Fighter

The Fighter console is a new console where players can control single seat fighters deployed from the main ship to either fight incoming enemies or shuttle items around for quests.

''Note: The fighter console is best used with the correct ship types AND also in games where you have enough players to justify the extra console. Think ahead!''

Role
The fighter console in in charge of:
 * Deploying when ordered to attack enemy ships
 * Engaging other enemies that the main ship is not or cannot attack
 * Not die and return to the ship intact for repairs and refits

Types
Depending on what ship type your crew selected for the mission, there may be a few different types of small craft available to launch
 * Shuttles are available on ALL ships of any type. However, the shuttles are not equipped with missiles and have very weak beams. Shuttles are not designed for combat use.
 * Fighters are the basic type that carry a small armament of missiles and beams
 * Bombers are another type that carry more missiles than it's fighter counterpart.

Controls
The fighter can be controlled through keyboard/mouse or a joystick. Fighters automatically move forward on their own.
 * WASD controls pitch (W to pitch up, S to pitch down) and heading (A to turn left, D to turn right)
 * Q and E control roll.
 * Insert will activate the boost, Delete with activate the brakes.
 * Spacebar will shoot beams at the ship currently locked onto.
 * Return will shoot a missile which will lock onto the first ship it sees in it's path, friendly or otherwise. A player can also use the onscreen button.
 * R will dock if a player is close enough to the ship. A player can also use the onscreen button.

Tips

 * Fighters can carry a limited amount of missiles, but the ship has an unlimited amount, you just need to go back and get some more!
 * After re-docking with your main ship, it will take some time for your fighter to be repaired and refitted. This happens even if you took no damage!
 * Carriers have multiple fighters ready to go, so if you need to dock and there's a spare lying around, you can take it right out to keep the battle going.
 * The fighter doesn't have any warp drives or jump drives, so be sure your ship comes to get you before they leave to the next battle.