(SL/JC) Traits None

Skills Heavy Weapons d6, Mechanical Engineering d2, Perception d6, Pilot d2 Armament

• Heavy planetcraft scale skirmish range point defence system(d12);

• 10 spacecraft scale capital range primary assault railguns (d12+d2);

• 6 spacecraft scale short DRADIS range heavy missile systems (d12+d4);

• 6 Raptors, 6 assorted craft Armour: Wound 4, Stun 3

History: The first Cylon war demonstrated two shortcomings of the Colonial fleet: namely, the need for a close-support escort for the

Battlestars, and the need for a long-range vessel capable of protection-of-shipping mission. Both Cylon and Colonial forces demonstrated time and again that strikes against the enemy’s economic infrastructure could have a disproportionate affect on the battlefield.

As a result, a large number of vessels were built or converted to fulfil the escort role, with a huge disparity in capability, armaments, expense, and logistics- disparities that led to a

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large amount of wasted time, energy, and critically, money.

Learning from this mistake, and in an era of ever-tightening defence budgets, the Admiralty drew up specifications for a new, standardized escort vessel that could be constructed both quickly and cheaply with minimal impact on the logistics chain.

Rigorous standardization ensured that these new vessels would be able to draw on existing parts and ammunition stocks, and that Colonial crews would already be familiar with most of the systems aboard ship, reducing training time and expenses.

The result was the Berzerker class- cheap to build, and comparatively cheap to operate. The class is designed primarily for close fire support and focuses on an anti-fighter mission- with heavy anti-fighter batteries designed to disrupt and destroy coordinated attacks by small craft.

Criticism of the design came from several fronts, primarily in that (because they are intended for a supporting role) both their armour and secondary battery are smaller and lighter than would be found on a Battlestar or other ship of the line and in that their numerous anti-fighter mountings were manned, rather than automated- resulting in higher operating costs. Further

complaints arose when it became clear that the design is poorly suited to autonomous or independent operation in areas of high threat areas.

In short, the critics were complaining that they had bought and paid for a dedicated escort, when what they really wanted was a “Battlestar-on-the-cheap.” The Admiralty response consisted essentially of “you get what you pay for”.

None of these vessels are known to have survived the Second Cylon War, though reports indicate that the class faired fairly well in the early fighting. Though the vessels themselves were as vulnerable to the CNP as any, individual turret crews were able to operate in local control (selecting targets manually) even as the vessels themselves drifted. Practical experience demonstrated that the increased manpower and operating costs were well justified- though few survived to acknowledge this vindication.

Quirks/Special Characteristics:

Notable Vessels in Class:

Gunstar Bezerker (assigned to BSG 2; Class vessel)

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RUSSAN RUSSAN RUSSAN

RUSSAN Class Escortstar Class Escortstar Class Escortstar Class Escortstar

Ship Type: Escortstar Size: 460 x 172 x 60 feet Crew: 315

Passengers: 150 Attributes:

Agi d8, Str d8, Vit d6, Ale d8, Int d6, Wil d10 LP 16; Init d8+d8; Scale Spacecraft

Speed 5 (SL/JC)

Traits Past it’s Prime (d6), Destiny (d10), Quick Repair* (d4), Jury-rigged** (d6)

Skills Heavy Weapons d4, Perception d6, Pilot d4, Mechanical Engineering d4

Armament

• Light planetcraft scale skirmish range point defence system(d4);

• 4 spacecraft scale capital range primary assault medium railguns (d10);

• 4 spacecraft scale short DRADIS range medium missile systems (d12+d4);

• 4 Vipers, 4 Raptors, 2 assorted craft Armour: Wound 3, Stun 3

History: The Russan class were built late in the First Cylon War as Colonial industry began making good the losses suffered early in the

war. Because of the urgent need for hulls, the class was both simple in design and lightly built with an emphasis on speed of construction, modular design, and survivability. Because of the speed of their construction and simple design, Russan Class frigates were built less as line-of-battle ships than as small patrol craft, or as an outlying DRADIS pickets (as part of a Battlestar’s protective screen).

Because of their potential as advance scouts for the Fleet, and their more mundane tasking as patrol ships, the Russan class was fitted with a centreline hangar to accommodate a small complement of Vipers and Raptors for patrol and intercept duties. A pair of launch tubes on the portside allow the Vipers to launch rapidly, but the Raptors launch, and all landings take place on the ship's dorsal landing pad/elevator.

Following the Armistice, the Russan class was assigned more mundane duties of routine patrol and customs enforcement along Colonial trade routes.

As newer, more capable, and more carefully constructed vessels came on-line, the Russan Class were largely phased out as their worn-out systems became less cost-effective in the face of

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newer and more capable designs.

Quirks/Special Characteristics:

Most shipboard systems were built to take advantage of the ship's modular design and allowed for damaged sections to be bypassed or replaced to temporarily circumvent damage.

One drawback to this system, however, was that the modular connections meant more points at which shock damage could break connections,

taking systems off-line.

*Based upon asset Quick Healer. Most of the Russan’s systems are easily jury-rigged.

**Based upon the complication Illness. The Russan’s systems have numerous modular connectors which may fail when exposed to sudden shock or impact.

Notable Vessels in Class:

Escortstar Russan (assigned to BSG 7; Class vessel)

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Vanguard Class Auxiliary Vanguard Class Auxiliary Vanguard Class Auxiliary Vanguard Class Auxiliary

Ship Type: Fleet Auxiliary Size: 3,800 X 333 X 172 feet Crew: 670

Passengers: 250 Attributes:

Agi d6, Str d6, Vit d8, Ale d6, Int d8, Wil d10 LP 16; Init d6+d8; Scale Spacecraft

Speed 6 (SL/JC)

Traits Mass Produced (d4)

Skills Heavy Weapons d6, Mechanical Engineering d4, Perception d6, Pilot d4 Armament

• Medium planetcraft scale skirmish range point defence system (d8);

• 6 spacecraft scale capital range primary assault railguns (d12+d2);

• 1 squadron of Raptor-Ls (4 Raptor-L logistic support craft)

• 1 squadron of Raptor-Ks (4 Raptor-K in-flight refuelling support craft)

• 1 squadron of Skytrains (6 Skytrain support shuttles)

Armour: Wound 4, Stun 4

History: The Vanguard Class Fleet Auxiliary represents a rare flash of collective brilliance on the part of the Admiralty and the Ministry of Finance. In order to reduce costs, a bare-bones, easily customizable hull design fitted with modular systems was developed and procured.

Instead of having to design and construct more than a dozen different designs to accommodate different mission types, the common origin hull could be customized during construction to fill a

specific need within the fleet. Each auxiliary type is considered a separate class, but all fall into the Vanguard family.

As a result, Vanguard-type hulls can be found in service as amphibious/planetary assault vessels, hospital ships, repair ships, supply ships, munitions ships, and tylium colliers.

Quirks/Special Characteristics:

Because the Vanguard-type all use the same basic hull design, their basic capabilities are generally well known.

Special Characteristics by Type:

Amphibious Assault- Hector Class This Vanguard variant is designed to transport assault troops and land them on the surface of a planet, together with all their necessary supplies, munitions, and equipment. The basic stats are unchanged, but passenger capacity is increased to 2,000 troops. The air wing is comprised of six Raptors reconfigured for close air support, and with up to a dozen atmospheric shuttles or landing craft.

Aviation Support Ship- Aerie Class Basic stats unchanged, add Trait ”Viper Construction Facilities (d4)”.

Hospital Ship- Aesclapius Class All weapons except Point Defence System removed.

Passenger capacity increased to 2500, 30 surgery suites and laboratories added. Basic stats unchanged, add Trait ”Viper Construction Facilities (d4)”. 8 Med evac Raptors, 8 shuttles.

Munitions Ship- Vulcan Class This Vanguard

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variant is configured to transport bullets, bombs, and other munitions from weapons depots ashore to the vessels of the fleet. As such, they represent both high risk and high value targets.

The basic stats are unchanged, but security and safety measures aboard exceed caution and approach paranoia. The air wing is comprised of six Raptors and six shuttles for logistical support.

Fleet Repair Ship- Hephaestus Class Basic stats unchanged, 2 Raptors, six shuttles.

Tylium Collier- Prometheus Class Basic stats unchanged, 2 Raptors, six shuttles.

Notable Vessels in Class:

OES Vanguard (Class vessel) OES Demosthenes

OES Pico (assigned to BSG 60;)

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