This article could contain outdated information that is inaccurate for the current version (1.56) of the game. It was last updated for 1.55.
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Known across the colonies as King of the Rails, this heavily armoured train car is designed to protect and exert dominance over contested rail lines, especially when transporting supplies into contested territory as well as safely transporting infantry. This armoured beast boasts a forward facing cannon, as well as heavy lateral guns.
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— In-game description
The Aegis Steelbreaker K5a is a late-game, heavily armored ColonialCombat Car designed to protect the train from enemy infantry, or vehicles. Unlike other vehicles, it requires Railway Tracks in order to move anywhere, and is incapable of moving by itself (relies on another vehicle to move it). It is equipped with a 40mm main cannon and two side-mounted 12.7mm machine guns.
The Aegis Steelbreaker K5a has 4000 HP. It has "Heavy Armor" resistance: it can soak small arms fire, shrapnel, and 12.7mm machine guns, and it is immune to Flamethrowers. But heavy explosives and anti-tank weaponry are a real threat to it. It has subsystems that have a chance to be disabled by heavy explosives and anti-tank weaponry if hit specifically: Turret/Cannon: 20%. It has Tank Armor. With it, in best case scenario, penetrating projectiles only have a 23% chance of penetrating and doing damage. That chance goes up quickly if the armor is worn or if it is shot from up close, or on the side or rear from a direct angle, or with ammo that has penetration bonuses. It takes 100 Basic Materials to fully repair it from 1% to 100% health with a Hammer.
The Combar Cars have Tank Armor that never deteriorate, meaning they can always be packaged even after being hit by penetrating projectiles.
Interactions
Couple two cars together - hold Shift + E and press Couple Cars (they must be touching/close together)
Decouple two connected cars - requires a Wrench used in the area between the two cars
A train can have up to 15 cars connected, Locomotive(s) included.
The Aegis Steelbreaker K5a excels in anti-vehicle, and anti-infantry capabilities, as the 40mm cannon, and the two 12.7mm machine guns allow it to quickly eliminate attacking infantry, and either disable, eliminate, or make any combat vehicle retreat.
For logistical purposes, Combat Cars are unnecessary, but can be useful in frontline engagements, such as a "Battle Train" (i.e. a train coupled up with mainly Combat Cars that requires engineers to construct railway tracks into enemy territory). This tactic is very resource intensive, and its destructive capabilities are limited, as it relies on the orientation of the track, and how close it reaches the enemy.
A quirk to Combat Car's armor is that it never deteriorates when penetrated by shells, meaning the train car will have the same penetration chance it has for the entire duration of the battle. Despite this advantage, special care must be taken in order to protect the combat car, and ensure its safety.
Although it is possible to use the combat car without a Commander, it's not recommended as it will limit your awareness on the battlefield.
Standard Equipment Loadout
Like with every other armored vehicle, the crew should ALWAYS equip themselves with a Gas Mask and multiple Filters to avoid dying to Gas Grenades. Additionally, they should bring a Hammer and Basic Materials to repair the vehicle. These tactics can be buffed by wearing either a Tank Uniform or an Engineer Uniform.
Trivia
The Aegis Steelbreaker K5a overall design is almost identical to the PL-1 “Phalanx” Relic Tank.
This was a deliberate design choice, according to the devblog showcasing concept art for the Inferno update.
Gallery
An Aegis Steelbreaker K5a from the side
The Aegis Steelbreaker K5a introduced in the Update 1.50 ('Inferno') Dev Stream