XM-1 Missile Boat

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2006-08-07 03:51pm

Was replaying TIE Fighter earlier and I was wondering, what is the canon status of this fighter? I'm assuming that it is considered canon, though the actual capabilities are toned down.

StarshipTitanic · Post by **StarshipTitanic** » 2006-08-07 04:10pm

Lower canon is canon unless contradicted by higher canon, and the missile boat is only featured in the games. Therefore, it exists in Star Wars. The hull itself probably isn't large enough to contain the payload that it supposedly carries, though. Doesn't it have around 40 concussion missiles per missile rack, plus whatever you choose to load it with in TIE Fighter?

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2006-08-07 04:14pm

StarshipTitanic wrote:Doesn't it have around 40 concussion missiles per missile rack, plus whatever you choose to load it with in TIE Fighter?

In game it had 4 launchers. 2 were dedicated to Adv. Missiles, and carried 20 each. The other two could carry 15 Torpedos, 10 rockets, or 5 Bombs each.

Sharpshooter · Post by **Sharpshooter** » 2006-08-07 04:19pm

StarshipTitanic wrote:The hull itself probably isn't large enough to contain the payload that it supposedly carries, though. Doesn't it have around 40 concussion missiles per missile rack, plus whatever you choose to load it with in TIE Fighter?

I think it was more like twenty or so per rack and that the racks were it, though I'd have to look at a guide to be absolutly sure what with Tie Fighter being inoperable these days.

EDIT: Day-mn, my memory's gone to shit.

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » 2006-08-07 04:22pm

From Wookiepedia:

( link )

Wookiepedia XM-1 Article wrote:The XM-1 Nova Wing, commonly referred to as the missile boat, was an advanced Imperial starfighter built by Cygnus Spaceworks to counter Grand Admiral Zaarin's TIE Defenders.

It was designed by then Vice Admiral Thrawn and it is believed to be based upon the older, more common Alpha-class Xg-1 Star Wing. Its armament consisted of a single laser cannon, two advanced concussion missile launchers capable of holding 40 missiles, two additional projectile launchers which could also be equipped with concussion missiles, or a variety of other warheads, and an optional tractor beam projector. The XM-1 was also equipped with a revolutionary SLAM overdrive system which could double the ship's already impressive speed, but only by rapidly draining energy from its laser cannon.

Because of the fact that this fighter was designed as a missile carrier, it lacked primary firepower, only wielding one laser cannon. To balance this, the missile boat had shields stronger than the X-wing and an overpowering secondary capacity. In addition, the laser cannon had an unusually fast recharge rate compared to other starfighter lasers.

The design was also reasonably maneuverable and relatively difficult to hit. Unfortunately, due to its lack of primary firepower it could be easily eliminated in close combat by a more maneuverable opponent, so it was regularly deployed with support craft. The Nova Wing proved very capable in combat with Zaarin's stolen TIE Defenders.

Vehrec · Post by **Vehrec** » 2006-08-07 06:49pm

rhoenix wrote:From Wookiepedia:

( link )

Wookiepedia XM-1 Article wrote:The XM-1 Nova Wing, commonly referred to as the missile boat, was an advanced Imperial starfighter built by Cygnus Spaceworks to counter Grand Admiral Zaarin's TIE Defenders.

It was designed by then Vice Admiral Thrawn and it is believed to be based upon the older, more common Alpha-class Xg-1 Star Wing. Its armament consisted of a single laser cannon, two advanced concussion missile launchers capable of holding 40 missiles, two additional projectile launchers which could also be equipped with concussion missiles, or a variety of other warheads, and an optional tractor beam projector. The XM-1 was also equipped with a revolutionary SLAM overdrive system which could double the ship's already impressive speed, but only by rapidly draining energy from its laser cannon.

Because of the fact that this fighter was designed as a missile carrier, it lacked primary firepower, only wielding one laser cannon. To balance this, the missile boat had shields stronger than the X-wing and an overpowering secondary capacity. In addition, the laser cannon had an unusually fast recharge rate compared to other starfighter lasers.

The design was also reasonably maneuverable and relatively difficult to hit. Unfortunately, due to its lack of primary firepower it could be easily eliminated in close combat by a more maneuverable opponent, so it was regularly deployed with support craft. The Nova Wing proved very capable in combat with Zaarin's stolen TIE Defenders.

Now, there is a contradiction in there. It can easily be eliminated in close combat, yet it dominates TIE Defenders? The most agile craft in the EU? Where is the logic? Game mechanics FTW I guess.

Jim Raynor · Post by **Jim Raynor** » 2006-08-07 08:11pm

Vehrec wrote:Now, there is a contradiction in there. It can easily be eliminated in close combat, yet it dominates TIE Defenders? The most agile craft in the EU? Where is the logic? Game mechanics FTW I guess.

Remember that this is Wiki, and even if something isn't outright fraud or BS, people have the tendency to put in assumptions or other unsuported statements. It doesn't even make sense:

The design was also reasonably maneuverable and relatively difficult to hit. Unfortunately, due to its lack of primary firepower it could be easily eliminated in close combat by a more maneuverable opponent, so it was regularly deployed with support craft.

First it says that it was "reasonably maneuverable" and tough to hit (which it is in the actual game), then it says that its lack of firepower makes it vulnerable to more maneuverable opponents in close combat. How does only having one laser make you more vulnerable to maneuverability? Lack of firepower is a problem, but a separate one. Also, the G-canon movies show that one or two laser shots is sufficient to destroy even shielded starfighters. Missile boats also sometimes come with starfighter-scale tractor beams, which make dogfighting much easier.

I don't believe these vulnerabilities were actually stated in-game. In the game, they were presented as uber ships, and the Empire's answer to Zaarin's TIE Defenders.

PainRack · Post by **PainRack** » 2006-08-07 08:17pm

Vehrec wrote: Now, there is a contradiction in there. It can easily be eliminated in close combat, yet it dominates TIE Defenders? The most agile craft in the EU? Where is the logic? Game mechanics FTW I guess.

Its saying that with support from TIE defenders, it becomes a very good ship.

AniThyng · Post by **AniThyng** » 2006-08-07 10:16pm

PainRack wrote:
Vehrec wrote: Now, there is a contradiction in there. It can easily be eliminated in close combat, yet it dominates TIE Defenders? The most agile craft in the EU? Where is the logic? Game mechanics FTW I guess.
Its saying that with support from TIE defenders, it becomes a very good ship.

No no no, in the game it was Thrawn's counter to Zairin's TIE Defenders, not that it was supported by TIE Defenders.

Civil War Man · Post by **Civil War Man** » 2006-08-07 10:29pm

I think the article is stating that in a close dogfight, the Missile Boat is at a disadvantage against more maneuverable fighters like the Defender because at short distances the TIE Defender is too agile to hold a missile lock. However, put a Defender and a Missile Boat a few clicks from each other, at a distance where the Missile Boat could hold a lock, and the Missile Boat wins. Even the best Defender pilots can evade an assload of concussion missile for only so long.

Just want to say, though, the Missile boat strikes me as something you get when you take the A-10 Warthog, give it Star Wars-level tech, and then hop it up on crack.

Knife · Post by **Knife** » 2006-08-08 12:43am

Civil War Man wrote:I think the article is stating that in a close dogfight, the Missile Boat is at a disadvantage against more maneuverable fighters like the Defender because at short distances the TIE Defender is too agile to hold a missile lock. However, put a Defender and a Missile Boat a few clicks from each other, at a distance where the Missile Boat could hold a lock, and the Missile Boat wins. Even the best Defender pilots can evade an assload of concussion missile for only so long.

Just want to say, though, the Missile boat strikes me as something you get when you take the A-10 Warthog, give it Star Wars-level tech, and then hop it up on crack.

That's probably close to true. Missile Spam to overwhelm a target. Honestly, I kind of like the missile boat and giggle at the missile boat v Tie Defender senario. Wank ship v wank ship.

PainRack · Post by **PainRack** » 2006-08-08 08:30pm

AniThyng wrote: Its saying that with support from TIE defenders, it becomes a very good ship.

No no no, in the game it was Thrawn's counter to Zairin's TIE Defenders, not that it was supported by TIE Defenders.[/quote]
Oh yeah. Oops.

I seem to keep forgetting that I get pawned in TIE fighter.

Solauren · Post by **Solauren** » 2006-08-08 09:43pm

If you're an amazing Dog fighter, go in fast, and dodge the Tie Defenders fire, and then put a Concussion Missle right into his face....

Or sneak up behind them and lock them in a Tractor Beam and put one in there ass.

Fingolfin_Noldor · Post by **Fingolfin_Noldor** » 2006-08-09 03:46pm

Somehow I was glad they got rid of the scram jet in the XWA. It was an unnecessary bit of uberness. Bad enough that the ship is already carry a mother of all warhead load, and then still have to deal with scram jet.

Ender · Post by **Ender** » 2006-08-09 08:47pm

Am I the only one who found it odd that you used a scram jet in space?

VF5SS · Post by **VF5SS** » 2006-08-09 09:16pm

I thought it was a SLAM engine that dumped cannon power into the engine. Where's with Scramjet business coming from?

Ender · Post by **Ender** » 2006-08-09 09:23pm

VF5SS wrote:I thought it was a SLAM engine that dumped cannon power into the engine. Where's with Scramjet business coming from?

Confusion with the V-wing. I made the mi9stake of not checking.

VF5SS · Post by **VF5SS** » 2006-08-09 09:26pm

I was gonna say. I liked the V-Wing...

Fingolfin_Noldor · Post by **Fingolfin_Noldor** » 2006-08-10 10:17am

Ender wrote:Am I the only one who found it odd that you used a scram jet in space?

Oops.. my bad. There was a Hapan ship that had the SLAM system of sorts.

Isolder74 · Post by **Isolder74** » 2006-08-10 01:12pm

Fingolfin_Noldor wrote:
Ender wrote:Am I the only one who found it odd that you used a scram jet in space?
Oops.. my bad. There was a Hapan ship that had the SLAM system of sorts.

What ship was that? This is news to me.

Fingolfin_Noldor · Post by **Fingolfin_Noldor** » 2006-08-10 01:33pm

Mentioned somewhere in the old Essential Guide to Vehicles that the Hapan MyTil fighter had some generator that could give short bursts of power to give it greater speed.

Isolder74 · Post by **Isolder74** » 2006-08-10 01:55pm

Fingolfin_Noldor wrote:Mentioned somewhere in the old Essential Guide to Vehicles that the Hapan MyTil fighter had some generator that could give short bursts of power to give it greater speed.

Probably the heavily modified Fighter built by Prince Isolder, Storm then. Not what i'd call a standard design. The Storm appeared to be so heavily tinkered with that it bore no resemblence to the original ship its hull is based on.

GrandAdmiralJello · Post by **GrandAdmiralJello** » 2006-08-13 04:37am

The game does say that it's designed to destroy TIE Defenders in one of the Combat Chamber briefings. The Wookieepedia entry is completely extrapolating everything about the fighter's manueverability, though.

Unfortunately, TIE Fighter doesn't list the manueverability of its fighters. XWA does, and it's severely toned down most Imperial craft. The MIS is given a manueverability of 84 dpf, which is someplace inbetween the X-wing (76) and the TIE Fighter (96). It's nothing close to the Defender (114) or even the Interceptor (106).

The reason the ship is a Defender killer, of course, is the tractor beam. Once a Defender was grapped--even from close range--it was finished. They're very easy to kill in TIE Advanced on up, a Missile Boat with a tractor beam makes it impossibly easy.

Publius · Post by **Publius** » 2006-08-13 04:45am

GrandAdmiralJello wrote:The game does say that it's designed to destroy TIE Defenders in one of the Combat Chamber briefings. The Wookieepedia entry is completely extrapolating everything about the fighter's manueverability, though.

This is one of many problems with the Wookieepedia format. Lack of proper documentation and an 'in universe' perspective make unsubstantiated speculation and outright fabrication indistinguishable from canonical fact, passing the whole thing off as though it were authoritative (which, as you well know, it is not).

GrandAdmiralJello · Post by **GrandAdmiralJello** » 2006-08-13 05:22am

It's unfortunate, because it had a lot of potential. I always felt that it could be a great place to store information contained in rare or out-of-print material.

Sadly, it seems that most entries lack even the most basic levels of citation. References are left to the end, and they're often incomplete. As you've said, speculation is mixed right in with verifiable data. As we can see in this thread, that leads to confusion.

Still, at least it's a place to put information. Things like that picture of the MIS from the original game that I uploaded or covers of outdated material are difficult to find anywhere else.