Author Topic: Faction Profile: The Pentastar Alignment (Read 16995 times)

Corey · « **on:** March 29, 2015, 07:52:46 PM »

1.0 is going to ship with 2 new factions, being the Empire of the Hand which everyone knew, and the Pentastar Alignment which several people guessed. We always said we wouldn't do the Pentastar Alignment in Ascendancy unless we were able to ensure they weren't just the Remnant with a few different units, despite the pretty significant demand for them. While working on them for Imperial Civil War I was able to track down enough unique Imperial and Republic holdovers to fit them, while also contributing to a unique playstyle to make them worth the faction slot, so here they are. This also entails a few changes to the Remnant which are explained below.

...History...

"The New Republic is still merely the Rebellion, thinly disguised as an official entity. They are outlaws, and they will continue to think and do as such. In the Pentastar Alignment, there will be no tolerance for any Rebel insurrection." - Ardus Kaine

The Pentastar Alignment is one of the many groups which the Empire fractured into after Palpatine's death, and it would prove to be one of the most resilient and powerful. It was established from Bastion in the New Territories by Grand Moff Ardus Kaine four years after the Battle of Yavin, whose political leadership, although not unchallenged, provided a far more stable alternative to that based on Coruscant. When Palpatine returned to temporarily unite Imperial forces against the New Republic, the Pentastar Alignment ran an initially highly successful campaign into the core, although this success proved short lived as both Palpatine and Kaine were ultimately killed in the conflict. After their deaths the Alignment once again returned to isolation from other Imperial groups, until it was formally annexed into Natasi Daala and Gilad Pellaeon's reunited Empire in 12 ABY. The impact of the Alignment on this new Empire was still quite strong, as Kaine's flagship, the Reaper, became the Imperial flagship under Pellaeon until its destruction at the Battle of Celanon. Bastion also became the new Imperial capital, and the Alignment territory was among the last remaining to the Empire by the time it finally made peace with the New Republic in 19ABY and later joined as a member state of the Galactic Alliance against the invading Yuuzhan Vong armada.

...Unit Rosters...
Subject to change as we go, especially capital ships

Imperial Remnant
Fighters: TIE Fighter, TIE Interceptor, TIE Bomber, TIE Defender, Scimitar Assault Bomber
Light Frigates: Sentinel, Lancer, Carrack, Lambda, Escort Carrier, Strike Cruiser
Heavy Frigates: Dreadnaught, Immobilizer-418, MTC, Victory-I, Victory-II
Capitals: Imperial-I, Imperial-II, Allegiance, Altor, World Devastator
Titans: Executor, Sovereign

Pentastar Alignment
Fighters: TIE Fighter, TIE Interceptor, TIE Bomber, Skipray Blastboat, V-19 Torrent
Light Frigates: Sentinel, Arquitens, Star Galleon, Lambda, Acclamator, Gladiator, Munificent
Heavy Frigates: Venator, Enforcer, Vindicator, Victory-I, Procursator
Capitals: Imperial-I, Imperial-II, Dominator, Secutor, Praetor
Titan: Bellator

...Playstyle: An Empire Divided...

In trying to make these two factions have different playstyles and feels, we've essentially tried to emphasize two different aspects of the Empire militarily, which is shown by the unit lists. With the Imperial Remnant, we've shifted more towards the Dark Empire style with a higher emphasis on the titans and superweapons, like the World Devastator and using other ships as support for those. With the Pentastar Alignment, we've focused more on the power being with the fleet itself, with a strong emphasis on fighter support and the strength in numbers philosophy.

Culturally and economically, both will still have a similar Imperial oppression style, however the Remnant will have the techs that open the faction more diplomatically, which the Alignment does not. The Alignment has more of a focus on the economic side, getting access to trade earlier and more easily, and with less emphasis on taxation as the primary income source.

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Pentastar Enforcer · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2015, 08:24:03 PM »

This just looks amazing.

TheHippie · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2015, 08:53:14 PM »

Oh man am I excited for this. I usually don't play online, so I hope you guys don't mind if I mash the Remnant and Alignment together once they're out.

When you say "Dominator" do you mean the Interdictor Star Destroyer? What made you decide to go for the Blastboat over more commonly appearing fighters like the Xg-1 Star Wing?

Jesse220 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2015, 09:14:10 PM »

It is amazing to see new ships for the Pentastar Alignment. But what about ground units, what can we add for their ground units?

Pali · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2015, 09:20:53 PM »

I think that the Dreadnaught and Vindicator should be swapped. The Vindicator was the newer, Imperial design intended to replace the Dreadnaught, and the Enforcer being the PA-specific variant of the Vindicator hull means they'd be left with two ships that look the same and fill much the same role.

Corey · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2015, 09:47:58 PM »

Roly-wise they're actually pretty different. The Vindicator may end up on the Remnant, but right now the visual similarity is actually a factor for keeping them in the same faction; if they're beside each other, people are more likely to learn they're different ships

tlmiller · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2015, 10:50:45 PM »

Why not Tie Hunter instead of V-19? Something that gives them a high end fighter to go with the Skipray bomber?

Pentastar Enforcer · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2015, 11:33:17 PM »

I agree, TIE Hunters would be nice to have for the PA, but only with certain ships like the Escort Carrier

Pali · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2015, 05:32:26 AM »

Quote from: Corey on March 29, 2015, 09:47:58 PM

Roly-wise they're actually pretty different.

As I understand, the Enforcer is essentially the Vindicator with slightly weaker weaponry exchanged for better speed/shields - a system-patrol focused variant of a heavy cruiser hull that could still, in numbers, stand as a battle line if needed. They're different, to be sure, but not THAT different that in Sins-style fleet combat they at my first glance truly distinguish themselves from each other (however, I have no idea what you've done ability- or other-wise to keep them distinct, so I'm working with a degree of ignorance here

).

Quote

The Vindicator may end up on the Remnant, but right now the visual similarity is actually a factor for keeping them in the same faction; if they're beside each other, people are more likely to learn they're different ships

A viewpoint I hadn't considered. I can certainly understand the intent here. My thinking was to try to enhance the feel of the PA's reliance on older or modified Imperial tech, given the Dreadnaught's outdated design and the Enforcer's PA-specific nature. I tend to think that after a few games as the various factions, people will pick up fairly easily the differences between the Enforcer and Vindicator regardless of which factions own them.

Despite my nitpicking on this subject, I am quite thrilled to see the PA making an appearance in any form.

Time for me to get back to my current IR Ascendancy campaign.

Lord Xizer · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2015, 02:30:48 PM »

The Alignment shall endure.The rabble shall break upon tgeir forces like water on rock. Within the New Territories Kaine shall outlast them.

kucsidave · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2015, 05:08:44 PM »

Quote from: Lord Xizer on March 30, 2015, 02:30:48 PM

The Alignment shall endure.The rabble shall break upon tgeir forces like water on rock. Within the New Territories Kaine shall outlast them.

beautifully said, my friend.
Long live the Alignment, long live the new order!

mnkymanfoo · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2015, 06:04:31 PM »

I noticed that the Praetor has switched from the Imperial Remnant to the Pentastar Alignment and been replaced by the Allegiance class. Will they both have similar fleet roles and ability's or will they be different?

And could you post a picture of the Allegiance for our pleasure?

Grimnak · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2015, 06:13:19 PM »

Quote from: kucsidave on March 30, 2015, 05:08:44 PM

beautifully said, my friend.
Long live the Alignment, long live the new order!

Plot bunnies say otherwise.

tlmiller · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2015, 06:17:29 PM »

Quote from: mnkymanfoo on March 30, 2015, 06:04:31 PM

I noticed that the Praetor has switched from the Imperial Remnant to the Pentastar Alignment and been replaced by the Allegiance class. Will they both have similar fleet roles and ability's or will they be different?

And could you post a picture of the Allegiance for our pleasure?

Assuming Praetor keeps the "numerical superiority" ability, they DEFINITELY won't have similar abilities. I also can't see the Allegience having the "bulwark" ability. The Allegience had no fighters and in it's only canon inclusion in a battle, was more of a command and communications vessel than a "ship of the line," whereas Praetors were command vessels, but were also in their few appearances ships of the line. So I imagine (and that's all it is at the moment) the Allegiance will have a DRASTICALLY different abilities tree than the Praetor did.

Corey · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2015, 12:33:09 AM »

Quote from: Pali on March 30, 2015, 05:32:26 AM

-Enforcer/Vindicator snip for space-

Ultimately the goal would, based on armaments and descriptions, to have the Vindicator fill the heavy combat ship role, since it had a heavier emphasis on turbolasers; its ion and lasers cannons were only point defense. The Enforcer on the other hand is faster, has stronger emphasis on lasers and is a more multi-purpose ship. I guess it's sort of like the difference between the Carrack and Lancerish.

Quote from: mnkymanfoo on March 30, 2015, 06:04:31 PM

I noticed that the Praetor has switched from the Imperial Remnant to the Pentastar Alignment and been replaced by the Allegiance class. Will they both have similar fleet roles and ability's or will they be different?

And could you post a picture of the Allegiance for our pleasure?

Miller's pretty much correct about the general roles (although the Praetor keeping Numerical Superiority is unlikely, as a side note considering how many other PA ships are dedicated carriers). The Praetor is pretty much a tank, trying to support other ships by drawing fire to itself. It has respectable DPS, but actually not proportional to its size compared to an ISD or something. The Allegiance will be fighterless, have highish damage, strongish hull and low shield strength. As far as pictures go, it's not finished yet.

kucsidave · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2015, 04:00:07 AM »

Quote from: Corey on March 31, 2015, 12:33:09 AM

...(although the Praetor keeping Numerical Superiority is unlikely, as a side note considering how many other PA ships are dedicated carriers)...

NOOOOOOOO
At least tell me that it will have more than 3 fighter slots to start with...
I had so much fun actually writing out what kind of and how many/how many total fighters were spawned from which ship in ICW, and implementing them for Ascendancy...
I had most of the fun with Praetors because i had to really level up their fighter capacity...

Trawn · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2015, 04:40:47 PM »

I strongly support swapping Praetor for Allegiance as you guys plan to do. Allegiance is quite nice while Praetor is damn ugly ship design in my opinion. Problem which I am having in current 0.95 is that from IR capitals I ended using only ISD I and II bcs praetor is ugly and world devastator is flying barn (ship look is important to me, not only stats

) which caused problem fighting MC90s and Nebulas, they just ripped me appart. So having nice uber capital (half titan) which can contest Nebula in dps is a plus for me

One other thing that bothers me is ISDs firing broadsides. Their layout is specifically designed for forward firepower (bearing all guns) and they just keep turning sideways, but that is for another forum topic

Pali · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2015, 04:48:15 PM »

That's why you don't build fleets based on how your ships look, but how they fight.

tlmiller · « **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2015, 05:00:25 PM »

Quote from: Trawn on June 16, 2015, 04:40:47 PM

I strongly support swapping Praetor for Allegiance as you guys plan to do. Allegiance is quite nice while Praetor is damn ugly ship design in my opinion. Problem which I am having in current 0.95 is that from IR capitals I ended using only ISD I and II bcs praetor is ugly and world devastator is flying barn (ship look is important to me, not only stats ) which caused problem fighting MC90s and Nebulas, they just ripped me appart. So having nice uber capital (half titan) which can contest Nebula in dps is a plus for me

One other thing that bothers me is ISDs firing broadsides. Their layout is specifically designed for forward firepower (bearing all guns) and they just keep turning sideways, but that is for another forum topic

A. You are smoking crack. Praetor is one of the nicest looking battle triangles in Star Wars Canon, only behind the Vengeance dreadnought and Assertor dreadnought.

B. Corey (or one of his lackeys

) has fixed the IR battle triangles broadsiding (although I think the PA still broadsides...can't remember for sure)

C. If you choose not to use possibly the most powerful non-titan ship a faction has because it's a huge box, not the problem of the developers. Get over it, the WD is insanely well rounded ship, and if protected and allowed to reach higher levels, is ungodly levels of scary to face. Silencer-7 needs to EAT!!

D. Sovereign will have higher DPS than the Nebula no doubt (probably very close to that of the Praetor, but of course the Praetor has fighters), but really, victory between mostly balanced fleets will come down to who's set up their cap abilities better. Reason the MC-80B is actually one of my absolute favorite ships in this mod. No, it's not very powerful, but it has FANTASTIC abilities for becoming a damage sponge.

Trawn · « **Reply #19 on:** June 17, 2015, 05:03:53 AM »

well, I guess it´s a matter of personal taste, but I just cant get over that rounded part on otherwise always edged design. While I have to agree Assertor and Vengeance are very nice, I am more of a fan of classic designs, for me Imperial II and Executor are immortal beauties

I just wanted to express my opinion guys, no more, no less, I know it´s kinda crazy (or totally crack smoking worthy) to judge ships by look, but that´s the way I do. I would take Allegiance over Praetor any day

Thanks for clarifying star destroyers behavior, I am VERY looking forward for that. Amazing work on amazing mod, thank you all for that