SECTOR 50
* DEDICATED TO JESSICA ORSINI *
(50R.9.0) ORSIAN SHIPS
(50R9.1) HEAVY CRUISER (CA):
The foundation for the Orsian fleet. The Orsian Heavy Cruiser was a powerful starship armed with a Plasma-G Torpedo, a Drone Rack, and Array of Phaser-2’s. The vessel was noted for its poor maneuverability. Many an opponent fell prey to the Orsian Heavy Cruiser’s Scatterpack and Pseudo Plasma Torpedo, resulting in their ultimate destruction. The Orsian Heavy Cruiser was also famous for employing the Gorn Anchor, trapping its adversary so that both of its Seeking Weapons could find their mark.
DESIGNER NOTES:
The Orsian Heavy Cruiser is roughly Half of the Peladine Heavy Cruiser. Important decisions had to made regarding the Plasma Torpedo, the Drone Rack, the Shuttles, the Center Hull, and the Phasers.
Typically in Sector 50, the Base Heavy Cruiser operates only One Type of Heavy Weapon/Device. This could be a Photon Torpedo, Disruptor Bolt, etc. But in some rare cases, in order to maintain the Flavor of the Specific Empire, it is necessary to Allow Two Types of Heavy Weapons/Devices. One such case is the Krakenfish, which utilizes Plasma Whips and Bioelectric Bolts in its Base Cruiser Design. This is also the case with the Orsian, which must possess both Plasma Torpedoes and Drones in order to retain its Original Flavor.
However, great care had to be taken to ensure that these Two Heavy Weapons/Devices were not Overpowered when compared to other Sector 50 Heavy Cruisers. During the conversion process to Sector 50, I desperately wanted to keep the Original Plasma-S Torpedo. It felt like it should be there. Unfortunately, when the PL-S (30 points of damage) was combined with the Drone (which can potentially become a Scatterpack of 6 Drones), the Damage Output was too great for Sector 50.
Consider that the Europa CA can generate 36 points of damage with its Two Overloaded Photon Torpedoes, which take 2 Turns to Arm. The Babylon BC can generate 20 points of damage in 1 Turn with its Two Overloaded Disruptor Bolts. Now compare that to the Orsian CA with a PL-S and a Drone which can deliver a stunning 42 points of damage in a single strike (Armed over 3 Turns)! Even when considering that the PL-S and the Drone are Seeking Weapons that must cross a distance to hit their target, this 42 points of potential damage is simply too high compared to the Europa CA and the Babylon BC. Remember that Sector 50 Shields are not as strong as the Alpha Sector since they are only Half Strength.
So I made the tough decision to Reduce the PL-S down to a PL-G. This reduces the Orsian’s Damage Output to 32 points of potential damage, which is much more in line with the Europa CA and the Babylon BC. Of course, the Orsian CA is going to have to actually hit with both of its Seeking Weapons, and this is no easy feat. But that is the challenge of flying the Orsian CA and its Captain must find a way to make it work.
Let us not forget that the Plasma-G can also be Bolted as a Direct-Fire Weapon and launched as an Enveloping Torpedo.
In addition, the Orsian CA has 4 PH-2’s which it can utilize in combat. Two of these PH-2’s are RX (like the Original Design), which means the Orsian CA must capitalize on Oblique Approaches. To charge at the opponent head-on will only mean that two of the PH-2’s will not be able to fire, which would be a fatal mistake.
The potential impact of a Scatterpack during a battle is not to be underestimated. This can easily tip the balance of the combat in the Orsian’s favor.
Other ship details which translated from the Original Peladine Design to the Orsian CA are Plentiful Shuttles, Abundant APR’s and Impulse, a Strong Forward Shield, and a Unified Center Hull. All of these help to retain the Flavor of the Original Peladine.
It has been said by some that Peladine Tactics are simply Orion Tactics. If this statement is true, it must also apply to the Orsian CA. However, I disagree. When you look at the Totality of the Orsian Heavy Cruiser, including its Firing Arcs, Total Power, Shields, Hull, Phaser Suite, Shuttles, Turn Mode, Pseudo Plasma Torpedo, and More, you will find that the Orsian is Unique Enough to stand on its own in terms of Tactics. Furthermore, the Orsian (and the Peladine) do not have Option Mounts or the Ability to Double Engines. One could also say that Orion Ships are Smaller Overall.
And so the Orsian Heavy Cruiser completes the Peladine conversion into Sector 50. It is a slow moving starship with poor maneuverability. Utilizing Two Different Kinds of Seeking Weapons at Once requires Specialized Tactics by the Sector 50 Captain, especially when Scatterpacks are involved. The Oblique Phaser-2 Arcs must also be mastered in combat as well. Plentiful Shuttles are yet another Tactical Asset at the Captain’s disposal. Lastly, the Orsian Heavy Cruiser possesses one Pseudo Plasma Torpedo which can easily turn the tide of battle if it is properly employed to fool the enemy.
The Orsian Fleet is a Real, Historical Empire in Sector 50, not a Playtest Empire or a Conjectural/Simulator Empire.
PLASMA TORPEDOES
These function as described in the Basic Set
DRONES
These function as described in the Basic Set
PHASER-2
These function as described in the Basic Set
