The Kuat Systems Engineering CloakShape fighter is a contemporary of the Z-95 Headhunter. Originally designed as an atmospheric fighter, the CloakShape has proven to be easily adapted to space conflict, though always as a short-range fighter. Many Jedi used modified CloakShapes in the years before the Clone Wars, modifying them with enhanced maneuverability and painting them bright white (causing them to be called Whitecloak fighters). When custom Jedi starfighters came into production, this practice ended.
Sales of the CloakShape were initially very good, and vast numbers were manufactured in the first decade of production. When superior designs came into production, Kuat Systems Engineering licensed the design of the CloakShape so other shipyards (usually small planetary businesses) could produce them for local markets. Though overshadowed by later fighters, CloakShapes continue to appear in pirate and local planetary defense groups well into the era of the Galactic Alliance.
Efforts to upgrade the CloakShapes so they can compete with more modern starfighters, usually by adding shield generators and replacing the concussion missiles with linked proton torpedo tubes, inevitably fail or cost so much they aren’t economically viable. Still, some modifications have stood the test of time, such as adding maneuvering jets (Initiative +3, Pilot +3, Reflex 15 [flat-footed 12], Dexterity 14, +4,800 credits), and a hyperdrive sled with an astromech socket for an R2 unit (hyperdrive ×3, 10-jump memory, Mechanics +13, Use Computer +13, +19,500 credits).
Capabilities
The CloakShape depends on durability rather than agility to survive combat. Armed with both laser cannons and concussion missiles, these ships pack a heavy punch— as long as their payload lasts. The lack of shields limits their ability to survive multiple hits, however. As such, they are most popular with groups that expect to strike larger, lightly armed vessels such as bulk freighters. Some early Rebellion units even successful took on Imperial capital ships with CloakShapes by luring away enemy fighters. This tactic proved extremely expensive in the end, because the CloakShapes that were used to draw off the enemy fighters inevitably suffered heavy losses in dogfighting.
CloakShape Fighter (CL 7)
Starships of the Galaxy, page 71.
Gargantuan starfighter
Initiative: +2; Senses: Perception +5
Defenses: Fort 27, Ref 14 (flat-footed 12) ; +7 armor
Hit Points: 140; DR: 10; Damage Threshold: 47
Speed: fly 15 squares (max. velocity 950 km/h), fly 4 squares (starship scale)
Ranged: laser cannons +4 (see below) or
Ranged: medium concussion missiles +4 (see below)
Fighting Space: 4×4 or 1 square (starship scale); Cover: total
Base Attack: +0; Grapple: 32
Attack Options: autofire (laser cannons), fire-linked (medium concussion missiles)
Abilities: Str 44, Dex 15, Con —, Int 14
Skills: Initiative +2, Mechanics +5, Perception +5, Pilot +2, Use Computer +5
Crew: 1 (normal); Passengers: none
Cargo: 40 kg; Consumables: 1 day; Carried Craft: none
Payload: 16 medium concussion missiles
Availability: Restricted; Cost: 60,000 (15,000)
Laser cannons (pilot)
Attack: +4 (−1 autofire), Damage: 4d10×2
Medium concussion missiles (pilot)
Attack: +4, Damage: 7d10×2, 4-square splash