The Strike Cruiser is a light frigate buildable by the Galactic Empire and the Greater Maldrood in Thrawn's Revenge.
Unit Description[]
A fragile but effective modular cruiser that was developed by the Empire as an admission to reduced ability to defend space superiority from Rebel Alliance attacks. This model is a medium cruiser, but the framework has spawned many variants. it is best used as fire support in conjunction with anti-fighter support and more durable vessels to absorb fire.
Stats[]
- Hull: 1,500 (Frigate)
- Shields: 1,500 / [22.5/R] (Frigate)
- Speed: 3.75 | Acceleration: 0.04 | Turn: 0.45
- Fighters: 1 / 2
- 2x Medium Turbolasers: 2 / 2.0s / 6.1km
- 2x Light Turbolasers: 2 / 1.0s / 5.1km
- 2x Light Ion Cannons: 2 / 2.0s / 5.1km
- 1x Assault Concussion Missile: 1 / 20.0s / 7.1km
Special Abilities[]
- Emergency Retreat: Flee a space tactical battle and escape to an occupied world
- Boost Weapon Power: Temporarily boost weapon damage output at the expense of speed and shield regeneration
History[]
A departure from the Navy's trend towards increasingly larger warships, the Strike cruiser was an admission to a diminished ability to defend space superiority against Rebel forces as the Galactic Civil War went on. Designed by the Loronar Corporation, the Strike cruiser was a general-purpose vessel capable of modular modifications, yet cheap enough to be mass produced. The Strike-class was surprisingly capable of challenging much larger cruisers than itself due to its heavy firepower, strong shields, and high sublight speed. Two Strike cruisers were considered the equivalent of one Victory-class Star Destroyer.
The main weakness of the Strike-class was side effect of its advantage. Due to its modular design, one well placed shot could shut down entire systems if the power connectors between sections were damaged. It was also possible for the ship to simply break apart if enough critical hits were sustained. By the time Strike cruisers were introduced into service (during the height of the Empire) the design flaw was considered minor, as ships of this type were considered "disposable."
However, after the fall of the Empire and the resulting Imperial Civil War, capital ships became more and more scarce for the Imperial Remnant. As a result, these reliable and versatile (and this tactically valuable) cruisers were deemed necessary to be reinforced at the weak spots on the ship. The reinforced Strike-class played a major role in the war for the next decade.
Usage[]
The Strike Cruiser is a staple Imperial light frigate, finding a purpose in most general Imperial fleets as fire support. Strike Cruisers have decent hull armor and shield strength, are fairly swift cruisers, and carry a hangar complement of three TIE Fighter squadrons. The Strike Cruiser is armed with two Single Medium Turbolasers, which fire two shots every 2.0 seconds with an effective range of 6.1km, two Single Light Turbolasers, which fire two shots every 1.0 second with an effective range of 5.1km, two Single Light Ion Cannons, which fire two shots every 2.0 seconds with an effective range of 5.1km, and one Assault Concussion Missile Launcher, which fires one missile every 20.0 seconds with an effective range of 7.1km.
The Strike Cruiser also comes equipped with the "Boost Weapon Power" ability, which allows it to intensify its weapon damage output, at the expense of its engine speed and shield regeneration, as well as the "Emergency Retreat" ability, giving it a means of escaping a tactical battle to flee to a controlled world. As the Strike Cruiser is small enough as a unit that it has no targetable hardpoints, it pairs very well with fleet tenders, who can heal the ship as a whole rather than its individual hardpoints like on larger ships. The Strike Cruiser also does well with ships that provide Point-Defense, as it lacks lighter anti-fighter weaponry and anti-missile countermeasures.
Capabilities[]
- Air Support: Provides Orbital Bombardments
- Boardable: Can be captured with Boarding Shuttle