Main Battery - Rattlesnake
Type	Main Gun
Available From	ZYA FRF CUB
Fitted To	Rattlesnake
Role	Siege
Required License	Capital License (+20)

In-game Description

"Move speedily and damage things" is more than a Split aphorism. It is both a military strategy and a design philosophy; and one thoroughly adhered to in the development of the Rattlesnake Main Battery.

With its relatively short range, the military architects clearly envisaged being in the centre of battle, rather than lobbing shots from the periphery. As such, this is only recommended for those with the resources to employ the very best pilots.

A Rattlesnake barrage appearing in the midst of a skirmish is certainly said to be an awe inspiring sight, but only by those observing from a safe distance.

Tactical Overview

The Rattlesnake's main battery is quite powerful, providing the second-highest damage output of all destroyer main batteries. However, it suffers from some heat efficiency and range problems.

Technically, it barely outperforms the Behemoth main battery in sustained damage output. However, the Rattlesnake can mount four of them, elevating its performance to a different level. With four of them, a Rattlesnake has the highest burst damage output of all destroyers and the second highest damage maximum per heat cycle, only behind the hard-to-acquire Syn-class destroyer.

The only downside is its lack of range, almost 4km less than other destroyer main batteries. As such, it isn't as well suited to engaging Commonwealth stations. 
Xenon stations are still safe to engage since the Rattlesnake will outrange the Graviton turrets by slightly more than 1km. That is not an awful lot of wiggle room, though.

Specifications

Construction Cost

Universal Build Method