Starter Fleet Guide:Azurite
Azurite Squadron
Difficulty: Moderate
Strengths at a Glance
* Lots of Close-Ranged Ambush Assets and Munitions * Long Range Early Warning Radar * Quite durable * Jack of all trades - Good matchups against all of ANS's Skirmish and Frontline assets
Limitations at a Glance
* Hyper-focused for Ambush Tactics * Ironically vulnerable to ANS Keystone beam destroyers * Lacks complete softkill - missing jammer decoy and Dazzler
Community Maintainer: AmbientLamp
Torpedo Cruiser: Abject Terror
Azurite Squadron's role on the battlefield is to strike Abject Terror into the hearts of any ANS warship poking around the corner. This starter is hyperspecialized for close-ranged ambushes.
The Ocello-Class Command cruiser sports 42 Letter Opener Size 3 Torpedoes. The maximum effective range of these weapons is a little under 4km, as while the missile lists 4km as it's maximum range, the corkscrew terminal maneuvers that prevent the missiles from being hardkilled bite into the weapon's range. That being said, if one can get the Ocello cruiser within that kill range, there would be no way to escape the 6 Torpedoes it can launch in a salvo. Heavier ANS capital ships will require multiple volleys but you don't need that much and you will need less after hitting the first salvo.
It is recommended that you stalk high priority targets with the Ocello, either using cover to move into position near chokepoints, or lanes of egress. Don't be seen, and try not to be identified until you're in launch range of your torpedoes.
For defense, the Ocello has a few anti-bomber Size 2 "Hardtack" missiles, anti-missile missiles, a softkill suite, and 20mm Pavisse and Sarissa point defense turrets. It thus is capable of deflecting panic-launched hybrid strikes, but may be less able to defeat invested missile strikes. Do be careful of firing your Sarissa point defense turrets willy-nilly as they could give your location away.
For although Azurite is an excellent ambusher, ANS Keystone-class destroyers with beams can annihilate it with their 6km beams. It is imperative that both early warning radar and shuttles are used to screen and clear out enemy Keystones, which can outrange Azruite's torpedoes and inflict mortal damage to the valuable command cruiser.
Find your prey, identify your prey, stalk your prey, torpedo them, and repeat, and Azruite will prey on Axfords and Solomon's all day.
Sensor Draugr Tug: Constant Alert
To select your targets, Azurite has a Early Warning Radar tugobat, which has a 15km range conical radar. This can sweep areas for targets, and while the track is not accurate, it'll give players enough details to move their assets into prime ambush locations.
Rocket Shuttles: Applied Pressure & Repulsive Force
Finally, if that wasn't enough, Azurite has a pair of Rocket Shuttles, which mount R-2 Piranha rockets. Specifically, they have 2 mounts of 18 of them each. These aren't supposed to be thrown onto points. Instead, use them to hunt down smaller high-value targets or defend your capture points. They can be used to hunt down and disable the greatest predator of Azruite... ironically enough, other Ambush fleets.
Missiles
SGT-315 Letter Opener
SGM-262 Hardtack
SGM-106 Neostaff
= SGM-105 Halfstaff
SGM-111 Night Dances
In Game Description
Azurite Squadron is a high-risk high-reward assassination fleet centered around the Abject Terror, a torpedo cruiser capable of obliterating capital ships in seconds. However, it is vulnerable if spotted before reaching torpedo range. Keep it concealed behind rocks and use your tactical awareness to maneuver from cover to cover into torpedo range, or let the enemy come to you. Face the target using the HDG command to pre-align your torpedo strike and minimize incoming damage with your armored bow. In support is a sensor tugboat for tracking overall enemy movements and arranging ambushes, as well as two rocket shuttles for screening the Abject Terror against flankers and capturing objectives.
