Equalizer

In-Game Description
Difficulty: 4* (Difficult)

''The Equalizer is a generalized Support craft. They are fast and maneuverable and support their allies through use of the Purge Field which counters systems attacks by the enemy; the Boost Gate which allows the Equalizer or its allies to close on objectives or move out of danger.''

Ratings:

Offensive: 49

Defensive: 31

Support: 78

Mobility: 90

Summary
The Equalizer is a light attack ship, and is capable of providing allies with a Boost, as well as remove negative effects. These abilities, though powerful, have a very limited range, requiring the Equalizer to remain very close to combatants in order to properly support them. Its weapon is the Health Leech, a modified version of the Protector's Smart Gun. This weapon creates a number of very fast-moving homing projectiles, which will heal the Equalizer for 30% of the damage it deals.

The ship is extremely agile, with its maneuvering thrusters being nearly as powerful as the primary drive. This makes the Equalizer extremely difficult to hit in the hands of a skilled pilot.

The Equalizer costs either 540,000 Credits or 990 Platinum to permanently unlock.

When playing as an Equalizer

 * Captains should always keep in mind that the Equalizer is very fragile in a duel and should use the Equalizer's superior mobility to their advantage, to get to blind spots in the firing arcs of the enemy.
 * When used correctly, the abilities of the Equalizer can reposition the entire fleet in an instant. This repositioning might just give the allied fleet the upper hand in a massive fleet battle, or, when used in Gamma to get inside the capture circle quickly.
 * The Equalizer's Allied Purge Pulse and its similar Purge modules can be used to counter anti-maneuvering abilities and any other negative status effects, this can turn the tide of a battle:
 * For example, if the whole team is at Gamma and an enemy Destroyer scrambles your radar, your entire team will be blinded, whilst the enemy team flanks you. Activating your variation of the Purge ability will restore the mini-map for your team and expose the flanking enemy team.

When playing with an Equalizer

 * Always stay close to the Equalizer so you can benefit from its abilities.
 * Always look out for the Equalizer's buoys as both versions could benefit you, getting inside a capture buoy could net your team the objective faster and the detection buoy can expose any cloaked ships in your vicinity.
 * Equalizers are fragile, an ally should keep an eye on the health of the ship and help out whenever needed.

When playing against an Equalizer

 * Try to limit the Equalizer's mobility as that is its biggest tool and your biggest threat.
 * Be aware of flanking from the enemy team if they have an Equalizer in presence.

Tips
The Syphon SmartGun, like all other SmartGuns, is very inaccurate when blind-fired, so make sure to have an enemy targeted when firing. However, its projectiles are faster than other SmartGuns, but lack in turn rate. As such, it is not as capable at tracking an enemy ship, and requires the user to aim more accurately.

The Equalizer's maneuvering engines are nearly as fast as the main engines. This, along with Boost Gate and Purge Field, make it very difficult to run down and kill an Equalizer. Stay mobile, and be ready to activate your abilities, and your enemy will have a very difficult time dealing with you.