[ChrisReid]

It's time for a new poll, and today we're asking about the special Kilrathi fighters of Wing Commander 3. Wing Commander 2 expanded on the light/medium/heavy fighter concept with the introduction of Confederation bombers, but WC3 dramatically increased the scope and scale of the Kilrathi fighter fleet. In addition to the return of the Strakha stealth fighter and Bloodfang superheavy, the Paktahn bomber is added to compete with the Confed Longbow. There are also three unique specialty designs: the ominous Sorthak "fighter killer," the K'ha'haf asteroid camouflage design and a nifty atmospheric craft, the Ekapshi. We don't see a lot of these ships, but their existence goes a long way to fill out the world and drive home the point that we're just seeing a glimpse of vast complex universe. Which one of WC3's speciality fighters was your favorite?









The old poll was there to gauge people's take on 2026. The year as a whole might be pretty rough, but the Wing Commander community is doing its best to make the most of it!

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Original update published on April 25, 2026

 

[Aeronautico]

The natural choice should be the Bloodfang, except for the fact that Thrakhath was the one flying it.

A wing of Ekapshis though will ruin anybody's day, bet the Kats wish they had made these things to be spaceworthy.

 

[Star Rider]

A wing of Ekapshis though will ruin anybody's day, bet the Kats wish they had made these things to be spaceworthy.

That sounds like it would be a worthy project in Space Engineers.

 

[Mekt-Hakkikt]

I always found it very odd that the WC3 manual tells us that Lasers and Meson guns are not as effective in atmosphere and then the Kikrathi decide to put those guns on their atmospheric fighters.

Anyway, it's a tough question. But in the end, I voted for the Strakha. It takes the asymmetric design to the next level and somehow it's just the most special ship due to its cloaking device.

 

[kingmakeress]

A wing of Ekapshis though will ruin anybody's day, bet the Kats wish they had made these things to be spaceworthy.

My thought too. Also it is good that someone appreciates the Vindicator!

I was between the Strakha and the Paktahn and I eventually voted for the latter.