Showing posts with label Fleets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fleets. Show all posts

Friday, October 25, 2019

Prince Talazan G'rahal of the Dark Flock


G'rahal is the leader of the group of Eldar corsairs known as "the Dark Flock." There are some that claim he is Dark Eldar, exiled from Commorragh, while other sources say he was cast out from this or that Craftworld. One rumor claims he's an Eldar Harlequin (whatever that is) that got tired of laughing. Another rumor says he's got a pet dragon that he rides to war. It's probably wise not to pay these rumors too much heed.

Of late (after the Fall of Scintilla) the Dark Flock has been spotted several times in and around Calixis, including the Kornous Expanse, the Spinward Front, Ixaniad Sector, and the Screaming Vortex. They have attacked ships from every faction there is, raided settlements, and committed outright genocide. There are also reports of the Flock trading - and occasionally helping - the same peoples they have attacked. Are they pirates out looking for booty, or is there something more sinister going on?

At Vaxanide, the Flock possessed at least one cruiser-sized vessel (3rd or 3.5 rate), a handful of escorts (5th or 6th rates), and many smaller attack craft (unrated). How many ships they lost or what other assets they might have is unknown. It's worth noting that the Flock's fleet appeared to consist of ships from several xenos species.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Fleets and space combat


Space combat isn't intended to be a big part of the campaign, so we only need light rules (more like guidelines anyway). 

Ships have a 'rate' similar to the old sailing ships of the line. The number in parenthesis is the relative power of the ship, but keep in mind that larger ships can destroy numerous smaller enemies and not be destroyed, only require repairs.

Battleships are true ships of the line, but are rare and many fleets do completely without. Escorts are there to screen against enemy small craft, raiders, and escorts. They can also scout and act as fleet couriers. Cruisers are somewhere in between. The ratio of Battleships/Cruisers to escorts should always be in the escorts' favor (but not more than 2:1).

BATTLESHIPS
1st Rate  (24) Battleship
2nd Rate (16) Battleship Example: Retribution
2.5 Rate  (12) Grand Cruiser Example: Avenger
CRUISERS
3rd Rate  (8) Battle Cruiser/Heavy Cruiser Example: Mars, Slaughter
3.5 Rate  (6) Cruiser Example: Lunar
4th Rate  (4) Light Cruiser or Heavy Frigate Example: Dauntless
ESCORTS
5th Rate  (2) Frigate or Heavy Raider Example: Firestorm, Sword
6th Rate  (1) Destroyer or Raider Example: Cobra
UNRATED
Unrated  (--) Sloop or Light Raider