My tech base is improving, and it's time to upgrade my cruiser design. Problem is that I'm not sure how to best address the significant combat deficiencies I've run into, which haven't mattered much in my previous wars, but could be very serious in the event I run into someone with decent weapons and large fleet.
For reference, these are my current missiles, including all known enemy designs. These are also due for some upgrading, but combat has shown very little to complain about so far. (Note: my designs are the ones with a CM (Counter-Missile) SS (Ship to Ship), STO (Surface To Orbit) or SIM (Space Intercept Missile) designation)
My current cruisers are:
Heavy Cruisers
Missile
Warlock-A class Heavy Cruiser 12,000 tons 327 Crew 2196 BP TCS 240 TH 936 EM 0
5200 km/s Armour 3-46 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 4 PPV 70
Maint Life 1.17 Years MSP 458 AFR 288% IFR 4% 1YR 340 5YR 5093 Max Repair 390 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months Spare Berths 3
Magazine 590
DU-CR-01 (2) Power 624 Fuel Use 94.42% Signature 468 Exp 13%
Fuel Capacity 1,500,000 Litres Range 23.8 billion km (53 days at full power)
MT-02 (4) Missile Size 5 Rate of Fire 50
MT-01C (8) Missile Size 10 Rate of Fire 500
CMT-01 (10) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 10
FCR-PD-01 (2) Range 6.7m km Resolution 1
FCR-CR-01 (1) Range 67.2m km Resolution 100
CMT-01 "Goalkeeper" (110) Speed: 28,000 km/s End: 1.7m Range: 2.9m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 224/134/67
SS-01 "Atl-Atl" (32) Speed: 22,400 km/s End: 46.1m Range: 61.9m km WH: 9 Size: 5 TH: 112/67/33
SS-02 "Longbow" (32) Speed: 22,400 km/s End: 44.7m Range: 60.1m km WH: 25 Size: 10 TH: 82/49/24
SR-PD-01 (1) GPS 28 Range 2.2m km MCR 244k km Resolution 1
SR-CR-01 (1) GPS 8400 Range 67.2m km Resolution 100
ECM 10
Energy
Medusa-A +SL class Heavy Cruiser 12,000 tons 407 Crew 2622 BP TCS 240 TH 936 EM 0
5200 km/s Armour 3-46 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 4 PPV 77.42
Maint Life 1.28 Years MSP 546 AFR 288% IFR 4% 1YR 348 5YR 5217 Max Repair 390 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months Spare Berths 0
DU-CR-01 (2) Power 624 Fuel Use 94.42% Signature 468 Exp 13%
Fuel Capacity 1,900,000 Litres Range 30.2 billion km (67 days at full power)
Twin 10 CM Laser, Mk. 1 Mod. 0 Turret (2x2) Range 120,000km TS: 12000 km/s Power 6-8 RM 4 ROF 5 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1
20 CM Laser, Mk.1 Mod. 0 (9) Range 256,000km TS: 5200 km/s Power 10-4 RM 4 ROF 15 10 10 10 10 8 6 5 5 4 4
25 CM Spinal Laser, Mk 1 Mod. 0 (1) Range 256,000km TS: 5200 km/s Power 16-4 RM 4 ROF 20 16 16 16 16 12 10 9 8 7 6
GR-PD-01 (2) Max Range: 32,000 km TS: 16000 km/s 69 37 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GR-CR-01 (2) Max Range: 256,000 km TS: 2000 km/s 96 92 88 84 80 77 73 69 65 61
PP-01 (20) Total Power Output 60 Armour 0 Exp 5%
SR-PD-01 (1) GPS 28 Range 2.2m km MCR 244k km Resolution 1
SR-CR-01 (1) GPS 8400 Range 67.2m km Resolution 100
ECM 10
Light Cruisers
Missile (Fleet)
Prince Consort-B class Light Cruiser 9,000 tons 276 Crew 1619 BP TCS 180 TH 702 EM 0
5200 km/s Armour 2-38 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 60
Maint Life 1.02 Years MSP 225 AFR 324% IFR 4.5% 1YR 215 5YR 3229 Max Repair 195 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months Spare Berths 1
Magazine 540
DU-FF-01 (3) Power 312 Fuel Use 114.65% Signature 234 Exp 13%
Fuel Capacity 1,010,000 Litres Range 17.6 billion km (39 days at full power)
MT-02 (10) Missile Size 5 Rate of Fire 50
CMT-01 (10) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 10
FCR-PD-01 (2) Range 6.7m km Resolution 1
FCR-CR-01 (1) Range 67.2m km Resolution 100
CMT-01 "Goalkeeper" (90) Speed: 28,000 km/s End: 1.7m Range: 2.9m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 224/134/67
SS-01 "Atl-Atl" (90) Speed: 22,400 km/s End: 46.1m Range: 61.9m km WH: 9 Size: 5 TH: 112/67/33
SR-PD-01 (1) GPS 28 Range 2.2m km MCR 244k km Resolution 1
Missile (Independent)
Prince Consort-A class Light Cruiser 9,000 tons 253 Crew 1847 BP TCS 180 TH 936 EM 0
6933 km/s Armour 2-38 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 4 PPV 36
Maint Life 1.58 Years MSP 513 AFR 162% IFR 2.2% 1YR 237 5YR 3556 Max Repair 390 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months Spare Berths 2
Magazine 276
DU-CR-01 (2) Power 624 Fuel Use 94.42% Signature 468 Exp 13%
Fuel Capacity 1,700,000 Litres Range 36.0 billion km (60 days at full power)
MT-02 (6) Missile Size 5 Rate of Fire 50
CMT-01 (6) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 10
FCR-CR-01 (1) Range 67.2m km Resolution 100
FCR-PD-01 (2) Range 6.7m km Resolution 1
CMT-01 "Goalkeeper" (51) Speed: 28,000 km/s End: 1.7m Range: 2.9m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 224/134/67
SS-01 "Atl-Atl" (45) Speed: 22,400 km/s End: 46.1m Range: 61.9m km WH: 9 Size: 5 TH: 112/67/33
SR-PD-01 (1) GPS 28 Range 2.2m km MCR 244k km Resolution 1
SR-CR-01 (1) GPS 8400 Range 67.2m km Resolution 100
ECM 10
Energy (Fleet)
Star Knight-B +SL class Light Cruiser 9,000 tons 299 Crew 1989 BP TCS 180 TH 702 EM 0
5200 km/s Armour 3-38 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 4 PPV 57.71
Maint Life 2.49 Years MSP 553 AFR 162% IFR 2.2% 1YR 124 5YR 1857 Max Repair 195 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months Spare Berths 3
DU-FF-01 (3) Power 312 Fuel Use 114.65% Signature 234 Exp 13%
Fuel Capacity 1,530,000 Litres Range 26.7 billion km (59 days at full power)
25 CM Spinal Laser, Mk 1 Mod. 0 (1) Range 256,000km TS: 5200 km/s Power 16-4 RM 4 ROF 20 16 16 16 16 12 10 9 8 7 6
20 CM Laser, Mk.1 Mod. 0 (7) Range 256,000km TS: 5200 km/s Power 10-4 RM 4 ROF 15 10 10 10 10 8 6 5 5 4 4
Twin 10 CM Laser, Mk. 1 Mod. 0 Turret (1x2) Range 120,000km TS: 12000 km/s Power 6-8 RM 4 ROF 5 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1
GR-PD-01 (1) Max Range: 32,000 km TS: 16000 km/s 69 37 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GR-CR-01 (1) Max Range: 256,000 km TS: 2000 km/s 96 92 88 84 80 77 73 69 65 61
PP-01 (14) Total Power Output 42 Armour 0 Exp 5%
SR-CR-01 (1) GPS 8400 Range 67.2m km Resolution 100
SR-PD-01 (1) GPS 28 Range 2.2m km MCR 244k km Resolution 1
ECM 10
Energy (Independent)
Star Knight-A +SL class Light Cruiser 9,000 tons 242 Crew 2047 BP TCS 180 TH 936 EM 0
6933 km/s Armour 3-38 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 4 PPV 33.71
Maint Life 1.67 Years MSP 569 AFR 162% IFR 2.2% 1YR 243 5YR 3639 Max Repair 390 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months Spare Berths 0
DU-CR-01 (2) Power 624 Fuel Use 94.42% Signature 468 Exp 13%
Fuel Capacity 2,240,000 Litres Range 47.4 billion km (79 days at full power)
Twin 10 CM Laser, Mk. 1 Mod. 0 Turret (1x2) Range 120,000km TS: 12000 km/s Power 6-8 RM 4 ROF 5 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1
20 CM Laser, Mk.1 Mod. 0 (3) Range 256,000km TS: 6933 km/s Power 10-4 RM 4 ROF 15 10 10 10 10 8 6 5 5 4 4
25 CM Spinal Laser, Mk 1 Mod. 0 (1) Range 256,000km TS: 6933 km/s Power 16-4 RM 4 ROF 20 16 16 16 16 12 10 9 8 7 6
GR-PD-01 (1) Max Range: 32,000 km TS: 16000 km/s 69 37 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GR-CR-01 (1) Max Range: 256,000 km TS: 2000 km/s 96 92 88 84 80 77 73 69 65 61
PP-01 (8) Total Power Output 24 Armour 0 Exp 5%
SR-PD-01 (1) GPS 28 Range 2.2m km MCR 244k km Resolution 1
SR-CR-01 (1) GPS 8400 Range 67.2m km Resolution 100
ECM 10
Battlecruiser (Conjectural)
Nike-A class Battlecruiser 24,000 tons 715 Crew 3901 BP TCS 480 TH 1872 EM 0
5200 km/s Armour 6-74 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 8 PPV 130
Maint Life 0.99 Years MSP 813 AFR 576% IFR 8% 1YR 821 5YR 12320 Max Repair 390 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months Spare Berths 0
Magazine 1090
DU-CR-01 (4) Power 624 Fuel Use 94.42% Signature 468 Exp 13%
Fuel Capacity 3,025,000 Litres Range 24.0 billion km (53 days at full power)
CMT-01 (10) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 10
MT-01 (12) Missile Size 10 Rate of Fire 100
FCR-PD-01 (2) Range 6.7m km Resolution 1
FCR-CR-01 (1) Range 67.2m km Resolution 100
SR-CR-01 (1) GPS 5600 Range 44.8m km Resolution 100
SR-PD-01 (1) GPS 28 Range 2.2m km MCR 244k km Resolution 1
ECM 10
(The light cruisers are divided into "Fleet" and "Independent" depending on their role. Fleet ships are primarily a way of adding weapons to a formation at reasonably low costs, so their speed is limited to match the heavier ships, they rely on the bigger ships for a significant portion of their fuel, and they generally don't carry a search sensor (the Star Knight B was built with one by mistake, which will be removed in the next iteration of the class), The Independent cruisers are intended to operate on their own or mixed with other light units, so they carry less firepower to fit in more fuel and better engines, along with search sensors at least on the leader variants.) The battlecruiser hasn't entered production yet because I've only just acquired shipyards that can build them.
The main weaknesses I've encountered so far:
Warlock class
Rate of fire has proven to be a serious handicap. I'm quite happy with the destructive power of the salvos, but smaller ships represent a serious threat with only 4 of the rapid-fire size 5 tubes, as I can generally get off only a single salvo per ship before I close to energy range and the Medusas and Star Knights take care of the problem, risking severe damage. The options I see at present:
1. Switch to a pure size-5 armament.
This gains me in rate of fire, but at a serious loss of per-salvo firepower (going from 200 warhead points per salvo of the 10s and 36 for each salvo of 5s to 118 per salvo) without increasing salvo density
2. Switch to a pure size 10 armament with full-size tubes, resulting in a six-tube broadside.
This would drop both per-salvo damage and salvo density, but would allow for more destructive salvos than the size-5 option at 150
3. Replace the half-size size 10 tubes with quarter-size, using the freed up space to increase the number of size 5 tubes to 8.
This maintains the ability to smash one larger ship with an opening salvo or hurt a pair of ships badly by splitting the salvo (assuming that the lower salvo density is acceptable) while also increasing the number of missiles I can rapid-fire in a sustained engagement. The main downside is the additional strain on the already limited magazine capacity.
4. Replace the half-size tubes to quarter size, double the quantity.
With this option, I could simply not fire salvos of the same size with a second salvo in reserve, creating a greater effective fire rate. The primary downside is strain on the magazine.
MedusaThe turrets don't seem to be very effective against missiles. My options:
1. Replace them with a different "energy" weapon that is more effective against missiles
2. Replace them with more offensive weapons, counting on the other ships for missile defense
3. Replace them with a magazine, fire control, and tubes for countermissiles
4. Eliminate the class in favor of the smaller
Star Knight design, modified as per 1, 2, or 3
Additionally, my lasers shoot much further than my fire control can handle. Should I switch to cheaper shorter-range lasers?
Star KnightSame problems as
MedusaPrince ConsortNo complaints. Firepower and defenses are adequate for a light cruiser, and it is a match for anything close to the same tonnage I've encountered so far.
My big worry can be seen in the missile table. I've only encountered 2 actual ASMs so far, and neither were very good. Most of the battles I've fought were against ships that kept sandpapering me with AMMs, which were also fairly poor. I'm concerned that something with better defensive missiles would be a problem if I reduce salvo density, and something that carried a real warhead might get through defenses I currently consider adequate. (I have a dedicated anti-missile destroyer in production, but it isn't combat tested, so I have no idea how it performs.)