The Heraan Heavy Industries Aurora Thunderforge is an Auroran ship in Escape Velocity Nova. The Thunderforge is a ship developed in a side story and offered to the player upon its completion. It can only be seen under AI control after a long chronological event has expired. It seems as though it should also appear in the shipyard upon the expiry of said cron, but no planet has its tech level.
"The Auroran Battlecruiser represents the very latest thinking by the best minds of the Empire. Prompted by Vell-os artisans, the shipwrights of the First Family have created a vehicle with which they hope the Auroran people will wreak their vengeance.
The Thunderforge class battlecruiser mounts four heavy FPC batteries, two Storm Chainguns, two radar missile launchers and four 150 mm railguns. Yet even this incredible arsenal pales into insignificance when compared to the Thunderforge's primary weapon system, the TripHammer.
The TripHammer is a gattling pattern energy weapon of awesome power. Inspired by the Vell-os, Auroran weaponsmiths attacked the creation of the guns with typical exuberance. With all the Vell-os help, the Battlecruiser can hold its own against any ship in the known universe." ― Buying a Thunderforge
The Aurora Thunderforge is the most advanced Auroran warship, created by House Heraan using a combination of Auroran and Vell-os technology. The ship is known for its close-combat Triphammers and powerful shielding for an Auroran vessel.
For some pilots it is the best ship in the galaxy, while others find it as one of the worst; this depends entirely on your playstyle. It has been noted that pilots enjoying close combat favor this ship.
Stats[]
"The dockyards around this Thunderforge class vessel are alive with as much activity as you've ever seen in a spaceport. The only thing you can hear other than the whine of plasma welders is the monotone yelling of the dockyard supervisor in your ear, as she describes the capabilities of the ship above you.
«She's one of the first Battlecruisers off the line," the supervisor calls to you across the noise. "You must have done something right in a previous life to be considering putting her through her paces. You've got some killing to do, then?»
You nod gravely as you crane your neck up to take in the full glory of the vessel you now behold." ― Hiring a Thunderforge
Vell-os Class (#380)[]
Gold stats indicate "with the pre-installed outfits, as a playable ship".
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Gameplay Analysis[]
"Don't pick a fight with it unless you know what you are doing." ― EVula Survival Guide
The Aurora Thunderforge, in contrast to most other capital ships in the galaxy, is designed for close ranged combat. She possesses more speed and agility than other capital ships so she is more capable of evading incoming fire and of getting within her murderous kill range quicker. Therefore, she sustains less damage than her contemporaries attempting such a maneuver.
The Thunderforge's primary and most powerful weapons, the TripHammers, have a relatively short range and are useless in long ranged combat. The ship also has less space than a carrier-class vessel, making it wise not to use 200mm Railguns or Heavy Blaster Turrets as the ship cannot hold nearly enough heavy railguns to justify their use in serious combat. You may wish to consider a more efficient combination consisting of a pair of 100mm Railguns and a 150mm Railgun, however.
As the Thunderforge takes much of its agility and protection from the included outfits, it will be weaker under AI control. Some pilots take the ill-conceived action of selling their weightless Triphammers, which weigh zero tons and greatly augment the ship's performance, at Sirrusa. Do not do this, even if you intend not to use them or you will cut your ship's turning in half. One should keep around the weapon that is an effective 'I win' button against any shield-reliant vessels regardless of their opinion on close combat.
One infamous version of the Thunderforge was built by the pilot and industrial magnate Josh Tigerheart. He used a weapon set-up of 4 Triphammers, 4 Thunderhead Lances, 4 Fusion Pulse Batteries and 7 Ionic Particle Cannons. Mr. Tigerheart claimed to be able to destroy a Raven before the Nil'kemorya had time to react and change their status to hostile. Josh had altered his design slightly over time to incorporate a Fusion Pulse Cannon and 2 Fusion Pulse Turrets.
Images[]
The Aurora Thunderforge was conceptualized by Luke Smart, modelled by Dave Williams and textured by Phil and Steve Chick.
Appearance[]
<ship description>
Ship Spins[]
This ship has one set with 64 frames and an alt sprite with 6 sets that are displayed in sequence.
- Ship: 130x130
- Alt: 130x130
- Weapon: 260x260
- Engine: 260x260
Representative Images[]
Additional Images[]
| Sub-factions: Family Heraan • Family Moash • Family Dani • Family Tekel • Family Vella • Dechtakar • Houseless Auroran Ships: Firebird (v) (i) 150k, Phoenix (v) (i) 150k, Argosy (v) (i) 200k, Abomination (v) (i) 400k, Enterprise (v) (i) 450k, Cruiser (v) (i) 2M, Carrier (v) (i) 12M, Thunderforge (i) 14M Heraan Storyline (Preamble • Intro Missions • Main Story • Gaiden 1 • Gaiden 2 • Final Missions) Auroran Outfits • Auroran Weapons Auroran fauna: Cunjo • Drop Bear | ||