Stefan Amaris, Liberation of Terra II
The Stefan Amaris-class is a WarShip hidden away in the back of Liberation of Terra II. One of the few battleships seen outside the Star League it gives an insight into how a Periphery Realm would design such a ship.
The history of the Stefan Amaris is fairly standard. President Stefan Amaris wanted a vanity class of battleships and was able to use his connections to the Star League to get it. The President wanted the largest battleships in the Sphere. He got the longest so that wasn’t too bad. However at just over a million tons the Stefan Amaris is a long way from truly threatening size. Five battleships would be built. Three were upgraded with LF batteries in Hegemony yards before the Coup, and used during said coup. Two unfinished hulls were left in the Rim Worlds Republic and captured by the SLDF. These were used in to retake the Hegemony.
The Stefan Amaris-class feels like a big cruiser rather than a Hegemony battleship. Firepower mostly comes from broadside mounted Naval Autocannons. It is unclear whether the Rim Worlds Republic had bracketing technology, but the twin NAC mounts aren’t conducive to it. Anti-aircraft weapons are very good. The main strength is the Killer Whales mounted in the quarters. Conventional weapons are used and are reasonably useful for once. Especially the LRMs and Gauss Rifles. The most important feature of the Stefan Amaris is its armour. Firepower is relatively weak so the heavy protection is needed. In fighting terms the Stefan Amaris is roughly equivalent to a Black Lion or Conqueror. Supporting features of the Stefan Amaris include 36 Aerospace fighters, 6 Small Craft, and 4 Docking Collars. There is 97,000 tons of cargo a giving useful operating radius.
Tactically the Stefan Amaris is a fairly standard House brawler. Unable to bracket it can’t fight at longer ranges, leaving a clear opening for Hegemony opponents. The battleship needs to close the range quickly to bring its NACs to bear. Even then the Stefan Amaris has to wear down its opponents rather than use its firepower. They are probably best deployed as blocking units for SLDF battle cruiser units. For the Rim Worlds Republic the LF batteries are problematic, given the dated nature of most of the RWR fleet. Few ships can keep up with the battleships. Otherwise charge and brawl seems to be the order of the day.
Defeating a Stefan Amaris provides a challenge. Its armour makes it a very dangerous opponent. That said most SLDF cruisers are capable of achieving battle winning critical hits at ranges the Stefan Amaris can’t reply effectively. Ultimately the SLDF is still recommended to use swarming tactics and outnumber the few RWR battleships.