Nebulon-Series Frigate

[CRMcNeill]

Over the years, I've come up with several different ideas for the Nebulon B Frigate, as well as several variants and a predecessor model. However, as time has gone by, my fluff history for the Nebulon Series as a whole has become somewhat outdated. Now, as part of another project, it has come to my attention that some of my stats need a bit of polishing, as well. To that, end, I'm going to be taking the results of the following extant stats and combining / rewriting them as a more cohesive whole:

Nebulon A-Class Torpedo Frigate
Nebulon B-Class Escort Frigate (w/ Medical Variant)
Nebulon C-Class Escort Frigate
Modular Nebulon Concept

In general terms, here's what I'm thinking:

Nebulon A-Class Frigate = the up-armored EC Henry version seen here. Basically the Imperial equivalent of a WW2 destroyer, small, fast, used as a fleet escort and picket.

Nebulon B-Class Frigate = The classic Nebulon B as seen in The Empire Strikes Back and subsequent films. Short version: it's a stripped-down, slower (and thus less expensive) version of the Nebulon A. Essentially, the equivalent of a WW2 destroyer escort, intended for convoy escort as opposed to operating with the battle fleets. Instead of carrying fighters, the B would be used to provide replenishment and crew-relief services for smaller transports, in addition to providing armed escort.

-2 Variant = Features increased anti-starfighter defenses, mounting quad-laser towers as per the above Nebulon C.

Carrier Variant = Not sure whether I want to fold this one into the Nebulon B or make it a separate Nebulon C (for Carrier) variant. Either way, the main difference will be the addition of large mission bays to the front of the engine pod. The bays can be used to haul cargo, but are generally converted to some other mission specific purpose, the most common being as an Escort Carrier (hangar bays for two squadrons of fighters), trauma/search&rescue (hospital facilities with a hangar bay for S&R craft) and Scout/Recon (augmented sensors and sensor processing).

Stats to follow, with the Nebulon A coming up first.
_________________
"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

[CRMcNeill]

Nebulon A-Class Patrol Frigate

Image

The Nebulon A is a light warship in common use by the Imperial Navy. It functions as a fleet escort and picket ship, using its powerful sensor array and embarked TIE squadron to expand the sensor perimeter of larger battle fleets, as well as to harass enemy formations and protect the battlegroup's flanks and rear during battle. It mounts a respectable weapons array, with proton torpedo tubes port and starboard serving as its main broadside armament, backed up by turbolasers and laser cannon.

Craft: Kuat Drive Yards Nebulon A-Class
Type: Torpedo Frigate
Scale: Frigate (+10D)
Length: 320 Meters
Skill: Capital Ship Piloting: Nebulon A
Crew: 854 (307 @ +10) & 66 Gunners
Crew Skill:
Astrogation 3D
Gunnery 4D+1
Shields 3D
Piloting 3D+2
Sensors 3D+1
Passengers: 75 (Troops)
Small Craft Complement:
--12 Starfighters (1 Squadron)
--2-4 Utility Craft
--1 External Dock for Medium Freighters.
Cargo Capacity: 6000 Tons
Consumables: 1 year
Cost: 235 Million Credits (New) / 120 Million Credits (Used)
Hyperdrive Multiplier: X1
Hyperdrive Backup: X12
Nav Computer: Yes
Maneuverability: 2D
Space: 6 (3D)
Atmosphere: 330; 950kph
Hull: 4D+1
Shields: 2D
Sensors:
Passive 40/0D
Scan 75/1D
Search 150/3D
Focus 4/4D+2
Weapons:
12 Dual Turbolaser Cannon (Fire Separately)
Fire Arc: 4 Front, 3 Left, 3 Right, 2 Rear
Crew: 2
Skill: Capital Ship Gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Range:
--Space: 2-10/25/50
--Orbital: 4km-20km/50km/100km
--Atmosphere: 200m-1km/2.5km/5km
Rate of Fire: 1
Damage: 5D
12 Dual Laser Cannon (Fire Separately)
Fire Arc: 4 Front, 3 Left, 3 Right, 2 Rear
Scale: Starship (+6D)
Crew: 1
Skill: Starship Gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Range:
--Space: 1-3/12/25
--Orbital: 2km-6km/24km/50km
--Atmosphere: 100m-300m/1.2km/2.5km
Damage: 5D
12 Torpedo Tubes
Fire Arc: 6 Left, 6 Right
Crew: 3
Skill: Capital Ship Gunnery
Fire Control: 1D
Range:
--Space: 1-4/10/20
--Orbital: 2km-8km/20km/40km
--Atmosphere: 100m-400m/1km/2km
Rate of Fire: 1/3
Damage: 9D
Ammo: 48 (Central Magazine feeds to all launchers)
2 Tractor Beam Projectors
Fire Arc: 1 Front/Left, 1 Front/Right
Scale: Special*
Crew: 3
Skill: Capital Ship Gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Range:
--Space: 1-3/10/20
--Orbital: 2km-6km/20km/40km
--Atmosphere: 100m-300m/1km/2km
Rate of Fire: 1 (Full Round)
Damage: 4D
*May switch between Frigate (+10D) and Starship (+6D). Switch takes one round, during which the projector can not be used.
Variants: (Use Above Stats, except as noted)

Nebulon A2-Class (Anti-Starfighter Upgrade)
Description: A development of the Lancer-Class Frigate project, the A2 took a more conventional approach, replacing the A1's Dual Laser Cannon on a one-for-one basis with the Lancer's Quad-Laser towers. The Lancer's finicky fire control systems were also replaced with a less accurate but more conventional and reliable alternative system. While the resulting ship mounts fewer total laser cannon than the Lancer, the weapons upgrade has greatly increased the Nebulon A's effectiveness against attacking starfighters.
Weapons:
12 Quad-Laser Cannon (Fire Separately)
Fire Arc: 3 Front/Left, 3 Front/Right, 3 Rear/Left, 3 Rear/Right
Scale: Starship (+6D)
Crew: 1
Skill: Starship Gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Range:
--Space: 1-3/12/25
--Orbital: 2km-6km/24km/50km
--Atmosphere: 100m-300m/1.2km/2.5km
Damage: 6D
Note: Replaces Dual Laser Cannon on A1 Model.

House Rule Notes:

COMMAND DIFFICULTY MODIFIER: +10
SHIELD & SHIELD CONTROL: 2D @ 2D
VELOCITY MODIFIER: 1D+2 Flight
BATTERY DICE:
Turbolasers: 2D Front, 1D+2 Left, 1D+2 Right, 1D Rear
Dual Laser Cannon: (A1 Variant only) 2D Front, 1D+2 Left, 1D+2 Right, 1D Rear
Quad Laser Cannon: (A2 Variant only) 2D Front, 2D Left, 2D Right, 2D Rear
Proton Torpedo Launchers: 2D+2 Left, 2D+2 Right
Tractor Beam Projectors: 1D Front, 0D Left, 0D Right

_________________
"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

[CRMcNeill]

Nebulon B-Class Escort Frigate

During the early days of the Rebellion, the Alliance had significant success attacking Imperial supply convoys. The Imperial Navy was loathe to relegate its expensive Star Destroyers to escort duty, and while ships like the Nebulon A were more than capable of doing the job, they weren't available in sufficient numbers to escort naval battle groups and the myriad civilian and auxiliary convoys that were being savaged by Alliance and pirate forces. As an alternative, KDY proposed the Nebulon B, a stripped down variant that could be mass produced at far less expense than the A.

The Nebulon B lacks much of the A's armored hull plating, as well as its torpedo launchers. It also features a smaller reactor and slower drive, but this was deemed acceptable as the merchant ships it was intended to escort were even slower. In compensation, the B was fitted with expanded hangar and launch bays mounted on the front of the engine pod, capable of supporting two full TIE squadrons, as well as several support and utility vessels.

The Nebulon B quickly inspired several sub-variants, as the large hangar bay could easily be modified for other duties. One variant, classified as a depot frigate, did away with the hangar entirely to make room for multiple docking points along its central spar. This variant is used to support light and medium freighters on long-distance missions, providing replenishment and crew relief in circumstances where port landing facilities are unavailable.

Predictably, quite a few Nebulon-Series ships have been captured or defected to the Alliance, so this class sees service on both sides of the Galactic Civil War.

Craft: Kuat Drive Yard's Nebulon B
Type: Escort Frigate
Scale: Frigate (+10D)
Length: 300 meters
Skill: Capital Ship Piloting: Nebulon B
Crew: 854 (307 @ +10) & 44 Gunners
Crew Skill:
Astrogation 3D
Gunnery 4D+1
Piloting 3D+2
Shields 3D
Sensors 3D+1
Passengers: 75 (troops)
Small Craft Complement:
--24 starfighters (2 squadrons)
--4-6 utility craft
--2 External Docks for Medium Freighters
Cargo Capacity: 6,000 metric tons
Consumables: 1 year
Cost: Not Available For Sale
Hyperdrive Multiplier: x2
Hyperdrive Backup: x12
Nav Computer: Yes
Maneuverability: 1D
Space: 4 (2D)
Atmosphere: 280; 800 kph
Hull: 3D+2
Shields: 2D
Sensors:
Passive 40/0D
Scan 75/1D
Search 150/3D
Focus 4/4D+2
Weapons:
12 Dual Turbolaser Cannon (Fire Separately)
Fire Arc: 4 Front, 3 Left, 3 Right, 2 Rear
Crew: 2
Skill: Capital Ship Gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Range:
--Space: 2-10/25/50
--Orbital: 4km-20km/50km/100km
--Atmosphere: 200m-1km/2.5km/5km
Rate of Fire: 1
Damage: 5D
12 Dual Laser Cannon (Fire Separately)
Fire Arc: 4 Front, 3 Left, 3 Right, 2 Rear
Scale: Starship (+6D)
Crew: 1
Skill: Starship Gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Range:
--Space: 1-3/12/25
--Orbital: 2km-6km/24km/50km
--Atmosphere: 100m-300m/1.2km/2.5km
Damage: 5D
2 Tractor Beam Projectors (Fire Separately)
Fire Arc: Front
Scale: Special*
Crew: 4
Skill: Capital Ship Gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Range:
--Space: 1-3/10/20
--Orbital: 2km-6km/20km/40km
--Atmosphere: 100m-300m/1km/2km
Rate of Fire: 1 (Full Round)
Damage: 4D
*May switch between Frigate (+10D) and Starship (+6D). Switch takes one round, during which the projector can not be used.
Variants: (Use Above Stats, except as noted)

COMBAT SEARCH & RESCUE / MEDICAL
Found exclusively in Alliance service, this variant operates with front-line battle fleet units providing intra-battle search and rescue, recovering ejected pilots or ship crew who have been blown overboard on account of battle damage. While the Imperial Navy has no need of such services, the Alliance is almost never in control of a battlefield once the battle is over, and thus any recovery of personnel must occur during the battle itself.
Crew: 854 (307 @ +10) & 32 Gunners
Passengers: 40 (security troops), 160 (medical staff), 400 (patients), plus 30 medical droids
Small Craft Complement:
--12 Combat Search & Rescue Shuttles
--4-6 utility craft
Cargo Capacity: 1,000 metric tons
Consumables: 1 year
Hull: 3D+2
Shields: 2D
Sensors:
Passive 40/0D
Scan 75/1D
Search 150/3D
Focus 4/4D+2
Weapons:
8 Dual Turbolaser Cannon
Fire Arc: 2 Front, 2 Left, 2 Right, 2 Rear
8 Dual Laser Cannon (Fire Separately)
Fire Arc: 2 Front, 2 Left, 2 Right, 2 Rear
Special Equipment:
-15 Bacta Tanks
-5 Fully Equipped Operating Theaters.

DEPOT
This variant strips out the landing bay entirely in favor of External Docking for up to six Medium Freighters (or smaller craft, as needed). Its primary purpose is to serve as a replenishment and crew relief facility for smaller ships in circumstances where more conventional port facilities are unavailable.
Small Craft Complement:
--2-4 utility craft
--6 External Docks for Medium Freighters

Nebulon B2-Class (Anti-Starfighter Upgrade)
Description: A development of the Lancer-Class Frigate project, the B2 took a more conventional approach, replacing the B1's Dual Laser Cannon on a one-for-one basis with the Lancer's Quad-Laser towers. The Lancer's finicky fire control systems were also replaced with a less accurate but more conventional and reliable alternative system. While the resulting ship mounts fewer total laser cannon than the Lancer, the weapons upgrade has greatly increased the Nebulon A's effectiveness against attacking starfighters.
Weapons:
12 Quad-Laser Cannon (Fire Separately)
Fire Arc: 3 Front/Left, 3 Front/Right, 3 Rear/Left, 3 Rear/Right
Scale: Starship (+6D)
Crew: 1
Skill: Starship Gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Range:
--Space: 1-3/12/25
--Orbital: 2km-6km/24km/50km
--Atmosphere: 100m-300m/1.2km/2.5km
Damage: 6D
Note: Replaces Dual Laser Cannon on B1 Model.

House Rule Notes:

COMMAND DIFFICULTY MODIFIER: +10
SHIELD & SHIELD CONTROL: 2D @ 2D
VELOCITY MODIFIER: 1D Flight
BATTERY DICE:
Turbolasers: 2D Front, 1D+2 Left, 1D+2 Right, 1D Rear (1D Front, 1D Left, 1D Right, 1D Rear on Medical Variant)
Dual Laser Cannon: (A1 Variant only) 2D Front, 1D+2 Left, 1D+2 Right, 1D Rear (1D Front, 1D Left, 1D Right, 1D Rear on Medical Variant)
Quad Laser Cannon: (A2 Variant only) 2D Front, 2D Left, 2D Right, 2D Rear (1D+2 Front, 1D+2 Left, 1D+2 Right, 1D+2 Rear on Medical Variant)
Tractor Beam Projectors: 1D Front, 0D Left, 0D Right

_________________
"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

[Ray]

"Just once I'd like to destroy a Rebel ship that we hadn't paid for."

[CRMcNeill]

Alternately, I could make the Depot variant the Nebulon B (which would fit what's seen in the films) and make the hangar bay variant the Nebulon C (which jives nicely with it being a "carrier").
_________________
"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

[Raven Redstar]

I think that's a solid approach. I'm really looking forward to taking the new and improved Neb-A for a spin.
_________________
RR
________________________________________________________________

[Dr. Bidlo]

I like the idea of the different Nebulon ships and the modular variants of the Nebulon B. However, one thing that does not seem to be addressed is the the Rebel version we all know and love is the stripped down version of the original Nebulo B, which is a proper and formidable warship. Shouldn't the standard version be different than the Rebel stripped down version in some significant way? If nothing else, I think the hull would be different enough, as you cannot lose that much structure without affecting durability, especially along the long spindly central spar. Thoughts?

[CRMcNeill]

It does look different. The Nebulon A looks like this: Image Link
_________________
"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

[Dr. Bidlo]

[CRMcNeill]

While I enjoy EC Henry's artwork, I don't always agree with his backgrounds. In this case, his timeline for the Nebulon series doesn't work if Nebulons as we know them are in common use with both sides (his explanation is that the Nebulon seen in ESB and ROTJ is a heavily modified one-off). My timeline discards his Nebulon A in favor of his Nebulon B, keeping the "canon" Nebulon B where it is. The in-universe explanation can be found in the Fluff section on my stats for the Nebulon B.
_________________
"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

[Dr. Bidlo]

Okay, I understand now. The true version of the ship has 4D+1 Hull, faster sublights and torpedo lanchers, while the stripped down, modular version has 3D+2 Hull, slower sublights, and no launchers and more options. Thanks.

What do you think of Fractalsponge's version of the Nebulon B - just a variant of your Nebulon A or a different class of starship?

[CRMcNeill]

[Dr. Bidlo]

I don't have the sane problem with his design. I see the hangar on the hull as the modular area that can be swapped out based on configuration. In my game it is a research lab and medical center rather than a hangar.

[CRMcNeill]

[Inquisitor1138]

I Like these ideas! I may well incorporate some into my R&E/R&D of the C-class frigates. i really wish WEG had provided more ships' stock models' stats in addition to the many modified one-offs...

I am envisioning several variants, including a construction escort, used in building space stations & planet-based facilities.
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