Starfighter Roles in Naval Tactics

Mikael Hasselstein

I want to segue off from RexMundiAbu's Imperial Sector Fleet discussion, to something at a more tactical level. Also, I will be making a similar thread for different classifications of capital ships.

A few weeks ago, I purchased and played the Empire at War real-time strategy game. It was cute, but grew very repetitive. It did highlight some basic tactics that I imagine are ingrained in the SWU methods of naval warfare (I don't want to get into the ground component at this time). Some of that is based off of the same tactics that pertain to RL fleets and aircraft.

Some of the basic things were:

- fighter-size bombers (such as the TIE/sa bombers and the B-wing) are actually very powerful.
- Space superiority fighters (such as the TIE fighter) exist to stop bombers.

Outside of the game, we also know about snubfighters and interceptors.

Snubfighters (such as X & Y wings) seem to have some space superiority capability, but can also act for close air support in ground operations, and have some heavier weaponry to do some damage to capital ships as well. Also, they can act as escorts. So, basically, they're versatile, but not necessarily the best at anything.

Interceptors (such as the TIE Interceptor and the A-Wing) are fast fighters, which can quickly move to intercept threats, such as bombers and snubfighters.

Also, quick hyperspace-cabable fighters (such as the A-wing) can perform a reconnaissance function.

Am I missing or mistaking things that you would like to comment on?

RexMundiAbu · Sub-Lieutenant Joined: 17 Feb 2014 Posts: 66

I'm thinking of the A-Wings sensor jammor which could make it also classed as a counter intel ship as it masks fighters making enemies unable to detect exact numbers of enemy craft .

atgxtg · Rear Admiral Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 2460

I think that Y-Wings are actually classified as Fighter-Bombers and X-Wings as Space Superiority fighters. A bit odd since, X-Wings can carry nearly the same torpedo load.

But then , Y-Wings are a older design. It is sort of like comparing a Jet fighter to a WWII design.

Going with the WWII analog, a Phantom II Jet Fighter could carry and deploy three times the bomb load of a B-17 bomber!

gavin storm · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 2:32 pm Post subject:

Y Wings are designed to take more punishment.
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Gavin Storm
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jmanski · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 2:48 pm Post subject:

Y-Wings would be like the F4 Phantom compared to the F15, while they are both combat capable, the maneuverability of the older craft makes it useful only as a fighter/bomber.
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CRMcNeill · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:07 pm Post subject:

garhkal · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:16 pm Post subject:

Due to my thread on BSG that makes me wonder if there ARE any 'raptor' like SW ships (fighter sized) that are dedicated EW ships..
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CRMcNeill · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:59 pm Post subject:

atgxtg · Rear Admiral Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 2460

atgxtg · Rear Admiral Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 2460

CRMcNeill · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:08 pm Post subject:

I always find myself thinking more in terms of WWII aircraft than the later jet aircraft of the Cold War era. A Y-Wing seems more in common with a Dauntless or Helldiver dive-bomber, which could still engage in air-to-air combat, but not to the same level as its dedicated fighter counterparts, like the Wildcat and the Hellcat.

Of course, the comparison fails a little when there isn't an torpedo bomber analog that can threaten capital ships...
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"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

atgxtg · Rear Admiral Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 2460

CRMcNeill · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:46 pm Post subject:

The latter. I'd love to see stats for something that can carry cap-scale ordnance and be used for bombing or torpedo runs. A lot of the EU material talks about how starfighters are a threat to capital ships, but the WEG rules don't necessarily bear that out.
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

gavin storm · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:02 pm Post subject:

Something like this?

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Gamma-class_ATR-6_assault_transport
(I know some pain in the necks (putting it polietly) that believes in flying around in them)

or

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Sentinel-class_landing_craft
(Which Brings back happier memories)

Not much else I can suggest, yes they're both transports rather than fighters. But in this case its a matter of space within the airframe.
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Gavin Storm
Causing Imperials headaches, one punch at a time, since 2000

CRMcNeill · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:14 pm Post subject:

No, those are both designed primarily as troop carriers, not bombers. The closest I have seen in the RAW is the Skipray Blastboat if you convert the Concussion Missile Launcher to Capital Scale instead of Starfighter Scale.
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

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