Category:Playable Federation Starships

This page lists all Federation starships that are available for members to request as commands in the current era of Bravo Fleet, the early 25th-century. For information on how to request a command and which ships are available at which ranks, consult the Command Policy. While all of these classes are in service, not all of them are still in production, so consult the individual article for specific production dates. Information about older vessels can be found in the Retired Federation Starships category. Classes are grouped together by their type, which determines their overall intended function.

Explorers

The term explorer refers to a large starship that is capable of sustained independent operations across Starfleet's core missions: exploration, diplomacy, defense, and humanitarian support. They are distinguished from cruisers by their ability to operate for long periods of time without external support, both due to their range and defensive capabilities.

Heavy Explorers

Heavy explorers are the largest vessels in Federation service, capable of extended duration missions with minimal external support as the centerpiece of a formation of other explorers and support vessels, equivalent to the dreadnoughts of other powers.

Explorers

Explorers are very large vessels, capable of extended duration, independent missions, either alone or leading smaller vessels, equivalent to the battleships of other powers.

Long-Range Explorers

Long-range explorers are a sub-type of explorers fitted out for scientific research in deep space. They have some of the most advanced scientific systems of any Starfleet vessels, though they trade their ability to perform humanitarian and tactical missions for enhanced fuel storage and computing capabilities.

Light Explorers

Light explorers are cruiser-sized starships capable of independent deep-space missions, often working in concert with larger explorers and helping identify exploratory missions for follow-up by scouts and surveyors. They provide capabilities nearly equivalent to an explorer with lower resource and crew requirements.

Cruisers

The term cruiser applies to medium to large starships that can carry out most or all of Starfleet's core objectives on medium-duration missions.

Exploratory Cruisers

Exploratory cruisers are large cruisers capable of independent exploration with less range than explorers and are more tactically capable than heavy cruisers, often used for show-the-flag cruises of the Federation and equivalent to the battlecruisers of other cultures.

Heavy Cruisers

Heavy cruisers are generalist starships capable of undertaking any of Starfleet's core missions on behalf of the Federation, generally within Federation space.

Emissaries

Emissaries are a sub-type of cruisers fitted out for diplomatic and humanitarian duties, including complex, high-stakes negotiations and delicate first contact missions. They tend to trade some degree of armament for diplomatic and communications facilities, but otherwise remain capable of the same missions taken on by other cruisers.

Fast Cruisers

Fast cruisers have enhanced speed and endurance meant to respond quickly to humanitarian and defensive situations, and to scout ahead of the fleet.

Light Cruisers

Light cruisers are generalist starships capable of undertaking any of Starfleet's core missions on behalf of the Federation, generally within Federation space.

Research Cruisers

Research cruisers are cruiser-sized science vessels with the capability to carry out indefinite scientific missions, within or near Federation space on their own or in deep space with escorts, as they lack tactical abilities.

Utility Cruisers

Utility cruisers are large support vessels that carry out engineering support, scientific, and low-level diplomatic functions within Federation space.

Escorts

Escorts are tactically oriented starships that support more vulnerable vessels in dangerous areas and perform patrol and reconnaissance missions.

Heavy Escorts

Heavy escorts, sometimes known as tactical cruisers, are large tactically-capable vessels geared towards leading groups of smaller escorts and frigates and performing deep space reconnaissance and tactical missions.

Escorts

Escorts are small tactically-capable vessels that are designed to both literally escort more vulnerable starships and to perform other tactical missions near to their home ports or motherships.

Frigates

Frigates are small or medium starships that perform general patrol duties and light exploratory missions.

Heavy Frigates

Heavy frigates are mid-sized starships designed to lead frigate groups and support them with greater engineering capabilities.

Frigates

Frigates are small generalist starships that carry out missions of all types within Federation space, but which are geared primarily for patrol, escort, and customs enforcement roles.

Exploratory Support Vessels

Exploratory support vessels are small or medium starships that provide scientific and scouting support to the fleet.

Science Vessels

Science vessels are medium-sized vessels that carry advanced scientific equipment on missions both inside and outside of Federation space; they are larger than surveyors and smaller than research cruisers.

Surveyors

Surveyors are small starships designed for long-term, intensive studies of interstellar objects, planets, and star systems.

Scouts

Scouts are small, fast starships used for reconnaissance and courier missions within and outside of Federation space, often travelling ahead of explorers.

Corvettes

Corvettes are very small starships designed to move mission teams from one location to another operating out of starbases.