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Ahhh, warships in the ol’ Expanded Universe. Legends provides an absolute shipload of options for GMs to mine. Oftentimes that includes overlap, and the Lancer-Carrack-Tartan trifecta is one such case. This isn’t necessarily a problem, as the Empire is far from efficient. Sometimes I wonder of the Empire’s left hand and right hand are even in the same region of the galaxy, let alone coordinate. I’m actually quite a fan of the Tartan-class, in particular due to it’s sharper, more Imperial look.
Tartan-class Patrol Cruiser
An exemplary answer to a question no one asked, the Tartan-class represents an evolution from Damorian Manufacturing Corporation’s previous entry in the anti-starfighter role, the Lancer-class frigate. By installing more powerful engines and maneuvering thrusters in a more compact package, the Tartan-class is much more capable of engaging its starfighter prey than the lumbering Lancer. Technical advancements from the Clone Wars also allow the crew requirements to be cut substantially. While the Tartan does mount fewer weapons than it’s predecessor, Damorian sought to compensate for that shortcoming with a unique power shunt system capable of increasing the effective range of its laser cannons.
Like many other Imperial vessels, the Tartan possesses significant forward firepower at the expense of a small blindspot behind its hefty engines. Imperial doctrine compensates for this by pairing these patrol cruisers into a hunter groups of two to four ships, allowing for mutual support. Despite these technical advancements, ultimately the Tartan fell into the same trap as its predecessor the Lancer. At a sizable price tag, many in the Navy preferred a strategy of simply acquiring more TIE Fighters, freeing crews to operate the heavier Arquitens- and Gozanti-class vessels. Still, a few flag officers felt the Tartan‘s speed and agility provided a surprise option to take the fight to Rebel starfighters, and so they remain in service under the command of particularly aggressive Imperial commanders.
Sil 5; Speed 4; Handling +0; Def 2/1/1/2 Armor 5
Hull Trauma 46; System Strain 30
Hull Type/Class: Patrol Cruiser/Tartan-class.
Manufacturer: Damorian Manufacturing Corporation.
Hyperdrive: Primary: Class 2. Backup: Class 15.
Navicomputer: Yes.
Sensor Range: Long.
Ship’s Complement: 70 officers and enlisted crew.
Encumbrance Capacity: 160.
Passenger Capacity: 50 troops.
Consumables: One year.
Price/Rarity: 4,200,000 credits (R)/7.
Customization Hard Points: 0.
Weapons: Five dorsal, five ventral, five port, and five starboard medium laser cannons (Fire Arc All or Port or Starboard; Damage 5; Critical 3; Range [Close]; Accurate 1).
Additional Rule: Weapons Power Shunt (As an action, the ship suffers 5 system strain to switch between two power modes. The default mode is as printed above. The alternate mode reduces the ship’s shields to Defense 2/1/1/1 and Speed to 3, but all laser cannons become Range [Short]).
Christopher Hunt
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