Ximni Light Carrier

After the introduction of the TSN Light Carrier, the Ximni felt the need to answer it. Their XImni Carrier was already fast and agile enough, but they wanted to increase its efficiency and suitability for long-range patrols. Although it is too soon to determine if the Ximni succeeded, they have produced a robust, maneuverable little carrier that is able to hold its own against larger ships. 

Built on the Ximni Battleship spaceframe, but far smaller, the Ximni Light Carrier is actually a little bigger than its TSN counterpart. It mounts the same beams as the Ximni Carrier, but reduces their range by 25%. Its miniature Jump Coils led to the compact design used in the Ximni Corvette, 

The Ximni Light Carrier has weaker shielding than a TSN Light Cruiser or even a Ximni Corsair, taken as an average. It carries no torpedo tubes, and has no torpedoes to convert to energy, not even Homing Torpedoes. The Ximni Light Carrier's Flight Hangar holds 6 TSN Fighters plus a TSN Shuttle. Since the Light Carrier carries no TSN Bombers, the pilots may wish to requisition some from a nearby starbase. Note that Ximni ships can't carry Ximni Fighters at this time. Hopefully this will be added in the future, but for now an Ximni crew will have to make do with TSN fighters. 

As with all Ximni ships, the Light Carrier is equipped with a power allocation system. The Light Carrier also comes with the usual science and communications equipment. Since the Light Carrier is intended for a support role, Science and/or Comms is very important, as they have to verbally provide intel and positional information to the fighters. Most crew functions will be involved with supporting the fighters and protecting them from threats, not mounting a direct assault. This extends the Light Carrier's range even further. 

It takes 12 players to fully crew a Light Carrier, 6 crewmen and 6 fighter pilots, but usually there will not be that many players available. Instead, two or three players will probably choose to play pilots, and the extra fighters will be spares if one of the players' fighters is destroyed. Players may choose to "double up" on roles, taking Science, Comms or Engineering while not in combat but launching in a fighter once in attack range. Thus, 6 to 8 players can potentially crew a carrier. The Ximni Light Carrier is particularly suited for typical Artemis gaming groups, as there are rarely enough players for the larger Ximni Carrier. 

Unfortunately, the Ximni Light Carrier is not without its drawbacks. It is slower to turn than a Ximni Carrier, although it is just as maneuverable as a TSN Light Cruiser. It is also no faster than a Ximni Carrier. It is no more efficient at systems operations, although its cost for Jump Drive is lower. It is possible the turn rate is a bug, but players will have to decide if the weaker shields, lower turn rate and lack of torpedoes make up for the Light Cruiser not carrying two extra fighters that could be used as spares anyway.  

Quick Stats

(The Ximni Light Carrier is new to Artemis Cosmos. It is obviously the counterpart to the TSN Light Carrier, but it appears to be an afterthought. At least the model chosen for the ship is completely different from the model used for the Ximni Carrier.)