Raider

The Miradorn Theta-class raider Fortune heavy raider in 2370.

In starship classification, raider was a type of spacecraft, a combat vehicle intended to conduct raids on other spaceships or outposts, such as planetary locales or space stations. (TNG episode: "Gambit")

In the 25th century, the Khitomer Alliance classified raiders as fast attack ships with a number of special features compared to other combat-oriented ship classes. Unlike escorts and raptor escorts, raiders had one less weapon emplacements but benefitted from raider flanking. This was a damage boost provided by attacking an opponent's rear arc, a practice known as flanking. Like escorts and raptors, Alliance raiders were equipped with an experimental weapon emplacement. Weapons slotted there did not count towards fore and aft weapon emplacements, and often featured a 360° targeting arc. In the Klingon Defense Force, the B'rel-class-based Klingon bird-of-prey types were the baseline raider. Their Starfleet counterpart were light escorts. (STO - Common Ground missions: "Welcome to Earth Spacedock", "The Hunt is On", "Explore the Flotilla", "Ceremony")

History and specifications

A raider can be a small craft designed to function as an auxiliary launched from a larger capital ship, similar in size to a shuttlecraft, akin to a warp shuttle. Larger raiders can be crewed function independently as full fledged starships.

Subtypes

Heavy raider

A heavy raider was a faster and sturdier raider class of ships. Unlike Klingon bird-of-prey raiders, a cloaking device was not standard equipment. In the 2400s, the Breen Plesh Brek-class heavy raider was a fearsome and maneuverable craft that took part in the Breen invasion of Defera space. A ship of the class had a crew of 50, a base turn rate of 19 degrees per second, benefited from improved flanking and carried the sensor disruption field universal console. Compared to starships without flanking ability, the Plesh Brek dealt an average of +33% more damage when attacking from an opponent's rear arc. (STO website: The Sphere: Breen Plesh Brek Heavy Raider)

This class was acquired by the allies of the Deferi in the year 2409. As a tier 5 starship, the Plesh Brek lacked a unique starship trait. (STO - The Sphere missions: "Ceremony", "Welcome to Earth Spacedock", "The Hunt is On", "Explore the Flotilla")

In 2410, the Khitomer Alliance acquired an updated version of the Plesh Brek from the Breen Confederacy, the tier 6-rated Plesh Tral-class heavy raider. It shared the same base turn rate and improved raider flanking bonus, was equipped with the enhanced Breen sensor disruption field special weapon and carried the "cold-hearted" starship trait. (STO website: Emergence: 2017 Winter Event Ship: T6 Breen Plesh Tral Heavy Raider)

In the beginning of 2410, the Alliance gained a hold of the tier 5 Kazon heavy raider in the Delta Quadrant during Operation Delta Rising. (STO website: Delta Rising: Delta Expedition Lock Box)

The Starfleet Shipyards Operations and Klingon Order of Builders interface identified this Kazon ship as the Raz-class. As a T5 ship, this class lacked a dedicated universal console or starship trait. Its experimental weapon was the mark X-rated experimental hyperexcited ion stream projector. (STO website: Delta Risings: Welcome to Earth Spacedock, The Hunt is On, Explore the Flotilla, Ceremony)

During the Iconian War of 2410, the galaxy faced an invasion by the resurgent Iconian Empire and its Herald forces. The Alliance captured the T6 Herald Baltim-class heavy raider. It demonstrated improved raider flanking, the "waylay" starship trait and ambush gateway generator universal console. (STO website: The Iconian War: Herald Lockbox and Lobi Ships)

The experimental weapon aboard the Baltim was the Mk. X experimental hyperexcited ion stream projector. (STO website: The Iconian Wars: Welcome to Earth Spacedock, The Hunt is On, Explore the Flotilla, Ceremony)

Ships used by privateers included the T6 Miradorn Theta-class heavy raider. The Miradorn vessel was small, able to stand up to larger ships in battle and an example of the Miradorn focus on nimble, fast-striking ships. Its special weapon was the Miradorn sensor baffler and the starship trait the "advantageous positioning". (STO website: Escalation: The Privateer Lockbox!)

The Theta class carried the "heavy weapon slot", the initial name for the experimental weapon emplacement. The ship's heavy weapon was the dual warhead launcher. (STO website: Escalation: Privateer Lock Box Stats!)

Heavy raider classes

• Baltim-class heavy raider (Heralds, Iconian Empire)
• Theta-class heavy raider (Miradorn, privateers)
• Plesh Brek-class heavy raider (Breen Confederacy, 2400s)
  • variant: Plesh Tral-class heavy raider (Breen, 2410s)
• Raz-class (Kazon heavy raider)

Interceptor

In 2410, the Khitomer Alliance members operated the Bajoran Denorios-class interceptor as a type of raider. It was upgraded with Federation technology. Dedicated equipment included the D.O.M.I.N.O. universal console, "harrying maneuvers" starship trait and "Voice of the Prophets" experimental weapon. The Denorios class was nimble, with a base turn rate of 18 degrees per second. (STO website: Emergence: Anniversary Ship: T6 Bajoran Interceptor!)

In 2412, the Khitomer Alliance revived the 22nd century Orion interceptor, a historical pirate threat. The modernised Interceptor-class was equipped with the energy disruption blast emitter console, the Orion Paixhans cannon experimental weapon and "shock attack barrage" starship trait. (STO website: Corruption: Command the Orion Interceptor)

Interceptor classes

• Denorios-class (Bajoran Militia, 2370s)
• Interceptor-class (Orion Syndicate, 2150s)

Pilot bird-of-prey

A pilot starship was designed or retrofitted for executing sudden bursts of movements. Pilot ships included a dedicated pilot specialist bridge officer station and pilot maneuver mechanics. These maneuvers consisted of sudden movements achieved by triggering afterburners, barrel rolls and retrorockets. (STO website: The Iconian War: Introduction To Pilot Ships)

In the Kelvin timeline, the Klingon Empire developed the D4x-class bird of prey inspired by the 2250s-era D4-class fighter. During a front of the Temporal Cold War in 2410, the Khitomer Alliance powers of the primary universe acquired Kelvin timeline starship classes, including the D4x. The Klingon Defense Force classified it as the D4x-class pilot bird-of-prey. Special features included a cloaking device enabling battle cloak and the proton charge launcher special weapon. (STO website: Agents of Yesterday: Kelvin Timeline Lockbox and Lobi Ships)

Other features of the D4x class were the "standoff" starship trait and the mark X-rated experimental hyperexcited ion stream projector experimental weapon. (STO - Agents of Yesterday mission: "The Hunt is On")

Following the return of the time-displaced House of Mo'Kai in 2410, the KDF operated the 2256-era M'Chla-class pilot bird-of-prey and its modern refit, the M'Chla-class that married the aesthetics of the M'Chla and B'rel-class birds of prey. (STO website: Mirror of Discovery: The Discovery Operations Pack!)

The two M'Chla-class variants were equipped with a graviton displacer special weapon, a battle cloak, a hypercharged field projector experimental weapon with 360° targeting arc and "strike from shadows" starship trait. (STO - Mirror of Discovery mission: "The Hunt is On")

During the Klingon Civil War of 2411, the legendary B'rel pilot bird-of-prey was the latest and most powerful configuration of the B'rel produced by the Klingon Defense Force. The Alliance recognised the B'rel as a legendary starship, which were modernised versions of historically significant starship classes. Special features included an enhanced battle cloak, "deadly appearances" starship trait and four universal consoles: enhanced induction coils, shield destabilizer, subspace jumper and quantum warhead module. The same capabilities of the legendary B'rel were available for B'rel-class variants, including a fleet version, B'Rolth-class, Koloth-class, Kor-class and the Vo'n'talk-class. (STO website: House Reborn: The Legendary B'rel Bird of Prey)

The legendary pilot bird-of-prey also incorporated the experimental hyperexcited ion stream projector, and the disruptor quad cannons previously introduced by the tier 3 Ning'tao-class bird of prey. (STO website: House Reborn: The Hunt is On)

Pilot bird-of-prey classes

• B'rel-class legendary pilot bird-of-prey (23rd century)
  • variants: B'Rolth-class • Koloth-class • Kor-class • Vo'n'talk-class
• D4x class pilot bird-of-prey (Kelvin timeline, 2250s)
• M'Chla-class pilot bird-of-prey (Klingon Great Houses, 2250s)
  • variant: M'Chla-class (refit)

Pilot raider

In the year 2411, the Alliance acquired the 32nd century Courier-class starship, a well-armed vessel built for swift movements operated by Couriers answering to the Orion-Andorian Emerald Chain crime syndicate empire. It was classified as a tier 6 pilot raider, combining the pilot ship's maneuvers with raider flanking. In particular, the Courier class benefited from improved raider flanking. This class also featured the debris screen special weapon, "special delivery" starship trait and the rotor rockets experimental weapon. (STO website: Stormfall: Command the Courier Pilot Raider!)

In the mirror universe, Starfleet operated the Eagle-class as a stealthy torpedo vessel. The Eagle was one of several Terran Empire ship classes acquired by the Khitomer Alliance and given Federation Starfleet counterparts in 2411. This class included the covert warhead module special weapon, "stealth torpedo bomber" starship trait and subspace depth charge experimental weapon. (STO website: Refractions: The 13th Anniversary Terran Bundle!)

The Eagle design was an evolution of the 24th century Aquarius-class light escort. (STO - Refractions missions: "Welcome to Earth Spacedock", "The Hunt is On", "Explore the Flotilla", "Ceremony")

The Nova One-class pilot raider Nova One was a recreation of the 24th century Nova One, flagship of the now disbanded Nova Fleet. Although based on Federation technology, the Nova One-class forwent Starfleet safety regulations. Equipment introduced with this class included the Nova Fleet recruitment drive universal console, "bold piloting" starship trait and Nova starburst experimental weapon. (STO website: Unparalleled: Join Nova Fleet!)

In the 23rd century, the TMP-era Okinawa-class raider was part of Starfleet's arsenal during the Klingon Cold War. Its maneuverability and weaponry were a potent combination that enabled the Okinawa class to chase B'rel-class birds-of-prey down. In 2412, the Okinawa was one of the TMP-era ship classes modernised by Starfleet and entered Alliance service as T6 pilot raider alongside the 2260s-era Ventura-class and modern Alameda-class. All three classes carried the dual plasma charge launcher special weapon, "weapons of war" starship trait and modular fusion beam experimental weapon. (STO website: Unveiled: Command the Okinawa Pilot Raider!)

In 2412, the NV-class multi-mission temporal cruiser and its Interceptor-class variant were hulls that were interchangeable with the Okinawa-, Ventura- and Alameda-classes. (STO website: Corruption: NV Multi Mission Temporal Cruiser)

Pilot raider classes

• Courier-class pilot raider (Emerald Chain and Couriers, 32nd century)
• Eagle-class Terran pilot raider (Terran Empire, mirror universe, 25th century)
  • variant: Aquarius-class light escort
• Nova One-class pilot raider (Nova Fleet, 24th century)
• Okinawa-class pilot raider (Starfleet, 23rd century)
  • variants: Alameda-class • NV class • Interceptor-class • Ventura-class

Raider types and classes

• Bajoran
  • Bajoran raider
• Breen
  • Plesh Brek heavy raider
• Calderisi
  • Calderisi raider
• Ferengi
  • Tokorn-class
• Federation Starfleet
  • Condor-class
  • Ju'day-class
• Klingon Empire
  • strike raider
• Iconian
  • Baltim Raider
• Kazon
  • Kazon raider
• Kreel
  • Kreel raider
• Maquis
  • Condor-class
• Miradorn
  • Ma-Karn-class
• Na'Kuhl
  • Tadaari raider
• Nausicaan
  • Nausicaan raider
• Orion
  • Orion raider
• Klingon Empire
  • D4x-class Kelvin Timeline Pilot Raider
• Terran Federation, Mirror Universe
  • Condor-class
  • Ju'day-class
• Tondusian
  • Tondusian strike craft
• Tzenkethi
  • Tzenkethi raider

Raider variants

• light raider
• strike raider
• heavy raider

Appendices

External links

• Raider article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
• Interceptor article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
• Raider article at Star Trek Online Wiki.
• Merchant raider article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.