Rules for Freighters in FSA

[Spenetrator]

Spartan did make some old Freighter/passenger ships. And they were making some for release with odd sales/preorders et.

So here's the question(s).

A) Are there any stats for Freighter models.
B) Are there any scenarios using them
C) How big are were the freighter models?

[Toxic_Rat]

I have one scenario that uses these.   The sides set up on opposite diagonal corners, with a transit gate in one corner.  The freighters set up in the opposite corner.

OBJECTIVES AND TERRAIN – The Defender in this Scenario should use three ships to represent their Convoy Ships within their Deployment Zone prior to Deployment beginning. These vessels have their own Profile (see below). The Attacker must place a Transit Gate in the location shown.

DEPLOYMENT – Once all members of the Convoy have been placed, Deployment is determined using the rules on Standard Deployment of the rulebook.

GAME END – The Game will last for 6 Turns. Should the Defender manage to reach the Transit Gate with 2 or more of their Convoy Vessels they are automatically victorious.

SPECIAL RULES – Each of the Convoy ships has the following Profile:

NAME           Freighter
DESIGNATION   Convoy Vessel   
SIZE CLASS   Large   
MASS           Capital   
SHIP POINTS   n/a   

DR   CR   MV   TL   HP   CP   PD
6   13   7   2      8    3    7

MARs
Ablative Plating (2), Strategic Value (12TV, Attacker Only)

[Spenetrator]

Cool, Thanks dude. I'll give that one a try.
Just need to Kitbash some freighters.

[Toxic_Rat]

Let me know how it goes, I haven't played that one.

[Landlubber]

So, let me preface what I'm about to say with the fact that I'm terrible at math. 

That being said, with a 7" move, and having to traverse (I assume) diagonally across a 6'x4' table, wouldn't it take more than six turns for the freighters to get to the transit gate? I'm assuming the freighters and the gate are deployed in opposite corners, and are on their respective edges of the table.

Either way, that's a cool scenario, may have to give it a try sometime.

@Spenetrator, welcome to the forums! If you're looking for merchant ships, Brigade Models has some civilian spacecraft that might work:

http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Spaceships/Merchants.html

[Toxic_Rat]

Yeah, sorry...I really should have posted the board layout:

[Landlubber]

Oh ok...so, they don't have to cross the whole board.

I've thought about "convoy escort" scenarios before for space naval games, but the two space games I play--Firestorm Armada and Halo Fleet Battles--have rules that allow you to shoot around other ships between you and your target (i.e. ships don't block line of sight to other ships). So you can't really "screen" the ships you are escorting like you could in a wet navy game--the enemy can shoot right around your ships to hit the targets. Which means keeping the escorted ships alive would be difficult!

[Ryjak]

If it’s any consolation, those tactics don’t work in the aircraft/guided missile age either.  In fact, it looks like the primary concern today is anti-submarine warfare, as it’s assumed any Task Force/Battle Group would easily overwhelm a convoy and it’s escorts.

In other words, in any game which is designed to represent a force on force engagement where both sides have the same combat potential, it doesn’t make sense to give one side some extra ships they need to protect.  I’d suggest as a starting point is for the convoy defender to have twice as many points as the attacker, and have a fairly small point limit for the defender (800 in FSA).  Also, big ships aren’t allowed for Defense, as logistically you can’t afford to put them on escort duty.  If the attacker wants a lone Battleship roaming enemy shipping lanes, go for it.

[Toxic_Rat]

That's a good idea, providing more points to the defender, and limiting them to medium/small class ships.  Worth trying out.  Thanks!

[Spenetrator]

Just got round to purchasing some freighters from Brigade, so I'll get them painted up and give the scenario a crack with some of the suggested rules - I rather fancy a 'commerce raider' type mission!

I'll make sure to take some pics - (Maybe even an AAR) and get them posted.

[markymark1970]

Ground Zero Games (Full Thrust) has some nifty haulers for their main factions too.  You can order them as replenishment tenders, tankers and Q-ships.  The major differences are the bridge pod in front and the engines in back, they resemble the home faction's ships.  Here's an example.

https://shop.groundzerogames.co.uk/full-thrust-starships/eurasian-solar-union-esu-/ft-262.html

Amarillo Design Bureau also has a few freighter designs.

http://www.starfleetstore.com/general-miniatures-c-41_42/large-ore-carrier-p-456.html

[Wanjajoral]

Reading this thread and the discussion about not being able to screen the vulnerable ships made me come up with a wonky idea (without any testing - just spitballing). What if ships with shields could expand their shield bubble up to ...hm... let's say 4-6 inches and that those expanded shields could protect the freighters nearby. Shields from different squadrons could overlap for an even higher shield bonus. This way positioning your ships would really matter and a player could very well protect the valuable ships by a screen of his combat vessels.

[Ruckdog]

Reading this thread and the discussion about not being able to screen the vulnerable ships made me come up with a wonky idea (without any testing - just spitballing). What if ships with shields could expand their shield bubble up to ...hm... let's say 4-6 inches and that those expanded shields could protect the freighters nearby. Shields from different squadrons could overlap for an even higher shield bonus. This way positioning your ships would really matter and a player could very well protect the valuable ships by a screen of his combat vessels.

DW has something similar to this already, in the form of Guardian Geneartors. Basically, it’s an AoE shield, mostly found on Britannian battleships and carriers. The effect from multiple guardians doesn’t stack, however.

[Covertwalrus]

 In reference to part of the original post, I have two of the Lacuna (Sp?) freighters and can dig them out an measure them for you; I estimate they are quite large, about 4cm wide and say 12cm long.