Starship Smackdown!

[Sorripto]

... Also last weekend I was a guest on a panel at Galacticon where the debate was Star Trek vs. Star Wars.

 Do we need to ask which side you were on?

Haha it was not as much sides as it was a panel of nerd experts.  While still small time I am quite known in the region for my appearances at conventions.  I host panels at a half dozen different conventions that happen in the region every year.

[BLZBUB]

Anyone else notice how Sorripto  ...  evaded the question?

[Evshell]

(Scroll up or click here to get to poll)
Click Here to see the ongoing results...

Wow, that was as close as it could get AND we had a new high turnout of 13 votes!! Thanks all for your continued participation and interest in the game! Congratulations to the Klingon Bird-of-Prey for squeaking out a 7-6 victory over the sphere!

Just like the last race, the next one brings in a new faction**. Well not faction, but race, since they are part of the Federation! The Klingon Raptor will have its hands full taking on the Vulcan D'Kyr!

**(As a personal note, I like bringing in a new faction/race, because I get to introduce a new color! I chose Turquoise for the Vulcan color as it is very close to the Federation Cyan, but adds its own distinct flavor. If you scroll back through the posts, you will notice that I am consistent with the color chosen for successive entries by a specific faction/race and every faction/race has its own color. I also try to use a color that represents that faction/race, with a little help from STO on the main ones)


Klingon Raptor

Specifications
This scout ship was first encountered and rescued by the USS Enterprise NX-01 in the 22nd century. Despite being developed after the D-5 class, it was smaller and less protected, but made up for that in firepower. With 2 Mark-5 disruptor cannons and a photon torpedo tube, this ship was powerful enough for the time.

Vulcan D'Kyr

Specifications
This unique Vulcan design was used heavily in the 22nd century when the Vulcan High Command was engaged in conflict with the Andorian Imperial Guard. It was and then resurrected later when the Vulcans needed to reinvigorate their combat in the early 25th century in order to help the Federation in its many conflicts with Klingons, Romulans, Borg, Hirogen, Undine, Breen, Tholians, and Voth. The D'Kyr was an enormous ship for the time, measuring 600 meters from end to end. In the 22nd century, it had 6 phase cannons and 4 photon torpedo tubes. The unique ring nacelle design was favored by the Vulcans at the time. Unlike other earlier designs, like the Suurok-class, the ring could be folded down 90 degrees while it was not being used in combat in order to protect the nacelle from damage.

[Kheren]

Klingon raptor; mere retro-variation of a standard design. Quite alright but nothing worth mentionning about it.

The Vulcan D'Kyr however is definitely original, represents magnificently the culture it came from and even respects the Eugene Laws in a very new way. It even foreshadows the future warbird design of their offshoot race, splendidly signifying visually the cultural and genetic common ancestry of the two people.

Without a doubt in my mind one of the coolest designs of the Trek universe.

[Jeff T]

Even though I seem to be on the losing side of many of these Smackdowns, I gotta go with what I like... 

Like Kheren, I too definitely prefer the Vulcan D'Kyr. It is sleek and unique. It also produced an interesting sound as it traveled (even though sound couldn't actually travel through the vacuum of space).

I also like its use as a science vessel too.

So overall... it is the logical choice for me.

[Sorripto]

The armorment and just advanced nature of the Vulcan ship wins it for me.  The raptor, while a formidable ship, it a scout ship and designed for quick strike and large group actions.  In a one on one fight I feel it will lose to a ship that carries one of my favorite designs in Star Trek.

[Sorripto]

Anyone else notice how Sorripto  ...  evaded the question?

Haha.  I guess we will never no

[Evshell]

Even though I seem to be on the losing side of many of these Smackdowns, I gotta go with what I like... 

In this case, I think you're among like-minded people...

Usually I like to seem impartial at the beginning of the week, since I'm running this game, but seeing as it is already 5-0 in favor of the D'Kyr, I am comfortable in putting in my 2 cents already. This may be one of those that is a total blowout and can end early.

One of the few things I really love about STO is that I got to run around in the D'Kyr. It is by far, one of my favorite designs, and is definitely my utmost favorite ship in STO. The fact that for some reason I seem to be usually alone in wanting to fly it in STO also adds to my like of it, as I feel unique. I guess it is not the most powerful of the ships available, which is why that is the case.

Anyway, obviously I am 100% in favor of the D'Kyr.

[Niomo]

I am abstaining this round. I hate both ships equally, so I am just passing.

Also, if I was on a panel, I'd fight tooth and nail for star wars. Just saying

[Athos]

BLUF: Vulcan D'Kyr

Vulcan D'Kyr
My thoughts are similar to Kheren's in this case.  The Vulcan D'Kyr was one of the most powerful ships of the time in the area; I'm thinking it could hold its own against Klingon battle cruisers as well as Andorian ships.  Tholian might be a challenge.

Anyway, aside from a glimpse of old Vulcan ships in TNG Reunification, we've never seen Vulcan ships before.  The design is original, elegant; utilizes the ring nacelle concept which now even NASA is saying is possible.  Love the copper color as it is reflective of the look of Vulcan. 

Klingon Raptor
Consistent with Klingon design.  Raptor is almost a go-between of a Bird of Prey and a D5/D7/K'T'inga in design.  The concept didn't make it beyond the 22nd century (at least on screen).  To me, while not a bad ship, the Raptor is simply in-line with Klingon design; nothing special.