Jumpgate Evolution: Pilot from the past.

Earlier this week I had a chance to sit down with a pilot that needs no introduction, Rollio. Love him or hate him that seems to be determined by what side you are on. He been called a griefer, cheater, and even a %*&(sorry cant use that word here) by the Quantars and The great equalizer by the Solrains. One thing for sure is he knows how to fly and he uses his skills for his own purposes.

Underground Truth: How long have you flown for TRI?

Rollio: Approximately 16 months. Since year post collapse year 100 month 10.

Underground Truth: It has been said that you were a peaceful pilot at one time, what changed to make you the most feared pilot in the galaxy?

Rollio: I'd say my combat duty all started when Raiderr, leader of The Dark Path, told me to Pay or Die while I was flying my Hurricane on a cargo mission to Amananth. I refused to pay and made a break for the station. With six flashfires I was able to pull a small lead over the infamous Raiderr and beat him to Amananth sector. Once at Amananth he had caught up with me but I was able to dock before the armor on my Hurricane gave out (Back then Hurricane armor was about 4 times it's current value, although the shields were only 1/3 as strong). A few hours later, after Raiderr left Amananth I made my escape to Quantar space. A few days later I was in my first heavy fighter and my war with The Dark Path began. OOC: I soon came to realize that the most entertaining aspect of Jumpgate is PvP combat and the situations concerning it. I have been in a more or less constant state of combat duty ever since.

Underground Truth: You were a Quantar pilot before your current position with Solrain, Why the switch?

Rollio: Actually I have flown and fought for all 3 factions at one time or another. When I first signed up I was Quantar, mining appealed to me (and still does but alas it's dangerous and not profitable), I also enjoyed the high maneuverability of the Quantar ships. However, when my war with The Dark Path broke out it became clear that the Typhoon wasn't going to be sufficiently up to the task for me. (Back then shields were 1/3 their current strengths, although armor was generally higher, but the hitman was also a lot more powerful, easily the best single weapon in the game and the Typhoon couldn't mount it). So I switched over to Octavian to become a Phoenix pilot. The Phoenix was the pride of the universe in those days; I had encounters where I'd shoot down 3 Typhoons in one pass each. Being Octavian I was very concerned about factionalism at the time when the faction missions to build new stations were put in. Seeing the Solrain pull ahead in the race to complete the first mission was unacceptable to me, and shortly thereafter I joined the Cruentus Legio to oppose the Solrain economic dominance. Our mission was successful, and we went on to do short tours of duty in the other two factions to test the effectiveness of their combat craft. After the combat testing, we discovered that the recent changes to the Typhoon had made it the best choice for our style of combat and thus most of us when back to Quantar. I remained Quantar after another aftershock from the great collapse
(an account database wipe) and fought for Quantar against various opposition through to the end of beta. After release, I joined the Solrain because I felt that the changes to the Intensity produced a ship which was far more effective than the other two fighters. It was my goal to show that these changes did indeed make the Intensity too effective and have more changes put in to keep the fighters balanced. Since then changes have been put in and the fighters have come closer to a state of balance. But I still prefer the Intensity, it's speed, shields, flashfires and power to it's weaponry make it a devastating ship in a fight.

Underground Truth: Are their any pilots that you admire even though they fight against you.

Rollio: Several. Gwaihir/Handsolo/Rostam - under any name this guy provides quite a challenge and he keeps his cool and doesn't feel the need to resort to the sort of flaming that is all to common on the web forums and in game. SK (S_K currently) - this guy was in my opinion the best fighter pilot the Solrain had in the late beta era. Raiderr - because of him I was introduced into the wonders of PvP in Jumpgate, he had a skill and style that was unique and entertaining to interact with and his absence after release is an unfortunate loss. A lot of others come to mind, both past and present but they are too numerous to list, but it is interesting to realize that of the many pilots who I had fought against in the past, I would later find myself flying alongside them as wingmen

Underground Truth: How did you learn to dock like that?

Rollio: Extensive Practice. Having to dock under fire is something I've had to do for a long time and all the practice has only made me better at it. The usual trick is to go full throttle towards a point in the docking cone and then turn at just the right time to apply full throttle and stop on the point, then fly into the tube as fast as possible. Advanced tactics involved not coming to a complete stop inside the cone and maneuvering into the tube while turning. This is a much tougher method and generally reserved for the most dire of circumstances or for ships with high powered braking thrusters as it often ends in failure.

Underground Truth: and what is the one thing all of the readers should know about Rollio that they don't?

Rollio: That's a tough one to answer. I would like to state that whatever faction that I fly for, I will always be loyal to it and operate in the best interests of that faction. It's a different role played every time I switch factions but that role is always loyal to it's home.

Well I would like to thank our guest today. In closing I would like to say that Rollio was much more civil then I expected and I am glad I am not a Quantar. Next time I am hoping to interview the only Pilot to have 2 Optimus metals and he is well on his way to a third, Decidence. That's all the time we have for now, enjoy you flight time and watch out for Emma and her evil babies.

Reporter Ares Kiden
Underground Truth