Science.SpaceWarshipClassifications History
Hide minor edits - Show changes to output
Changed lines 1-10 from:
'''Orbital Craft'''
These are craft that exist only in orbit, and as such cannot leave their location unless carried. They have designation prefixes for the type of orbit, with Lunar for orbits around moons, Planetary for orbits around planets, Solar for orbits around Stars, and Interstellar for locations out in the space between stars. For instance, Lunar Battlestation vs. Planetary Battlestation vs. Solar Battlestation vs. Interstellar Battlestation.
'''''Class'''''
''Satellite''
Satellites are often positioned in orbit around planets. They usually have the ability to adjust their orbit, and can move into position. Usually they are defensive, but it is possible to deploy them from a carrier for offensive action. They can also be used to attack ground targets.
'''''Class'''''
''Satellite''
Satellites are often positioned in orbit around planets. They usually have the ability to adjust their orbit, and can move into position. Usually they are defensive, but it is possible to deploy them from a carrier for offensive action. They can also be used to attack ground targets.
to:
'''Mobility Class'''
http://www.stardestroyer.net/Empire/Science/Size.html
http://www.stardestroyer.net/Empire/Science/Size.html
Changed lines 7-12 from:
''Battlestation''
A much more heavily armed and armoured station.
to:
These exist only in a particular orbit around some celestial object, and as such cannot leave their location unless carried. They may have thrusters to adjust their orbit, but they are not designed to travel far. They have designation prefixes for the type of orbit, with Lunar for orbits around moons, Planetary for orbits around planets, Solar for orbits around Stars, and Interstellar for locations out in the space between stars.
''Craft''
These can transfer between their orbit and the object they are attached to. They can effectively move by docking to a ship. They also have the ability to land on the surface of a planet and travel through the atmosphere.
''Ship''
These craft possess full interstellar capabilities while also being small enough to orbit any celestial object.
''Sphere''
An artificial object so large that it generates its own gravity through sheer mass, a sphere ship is literally an artificial moon in terms of size and appearance. Because of this, building within a space station is not possible, and the ship must be constructed like a station. At this point, making the ship spherical is required for structural stability. The sheer mass usually allows for tremendous offensive and defensive capabilities.
''Globe''
Basically this is a sphere ship so large that it must be assigned a planetary orbit around a star, since it would interfere with the orbit of a planet if placed in orbit around it. Such vessels are literally moving planets of destructive potency and are terrifying sights to behold.
''System''
Bordering on the theoretical limits of technology, this is essentially a ship powered by a star and built around it, similar to a Dyson sphere. Such a ship is so large it must be built in galactic orbit and has the potential to wreck gravitational havoc on a system by its mere presence. Rather than entering orbit around a system, they usually function like a mobile armed artificial star system, useful for providing a staging ground for attacks or providing a zone of defence in a region of space. An even more terrifying variant is built around a cosmic black hole.
'''Mass Class'''
Also known as Level or Weight Class in common parlance, this is based on its mass or weight in metric tonnes. It is analogous to the displacement of the ship in water, and usually loosely describes the volume of space that the ship takes up, assuming the ship isn’t hollow. The use of mass-based classifications became essential as rockets depended on an accurate assessment of a ship’s mass for fuel calculations, and the cost of moving material off planet was determined in large part on the mass of the cargo. Star Cluster allows you to build any of 100 levels of ship.
'''Power Class'''
This is determined not by size, but by the ratio of weapons to defences and in the case of ships, to mobility. The unique nature of space travel means that it is not size but ratio of mass that determines how fast a ship is, and this can have enormous impact on a ship’s reach.
'''''Stations'''''
''Craft''
These can transfer between their orbit and the object they are attached to. They can effectively move by docking to a ship. They also have the ability to land on the surface of a planet and travel through the atmosphere.
''Ship''
These craft possess full interstellar capabilities while also being small enough to orbit any celestial object.
''Sphere''
An artificial object so large that it generates its own gravity through sheer mass, a sphere ship is literally an artificial moon in terms of size and appearance. Because of this, building within a space station is not possible, and the ship must be constructed like a station. At this point, making the ship spherical is required for structural stability. The sheer mass usually allows for tremendous offensive and defensive capabilities.
''Globe''
Basically this is a sphere ship so large that it must be assigned a planetary orbit around a star, since it would interfere with the orbit of a planet if placed in orbit around it. Such vessels are literally moving planets of destructive potency and are terrifying sights to behold.
''System''
Bordering on the theoretical limits of technology, this is essentially a ship powered by a star and built around it, similar to a Dyson sphere. Such a ship is so large it must be built in galactic orbit and has the potential to wreck gravitational havoc on a system by its mere presence. Rather than entering orbit around a system, they usually function like a mobile armed artificial star system, useful for providing a staging ground for attacks or providing a zone of defence in a region of space. An even more terrifying variant is built around a cosmic black hole.
'''Mass Class'''
Also known as Level or Weight Class in common parlance, this is based on its mass or weight in metric tonnes. It is analogous to the displacement of the ship in water, and usually loosely describes the volume of space that the ship takes up, assuming the ship isn’t hollow. The use of mass-based classifications became essential as rockets depended on an accurate assessment of a ship’s mass for fuel calculations, and the cost of moving material off planet was determined in large part on the mass of the cargo. Star Cluster allows you to build any of 100 levels of ship.
'''Power Class'''
This is determined not by size, but by the ratio of weapons to defences and in the case of ships, to mobility. The unique nature of space travel means that it is not size but ratio of mass that determines how fast a ship is, and this can have enormous impact on a ship’s reach.
'''''Stations'''''
Changed lines 41-70 from:
''Battlefortress''
The ultimate military space station.
'''Spaceplane'''
These are not design for interplanetary or interstellar travel. They spend their time in the orbits of planets and moons, or the vicinity of larger ships. They can transfer between planets and stations or ships in the orbit of the planet with carrier bays. They must be docked to a ship to leave an area. They also have the ability to land on the surface of a planet and travel through the atmosphere.
'''''Class'''''
''Light''
The lightest craft designation.
''Heavy''
The larger craft designation.
'''''Role'''''
''Fighter''
Fighters are used primarily to intercept other orbital craft. They generally have minimal armour and shields, relying more on their manoeuvres to dodge attacks. They are often found on carriers as well.
''Bomber''
Bombers are intended to carry much heavier armaments for use against stationary or slow moving targets, and rely less on agility and more on sheer firepower. Often they are carried by carriers to provide extra firepower. Their name is surprisingly apt, since the lack of gravity and air resistance in space allows for momentum to carry bombs against space stations as an effective and cheap way to inflict damage.
to:
A station focused on defences.
''Firebase''
A station built to emphasize firepower.
'''''Craft'''''
''Firebase''
A station built to emphasize firepower.
'''''Craft'''''
Changed lines 51-75 from:
These carry people between planet surface and ships.
''Assault Shuttle''
These aredesigned specifically for boarding operations and usually carry limited armaments, favouring instead to habour a contingent of marines who are trained to capture enemy vessels or landing zones. Thus, they tend to be both fast and well protected.
''Ships'''
Ships are able to leave an orbit of one object for another object. However, they are designed specifically for space, and are not optimized to land on a planet.
'''''Patrol Ships'''''
These ships lack the engines to travel beyond a star system. They are designated with the prefix Patrol. For instance, a Patrol Destroyer.
'''''Star Ships'''''
These ships possess full interstellar capabilities. Such ships are designated with the Star prefix, like the Star Cruiser.
'''''Class'''''
''Monitor''
These are often simply a single turret mounted on a hull with engines.
Monitors are essentially gunships that carry warship class weapons on the smallest hull possible.
''
These are
''
Ships
'''''Patrol Ships'''''
These ships lack the engines to travel beyond a star system. They are designated with the prefix Patrol. For instance, a Patrol Destroyer.
'''''Star Ships'''''
These ships possess full interstellar capabilities. Such ships are designated with the Star prefix, like the Star Cruiser
'''''
''Monitor''
These are often simply a single turret mounted on a hull with engines.
Monitors are essentially gunships that carry warship class weapons on the smallest hull possible.
to:
These emphasize speed and usually carry little or no armaments.
''Interceptor''
These are used primarily for high speed operations, and as such lack in firepower.
''Fighter''
These are balanced in terms of firepower and speed. They generally have minimal armour and shields, relying more on their manoeuvres to dodge attacks. They are often found on carriers as well.
''Bomber''
These are intended to carry much heavier armaments for use against stationary or slow moving targets, and rely less on agility and more on sheer firepower. Often they are carried by carriers to provide extra firepower. Their name is surprisingly apt, since the lack of gravity and air resistance in space allows for momentum to carry bombs against space stations as an effective and cheap way to inflict damage.
'''''Ships'''''
''Interceptor''
These are used primarily for high speed operations, and as such lack in firepower.
''Fighter''
These are balanced in terms of firepower and speed. They generally have minimal armour and shields, relying more on their manoeuvres to dodge attacks. They are often found on carriers as well.
''Bomber''
These are intended to carry much heavier armaments for use against stationary or slow moving targets, and rely less on agility and more on sheer firepower. Often they are carried by carriers to provide extra firepower. Their name is surprisingly apt, since the lack of gravity and air resistance in space allows for momentum to carry bombs against space stations as an effective and cheap way to inflict damage.
'''''Ships'''''
Changed lines 69-70 from:
to:
Have the least firepower and defence, and the most speed.
Changed lines 73-74 from:
to:
While still emphasizing speed, these ships have better defence than firepower.
Changed lines 77-82 from:
''Cruiser''
These ships are a well balanced mixture of offense and defence, usually possessing significantly better armaments than a destroyer and also much improved defences. They are the lightest of the capital ships capable of independent interstellar travel.
to:
While still emphasizing speed, these ships have better firepower than defence.
''Patrol Cruiser''
These ships combine strong defences and high speed, but lack firepower.
''Assault Cruiser''
These ships combine high firepower and speed, but lack in defences.
''Battlecruiser''
These ships are a well balanced mixture of firepower, defence, and speed.
''Heavy Cruiser''
These ships emphasize defence, and are also fairly quick, but lack in firepower.
''Battledestroyer''
These ships emphasize firepower and then speed, with defence being last. They are as fast as a cruiser and wield far more firepower, nearly that of a dreadnought.
''Mobile Fortress''
These ships are built overwhelmingly for defence, with much weaker firepower and speed.
''Monitor''
These ships emphasize defence and then firepower at the cost of speed.
''Patrol Cruiser''
These ships combine strong defences and high speed, but lack firepower.
''Assault Cruiser''
These ships combine high firepower and speed, but lack in defences.
''Battlecruiser''
These ships are a well balanced mixture of firepower, defence, and speed.
''Heavy Cruiser''
These ships emphasize defence, and are also fairly quick, but lack in firepower.
''Battledestroyer''
These ships emphasize firepower and then speed, with defence being last. They are as fast as a cruiser and wield far more firepower, nearly that of a dreadnought.
''Mobile Fortress''
These ships are built overwhelmingly for defence, with much weaker firepower and speed.
''Monitor''
These ships emphasize defence and then firepower at the cost of speed.
Changed lines 108-109 from:
to:
These ships are balanced in firepower and defence, but lack in speed.
Changed lines 112-121 from:
These massive battleships are too large to dock at a space station and must be built in an independent orbit. They are generally extensively equipped and distinguished by their big guns and shields, effectively the pinnacle of fast moving warship.
''Titan''
The largest ship that moves with any real speed, these are very nearly at the edge of structural limits in terms of ships that can be built in orbit. They combine massive firepower with sheer indestructibility.
''Battlesphere''
A vessel so large that it generates its own gravity through sheer mass, a battlesphere is literally an artificial moon in terms of size and appearance. At this point, making the ship spherical is required for structural stability. The sheer mass usually allows for tremendous offensive and defensive capabilities.
''Titan''
The largest ship that moves with any real speed, these are very nearly at the edge of structural limits in terms of ships that can be built in orbit. They combine massive firepower with sheer indestructibility.
''Battlesphere''
A vessel so large that it generates its own gravity through sheer mass, a battlesphere is literally an artificial moon in terms of size and appearance. At this point, making the ship spherical is required for structural stability. The sheer mass usually allows for tremendous offensive and defensive capabilities
to:
These ships emphasize firepower and then defence at the cost of speed.
Changed lines 116-137 from:
''Warstar''
Bordering on the theoretical limits of technology, a warstar is essentially a warship powered by a star and built around it, similar to a Dyson sphere. Such a ship is so large it must be built in galactic orbit and has the potential to wreck gravitational havoc on a system by its mere presence. Rather than entering orbit around a system, they usually function like a mobile armed artificial star system, useful for providing a staging ground for attacks or providing a zone of defence in a region of space. An even more terrifying variant is built around a cosmic black hole.
'''''Roles'''''
These roles can be attached to any ship hull.
''Heavy Variant''
An example of this is a Heavy Cruiser, technically a subclass of the cruiser, these ships are larger and more heavily armoured. They are much stronger defensively, but lack the big guns of the battlecruiser or battleship.
''Assault Variant''
An example of these would be Battlecruisers, which are similar to cruisers in terms of defences, but much faster and wield far more firepower, nearly that of a battleship. They are designed to be able to destroy smaller ships while also being able to outrun and avoid heavier ships.
''Transport''
These carry people between planets. Invasion transports carry assault shuttles.
to:
These ships are named after their overwhelming sheer firepower, albeit with the trade-off of negligible defence and speed. They are occasionally defined into a subtype known as a gunship, or super-gun carrier, a specially designed ship that carries a single massive supergun normally reserved for stationary defences.
'''Support Class'''
These classes involve either being unarmed, or devoting most of the space on the ship to something other than combat equipment. A ship without weapons can be classed as light, medium, or heavy based on their armour to speed ratio.
'''Sensor Types'''
If a ship is made up of a plurality of sensors, then, depending the second most common feature, the ship can be classified as:
''Probe''
This configuration has good speed for exploration, and to escape encounters with the enemy.
''Scout''
This configuration is has high defence to survive encounters with the enemy and thus be able to perform real-time surveillance. A ship with stealth and cloaking defences can be considered a Spy ship.
''Sniper''
This configuration has decent firepower, and can take advantage of the superior sensors to deliver long range damage with high accuracy.
'''Transport Types'''
The nature of transporting valuable troops and ships makes such vessels intrinsically more vulnerable, since much of its mass is taken up as cargo space rather than as useful combat equipment. The ships themselves are actually cheaper than normal due to having to carry air space instead. However, the forces inside cannot contribute to the ship’s combat effectiveness until they are outside, which makes thus makes the ratio of the ship’s features much less important. Ships with a plurality of space devoted to transport are defined as follows:
''Freighter''
These ships carry resources and supplies between worlds.
''Tanker''
These ships carry fuel for other ships. They are useful in allowing more firepower and defence heavy ships to travel faster, but come at the cost of being vulnerable to destruction.
''Collector''
A special ship designed to collect easily extractable resources such as fuel from gas giants and asteroids.
''Extractor''
A special ship for extracting more difficult to collect resources.
''Supply Vessel''
These ships carry supplies for the rest of the fleet. They have shuttles for couriering their supplies enroute. This allows the warships to not have to carry so much stuff that’s not important to battle. Protecting these ships during combat is important.
''Ferry''
A short range ship for carrying people a short distance.
''Liner''
A long range ship for carrying people a long distance.
''Troopship''
These carry people, supplies, planetary troops, and shuttles between planets. In order for a troopship to carry out an invasion or launch raids on enemy ships they must carry assault shuttles. Aside from shuttles they do not carry any spaceworthy ships the way a carrier does.
'''Support Class'''
These classes involve either being unarmed, or devoting most of the space on the ship to something other than combat equipment. A ship without weapons can be classed as light, medium, or heavy based on their armour to speed ratio.
'''Sensor Types'''
If a ship is made up of a plurality of sensors, then, depending the second most common feature, the ship can be classified as:
''Probe''
This configuration has good speed for exploration, and to escape encounters with the enemy.
''Scout''
This configuration is has high defence to survive encounters with the enemy and thus be able to perform real-time surveillance. A ship with stealth and cloaking defences can be considered a Spy ship.
''Sniper''
This configuration has decent firepower, and can take advantage of the superior sensors to deliver long range damage with high accuracy.
'''Transport Types'''
The nature of transporting valuable troops and ships makes such vessels intrinsically more vulnerable, since much of its mass is taken up as cargo space rather than as useful combat equipment. The ships themselves are actually cheaper than normal due to having to carry air space instead. However, the forces inside cannot contribute to the ship’s combat effectiveness until they are outside, which makes thus makes the ratio of the ship’s features much less important. Ships with a plurality of space devoted to transport are defined as follows:
''Freighter''
These ships carry resources and supplies between worlds.
''Tanker''
These ships carry fuel for other ships. They are useful in allowing more firepower and defence heavy ships to travel faster, but come at the cost of being vulnerable to destruction.
''Collector''
A special ship designed to collect easily extractable resources such as fuel from gas giants and asteroids.
''Extractor''
A special ship for extracting more difficult to collect resources.
''Supply Vessel''
These ships carry supplies for the rest of the fleet. They have shuttles for couriering their supplies enroute. This allows the warships to not have to carry so much stuff that’s not important to battle. Protecting these ships during combat is important.
''Ferry''
A short range ship for carrying people a short distance.
''Liner''
A long range ship for carrying people a long distance.
''Troopship''
These carry people, supplies, planetary troops, and shuttles between planets. In order for a troopship to carry out an invasion or launch raids on enemy ships they must carry assault shuttles. Aside from shuttles they do not carry any spaceworthy ships the way a carrier does.
Changed lines 177-178 from:
Often about as heavily armoured as a battleships, but with minimal guns (mostly defensive), the carrier instead relies on its squadrons of fighters and bombers to provide firepower, effectively providing an orbit for these ships.
to:
Often about as heavily armoured as a battleships, but with minimal guns (mostly defensive), the carrier instead relies on its squadrons of fighters and bombers to provide firepower, effectively providing an orbit for these ships. Carriers can actually carry any orbital craft, spaceplane, or ship that can fit within its hanger bay. Yes, that means you could carry and deploy a battlestation if you wanted. This is actually a legitimate strategy.
Changed lines 183-190 from:
''Gunship/Supergun-Carrier'
A specially designed ship that carries a single massive supergun normally reserved for stationary defences. They are the smallest capital ship capable of equipping ‘planet buster’ weapons.
Mobile Orbital Craft''
These, like the Mobile Battlefortress, are literally moving armed space stations. These things are usually much stronger defensively than a Supergun-Carrier, but they are less effective on the offense due to their slowness and lack of absurd firepower.
A specially designed ship that carries a single massive supergun normally reserved for stationary defences. They are the smallest capital ship capable of equipping ‘planet buster’ weapons.
These, like the Mobile Battlefortress, are literally moving armed space stations. These things are usually much stronger defensively than a Supergun-Carrier, but they are less effective on the offense due to their slowness and lack of absurd firepower.
to:
'''Other'''
Added line 188:
Added line 36:
Added line 40:
Added line 46:
Added line 50:
Added line 54:
Added line 58:
Added line 76:
Added line 81:
Added line 85:
Added line 89:
Added line 93:
Added line 97:
Added line 101:
Added line 105:
Added line 109:
Added line 113:
Added line 117:
Added lines 1-137:
!!Space Warship Classifications
'''Orbital Craft'''
These are craft that exist only in orbit, and as such cannot leave their location unless carried. They have designation prefixes for the type of orbit, with Lunar for orbits around moons, Planetary for orbits around planets, Solar for orbits around Stars, and Interstellar for locations out in the space between stars. For instance, Lunar Battlestation vs. Planetary Battlestation vs. Solar Battlestation vs. Interstellar Battlestation.
'''''Class'''''
''Satellite''
Satellites are often positioned in orbit around planets. They usually have the ability to adjust their orbit, and can move into position. Usually they are defensive, but it is possible to deploy them from a carrier for offensive action. They can also be used to attack ground targets.
''Station''
Larger than a satellite but similar in its nature, a station can support a crew and dock with ships.
''Battlestation''
A much more heavily armed and armoured station.
''Fortress''
An even stronger station.
''Battlefortress''
The ultimate military space station.
'''Spaceplane'''
These are not design for interplanetary or interstellar travel. They spend their time in the orbits of planets and moons, or the vicinity of larger ships. They can transfer between planets and stations or ships in the orbit of the planet with carrier bays. They must be docked to a ship to leave an area. They also have the ability to land on the surface of a planet and travel through the atmosphere.
'''''Class'''''
''Light''
The lightest craft designation.
''Heavy''
The larger craft designation.
'''''Role'''''
''Fighter''
Fighters are used primarily to intercept other orbital craft. They generally have minimal armour and shields, relying more on their manoeuvres to dodge attacks. They are often found on carriers as well.
''Bomber''
Bombers are intended to carry much heavier armaments for use against stationary or slow moving targets, and rely less on agility and more on sheer firepower. Often they are carried by carriers to provide extra firepower. Their name is surprisingly apt, since the lack of gravity and air resistance in space allows for momentum to carry bombs against space stations as an effective and cheap way to inflict damage.
''Shuttle''
These carry people between planet surface and ships.
''Assault Shuttle''
These are designed specifically for boarding operations and usually carry limited armaments, favouring instead to habour a contingent of marines who are trained to capture enemy vessels or landing zones. Thus, they tend to be both fast and well protected.
'''Ships'''
Ships are able to leave an orbit of one object for another object. However, they are designed specifically for space, and are not optimized to land on a planet.
'''''Patrol Ships'''''
These ships lack the engines to travel beyond a star system. They are designated with the prefix Patrol. For instance, a Patrol Destroyer.
'''''Star Ships'''''
These ships possess full interstellar capabilities. Such ships are designated with the Star prefix, like the Star Cruiser.
''''Class'''''
''Monitor''
These are often simply a single turret mounted on a hull with engines.
Monitors are essentially gunships that carry warship class weapons on the smallest hull possible.
''Corvette''
While larger and more complex than a monitor, these vessels are nevertheless considered light and agile, at least compared to the larger classes.
''Frigate''
Specializing mostly destroying smaller ships, these vessels tend to be heavily armoured and equipped with many smaller guns, which excel at accurately taking out fast light ships. They are noticeably more capable of interstellar travel than corvettes and smaller ships.
''Destroyer''
Similar to a frigate but a bit larger, the destroyer has much more firepower than a frigate in terms of calibre, but usually they are slower and less in number. This makes them less effective against lighter ships like fighters, but more potent against frigates and even cruisers.
''Cruiser''
These ships are a well balanced mixture of offense and defence, usually possessing significantly better armaments than a destroyer and also much improved defences. They are the lightest of the capital ships capable of independent interstellar travel.
''Battleship''
Just about the most heavily armoured and armed interstellar ship that can be produced in orbit in a shipyard. These behemoths are the mainstay of a fleet.
''Dreadnought''
These massive battleships are too large to dock at a space station and must be built in an independent orbit. They are generally extensively equipped and distinguished by their big guns and shields, effectively the pinnacle of fast moving warship.
''Titan''
The largest ship that moves with any real speed, these are very nearly at the edge of structural limits in terms of ships that can be built in orbit. They combine massive firepower with sheer indestructibility.
''Battlesphere''
A vessel so large that it generates its own gravity through sheer mass, a battlesphere is literally an artificial moon in terms of size and appearance. At this point, making the ship spherical is required for structural stability. The sheer mass usually allows for tremendous offensive and defensive capabilities.
''Juggernaut''
Basically this is a battlesphere so large that it must be assigned a planetary orbit around a star, since it would interfere with the orbit of a planet if placed in orbit around it. Such vessels are literally moving planets of destructive potency and are terrifying sights to behold.
''Warstar''
Bordering on the theoretical limits of technology, a warstar is essentially a warship powered by a star and built around it, similar to a Dyson sphere. Such a ship is so large it must be built in galactic orbit and has the potential to wreck gravitational havoc on a system by its mere presence. Rather than entering orbit around a system, they usually function like a mobile armed artificial star system, useful for providing a staging ground for attacks or providing a zone of defence in a region of space. An even more terrifying variant is built around a cosmic black hole.
'''''Roles'''''
These roles can be attached to any ship hull.
''Heavy Variant''
An example of this is a Heavy Cruiser, technically a subclass of the cruiser, these ships are larger and more heavily armoured. They are much stronger defensively, but lack the big guns of the battlecruiser or battleship.
''Assault Variant''
An example of these would be Battlecruisers, which are similar to cruisers in terms of defences, but much faster and wield far more firepower, nearly that of a battleship. They are designed to be able to destroy smaller ships while also being able to outrun and avoid heavier ships.
''Transport''
These carry people between planets. Invasion transports carry assault shuttles.
''Carrier''
Often about as heavily armoured as a battleships, but with minimal guns (mostly defensive), the carrier instead relies on its squadrons of fighters and bombers to provide firepower, effectively providing an orbit for these ships.
''Supercarrier''
A much larger carrier with even stronger defences, these ships must often be built in a separate orbit from the shipyards and are too large to dock at a space station. They are however large enough to function as docks for carrying smaller warships and satellites
''Gunship/Supergun-Carrier''
A specially designed ship that carries a single massive supergun normally reserved for stationary defences. They are the smallest capital ship capable of equipping ‘planet buster’ weapons.
''Mobile Orbital Craft''
These, like the Mobile Battlefortress, are literally moving armed space stations. These things are usually much stronger defensively than a Supergun-Carrier, but they are less effective on the offense due to their slowness and lack of absurd firepower.
''Ram''
A peculiar designation for a peculiar class of ship, ram ships are rarely seen in traditional space navies. Rather, they tend to used by more unconventional forces such as the Dominion Machinarum, or the Alien Nation. These ships carry no conventional weaponry, and instead focus almost entirely on defences and propulsion, often combined with stealthy designs. As such, they are exceedingly tough, exceedingly fast, and exceedingly difficult to detect, the necessary requirements for a ship whose only strategy is to literally ram through enemy vessels at dangerously destructive velocities. While one would assume such a mission to be suicidal, the design of these ships often entails the ability to survive for another run. A fleet of charging ram ships is a deceptively terrifying sight to an inexperienced commander, particularly before the era of effective kinetic resistance shields.
'''Orbital Craft'''
These are craft that exist only in orbit, and as such cannot leave their location unless carried. They have designation prefixes for the type of orbit, with Lunar for orbits around moons, Planetary for orbits around planets, Solar for orbits around Stars, and Interstellar for locations out in the space between stars. For instance, Lunar Battlestation vs. Planetary Battlestation vs. Solar Battlestation vs. Interstellar Battlestation.
'''''Class'''''
''Satellite''
Satellites are often positioned in orbit around planets. They usually have the ability to adjust their orbit, and can move into position. Usually they are defensive, but it is possible to deploy them from a carrier for offensive action. They can also be used to attack ground targets.
''Station''
Larger than a satellite but similar in its nature, a station can support a crew and dock with ships.
''Battlestation''
A much more heavily armed and armoured station.
''Fortress''
An even stronger station.
''Battlefortress''
The ultimate military space station.
'''Spaceplane'''
These are not design for interplanetary or interstellar travel. They spend their time in the orbits of planets and moons, or the vicinity of larger ships. They can transfer between planets and stations or ships in the orbit of the planet with carrier bays. They must be docked to a ship to leave an area. They also have the ability to land on the surface of a planet and travel through the atmosphere.
'''''Class'''''
''Light''
The lightest craft designation.
''Heavy''
The larger craft designation.
'''''Role'''''
''Fighter''
Fighters are used primarily to intercept other orbital craft. They generally have minimal armour and shields, relying more on their manoeuvres to dodge attacks. They are often found on carriers as well.
''Bomber''
Bombers are intended to carry much heavier armaments for use against stationary or slow moving targets, and rely less on agility and more on sheer firepower. Often they are carried by carriers to provide extra firepower. Their name is surprisingly apt, since the lack of gravity and air resistance in space allows for momentum to carry bombs against space stations as an effective and cheap way to inflict damage.
''Shuttle''
These carry people between planet surface and ships.
''Assault Shuttle''
These are designed specifically for boarding operations and usually carry limited armaments, favouring instead to habour a contingent of marines who are trained to capture enemy vessels or landing zones. Thus, they tend to be both fast and well protected.
'''Ships'''
Ships are able to leave an orbit of one object for another object. However, they are designed specifically for space, and are not optimized to land on a planet.
'''''Patrol Ships'''''
These ships lack the engines to travel beyond a star system. They are designated with the prefix Patrol. For instance, a Patrol Destroyer.
'''''Star Ships'''''
These ships possess full interstellar capabilities. Such ships are designated with the Star prefix, like the Star Cruiser.
''''Class'''''
''Monitor''
These are often simply a single turret mounted on a hull with engines.
Monitors are essentially gunships that carry warship class weapons on the smallest hull possible.
''Corvette''
While larger and more complex than a monitor, these vessels are nevertheless considered light and agile, at least compared to the larger classes.
''Frigate''
Specializing mostly destroying smaller ships, these vessels tend to be heavily armoured and equipped with many smaller guns, which excel at accurately taking out fast light ships. They are noticeably more capable of interstellar travel than corvettes and smaller ships.
''Destroyer''
Similar to a frigate but a bit larger, the destroyer has much more firepower than a frigate in terms of calibre, but usually they are slower and less in number. This makes them less effective against lighter ships like fighters, but more potent against frigates and even cruisers.
''Cruiser''
These ships are a well balanced mixture of offense and defence, usually possessing significantly better armaments than a destroyer and also much improved defences. They are the lightest of the capital ships capable of independent interstellar travel.
''Battleship''
Just about the most heavily armoured and armed interstellar ship that can be produced in orbit in a shipyard. These behemoths are the mainstay of a fleet.
''Dreadnought''
These massive battleships are too large to dock at a space station and must be built in an independent orbit. They are generally extensively equipped and distinguished by their big guns and shields, effectively the pinnacle of fast moving warship.
''Titan''
The largest ship that moves with any real speed, these are very nearly at the edge of structural limits in terms of ships that can be built in orbit. They combine massive firepower with sheer indestructibility.
''Battlesphere''
A vessel so large that it generates its own gravity through sheer mass, a battlesphere is literally an artificial moon in terms of size and appearance. At this point, making the ship spherical is required for structural stability. The sheer mass usually allows for tremendous offensive and defensive capabilities.
''Juggernaut''
Basically this is a battlesphere so large that it must be assigned a planetary orbit around a star, since it would interfere with the orbit of a planet if placed in orbit around it. Such vessels are literally moving planets of destructive potency and are terrifying sights to behold.
''Warstar''
Bordering on the theoretical limits of technology, a warstar is essentially a warship powered by a star and built around it, similar to a Dyson sphere. Such a ship is so large it must be built in galactic orbit and has the potential to wreck gravitational havoc on a system by its mere presence. Rather than entering orbit around a system, they usually function like a mobile armed artificial star system, useful for providing a staging ground for attacks or providing a zone of defence in a region of space. An even more terrifying variant is built around a cosmic black hole.
'''''Roles'''''
These roles can be attached to any ship hull.
''Heavy Variant''
An example of this is a Heavy Cruiser, technically a subclass of the cruiser, these ships are larger and more heavily armoured. They are much stronger defensively, but lack the big guns of the battlecruiser or battleship.
''Assault Variant''
An example of these would be Battlecruisers, which are similar to cruisers in terms of defences, but much faster and wield far more firepower, nearly that of a battleship. They are designed to be able to destroy smaller ships while also being able to outrun and avoid heavier ships.
''Transport''
These carry people between planets. Invasion transports carry assault shuttles.
''Carrier''
Often about as heavily armoured as a battleships, but with minimal guns (mostly defensive), the carrier instead relies on its squadrons of fighters and bombers to provide firepower, effectively providing an orbit for these ships.
''Supercarrier''
A much larger carrier with even stronger defences, these ships must often be built in a separate orbit from the shipyards and are too large to dock at a space station. They are however large enough to function as docks for carrying smaller warships and satellites
''Gunship/Supergun-Carrier''
A specially designed ship that carries a single massive supergun normally reserved for stationary defences. They are the smallest capital ship capable of equipping ‘planet buster’ weapons.
''Mobile Orbital Craft''
These, like the Mobile Battlefortress, are literally moving armed space stations. These things are usually much stronger defensively than a Supergun-Carrier, but they are less effective on the offense due to their slowness and lack of absurd firepower.
''Ram''
A peculiar designation for a peculiar class of ship, ram ships are rarely seen in traditional space navies. Rather, they tend to used by more unconventional forces such as the Dominion Machinarum, or the Alien Nation. These ships carry no conventional weaponry, and instead focus almost entirely on defences and propulsion, often combined with stealthy designs. As such, they are exceedingly tough, exceedingly fast, and exceedingly difficult to detect, the necessary requirements for a ship whose only strategy is to literally ram through enemy vessels at dangerously destructive velocities. While one would assume such a mission to be suicidal, the design of these ships often entails the ability to survive for another run. A fleet of charging ram ships is a deceptively terrifying sight to an inexperienced commander, particularly before the era of effective kinetic resistance shields.
Page last modified on March 02, 2021, at 10:30 AM
Powered by
PmWiki