Topic: If you could command three ships...

[knightstorm]

The FFL+ is a great ship.  My only problem with it is that like all plasma ships, flying it depends a lot on the other guy making a mistake.  Whenever I fly the FFL+ or a gorn, and come across an opponent who knows what they're doing, I find myself really wishing that I had a few photons.

[Tulwar]

The FFL+ is a great ship.  My only problem with it is that like all plasma ships, flying it depends a lot on the other guy making a mistake.  Whenever I fly the FFL+ or a gorn, and come across an opponent who knows what they're doing, I find myself really wishing that I had a few photons.

If you play a fleet action, one of these puppies would discourage Klingons from trying to trac and pack.  At least, not till they took out this thing with long range phaser and disruptor fire.  Still, all the Fed frigates are tough little ships, so it could take a while.

Of course, the AI will run straight into this little bastard, so it's great in single player.

[Roychipoqua_Mace]

Of course, the AI will run straight into this little bastard, so it's great in single player.

Yeah, it's interesting how ships work differently in single player versus multiplayer. I used to hate most of the disruptor races because from a single player standpoint, they take a lot longer to win than the plasma anchor (though scatterpacks make it quicker) and it was also more difficult. But then seeing the Klinks and other races flown in multiplayer, they made a lot more sense.

And I forget the FFR/FFR+ (5 ph1, 4 phG, 1 drone-G on the plus refit), but that is an awesome ship for 2v2 and 3v3 games around 80-85, especially when everyone on your team flies one (a little cheap, but it can be fun).

[Norsehound]

The Mirandas were the fed's light cruisers in canon.

The DS9 Technical manual states that Mirandas were "Cruisers". I've also heard them described as frigates.

Personally I think the notion of the Miranda being the NCL/NCA fits rather well. It's more compact than the Enterprise, has better firing arcs, and greater shuttle space. The fact that the design persisted long after the Constitution suggests that it was the next cruiser design to replace the Enterprise, and maybe the Constitutions got their refits to save on expenses and/or test new components that were approved for the Miranda.

I personally don't like the uniforms/LCARS/Interior design of the TNG era, so I don't think I could answer the OP question completely. I'd choose a Miranda, A Constitution refit, and the Excelsior NX prototype in that order, with their original bridge layouts and graphics.

[knightstorm]

The Mirandas were the fed's light cruisers in canon.

The DS9 Technical manual states that Mirandas were "Cruisers". I've also heard them described as frigates.

Personally I think the notion of the Miranda being the NCL/NCA fits rather well. It's more compact than the Enterprise, has better firing arcs, and greater shuttle space. The fact that the design persisted long after the Constitution suggests that it was the next cruiser design to replace the Enterprise, and maybe the Constitutions got their refits to save on expenses and/or test new components that were approved for the Miranda.

I would argue that the smaller size and the fact that the Reliant was assigned to be at a science station's disposal would indicate that it was intended for less important missions than the ones that the Enterprise generally ran during TOS.  My own personal opinion is that the Excelsiors probably took over the Constitution class's role while the Mirandas remained in service because they could serve their secondary role more effectively.

[Norsehound]

I didn't think the Reliant was much smaller than the Enterprise. The primary hulls seemed to be similar, as well as the nacelles. It would be as if the designers meshed the secondary hull of the Constitution into the primary hull, moved the pylons to the sides, and re-positioned the photon box to the rollbar. Cutting out the navigational deflector and engineering section would make it a little smaller, but not such that it would be a whole other weight of starship...

Though even if it was smaller and performed 'lesser duties' than those asked of the Heavy Cruisers, Miranda still fits as a "light Cruiser" that would support Enterprise's ilk when it came to squadron action and such. I still feel that the Reliant was a cruiser, tasked to do perform missions that the classic Enterprise was called to do but with newer technology and cheaper costs (compared to refitting and fielding the Constitution, that is). Excelsior on the other hand may have started as a Dreadnought (as the flagship of new technology and a strong Federation) but ended up doing the same things cruisers did and better, but at a higher cost. Eventually Mirandas become Frigates while Excelsiors become cruisers... one-upped by the Ambassadors, which were bigger and had new technology. Dreadnoughts fell by the wayside until Wolf 359, when the Federation realized it couldn't rely on Cruisers alone for serious threats.

[Age]

The Mirandas were the fed's light cruisers in canon.

The Mirandas weren't considered light cruiser in Star Trek as replacement for the Constitution class like 1701A.

I would say mine are Constitution,Lakota(Enterprise B) and Akira.SFC mine would be FCC early era,N-CL,F-CC+ mid era,F-CB,F-NCC late era and OP+FCX advanced era.I know it is 5 but couldn't help it.

[Nemesis]

Over time the ships of the Federation became larger.  What was a CA size in one generation could be a CL in the next and a DD in the one after that. 

[Roychipoqua_Mace]

Over time the ships of the Federation became larger.  What was a CA size in one generation could be a CL in the next and a DD in the one after that.

I've heard about Klingons being similar too -- like the F5 starting as a destroyer but being comparable to other frigates by the time early era rolled around. In SFB history, did the Feds eventually stop growing larger, as in switch to BCHs and CXs over DNs?

Oh, I have to add a fourth ship (even though it's top three). It would be awesome to have my own personal Orion DW or FF.

[Nemesis]

I've heard about Klingons being similar too -- like the F5 starting as a destroyer but being comparable to other frigates by the time early era rolled around. In SFB history, did the Feds eventually stop growing larger, as in switch to BCHs and CXs over DNs?

In SFB the ships didn't grow nearly as much.  They typically gain some power systems and weapons as well as shield but little or no hull or other systems.  The movie/TNG versions gain in overall size and would have much more of the other systems as well. 

The Klingon fleet is a bit odd.  In my opinion the D6/D7 were not CL/CA as they are usually classed but more medium cruisers.  They then had a big gap where they should have had a FF and a DD but instead had only the F5.  The F5 while an excellent frigate is light weight for a DD.  It does manage to beat opponents of greater size due to its excellent weapon arcs and maneuvering IF used competently.

Unfortunately while the F5 is trying to be a destroyer the E4 is trying to be a Frigate and it is woefully deficient for that role. 

The FW series is more of a redesign and does qualify better as a destroyer.  I have fond memories of battles using the FWK and FWL against ships much larger.

Oh, I have to add a fourth ship (even though it's top three). It would be awesome to have my own personal Orion DW or FF.

A 4th ship?  I quite like the R-BH.

[Soreyes]

Oh this is a easy one.

#3. Z-HDW-M   MERVS!!!!!!!!

#2. K-D5L    Just a real fun ship to fly

#1. Z-DF+    I have surprised many people in this ship...... ain't that right 762 

[Temy]

And why do the Kirovs (and other Fed BCHs) look like Excelsiors in the game?

[knightstorm]

Because they are the canon equivalents to those ships.

[Voidwar]

While I really like some of the ships already mentioned, allow me to submit my favorite 3 that haven't yet.

F-CFS+    So many people think this thing is a dog.  I will pound a R-KHK flatter than hammered dung with it.
F-CFS+ has 8 photons from range, 4 drones, and can charge a rearward, OV photon at 31.  Game OVER.

R-K7RB   Very strong boat at 170 mid, excellent power and arcs and transporters due to klingon hull.  Only challenger is the ISC , and the match is a standoff, where the ISC wins the open space battle, but if the Rom puts his butt in the corner and reinforces, he can force the ISC to come in, and eventually, under those conditions, 2 F torps is worth more than a ppd.

Syndicate BR2 The STRONGEST ship in the game at 130 mid.  2 S torps, 2 drones and 4 phaser one, 127 bpv.  Holds its own castling, and always has the option of charging everything up, then doubling engines for the screaming tractor 2, speed 31 rundown, culminating in 2 S torps and a scatterpack.

[knightstorm]

While I really like some of the ships already mentioned, allow me to submit my favorite 3 that haven't yet.

F-CFS+    So many people think this thing is a dog.  I will pound a R-KHK flatter than hammered dung with it.
F-CFS+ has 8 photons from range, 4 drones, and can charge a rearward, OV photon at 31.  Game OVER.

You have a knack for taking ships that are death traps for other players and being absolutely lethal with them.  The problem with the CFS+ is that its built on a CA hull at a bpv that allows dreads.  It also lacks the power to charge a full volley at high speed, and is deficient in terms of phasers.  Granted, my only experience fighting against it is on GSA, but you are the only player there who can take it without getting pwned.

[Voidwar]

Thank you sincerely for the compliment

[Temy]

Even a Kirov or a KHK is easier to play than a CFS+!

[Roychipoqua_Mace]

@ Voidwar: You have a knack for taking ships that are death traps for other players and being absolutely lethal with them. 

I must keep that in mind for when I try out the S-BR2 that he suggested. 

[FPF-Tobin Dax]

While I really like some of the ships already mentioned, allow me to submit my favorite 3 that haven't yet.

F-CFS+    So many people think this thing is a dog.  I will pound a R-KHK flatter than hammered dung with it.
F-CFS+ has 8 photons from range, 4 drones, and can charge a rearward, OV photon at 31.  Game OVER.

R-K7RB   Very strong boat at 170 mid, excellent power and arcs and transporters due to klingon hull.  Only challenger is the ISC , and the match is a standoff, where the ISC wins the open space battle, but if the Rom puts his butt in the corner and reinforces, he can force the ISC to come in, and eventually, under those conditions, 2 F torps is worth more than a ppd.

Syndicate BR2 The STRONGEST ship in the game at 130 mid.  2 S torps, 2 drones and 4 phaser one, 127 bpv.  Holds its own castling, and always has the option of charging everything up, then doubling engines for the screaming tractor 2, speed 31 rundown, culminating in 2 S torps and a scatterpack.

CFS+ over a KHK? In single player or versus a newbie? No experienced Rom is going to let you into overload range. Better call for a small map for any chance.

[Voidwar]

CFS+ over a KHK? In single player or versus a newbie? No experienced Rom is going to let you into overload range. Better call for a small map for any chance.

Hop on GSA and I will show you.  I will beam your survivors on board my vessel.

If the Rom doesn't try to chase the Fed with plasma, then Rom gets bombarded by 8 photons.  KHK has a lot of power, but not enough to just take that indefinitely.  The CFS+ can force the Rom to chase, and when he chases, Fed's rear OV photon and 4 drones wins the game.  No experienced Rom is going to let me in OV range ?  Then he might as well shut off his plasma cuz plasma will never land from 9 away   How does KHK win with no plasma ?