The Sienar Fleet Systems GAT‑12h, commonly referred to by the Nickname “Skipray,” was released into service just prior to the Battle of Yavin. It was distinguished from the start as the smallest Imperial vessel (except for a handful of TIE prototypes) to be equipped with hyperdrive engines. The original design was intended to be used as an unescorted system patrol craft, capable of fending off starfighters and small capital ships.
Even though the naval units that used the Skipray raved about the vessel’s awesome performance, it never quite caught on with Imperial high command. Despite its capabilities, the ship was never accepted, and became another victim of the volatile politics that often controlled Imperial Naval doctrine. As a result, a large number of Skiprays wound up in service to planetary militias, corporate navies, mercenaries, pirates, and smugglers.
Capabilities
The Skipray blastboat was intended to fill the void between smaller “snub” fighters and larger capital-scale ships. In this regard, the Skipray was a complete success. Though a few Imperial fleet elements were equipped with Skiprays, the bulk of the ships were assigned to planetary defense forces or space stations. When possible, the GAT‑12h is deployed in conjunction with TIE fighters, or is teamed with one or more other blastboats. When working in tandem, Skiprays team up to disable larger enemy ships before peeling of to deal with the incidental threat posed by starfighters and/or space transports.
Given its capabilities, it is somewhat surprising that the GAT‑12h hosts a crew of only four: a pilot, a copilot/sensor operator, and two gunners. One gunner controls the ship’s laser cannons, while the other operates its ion cannons, missiles, and proton torpedoes. Though it is somewhat sluggish in space, the Skipray is incredibly maneuverable when employed as an atmospheric craft. In an atmosphere, the blastboat gains a +2 bonus to its Dexterity score.
Sienar Fleet Systems GAT-12h (CL 15)
Starships of the Galaxy, page 131.
Colossal* space transport
Initiative: −1; Senses: Perception +6
Defenses: Fort 33, Ref 17 (flat-footed 14) ; +14 armor, Vehicular Combat
Hit Points: 230; DR: 15; SR: 100; Damage Threshold: 83
Speed: fly 16 squares (max. velocity 1,200 km/h), fly 4 squares (starship scale)
Ranged: laser cannons +5 (see below) and
heavy ion cannons +5** (see below) or
Ranged: laser cannons +5 (see below) and
heavy proton torpedoes +5 (see below) or
Ranged: laser cannons +5 (see below) and
heavy concussion missiles +5 (see below)
Fighting Space: 12×12 or 1 square (starship scale); Cover: total
Base Attack: +2; Grapple: 45
Abilities: Str 56, Dex 16, Con —, Int 16
Skills: Initiative −1, Mechanics +6, Perception +6, Pilot −1, Use Computer +6
Crew: 4 (skilled); Passengers: none
Cargo: 20 tons; Consumables: 1 month; Carried Craft: none
Payload: 4 heavy proton torpedoes, 8 heavy concussion missiles
Hyperdrive: ×2, limited navicomputer (4-jump memory)
Availability: Military/Restricted/Licensed; Cost: not available for sale
* This ship is treated as a Gargantuan starfighter for the purposes of being targeted by capital ship weapons, dogfighting, and using starship maneuvers.
** Apply a −20 penalty on attacks against targets smaller than Colossal size.
laser cannons (gunner)
Attack: +5, Damage: 5d10×2
Heavy ion cannons (gunner)
Attack: +5 (−15 against targets smaller than Colossal), Damage: 4d10×5 ion
Heavy proton torpedoes (gunner)
Attack: +5, Damage: 10d10×2, 4-square splash
Heavy concussion missiles (gunner)
Attack: +5, Damage: 9d10×2, 4-square splash