NO GROK I
NO GROK I
I conceived of cruisers vs frigates as being defined by where the nacelles were placed relative to the saucer - ie the saucer is a big artificial gravity disk pulling keelward, and it is either distorting what the nacelles do towards the mass of the ship (cruiser), or towards the nacelles (frigate). If the former, it is complementing speed (aiding in forming the bubble). If the latter, it is complementing shields (aiding in forming shields).Some classifications like frigate have varied a lot over the years in relation to their naval counterparts, as those roles have changed. Sources like FASA and Jackill/SotSF use frigates as major support vessels, kind of hybridizing the roles of a cruiser and a destroyer. Others like Starfleet Command 3 use them as light support vessels, in keeping with the modern naval use of a frigate being the smallest warship class.
I myself have never had any issue with Starfleet building dreadnoughts or other tactical vessels, in generally smaller ratios than cruisers and other multi-role platforms. I think given the Federation's long history of dealing with enemies and rival powers, it makes a degree of sense. I also think modern enemies like the Borg and the Dominion would make such vessels more necessary, if still a specialized support role. I do understand some of the real world rationale towards claiming Starfleet isn't solely a military body, but I also think it's silly to argue they'd never build real warships. I'll say no more on that subject.
I also think it's reasonable that the needs of the Federation evolve over time, as well as by plot. Picard's view in TNG that Starfleet wasn't primarily military makes sense in an era when one of the major enemies (the Klingon Empire) had evolved into a political ally and another major enemy (the Romulan Empire) was in self-isolation. In that context, it's quite logical for Starfleet to build fewer tactical vessels and a lot more exploration and multi-role vessels.
Perhaps it would be interesting to explore how readily these sorts of "build emphasis" shifts could happen if needed, as "The Wounded" implies the war with the Cardassians put a strain on the fleet economy and it's stated that Starfleet doesn't want a renewed war as a consequence of the USS Phoenix, as it's not prepared. The Dominion/Cardassian alliance certainly had a big edge early in that war, in no small part because the Dominion doesn't seem to have a lot of traditional civilian resources.
So a cruiser (and any ship designed with nacelles above the saucer) is designed speed dominant. And a frigate (and any ship designed with nacelles below the saucer) is designed defense dominant.
A bit of treknobabble to be sure, but it worked for what I did.
