Recon
Intro
Recon interceptors are mobile support interceptors, designed to counter cloaked ships and capture isolated beacons.
The Empire are the recon specialists, but the Federation also produce several models. Federation recons are built for speed and maneuverability, while Empire recons are tougher, and usually have capability to have stronger sensors and see further, acting as combat AWACS, due to slots layout and passive bonuses.
Recons are a tricky role to master. Their damage ability isn't up to the standard of covert ops interceptors, and they don't have the ECM interceptors' disabling abilities, making them arguably the weakest interceptor in a straight fight. However their bag of tricks is varied and deep, allowing them to debuff key targets, disable cloaks in an area and cloak themselves to escape if things go wrong. Finally, their MWD ability gives them unparalleled mobility, allowing them to capture unguarded beacons, surprise Long Range Frigates, lend their support to teammates exactly where it's needed most, or simply to escape.
Features:
- Built-in scanner (+50% to the sensor range)
- Improved hacking program (+35% to the speed of capturing beacons/bombs)
- Analyzer of enemy systems (+15% to the chance of critical damage)
- Small size (50% of additional shields and external incoming recovery)
- Thin hull (66.6% of explosive damage)
- Extra generator for engines on Empire ships (+10% to maximum speed)
Main tasks:
- Perform immediate combat tasks (capture of beacons, bombs)
- Detection of invisible ships
- Transfer radar review allies
- Capturing ships departing for repairs
Strengths:
- Maneuverable
- Extremely mobile
- Most effective in capturing beacons and bombs among all roles.
- Reliable escape
- Ability to disorient the enemy
Weak sides:
- Low permanent damage
- Low strength
- Ineffective in domination
Counter-roles:
- Effective against: Long-Range, Tacklers and Covert Ops
- Weak against: Command and Guard
Shows itself best in a 1 on 1 battle.
If you like dueling battles, then this role is for you.
Special Module
Microwarp engine
The Recon's Microwarp engine (or MWE) causes the ship to suddenly accelerate to 28 times normal speed, catapulting it forwards approximately 11km. The MWE has a 1 second spool-up time during which the recon can't manoeuver. The MWE can be cancelled early by pressing your afterburner control, and allows some control during the deceleration stage, allowing a practised pilot a decent degree of control over where the ship will land. However, the Microwarp engine is also a common source of the "Thud!" medal for less practised pilots.
Some recons have unique Special Modules.
Active Modules
- all
- unique and for premium ships of the same role
- Marten
- Wasp
- Sai
- Cyning
- Seeress
- Psiloi
- Tai'Kin
Spy Drones Container
Spy drones have a good range and can be applied to a target despite obstacles in the way. Spy drones disable cloaks and negate stealth effects on the target, and reduce the effectiveness of all hull repair and shield regeneration by 50%. Spy drones are a potent debuff to use on Engineering frigates or enemy captains to make them easier to kill, or on tacklers, recons or covert ops to disable their stealth abilities.
Phase Modulator
The Phase Modulator is a short duration cloaking device. It drains energy while used, and like other cloaks it will break if the ship fires any weapons, uses any modules or takes any damage. The Phase Remodulator is the recon's main evasion and escape ability.
Parasitic Remodulator
The Parasitic Remodulator drains shield from the target and gives it to the recon. It is the Recon's only "combat" module and serves the double purpose of damaging the target's shields and helping keep the recon alive. The shield drain of the Parasitic Remodulator is not affected by resistances, so is surprisingly effective at higher tiers and against Guard frigates.
Micro-locator
The Micro-locator is dropped in a location and reveals any ships in its area of effect to friendlies, even if cloaked or stealthed. It also prevents cloaking devices from being activated in its area of effect.
Holoship
Creates a hologram of a player ship, Hologram. When Hologram is expires, destroyed or dispelled by the certain effects, it will explode with a slight EM dmg in the area. Applying a Spy Drone or having a Hologram in range of the micro-locator will instantly destroy a Hologram.
Inhibitor crystal
Launches a growing cloud slowing enemies down. If the cloud moves too far or at the press of a button the cloud explodes with maximum damage in its center. Damage depends on cloud size.
Player Opinion and Gameplay
In Open Space, you rely on line of sight to spot everything. This, as well as the Microwarp engine, makes the Recon one of the best ships for exploring or travelling through Open Space. In all gamemodes, Recons get bonus synergy for targets destroyed while under any one of the spotting effects the Recon possesses, reinforcing it's role as a support interceptor. Spot targets and let your team do the damage! If you are alone, use your massive line-of-sight and stealth/distraction modules to pick single/weakened targets to attack, and to split up groups of enemies.