Rapier

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

Description

The SCWS-6 Rapier

Blue Planet Tech Room Description

The Federation's premier fighter weapons system, manufactured by the Oxys-Ultor Threat Workshop on Mars. The SCWS-6 Rapier is a descendant of the Great War-era Prometheus cannon with an improved cyclic rate of fire. Sophisticated fire control computers gather spectral and profile data from the target via lidar and regulate shot packaging for consistent, optimized damage. Quick, precise, and reliable, the Rapier provides primary firepower for the Kentauroi interceptor and the mighty Uriel gunship. Deployment is widespread in Second and Third Fleets.

Performance

Statistics

Range	1500 m
Rate of Fire	5.00 shots per second
Velocity	800 ms-1
Base Damage	20
Armor Damage	0.85x	17
Shield Damage	1.0x	20
Subsystem Damage	0.4x	8

Notes

Veteran Comments

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The Rapier is pretty much the UEF's Kayser, and about as effective. Mostly replaces the Maul as your bread-and-butter weapon once it becomes available. Good for all-round work.

Better than the Maul in every way but single hit damage. Longer range, faster rate of fire, higher damage, lower energy use; there's no real reason to not use this instead. The Rapier is not quite as punishing as the Kayser, but it's very close for much less energy consumption.

The Rapier's excellent range, coupled with its good shot velocity and relatively high rate of fire--makes it a great bomb intercept weapon, though the energy consumption does become a bit of an issue if you've diverted all power to engines to race to intercept a new wing of bombers. Frankly, it's a wonder that the First Fleet doesn't use this as standard issue, given that it's both easier to use and generally more effective in every role than the Maul or Vulcan, while also being considerably better at bomb intercept (which is especially significant for First Fleet, which only uses the much slower Uhlan fighter instead of the 200m/s speedster like the Kentauroi.