Encounter One - Imperial Escorts

No, not those alluring individuals that frequent Spaceport bars (or so I'm told). This time I am looking at small ships of the Imperial Navy. The Broadheads may be the iconic ship of the Empire, but much of the day to day policing of Imperial space is done by less glamorous craft. These small ships serve a multitude of roles within the Navy. The Frigates, Corvettes, Mine Layers and System Patrol Boats.

These busy, hard working little ships are regarded as a plum command for the ambitious young gentlemen* of the Imperial Navy.

As usual, most of my Empire Escorts are from QT Models Starships range. I have a couple of Moscow Class 'Strike Cruisers' and a couple of squadrons of Banshee Class 'Light Cruiser'. The Moscows were originally part of QT Models Solar Force, the Banshees part of their Ramorian Fleet. The Banshees were later reissued by Games Workshop for their Space Fleet game, then again for Battle Fleet Gothic as Stalwart Escort Ships. I am not sure if the Moscows were included in Space Fleet or BFG.

* Imperial Navy tradition always refers to its officers as Gentlemen, even though a large proportion now are neither male, gentle or strictly human. 

Banshee Class Frigate

NSF9 Banshee Class 

The Banshees are the scruffy terriers of the Imperial Fleet. Smart enough to flush out a nest of rats and fierce enough to corner a badger.

As small ships the Banshees lack the mass for a heavy Beam array so I tend to arm them with missiles. They can carry enough weapons to have some effect, especially if they are deployed in groups or squadrons. With a single Shield St4 and Point Defence, the Banshees rely on their small size and agility to avoid the worst of enemy fire.

The base Banshee carries three Arrow launchers forward and two Bolt launchers in all round turrets. These can easily be swapped out for a different weapons fit or a more specialised roles such as Mine-layers, Police Patrol, Customs Cutter or Starbase runabout. 

For example, An Assault Boat replaces the arrow launchers with a Tractor and a couple of Marine squads. Or a Coma Tender among a pack of Banshees can provide a nasty surprise for someone.  

EMPIRE	Ship		Banshee Class Frigate
Equipment	No		Mass	Points
Core Systems
Bridge	1		1	1
Reactor	1		1	0
Main Drive	1	Strength 5	1	7
Manoeuvre Drive	1		1	1
Fire Control	1		1	1
Defence	No
Shield St 4	1		1	5
Point Defence	1		1	2
Weapons & Systems	No	Facing
Arrow Launcher	3	Forward	3	21
Bolt Launcher	2	Turret	2	14
Turret	2	All Round	0	22
Hull and Cargo
Hull	0			0
Total			12	74

Moscow Class Fleet Scout

NSF1 Moscow Class Strike Cruiser

At Mass 15 the Moscows are a larger hull than the Banshees allowing for a better defence or heavier payload. As I only have two in my fleet they tend to act independently as Fleet scouts. I have given them an extra shield and point defence rather than more weapons. Their weapon payload is the same as the Banshee, but at mass 15 they can carry three Beam ST5 in place of the Banshee's Missile Launchers in their forward array. Some commanders may prefer to fit Arrow Launchers in the turrets for it's better range and accuracy over the punch of a heavy Bolt launcher.

That big scanner dish on the bow pretty much demands they carry a Probe or some form of advanced search / communication system.  

EMPIRE	Ship		Moscow Fleet Scout
Equipment	No		Mass	Points
Core Systems
Bridge	1		1	1
Reactor	1		1	0
Main Drive	1	Strength 5	1	7
Manoeuvre Drive	1		1	1
Fire Control	1		1	1
Defence	No
Shield St 4	1		1	5
Shield St 3	1		1	4
Point Defence	2		2	4
Weapons & Systems	No	Facing
Beam ST5	3	Forward	3	21
Bolt Launcher	2	Turret	2	14
Turret	2	All Round	0	22
Probe	1		1	10
Hull and Cargo
Hull	0			0
Total			15	90