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The Sigma Shipyards Heavy Shuttle is a civilian ship in Escape Velocity Nova.
"Based on the keel of the Sigma Shipyards Shuttle, the Heavy Shuttle is half again the length of the original model and has the capability for an extra hyperspace jump over that of the older design. The simple jump engines limit the amount of extra cargo it can carry over and above what the older shuttle can, but that one extra jump is main reason the Heavy Shuttle has all but displaced the shuttle in most systems." ― Buying a Heavy Shuttle
The epsilon-class Heavy Shuttle is an ultralight freighter built by Sigma Shipyards as a larger version of the alpha-class Shuttle. Although slightly less maneuverable, the Heavy Shuttle has surpassed its smaller cousin in many areas; its longer range and larger cargo capacity allow for greater logistical flexibility. These vessels have been in production for hundreds of years, and are used across much of Federation space by starting independent Traders.
In White Dwarf, the Heavy Shuttle has completely displaced the light Shuttle, taking even its name and becoming the only Shuttlecraft.
Stats[]
"Heavy shuttles like this one have been in production for hundreds of years. While the specimen in front of you looks like a newer model, it's basically the same as the ones you saw when you were younger. The pilot offers his services for a very reasonable price." ― Hiring a Heavy Shuttle
Version A (#129)[]
For this base model only, stat changes are relative to the Shuttle, Version A (#128).
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If you trade your light Shuttle in for a Heavy Shuttle at the start of the game, you will have 12,510cr remaining. The trade-in costs roughly half your credits.
Shipyard Variants[]
Shipvariant stat changes are relative to the stats of the basic model. The basic model is Heavy Shuttle, Version A (#129).
Poorly maintained Second-hand (#363)[]
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The shitbox Heavy Shuttle is the same price as a light Shuttle. However, the 7.5k saved is not worth the significant decrease to speed. Please just do a cargo delivery mission.
Well maintained Second-hand (#364)[]
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This shipvariant has taken back all of the maneuverability losses the Heavy Shuttle took over the light Shuttle, and perhaps would have made the ideal platform for the Vell-os strategy, but the devil is in the details. Somehow, when installing the advanced light cannons onto this vehicle of destruction, the owner lost 2 tons of outfit space into the void. No sale.
For your extra 57.5k, you get 45k of outfits.
Wild Variants[]
The following shipvariant is unavailable in the shipyard and must be captured in the field.
Version B (#189)[]
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While typically Sigma's engineers are competent when creating ship upgrades, here they have completely missed the mark, creating a Heavy Shuttle that is significantly slower and with a much lower range for only a marginal increase in durability. It doesn't even have the Missile Launcher adorning the light Shuttle's Version B. Would it even be worthwhile to upgrade your Heavy Shuttle escort to this? No. Just get a new Heavy Shuttle if it blows up.
Technical Variants[]
The following shipvariant is unavailable in the shipyard and serves a particular visual purpose.
Economy at Work (#392)[]
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This automated variant moves between space objects in the system. You can observe this behavior in the Rautherion system. This ship can't be plundered, but perhaps it should be destroyed for taking jobs away from average Federation citizens.
Gameplay Analysis[]
"A whole lot better than the standard Shuttle, the Heavy Shuttle boasts enhanced shielding and armor and a slightly higher jump capacity, but more importantly, a larger cargo capacity. These extra tons can come in handy if you have to transport a few passenger groups and their luggage, in addition to your freight shipment." ― EVula Survival Guide
At the start of the game, the player has enough money to buy a Heavy Shuttle right away. Since it is better than its little brother in several ways, a percentage of players do this immediately. Gameplay wise, it's just like a Shuttle but you're a little slower, you can accept a few more missions at once, you have half a Carbon Fiber in extra durability and a free Battery Pack and you can do the Mass Trick without Sigma. Not bad for 7.5k.
David vs Goliath[]
One money-making strategy in a Heavy Shuttle involves buying a long-range weapon, such as an Fusion Pulse Cannon or 100mm Railgun, and use it to disable larger and more capable ships to board them for their cargo and credits, and with great luck, capture the ship.
This is done by making the target ship (good options are Manticores, Marauder Pegasi, Pirate Valkyries, and other similar craft without long-range guns) hostile by firing a single shot at it. It will then turn and chase you, firing missiles or rockets at you to kill or disable your ship. Move away from the ship until it runs out of missile ammo, and then get it in range of your weapon but out of range of theirs and fire until it is disabled. This method can take a long time but is often worthwhile.
Possible hitches in this strategy include meddling Federation ships swooping in to kill your Pirate target. Association ships make better targets due to their lack of natural enemies (if there are no Rebels in the system for them to reinforce). Note that if you get caught out, you will perish. Be prepared to jump out to save your skin if fast reinforcements appear.
Because your damage output is not very high, it is possible for your target to lose interest in you in favor of fighting a more dangerous foe.
The Vell-os "strategy"[]
If you are in the middle of the Vell-os storyline and want to do something fun, reach the T1 strength level or better by successfully Invading Polaris Space, then buy a Heavy Shuttle and perform the Mass Trick on it. Make sure you previously started the Sigma storyline for Sigma Mass Additions to maximize your Shuttle's potential. Then add four Solar Panels, two Fission Reactors, a Battery Pack and a Sigma Engine Tune-up to your Shuttle so you can go wild using Vell-os attacks on any nearby ships. Your most likely target is Krane's RAGE Gunboats, whose pilots will surely quake in their boots when they witness a Shuttle bending reality in their direction.
Images[]
The Shuttle was modeled by Scott Vardy of ATMOS. The Heavy Shuttle is Dave Williams' mod on Scott's original. He made a few tweaks along the way.
Appearance[]
The Heavy Shuttle has an identical appearance to the Shuttle, but stretched about 50% along the Y axis.
Ship Spins[]
This ship has 36 frames per set and 3 sets for 108 frames in total. It banks when turning in one direction for a certain amount of time.
- Ship: 32x32
- Lights: 64x64
- Engine: 64x64