CADET SHIPS FOR STAR FLEET
BATTLES
Last updated: 17
Jan 2002
The ships listed here are
designed to use the simplified rules published in the SFB Cadet Training
Handbook, by ADB. This inexpensive
rulebook serves as an excellent introduction to Star Fleet Battles, using
small, simplified ships and rule sets to quickly train new players. I became interested in this product when I began
teaching my wife to play SFB. Through
her interest in my miniature collection and watching several games I’ve played
with friends, she was particularly interested in the Romulan
“hawk” series and insisted on flying one as she learned to play. Unfortunately,
no “Hawk” series cadet ship existed (and the other Romulan
ships were not to her liking) and I resorted to creating one. This effort spawned a whole series of ships
as my interest in the Cadet game grew. Andy
Palmer's Cadet Ships Web Page (now inactive) served as a basis for this effort
and he deserves a great deal of credit for producing the SSDs with Energy
Allocation Forms that I used as a starting point. His page presents the official cadet ships,
as well as a number of excellent unofficial ships designed by himself and Less
Leblanc.
Now, I have a word or two about
the ships below. All of these ships are
UNOFFICIAL and, while I have done my best to create balanced designs, they are
not guaranteed to be balanced against the official cadet cruisers. Also, not all of these ships may be suitable
for training beginning players, so rookie and veteran players should begin
training with the official ships before taking these ships out for a spin. I have assigned each ship a training level to
suggest when it should be used by cadet players. The intent is to provide greater depth to the
cadet game while insuring beginning players do not attempt to use these ships to
early.
Level 1: Basic Training (Ships with this rating are
appropriate for the early cadet games in the handbook to introduce new players
to SFB)
Level 2: Intermediate Training (Introduction of more
advanced rules and specialized variants)
Level 3: Fleet Training (Introduction of squadron tactics
and the use larger and smaller ships)
Note: Level 2 and 3 are not required before moving on to
the full size ships of SFB.
The Combat Value listed at the end of each description
provides an approximation of the ships combat value. This is far less accurate than BPV (used in
full-scale SFB), but should provide a starting point for creating balanced
squadrons for Fleet Training (Level 3).
A standard cadet cruiser is has a value of 1. Cadet Dreadnoughts have a value of 1.5. The value of smaller ships
range from 0.5 to 0.75.
FEDERATION
CADET COMMAND CRUISER: I felt the Federation Cadet Cruiser lacked some of
the feel of the full-size Fed CA, particularly its more restricted side phaser arcs (which are blocked by the warp engines). To correct for this I created this alternate
design of the Cadet Cruiser with the side arcs reduced to match those on the
Heavy Cruiser and added a single Phaser-1 firing in the RA arc. The resulting ship is slightly more powerful
but does not gain any additional forward firepower. Training Level 1. Combat Value = 1.
FEDERATION
CADET CRUISER (DRONE): When I created the Federation Cadet Command Cruiser,
the extra rear phaser and the more restricted side phaser arcs made a version of the Federation ship with a
drone rack a straightforward conversion.
The design can be used to reflect Star Fleet’s addition of drone racks
to its ships. Training Level 2. Combat Value = 1.
FEDERATION
CADET DREADNOUGHT: Designed to emulate its full-size counterpart, the
Federation Cadet Dreadnought is the rough equivalent to one and a half cadet
cruisers. It introduces a movement cost
greater than one, but otherwise relies on rules covered in the cadet game. Training Level 3. Combat Value = 1.5.
FEDERATION
CADET DESTROYER: This small Federation cadet ship is roughly equal to
two-thirds of a standard cadet cruiser.
Like the full-size Federation DD, it has the same photon armament of the
cruiser. It introduces a movement cost
less than one, but otherwise relies on rules covered in the cadet game. Training Level 3. Combat Value = 0.67.
KLINGON
CADET COMMAND CRUISER: I found the Klingon Cadet Cruiser’s all-phaser-2 armament left it at a
significant disadvantage in some cases.
Giving it a “K”-refit seemed the obvious solution. This ship could be used if players are having
trouble in the standard, all-phaser-2 version (Training Level 1) or it can be
used as a squadron leader (Training Level 3). Combat Value = 1.15.
KLINGON
CADET DRONE CRUISER: More of a
curiosity than a viable cadet cruiser, this ship trades in its disruptors for
drone racks. It could be teamed with a
standard cadet cruiser to attack the Cadet Base Station (see below). Training Level 2. Combat Value = 1.
KLINGON
CADET BATTLESHIP: Designed as a B-10
equivalent for the Cadet Game, the Cadet Battleship easily equals the firepower
of two cadet cruisers. It also carries
a single stasis field generator. The
SFG operates as normal, except it may only be activated during impulse activity
on the first impulse of a turn. The
three fields may be deactivated at any point.
This is done to simplify the complicated energy allocation adjustments
required by the SFG rules. Training Level 3. Combat Value = 2.
KLINGON
CADET DREADNOUGHT: Based on the
larger C8/C9, the Klingon Cadet Dreadnought is
roughly equivalent to one and a half cadet cruisers. It uses a movement cost greater than one, but
otherwise relies on rules covered in the cadet game. Training
Level 3. Combat Value = 1.5.
KLINGON
CADET FRIGATE: The Cadet Game’s
version of the diminutive Klingon F5. Note the characteristic preponderance of aft
firing phasers. Training Level 3.
Combat Value = 0.67.
ROMULAN
KRB CADET BATTLECRUISER: I felt the
KR Cadet Cruiser lacked the same character of its larger cousin by using only a
single plasma-S launcher. This version
uses two plasma-F launchers firing in the KR’s original wing arcs. Training Level 1. Combat Value = 1.
ROMULAN
KRN CADET DREADNOUGHT: Designed to
emulate the unique K9R Behemoth, the KRN is a Klingon
Cadet DN converted to Romulan Technology. It uses a Plasma-G as its heavy torpedo, but
otherwise relies on rules introduced in the Cadet Game. Training
Level 3. Combat Value = 1.5.
ROMULAN
RKF CADET FRIGATE: The Klingon Cadet Frigate converted for Romulan
service. Training
Level 3. Combat Value = 0.67.
ROMULAN
FIREHAWK CADET CRUISER: This design, as stated above, was the origin of
this entire project. The phasers and plasmas are arranged to replicate those on the
full-size Firehawk, but on a much smaller scale. It features two FA plasma-F launchers (as the
larger plasma-S launchers on it’s
larger version). Training Level 1. Combat Value = 1.
ROMULAN
CADET MAULER: The ship was created with the sole purpose of providing a
specialized opponent for the Cadet Base Station (see below). New players could use this ship to learn the
varied uses of maulers in base assault or support role. It should not be used alone in a duel. Training Level 2-3.
Combat Value = 1.
ROMULAN
CADET DESTROYER: A smaller
“Eagle”-type ship than the Romulan Cadet
Cruiser. Uses the
Plasma-G torpedo. Training Level 3. Combat Value = 0.5.
KZINTI
CADET CARRIER: I modified the
standard Kzinti Cadet Cruiser to operate four AS
fighters in exchange for its drone racks.
This will allow limited carrier operations in the Cadet game. Note that the fighters do not increase the
number of drones available to this ship (8) but does increase its launch rate
(from 2 to 4 per turn). Training Level 2. Combat Value
= 1.
KZINTI
CADET STRIKE CRUISER: Like the Klingon equivalent
above, this ship will have a difficult time operating alone, as it trades its
heavy weapons for drone racks. I elected
to give this four drone racks to reflect the Kzinti
as the premier drone using race. This
ship could be teamed with a standard cadet cruiser to attack the Cadet Base
Station (see below). Training Level 2. Combat Value =
1.
KZINTI
CADET DREADNOUGHT: This Cadet
Dreadnought showcases the Kzinti emphasis on drones
and large numbers of small phasers. Training Level 3. Combat Value = 1.5.
GORN
CADET STRIKE CRUISER: This alternate design allows Gorn
players to use a single plasma-S in exchange for two plasma-Fs (this ship is
intended to mimic the full-size Gorn CS/CM). Training Level 1. Combat Value = 1.
GORN
CADET DREADNOUGHT: This cadet version of the Tyrannosaurus feature a
powerful plasma torpedo armament, and a good defensive
phaser arrangement.
The Plasma-S torpedo is included (rather than the smaller Plasma-G) to
compensate for the ships dispersed phaser arcs. Training Level 3. Combat Value = 1.5.
GORN
CADET LIGHT CRUISER: Like
the full size Gorn CL, this ship is a Gorn Cadet Cruiser with the rear disk removed. It is more robust than cadet destroyers
(though it also serves in that role in the Cadet Game) and has three-quarters
the combat power of the Gorn Cadet Cruiser (lacking
only the rear Ph-1). It is a good match
for the Romulan “Eagle” Cadet Cruiser. It introduces a movement cost less than one,
but otherwise relies on rules covered in the cadet game. Training
Level 3. Combat Value = 0.75.
ORION
“OK” CRUISER: This ship is more of an oddity than anything else. It is obviously a Cadet version of the famous
OK6 presented in Advanced Missions.
Note: This ship does have a powerful heavy weapons armament, and may
prove a difficult challenge for other Cadet Cruisers. It has no cloak. Training
Level 2. Combat Value = 1.15
HYDRAN
"ANARCHIST" CADET CRUISER:
This Cadet Cruiser mimics the captured D7H Anarchist. It features a mixed Fusion-Hellbore armament and single RX Phaser-G. Training Level 1.
Combat Value = 1.
WYN
SAND SHARK CADET CRUISER: A
simple, scaled-down version of the larger “Fish Ships” for use in the Cadet
game. Training Level 1. Combat Value = 1.
LYRAN
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC CADET CRUISER:
Creating a balance LDR designed proved to be a particular
challenge. Simply adding a Ph-G to the
existing Lyran Cadet Cruiser was obviously
inappropriate, as the resulting ship would be too powerful in Cadet environment. To solve this, I created a Trimaran
design with a single FX disruptor and a 360-degree Phaser-G. It trades raw firepower for excellent firing
arcs. Training Level
1. Combat Value = 1.
SELTORIAN
CADET LIGHT DREADNOUGHT: Following Seltorian
design practice, I created this Cadet DNL based on the Seltorian
Cadet Cruiser by Less Leblanc. It is lacks the power and protection of the
Cadet Dreadnoughts of the other races. Training Level 3. Combat Value = 1.25.
SELTORIAN
CADET LIGHT CRUISER: Also based on Less’s design,
the Seltorian Cadet CL has some strange features as a
by-product of the Seltorian design approach. The single boom leaves this ship little in
the way of heavy offensive weapons, but its large aft hull gives it many of the
features of larger Cadet Cruisers. Training Level 3. Combat Value = 0.67.
PELADINE
CADET CRUISER: This design replicates the basic features of the popular Peladine race designed by Jessica Orsini
and featured in the first issue of Stellar Shadows Journal. Check out her Peladine Homepage.
Training Level 1. Combat Value = 1.
CADET
BASE STATION: This was a special
unit I created to bring the Base Assault scenario into the Cadet game. It uses the same simplified damage rules as
the other Cadet Cruisers. It is intended
to be roughly equivalent to two Cadet Cruisers and allows the use of the
various support ships listed above in conjunction with standard Cadet ships. It can be
configured for various races by using the three, 360-degree, option mounts. Training Level 2. Combat Value = 2.
Federation: AB – Photon, C – Drone.
Klingon: AB – Disruptor,
C – Drone. Replace 1 Lab with Security Station.
Romulan: A – Plasma-S, B
– Ph-1, C – not used. Includes cloaking device.
Kzinti: A – Disruptor,
BC – Drone.
Gorn: A – Plasma-S, B –
Plasma-F, C – Ph-1.
Tholian: A – Web Castor,
BC – Disruptor.
Orion: A – Photon, B – Disruptor, C – Drone. May replace one optional weapon with cloak.
Hydran: A – Hellbore, B – Fusion, C – Ph-G.
Lyran: AB – Disruptor, C
– ESG
WYN: AB – Disruptor, C – Drone.
ISC: A – PPD, B – Plasma-F, C – Ph-1.
LDR: A – Disruptor, B – ESG, C – Ph-G.
Seltorian: AB – Particle
Cannon, C – Web Breaker.
Designed by Jeremy Gray.
