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Description
A staple of the Imperial Armada, the Sword-class Frigate is one of the more common types of escort ships found in the Imperium of Man.

As an escort, the Sword-class Frigate is likely to come under fire and was designed with this in mind. Its bulkheads are thicker than would be expected. The beams and supports that hold the warship together have redundant copies that will take the load if the primary beam or support fails. Its banks of void shields are also sturdy, designed to offer maximum protection for a voidship of its tonnage. Because of this, the Sword-class Frigate can take more punishment than expected for a ship of its diminutive size.

Its laser-based weapon batteries provide equivalent firepower to those of the less-reliable plasma-based alternatives. These batteries can fire on both sides or forward at full strength. The class’s plasma engines are powerful, yet simple enough to be maintained by a freshly ordained Tech-priest, and are reliable even under extreme duress or after the warship has suffered heavy damage.

The Sword-class Frigate suffers from one drawback: while potent, its laser-based weapon batteries are void warfare standards short-ranged. A Sword-class Frigate captain must always be wary of biting off more than they can chew.

So successful is the Sword-class Frigate that it has served as the basis for several other frigates in Imperial service, such as the Firestorm and Tempest classes.

Sword-class Frigates are so well-liked and efficient that even many Space Marine Legion fleets include them to support their battle barges and strike cruisers whenever they can. Because of their excellent performances, Swords are also valued by Rogue Traders Militant, who usually convert them to contain more cargo space to meet their merchant needs.

Shown here is the Sword-class Frigate Shion (紫苑), part of the 4th destroyer division, 11th Legion.

model by bigbe57

Description
A staple of the Imperial Armada, the Sword-class Frigate is one of the more common types of escort ships found in the Imperium of Man.

As an escort, the Sword-class Frigate is likely to come under fire and was designed with this in mind. Its bulkheads are thicker than would be expected. The beams and supports that hold the warship together have redundant copies that will take the load if the primary beam or support fails. Its banks of void shields are also sturdy, designed to offer maximum protection for a voidship of its tonnage. Because of this, the Sword-class Frigate can take more punishment than expected for a ship of its diminutive size.

Its laser-based weapon batteries provide equivalent firepower to those of the less-reliable plasma-based alternatives. These batteries can fire on both sides or forward at full strength. The class’s plasma engines are powerful, yet simple enough to be maintained by a freshly ordained Tech-priest, and are reliable even under extreme duress or after the warship has suffered heavy damage.

The Sword-class Frigate suffers from one drawback: while potent, its laser-based weapon batteries are void warfare standards short-ranged. A Sword-class Frigate captain must always be wary of biting off more than they can chew.

So successful is the Sword-class Frigate that it has served as the basis for several other frigates in Imperial service, such as the Firestorm and Tempest classes.

Sword-class Frigates are so well-liked and efficient that even many Space Marine Legion fleets include them to support their battle barges and strike cruisers whenever they can. Because of their excellent performances, Swords are also valued by Rogue Traders Militant, who usually convert them to contain more cargo space to meet their merchant needs.

Shown here is the Sword-class Frigate Shion (紫苑), part of the 4th destroyer division, 11th Legion.

model by bigbe57