Playing Aurora while not actually advancing the game

General Discussion
1

Sometimes when I’m distracted or just not in the mood to move my empire forward, I just launch the game and design ships. Sometimes they are “Mark 2” versions of existing designs, and sometimes they are completely new ships and space stations.

For inspiration I often glance through books like “Jane’s Warship Recognition Guide,” the “Romulan Ship Recognition Manual” and a couple other recognition guides for aircraft, armored vehicles, etc. I have a wonderful Jane’s guide to World War I ships, with very detailed specifications for even the most obscure ships. But right now I’m irritated, because I can’t find my “Klingon Ship Recognition Manual” anywhere. Maybe it fell behind the bookshelf in the hall upstairs?

Does anyone else use books like these for ship design inspiration? I’m sure I can’t be the only ship design nerd here.

1 Like
2

I’ve designed several extensive “scenarios”, in 40k, in Star Wars, and in several other universes, but I always burn out or decide to wait for the next patch before ever getting to the point of advancing a turn. What I’d call my “prestige” 40k save probably has months to years of collective work put into the setting for each faction (if you count redesigns and general tinkering). Next patch will be the one. For sure this time. Definitely.

Some examples:

(Caveat: Some DB tinkering involved - new ground unit capabilities and weapon types, for example, but the ship designs are vanilla for the most part - though they’re a sort of mish-mash of different tech levels as I felt was appropriate for 40k.)

40k Imperial Ship Designs 
Cobra class Destroyer      275,000 tons       9,285 Crew       66,635.2 BP       TCS 5,500    TH 57,600    EM 67,080
10472 km/s    JR 5-500      Armour 10-376       Shields 2236-1118       HTK 1274      Sensors 18/18/0/0      DCR 500-18      PPV 982.24
Maint Life 1.76 Years     MSP 75,721    AFR 1210%    IFR 16.8%    1YR 29,963    5YR 449,448    Max Repair 4,800 MSP
Troop Capacity 2,000 tons     Boarding Capable    Magazine 12,080 / 0    Tractor Beam     
Captain    Control Rating 4   BRG   AUX   ENG   CIC   
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months    CDE 60%    Morale Check Required    

Strelov 1a Warp Engine     Max Ship Size 275000 tons    Distance 500k km     Squadron Size 5
Jovian Pattern Class 2 Plasma Drive Chamber (6)    Power 57600    Fuel Use 21.79%    Signature 9600    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 7,954,400 Litres    Range 23.9 billion km (26 days at full power)
Void Shield Generator (4)     Recharge 1118 seconds (2 per second)

Mars Pattern MkVI Macrocannon (40x4)    Range 350,000km     TS 10,472 km/s     Power 15-8     ROF 10       
Hydra Flak Turret (8x24)    Range 60,000km     TS 25000 km/s     Power 0-0    ROF 5       
Mars Pattern R.384c Broadside Targeting Matrix (2)     Range 384,000 km   TS 10,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Mars Pattern R.96d Defense Matrix (1)     Range 96,000 km   TS 25,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Jovian Pattern Class 2 Auxiliary Reactor (1)     Total Power Output 321.5    Exp 40%

Gryphonne Pattern Torpedo Tube (50)     Missile Size: 16    ROF 120
Helios Pattern M39.A Torpedo Guidance Matrix (5)     Range 15.7m km    RES 1   ECCM-4   EH-80
Plasma Torpedo (350)    Speed 47,400 km/s    Range 1.3m km    WH 64    Size 16    TH: 4,740 / 9,480 / 18,960
Guided Torpedo (350)    Speed 46,800 km/s    Range 2.8m km    WH 56    Size 16    TH: 6,552 / 13,104 / 26,208
Auger Torpedo (20)    Speed 3,200 km/s    Range 7,204.1m km    WH 0    Size 4    TH: 320 / 640 / 1,280
Melta Torpedo (50)    Speed 45,000 km/s    Range 1.2m km    WH 166.666    Size 16    TH: 6,300 / 12,600 / 25,200

M-1a Auspex Array (1)     GPS 4     Range 4.5m km    MCR 408.7k km    RES 1   ECCM-4   EH-80
BG-10 Assault Scanner (1)     GPS 2880     Range 87.5m km    RES 10   ECCM-4   EH-80
T-18 Auger Array (1)     Sensitivity 18     Detect 1000:  33.5m km
E-18 Auger Array (1)     Sensitivity 18     Detect 1000:  33.5m km

Electronic Warfare Jammers:   Fire Control 4    Missile 4    

Ground Forces
2x Naval Assault Company

///

Sword class Frigate      300,000 tons       10,295 Crew       84,782.3 BP       TCS 6,000    TH 48,000    EM 117,390
8000 km/s    JR 3-1000      Armour 15-399       Shields 3913-1118       HTK 1598      Sensors 18/18/0/0      DCR 485-16      PPV 1,698.96
Maint Life 1.96 Years     MSP 85,665    AFR 1485%    IFR 20.6%    1YR 29,409    5YR 441,138    Max Repair 4,800 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 10,000 tons     Troop Capacity 5,000 tons     Boarding Capable    Cargo 2,000    Cryogenic Berths 2,000    Cargo Shuttle Multiplier 1    Tractor Beam     
Captain    Control Rating 4   BRG   AUX   ENG   CIC   
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Flight Crew Berths 200    CDE 60%    Morale Check Required    

Markov 3 Warp Engine     Max Ship Size 300000 tons    Distance 1000k km     Squadron Size 3
Jovian Pattern Class 2 Plasma Drive Chamber (5)    Power 48000    Fuel Use 21.79%    Signature 9600    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 10,074,900 Litres    Range 27.7 billion km (40 days at full power)
Void Shield Generator (7)     Recharge 1118 seconds (3.5 per second)

Las-Burner (49)    Range 720,000km     TS 8,000 km/s     Power 24-12     ROF 10       
Mars Pattern MkVI Macrocannon (60x4)    Range 350,000km     TS 8,000 km/s     Power 15-8     ROF 10       
Hydra Flak Turret (32x24)    Range 60,000km     TS 25000 km/s     Power 0-0    ROF 5       
Mars Pattern R.384c Broadside Targeting Matrix (2)     Range 384,000 km   TS 10,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Mars Pattern R.96d Defense Matrix (2)     Range 96,000 km   TS 25,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Mars Pattern R.480b Dorsal Targeting Matrix (1)     Range 480,000 km   TS 8,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Mars Pattern R.800a Prow Targeting Cogitator (1)     Range 800,000 km   TS 5,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Jovian Pattern Class 2 Plasma Reactor (1)     Total Power Output 1,069.3    Exp 40%

M-1a Auspex Array (2)     GPS 4     Range 4.5m km    MCR 408.7k km    RES 1   ECCM-4   EH-80
T-18 Auger Array (1)     Sensitivity 18     Detect 1000:  33.5m km
E-18 Auger Array (1)     Sensitivity 18     Detect 1000:  33.5m km

Electronic Warfare Jammers:   Fire Control 4    Missile 4    

Strike Group / Ground Forces
1x Scout Shuttle   Speed: 8160 km/s    Size: 10
1x Navigation Probe   Speed: 4080 km/s    Size: 10
1x Salvation Shuttle   Speed: 14400 km/s    Size: 10
1x Prospector Probe   Speed: 4080 km/s    Size: 10
16x Fury Interceptor   Speed: 14401 km/s    Size: 10
1x Naval Assault Battalion

///

Lunar class Cruiser      1,400,000 tons       17,306 Crew       326,766.4 BP       TCS 28,000    TH 153,600    EM 201,240
5485 km/s    JR 5-500      Armour 21-1114       Shields 6708-1118       HTK 7027      Sensors 900/900/4/4      DCR 3250-23      PPV 6,082.8
Maint Life 2.89 Years     MSP 474,103    AFR 4825%    IFR 67.0%    1YR 83,715    5YR 1,255,727    Max Repair 18,200 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 40,000 tons     Troop Capacity 25,000 tons     Magazine 16,640 / 0    Cargo 5,000    Cryogenic Berths 10,000    Cargo Shuttle Multiplier 2    Tractor Beam     
Lord Captain    Control Rating 6   BRG   AUX   ENG   CIC   SCI   PFC   
Intended Deployment Time: 5 days    Flight Crew Berths 800    CDE 60%    Morale Check Required    
Recreational Facilities
Salvager: 1 module(s) capable of salvaging 1000 tons per day

Strelov 2b Warp Engine     Max Ship Size 1400000 tons    Distance 500k km     Squadron Size 5
Jovian Pattern Class 4 Plasma Drive Chamber (24)    Power 153600    Fuel Use 7.91%    Signature 6400    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 52,807,300 Litres    Range 85.9 billion km (181 days at full power)
Refuelling Capability: 90,000 litres per hour     Complete Refuel 586 hours
Void Shield Generator (12)     Recharge 1118 seconds (6 per second)

Ryza Pattern Plasma Projector (8)    Range 800,000km     TS 6,250 km/s     Power 589-25     ROF 120       
Voidsunder Lance (60)    Range 500,000km     TS 6,250 km/s     Power 30-4    ROF 40       
Mars Pattern MkVI Macrocannon (400x4)    Range 350,000km     TS 6,250 km/s     Power 15-8     ROF 10       
Hydra Flak Turret (60x24)    Range 60,000km     TS 25000 km/s     Power 0-0    ROF 5       
Mars Pattern R.800a Prow Targeting Cogitator (8)     Range 800,000 km   TS 5,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Mars Pattern R.384c Broadside Targeting Matrix (8)     Range 384,000 km   TS 10,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Mars Pattern R.480b Dorsal Targeting Matrix (1)     Range 480,000 km   TS 8,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Mars Pattern R.96d Defense Matrix (2)     Range 96,000 km   TS 25,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Jovian Pattern Class 4 Plasma Reactor (2)     Total Power Output 3,644.8    Exp 40%

Gryphonne Pattern Torpedo Tube (100)     Missile Size: 16    ROF 120
Helios Pattern M39.A Torpedo Guidance Matrix (5)     Range 15.7m km    RES 1   ECCM-4   EH-80
Plasma Torpedo (500)    Speed 47,400 km/s    Range 1.3m km    WH 64    Size 16    TH: 4,740 / 9,480 / 18,960
Guided Torpedo (500)    Speed 46,800 km/s    Range 2.8m km    WH 56    Size 16    TH: 6,552 / 13,104 / 26,208
Auger Torpedo (100)    Speed 3,200 km/s    Range 7,204.1m km    WH 0    Size 4    TH: 320 / 640 / 1,280

M-1a Auspex Array (1)     GPS 4     Range 4.5m km    MCR 408.7k km    RES 1   ECCM-4   EH-80
BG-10 Assault Scanner (1)     GPS 2880     Range 87.5m km    RES 10   ECCM-4   EH-80
T-900b Auger Array (1)     Sensitivity 900     Detect 1000:  237.2m km
E-900b Auger Array (1)     Sensitivity 900     Detect 1000:  237.2m km
Improved Geological Sensors (2)   4 Survey Points Per Hour
Improved Gravitational Sensors (2)   4 Survey Points Per Hour

Electronic Warfare Jammers:   Fire Control 4    Missile 4    

Strike Group / Ground Forces
72x Fury Interceptor   Speed: 14401 km/s    Size: 10
2x Scout Shuttle   Speed: 8160 km/s    Size: 10
2x Navigation Probe   Speed: 4080 km/s    Size: 10
2x Prospector Probe   Speed: 4080 km/s    Size: 10
2x Salvation Shuttle   Speed: 14400 km/s    Size: 10
1x Naval Retinue

///

Vanguard MkIII class Strike Cruiser      1,100,000 tons       13,750 Crew       293,403.2 BP       TCS 22,000    TH 158,400    EM 268,320
9600 km/s    JR 5-500      Armour 22-949       Shields 8944-4472       HTK 5190      Sensors 900/900/4/4      DCR 2800-25      PPV 3,291.2
Maint Life 2.47 Years     MSP 466,777    AFR 3457%    IFR 48.0%    1YR 106,017    5YR 1,590,253    Max Repair 14,300 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 40,000 tons     Troop Capacity 20,000 tons     Drop Capable    Magazine 16,840 / 0    Cargo Shuttle Multiplier 1    Tractor Beam     
Lord Captain    Control Rating 6   BRG   AUX   ENG   CIC   SCI   PFC   
Intended Deployment Time: 5 days    Flight Crew Berths 800    CDE 60%    Morale Check Required    
Recreational Facilities
Salvager: 1 module(s) capable of salvaging 1000 tons per day

Strelov 2a Warp Engine     Max Ship Size 1100000 tons    Distance 500k km     Squadron Size 5
Saturnine Pattern Class 4 Plasma Drive Chamber (22)    Power 211200    Fuel Use 6.24%    Signature 7200.00    Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 29,814,100 Litres    Range 78.2 billion km (94 days at full power)
Refuelling Capability: 90,000 litres per hour     Complete Refuel 331 hours
Triple Void Shield Array (4)     Recharge 4472 seconds (2 per second)

Mars Pattern MkVI Macrocannon (200x4)    Range 350,000km     TS 9,600 km/s     Power 15-8     ROF 10       
Hydra Flak Turret (40x24)    Range 60,000km     TS 25000 km/s     Power 0-0    ROF 5       
Mars Pattern R.384c Broadside Targeting Matrix (8)     Range 384,000 km   TS 10,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Mars Pattern R.96d Defense Matrix (2)     Range 96,000 km   TS 25,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Saturnine Pattern Class 4 Plasma Reactor (1)     Total Power Output 1,623    Exp 50%

Gryphonne Pattern Torpedo Tube (50)     Missile Size: 16    ROF 120
Stygies Pattern Bombardment Cannon (5)     Missile Size: 200    ROF 1700
Helios Pattern M39.A Torpedo Guidance Matrix (5)     Range 15.7m km    RES 1   ECCM-4   EH-80
Cyclonic Torpedo (20)    Speed 19,500 km/s    Range 4.2m km    WH 740    Size 200    TH: 1,950 / 3,900 / 7,800
Auger Torpedo (10)    Speed 3,200 km/s    Range 7,204.1m km    WH 0    Size 4    TH: 320 / 640 / 1,280
Melta Torpedo (800)    Speed 45,000 km/s    Range 1.2m km    WH 166.666    Size 16    TH: 6,300 / 12,600 / 25,200

M-1a Auspex Array (1)     GPS 4     Range 4.5m km    MCR 408.7k km    RES 1   ECCM-4   EH-80
BG-10 Assault Scanner (1)     GPS 2880     Range 87.5m km    RES 10   ECCM-4   EH-80
T-900b Auger Array (1)     Sensitivity 900     Detect 1000:  237.2m km
E-900b Auger Array (1)     Sensitivity 900     Detect 1000:  237.2m km
Improved Geological Sensors (2)   4 Survey Points Per Hour
Improved Gravitational Sensors (2)   4 Survey Points Per Hour
ELINT Module (1)     Sensitivity 14     Detect 1000:  29.6m km

Electronic Warfare Jammers:   Fire Control 5    Missile 5    

Strike Group / Ground Forces
50x Stormhawk Interceptor   Speed: 16803 km/s    Size: 10
6x Thunderhawk Transporter Gunship   Speed: 10500 km/s    Size: 40
2x Scout Shuttle   Speed: 8160 km/s    Size: 10
2x Prospector Probe   Speed: 4080 km/s    Size: 10
2x Navigation Probe   Speed: 4080 km/s    Size: 10
5x Mortificer Company
1x Mortificer Greenblades

///

Resolver class Grand Cruiser      1,800,000 tons       24,353 Crew       559,290.3 BP       TCS 36,000    TH 165,600    EM 268,320
6133 km/s    JR 8-1000      Armour 28-1318       Shields 8944-4472       HTK 10581      Sensors 900/900/15/15      DCR 3420-19      PPV 13,026.8
Maint Life 2.13 Years     MSP 664,157    AFR 7579%    IFR 105.3%    1YR 195,312    5YR 2,929,680    Max Repair 26,250 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 70,000 tons     Troop Capacity 50,000 tons     Drop Capable    Magazine 24,480 / 0    Cargo 5,000    Cryogenic Berths 10,000    Cargo Shuttle Multiplier 2    Tractor Beam     
Lord Captain    Control Rating 7   BRG   AUX   ENG   CIC   SCI   FLG   PFC   
Intended Deployment Time: 5 days    Flight Crew Berths 1,400    CDE 60%    Morale Check Required    
Recreational Facilities
Salvager: 1 module(s) capable of salvaging 1000 tons per day

Albanov Class 6X Warp Engine     Max Ship Size 1800000 tons    Distance 1000k km     Squadron Size 8
Saturnine Pattern Class 4 Plasma Drive Chamber (23)    Power 220800    Fuel Use 6.24%    Signature 7200.00    Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 50,180,100 Litres    Range 80.5 billion km (151 days at full power)
Refuelling Capability: 90,000 litres per hour     Complete Refuel 557 hours
Triple Void Shield Array (4)     Recharge 4472 seconds (2 per second)

Godsbane Laser Battery (60x4)    Range 800,000km     TS 5000 km/s     Power 848-72    ROF 60       
Mars Pattern MkVI Macrocannon (400x4)    Range 350,000km     TS 6,250 km/s     Power 15-8     ROF 10       
Hydra Flak Turret (60x24)    Range 60,000km     TS 25000 km/s     Power 0-0    ROF 5       
Mars Pattern R.800a Prow Targeting Cogitator (10)     Range 800,000 km   TS 5,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Mars Pattern R.384c Broadside Targeting Matrix (10)     Range 384,000 km   TS 10,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Mars Pattern R.480b Dorsal Targeting Matrix (1)     Range 480,000 km   TS 8,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Mars Pattern R.96d Defense Matrix (2)     Range 96,000 km   TS 25,000 km/s    ECCM-4    
Saturnine Pattern Class 4A Plasma Reactor (4)     Total Power Output 8,484.8    Exp 50%

Gryphonne Pattern Torpedo Tube (120)     Missile Size: 16    ROF 120
Helios Pattern M39.A Torpedo Guidance Matrix (6)     Range 15.7m km    RES 1   ECCM-4   EH-80
Auger Torpedo (120)    Speed 3,200 km/s    Range 7,204.1m km    WH 0    Size 4    TH: 320 / 640 / 1,280
Melta Torpedo (1500)    Speed 45,000 km/s    Range 1.2m km    WH 166.666    Size 16    TH: 6,300 / 12,600 / 25,200

M-1a Auspex Array (1)     GPS 4     Range 4.5m km    MCR 408.7k km    RES 1   ECCM-4   EH-80
BG-10 Assault Scanner (1)     GPS 2880     Range 87.5m km    RES 10   ECCM-4   EH-80
T-900b Auger Array (1)     Sensitivity 900     Detect 1000:  237.2m km
E-900b Auger Array (1)     Sensitivity 900     Detect 1000:  237.2m km
Advanced Geological Sensors (5)   15 Survey Points Per Hour
Advanced Gravitational Sensors (5)   15 Survey Points Per Hour
ELINT Module (1)     Sensitivity 14     Detect 1000:  29.6m km

Electronic Warfare Jammers:   Fire Control 5    Missile 5    

Strike Group / Ground Forces
12x Thunderhawk Voidmaster Gunship   Speed: 15556 km/s    Size: 27
80x Stormhawk Interceptor   Speed: 16803 km/s    Size: 10
5x Caestus Assault Ram   Speed: 32309 km/s    Size: 13
1x Ebon Corridor Teleportarium   Speed: 150000 km/s    Size: 100
5x Navigation Probe   Speed: 4080 km/s    Size: 10
5x Prospector Probe   Speed: 4080 km/s    Size: 10
2x Scout Shuttle   Speed: 8160 km/s    Size: 10
1x Voidmarine Armoury
1x Voidmarine Chapter
10x Voidmarine Company
1x Voidmarine Librarium
1x Voidmarine Reclusium
40k Imperial Ground Forces 
Cadian Shock Trooper
Transport Size (tons) 6     Cost 0.135     Armour 22.5     Hit Points 22.5
Annual Maintenance Cost 0.017     Resupply Cost 1.3
Improved Personal Weapons:      Shots 1      Penetration 18.75      Damage 15

Fortress World Origin

Vendarite  0.18    

///

Kasrkin Shock Trooper
Transport Size (tons) 12     Cost 0.36     Armour 30     Hit Points 22.5
Annual Maintenance Cost 0.045     Resupply Cost 6
Crew-Served Anti-Personnel:      Shots 6      Penetration 15      Damage 15

Fortress World Origin

Vendarite  0.48    

///

Catachan Jungle Fighter
Transport Size (tons) 12     Cost 0.075     Armour 9.0     Hit Points 32.4
Annual Maintenance Cost 0.0094     Resupply Cost 6
Crew-Served Anti-Personnel:      Shots 6      Penetration 15      Damage 15

Death World Origin
Jungle Warfare

Vendarite  0.12    

///

Catachan Devil
Transport Size (tons) 12     Cost 0.225     Armour 27.0     Hit Points 32.4
Annual Maintenance Cost 0.028     Resupply Cost 30
Advanced Personal Weapons:      Shots 12      Penetration 22.5      Damage 22.5

Death World Origin
Jungle Warfare

Vendarite  0.36    

///

Death Korps Guardsman
Transport Size (tons) 5     Cost 0.056     Armour 18.0     Hit Points 21.6
Annual Maintenance Cost 0.007     Resupply Cost 1
Personal Weapons:      Shots 1      Penetration 15      Damage 15

Death World Origin
Fortress World Origin

Vendarite  0.15    

///

Death Korps Grenadier
Transport Size (tons) 12     Cost 0.18     Armour 24     Hit Points 21.6
Annual Maintenance Cost 0.023     Resupply Cost 6
Crew-Served Anti-Personnel:      Shots 6      Penetration 15      Damage 15

Death World Origin
Fortress World Origin

Vendarite  0.48    

///

Mortificer - Tactical
Transport Size (tons) 12     Cost 11.25     Armour 50     Hit Points 75
Annual Maintenance Cost 1.4     Resupply Cost 6
Crew-Served Anti-Personnel:      Shots 6      Penetration 30      Damage 30

Astartes Genetic Enhancement
Extreme Pressure Combat
Extreme Temperature Combat
Jungle Warfare
Mountain Warfare

Vendarite  0.48    

///

Mortificer - Librarian
Transport Size (tons) 20     Cost 18.75     Armour 60     Hit Points 90
Annual Maintenance Cost 2.3     Resupply Cost 12
Psychic Bombardment:      Shots 12      Penetration 27.00      Damage 144

Astartes Genetic Enhancement
Extreme Pressure Combat
Extreme Temperature Combat
Jungle Warfare
Mountain Warfare

Vendarite  0.8    

///

Voidmarine - Intercessor
Transport Size (tons) 12     Cost 44.55     Armour 50     Hit Points 80.0
Annual Maintenance Cost 5.6     Resupply Cost 6
Crew-Served Anti-Personnel:      Shots 6      Penetration 30      Damage 30

Boarding Combat
Extreme Pressure Combat
Extreme Temperature Combat
High Gravity Combat
Low Gravity Combat
Primaris Genetic Enhancement

Vendarite  0.48    

///

Voidmarine - Lieutenant
Transport Size (tons) 60     Cost 222.75     Armour 60     Hit Points 96.0
Annual Maintenance Cost 28     Resupply Cost 150
Elite Personal Weapons:      Shots 24      Penetration 60      Damage 60

Boarding Combat
Extreme Pressure Combat
Extreme Temperature Combat
High Gravity Combat
Low Gravity Combat
Primaris Genetic Enhancement

Vendarite  2.4    

///

Greidian Pattern Warhound Scout Titan
Transport Size (tons) 3,660     Cost 5,558.625     Armour 405     Hit Points 540
Annual Maintenance Cost 695     Resupply Cost 1,281
Titan-Grade Chainfist:      Shots 24      Penetration 135      Damage 405
Plasma Blastgun:      Shots 24      Penetration 225      Damage 90
Vulcan Mega Bolter:      Shots 240      Penetration 45      Damage 45

Desert Warfare
Extreme Pressure Combat
Extreme Temperature Combat
High Gravity Combat
Low Gravity Combat

Vendarite  658.8    

///

Greidian Pattern Warlord Battle Titan
Transport Size (tons) 7,256     Cost 14,693.4     Armour 540     Hit Points 1080
Annual Maintenance Cost 1,837     Resupply Cost 4,104
Gatling Blaster:      Shots 60      Penetration 135      Damage 90
Volcano Cannon:      Shots 12      Penetration 405      Damage 405
Vulcan Mega Bolter:      Shots 240      Penetration 45      Damage 45
Vulcan Mega Bolter:      Shots 240      Penetration 45      Damage 45

Desert Warfare
Extreme Pressure Combat
Extreme Temperature Combat
High Gravity Combat
Low Gravity Combat

Vendarite  1,741.44

Lots and lots more ships, units, formations, organizations, colonies, etc. etc.

I really wanna do a proper AAR one day, but considering I’m still procrastinating finishing the game setup, well, we’ll see.

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I make a lot of use of this set of books. Provides very useful detail and background on each ship class, plus more general background information for each nation and how their design philosophy progressed. I also own several volumes of Jane’s Fighting Ships, but for Aurora I always reach for the Conway’s books.

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6 Likes
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I use those and the volume going up to about 2000 for reference, there are also really excellent books for more details on individual navy and ships the author Freeman does excellent books on British battleships and there are simialr books for other navies

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Sometimes I feel inclined to go a little further back for inspiration than the 1880s+. British Warships in the Age of Sail is an equivalent resource for ~1600-1850. If you don’t feel inclined to buy a four-volume set for assisting your roleplay in Aurora, Three Decks has a decent search tool for classes in that time range although the detail is somewhat lacking.

British Warship Losses in the Age of Sail 1649–1860 provides a useful glossary of terms and models a fairly good clinical tone for briefly discussing ships being destroyed, if you’re inclined to write up AARs.

Very nice for “The Path not Taken” style campaigns where pre-industrial Earth gets into space with TN science.

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Well, it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who enjoys using outside sources as inspiration for ship design.

One of the best things about this game is that it gives us a space to pretend to run an empire, organize, build and use a military, etc., without actual sentient beings getting hurt. I’m not pro-military even slightly, but I’ve always been interested in military history, military equipment and military organizations.

I won’t pretend that my ship designs are any good, but it’s fun to create my own make-believe outer space version of the World War II German Type VII U-boat, or the US Fletcher class World War II destroyer. Or an outer space version of the Exocet antiship missile. And then upgrade those systems as my empire’s technology improves.

It’s just fun!

1 Like
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The Conway’s books look interesting, but for some reason I’ve never heard of them. During my working years one of the sources my employer subscribed to was various Jane’s publications, plus Defense News and others. So I’ve always leaned toward Jane’s for my recreational military reading. I buy the books at used book stores, because they’re just too expensive new, and anyway I really don’t have a need for up-to-the-minute ship, aircraft and armored vehicle recognition books.

This past weekend at a rummage sale I bought something called “The Pocket Guide to Military Aircraft and the World’s Airforces,” published in 2001 by a company called Hamlyn, and it’s just great. My wife found a bunch of things she wanted at the rummage sale, and I found this book! Many technical details. I wish it had information like how many of each aircraft is in use by each country, but you can’t have everything…

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Dang, those books are hard to find and expensive used. Looks awesome though!

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I don’t know where you live, but where I live in the US there is a Half Priced Books store not far away. Some of the prices for military reference books are rather high, but every now and then you can find a copy of something worth buying. You just have to keep going back and checking to see if anything has come in. I got my “Jane’s Fighting Ships of World War I” there some years ago for about 10 dollars. And I have a couple armored vehicle guides and modern warship guides purchased from there.

The “Pocket Guide to Military Aircraft and the World’s Airforces” that I found at a rummage sale last weekend cost about 30 cents. You never know what you will find at a rummage sale!

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Another thing I do when I don’t feel like advancing the game is create name files. Steve has given us 458,527 name files with the game, but when you give players the ability to add more, of course they are going to do exactly that! :grinning_face:

I’ve created name files consisting of interesting city names from various countries, and I’m working on one with the names of various “barbarian” generals who fought for and against the Roman Empire. You can never have too many name files!

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good point. There is a used book store that’s pretty big in a nearby town. I’ll have to look next time I go.

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Amusingly I know that my Janes warships of WW2 is innacurate. Because its a recreation of the period book and so the information on the Yamato battleship is what Britain and America believed at the time based on Japanese offical information. So for instance its listed with 16 inch guns

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Ha! That’s interesting. I think my Jane’s book on WWI ships is probably also inaccurate, because I think the information was collected immediately after the war.

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The Terran Trade Authority books are perfect for inspiring ship designs. I have a physical copy of Spacecraft 2000 to 2100 AD that I peruse sometimes. Apart from the crew numbers, they’re very much buildable in Aurora. The first one the in book, the CAM 117 Gunship, has the same problem I usually run into with my early ships. They’d run out of fuel and have to be towed home.

Aside from that, I also ponder different starting scenarios. Starting in the solar systems from Factorio, Kerbal Space Program, or Outer Wilds for instance. A TTA run is perfectly doable if you do a conventional start in the 20th century. I’ve also recently thought about playing as a faction from an RTS, since you have pre-made names for all their units.

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I looked some of them up in Amazon and, at least in the US, they are really expensive! I will just keep my eyes open at Half Priced Books.

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Indeed they are. On Amazon UK they are about a fifth of the price, even with shipping they are probably cheaper, The UK price seems close to what I paid for new