Got the itch to build an SSD today and decided to design a WYN version of the Fed FFH from the discussion about LCS-inspired designs. As with the Fed version, this is basically a baby HDW:

WYN Hemi-Cuda Heavy Frigate

The ship is a bit of an odd duck. I increased the turn mode but retained the nimble status. Could go the other way and keep it turn mode A and dispense with the nimble status (probably the reasonable thing to do). As a combat ship, it not quite as good as a Meko, but it obviously gains some ability through the NWOs.

As the LCS conversation suggested, this would obvioulsy be a pretty late war or even post-war development, if built at all. Maybe a ship the WYNs would build after the war of return?

Anyway, just something to chat about. Oh, and yeah, I couldn't resist on the name!

By Joseph R Carlson (Jrc) on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 12:24 pm: Edit

Jeremy,

Nice design. Would this be considered a war-production ship (DW/CW) for purposes of an XP-refit? If it is a purpose built ship it can use XP-heavy weapons and has the greater patrol range and longevity

The FFH as a post-GW class makes sense. It can be configured for many missions. Have you though about doing a CL sized version of the LCS? Sort of like a CL version of a strike cruiser with some option boxes and NWO boxes.

By Alan Trevor (Thyrm) on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 12:43 pm: Edit

Regarding the increased turn mode vs. nimble status, I don't believe there are any ships currently in the SFU (at least not in Alpha) that are nimble and turn mode B. So that combination might not be possible, though only SVC could really say. There are plenty of turn mode A, non-nimble ships, of course.

By Jeremy Gray (Gray) on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 12:46 pm: Edit

JRC, my guess is any "baby" HDW would be treated just like an HDW for XP refit purposes.

As for a larger versions, anything bigger than an HDW is going to be pretty big. As it is, HDWs are CWs in sheep's clothing. I guess if the concept of an HDW can be "shunk" down to an FFH (basically a lightly armed, but modular, DW), going bigger is possible. The next size up is going to be something akin to a CA or NCA armed like a CW to make space for modularity. I guess its possible to go there, but the resulting ship is going to be big and expensive, which starts to beg the question, "why not just build an X-ship". I've toyed with bigger designs using HDW-like systems in the past, but I found most of the designs a bit on the munchkin side. There are a lot of people who already despise the HDWs. I can only imagine the reaction to a bigger version of one.

By Jeremy Gray (Gray) on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 12:49 pm: Edit

Alan, the Romulan Snipe, including the Snipe-B, is turn mode D(!) and is Nimble. Weird? Yes. Without precedent? No.

By Sean O'Carroll (Terryoc) on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 04:19 pm: Edit

The Snipe is an oddity because it's a converted sublight ship IIRC. I'm not sure if a ship designed to use tactical warp would be in the same category...

By Alan Trevor (Thyrm) on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 06:33 pm: Edit

Gahhh!!!! I completely forgot about the Snipe. And I play Romulans too. But for some reason I never much liked the Snipe, and that may be why I put it out of my mind.

By Joseph R Carlson (Jrc) on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 06:52 pm: Edit

Jeremy,

An FFH being a baby HDW makes sense for a post-GW class of ships. The HDWs were supposed to replace FF/DD/DW ships classes but that never happened. A modular squadron is now possible with the HDW and FFH classes.

What other races are you thinking might build an FFH?

By Jeremy Gray (Gray) on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 07:14 pm: Edit

On the topic of Nimble status, the slosest comparison I can find is the Romulans SEA-> JH. The Jayhawk retains the A turn mode of the SEA, but loses Nimble status. I'll probably revise the WYN FFH to do the same.

By Jeremy Gray (Gray) on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 04:04 am: Edit

SSD updated. Dropped the nimble status and made the ship turn mode A, following the Romulan SEA-> JH example. Use the link at the beginning of the thread (you may need to refresh the page to see the change).

By Glenn Hoepfner (Ikabar) on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 04:44 pm: Edit

I like the ship, alot. It's not only pleasing to the eye but it shows some flexibility in its mission. As a WYN fan, I approve.

By Jonathan Jordan (Arcturusv) on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 05:30 pm: Edit

As the Kzinti player I rather WYN ships all be the short legged over gunned freighter hulls and overgunned short legged modified ships. >.> No more Fish Fleet. DEATH TO THE USURPER!

That aside. It is a neat design. Clean lines on it which make the ship pleasing to the eye. No real problem with it balance wise I see. Though I never quite liked NWOs.

By Michael C. Grafton (Mike_Grafton) on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 05:44 pm: Edit

The only change I'd make is the deletion of the OPT box.

Then you have a FF firepower wise that is versatile.