Starship Smackdown!

[Evshell]

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As you all know by know, the Akira brought it, with a major upset over the Galaxy 8-5! What will we see next!?

That leads us to the 2nd match-up in the Final Four between the Federation Sovereign and the Romulan D'deridex!

Federation Sovereign

Specifications
The successor to the famous Galaxy-class captained by Jean Luc Picard is a sleeker design that still maintains a lot of what made the Galaxy-class so revolutionary. The size is slightly smaller with its slimmer width and height, but it still is large enough to hold the crew's immediate family, along with being able to evacuate thousands of refugees. In terms of armament, it is comparable to the Galaxy-class, but with upgraded phasers, the addition of 2 more photon torpedo tubes, and 1 additional torpedo tube for the new, more powerful quantum-type that had been added to the Defiant and other newer models.

Romulan D'deridex

Specifications
This kilometer-long Romulan behemoth was a staple of the Romulan fleet in the 24th century. First encountered by the USS Enterprise-D in 2364, it was the first ship seen by a Federation vessel in over 50 years. With a standard Romulan cloaking device, an armament of 6 Class 21 Disruptor cannons, and an impressive 12 photon torpedo tubes, this vessel was intimidating to any Federation adversary at the time. By 2409, the torpedoes had been upgraded to a plasma-enhanced fireball that would burn through ships' shields and attack the hull even when the ship has full shields.

[Jeff T]

Even though the Romulan D'deridex is a totally bad-ass ship with a menacing overall presence... I am nevertheless choosing the Federation Sovereign.... which with how things have been going in these Smackdowns in regards to my selections, I've probably doomed this poor ship.

Basically, if ever given the opportunity, this is one of the vessels that I would love to captain. 

Oh... if were only possible....

[Kheren]

Well, since I never liked the Sovereign, be it in design (flattened Connie) or purpose (dooming the Galaxy class for newness sake) and was awed by the D'Deridex in both design (perfect application of Trek ship design rules in a completely original and culturally correct manner) and purpose (to give the Romulans the kick-ass look and power they deserved and needed facing the likes of the Galaxy class), my vote is once again against the hero ship.

The Sovereign will probably win... although we have just been surprised recently... But be it or not, I want to tip my hat to a masterpiece.

[Sorripto]

As with the previous vote, I find myself casting a vote that broke a tie. In this case I am picking the ship I both enjoy more and believe would win in a fight. I have always been a fan of the Romulan design, but I find myself unwilling to pick them over the ship that done so much in both movies and STO... which is bonus points for me

[Tom Wallace]

Like others have already said, the D'Deridex is both a very intimidating and impressive ship, but when I see the Sovereign I see a ship that screams awesome! Sleek design and amazing power, I have to vote for Sovereign.

[BLZBUB]

 While I really loved the Romulan design of the D'deridex, and its menacing look, I actually have to go with the Sovereign on this one. Solely on strength, it is more than capable 1 vs 1 with the D'deridex. But also, the added Federation diplomatic and scientific capabilities make for a more iconic ship in the Sovvie. It just yells 'Roddenberry' somehow, better than the Romulan warbird design.

Soveriegn FTW!

[Evshell]

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Well, the Sovereign stood strong for the Federation and was sent to the Championship with an 8-5 victory over the D'deridex!

But, before we get to the championship, we'll decide who will take the honor of 3rd place... the Galaxy or the D'deridex!

Penultimate Match for 3rd Place

Federation Galaxy

Specifications
Along with the Constitution-class, the Galaxy is one of the most famous and familiar starships in Federation history. The USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D made this ship so well-known as the Flagship of Starfleet. The 8-year run of the Enterprise-D, starting in 2363 and ending in its fateful destruction that saved the entire crew in 2371, showed the depth and capabilities of the Galaxy-class, not only in combat, but defense, diplomacy, and its ability to protect the civilian population on board with the saucer separation function. The impressive 42 decks were able to take on up to 15,000 people, which means it could evacuate entire civilian populations from any smaller planets that were nearing destruction. The armament was nothing to sneeze at either with 12 Type X phaser arrays and 2 Type III photon torpedo tubes (one fore, one aft).

Romulan D'deridex

Specifications
This kilometer-long Romulan behemoth was a staple of the Romulan fleet in the 24th century. First encountered by the USS Enterprise-D in 2364, it was the first ship seen by a Federation vessel in over 50 years. With a standard Romulan cloaking device, an armament of 6 Class 21 Disruptor cannons, and an impressive 12 photon torpedo tubes, this vessel was intimidating to any Federation adversary at the time. By 2409, the torpedoes had been upgraded to a plasma-enhanced fireball that would burn through ships' shields and attack the hull even when the ship has full shields.

[Kheren]

Well, once again I completely disregard alleged technical and tactical capabilities and prestige to go with feelings. The Galaxy really had to grow on me while the D'Deridex awed me at first sight.

Since it is obvious (this time!) that the Gal will win, I will be the one to give the underdog here a fighting chance... at least to pay a last fitting tribute to it's true to form yet superb originality; the concept of the capital ship of the warlike offshoot of the Vulcan race beautifully inspired by the shavok (Vulcan hawk symbolizing the spirit of the Rihann'su) and all the Eugene laws of Trek starship design.

The Galaxy is just a mere projection 78 years in the future of the original concept; proper and fine of course but still far from the achievement of making up a brand new alien starship while still following the basic inspiration of the iconic core design precepts. Not so easy to do as we have seen with the Defiant and so many later alien ships that could have belonged even better to Star Wars or any other Sci Fi universe.

What made Trek stand out, among so many things, is the design of it's starships. The D'Deridex is a prime example of that and for this alone deserves at least my one vote.

[Sorripto]

I agree with Kheren that the D'deridex had me at first sight. However, unlike Kheren so did the Galaxy. The first time I saw it on TV, I knew the Federation had found its baby. I also trust the ability the Galaxy has to win a prolonged fight. My biggest problem with the D'deridex was always that its strengths varied based on what it needed to do. There was an episode of DS9, where O'Brien was time hopping, that saw 1 D'deridex destroy DS9. Yet later on in the series, and for sections of TNG, its strengths and weaknesses varied. I have enjoyed the modern Romulans, but I have to go with Galaxy class in this one.

[BLZBUB]

Again, I am going with the D'Deridex on this one. I have always favored it's catamaran style design over the Galaxy class.