Topic: TAC Fleet

Alright, here's my first stab (using the shipyard sheet, love it) at building Earth and alien fleets for my home-brew setting, a setting where Earth has jump-started their exploration of the stars with the discovery of an alien spaceship on Mars during terraforming activities there. By the year 2180 a small network of alien-tech inspired jump-gates has allowed Earth to colonize a number of far-flung worlds, and over the next century several of those worlds, populated by religious extremists, greedy corporate types, social recluses and other isolationists fight and win their independence from Earth. The remaining colonies side with Earth and form TAC -- the Terran Allied Colonies. While the independent colonies field ships of their own, the TAC fleet represents by far the largest and most powerful space force known to man... until humans chanced upon the Kloza in the year 2281, and found they were hopelessly outclassed. But more on them later -- first, the TAC fleet, a collection of Tech Level -1 military ships that perform system patrol duties, fight pirates, and generally fight the good fight.

For the first post here I'll provide a smattering of different classes, all of which share a common weapons philosophy around the use of railguns, missiles and a general preference for anti-starfighter capabilities since early on those craft proved deadly in a number of critical battles in the wars for colonial independence.

Mako-class TAC Gunboat
A small, quick vessel that doesn't have much endurance in a fight but mounts heavy firepower for its size. Against non-military grade ships like those outfitted for war by some of the colonies, it can be a terror.

Type: MAKO-class TERRAN ALLIED COLONIES GUNBOAT (29)               
Hull: 2 1
Engines: [TL-1] 8 4
Shields: [TL-1] 0 0
Weapons: [TL-1] 1:[2V] 2:[2V] 3:[2V] 4:[V] 5:[V] 6:[V]   
Battery V: Quickfire Gun, 2/4/6, 1/5+/1/1, Repeating
[ABCD] [ABCD] [CDEF]                

Tribal-class TAC Corvette
The smallest TAC ship capable of sustained deep-space operations, The Tribal-class corvette was considered in its day to be a well armed light warship that had the ability -- using its anti-ship missiles -- to deal heavy blows to unwary destroyers and cruisers and destroyers.

Type: TRIBAL-class TERRAN ALLIED COLONIES CORVETTE (57)               
Hull: 4 3 2 1
Engines: [TL-1] 6 5 3 2
Shields: [TL-1] 1 1 1 1
Weapons: [TL-1] 1:[VW] 2:[V] 3:[V] 4:[V] 5:[V] 6:[W]
Battery V: Quickfire Gun, 2/4/6, 1/5+/1/1, Repeating
[ABCD] [ABCD] [CDEF]
Battery W: Anti-Ship Missile Battery, 5/10/15, 1/4+/1/1, Extra Hull Damage; Minimum Range
[ABCDEF] Ammo: 5               

Sinclair-class TAC Frigate
A ship that proved its worth in the wars of colonial independence, the Sinclair-class frigates were as capable at dealing with fighters and bombers as they were larger warships due to the varied weapons carried by the vessel, from the short-ranged but deadly flak cannon to the ubiquitous quick-fire turreted railguns and powerful anti-ship missiles favored by TAC forces.

Type: SINCLAIR-class TERRAN ALLIED COLONIES FRIGATE (75)
Hull: 5 4 3 2 1
Engines: [TL-1] 6 5 4 3 2
Shields: [TL-1] 1 1 1 1 1
Weapons: [TL-1] 1:[VX] 2:[VX] 3:[W] 4:[W] 5:[X] 6:[X]
Battery V: Flak Gun, 1/2/3, 1/5+/2/1, Anti-Fighter; Range-Based ROF; Doubled Range Mods
[ABCD]
Battery W: Anti-Ship Missile Battery, 5/10/15, 1/4+/1/1, Extra Hull Damage; Minimum Range
[ABCDEF] Ammo: 7
Battery X: Quickfire Gun, 2/4/6, 1/5+/1/1, Repeating
[ABCD] [ABCD] [CDEF}

Nevada-class TAC Destroyer
Substantially larger than TAC corvettes or frigates, old-but-reliable Nevada-class destroyers represent excellent bang-for-buck, and as a result are the most numerous type of vessel in the TAC fleet. It is the lightest TAC warship to carry a light fighter/scout.

Type: NEVADA-class TERRAN ALLIED COLONIES DESTROYER (102)
Hull: 6 5 4 3 2 1
Engines: [TL-1] 6 5 4 3 2 1
Shields: [TL-1] 1 1 1 1 1 1
Weapons: [TL-1] 1:[VX] 2:[VX] 3:[VX] 4:[WX] 5:[X] 6:[X]
Battery V: Medium Gun, 3/6/9, 1/5+/2/1
[ABCD] [ABCD] [CDEF]
Battery W: Anti-Ship Missile Battery, 5/10/15, 1/4+/1/1, Extra Hull Damage; Minimum Range
[ABCDEF] Ammo: 8
Battery X: Light Gun, 2/4/6, 1/5+/1/1
[AC] [AC] [BD] [BD] [CDEF] [CDEF]
Special: [TL-1] Carrier (14); Marines (2)
Fighters: [TL-1]     1xFirefly Light Fighter (1), 1/12/1, (Fighter/5+/Non-Piercing)               

Tao-class TAC Light Cruiser
Poorly armored and shielded given its size, even for the early years of TAC naval expansion, the Tao-class ships exist none-the-less in large numbers, being considerably cheaper than the Denalis they imitate. Despite the fact that the design bristles with guns when compared to destroyers and frigates, the Tao is not a good match when going toe to toe vs. other capital ships. It carries a light fighter and two full squads of marines for ship security.

Type: TAO-class TERRAN ALLIED COLONIES LIGHT CRUISER (139)
Hull: 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Engines: [TL-1] 5 5 4 4 3 2 2 1
Shields: [TL-1] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Weapons: [TL-1] 1:[VW] 2:[VW] 3:[VW] 4:[WX] 5:[W] 6:[W]
Battery V: Heavy Gun, 3/6/9, 1/5+/2/1, Piercing +1
[ABCD] [ABCD] [CDEF] [CDEF]
Battery W: Medium Gun, 3/6/9, 1/5+/2/1
[AC] [AC] [BD] [BD] [CE] [CE] [DF] [DF]
Battery X: Anti-Ship Missile Battery, 5/10/15, 1/4+/1/1, Extra Hull Damage; Minimum Range
[ABCDEF] Ammo: 7
Special: [TL-1] Carrier (14); Anti-Fighter Batteries; Marines (2)               
Fighters: [TL-1]               
1xFirefly Light Fighter (1), 1/12/1, (Fighter/5+/Non-Piercing)

Denali-class TAC Cruiser
A revered class within TAC folklore, the Denali is a battle-proven design that sports a pair of anti-ship missile batteries and Type I main railguns that are significantly more powerful that anything carried by smaller ships. Preferring to stand off and engage at long range, Denali captains have over the years enjoyed many kills where the opposition was unable to fire a shot in return. Carried aboard the ship are two light fighters and two marine squads.

Type: DENALI-class TERRAN ALLIED COLONIES CRUISER (169)
Hull: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Engines: [TL-1] 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1
Shields: [TL-1] 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1
Weapons: [TL-1] 1:[VX] 2:[VY] 3:[WY] 4:[WY] 5:[X] 6:[X]
Battery V: Main Gun Type I, 4/8/12, 1/5+/2/2, Piercing +2; Slow-Firing; Starship Exclusive               
[ABCD] [CDEF]
Battery W: Anti-Ship Missile Battery, 5/10/15, 1/4+/1/1, Extra Hull Damage; Minimum Range   
[ABCDEF] [ABCDEF] Ammo: 13
Battery X: Medium Gun, 3/6/9, 1/5+/2/1
[AC] [BD] [CE] [DF]
Battery Y: Light Gun, 2/4/6, 1/5+/1/1
[AC] [BD] [CE] [DF]
Special: [TL-1] Carrier (28); Anti-Fighter Batteries (2); Marines (2)
Fighters: [TL-1]   
2xFirefly Light Fighter (1), 1/12/1, (Fighter/5+/Non-Piercing)

Moscow-class TAC Heavy Cruiser
An experiment that saw the mounting of a third Type I Main Gun to an expanded and reinforced Denali hull, Moscow ships were troubled by technical gremlins that took years to shake out; as a result the ships, despite enjoying upgraded shields and powerful weapons, were never procured in large numbers by TEC. A single light fighter and a pair of marine squads are typically carried by the vessel.

Type: MOSCOW-class TERRAN ALLIED COLONIES HEAVY CRUISER (210)
Hull: 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Engines: [TL-1] 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1
Shields: [TL-1] 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1
Weapons: [TL-1] 1:[VX] 2:[VX] 3:[WY] 4:[W] 5:[W] 6:[X]
Battery V: Main Gun Type I, 4/8/12, 1/5+/2/2, Piercing +2; Slow-Firing; Starship Exclusive
[ABCD] [ABCD] [CDEF]
Battery W: Heavy Gun, 3/6/9, 1/5+/2/1, Piercing +1
[ACE] [ACE] [BDF] [BDF]
Battery X: Quickfire Gun, 2/4/6, 1/5+/1/1, Repeating
[ACE] [ACE] [BDF] [BDF]
Battery Y: Anti-Ship Missile Battery, 5/10/15, 1/4+/1/1, Extra Hull Damage; Minimum Range
[ABCDEF] Ammo: 8               
Special: [TL-1] Carrier (15); Armor Plating; Anti-Fighter Batteries; Marines (2)               
Fighters: [TL-1]
1xFirefly Light Fighter (1), 1/12/1, (Fighter/5+/Non-Piercing)               

Maui-class TAC Patrol Carrier
Dozens of Maui-class patrol carriers have been built over the years -- a ship that performs its duties admirably, it is loved by its crews and respected by its foes. Carrying a full flight of five Dragonfly medium fighters and a shuttle, the carrier generally stays out of harms way during a battle, preferring to let its fighters do the talking. It is well-armed in case of fighter or bomber attack, but can't stand up to sustained heavy weapons fire from capital ships. As a result, the ship is more often used in system defense and patrol duties, rather than assault.

Type: MAUI-class TERRAN ALLIED COLONIES PATROL CARRIER (166)
Hull: 6 5 4 3 2 1
Engines: [TL-1] 4 4 3 2 2 1
Shields: [TL-1] 1 1 1 1 1 1
Weapons: [TL-1] 1:[VX] 2:[VY] 3:[WY] 4:[X] 5:[X] 6:[X]
Battery V: Flak Gun, 1/2/3, 1/5+/2/1, Anti-Fighter; Range-Based ROF; Doubled Range Mods
[ABCD] [CDEF]
Battery W: Interceptor Missile Battery, 2/4/6, 3/4+/2/1, Anti-Fighter; Minimum Range
[ABCDEF] Ammo: 8
Battery X: Quickfire Gun, 2/4/6, 1/5+/1/1, Repeating
[ABCD] [ABCD] [CDEF] [CDEF]
Battery Y: Medium Gun, 3/6/9, 1/5+/2/1
[ACE] [BDF]
Special: [TL-1] Carrier (65); Marines
Fighters: [TL-1]
1xLark Shuttle (1), 1/5/1, (Fighter/6+)
1xDragonfly Medium Fighter (5), 5/10/2, (Fighter/5+)

Condor-class TAC Carrier
The big brother of the Maui, the Condor-class carrier is in many ways the backbone of the TAC fleet. A newer design, it mounts much more formidable anti-ship defenses and capabilities including a compliment of four squadrons of fighters and bombers. Two squads of marines are stationed aboard at all times to fend off boarding actions.

Type: CONDOR-class TERRAN ALLIED COLONIES CARRIER (393)
Hull: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1                
Engines: [TL-1] 4 4 4 3 3 2 2 2 1 1                                   
Shields: [TL-1] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1                                   
Weapons: [TL-1] 1:[VY] 2:[VY] 3:[WY] 4:[XZ] 5:[XZ] 6:[XZ]               
Battery V: Flak Gun, 1/2/3, 1/5+/2/1, Anti-Fighter; Range-Based ROF; Doubled Range Mods               
[AC] [BD] [CDEF]                
Battery W: Interceptor Missile Battery, 2/4/6, 3/4+/2/1, Anti-Fighter; Minimum Range               
[ABCDEF] Ammo: 8               
Battery X: Quickfire Gun, 2/4/6, 1/5+/1/1, Repeating               
[ABCD] [ABCD] [ABCD] [CDEF] [CDEF]                
Battery Y: Medium Gun, 3/6/9, 1/5+/2/1,                
[AB] [AC] [BD] [EF]                
Battery Z: Light Gun, 2/4/6, 1/5+/1/1,                
[AB] [AC] [BD] [EF] [EF]                
Special: [TL-1] Carrier (250); Marines (2); Anti-Fighter Batteries (2)               
Fighters: [TL-1]               
2xLark Shuttle (1), 1/5/1, (Fighter/6+)               
2xGrackle Bomber (3), 3/8/2, (Fighter/5+/Bomber/Extra Hull Damage/ROF-2)               
2xDragonfly Medium Fighter (5), 5/10/2, (Fighter/5+)               

Bastille-Class TAC Battleship
The pride of the fleet, relatively few Bastille-class battleships have left the shipyards due to their cost and complexity -- and the fact that they were not ready in time to shift the balance of power in the wars of colonial independence. Bristling with guns, including the savage Type II main railguns, the confident Bastille crews believe she is more than a match for anything in space. Heavy armor, three compliments of marines and withering anti-fighter defenses only serve to further the ship's reputation as a brute.

Type: BASTILLE-class TERRAN ALLIED COLONIES BATTLESHIP (314)               
Hull: 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1               
Engines: [TL-1] 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1                              
Shields: [TL-1] 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1                              
Weapons: [TL-1] 1:[VXZ] 2:[VYZ] 3:[WYZ] 4:[XY] 5:[XY] 6:[XZ]               
Battery V: Main Gun Type II, 5/10/15, 1/5+/2/3, Piercing +3; Slow-Firing; Starship Exclusive               
[ABCD] [ABCD] [ABCD] [CDEF] [CDEF]                
Battery W: Flak Gun, 1/2/3, 1/5+/2/1, Anti-Fighter; Range-Based ROF; Doubled Range Mods               
[ABCD] [CDEF]                
Battery X: Heavy Gun, 3/6/9, 1/5+/2/1, Piercing +1               
[C] [C] [C] [C] [C] [D] [D] [D] [D] [D]                
Battery Y: Medium Gun, 3/6/9, 1/5+/2/1,                
[ACE] [ACE] [ACE] [ACE] [ACE] [BDF] [BDF] [BDF] [BDF] [BDF]                
Battery Z: Light Gun, 2/4/6, 1/5+/1/1,                
[ACE] [ACE] [ACE] [ACE] [ACE] [BDF] [BDF] [BDF] [BDF] [BDF]                
Special: [TL-1] Armor Plating; Marines (3); Anti-Fighter Batteries (4)           

Kross-class TAC Dreadnought
A huge, slow-moving, antiquated warship of enormous size and power, the Kross-class dreadnoughts were in their day thought to be the very pinnacle of space-mobile warfare. Only a few of the massive ships were ever finished, though three more of their hulls lay incomplete in space docks around the colonies. The orders were canceled once the wars for colonial independence proved that the big vessels were not as invulnerable to fighters and bombers as strategists once thought. Too cumbersome in combat, too limited with its fixed fields of fire, the ships now act more or less as command vessels, flagships or planetary bombardment platforms -- all duties at which they excel.

Type: KROSS-class TERRAN ALLIED COLONIES DREADNOUGHT (258)               
Hull: 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1               
Engines: [TL-2] 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1                           
Shields: [TL-2] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1                           
Weapons: [TL-2] 1:[VW2YZ] 2:[VX2YZ] 3:[VXY2Z] 4:[WXY2Z] 5:[WXY2Z] 6:[W2YZ]               
Battery V: Main Gun Type II, 5/10/15, 1/5+/2/3, Piercing +3; Slow-Firing; Starship Exclusive               
[AB] [AB] [AC] [AC] [BD] [BD] [EF]                
Battery W: Main Gun Type I, 4/8/12, 1/5+/2/2, Piercing +2; Slow-Firing; Starship Exclusive               
[A] [A] [B] [B] [C] [C] [D] [D] [E] [F]                
Battery X: Heavy Gun, 3/6/9, 1/5+/2/1, Piercing +1               
[A] [A] [B] [B] [C] [C] [D] [D] [E] [F]                
Battery Y: Medium Gun, 3/6/9, 1/5+/2/1,                
[A] [A] [A] [A] [A] [B] [B] [B] [B] [B] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C] [D] [D] [D] [D] [D] [E] [E] [E] [F] [F] [F]                
Battery Z: Light Gun, 2/4/6, 1/5+/1/1,                
[A] [A] [A] [A] [B] [B] [B] [B] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C] [D] [D] [D] [D] [D] [E] [E] [E] [E] [F] [F] [F] [F]                
Special: [TL-2] Marines (5)   

---

Whew. Lot of typing / pasting. More to come tomorrow, including some specialized designs (minelayers, missile cruisers) and some of the newer (Tech Level 0) TAC ships put together to fight the alien menace...</r>

Re: TAC Fleet

I really like that you're matching the tech level to your setting and not setting out to create the "most uberist ships evar".

Re: TAC Fleet

Thanks. Am not into min/maxing the system at this stage -- more concerned with the flavor and "reality" of the setting. And setting the Earth ships at mostly TL-1 gives them room to grow to TL0 for the newest stuff coming off the line to fight the coming war.

Re: TAC Fleet

Sounds like a very good idea.  smile  The setting somehow reminds me to the old Colony Wars(I - III) on my old psone. Great games.

Re: TAC Fleet

Loved the first Colony Wars game back in the day. Don't remember a lot about its plot, though...

But overall, I realize what I'm striving for here isn't all that new or unique -- just scratches an itch to have Earth ships fighting desperately against a superior enemy using both old and new tech. I'm seeing crews of the old-style destroyers looking on with envy as the new cruisers with improved shields and weapons systems and beam lasers and such rolling into battle, side by side...