Speculation: Cost of an ISD

By chemnitz, in Star Wars: Armada

According to Wookieepedia, an Imperial I-class Star Destroyer costs 150 million credits. Done.

But seriously, let's try to backwards engineer the cost of the newly revealed ISD I-class based on the partial stats that have been spoiled. Here it is for reference:

Imperial I-class Star Destroyer

Hull: 11

Shields: 4/3/3/2

Command: 3

Squadron: 4 (in the most recent photo; formerly 5)

Engineering: ? (presumably between 4 and 6; probably at the lower end of that scale)

Tokens: Redirect/Redirect/Evade/Brace/Contain (probably only 4 of those 5 on the ISD I)

Weapons: 3R+2U+3B / 2R+2B / 2R+2B / 1R+2U

Anti-Fighter: 1U+1B

Speed: ? (probably 2; would not be surprised if its chart was identical to Victory)

Upgrades: ? (presumably Officer/Weapon Team/Support Team/Off. Refit/Def. Refit/Turbolaser/Ion)

Cost: ??

Here are the changes relative to the VSD I-class

Hull: +3 (38% more)

Shields: +1/same/same/+1 (20% more)

Command: same

Squadron: +1 (33% more)

Engineering: ?

Tokens: probably +1 (33% more)

Weapons: +2U / +1B / +1B / -1R+2U (36% more raw dice, but lower value ones)

Anti-Fighter: +1B (50% more raw dice; not sure if blue or black is better in this situation)

Speed: same-ish?

Upgrades: ?

Overall, the ISD I-class is about 33% better across the board than the VSD I-class. If that were all that mattered, we would have an increased price of 33% for a grand total of 97 points. However, there are other factors to consider.

  • The ISD should have a "putting all your eggs in one basket" discount. In particular, you are concentrating even more of the value of your fleet into one (albeit large) firing arc. If your opponent stays out of that front arc at medium or close range, you are wasting much of the point-cost of your ISD (unless that arc is exactly where your opponent wants to go).
  • The ISD I-class is equal to the VSD I-class at long range in all arcs (except for the rear, where the VSD is actually better!). Against a kiting/hit-and-run fleet, the VSD is marginally better than its more expensive sister.
  • The VSD gets more "bang for the buck" from commands and tokens with a flat bonus (Squadron token, Concentrate Fire command or token).
  • The ISD is probably fairly likely to survive for 6 turns, even against highly focused fire. If it does explode, you have probably lost, but it is less likely to explode. This could be especially valuable with certain objectives.
  • As a large ship, the ISD covers more territory, which is both an advantage and disadvantage. There are also various miscellaneous advantages (e.g. +3 hull from Motti) and disadvantages (e.g. cannot use for Hyperspace Assault objective).
  • The ISD is a superior anti-fighter craft with more dice and a bigger base for bigger arcs. It will be less dependent on support craft to keep itself clear of fighters.

Mostly, these pros and cons cancel each other out. So, in conclusion, I would not be at all surprised if a naked ISD I-class weighed in at a mere 95-100 points (maybe 105 if you really are bullish about it). This is much lower than many people have been predicting, but it does mean that a double ISD list (or even something like ISD-ISD-VSD or ISD-ISD-Gladiator or ISD-ISD-Raider-Raider) would be completely viable at 400 points. I would speculate that the ISD II-class will be a much more balanced ship with a lot more long range (red) firepower, and its cost would be proportional (maybe 120 points).

Those are my preliminary conclusions. Feel free to propose an alternate reading of the data.

Edited by chemnitz

I'm glad they toned down the squadron stat (that seemed legitimately ridiculous with tarkin + liason's essentially on-demand-command, or just the relentless title)

had that kept, it would have had to be at least 150% of a Victory star destroyer since the ISD is better in every conceivable way (navigation pending) apart from the advantage of having two Victories and the flexibility they can bring (more firing arcs, more squadron commands etc) which may have been largely negated by dat Squadron value (more squadrons sent at once to more devastating effect, combined with a very cheap access to a more flexible command stack) + base size

Edited by ficklegreendice

Considering that FFG just bumped the Squadron points size from 300 to 400 I would guess in the 140-150 point range bare bones. Just enough that you could take 2 (one a command vessel with a few upgrades) and a minimal fighter screen.

Below 130 and you can potentially end up with 3 barebones ISDs...which can lead to an increase in model sales as people try out a 3-ISD list, sssoooooo....

I vote 125 for ISD-I. 142 for ISD-II. Mainly based on the significant survivability from a heavy pounding.

Considering that FFG just bumped the Squadron points size from 300 to 400 I would guess in the 140-150 point range bare bones. Just enough that you could take 2 (one a command vessel with a few upgrades) and a minimal fighter screen.

Below 130 and you can potentially end up with 3 barebones ISDs...which can lead to an increase in model sales as people try out a 3-ISD list, sssoooooo....

I would not pay 140-150 points for the ISD I-class based on what has been spoiled so far (well, maybe if it had 5 defense tokens, 6 engineering, and the maneuver chart of a Corvette). Based on what we know, two VSD I's would be clearly superior, and they only cost 146 points naked.

On the other hand, you bring up an interesting point about triple ISD lists. That would be mighty tempting. Imagine this (entirely speculative) build:

ISD I @100 points

ISD I @100 points

ISD I @100 points

Motti @24 points

9 TIE Squadrons @ 72 points

TOTAL: 396 points

Maybe FFG is trying to get us to buy a crazy amount of plastic after all.

Edited by chemnitz

Cost estimates based on spoilculations.

We do not know cost generation formula, I really doubt it's based on linear growth of stats.

I'll not make my cost guess, I just hope the final version of the ship will play different roles in Imperial rosters than the Victory-class. Otherwise the more cost-effective ship will supersede the other one. Keep in mind that after wave 2 Imps will have 4 different ships only.

Maybe ISD will be faster? Or easier to manoeuver? Maybe she'll have different upgrades? Turbolasers, ion cannon, officer, offensive and defensive retrofits are confirmed. Those Support (...) or Tactical (...) cards looks more like Support Team upgrades than the Weapons Team ones. Engine techs for ISD, anyone?

Maybe Devastator or Avenger title will be a game changer, like Demolisher?

I'm guessing 120 to 140 points.

I am in the camp that the base ISD-I will be at least 126 points so you can't bring 3 of them in a 400 point lists. At 125 points you can bring 3 and stuff in Admiral Motti. Two should fit comfortably with a support vessel or two. I actually hope the ISD-II isn't just a slightly better version of the ISD-I, kind of like the VSD I to VSD II. I hope its a lot more powerful and priced accordingly. More broadside firepower, better hull value, more shields, etc. I hope its the pinnacle capital ship of the Imperial Navy. (yes no silly miniature SSD :ph34r:)

Edited by Jo Jo

I hope its a lot more powerful and priced accordingly. More broadside firepower, better hull value, more shields, etc. I hope its the pinnacle capital ship of the Imperial Navy.

Traditionally, from the oldest sources of the Imperial II, in Star Wars lore, from West End Games and later on from the Star Wars Technical Commentaries, an ISD II would have more powerful shielding, a significant boost in offensive and defensive firepower, marginally faster at cruising speeds, but the same overall hull value.

It would also have better communications (+1 to squadrons perhaps?) but how would this be reflected in game?

Considering that FFG just bumped the Squadron points size from 300 to 400 I would guess in the 140-150 point range bare bones. Just enough that you could take 2 (one a command vessel with a few upgrades) and a minimal fighter screen.

Below 130 and you can potentially end up with 3 barebones ISDs...which can lead to an increase in model sales as people try out a 3-ISD list, sssoooooo....

I would not pay 140-150 points for the ISD I-class based on what has been spoiled so far (well, maybe if it had 5 defense tokens, 6 engineering, and the maneuver chart of a Corvette). Based on what we know, two VSD I's would be clearly superior, and they only cost 146 points naked.

On the other hand, you bring up an interesting point about triple ISD lists. That would be mighty tempting. Imagine this (entirely speculative) build:

ISD I @100 points

ISD I @100 points

ISD I @100 points

Motti @24 points

9 TIE Squadrons @ 72 points

TOTAL: 396 points

Maybe FFG is trying to get us to buy a crazy amount of plastic after all.

They Are That Good!

I believe that Jo Jo hit the nail on the head, and the lower costed ISD of the two will be just a hair out of reach of being able to run three in one list.

Since this is all speculation... I'm inclined to think that a 3 ISD I list will be possible at 400 pts, in the similar vein that a 3VSD list is possible at 300 pts.

I'll start off with the two points: Star Destroyers, and FFG wants us to give them all the money.

Now for actual comparison analysis I think the OP lays out a good case that if the ISD is 33% "better" then the VSD it should be costed apx. the same. I personally think the not gaining an extra dial(a surprise) to plan and the extra defense token bumps the price from "100" into the 110s.

115 x 3 = 345 (369 w/ Motti) leaves just enough for 3-4 TIEs or some upgrades depending on the exact cost.

And allow you to recreate the 3 ISDs and 4 TIEs chasing the falcon in Empire Strike Back, since the Falcon is in this wave as well.

Edited by Indomitable
They Are That Good!

At the moment, I'd say they aren't. They really do seem to function like upgunned Vics given what we've been shown, and the ISD-Is long range armament is atrocious considering it's a large ship. The only thing it is substantially better at is anti-fighter armament. If your going to put the ISD-I in the 120 range then I'd say it probably needs Engineering 6. It also better have access to both types of teams.

A well maneuvered Assault Frigate will have more or the same firepower than an ISD at its preferred combat range. So I would probably put its point cost around 110-125, depending on the stats that we can't see.

Edited by DarkArk

my guess is 120