Heavy interceptors. An intermediate between M3 and M4 ships which combines the defense of the M3 and the offense of the M4.
Stats Overview
| Name | Race | Max Speed (m/s)* | Max Acceleration* | Max Steering (rpm)* | Hull | Max Shield (MJ) | Shield Power Generator (MW) | Lasers and Turrets** | Laser Energy (MJ) | Laser Energy Reload Rate (MW) | Max Cargobay | Ware Transport Class | Hangar | Price | Availability*** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asp | Split | 225 | 108 | 53.8 | 10,400 | 1 x 25MJ | 220 | 6,0,0,0,0,0,0 | 2,450 | 61.2 | 108 | M | 0 | 428,000 | Available for purchase |
| Elite | Argon | 160 | 49 | 59.4 | 13,000 | 2 x 25MJ | 550 | 6,0,0,0,0,0,1 | 4,500 | 75.6 | 120 | L | 0 | 526,100 | Available for purchase |
| Pirate Elite | Pirates | 168 | 56 | 71.2 | 9,750 | 1 x 25MJ | 440 | 6,0,0,0,0,0,1 | 4,350 | 75.6 | 114 | L | 0 | 461,500 | Bail only |
| Enhanced Elite | Argon | 201.6 | 81 | 50.4 | 14,000 | 2 x 25MJ | 560 | 6,0,0,0,0,0,1 | 4,500 | 75.6 | 110 | M | 0 | 617,500 | ? |
| Kite | Teladi | 136 | 37 | 38.7 | 8,400 | 4 x 5MJ | 265 | 6,0,0,0,0,0,0 | 2,050 | 51.2 | 140 | M | 0 | 567,500 | Available for purchase |
| Kite Vanguard | Teladi | 140.4 | 35 | 40.6 | 14,820 | 4 x 25MJ | 612 | 6,0,0,0,0,0,0 | 546 | 90.7 | 133 | L | 0 | 726,000 | ? |
| Pike | Boron | 195 | 65 | 57.2 | 11,700 | 1 x 25MJ | 399 | 6,0,0,0,0,0,0 | 4,000 | 59.8 | 208 | M | 0 | 490,500 | Available for purchase |
| Solano | Argon | 210 | 65.5 | 53.2 | 10,400 | 3 x 25MJ | 605 | 6,0,0,0,0,0,0 | 5,000 | 85 | 102 | L | 0 | 251,400 | Available for purchase |
| Theseus | Paranid | 177.5 | 48 | 55.5 | 13,000 | 2 x 25MJ | 525 | 6,0,0,0,0,0,0 | 4,750 | 82 | 110 | M | 0 | 510,000 | Available for purchase |
| Tonbo | Yaki | 224 | 87 | 44.5 | 9,100 | 1 x 25MJ | 525 | 6,0,0,0,0,0,0 | 4,750 | 82 | 126 | M | 0 | 693,000 | Available for purchase |
* = Maximum able to be obtained by purchased tunings. These values can be exceeded by using Pandora Tunings.
** = Number of available laser slots in the Main, Front, Left, Right, Up, Down, Back batteries
*** = Ships with data existing in the vanilla game files are listed but some are not available during play without mods or scripts
Functions and applications
The M4+ heavy interceptors sit between M4s and M3s having shielding comparable to fighters but laser energy management comparable to interceptors. Like M4s most M4+ ships with the exception of the Elite variants are vulnerable to missile attacks from the rear. There is a higher prevalence of being able to use medium missiles than M4s and a cargobay big enough to use them without being part of a TM/M1 carrier fleet. The price of many M4+ ships is however close to double that of M4s meaning the Player Headquarters can produce nearly twice as many M4s in the same time.