Frigates are a class of starships that form the backbone of most fleets during the early and mid-game stages. They are one of the three primary ship classes, along with corvettes and destroyers. Frigates are larger and more powerful than corvettes but smaller and less powerful than destroyers.
Here are some key points about frigates in Stellaris:
Role
- Versatility: Frigates are versatile ships that can engage both enemy starships and smaller ships like corvettes.
- Support: They can be equipped with various modules to provide support functions, such as point defense against missiles and strike craft or additional sensors for fleet awareness.
Design and Customization
- Sections: Like other ship classes in Stellaris, frigates have sections (weapons, utility, and propulsion) that you can customize based on your technology and strategic preferences.
- Weapon Slots: Frigates typically have multiple weapon slots, allowing you to equip various types of weaponry, such as kinetic weapons, energy weapons, or missiles.
Technology Progression
- Early and Mid-Game: Frigates are prevalent in the early and mid-game stages when your empire’s technology is not advanced enough to produce larger and more powerful ships.
- Later Game: As your technology advances, you can research and build more advanced ship classes like cruisers, battleships, and titans, which often replace frigates in the late-game fleets.
Combat Tactics
- Screening Role: Frigates often serve as screening ships, protecting larger and more valuable ships from enemy corvettes and fighters.
- Agility: Frigates are more agile than larger ships, allowing them to evade enemy fire more effectively. However, they have less armor and hull points, making them vulnerable in prolonged engagements.
Upkeep and Maintenance
- Minerals: Frigates, like other ships, require minerals for construction and maintenance. Balancing your fleet composition based on your resource income is crucial to managing your empire’s economy effectively.
Obsolete Technologies
- Tech Upgrades: As you research more advanced ship technologies, your older frigate designs may become obsolete. It’s essential to retrofit your fleets to incorporate the latest advancements.
Frigates play a significant role in the early and mid-game stages, providing essential firepower and support functions in your fleets. However, as the game progresses, you’ll have the opportunity to design and deploy more advanced ships, eventually phasing out frigates in favor of larger, more powerful vessels.