Cogito, ergo sum
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create a line of variable-form droid assault corvettes to be produced and sold by Core Automata.
- Image Source(s):
- [Image 1] – Mass Effect 3 Screenshot
- [Image 2] – The Art of the Mass Effect Universe, Pg. 35
- Canon Link: N/A
- Permissions:
- Jaeger Solutions & Aegis Systems Permissions [Here]
- Permission for Mon Calamari Shipyards tech secured via Jaeger contract [Here]
- Primary Source(s):
- Core Automata (Company)
- Jaeger Solutions (Company)
- Aegis Systems (Company)
- InterGalactic Banking Clan (Minor Faction)
- Droid Starfighter (Concept)
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
- Manufacturer: Core Automata
- Affiliation: InterGalactic Banking Clan; Closed-Market
- Model: CA-DCV1 ‘Beholder’-class Droid Assault Corvette
- Production: Limited
- Materials: Durasteel, Alusteel, Dallorian Alloy, Duraplast, Misc. Starship Components
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (Combined Some Elements of Starship & Vehicle Templates)
- Classification: Droid Assault Corvette / Heavy Walker
- Length: 80m (body)
- Width: 53m
- Height: 160m
- Armament:
- Starship Configuration: High
- Ground Configuration: Very High
- 1 x CA-SWD1 "Thaum"-class Fusion Cannon
- 2 x SIC-32 "Broadstroke" Solar Ionization Batteries
- 4 x BE-3131 "Gos Karza"-class battery Emplacements
- 2 x Gimbal-mounted, Forward Laser Cannons
- 4 x Point-Defense Autoturrets
- Defenses:
- Starship Configuration: Average
- Ground Configuration: Low
- Hangar Space: Base: 0
- Maneuverability Rating:
- Starship Configuration: Average
- Ground Configuration: High
- Speed Rating:
- Starship Configuration: Average
- Ground Configuration: Low
- Hyperdrive Class: Average: 2
- Propulsion: Quadrupedal
- Minimum Crew: 0
- Passenger Capacity: 0
- Cargo Capacity: None
STANDARD FEATURES
- MC1005 Dolfin-class Communications Array
- MC1003 Tetra-class Targeting/Tracking Array
- MC1002 Oracle-class Sensor Suite
- Standard Ion Engines
- Class 2 Hyperdrive
ADVANCED SYSTEMS
- Shackled B-10 Tensai Droid Brain: a sophisticated, all-purpose brain that is easily configured to control the Beholder’s systems.
- C.A.N.O. Integration: when within range of a transceiver node the Beholder is preconfigured to be able to join the C.A.N.O. intelligence.
- BWR-44 “Minerva” Class Reactor: through the power of singularity, this reactor allows the Beholder to utilize a devastating ship-scale disruptor.
- 2 x Side-Mounted Grappler 213 Tactical Tractor Beams: useful for holding medium-to-small targets in place during assaults and can be used to impede the movement of larger targets to mitigate the Beholder’s mediocre speed.
- Mono-molecular Tendril Caps: each of the Beholder’s legs are tipped with a monomolecular edge, allowing it to dig in and secure itself to most surfaces, including the hulls of hostile starships.
STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
+ Droid: as is the goal of Core Automata, the Beholder was designed from the ground up as a droid vessel with no crew requirements. Because of this, the starship forgoes a traditional interior for simple maintenance shafts so that droid units may complete repairs when necessary. This extra internal space allows for larger components to be fitted into a smaller corvette, specifically the Minerva reactor and devastating fusion cannon.
+ Variable Form: similar to the droid craft of the ancient Trade Federation, the Beholder is able to alternate between two forms: an assault corvette configuration capable of interstellar travel, with average defenses and decent firepower; and a heavy walker configuration with significant damage output, but heavily lacking in self-sustainability on the battlefield.
+ Fusion Cannon: the Beholder’s primary weapon is a single, centrally located fusion cannon. Making use of a controlled sub-atomic reaction in blaster gas (typically Tibanna), the fusion cannon produces a tightly-focused beam of superheat that is potentially capable of disintegrating organic targets and melting through defensive materials. This capability does not come without cost, the largest being range and power draw. The inclusion of a Minerva singularity reactor mitigates most of the energy requirements, but even then the weapon should only be fired at full power when the Beholder’s ion engines are completely powered down.
- Short Range: the Beholder's primary weapon is only effective at short range and its other weaponry is only mostly effective against smaller craft. Combined with average defenses, the Beholder relies heavily on closing the gap to engage in close-quarters combat when pitched against larger starships.
- Large Target: despite its destructive potential as a heavy walker, when on the ground the Beholder's size and speed make it an easy, lumbering target on the battlefield.
- Swarmed: while the Beholder's forward firepower potential makes it a formidable foe, on its own or against a swarm of hostile forces the vessel is extremely vulnerable to being surrounded by large groups of smaller targets.
- Ion/EMP: like most droids and machinery, the Beholder is at risk to EMP and ion-based weaponry.
DESCRIPTIONThe Beholder-class Droid Assault Corvette is Core Automata's ambitious first attempt at breaking into the starship market. The assault corvette / heavy walker hybrid is an automated vessel with a variable-form body, similar to that of the Variable Geometry Self-Propelled Battle Droid starfighter, Hyena-class Bomber and Scarab-class droid starfighter, although on a larger scale. It is a pairing of Core Automata's knowledge in artificial intelligence and automaton design and the starship/weapons development skills learned through the technology of Jaeger Solutions. The result is a refined and potent hybrid craft capable of bringing a fight from the black of space to a city's doorstep.
In fleet combat the Beholder's specialization is close-quarter engagements. The assault corvette's defenses are admittedly average and the disruptor lacks impressive range, making the craft inefficient at medium & long distances. Instead, the Beholder relies on a hard offense, closing in on enemy starships to hold/slow them with the use of its twin-linked tractor beams, or mounting capital ships with its mono-molecular tendril caps to carve them apart with a disruptor beam. The Beholder's ability to transition between orbital and surface conflicts also make it invaluable as a support craft for planetary invasion forces.
When it comes to ground-scale warfare, the Beholder can fully utilize the destructive potential of it's ship-scale fusion cannon. As a heavy support walker on the front lines, it is capable of causing massive damage to enemy positions and making short work of armoured targets within range. However, this configuration comes with a notable hit to speed and a further drop in it's ability to defend itself, making it reliant on fire support to avoid being overrun.
Last edited:
