Discovery Freighter Reviews

[Ash]

[color=#FFFFFF]Train

• Maneuverability - ****
  
• Firepower - ***
  
• Cargo Space - ***
  
• Size - ***
  
• Cargo Space/Size Ratio - *****
  
• Price - ***
  
• Appearance - ****
  
• Cockpit View - *
  
• Availability - *****
  
• Capability of Escaping Pirates - ***
  
• Capability of Defeating Pirates - **
  
• Value for Money - *****
  

Unlike it's big brothers the standard train is magnificent in almost every way. The six turrets stretched over the Large and Advanced Trains seem to fit nicely onto the compact chassis of the Standard Train. It's handling surprises you once you launch into space giving you the feel of something a lot smaller and lighter. This ship hasn't a single flaw but its cockpit view, the spider webbed frame of the avenger obscures your window sadly making you wish for the starflier windscreen. As standard you get a full set of six type seven transport turrets for your turret mounts adding sweetness to the bargain of 23 million credits. A countermeasure and a cruise disruptor mount also comes with should you ever need them and it's smallish shape buys you time before any pirates see you to take a detour. The look of the train is very attractive; its multiple decks on the bow of the ship with four colossal customizable cargo pods trailing behind makes it look astounding. The look of the ship really puts into perspective how big freelancer really is, and how massive 3000 units of stuff compares to humans.

[color=#FFCC00]Overall Rating - *****

[color=#FFFFFF]Large Train

• Maneuverability - **
  
• Firepower - ***
  
• Cargo Space - ****
  
• Size - ****
  
• Cargo Space/Size Ratio - *****
  
• Price - **
  
• Appearance - ****
  
• Cockpit View - *
  
• Availability - *****
  
• Capability of Escaping Pirates - **
  
• Capability of Defeating Pirates - *
  
• Value for Money - ****
  

The Standard Train's big sister, and the middle sibling of the three, is probably the best train in terms of appearance compared to the other two. It is just the right length that a train should be. The Standard train seems dwarfed by its large bow and the advanced train is just ridiculously long. The six cargo pods on this fit in quite nicely in proportion to the bridge and it's definitely a vessel worth considering settling for. If you've upgraded from the standard train then you’ll most definitely feel that extra weight piled onto the handling. The smooth turning of the Standard train is like a distant relative to the slow movements of this one. Yet again six class seven turret mounts supplied with a full set of type four turrets are included as well as six grey cargo pods really fitted and removable. A 4500 cargo bay limit really makes you wonder if it's worth sacrificing that extra bit more to get a larger option. The Large train does however reserve the maneuverability in and around trade lanes and jump gates. Handled right, this ship can be as easy to pilot as its predecessor, but due to barely any gadgets with the guns the chances of outrunning pirates are quite slim. Being built by no particular faction in Sirius this ship is readily available to pretty much anyone if they have the IFF to purchase it from South Shields. Another common flaw that it shares with its sisters is the awful avenger’s cockpit setting frames across your view which can be quite off-putting if you prefer to fly that way this colossal cargo bay does come at a hefty price, but less than expected. Just over 93 million credits will get you all this and a hell of a lot of profit along any mainline trade route.

[color=#FFCC00]Overall Rating - ****

[color=#FFFFFF]Advanced Train

• Maneuverability -
  
• Firepower - ***
  
• Cargo Space - *****
  
• Size - *****
  
• Cargo Space/Size Ratio - ***
  
• Price -
  
• Appearance - ***
  
• Cockpit View - *
  
• Availability - *****
  
• Capability of Escaping Pirates - **
  
• Capability of Defeating Pirates - *
  
• Value for Money - ***
  

Pushing the limit of what was possible in 4.84, the Advanced train has been with us for some time and is imprinted in the minds of many of us as the Traders target. The Advanced train is the only single largest freighter that has a 5000 cargo bay that can still fit into a lane fairly reasonably. The Barge still takes the cake as the top dog, but this is where efficiency and functionality ends in my books. The Advanced train has an astronomical 40-45 second turning circle and a staggering 8 second cruise charge, surpassing the Mastadon and the Kusari Container Transport by far. As you can see on the ratings the advanced train has hit both extremes that i cannot give it a low enough rating for Maneuverability and Price. A 5000 cargo bay comes at a much cheaper price than 188 million in any of the house super transports. However there are aspects you get with the train that you don’t with the super transports; 8 Customizable cargo pods, included set of Type four turrets and bow underside engines. This thing is pretty much hopeless in an encounter with pirates though, the maneuverability takes away any possibility of escape (If they have Train Disruptors), a small handful of turrets covering almost a kilometer of hull renders it's firepower useless, and hardly any extra gadgets to rely on makes it totally useless. But its cargo hold can bring in as much money that does not compare to what some taxers will ask you for, and most pilots would pay it happily.

[color=#FFCC00]Overall Rating - ***

[color=#FFFFFF]T-282-F "Garanchou" Freighter

• Maneuverability - ****
  
• Firepower - ***
  
• Cargo Space - *
  
• Size - *
  
• Cargo Space/Size Ratio - *****
  
• Price - *****
  
• Appearance - ****
  
• Cockpit View - ***
  
• Availability - ****
  
• Capability of Escaping Pirates - ***
  
• Capability of Defeating Pirates - ***
  
• Value for Money - ****
  

Now the Garanchou is an interesting vessel. It's rough and rugged exterior does give a stale impression at first, but I’ll admit, it's grown on me. The concept of a small gas transport running throughout the colonies is an interesting and motivating concept. As you may have guessed this ship does show all the characteristics of being a GMG vessel, and I’m sure they definitely had a hand in its production. However, the blurb on the vessel doesn't locate ownership to any particular faction. So this is why it's been placed amongst the civilian freighters as its availability is almost unlimited. The only factor that comes into play when thinking about who owns one of these is "Will you be transporting H-Fuel/Deuterium?". If no, then you may want to reconsider. This small little package of a vessel really does grow on you after a while and you learn to enjoy flying it. Looking at the detail on the cockpit exterior, you can see that the cockpit view has been carefully chosen. The Garanchou doesn't have all the flashy gear of all the other ships in its class but somehow it manages to keep it's extremely low price tag and still be a good vessel; something the Rhino couldn't accomplish. I can see this ship packing punches in a brawl or two if you travel in a convoy as it's so small it turns like most super heavy fighters. Sadly, you can feel the tug on it as you turn which does redeem the rhino a bit. This little ship has three class eight guns, four class four turrets, a mine, a countermeasure and a 340 cargo space putting the Rhino to shame again. This ship is more capable of fighting than trading, which is why i can see it would be a good ship for role-play but not for income. But be sure, if your wanting for a ship from the murky clouds of the sigmas to nip back and for from all over Sirius then this is the ship for you.

[color=#FFCC00]Overall Rating - ****

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