UEF Lao Tze

The following information has not been confirmed by Volition and is therefore not canon for the FreeSpace universe.

Original UEF Lao Tze (modified FTF MiG) from the first released version of War in Heaven.

The current UEF Lao Tze, a modified HEF Blizzard.

Description:

Blue Planet: War in Heaven Tech Description

Ever since its first deployment, the Lao Tze fighter has become synonymous with the White Guard, a paramilitary order akin to the Fedayeen whose elite knights use this craft as their vehicle of choice in missions assigned directly by the Elders. The Lao Tze is a heavy fighter of controversial design, sacrificing pilot safety for extreme manoeuvrability. Very few pilots can pilot this craft in combat conditions without blacking out due to the G-forces at play. The Lao Tze is equipped with the unique Cavalier cannon, capable of penetrating even the toughest of armor, and is usually reserved for the rare occasions where Lao Tze's are tasked to defend their targets against heavy enemy assaults.

Developer Notes

(FTF MiG) Model designed and constructed by Steve "Coolhand" Tyler

Name Origin

Lao Tze (also Laozi, Lao Tse, Laocius and other variations) was a philosopher of ancient China and a central figure of Taoism. He is traditionally regarded as the author of the Tao Te Ching, a classical Taoist text. The "Three Treasures of the Tao" (compassion, moderation and humility) have been considered some of his most poignant teachings.

Performance:

Statistics

Name	UEF Lao Tze
Type	Escort/Space Superiority
Manufacturer	Ad-Hoc Emergent Tasked Manufacturer
Maneuverability	High
Max Velocity	90 - 120 ms-1
Max Afterburner Velocity	200 ms-1
Max Afterburner Duration	6.0 s
Armor	Light
Hitpoints	325 pts
Shields	500 pts
Length	22 m
Weaponry
Primary weapons
1st bank	4 guns
2nd bank	2 guns
Secondary weapons
1st bank capacity	40
2nd bank capacity	40
3rd bank capacity	40
Countermeasures
Countermeasure capacity	40 countermeasures

Armaments

• Gun Mounts

Default Statistics
Bank	Guns	Standard Loadout
1st	4	Rapier
2nd	2	Cavalier
Compatible Primaries
1st	Vulcan, Scalpel, Maul, Rapier, Gattler, Sidhe
2nd	Cavalier

• Missile Banks

Default Statistics
Bank	Capacity	Standard Loadout
1st	40	Javelin
2nd	40	Dirk
3rd	40	Hellfire
Compatible Secondaries
1st 2nd	Dirk, Dart, Hellfire, Javelin, Grimler, Paveway, Slammer
3rd	Dirk, Dart, Hellfire, Javelin, Grimler, Paveway, Slammer, Shrike

Veteran Comments

Please read the Veteran Comments policy before editing this section.

Although it does mount a quad bank of Rapiers and one Cavalier, the Rapiers are easily more punishing than the Cavalier, essentially rendering it useless. The fighter has good maneuverability, its downfall is that that agility is partially negated by its enormous profile, dwarfing the Myrmidon and approaching the size of a Uriel. It has well placed guns, but carries fewer missiles than the Uhlan and Kentauroi. General Battuta confirmed that the Cavalier cannon on this fighter is going to be revamped in WiH2, as well as the fighter itself, potentially.

I disagree with the above comment. Although the Lao Tze's armor is rather weak when compared to other UEF fighters, its excellent maneuverability can easily mix with its insanely powerful Cavalier cannon to bring fighters and bombers to their knees. With a good pilot and decent weaponry, a Lao Tze can kill every single fighter and bomber in the game.

One might think of the Cavalier as an equivalent to the four Rapier guns this fighter can also mount. Thus, you can use the Cavalier in place of the quar-Rapiers and place something else in the quad-bank instead. In particular, the Gattler and Scalpel allows this fighter to be a major threat to warships while still maintaining excellent anti-fighter firepower.

The stats above reflect the current version of the Lao Tze. The first release version had only one gun in the Cavalier bank, a much larger secondary capacity, a slower standard speed and a higher afterburner speed.

Download link:

FTF MiG version | FSMods.net