M3S Strike Fighter/Heavy Interceptor

As the name suggests, M3Ss are yet another increment of the Fighter scale, with this one specifically attempting to combine the ability to reach out and touch someone of M4s/M4+s with the offensive power of an M3. That said, they are implemented into the mod as more or less a direct upgrade to the M3. While their weapons capabilities are slightly less than their race’s M3+, it is still improved over the M3; their shielding, cargo, and speed are better; about the only thing they sacrifice is ease of purchase, as they are quite expensive. Of special note is that - with regards to the Commonwealth, at least - the Boron fail to have a functioning example of this exceptional class.

These are among the best additions to the X3 fighter stable, as they possess a good amount of speed (typically about as much as, if not more than, their race’s M3 base) while not shirking on the M3 class’s good shielding (usually being more heavily-shielded than the equivalent M3, in fact). These are best summarized as being to M3s what M4+s should have been to M4s -- a faster ship with about as much, if not slightly more, forward firepower, intended to dash out and take out enemy fighters. In many regards, M3Ss are probably the single-best anti-fighter fighter, simply due to having the punch of an M3 but maneuvering characteristics similar to the respective M4, if not M4+. There is probably no reason, unless you simply lack the funds, not to use these as your go-to fighter.

As a Player's Ship
Faster than M3s but still packing the same punch, this is probably going to be the peak fighter-class ship that you can use. While not quite able to keep pace with its cousins the M4 or even the slower M4+, it will outstrip most M3s in a flat-out race, meaning that if you tire of singlehandedly obliterating enemy squadrons you can always just turn tail and take a breather. Their ability to take on capital ships, compared to their baseline brothers, are naturally improved as well, given that while they may not have the raw offensive power of M3+s, they can move faster and take fewer hits while still hitting as hard as M3s.

As an AI carrier-launched fighter or wingman
The M3S is, if not quite as fast, more heavily armed, and more heavily shielded than an M4+, making it very good as an anti-fighter fighter -- certainly better than using the equivalent M3 or M3+. Additionally, their use as a capital ship harasser, if not actual assaulter, is equivalent or slightly better than a wing of M3s.