Upgrading the NX-03

[JAC]

Hello. Today I sat down to create an NX class vessel from the Starship books. I am setting my RPG in 2154, and following the year guidelines set in the book, the NX-03 is identical to Enterprise NX-01. It seems to me the NX-03 should be a tad more sophisticated since it is newer. How can I correct this?

[The Tatterdemalion King]

Sophisticated in what way?

What year are you establishing its construction as?

[JAC]

Thank you for your comment. Using the website: http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Columbia_(NX-02) it says "In the year 2151, Columbia was one of three NX class starships still in the planning stages, intended for deep space, long-range exploration."

In my Star Trek Universe that would be:
1. Enterprise
2. Columbia
3. Challenger (I am keeping with the tradition of naming the NX class vessels after NASA's shuttle disasters).

I am guessing that the construction would have began sometime in 2151 or early 2152?

It also says on the website that "Compared to the class prototype, Enterprise, Columbia possessed advanced polarized hull plating, improved 12% above initial designs. (ENT: "Home") Columbia also featured ventral and dorsal photonic torpedo launchers as well as pulsed phase cannons (a relatively new technology). Other improvements included an upgraded navigational deflector, improved computer interface technology and a modified bridge interior, utilizing stations that were tied directly into the primary EPS junction.

It seems to me that the NX-03 should be identical (or slightly more advanced than) to Columbia not Enterprise according to the Starships book (of course the book was printed before Columbia was introduced to the series).

My question is how can I make Challenger, NX-03 more sophisticated yet stay with in the year guidelines of the Starships book?

[The Tatterdemalion King]

Well, I don't have Starships next to me, but judging from the list of improvements to the Columbia, that could mean improved operations systems or the Enhanced System (Beam Weapons) trait.

[Dan Gurden]

Well, I don't have Starships next to me, but judging from the list of improvements to the Columbia, that could mean improved operations systems or the Enhanced System (Beam Weapons) trait.

This is rather the point. The upgrades you require should all be traits rather than changes to the statistics, these traits should then get suitable flavour text (as per your example text regarding the Columbia).

Thats the way around this (and rather the point of the traits).

[JAC]

Thanks

[IceGiant]

JAC,
To reflect those things this is what I would do.

Add:
Pulse Upgrade Trait

Prototype (Hull Plating Threshold +1) Trait

Add another photonic torpedo launcher or two to represent the ventral and dorsal launchers.

And increasing Operations Systems to either 2a or 3 would represent the improved deflector, the comp interface and the eps tie ins. Because of the generic nature of the system that's the best you can do from a "mechanics" point of view.

You could give players a +1 to computer rolls to simulate the improved computer interface as well.

There was also a minor max speed increase that doesn't require anything but changing it to the 5.3 or 5.4 emergency warp speed.

I hope you will use the fabulous deck plans that are out there for the ship.
http://www.waxingmoondesign.com/EnterpriseMainPage.html
Seriously. This guy did an amzing job.

[First of Two]

In my Star Trek Universe that would be:
1. Enterprise
2. Columbia
3. Challenger (I am keeping with the tradition of naming the NX class vessels after NASA's shuttle disasters).

I don't have advice on upgrades, but...

Since the Shuttle Enterprise was no disaster (even though it never flew because it wasn't designed to), I don't think that's the tradition.

However, you can keep the exact same order if you just assume that the NX's were named after the Shuttles in the order they were launched. With Enterprise as the testbed, Columbia was the first to fly, then Challenger.

Meaning NX's 04, 05, and 06 are already mapped out for us, as well, as Atlantis, Discovery, and Endeavor, respectively.

I'm just sayin'.