[FT] Islamic Fed, was Re: [FT] OU & IC & FB3

Nathan said
> > Finally, just to throw a new idea into the FB3 pot, has

Alan said, probably with malice aforethought:
> Make it a 5 or 6. But only ships with no warp capability.

Of course, *most* IF ships have no FTL capability. Under the Ship Doctrine
section, I'm going to propose something like this:

"IF ship designs favor speed and striking power as the priorities, and ships
are typically outfitted to emphasize one weapon class—normally a heavy load
of salvo missile racks or beam weapons—and main drives of thrust 6 for all
but the heaviest ships. Most vessels below Heavy Cruiser class are not FTL
capable; the Sultanate feels limited strategic mobility is balanced by the
reduced risk of coups by
over-ambitious amirs.  IF designs are somewhat less sturdy than the
ships of other nations, but make up for this with extensive armor and point
defense suites. Carriers are quite fragile, relying on their consorts and
large fighter complement to keep them out of trouble."

For most designs (above Corvette), the starting point I've been using is: Hull
about 25%, armor roughly 7%, main drive 6, no FTL, at least 3 PDS (usually
more and often ADFC). Weapons are usually either beams (B2 and B3, some B4 on
the Saif al Islam BB's) or SMR. The IF feels that carriers and battleships
have separate roles and they're better off not trying to substitute for each
other, so BB's seldom carry fighters and carriers stay away from the action if
at all possible (and carriers who get in trouble have been known to FTL out
and write off their unrecovered fighters).

I'm hoping the weapons mix of SMR/fighters + stingboats + lots of

From: "Laserlight" <laserlight@quixnet.net>

> Nathan said

Exactly. No problems for them.

> I'm hoping the weapons mix of SMR/fighters + stingboats + lots of

They've certainly got a unique flavour to them. At first glance, not
unbalanced either way.

I admit that I didn't like the idea of a non-FTL fleet too much when I
first saw it. But on second thoughts you appear to have made it work pretty
well.