Focuses:
-Cruisers ++
-Destroyers +
-Frigates +
-Corvettes +
Space
Macro-Capitals
-Supercapitals: The Borg do not field any at this time.
-Dreadnoughts: The Borg do not field any at this time.
Capitals
-
Battleships: The Borg do not field any at this time.
-
Battlecruisers: The Borg do not field any at this time.
Line Ships
-Cruisers (Focus++):
Cube - The backbone of the Borg, their lifeblood. Equipped with adaptive force fields and heavy regenerative armor, Cubes can be difficult to take down by most conventional means, able to repair themselves even as the enemy pounds them down. Offensive wise Cubes come equipped with adaptable arrays and neutron beams, the latter of which is utilized in a wide variety of ways beyond mere combat. They also come equipped with a hanger, which can be fitted to carry either a Sphere, or a collection of various Probes. As a final testament to their capabilities, the Cube also comes equipped with the trusty tractor beam, which it uses to prevent ships from fleeing. More often than not, the Cube's chosen tactics are to hold a target still while its teleporters send boarders to capture and assimilate, adding more ships to the Collective's arsenal. [Focuses on the Clash phase, with limited Bombardment capability available to it]
Tactical Cube - The next step in the Cube's design, the Tactical Cube is the current epitome of the Borg Collective's military development. Where the Cube is designed as an all-round equivalent, the Tactical focuses on one task above any other: combat. In comparison to the original variant, the Tactical comes equipped with greater offensive capabilities, fielding a vast array with beams, adaptable beam arrays, and other Borg weaponry. In terms of defense, the Tactical also boasts extensive regenerative armor and adaptive shields, along with a vastly thicker hull for increased durability. On the other hand, Tacticals sacrifice the hanger that the standard Cubes carry, removing their ability to bring personal support in favor of repurposing the space. This is the only real deviation, however, with almost every other function basically being just an "upgrade" on the Cube. An even more intimidating vessel... with a price tag to match. [A Clash phase expert, with limited Bombardment capabilities]
Assimilator - Sitting on the smaller end for a Cruiser, the Assimilator serves as a dedicated boarding vessel, sacrificing offensive weaponry for boarding potential. Extra crew capacity allows for the ship to house a greater number of drones, while a single powerful tractor beam allows for the ship to force ships to a stand still. The ever present teleporter allows for the Borg to launch boarding actions enmasse, while powerful engines proved an effective means of getting up close, resulting in an effective means of assimilating targets. When all else fails, an Assimilator comes equipped with a pair of probes, which they can deploy to defend them, or when things get rough can be used to distract the enemy while they make their escape. That latter feature does come with a slight drawback, considering that all of these traits come at the price of significantly reduced beam count, sacrificing the Assimilator's direct combat capability for a more dedicated assimilation vessel. [Capable both in Clash and Skirmish, proving adept at the Pursuit phase]
-Destroyers (Focus+):
Diamond - A rarer component of the navy, the primary purpose of a Diamond is to safeguard the important "individuals" of the Borg, protecting them behind a force field and heavy armor, with a screen of advanced shielding utilized to provide extra protection. In regards to more offensive capabilities, Diamonds are also capable of providing an incredible tactical advantage for Borg fleets, utilizing advanced hacking to disorganize targeting systems and disrupt communications, as well as disabling key systems or even occasionally commandeering enemy vessels. However, a notable weakness is how sparse actual weaponry is on the ship, as the Diamond was never intended for direct combat, thus making an escort required for defensive purposes. [Support vessel designed to provide boosts to allies and maluses to enemies, theoretically useful for all phases of combat]
Colonizer Pyramid - A unique vessel in the Borg's arsenal, the Pyramid is entirely dedicated to the role of planetary conquest. Space that would normally carry cutting beams or other weapons instead hold cargo bays for transporting large amounts of drones, alongside mass teleporters and extensive sensor arrays to identify any targets or threats on the planet's surface. What few weapons remain have been altered into a static design, intended for use on planetary defenses such as shields to make way for the invasion process. Due to this single minded nature, the combat viability of the Pyramid is essentially null, save for perhaps boarding actions versus hostiles. [Non-combatant, functioning as a lander to ferry troops between worlds and disable planetary defenses]
Tactical Sphere - Similarly to the Tactical Cube, the Tactical Sphere serves as a better, greater version of an ordinary Sphere.
Unlike with the Cube, however, a Tactical Sphere is very simply just an upgrade of the standard. More weapons, thicker armor, more shielding. Everything about a Sphere has been increased to create a better, greater ship. The downside is an increase of production time and resource requirements, meaning that a Tactical Sphere takes longer to take to the field. Thankfully, due to how the Tactical Sphere is designed, it's fairly simple to simply upgrade standard Spheres into the greater variant, an option that cuts down on the necessary costs at the price of still only having one ship, a ship which suffers from reduced capabilities for a time. Still, it can be useful if given time to prepare. [A Clash phase expert, with limited Bombardment capabilities]
Screenships
-Frigates (Focus+):
Sphere - While smaller than its more dangerous square sibling, the Sphere is still armed appropriately, coming equipped with all the same things a Cube does, albeit in lesser amounts. Beam arrays, adaptive shielding, teleporter systems, all are present on this common Borg ship. Spheres are often utilized whenever a larger vessel is deemed inefficient or unnecessary for a task, usually resulting in Spheres serving as escort craft or heavy scouts. Nevertheless, one should not underestimate the potential of a Sphere, as even a single one can cause immense havoc if left unchecked. Indeed, if given time and sufficient reason, a Sphere may upgrade itself into a Tactical variant, providing a more intimidating foe on the battlefield. [Focuses on the Clash phase, with limited Bombardment capability available to it]
-Corvettes (Focus+):
Scout Probe - The smallest independent vessel in the Borg's arsenal, the Scout is generally used as…, well, a scout for identifying new species and technology, classifying them for assimilation or elimination status. While it does still carry the beams and shielding considered a staple of the Borg, Scouts are by no means a proper military vessel, at best serving as cheap, mass produced cannon fodder to back up other ships. Even then, this desperate tactic proved less than effective on the occasions the Borg tried it during the Eradication War. [Proves best in the Skirmish phase, although it can partake in Clash with limited effect]
Assimilator Probe - The "bomber" of the Borg armament, Assimilator Probes are one of the smallest ships in their arsenal, designed for deployment via a carrier ship. Being fully automated ships, they're controlled and operated by whatever carrier deploys them, leaving them entirely dependent on the mothership for commands, repairs, etc. The trade off for this, however, is the previously mentioned reduced size, as crew quarters are completely removed and the internals squished together. Assimilator Probes are also equipped with an assimilation beam, which they use to assimilate enemy ships to serve the Collective, or failing that, simply corrupt them and damage their electronic systems. [A decent Skirmish/Clash unit that likes to get up close and personal]
Interceptor Probe - The "fighter" of the Borg armament, Interceptors are matched in size only by the Assimilator Probe, being a similar build with similar purpose: an automated vessel designed to accompany a carrier, providing support for larger vessels. However, where one is equipped with an assimilation beam, the Interceptor comes with a pair of more standard beam arrays. These beam arrays are mostly used in a point defense role, intercepting (Eh? Eh?) whatever missiles and fighters might face the Borg. [A dedicated anti-fighter/munitions unit, with limited ability to combat other, larger vessels]
Aerospace
-Strike Craft: The Borg do not field any at this time.
-Aircraft: The Borg do not field any at this time.
Summary
In the realm of space combat, the Borg have one defining trait that is arguably both their greatest weakness and greatest strength. Practically all Borg ships carry the same weapons and defenses, and while these can still prove to be quite deadly when utilized appropriately, the lack of diversity does have its negatives. In particular, the Borg's preference of combat is clear: close range engagements where their torpedoes have no chance of missing and boarding actions, easily their most common tactic, are possible. Long range proves a bit more challenging for the Borg, as while their beams and torpedoes can suffice when needed, they have no weapons designed specifically for such combat, and the inability to teleport onboard a distant target negates one of their most prevalent tactics. As a result, when combat is engaged the Borg tend to try and close distance whenever possible, ensuring that their disadvantage is negated while preventing enemy ships from getting early shots in.
In short, the Borg prefer the Clash above all else, where their assimilation can be utilized to peak efficiency and their powerful weapons can demolish ships. Opposite this, Bombardment suffers due to a lack of longer ranged weapons compared to many other stellar powers, their beams and torpedoes not quite cutting it in the distance department. Skirmish is in a similar boat, with only a couple ships capable of providing support in this role, but at least there are in fact ships designed for such a phase.
In regards to Pursuit/Disengage, the Borg do hold some advantages in pursuing the enemy, their tractor beams preventing ships from engaging at least warp drives, and at the very least holding ships in place. It helps that when even a single drone is capable of assimilating an entire ship, unaware crews can be certain of their escape to another star system, only to find themselves trapped as their own vessel turns against them, thus limiting escapees. Fleeing battle is a mixed bag, as beyond having faster Trans-Warp capabilities than most Star Trek civilizations, the Borg hold no advantages in such capacity.
Ground
War Engines
-Behemoths: The Borg do not field any at this time.
-Titans: The Borg do not field any at this time.
Vehicles
-Superheavies: The Borg do not field any at this time.
-Main Battle Units: The Borg do not field any at this time.
-Lights: The Borg do not field any at this time.
Infantry
-Supersoldiers: The Borg do not field any at this time.
-Elites:
Tactical Drone - The better cousin of the Standard Drone, the Tactical Drone is better equipped for combat. Much of the maintenance and repair tools that a drone carries have been removed, replaced with armor plating to help protect the drone even if the force field fails. On top of that, the plasma beam has been upgraded, allowing a Tactical Drone more powerful shots than Standard Drones. Unfortunately Tacticals still lack the ability to run, although they do at least have better reflexes than a Standard Drone and slightly better movement overall, an improvement no matter how small.
-Line Troops:
Standard Drone - The most basic unit of the Borg Collective, the Drone is rather intimidating and frightening to face. For the uninformed, at least. Every Drone comes equipped with a variety of tools, with the adaptive force field and plasma beam being two notable components for combat. However, perhaps the most concerning is the Drone's ability to initiate assimilation, both for organic life and mechanical technology. However, despite all of these benefits, the Standard Drone still suffers from a rather glaring flaw: a severe lack of maneuverability brought about by the many implants and modifications installed, leaving it unable to run or otherwise approach at speed.
Individuals of Importance
-Lords and Commanders:
Conduit Drone - An interesting inclusion to the forces of the Borg, the conduits are, like many units of the Borg, bluntly named. Functioning as mobile amplifiers, Conduit Drones serve to bolster the reaction time of Borg forces, speeding up the computation of local drones by streamlining and strengthening the hive mind's signal. Usually unnecessary in basic day to day duties, the Conduit Drone has nevertheless shown its use in quickly directing recently assimilated subjects to various tasks.
-Heroes: The Borg do not field any at this time.
Support
-Artillery: The Borg do not field any at this time.
-Infantry Support:
Medical Repair Drones - Serving as the "professional doctor", these drones are tasked with fixing damaged drones. Equipped with the best repair tools and medical devices the Borg have at their disposal, Medical Repair Drones ensure that drone losses are kept to a minimum. When assigned on frontline tasks, they may also be assigned to saving the wounded of the opposing side, ensuring that said individuals may be assimilated by the Collective rather than die.
Assimilation Drones - More of a rarity on the front lines, usually only seen in particularly long or unique engagements. Normally relegated to working within and around assimilation and maturation chambers, Assimilation Drones are assigned to the front line when extensive on site assimilation is required. This often means that maximization of on site reinforcements has been deemed necessary, with recently assimilated individuals having the process accelerated and streamlined for them.
Summary
Borg ground combat can be summed up in a two layered tactic: overwhelm the enemy in sheer numbers, and surprise raids beyond hostile lines.
The former is quite simple, the Borg using numbers to overtake and wear down the enemy, burying them under a pile of drones. This tactic is, perhaps surprisingly, relatively unprepared by the Borg, as the loss of assets is seen as inefficient and unnecessary. However, there are cases where such tactics are necessary or otherwise preferred, such as when most of the enemies weapons have already been adapted to, or a hostile emplacement is protecting something deemed valuable. Even outside of such options, however, the Borg utilize this option often enough, as for most planetary assaults it has been deemed acceptable.
The latter option, surprise attacks, is a more common tactic of the Borg, both in ground combat and boarding actions. Using their advanced sensors to identify key areas and objectives, drones are dispatched via precise teleportation to remove these targets. Raiding convoys, capturing officers, and infiltrating hard points are but a few examples of the ground targets the Borg prioritize, moving to quickly remove the foes ability to coordinate against them. Such raids are also used to deliberately demoralize and mislead the enemy, as the tactic of making the Borg seem omnipresent has worked quite well against many soon to be assimilated races. A broken enemy is all the more likely to give in, after all.
Battle Planetoids
The Mobile Unicomplex - Category 1, Tier Extremis
~ 4 Hulls
–
Primary Systems
-Hive Mind Hub: The presence of the Unicomplex serves as an amplifier of the Collective's hive mind. In particular, the general intelligence of accompanying Borg units is improved, leading to greater effectiveness across entire star systems.
–
Secondary Systems
-World Carrier: The Unicomplex has always served as a hub for the Borg Collective, housing massive fleets in its extensive branches. The fact that the station is now mobile has only improved the utility of this function, turning the station into a massive carrier that can show up in a system, drop off a force, and then sit back and wait.
-Tractor Beam Emitters: While most Borg ships come equipped with a tractor beam or two, the Unicomplex comes with a broad array of them, providing it with the ability to immobilize large numbers of enemy ships, leaving them vulnerable to boarding actions… or simply being shot.
–
Weakness
-Hive Mind Hub: While the greatest strength of the Unicomplex is its status as an amplifier for the Collective, this function serves as a double edged sword. The sudden removal of its amplification would cause the local Borg units to stumble, rendering them even more vulnerable than normal. Additionally, rather than remove the Unicomplex, one might end up taking advantage of the linked system, implementing, say, a virus to infect far more Borg than it ever would otherwise.
docs.google.com
This is basically what happened for our Krork player, and their durability is the closest in-game equivalent to your factions'.
