Obvious variant. For K2.

The Needle could use a phaser variant. It simply replaces the disruptor with a Ph-1. Everything else stays the same.

Why? Two reasons:
1) Almost every other empire at least experimented with phaser-boat gunboats. It would be strange if the Kzinti didn't. It may have been a successful design; it may have been unsuccessful. But they would have at least given it a try.
2) There are some cases where a phaser is just flat out more useful than a disruptor. Particularly a Ph-1. It has a much better range. It has an effective range out to 8, and does good damage out to 5. It uses way less power, is far less hit/miss than a disruptor, and is more versatile.

Again, it may have ended up being deemed a failure (though I doubt it). Regardless, they would have still at least given it a try.

By Jeffrey George Anderson (Jeff) on Wednesday, September 04, 2019 - 07:04 pm: Edit

A guilty admission here; I've been using this "Variant" for a while now (with opponent permission). I've just never thought of submitting it.

My poor tactical skill has led me to have the same lack of success with this variant as with standard Needles, but that's not saying much either way with the craft.