The Lancea is the premier TOG light reconnaissance and interception fighter.
A squadron of Lanceae entering atmosphere on the dark side of Caralis. (Original miniature by MarkyMark Ortiz.)
A scouting Lancea meets a Pegasus-class corvette in an asteroid field.
Overview[]
Introduced in 6819, the Lancea is TOG's standard light reconnaissance fighter and interceptor. Like the Commonwealth's Cheetah, the Lancea's main claim to fame is its speed.
Like the Cheetah, the Lancea performs recon missions by being carried into a solar system attached to an escort, making a high speed pass through the system, then rendezvousing with the escort again to be taken back to its base.
Etymology[]
Most TOG fighters are named for the weapons of Ancient Roman legionnaires, and the Lancea is no exception. A lancea (derived from a Celto-Iberian weapon carried by auxiliary troops) was a short javelin used in the skirmishing line.
Design Philosophy and Tactical Role[]
When TOG computers designed the Saxum as the "fighter of the future", it took some time for tacticians to realize the way it was to be used. The new, mainly missile-armed fighter called for a radically new doctrine - one centered on quick passes and the ability to deliver a quick missile strike, and the ability to outrun the enemy to return to carrier or base and reload. Strategy had to take this into account, from increased production of expendable munitions to the adequate and continuous support of the fighter swarms from supply caches, bases or carriers.
Unfortunately, the changes in tactical doctrine came too late for the Saxum, which by the time of the theory´s in-earnest logistical implementation was already being superseded by other fighters such as the Lancea.
The Lancea in cut-away view. Picture from the Interceptor rulebook´s colour panels.
The Lancea can be considered the peak of this "Second Doctrine". It has tremendous acceleration - more than most inexperienced pilots can handle safely - and is armed with three missiles. Two light laser cannon flesh out the armament; those are considered secondary weapons, only used to deliver a coup de grace to a drifting opponent or to defend the fighter if it has expended its missile load and finds itself unable to disengage.
Lancea tactics call for the fighter to fire its missiles early, use its high thrust to escape, and return to a carrier or base to reload. Wherever possible, Lanceae attack in waves to keep the enemy occupied while squadron-mates are revolving.
Where the fighter finds itself cornered by enemies, it is in for a rough ride. Minimal armour, the light secondary armament and weak shields make it very fragile and vulnerable to more conventionally-armed fighters. Most of the time, though, the Lancea is able to outrun its enemies, being faster than most Renegade or Commonwealth fighters by a significant margin.
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Legionnaire RPG Values: Lancea Standard Variant[]
| Hit Location | Sub-Location | Damage Boxes / Damage |
|---|---|---|
| [1] Structure | - | [][][][][] [][] |
| [2] FTL Drive | - | None |
| [3] Shields | - | [][][][] |
| [4] Engines / Thrust | - | [][][][][] [][][][][] ::: Thrust 10 g |
| [5] Armour | - | [][][][] |
| [6] Crew | Pilot | [][][][][] |
| [7] Weapon Computers | - | [][][][] |
| [8] Sensors | - | [][][] |
| [9] Life Support | - | [][][] |
| [10] Weapons | [1] 5/1 Laser | Damage 2 |
| - | [2] 5/1 Laser | Damage 2 |
| - | [3] Hardpoint | * |
| - | [4] Hardpoint | * |
| - | [5] Hardpoint | * |
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A pair of Lanceae sailing past Tessdrake Command Station in the Miral system.
Leviathan Values: Lancea Standard Variant[]
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The Lancea is hardly useful in a battle between Leviathans. Underarmed for a dogfight in the close proximity of capital ships, Lanceae are rarely part of a ship´s defense complement. Most TOG battle squadrons carry Lanceae or Manubalistae for reconnaissance purposes or to expand their sensor net (though usually the stripped-down versions). Those fighter units fly point into a system ahead of the capital ships; at the first sight of hostiles they drop their missiles and head back to the safety of the squadron.
Raiding Missions[]
Lancea squadrons are also often carried by patrol- or destroyer-class vessels intent on raiding or reconnoitring a system. Their large missile load and high thrust make them ideal for quick strike passes at enemy installations.
| Group (72 Fighters) | Armour | Missile Attack Value | CRA | LRA | Thrust |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armour Row 6 | [][][][][][] [][][][][]- ------ - | 100 | 29 | 14 | 10 |
| Armour Row 5 | [][][][][][] [][]---- ---- | - | 24 | 12 | - |
| Armour Row 4 | [][][][][]- ------ - | - | 19 | 10 | - |
| Armour Row 3 | [][][]--- ---- | - | 14 | 7 | - |
| Armour Row 2 | []----- -- | - | 10 | 5 | - |
| Armour Row 1 | []----- | - | 5 | 2 | - |
| Flight (24 Fighters) | Armour | Missile Attack Value | CRA | LRA | Thrust |
| Armour Row 3 | [][][][][]- ---- | 50 | 10 | 5 | 12 |
| Armour Row 2 | [][][]--- -- | - | 6 | 3 | - |
| Armour Row 1 | [][]---- | - | 3 | 2 | - |
| Squadron (6 Fighters) | Armour | Missile Attack Value | CRA | LRA | Thrust |
| Armour Row 1 | [][]---- | 10 | 2 | 1 | 14 |
| Single Fighter Values | Armour | Missile Hardpoints | CRA | LRA | Thrust |
| Lancea Standard Variant | 40 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 10 |
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High Thrust Modification[]
In a recon role, the Lancea´s wing lasers are replaced with hardpoints and mounted with a variety of ordinance or surveillance equipment. With 11g of acceleration, a high-thrust Lancea is one of the fastest fighters in the galaxy.
The Lanceas low cost means that it can also be formed into special anti-recon squadrons whose mission is to stop reconnaissance passes from the Commonwealth side. A stripped down Lancea is perfect for these kind of missions: it can intercept a Cheetah effectively and fire up to five missiles at it. Such missions are infrequent, however, and some squadrons sit for over a year before they get a crack at a Cheetah.
TOG has used this inactivity in an imaginative way; because its Lancea recon pilots operate alone and without direct squadron supervision, they need an uncommon mixture of self-discipline and self reliance. The "marginally incorrigible" pilots at flight school are assigned to Lancea units. The first few tours are always with anti-recon squadrons, where the time spent waiting for a mission can be used for instilling the necessary discipline. After the pilot has achieved the necessary mixture of adherence to orders and creative thought, he is assigned to a recon squadron. Consequently, anti-recon squadrons have the reputation of being the strictest and dullest units in TOG, while the recon squadrons are the most flamboyant.