This is a proposal for Module K2, since interest in that topic seems to be back on the rise.

The Tholian Pocket Battleship (Module R4T) was not a completely successful design and the only one built was destroyed in combat with the Andromedans; possibly due to shock but the record is unclear. Still, given the Tholian difficulties in producing large hulls, I submit that a ship of this power that could be built in a cruiser, rather than a dreadnought, slipway, would have been very attractive to them. I propose they built a second, slightly downgraded but perhaps more generally useful such ship as a "Strike PFT".

Changes from PBB
Delete two disruptors and two phaser-3s. With only four disruptors, ship is no longer subject to shock.

Add four Repair. Ship is now a "True PFT" rather than a "Casual "PFT". This means it can carry a standard PF flotilla (including a Scout PF) instead of six "standard" PFs. It does not have special sensors so is not an RTN hunter. Rather, it augments the firepower of any battle fleet or base to which it is assigned.

Delete the external fighters. This is basically an "economy" move. Against Andros, those four additional Stinger-IIIs are not particularly useful and getting rid of them makes the ship easier to support logistically.

Assessment
The Strike PFT is a bit less powerful than the PBB on wich it was based, but more sustainable. It doesn't experience shock, still brings four disruptors and seven phaser-1s to the fight (along with excellent shields and power curve for non-X cruiser), can repair its PFs, and can carry the extremely useful PF Scout instead of just six "shooters". I believe this would be quite a useful addition to the Tholian forces, until such time as they convert entirely to X-ships.

By Gregory S Flusche (Vandar) on Friday, August 06, 2021 - 08:33 pm: Edit

I like it

By Alan Trevor (Thyrm) on Friday, August 06, 2021 - 08:50 pm: Edit

Gregory,

Thanks.

Also... OOPS!!! I just now realized I referred to the PBB as carrying four "Stinger"-IIIs. While that would be... interesting, it actually carried Spider-IIIs.

By Garth L. Getgen (Sgt_G) on Friday, August 06, 2021 - 09:52 pm: Edit

That's a weird alliance, Hydrans and Tholians.


Garth L. Getgen

By Jeff Anderson (Jga) on Saturday, August 07, 2021 - 11:30 am: Edit

Hmm... Web pass with Fusion Beams and Gatling Phasers. Fighters use the Webs to get to overrun (zero hex) range of Klingon/Romulan/Seltorian ships attacking one of their bases...

SPP, SVC, is THIS why you made "Tech Sloshing" illegal? I hope so!

By Garth L. Getgen (Sgt_G) on Saturday, August 07, 2021 - 02:57 pm: Edit

I remember watching a large fleet combat game where the Klingons were attacking Tholians in an asteroid field. They were told the Tholians had allies and assumed it would be a squadron of Federation ships entering the map a turn or two into the game and thus held back a reserve squadron. Nope. The allies were already on the map. Jindarians. Yeah, that was fun.


Garth L. Getgen