor, it has a short range, low speed and only one hardpoint. But don't be fooled: loaded with a single Plasma Beam can destroy all UFOs -except for the [[Battleship]]- without being even damaged. As a transporter, it is unable to carry [[Heavy Weapons Platforms]] and has room for a bit smaller squadron of soldiers than the [[Skyranger]]. These are the main reasons why a number of [[X-COM]] Commanders frown on the usage of the Lightning.

The Lightning shares a [[Known Bugs#Elerium-fueled Craft Bug|design flaw]] with the [[Firestorm]] that forces it to return to base after using half of it's fuel supply, regardless of how close or far it is from the base.

==Advantages==
However, unlike the [[Skyranger]] or the [[Avenger]], the Lightning does offer 2 completely unique experience when it comes to ground combat because of its peculiar octagonal design.

Firstly, due to an unusual design flaw, troops are able to leave from four other locations apart from the official entrance. These additional exits are found on the corners of the ship. With a combination of well trained soldiers, adequate equipment and strategy, the ability to deploy from almost every direction can prove to be very advantageous in many different situations.

Furthermore, the Lighting incorporates an additional piece of alien technology: AUTOMATIC DOORS. This is in fact a major tactical advantage, especially at the start of combat when aliens have full TU. The automatic door prevents aliens from spotting X-COM agents and summarily throwing grenades/ firing blaster bombs INTO the troop carrier itself, killing the entire squad.

As the Lightning is designed to carry troops, it lacks the acceleration of the [[Firestorm]]. This means that even though it can stay in the air longer, it has only a marginally greater range. Its acceleration still outclasses every other earth based aircraft available, making it excellent for rapid short range interceptions and ground assaults.
The Lightning also has much heavier armour and hull strength than the [[Firestorm]] and is second only to the [[Avenger]] in terms of its ability to sustain damage. Although it may not be destroyed completely by a single attack from a [[Battleship]], the odds of a lone Lightning surviving an attack against a [[Battleship]] are substantially smaller than that of the [[Avenger]].

The Lightning, for all its advantages and disadvantages, is best used as support for other ships with a more dedicated role rather to be relied on by itself. If you need rapid response times and don't have the Avenger, this craft can shuttle back and forth between all those landed alien craft who are building an Alien base. Grab that Elerium quick.

==Battlescape Graphics==
<gallery widths="175">
Image:LIGHTNIN-L0.PNG|Lightning Level 0
Image:LIGHTNIN-L1.PNG|Lightning Level 1
Image:LIGHTNIN-L2.PNG|Lightning Level 2
</gallery>

== Special Requirements ==
The "Lightning" craft is fueled by [[Elerium-115]]. Before manufacturing this craft, ensure that you have sufficient stocks of Elerium in your [[General_Stores|general stores]].

While airborne, the Lightning consumes fuel at the rate of 1 fuel unit (1/5th unit of [[Elerium-115]], 3.33% total fuel) every ten minutes, regardless of the speed of the craft. The Lightning has a maximum (radial) range of only 7,750 nautical miles, while being airborne for 2h, 30m. Its maximum (distance) range is 15,500 nautical miles, for a total fly time of 5 hours. Patrolling has no effect on fuel consumption.

One Lightning requires 6 units of Elerium for refueling. When refueling, the Lightning receives 16.67% more fuel (i.e., 1 Elerium) every half hour, on the half hour. So it can take up to three hours to refuel, and will be finished fueling precisely on the turn of a half hour.

Service is done in this order: [[Repairs]], [[refueling]], [[rearming]]. If you transfer a Lightning between bases, it will still need refueling and rearming when it arrives even though 12+ hours have passed (if it needed them before it left).

Lightnings are repaired at the rate of 3% damage per day.

== Vital Statistics ==
<table>
<tr><td>Maximum Speed:</td><td>3,100</td></tr>
<tr><td>Acceleration:</td><td>8</td></tr>
<tr><td>Fuel Capacity:</td><td>30</td></tr>
<tr><td>Weapon Pods:</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>Damage Capacity:</td><td>800</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cargo Space:</td><td>12</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[:Category:Heavy Weapons Platforms|HWP]] Capacity:</td><td>None</td></tr>

<tr><td>'''Construction Requirements'''</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Work Space Required:</td><td>34</td></tr>
<tr><td>Man hours:</td><td>[TBD]</td></tr>
<tr><td>Alien Alloys:</td><td>85</td></tr>
<tr><td>UFO Power Source:</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>UFO Navigation:</td><td>1</td></tr>
</table>

== See Also ==
{{Craft Navbar}}

[[Category: Research (EU)]][[Category:X-COM Craft (EU)]]
[[Category:Enemy Unknown/UFO Defense]]

UFOpaedia - User contributions [en]

Firestorm

Lightning