OK – I am almost afraid to post this list, as I dislike most of the top ships. I throw myself into the fire for completeness and to continue the insightful commentary of the experienced admirals out there. Here (reluctantly) is the (dubious) list of the best and worst Raid level ships…
The Best:
1- The Explorer Survey Ship – Earthforce – Third Age or Crusade Era (total rating 60.9)
As fast and graceful as a rusted out tractor, short ranged and under armed, hull 4 etc. The only saving grace is that it takes lots of damage and has interceptors 3, and Command +1. It has to be TA or CE because you have to sub Thunderbolts for the Starfurys so get any punch. Certainly not a ship I am likely to pick.
2- The Battle Wagon – Raider (52.4)
At least it has a half decent beam weapon. Hull 6 with Interceptors 2 makes it pretty tough, but it is too slow for the class.
3- The Tigara – Minbari (34.5)
As a (newly minted) Minbari player, I hate this ship. A Minbari ship with a heavy weapon of range 4 – I fielded two of these against a Narn force (read slow) last week and I could not get the Antimatter Converters to bear for the whole turn (cursed initiative sinks!). It does generate more critical hits then any other Raid ship though (can I trade in my AC for more MD dice please?)
4- The Prefect – Centauri (30.1)
Now this is a good all around ship - a solid general use pick! In a sense the fact that we have seen special purpose ships at the tops and bottoms of the lists just means that Mongoose is doing a good job (which they are, by the way!) If we saw a lot of general use ships at the ends of the lists there would be limited room for tactical choice – strong in one thing should mean week in another – the admirals can compensate.
5- The T’Rann – Narn (26.6)
I am surprised that the computer likes this one – all I can say is that it has a lot of dice. Is there anyone out there a fan of the T’Rann? (I mean are there any Narn players that are fans…)
The Worst: (starting with the worst)
1- The Dag’Kar – Narn (2.2)
A specialty ship without a doubt – with a 4 hull it is quite fragile for the Raid level. Mines are not that effective unless you are using them to overcome a specific defense system (like stealth – curse you Narn!!!)
2- The Solarhawk – Drazi (5.3)
A fragile ship with a big cannon – as a Raid level ship with only 18 damage and only 18 range (as opposed to some of the lower level torpedo boats with 20-30) I look forward to the group’s opinions on this one. Is speed 12 and range 18 enough to keep this one alive long enough to rack up the kills?
3- The Haltona – Brakiri (5.5)
Not as vulnerable as the Solarhawk, but still a questionable ship in my opinion.
4- The Demos – Centauri (5.9)
Another ship in the Solarhawk mode – again I think that the low defense rating and lack of true long range make this one questionable.
5- The Batrado – Brakiri (7.9)
At least it takes 64 points of damage before it blows up…
For the record the Whitestar comes out in the middle of the pack at 14.9 – its high level of maneuverability should have it work out fairly well if used to its best ability.
Humbaba
The Best:
1- The Explorer Survey Ship – Earthforce – Third Age or Crusade Era (total rating 60.9)
As fast and graceful as a rusted out tractor, short ranged and under armed, hull 4 etc. The only saving grace is that it takes lots of damage and has interceptors 3, and Command +1. It has to be TA or CE because you have to sub Thunderbolts for the Starfurys so get any punch. Certainly not a ship I am likely to pick.
2- The Battle Wagon – Raider (52.4)
At least it has a half decent beam weapon. Hull 6 with Interceptors 2 makes it pretty tough, but it is too slow for the class.
3- The Tigara – Minbari (34.5)
As a (newly minted) Minbari player, I hate this ship. A Minbari ship with a heavy weapon of range 4 – I fielded two of these against a Narn force (read slow) last week and I could not get the Antimatter Converters to bear for the whole turn (cursed initiative sinks!). It does generate more critical hits then any other Raid ship though (can I trade in my AC for more MD dice please?)
4- The Prefect – Centauri (30.1)
Now this is a good all around ship - a solid general use pick! In a sense the fact that we have seen special purpose ships at the tops and bottoms of the lists just means that Mongoose is doing a good job (which they are, by the way!) If we saw a lot of general use ships at the ends of the lists there would be limited room for tactical choice – strong in one thing should mean week in another – the admirals can compensate.
5- The T’Rann – Narn (26.6)
I am surprised that the computer likes this one – all I can say is that it has a lot of dice. Is there anyone out there a fan of the T’Rann? (I mean are there any Narn players that are fans…)
The Worst: (starting with the worst)
1- The Dag’Kar – Narn (2.2)
A specialty ship without a doubt – with a 4 hull it is quite fragile for the Raid level. Mines are not that effective unless you are using them to overcome a specific defense system (like stealth – curse you Narn!!!)
2- The Solarhawk – Drazi (5.3)
A fragile ship with a big cannon – as a Raid level ship with only 18 damage and only 18 range (as opposed to some of the lower level torpedo boats with 20-30) I look forward to the group’s opinions on this one. Is speed 12 and range 18 enough to keep this one alive long enough to rack up the kills?
3- The Haltona – Brakiri (5.5)
Not as vulnerable as the Solarhawk, but still a questionable ship in my opinion.
4- The Demos – Centauri (5.9)
Another ship in the Solarhawk mode – again I think that the low defense rating and lack of true long range make this one questionable.
5- The Batrado – Brakiri (7.9)
At least it takes 64 points of damage before it blows up…
For the record the Whitestar comes out in the middle of the pack at 14.9 – its high level of maneuverability should have it work out fairly well if used to its best ability.
Humbaba
) Not many hit points but hull 6 and 3 interceptors make it a NIGHTMARE to hurt with non beams and it packs a hell of a punch in all directions!
a WS will lose to a nova due to the sheer amount of dice, yet will probably beat a prefect due to being able to stay behind it.
)
