Enemy Fighter Basics

Welcome to Enemy Fighter Basics. This tutorial is designed to introduce you to the various enemies you may encounter while serving in the Vast Empire Starfighter Corps. Due to the time period, our main enemy is the New Republic, however it's not uncommon for us to battle pirate factions or even other Imperial Warlords.

For more information, consult the State of the Galaxy page.

Common New Republic Starfighters

T-65 X-wing starfighter

As much a symbol for the New Republic as TIE Figher's are a symbol for the Empire, the 'X-wing' was the New Republic's main multi-purpose starfighter. The original designs were actually created by Imperial scientists who defected to the Rebellion some time before the Battle of Yavin, and they have been a staple of the New Republic Navy ever since. Unlike the early TIE series, The X-Wing came equipped with shields, a hyperdrive and a proton torpedo complement to boot, making it a very versatile fighter. It also held a socket just behind the cockpit for an R2 or R5 series Astromech droid to assist with repairs and navigation.

The X-wing's name is derived from it's Strike-foils, or S-foils - Four wings in two pairs which, when in attack position, form an X shape when looked at head on. This configuration allowed for a greater fire-spread when using the four laser cannons mounted on each wing. When not in combat, the X-wing's S-foils are usually closed to allow for increased speed.

The X-wing played a major role in the early days of the Galactic Civil War, and continues to do so today. It's ruggedness means you could send a squadron of these fighters out on a mission with little or no back-up, and still have a reasonable chance of sucess. Two munitions launchers along the main hull of fighter allowed it fire a complement of proton torpedos, enabling it take on capital ships and installations.

The fighters are not to be trifled with, and even in a VE-standard TIE, it's never wise to take one on alone.

For more information, please vist the full X-Wing article

RZ-1 A-wing Interceptor

Simply put, the A-wing Interceptor is a cockpit attached to a pair of engines. The beginnings of the A-wing lay in the post-battle analysis of the Battle of Yavin. The value of Alliance starfighters were undeniable in the battle, but there was concern that a simple trio of the faster TIE starfighters had almost foiled Luke's trench run. Knowing that the Imperial Navy was conducting similar analyses and would come to the same conclusions, General Jan Dodonna set about planning the creation of a dedicated Alliance interceptor. His predictions were correct, as Sienar Fleet Systems engineers began work on the TIE Interceptor, an Imperial fighter capable of matching the A-wing in speed.

The combination of sensitive controls, unmatched sublight thrust, maneuverable weapons systems, advanced sensors and stealth packages were a definite plus, but its relatively weak armor and shields, and heavily exposed cockpit endangered even the best pilot. A-wings earned the nickname "slims" for their small frame made of carbo-plas, but also for the "slim" chance of a pilot surviving a direct hit on the ship after the shields were down. Many who flew the A-wing were considered some of the best pilots around, especially considering they had to concentrate on so many things by themselves, as the A-wing lacked the space for an astromech droid.

Compared to other fighters such as the X-wing and the B-wing, the A-wing is relatively lightly-armed. Shields and a hyperdrive allow it to act independently of the fleet; however it sports only two laser cannons, and it's launchers are armed with the lighter concussion missiles, instead of the X-wing's proton torpedoes.

For more information visit the A-Wing article.

B-wing Assault Fighter

One of the newer starfighters fielded by the New Republic, the B-wing was personally designed by Admiral Ackbar after he was rescued from slavery by the Rebellion. The B-wing was a highly adaptable design, with modular hardpoints and other components; its weapons could be reconfigured more easily than many other Alliance fighters. The B-wing also had a unique rotating cockpit module which was independently stabilized to allow the pilot to coordinate advanced flight and attack maneuvers.

The B-wing was designed to replace the aging Koensayr BTL Y-wing starfighter in the heavy assault role, as it had the advantage of more weaponry and stronger shields. However, the B-wing had several weaknesses; most notably, it was difficult to fly and lacked speed and agility. Its large hull furthermore made it an easier target and it also had lighter armor protection. Consequently, it never fully succeeded in supplanting the Y-wing as intended.

It's armament typically includes: three ion cannons, two proton torpedo launchers, one laser cannon, and two auto-blasters. Most B-wings had their two auto-blasters replaced with laser cannons to improve survivability and firepower, though some B-wings had four auto-blasters. While still requiring escorts, these durable vessels allowed the Rebellion to take on capital ships without the need of similar such vessels in support.

For more information, please visit the B-Wing article.

Other Common New Republic Fighters

Y-Wing - An outdated craft by today's standards, the Y-wing used to be the Rebellion's go-to fighter for heavy weaponry before the advent of the B-wing. However, with the latter vessel being more difficult to fly, a lot of Y-wings remained in service out of sheer convenience . You'll most likely encounter these as part of a planatery defence force, or in the hands of privateers.

E-Wing - A new starfighter being developed at the moment, the E-wing is pegged as being the replacement for both the X-wing and the A-wing, being a perfect combination of the X-wing's versatility and the A-wing's speed. These new craft are rare, but deadly.

Z-95 Headhunter - A cheap and reliable craft, the Z-95 is the 'old-man' of starfighters. Completly outclassed by most of its contempories, the Z-95 has perservered through the decades due to it's cheap production cost, ease of maintenance, and it's longevity.

Pirates and Other Non-Affiliated Factions

Aside from from the New Republic and other Imperial splinter factions, the galaxy is host to a number of pirate or mini-factions that have arisen in the waning days of the Galactic Empire. From smugglers to pirate warlords, to independant plantetary bodies, there is never a shortage of people who are willing to fight you, either out of principle or just because they can.

These factions could use a variety of vessels, but usually they will employ whatever comes cheap. Expect to see outdated Z-95 Headhunters, Y-Wings, TIE Fighters, or even designs dating back from the Clone Wars] amongst these private arsenals. Some privateers even go as far as to cannibalize different starfighter designs to created what is referred to as an 'Ugly' - a fighter made out of the parts of different vessels. See this article for more information.