The upcoming Drake Ironclad features a complex four-deck interior with multiple traversal improvements, including new elevators, revised staircases, and potential additional entry and exit points designed to enhance movement efficiency and support intense FPS boarding missions. Anticipated for release around May 14th, the ship’s large hangar can accommodate up to 35 Drake Pitbulls, emphasizing its role as a powerful carrier in the game.
The Drake Ironclad release is imminent, and this video provides an in-depth look at the expected changes to its interior layout, focusing on traversal options rather than component details. The ship features four decks with a large hangar on the first deck, including side corridors leading to exterior gantries which serve as potential entry points. The second deck houses the engineering section, a suit locker room, docking port, and secure storage, forming a complex traversal network well-suited for FPS missions. Above this, decks three and four contain habitation, command, and captain’s quarters, but these areas are largely dead ends in terms of movement.
Initial teasers revealed notable structural elements such as steel beams in the hangar that may limit ship sizes fitting inside, and a narrow, high command deck window offering limited visibility. Subsequent images showed changes like an angled corridor on deck three and an added ladder, improving traversal options. There were also hints of a new door and potential storage or functional spaces, alongside plans for layout alterations announced for mid-2025, including multiple new elevators and revised staircases designed to enhance movement efficiency throughout the ship.
Speculation about the traversal improvements includes the possibility of unifying some stairwells into larger spaces to reduce the number of doors required to move between decks, or adding centrally located elevators to complement existing stairs. Another elevator might be installed near the secure storage area to facilitate moving cargo more efficiently, as current methods involving tractor beams and gantries seem cumbersome. Small but meaningful changes like repositioning the captain’s bed to improve room aesthetics were also noted.
Other speculative features include ceiling exits connected to external handrails, which could provide additional escape or entry points and reduce dead-end areas. There is also curiosity about how the mules (small vehicles) will be extracted from the cargo hold when fully loaded, possibly involving a service elevator similar to those on other ships. While there is limited wasted space aboard the Ironclad, there may be room for small additions such as a medical or fabrication room near the parking area, or better access to lower engineering sections.
Finally, the video expresses excitement about the ship’s release, expected around May 14th, and highlights the potential for intense boarding missions due to the intricate interior layout. As a bonus, the newly revealed Drake Pitbull’s size suggests that up to 35 of these smaller ships could fit within the Ironclad’s hangar, underscoring the Ironclad’s role as a formidable carrier. The creator thanks supporters and looks forward to exploring the ship in the verse.