Gladiator

In-Game Description
Difficulty: Hard

''Calling on two colossal batteries of weaponry, one on each flank, the Gladiator is Zarek's answer to the heavy lines of other manufactures. Looming into a conflict zone, the Gladiator provides a mobile platform to completely lock down strategic objectives using devastating firepower and ability to support allies. The Gladiator's only weakness comes from softer armor around the main batteries - though this does mean enemies must enter its firing solution to take their shot.''

Summary
The Gladiator is the closest ship in the game to a defensive turret. The Phalanx system allows it to become a very tanky, high damage, but almost immobile emplacement.

When playing a Gladiator

 * Turn your broadside to approaching enemies. This is by far your most damaging fire arc.
 * Conversely, avoid being attacked in the front or behind. Only two of your 10 turrets can fire in these arcs.
 * Above and below are actually not so bad, half of your turrets can fire in these directions, but given the Gladiator's HP and firepower, this still makes you a match for many enemies in a duke match.
 * Use your mines to cover your vulnerable arcs.

When playing against a Gladiator

 * Attack from the front or behind if possible, and failing that attack from above or below. Avoid being broadsided at all costs.
 * Remember, Phalanx boosts the Gladiator's yaw, so once the Gladiator enters Phalanx mode, staying in front or behind can be difficult for all but the nimblest of ships, while staying above or below a Phalanxed Gladiator should be easy.
 * Expect the Gladiator to have deployed mines around itself. Use Point Defense to shoot down mines when closing.
 * Phalanx mode all but immobilises the Gladiator, making it vulnerable to being flanked, outranged, and to pop up attacks from behind cover.
 * Area denial abilities such as the Centurion's Energy Overload, the Persecutor's Fusion Charge and the Basilisk's Pulsar Charge are very effective against a deployed Gladiator, since it can't move away from the blast.
 * Abilities that move the Gladiator such as the Displacer's abilities can wreck a Gladiator's positioning, forcing it to come out of Phalanx to get back in position.
 * Avoiding the Gladiator entirely may be a viable option. Gladiators are very slow and do little damage if forced to chase enemies, so you may be able to simply fly around it and capture objectives.