defy the tyrannous stars
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create a primary ship of the line for use in Galactic Alliance fleet makeups that straddles the line between heavy cruiser and light destroyer.
- Image Source: Star Wars: Legacy Comics
- Canon Link: Canon Scythe
- Restricted Missions: N/A
- Primary Source: MBC75 Battle Cruiser, MBC75a Scythe Mk III-class Heavy Cruiser, Trimiran Star Defender
- Manufacturer: Galactic Alliance, SoroSuub Corporation, Mon Calamari Shipyards (original blueprints)
- Model: Scythe-class Heavy Cruiser
- Affiliation: Galactic Alliance
- Production: Mass-Produced
- Material: Durasteel hull, quadranium frame
- Classification: Heavy Cruiser
- Length: 1000 meters
- Width: 400 meters
- Height: 650 meters
- Armament: Average
- 50 Ion Cannons
- 10 Heavy Warhead Launchers
- 15 Quad Lasers
- 2 Tractor Beam Batteries
- Defenses: High
- Hangar: Average: 3 Squadrons (4 Shuttles)
- Maneuverability Rating: Low
- Speed Rating: Average
- Hyperdrive Class: Average: 2
- Escape Pods
- Exterior Docking Rings
- Long-range Communications Array
- Holonet Transceiver
- Standard Detention Cells
- Standard Entertainment Systems
- Standard Life Support Systems
- Standard Navigational Systems
- Standard Sensor Array
- Standard Targeting Array
Strengths:
- Dependable: Based on several previous design iterations, the Scythe is built on a battle tested and combat proven frame. The prevalence of these cruisers throughout the Defense Fleet has led to a manufacturing process with a minimum of defects.
- Multi-Role: Whether its deep space combat patrol, serving as part of a task force, or transporting personnel for humanitarian aid, the Scythe-class is a mainstay of the Defense Fleet for a reason. Like its larger cousin, the Trimiran Star Defender, the Scythe heavy cruiser has proven itself as the Alliance's ship of choice for its class.
- Mon Calamari Shielding: Based on contracted Mon Cal tech, both Alliance specialists as well as the research and development department at SoroSuub have reverse engineered enough of the original schematics to maintain shield efficiency despite the need for sacrifices elsewhere.
- Jack of All Trades: The Scythe's flexibility is also its downfall. In being able to fill a variety of roles, the heavy cruiser truly excels in none. Its defenses are strong, but not that strong, it boasts an average loadout, and can only house three squadrons of starfighters at any given time. In ship to ship engagements, it can be easy for an opponent to take advantage of their vessel's own natural strengths to, if not destroy, fend off our evade the Scythe completely.
- Historic Design: The Scythe has been combat tested by the GADF, but that also means its been combat tested by her enemies. Having seen similar models up close before, a foe can be more likely capable of pinpointing weak points and how to strike to inflict the most damage.
- Maneuverability: The Scythe heavy cruiser isn't a particularly fast ship for his size, and what speed its design can muster is straight line speed. The profile of the Scythe's prow makes it ponderous to turn, and difficult to execute precision maneuvers.
Description:
The latest in a long line of iterations, the Scythe is the newest attempt by the Galactic Alliance Defense Fleet to perfect a reliable ship of the line. Having previously contracted out that responsibility to the old management of Mon Calamari Shipyards, the GADF was in general pleased with the Mon Cal's overall design, but remained dissatisfied by certain aspects of the cruiser's performance. Taking lessons learned from their efforts to replicate the MCS's contributions with the Trimiran Star Defender series, the Alliance signed an agreement with SoroSuub to iterate once more on the Scythe line.
And so the Scythe-class Heavy Cruiser was born. Sacrificing firepower for some hangar capacity, instead of a bristling hammerhead of death and destruction like the Trimiran, the fore of the Scythe-class contains more room for starfighters. This innovative approach to problem solving the Scythe's limitations also gives the distinct and to a few somewhat disturbing effect of the heavy cruiser's fighters pouring forth from its prow like an angry swarm of insects from their nest. Time will tell if this generation of the Scythe-class will prove to be the last, but for now the Defense Fleet is willing to see what its capable of.
