From: warren@nscf.org (L3 Warren)
Subject: Re: SFB: Which Cruiser is the Best?
Organization: National Science Center Foundation
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 17:25:23 GMT

rroman@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Randall Roman) writes:

>I mean are you just limiting to standard heavy cruisers, or are
>war cruisers allowed?  And how about the new "heavy command cruisers"
>and new heavy cruisers from Module R5?  Also, what do you mean by
>best?

The point range stuff is problematic. The Feds and Klingons have cruisers
that start out in the 120-125 range and get refitted up to the 140 area.
But the Romulan KR is 115, a light cruiser really. The K7R is closer
to 150, and the Romulan SparrowHawk is 125 and is a LIGHT cruiser. The Fire-
Hawk, around 170, is their heavy cruiser. We won't even mention what the
ISC call cruisers.

I'd say BEST means most capable of carrying out its mission.
Cruisers are designed to be versatile and capable of dealing with
any threat.

I'd bet that if you took any cruiser and made it play in a few dozen
scenarios against various races at random and random circumstances,
the balanced Klingons will win more of the scenarios than any other
race.

>For normal run of the mill heavy cruisers (ie pre-general war) when
>these were about the most powerful ships in the fleet, my personal pick
>would have to go to the D-7B.  Has good power so you can choose the
>range, decent weaponry- although the lack of phaser-1's is a bit
>of a problem, 9 phaser 2's is a solid punch-, very good maneuverabliity.
>Also, don't forget the marines.  In a fleet action, this ship makes
>boarding actions VERY possible.

Good choice.

>Drawbacks:  Well, this ship is a bit fragile once the shields are down.
>Weaponry isn't designed to give a solid one time killer blow.  If you
>don't have the refit, weak shielding is a problem, but you have about
>the best turn mode of the cruisers.

>But lets look at the competition:
>Fed CA:  If pre-refit, is a tad short of power, and defensive weapons.
>	 Post refit, still is short of power, but has some much needed
>	 phaser 3's, and if you get the R refit has an additional phaser
>	 1 battery.  Also, few rear hull is as bad as Klingons front hull.
>	 relatively poor maneuverability.

A pathetic ship if I've ever seen one. :-)
Actually, its not a BAD ship, but it is VERY hard pressed to win against
a good saber-dancer.

>Kzinti CS:  Before refit and faster drones, this ship is almost a joke.
>	    Its short on power, which is made up for because it lacks
>	    heavy weapons.  Better than average maneuverability.  Can
>	    hurt you with 10 phaser 3's if it gets close.

True. A one-tactic ship. Kzinti Anchor or bust.

>Kzinti BC:  Things get a bit better here, additional power, more
>	    disruptors that now fire in the same arcs, and (Wow!)
>	    twice as many phaser 1's.  Things get much better when
>	    medium and fast drones become availible.  

Yes, but still unbalanced. The Anchor is still one of its best tactics.
This is something whic Kzinti had best not try against a plasma-user
or a close-in guy like the Feds or Hydrans.

>Romulan KR:  Similar design of D-7 gives it the same maneuverability,
>	     durability, and power curve.   Could use a stronger
>	     direct fire punch.  Cloak CAN be useful under certain
>	     circumstances, though its high power consumption limits it.

Its TWO torps makes a torp hit a little too painful. Refits and the D7
hulls make these much better ships.

>So, there you have it.  For pre-war heavy cruisers, I like the D7.

This is not going to be much fun if everyone in this discussion is voting
for the Klingon. Maybe I should switch to advocating the Orion or something.

Warren.
Newsgroups: rec.games.board