"Leapfrog" - Cost: 59.700
I thought about submitting something that adds novelty without investing a lot of time on a big ship, and this is the result. It is a backwards firing frog, that - although driven by the same AI routines as other ships - it will surprise players by performing hit'n'run attacks and varying its thrust to perform frog leaps that throw off slow weapons' aim. At the same time, while lashing out with its 'tongue', it is completely open to enemy fire. Electro bolters are the primary counter as almost the entire surface area is susceptible to energy drain weapons - especially when they hit the command room during an attack run.
Tests versus built-in ships have shown it to be capable. The Disruptor has an easy time against it, the Junker loses out and the Locust often wins. If it proves just a little too strong, the central column has to be moved up one tile. That makes it weaker.
Pros:
- Fast ship.
- Beam weapon does fair amount of damage.
- When endangered, can do frog leaps.
- Fire extinguishers make it survive fires from cannon hits.
Cons:
- Little armor, only "Fanged Fighter" at 43,000 credits has less.
- Energy reliant, highly vulnerable to electro bolters.
- Cannot shoot the direction it is flying.
