A P E X
V U L T U R E
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: A primary, Droid Starfighter for the Confederacy with a clearly defined Squadron Count
- Image Source: Wookiepedia
- Canon Link: Variable Geomoetry Self Propelled Battle Droid, Mark I
- Restricted Mission: N/A
- Primary Source: /NA
- Manufacturer: Confederacy of Independent Systems
- Model: Mark II
- Affiliation: Confederacy of Independent Systems
- Production: Mass-Produced
- Material: Reinforced-Durasteel, Electronics
- Classification: Droid Starfighter
- Length: 5.23 meters
- Width: 3.95 meters
- Height: 2.68 meters
- Armament: Low
Laser Cannons (2) - Flex-Tube Launcher (1)
[*]Defenses: Very Low
[*]Squadron Count: 24
[*]Maneuverability Rating: Average
[*]Speed Rating: Average
[*]Hyperdrive Class: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES
- CZ-HKD Droid Brain: This integrated, droid brain provides exceptional processing power compared to the Mark I. This, in turn, can lead to faster and better decisions on the battlefield.
En Masse: The greatest strength of Droid Starfighters, past and present, is the ability to cheaply and effectively deploy them on the battlefield in large numbers. In particular, the Variable Geometry Self Propelled Battle Droid, Mark II has an average squadron count of twenty-four. This effectively allows the Confederacy to deploy a literal swarm to meet the forces of their adversaries.
Sans Pilot: The greatest weakness of any weapon is human error. With the absence of an organic pilot, the Mark II is able to make snap-decisions devoid of hesitation or issues of morality. It can also engage in maneuvers that would organic pilots cannot, simply due to there being no organs to be stressed!
WEAKNESSES
No Shields: Although the Confederacy saw fit to reinforce the hull plating of the Mark II, the vessel is still devoid of any shielding. While this was a measure designed to keep costs low and squadron count high, it also means that the average X-Wing or TIE Fighter will have an easier time picking off this particular model.
Flying Solo: Droid Starfighters lend themselves to operating in packs or swarms. However, in a one on one dogfight, they will be utterly decimated by a starfighter featuring an average assortment of weapons. Simply put, a single Mark II is severely under-gunned when compared to the average starfighter.
DESCRIPTION
The Variable Geometry Self Propelled Battle Droid, Mark II is one of the reconstituted Confederacy's opening projects.
As the nation began to get its footing, its engineers immediately began to work on producing a new successor to the iconic Droid Starfighter of the past. The result was a vessel that possessed the same advantages of the predecessor, with a few added bonuses. First and foremost, the engineers saw fit to integrate a modern droid brain into the Fighter. What this would do is augment the Mark II's ability to make decisions on the battlefield, coordinate with fellow ships, assess threats, etc. In addition, the teams also made certain to reinforce the Durasteel plating which made up the fighter's hull. While this would not save any Mark II from prolonged weapons' fire, this would at least give them a breath's more durability compared to the Mark I.
However, in the interest of swiftly producing a capable starfighter cheaply, the Confederacy did not upgrade the Mark II further. Unlike other, modern Droid Starfighters, the Mark II does not feature shields, a hyperdrive, or a pronounced armament. However, what it lacks in the ability to face down an average starfighter one-on-one, it makes up for in sheer numbers. With the Mark II, the Confederacy can afford to take losses on the battlefield, as it does not large sum of time or credits to replace a downed droid. However, organic pilots take years upon years to become aces; and other droid models are more expensive. As such, the Confederacy willingly traded the ability to win a one on one dogfight for the ability to deploy their forces en masse.
And thus did the Swarm of the Southern Systems return.
