The Serapis seems wasted potential. Why the hell did the Vasudans install the most powerful reactor to ever grace a light fighter (more output than that of an Erinyes!) without making sure the craft is compatible with the most beloved energy hog (UD-8 Kayser)? While we're at it, how can they call it an advanced interceptor if it can't carry Trebuchets?
Actually, the role of interceptor is just to intercept. An interceptor is generally small, and fast, tasked with chasing down enemy fighters and bombers. A Trebuchet is a heavy missiles and carrying these in large capacities would probably slow it down. Interceptors (imo, anyway) tend to use primaries to kill anyway, hence the smaller secondary bank.
Impressive shield recharge, manoeverability and target profile mean this thing can dodge heavy fire all day long. At the same time, low shield capacity and primary firepower make it difficult to actually do something useful without getting one's butt shot off.
Like I said above, its an interceptor. Its supposed to stay on the move, and its definitely not meant for head on strikes on capital ships.
The way the engine responds to different power setting negates some of the excellent energy power plant - top speed suffers significantly when fed less than default yet it doesn't benefit much from additional energy.
Can't really call it suffering significantly. 75ms
-1 is still respectable. Although, the measly 3ms
-1 is quite ... disappointing. But you can see it as the Serapis already having
of power drawn from the power plant.
Whining aside, it's a craft capable of many different jobs: It's fast enough and has enough secondary capacity to be a reasonable interceptor if you can live without Trebuchets, it's an effective (if unforgiving) dogfighter and it can wield Maxims against capital ships with more than enough power to spare.
I think the main weapon an interceptor needs to have is the Harpoon, since its the de facto dogfighting missile.
For a multi-role craft I prefer this over the Myrmidon, but on the whole I expected a more elegant solution from the Vasudans. If I don't need to take cheap shots at capital ships I'd rather fly the Thoth.
Agreed.
Regarding the assault fighters... in this class all of the modern ships are balanced and have their uses. I'm leaning towards the Tauret because it has all I want from a heavy fighter; being less nimble than an Erinyes or a Herc II isn't a problem if you assign 3 Taurets + 1 light fighter to a wing.
GTVA tends to group their wings with similar fighter classes, though. Besides, the single interceptor/space superiority probably won't make much of a different.
Sidenote: Try to space your text out a little, makes it easier to read.