Polythreme

FIXED for Winter 2024 update! No longer uses microballasts and instead each pump has a target level limiter so it shuts off before it can flood the room. WOW!

Tier 1(.5) Submarine, not intended to start with but you can though the electronics can be rough.

An experimental budget submarine made from excess A42 station access hallways after a production overrun. These prefabricated sections were used for a limited run of basic submarines intended for prospecting and salvage. The unorthadox pod system isolates each internal compartment from flooding and damage. This arrangement replaces the typical ballasts with a distributed network of bilge pumps in each pod as well each compartment has its own junction box.

The extensive hulls and bulkheads provide a surprisingly robust submarine though it has increased maintence costs and only the bare minimum of Tier 1 subsystems. Featuring a fore coilgun and fixed railgun as well as an aft pulse laser with an expandable empty ventral hardpoint. Top and bottom airlocks along with bottom docking port/hatch that features a built in safety lock allows it to dock directly to many wrecks and beacon stations.

I wanted to make a somewhat larger Tier 1 submarine that is geared more towards mining and explortation rather than the equally large camel with its focus on transport. On the surface it has a few alright features like multiple dive bays, a fixed railgun and a bottom hatch but has some bad but not overly tedious or extreme design flaws. That make it challenging but not unfun to play. Thus the Polytheme is made out of these individual prefabricated pods which are all individually wired and while strong each pod will leak if it takes any damage due to its cheap and radically different construction. Making it more like a larger version of the minisubs seen on other workshop submarines that have similar features like open bilges or fixed forward guns.

Top Speed 24kph, with quick ascent and descent even in currents due to the numerous bilges. However due to its taxed and patchwork electrical system without running two rods and electrical upgrade you will be stuck in low gear and and be around 18kph until then without engine upgrades.

Forward Coilgun and Aft Pulse Laser with enhanced arcs, a fixed forward single shot railgun and a empty ventral small weapon mount.

Electrical grid is overtaxed and needs upgrades and knowledgeable engineers to adjust machinery.