Q-Ships

[Loki]

I threw this into my "solitare Traveller" post and then realized that it probably is an entirely new topic:

I am reading the latest Honor Harrington novel and again it has touched on another interesting theme. Pirate hunting with Q ships. I can see that this could bring up some boarding actions, looting, police actions, slave trade disruption, special spin-off adventures, etc.

I'm a little weak on ship-to-ship combat. What vessel would make the best type for a Q-ship? What weaponry would it have?

I figure that the pirates would be found where law levels are pretty non-existent and/or near major merchant trade routes. Or they may be on the payroll of some planetary powerhouse (government figure or huge corporation) and used to raid opposing targets (planets, business concerns, oposing political powers, non-union merchant haulers, etc).

The stories from both sides could be very interesting.

 

[Liam Devlin]

Originally posted by Loki:
I threw this into my "solitare Traveller" post and then realized that it probably is an entirely new topic:

I am reading the latest Honor Harrington novel and again it has touched on another interesting theme. Pirate hunting with Q ships. I can see that this could bring up some boarding actions, looting, police actions, slave trade disruption, special spin-off adventures, etc.
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Q-ships adventuring eh? Look in Random Static for the adventures of the ISS URSULA topic. We've done some of the above already..online.
Mike Rourke/site manager, co-GM rat bastiid
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I'm a little weak on ship-to-ship combat. What vessel would make the best type for a Q-ship? What weaponry would it have?
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*I chose a MT, RS Dean designed bulk freighter I nicked off of Antony's Banners site. TL-13, a container module carrier (J-4/J2), 2Gees. Others may suggest a smaller merchant craft.
*Weapons: The ship came stock with 5 laser turrets, 5 sandcaster turrets. She was retrofitted with 4x 50dtn "Q-pods (self contained dual fusion gun systems) and two 50dtn Missile bay-pods. (bay missiles, not turret missiles: "Ship Killers". (1d6 x 1d6 hits), each with their own MFD(master fire director).

With the help of one allied ship, we scragged a commerce raider of 2.5ktns, 10 of its 12 FTRs, 2 of its four ASLT landers(captured two as well), vaporized on 600dtn corsair(Vargr type), and damaged an 800 & 400dtn ship as well bad enough to drive them off.

I figure that the pirates would be found where law levels are pretty non-existent and/or near major merchant trade routes. Or they may be on the payroll of some planetary powerhouse (government figure or huge corporation) and used to raid opposing targets (planets, business concerns, oposing political powers, non-union merchant haulers, etc). The stories from both sides could be very interesting.

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You figure correctly. And have a Na world nearby they can repair/ refit/ sell off their swag.

 

[Ranger]

Just FYI, JTAS 25 (the first issue of Challenge) has an article about Q-Ships and gives special rules for designing them in HG. It also states that most are in the 200-800 ton range and are modified designs of standard merchant ships. It gives a modified Type R Fat Trader as an example too.

Hope it helps,

Rob

 

[Shadowdancer]

The 200-ton Far Trader deckplans from SJG contains a layout and stats for a Q-ship. IIRC, there were three fighters in the cargo hold, which were launched out the front cargo ramp opening.

 

[Loki]

JTAS 25 (the first issue of Challenge, huh? I know I've got a pile of Challenge magazines around here somewhere, let me take a look ......... Hooty-hoo! Got it! Thanks!

In David Weber's Honor Harrington series I imagined their Q-ships to be these large whale shaped (and sized) former merchant vessels with hidden weapon bays and ECM arrays. I wonder if there are any artist drawings of those ships?

 

[Liam Devlin]

Originally posted by Paraquat Johnson:
The 200-ton Far Trader deckplans from SJG contains a layout and stats for a Q-ship. IIRC, there were three fighters in the cargo hold, which were launched out the front cargo ramp opening.

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Excellent scholarship, Paraquat Johnson! A2 far trader as mini pocket Carrier. exceptional use of a tried and true design to surprise nasty Pirate with!
***** !

 

[Liam Devlin]

Originally posted by Ranger:
Just FYI, JTAS 25 (the first issue of Challenge) has an article about Q-Ships and gives special rules for designing them in HG. It also states that most are in the 200-800 ton range and are modified designs of standard merchant ships. It gives a modified Type R Fat Trader as an example too.Hope it helps,Rob

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Critical in the use of Q-ships: Making the bad guys think you are something you are not, hence, as Ranger here demonstrates, the classic 200-800 dtn merchant designs.

As far as armamments go, Corsairs, and other raider type starships have more speed than armor as a rule.

A pair of fusion guns can't go amiss fer chewin em up when they close for boarding! If yer expecting them in numbers, a 50dtn bay of bay missiles (1d6x1d6 hits) is a poor man's N-Paw equalizer.

In sensor craft, it is important to deceive the corsair, by outline(dtns), emissions, and speed of the real thing, until he/she is within range and engages in hosty action. Then ye roast and toast em!

 

[Liam Devlin]

Originally posted by Loki:
JTAS 25 (the first issue of Challenge, huh? I know I've got a pile of Challenge magazines around here somewhere, let me take a look ......... Hooty-hoo! Got it! Thanks!

In David Weber's Honor Harrington series I imagined their Q-ships to be these large whale shaped (and sized) former merchant vessels with hidden weapon bays and ECM arrays. I wonder if there are any artist drawings of those ships?

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FASA's ISPMV Fenris is a slab bulk freighter conversion, 3ktn ship, packing such an array, as well as 12 FTrs. It closely resembles in size, and emissions several 2-5 ktn boxy Vilani bulk freighter designs from the late 1st & 2nd Imperiums, and still in use along feeder trade lines across the 3rd Imperium.

 

[Liam Devlin]

Another example, is the EMMC program (Emergency Merchant to Military Conversion). Like the SS Vigilante, from the MT/HT module "Operation Vigilante", and ADM Bertil conversion of the Stellar/Bastien class 600dtn Liner.

The Vigilante has been made into a LCVE (light Carrier escort), and cites the armamemnts for the ADM Bertil, up gunned to 6 hard points from the classes usual 4 hardpoints.
Vigilante had 4 xxx3 laser turrets, 1 xxx3 missile turret, and stern facing xxx3 sandcaster turret, as well as a 60dtn hangar deck(converted from the liners passenger qtrs.)

more examples to follow, as we dig em up...