- Dropship redirects here. For other meanings of the term, see Dropship (disambiguation)
- Ardo Melnikov(src)
Template:SC1UnitBox The Quantradyne APOD-33 dropship[1] is a terran aerospace transport.
Overview
The original dropship design
The modern dropship
The APOD-33 is a heavily armored tactical transport equipped for both atmospheric and deep space flight. Early experiments to arm dropships (including ordnance packages for an air-to-ground role)[2] were abandoned in favour of maximizing payload capacity.[3] Dropships are also equipped with extraction fields[1] and maglev lines[4] in case the terrain is too difficult to land on. Mostly however, landings are carried out conventionally, the dropship's single aft ramp and twin plasma engines allowing easy deployment, the engines shift their angles to allow this.[1] However, soldiers can also rapel down using ropes. [5]
Despite these abilities, dropships are difficult to maneuver and are prone to mechanical failures. [5]
Dropships aren't exactly the most comfortable transport craft, the interior's temperatures usually uncomfortably hot, even more so during re-entry. Cooling units are installed to offset this along with air scrubbers. Restraining bars are present for the transport of passengers and overhead racks for the transport of equipment and/or belongings. The dropship's power bus is also compatible with the CMC-300 combat suit. A user can 'jack in' to the power bus and view the dropship's surroundings via a sensor system, the image being transferred to the suit's HUD.[1]
The Colonial Fleet was known for maintaining high standards for its Dropship pilots, the PEB (Preferred Experience Base) requiring an applicant to possess a combat pilot certification and hot-zone certification before being allowed access to a dropship.[6] Such pilots can operate alone, although a nav/comm. console is set behind the pilot's seat.[7]
Game Unit
StarCraft
The dropship in StarCraft I
StarCraft I dropship wireframe
Dropships are too slow to outrun aerial hunters like mutalisks, scouts, and Wraiths. If destroyed any units being carried are lost as well. While it has 8-slots like the shuttle and evolved overlord, the power of StimPacked infantry means a dropship can carry substantial firepower.
A fleet of dropships is often used to offload units directly on top of or near an enemy base. These "drops" are a key strategy for many Terran players.
Upgrades
- +1 armor to Wraith, dropship, battlecruiser, science vessel, Valkyrie per level.
| Acquisition | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
|
Quotations
StarCraft: Ghost
Assault dropship concept art
StarCraft: Ghost concept art depicts "assault dropships". The terrans also used the Grizzly as an (armed) transport.[8]
StarCraft II
The dropship as it appeared in StarCraft II
The dropship used to be very similar to the StarCraft I version. It has been given a healing ability, transforming it into the medivac dropship; thus, the dropship can no longer be built in StarCraft II.[9]
The dropship touched down to unload units,[10] behavior that was previously seen in the original StarCraft alpha, but not the final edition.[11]
There is a one second delay between every dropped unit.[12]
Blizzard is currently toying with the possibility of returning the dropship and making the Medivac Dropship an available upgrade.[13]
Known Dropships
Known Dropship Pilots
- Captain Julian Byrne
- Captain Tegis Marz
- Captain Morrow
- Graham O'Brien
- Black Morgan
Images
Trivia
The dropship's design, pilot personality, unit quotations, and rank description, are heavily modelled or borrowed from the one found in movie Aliens.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hickman, Tracy. StarCraft: Speed of Darkness. Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books, May 21, 2002. ISBN 0-671-04150-9.
- ↑ Banshee. Accessed on 2008-01-28
- ↑ Underwood, Peter, Bill Roper, Chris Metzen and Jeffrey Vaughn. StarCraft (Manual). Irvine, Calif.: Blizzard Entertainment, 1998.
- ↑ Bill Slavicsek, David Eckelberry, Shawn F. Carnes. Alternity: StarCraft Edition. Wizards of the Coast, March 1, 2000. ISBN 0-7869-1618-4.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mesta, Gabriel (July 1, 2001). StarCraft: Shadow of the Xel'Naga. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 0-671-04149-5.
- ↑ Star Fleet. Accessed on 2008-01-28
- ↑ Grubb, Jeff (February 27, 2001). StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 0-671-04148-7.
- ↑ 2006-02-09. Grizzly. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2007-09-06.
- ↑ Cavez. 2008-03-11. Medic is out currently, heal to Dropship? Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forums. Accessed 2008-03-11.
- ↑ Admin. 2007-10-28. Starcraft 2 Terran Units. StarCraft 2 Info. Accessed 2008-04-05.
- ↑ Lord of Ascension. 2007-09-28. StarCraft Evolution. StarCraft Legacy. Accessed 2007-12-02.
- ↑ 1) Reapers are much faster for raiding. In dropping units (like Marines), there is a 1 second delay between each unit that is dropped. In that 8 seconds, to drop all 8 Marines, you can do a lot of damage with Reapers. Karune. 2008-04-07. Medic/Reaper/Medevac Compilation:Cavez/Karune. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-04-07.
- ↑ 2008-06-24. Fansite Q & A With Dustin Browder, p3. StarCraft Wire. Accessed on 2008-06-24.