The Drake Golem OX is a high-performance cargo hauler that prioritizes speed, agility, and quick loading over fuel efficiency and comfort, making it ideal for traders who value time savings. Despite its rapid fuel consumption and lack of interior amenities, its superior maneuverability and streamlined cargo handling set it apart from competitors like the Misk Hole A.
The Drake Golem OX, introduced at this year’s Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE), is Drake’s answer to the Misk Hole A, offering the same 64 SCU cargo capacity but with a focus on performance over practicality and fuel efficiency. Unlike the Misk Hole A, which emphasizes fuel economy, the Golem OX is a barebones chassis equipped with six main thrusters, a cargo grid, and a cockpit, resulting in a significantly lighter and more maneuverable ship. This design choice makes the Golem OX notably agile compared to its competitor, providing a distinct advantage in handling and speed.
In terms of speed, the Golem OX excels, especially in atmosphere and quantum travel, although its top speed in navigation mode is capped around 1,000 m/s. The ship’s entry speed into atmosphere is impressively high, allowing quick descents and faster cargo runs, which is crucial in trading where time efficiency translates directly into profit. However, this performance comes at the cost of fuel efficiency, as the Golem OX consumes quantum fuel rapidly, requiring frequent refueling to avoid being stranded during long-distance hauls.
Loading and unloading cargo with the Golem OX is notably practical and streamlined. Unlike the Misk Hole A, which requires accessing both sides of the ship, the Golem OX allows cargo to be loaded directly from the rear via the freight elevator, speeding up the process. While the ship comes with a mounted tractor beam, the reviewer prefers manual handling, finding it faster and more efficient for managing cargo containers, further enhancing operational efficiency.
The ship’s climbing and acceleration capabilities are also impressive, with boost speeds reaching up to 350 m/s and travel mode speeds climbing to around 900 m/s. These rapid acceleration rates make the Golem OX stand out in its category, and the reviewer hopes that these performance metrics will remain intact without being nerfed in future updates. During interstellar travel, the ship’s high fuel consumption remains a concern, as demonstrated on a trip to Pyro, where careful fuel management and frequent refueling stops are necessary.
In conclusion, the Drake Golem OX stands out as a high-performance cargo hauler that prioritizes speed and maneuverability over comfort and fuel efficiency. While it lacks interior amenities and requires frequent refueling, its agility and quick loading capabilities make it an excellent choice for traders who value time savings. The reviewer invites viewers to share their experiences and preferences between the Golem OX and the Misk Hole A, highlighting the Golem’s unique appeal in a competitive market where speed can significantly impact profitability.