Rogue Trader Fleet

[Pembo]

Hey everyone, I've decided to get back into BFG after a few years break. In the past i've played as both IN and Tau, but I fancy something a little different.

I recently discovered the Rogue Trader Exploration Fleet list, so i'm thinking of making a fleet based around this.

500pts

Flagship
1 Rogue Trader Cruiser

Squadron 1
2 Recommissioned Escorts

Squadron 2
2 Armed Freighters
3 Cargo Transports

Squadron 3
2 Armed Freighters
3 Cargo Transports

Squadron 4
2 Heavy Transports
Advanced Shielding

TOTAL: 495

Any Comments? The Heavy Transports could be used as Fuel Ships, which could be used as suicide ships due to their increased chance of exploding and killing everyone nearby. I'm not too keen on how the list limits you to 1 escort squadron per rogue trader cruiser.

[horizon]

Fluffy, nice. paint it,.

[Pembo]

Fluffy, nice. paint it,.

Thanks. I have a few old Imperial and Chaos Cruisers, so I think i'll be converting the rogue trader cruiser from one of those.

The plan is to scratch build most of the ships main structures, then made modules to add, like cargo modules or weapons battery modules so I can easily make all the variant Freighters (Armed, Unarmed, Escort Carriers)

The plan is to use these is I ever include Xenos Ships
http://spartangames.co.uk/shop/image/cache/FAAP04-500x500.jpg

[Pembo]

Hey everyone, I don't know if people have read the Rogue Trader Exploration Fleet List that has been sent to GW to make official, however I have a few queries about the list.

Firstly, the The Best Money Can Buy rule states that the Xenotech Systems refit list can only be used by rogue trader cruisers and escorts, not by other reserves or allied vessels in the fleet. However, can they be taken by cruisers that are part of the main fleet list e.g. a Lunar Class Cruiser or Carnage Class Cruiser. If they can't take these refits then surely it would have been detailed in their individual entry and not in the fleet list.

Thanks

Pembo

[RCgothic]

I'd say that those cruisers are not allies but part of the main fleet list. Therefore they may take the refits. I'm not entirely sure though, so you may wish wait for additional confirmation from someone else.

[Pembo]

I'd say that those cruisers are not allies but part of the main fleet list. Therefore they may take the refits. I'm not entirely sure though, so you may wish wait for additional confirmation from someone else.

Yeah, I think that's the way I interpreted it. Thanks 

[Zhukov]

Firstly, the The Best Money Can Buy rule states that the Xenotech Systems refit list can only be used by rogue trader cruisers and escorts, not by other reserves or allied vessels in the fleet. However, can they be taken by cruisers that are part of the main fleet list e.g. a Lunar Class Cruiser or Carnage Class Cruiser. If they can't take these refits then surely it would have been detailed in their individual entry and not in the fleet list.

The key here is the fact there is a "reserves and allies" section of the fleet list seperate from the cruiser options an RT Exploration fleet can have. So yes, a Lunar or Carnage purchased (along with a normal RT cruiser) in the normal fleet may have a Xenotech System for the price. Any vessel "reserved in" (meaning the fleet has three cruisers already), may not have a Xenotech system. For example, if you have two RT cruisers, one Lunar, and you reserve in a Dominator, the Dominator cannot recieve a Xenotech System upgrade but the two RT cruisers and Lunar may.

-Zhukov

[Pembo]

The key here is the fact there is a "reserves and allies" section of the fleet list seperate from the cruiser options an RT Exploration fleet can have. So yes, a Lunar or Carnage purchased (along with a normal RT cruiser) in the normal fleet may have a Xenotech System for the price. Any vessel "reserved in" (meaning the fleet has three cruisers already), may not have a Xenotech system. For example, if you have two RT cruisers, one Lunar, and you reserve in a Dominator, the Dominator cannot recieve a Xenotech System upgrade but the two RT cruisers and Lunar may.

-Zhukov

Okay thanks. That's exactly how I imagined it to be.

So for example in my fleet I could have a Rogue Trader Cruiser, a Murder Class, an Endeavour and a Dauntless, and all of these ships could take an xenotech system, after paying the relevant price of course.

Does this also apply to escorts? So could I take a Recommissioned Escort Escort and give it advanced shielding for example? I'm inclined to think that this is fine, but I thought i'd make certain that's how the list is intended.

Thanks again

Pembo

[Zhukov]

So for example in my fleet I could have a Rogue Trader Cruiser, a Murder Class, an Endeavour and a Dauntless, and all of these ships could take an xenotech system, after paying the relevant price of course.

Yep!

Does this also apply to escorts? So could I take a Recommissioned Escort Escort and give it advanced shielding for example? I'm inclined to think that this is fine, but I thought i'd make certain that's how the list is intended.

Yes it applies to the Xenos, Recommissioned, Iconoclasts, and Cargo Vessel escorts as well. What it does NOT apply to is the Auxiliary escort vessels as they are described as allies in the Reserves and Allies section.

-Zhukov

[Pembo]

Okay that's great. That's how I interpreted the rules. Just thought i'd check that was how they were meant to be.

[Pembo]

Hey all, i'm back on so it's time to get fleet building!

I've got a 'combat patrol' style game tonight against chaos so the small points amount should hopefully favour me.

Veteran Rogue Trader - 50pts
Rogue Trader Cruiser -  185pts

Dauntless Light Cruiser - 125pts

3 Armed Freighters - 60pts

3 Cargo Transports - 30pts

TOTAL: 450pts



I've also starting thinking about what models to use to represent different types of ships etc. For cruisers i'm just going to use the GW models of course, however when it comes to things like armed freighters, cargo transports etc it gets a little more complicated.

Armed Freighters - Thinking of using Sorylian Frigate models from Firestorm Armada. They're almost half the price of the forgeworld freighters and they're cylindrical shape looks quite freighter like to me. Does anyone own these models? If so what do they think of them?

Cargo Transports - Not too sure about these, I'm thinking I may have to buy the armed freighters from forgeworld and just cut the weapons off.

Xenos Escorts - Heres where i have the most options. I'm currently looking at the Full Thrust miniatures range from ground zero games. I'm thinking of possibly using Tallahachie class destroyers or maybe Kra'Vak heavy strikers as my xenos escorts. Does anyone own these? Would they look too small alongside imperial frigates?

I also like the look of the defence monitor ship pack from GW, however i'm not too sure how I could incorporate them into my fleet. I guess I could count the small ships as bombers or something, the defence monitor could be a recommissioned escort I guess.

So many decisions....

[horizon]

In GothiComp 2011 you can find my Rogue Trader cruiser.

I kitbashed my freighters, xenos etc.

Please report back on the game.

[Pembo]

I'll make sure to let you know how I get on.

I've been looking at Demiurg ships and i'm wondering whether they would add some much needed firepower to my rogue trader fleet. I'm not really sure if they're worth their points seeing as they try to disengage when they become crippled.

[AndrewChristlieb]

Firestorm has some sweet looking models have you thought about any of the other races for more variety?

[Pembo]

Firestorm has some sweet looking models have you thought about any of the other races for more variety?

Hey, well I was looking at the Aquan Prime ships to possibly use as xenos escorts, however i'm not too sure now.

I'd like to include some firepower in my fleet, so i've been looking at the Demiurg ships, however I really don't like the fact that they attempt to disengage when they are crippled, since i'll mainly be playing one off games. I don't know if it would be better to just take a few allied cruisers, and if so which cruisers should I take?

I have some Imperial and Chaos cruisers I could use, but I think I fancy using either Eldar or Tau cruisers, not sure which would be best though.

I think i'll be playing an ordnance heavy chaos fleet most of the time, so do people think I should counter it with my own ordnance in the form of Escort Carriers/Allied Cruisers or not?



Cheers

Pembo




I've come up with a 1500pts list now, although its not totally completed. Comments Please

Rogue Trader Cruiser - 255pts
Veteran Rogue Trader
Advanced Shielding

Rogue Trader Murder Cruiser - 205pts
Advanced Shielding

Endeavour Light Cruiser - 110pts

Stronghold Commerce Vessel - 350pts

3 Armed Freighters - 60pts

3 Armed Freighters - 60pts

6 Cargo Transports - 60pts

3 Escort Carriers - 180pts

Heavy Freighter - 40pts

TOTAL: 1320pts
REMAINING: 180pts

I've got some firepower in the form of the RT cruiser, Murder cruiser and Stronghold.

FP9 from 3 Armed Freighters seems pretty good to me for 60pts.

I'll also have 9 attack craft squadrons, including some assault boats.

I realise that I should probably include some escorts in the list, but i'm not too sure whats best for 180pts.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Cheers

Pembo