> First off, thank you for verifying the spreadsheet issue.

> I've also not found anyplace to add fighters once fighter
> bays are included into ship design.  I'm sure I can do the
> math.   Just curious as to whether I'm missing something.

> As to the ship sizes/classes thing, I've seen enough posts to
> the effect of what you said - different hull points based on
> the kind of game that the players want to play - to FULLY
> support your decision not to include such a chart.  In hind
> sight, I think that adding one would actually detract from
> the flexibilit of the system.

Considering the huge variety of starships possible with the Starmada construction system, and the different priorities and strategies utilized by various players, it seems only right to present some way of categorizing ship designs so that easy comparisons can be made.

Please note that the terms used below are simply for metagame purposes; i.e., outside the “reality” of a game of Starmada. Players are welcome to come up with whatever naming systems seem appropriate for their fleets.

A starship's designation consists of a series of two or
three letters.

FIRST LETTER
Indicates the basic ship type:

Battleships (B) are the “big guns” of a fleet, and are typically designed for offensive activity. They do not walk softly, but they do carry a big stick. Battleships have Combat Ratings over 200.

Cruisers (C) are usually balanced equally in their offensive and defensive
capabilities, underscoring their versatility. Cruisers have Combat Ratings above 100.

Escorts (E) are hardly ever found on their own, as their main function is to provide additional protection for the rest of the fleet. Escort Combat Ratings are 100 or less.

Carriers (R) are those starships whose primary function is to provide fighter cover for the fleet. In this system, a ship is designated a “carrier” if the Combat Rating of its fighter flights is at least half that of the ship itself. For example, the Illustrious would be a carrier, since its fighters' Combat Rating (80) is more than half its own (62).

SECOND LETTER
This reflects the relative strength of the design within the starship type. “H” denotes a “heavy” or more powerful design, “L” is for “light” or less powerful ones, and a duplication of the first letter (e.g., “BB”, “EE”) would indicate that the ship is of an average strength for that type.

Type Combat Rating
BH 271+
BB 231-270
BL 201-230
CH 171-200
CC 131-170
CL 101-130
EH 71-100
EE 31-70
EL 1-30
RH 201+
RR 101-200
RL 1-100

THIRD LETTER
The third letter (if present) would give an indication of any special capabilities possessed by the starship.

K: The starship has a cloaking device.
R: The starship has fighter bays, but does not qualify for the “carrier” ship type.
S: System boat; i.e., the design has no hyperspace capability.
G: “Gun”; i.e., the starship has a spinal mount.
F: Fast; the starship has more movement points than are listed on the chart below:
Type MPs
BH 2
BB 3
BL 4
CH 5
CC 6
CL 7
EH 8
EE 9
EL 10
RH 3
RR 5
RL 7
M: The starship carries Marines for boarding actions.
W: Electronic warfare capabilities; the starship has ECM, EWS, LRS, Stealth
Generator, and/or TDAR.

It is important to note that these are listed in descending priority, and that a higher designation takes precedence over a lower one. For example, a
starship with both a Cloaking Device and Marines would list a “K” but not an “M”.

As an example, let us take a look at the Valiant. Its Combat Rating is 64, which places it in the Escort category. Further, it is within the average strength range for that type. Finally, it has Electronic Countermeasures,
which qualifies it as having electronic warfare capabilities. Therefore, the Valiant's designation would be “EEW”.