Vindicator-class Heavy Cruiser Ingame
The Vindicator-class Heavy Cruiser is a light frigate available to the Imperial Remnant in Eras 2–5 and the Pentastar Alignment in Eras 1–5. It carries an armament of 24/2 Medium Turbolasers, 10/1 Quad Turbolasers, and 10/2 Ion Cannons.
History
The Vindicator was designed by Sienar Fleet Systems as a heavily armed yet small heavy cruiser. Designed to function in situations where an Imperial Star Destroyer would be overkill (or was unavailable) and smaller vessels were not powerful enough. Most Vindicators were specifically outfitted so that the need for support ships (such as escort carriers) was not required.
The success of the Vindicator design led to the hull being used for the Immobilizer 418 Cruiser. Later, the Pentastar Alignment would once again utilize the hull for the Enforcer-class Picket Cruiser, a patrol ship that would become a staple of this faction.
Use Ingame
The Vindicator is the offensive light frigate of the Imperial Remnant, and one of the two available for the Pentastar Alignment. It is heavily shielded and armored, able to withstand firepower from most capital ships for a time. It features a very heavy armament for a ship if its size, in particular the Quad Turbolasers (a weapons system normally reserved for capital ships) enabling it to dish out severe damage against targeted vessels. They are excellent early game offensive units and when coupled with Golan Defense Platforms make effective defensive fleet units.
The Vindicator has two main weaknesses. First, the Vindicator lacks antifighter measures. It has no laser cannons, although it does carry three squadrons of fighters. Second, it cannot effectively engage more than one target at a time, as it has few hard points and its firepower would drastically drop. In short, the Vindicator is a potent offensive light frigate best suited to single-target engagements or as a damage soak to let glass cannon ships do their work.