The Marauder Class is Better Than You Think

[@XanderKHD]

As a famous Ferengi saying goes: "Rule of acquisition number 286: "When Morn leaves, its all over"."

[@qhu3878]

"that's not a rule of acquisition"

[@Spartan878455]

@@qhu3878 No but it should be.

[@augurseer]

It is now

[@zacharythomas8617]

​@@qhu3878 just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

[@HermeticJazz]

​@zacharythomas8617 pretty sure grand Negas Rom made it so.

[@OverworkedITGuy]

I've always liked the design of this one.

[@outlawedTV88]

Since I stole one from Ferengi back in 2014 I am flying it ever since, I love the design and morphing e.g. showing its teeth :D

[@Reddotzebra]

Earwig? I'd say it has more design in common with a horseshoe crab, including the "surrender posture" as they can actually flex their "tails" almost all the way around. This is how their blood is harvested by the way, they are pretty much the only aquatic species that humans try to draw large quantities of blood from without killing them. Because their blood is used in specialized biomedical testing, and is literally worth its weight in Latinum.

[@HermeticJazz]

It does look like a wrath of khan earwig

[@originaluddite]

Rick did mention the horseshoe crab inspiration at the start.

[@toomanyaccounts]

horseshow crab blood which is copper based contains Limulus Amebocyte Lysate which makes it blue when exposed to air

[@CaptainRC1]

In Star Trek Online, the "extending neck" function is actually a "battle mode." It could just as well be an intimidation tactic, like a cobra opening its hood in order to appear more threatening.

[@Streifi]

I kinda associated the battle mode with the Dyson Science Destroyers, which have a science mode and a destroyer mode, so a Ferengi ship might utilize its ressources differently as well, and only gets fully dangerous in the battle mode.

[@michaelanderson2166]

Cobras don’t need to appear more threatening, they’re poisonous and eat other snakes.

[@AzraelThanatos]

@@michaelanderson2166 It's not just to small animals there, the hood is to aid in scaring off threats, because even if they strike and poison that both takes a lot of effort to do, possibly with no additional benefit, but adds a lot of potential risks such as broken fangs or bones and lethal injury. Being able to scare off a threat is very much something that they do. It also works to size up other cobras...

[@allanwidner9276]

In Star Trek Online, the ship is also surprisingly tough.

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

I mean it could be as simple as exposing heat exchangers so the ship's systems can be overclocked with out cooking them, the ship and the crew... Simular to the X-wing and Arc fighters battle mode. With the added risk of being able to have them be easly destroyed hince why it's rarely used. Which given that the Frengi are not known for their weapons this would give them the chance of being on par or even above the other factions even if they weapons suck otherwise. And it's alot cheaper to overclock then just get that extra performance as standard especly if you don't need it all the time.

[@calamitysi]

It always bugged me that we never saw the Grand Negus flying around in one of these. In fact, I think the only Ferengi vessel we ever saw in DS9 was the Ferengi shuttle.

[@norm3380]

He was too cheap?

[@DIEGhostfish]

​@@norm3380 Absolute waste of fuel to use a freighter/Pirate ship for personal transport.

[@norm3380]

@DIEGhostfish He is a head of state though. But cost always a factor for a Ferengi. There is something to be said about traveling incognito for a VIP.

[@SkepticalChris]

I so agree with this. The Grand Nagus is the richest, most powerful of all the Ferengi, and he should, if anything, be flying around in a Latinum Plated version of this vessel, To someone who is supposedly as rich and powerful as him, money is not an object or any worry for him, and this also helps in promoting the image of the Ferengi being rich powerful traders. I've always felt that Zek was seriously underplayed. For the Head of State of the Ferengi, and the richest and most powerful of them all, he should be flying in his own mobile palace, and when he appeared at DS9 it should be alongside a huge entourage of Ferengi Commercial advisors, slave girls, and an army of bodyguards.....but he just has 1 butler with him. So sorry, I'm not buying the excuse of him being cheap, to fly a simple shuttle, nope, he should be flying one of these, if anything the grandest and most opulent of them all.

[@norm3380]

@SkepticalChris Maybe. Maybe it's a "Money talks, wealth whispers", sort of thing. Or maybe high level Ferengi just don't do that, or it's to much of a target.

[@Stikkelsbær]

This is still one of the cooler ship designs in TNG. I like to imagine they are built by a rather well-run shipyard company owned by some Ferengi family of major wealth/influence. I personally think that with the Ferengi joining the UFP, it is a tipping point that sets the Federation up to completely dominate half the galaxy. The Ferengi have been in space a long time, have a huge economy, and their integration would add considerable weight to the Federation's ability to build ships, supply worlds, and manage logistics.

[@keyboardt8276]

Imo their economy shouldn't be that impressive compared to the Federation due to their comparatively backwards economic system that is based on scarcity.

[@PeteOfDarkness]

They are hilaroius in ST Armada Borg: RESISTANCE IS FUTILE! Ferengi : I'll be taking this, yoink!

[@getman1991]

Armada 1 & 2 were the shit! I always turned them off though because I liked retrieving the derelicts myself.

[@otminealnamer1385]

Very much a "speak softly and carry a big stick" ship. Perfect for intimidating less powerful entities into making deals favoring the Ferengi, but without ever having to fire a shot. I actually appreciate that its main weapon arrays are easily visible, whereas on other ships they're usually secluded within the hull somewhere. This means it's capable of intimidating other species who lack the ability to scan for a ship's weapons or, alternatively, giving a sense of security when it comes to shipping goods to and from trade partners. It's kind of similar to armed merchant ships in the age of sail. I also really appreciate how it looks outwardly elegant in spite of the somewhat spartan living spaces, with its vibrant colors and clean lines giving off an aura of wealth. It's a very good ship design, full of character.

[@thestanleys3657]

"Immobilised by the damm Ferengi"-Worf

[@Colin_]

"Once you have their money, you never give it back". Not sure which rule this is but it's a good one 😂.

[@Sstucash]

I think that might be rule number one.

[@silverfang1648]

​@@Sstucash IT IS!

[@---us7qf]

It is the Samsung "rule" here in Europe, ~ Colin. And yes, I am still traumatised by the wretched experience.

[@comentedonakeyboard]

First Rule of Aquisition

[@shaalis]

If it was for scientific purpose, you could call it "D'Kora the Explora".

[@jeffspicoli5399]

No... because that would be gay lol 😅

[@PiratePrincessYuki]

😂

[@__The_Real_V__]

I’m actually kinda sad we never really got any good interior shots of this absolutely incredible vessel

[@mrsamaritan6881]

As much as I love what DS9 did with the Ferengi, I always felt they forgot how powerful the Ferengi really are.

[@MandalorV7]

They did make them more into silly goblins vs dark fantasy goblins.

[@CantHandleThisCanYa]

Ferengi only have economic power

[@youtubehandlescostmemyusername]

@@CantHandleThisCanYa If economic power doesn't buy you other power then you have no economic power.

[@jamiebraswell5520]

The Ferengi were designed to be a powerful new enemy to the Federation, but their actual debut could not be taken seriously. This aspect of them disappeared after Season 1 as they transitioned into annoying comedic roles. Finally, they found their true footing on DS9 through Quark.

[@bubbasbigblast8563]

For most of history, there wasn't really much difference between pirates and merchants: English kings, for example, would occasionally allow a merchant who was a victim of a pirate attack to themselves rob merchants from the same port/state to recoup losses, even when England wasn't a war, hence, no letters of marque. The obvious "cycle of robbery" problems this could create made treaties for resolving such issues increasingly important as the Medieval era went on.

[@zacharythomas8617]

[Side Topic:] You seem knowledgeable enough about such matters. Just wondering, how often did Knights, and Pirates fight throughout History?

[@jacara1981]

@@zacharythomas8617 Not often as Knights are a land unit and normally from Nobility. Most combat would be with normal Sea Hands (or later Royal Marines by the last 1600s).

[@michaelmoynihan1888]

How do you tell an Orion merchant from an Orion pirate? If you have a phaser it’s a merchant.

[@Gigas0101]

Loved using this thing in STO, it's the shape of the Rebel insignia from Star Wars and it fires anime missile swarms.

[@jeffspicoli5399]

Hate to tell you this ... but star wars is gay

[@drksideofthewal]

One of these would legitimately kick the crap out of a Galor Class

[@jamiebraswell5520]

I have really never liked any of the Cardassian ships at all. The black colored ship with a pincher looking apparatus at the front, used in Star Trek Online and made into a model by Eaglemoss, is probably the best of their ships.

[@Cdr2002]

I always just look at the windows. The thing is BIG. That should tell you that it’s no pushover

[@markvaughan653]

Finally! A ship that has its bridge located at the center. I've never been a fan of placing the bridge of a spacecraft at the top, bottom, or prow where it can be hit by weapons or space debris. The Galaxy class mitigates this somewhat by having a centrally located battle bridge, but the main bridge is still exposed. Since most spacecraft navigate by using scanners or sensors, it doesn't make much sense to me to have such a vulnerable command and control center. One might as well paint red and white target rings around it with a caption on the bullseye that reads: "MAIN BRIDGE!"

[@comentedonakeyboard]

Especialy true since Mk I eyballs, even with binoculars, would be absolutely useless in astronomical distances.

[@creaslin]

I think in the Battle Star Galactica reboot the bridge was deep inside the ship.

[@jamiebraswell5520]

I don't really care. It is make-believe, after all. People let stuff like this bother them too much.

[@pwgdeathhawk8146]

i really wanted to see these as part of the alliance against the Dominion.

[@zerrodefex]

You'd think there would be at least a few other them with mercenary crews that could have been hired for some missions, after all we know that Ferengi Liquidators exist.

[@DIEGhostfish]

​@zerrodefex Could have been fun tl see Ferengi mercenaries on both sides in different paintschemes

[@comentedonakeyboard]

I guess the Dominion payd them to stay out of the war.

[@jeffspicoli5399]

​@@comentedonakeyboard I like your answer the best lol 😂

[@comentedonakeyboard]

@@jeffspicoli5399 thank you

[@stevenewman1393]

🖖😎👍Very totally absolutely wonderfully cool and very nicely greatly fabulously well informatively explained and executed in every detail way shape and format provided on "The Ferengi Marauder D'Kora Class Slash Cargo Via Warship!"; A job very spectaculary well done as always indeed Sir!👌.

[@ZalymBiscayn]

Thanks for the video! This ship always intrigued me with its unique shape and design--as well as its usage in the show.

[@TheRedshirt93]

from what I gathered through Interviews, the extending neck and pivoting weapons was meant to be a "surrender" or "Peace" mode. You would know visually when the Ferengi were done fighting because it would retract its armor plating and (theoretically) disconnect its weapons from ammo and power feeds. It also made the ship easier to repair or maintain. The reason it was only seen once was because this motion was built into the model itself, and it apparently broke after filming The Last Outpost. Which is a shame. I liked the idea that the Marauder would cover up with windows and alter its profile for combat. It was a neat idea we sadly never saw again.

[@youdontneedtoseehisidentif4939]

That makes it the second Star Trek filming model I know of to have its “motion” mechanism break 🤦‍♂️

[@TheRedshirt93]

@@youdontneedtoseehisidentif4939 What was the other one? The Bird of Prey?

[@youdontneedtoseehisidentif4939]

@@TheRedshirt93 Yep 👍

[@JeffBreyer]

Never really enjoyed the ferengi in star trek but the Marauder was always interesting.

[@sulljoh1]

Day-Mon It sounds like you're saying "diamond"

[@jamthegreat3185]

you always have the best videos frfr as a long time trekkie, i love these videos and learning new things. thank you

[@archades115]

The D'kora always reminded me of the Lucrahulk class freighter/battleship from Star Wars. A comparison in the real world would be the Spanish Galleon, I think.

[@ImaginaryTerrie3]

0:35 I like the smiley face on the side of the saucer.

[@Yunners]

I wonder what class was encountered at Maxia. It must have very unlike a Marauder class otherwise Picard would have recognised the design style in The Last Outpost.

[@comentedonakeyboard]

Perhaps a foreign ship the Ferengi aquired somewhere else (would make sense for a inofficial operation)

[@MandalorV7]

I sort of imagine that the Ferengi would have more than one ship design. Multiple companies offering different models.

[@toomanyaccounts]

It was a surprise attack. No one knew what it was since it was destroyed during the attack and the logs apparently were damaged or not recovered since the Stargazer had to be evacuated and was lost.

[@chonconnor6144]

Really appreciated the real world history of the design and main person involved.

[@Hartzilla2007]

I mean it was flat out said to be on par with a Galaxy-class.

[@Nom_AnorVSJedi]

Finally! My favorite ship. But why did it never appear in DS9 ??

[@SephirothRyu]

Too expensive?

[@kutter_ttl6786]

​​@@SephirothRyuThey already had the models, so likely. DS9 did a good job of making them more personable, so maybe they wanted to make them less threatening by downplaying their more maruader/pirate aspects.

[@SephirothRyu]

@@kutter_ttl6786 I actually meant in an in-universe way too. Why use such a big expensive ship at some random border station, especially one that is then at the center of a lot of dangerous stuff? Maybe the risk/profit margin was just too much for such a vessel to be used. As for real life cost of making a new ship, well, this was the series that gave us the vastly underappreciated Yeager. Which as cool as it looks (and as much as they want us to forget it is canon), is basically a spare intrepid shovel quite literally glued to the rear end of a normally notably smaller marquise ship.

[@Nom_AnorVSJedi]

@@SephirothRyuyeah but the Grand Nagus visited DS9 multiple times. You’d think the leader of Ferengi would travel under heavy security and in style!

[@Nom_AnorVSJedi]

@@kutter_ttl6786I would thought the Ferengi would join the war against the Dominion. A Marauder vs Jem’Hadar, Breen and Cardassian warships would have been awesome.

[@braddl9442]

They buy the best they can get. even if they don't know how to use it. they will hire people that can use it. Cause a ferengi will do everything they can to make sure they survive. Also I imagine that as time has gone one they sell these to other races. Want a few ships that are as strong as a Galaxy class....how about a few used ships they had kicking around

[@Jaya-zn7vr]

It's always reminded me of a Flying Croissant!

[@ThatJerseyBloke]

My favorite ship design in Star Trek. I even made an Imperial Clipper and named it "Marauder" after this vessel. I often wonder why the Paramount folks extended the lore on the Ferengi with ships like this and not the Orion race?

[@augurseer]

The old trope. Nacelles must see eachother. Classic Roddenberry. Sorry my dude. My Great Bird. We had to throw that out.

[@zacharythomas8617]

...if I wrote Lore in a particular way on TNG. You might see something you're never ever going to witness. I don't know you, either.

[@tomasr.]

My first ship in STO, which I was lucky to pull out on about 5 attempts at the lockbox. I still remember it fondly.

[@silverfang1648]

Rule of Acquisition N-239:Never be afraid to mislabel a product! Thats how i can define this ship in...Ferengi terms!

[@fordgtguy]

The Marauder class was designed when they planned to have the Ferengi as a major rival power to the Federation. It makes sense that it's a very powerful and over-engineered ship.

[@feralprocessor9853]

Straight away, the class definition.

[@nonyabisness6306]

its actually a pretty cool design. sortoff the same principle as the Ktinga D7 or Vorcha, but put together with different shapes.

[@neilsanghvi5229]

You made me realise how much fun the Marauder class could be. Its interior could have FCA auditing offices, Mugato breeding programmes, storage facilities for transporting exotic merchandise like Yamok sauce, holosuites, Latinum extraction plants, Grand Proxy headquarters, legal departments and data brokerages, whilst life support could be set to make it always raining. I wonder how much of the ship would require latinum gratuities for access to visitors even though they hold leases to run businesses on other parts of the ship. I also like to think the early TNG Ferengis behaved the way they did because they trusted faulty information on Federation values based on some convoluted scheme hatched in a business rival's Marauder.

[@LeftMech]

I remember Ferengi ships and especially the Marauder being great options for building fleets in FlashTrek: Broken Mirror as they were fairly affordable but still potent.

[@Reepicheep-1]

They probably purchased schematics for all the best technology they can get their hands on, then hired contractors to integrate everything. Similar to Starfleet's 'tech from everywhere,' but benefiting one species with an emphasis on trade.

[@Spotcats]

I remember building a model of this one. Beautiful ship. I love the TNG ships.

[@skyborne80]

I always loved how, what I assume are the Ferengi equivalent of bussard collectors, were embedded into the wings and double as giant emblems!

[@johnnybravo9096]

Yep. Star trek armada 3 reflects this as well. Very tough ships and ones I like assimilate with the Borg.

[@TheBucknative]

Lovethe slow turn reveal. Very menacing.

[@teehasheestower]

The Marauder is a good chassis, anyone treating their space travels with respect would be glad to have one.

[@makeitcold6649]

This was always my favorite alien ship design from the franchise

[@joemck74]

I never warmed to the ferengi, but the D'Kora is one of the best lookships in the show. I think a version of it about 30% of this size would make a great hero-ship for some enterprising independent traders. Particularly if they got it via Legitimate Salvage.

[@AberrantChibi]

Never thought I'd see a starship with an oil slick (or maybe dropping caltrops). And in Star Trek, no less.

[@georgecoons6872]

i wish the federation would get the jemhadar battle ship design with federation borg klingon and husknoc weapons.

[@jeffspicoli5399]

I love the husnock ship in sto. It's one of my favorites. Oh and if you play sto and have a husnock ship... put the iconian shield on it.. you'll get a good chuckle lol 😂

[@Phil-D83]

In that birth of federation pc game, it was a torpedo monster

[@The_Lone_Aesir]

I like to think that even though many ship owners may not have been pirates they had no qualms doing business with them and needed to make sure they could carry out their transactions, peacefully, with such a rough crowd.

[@BenStimpsonAuthor]

I've always thought it was a very beautiful design. Kind of reminded me of the Trade Federsation Lucrehulk Control Ship. Not the same but reminsicent

[@TroySpencer-k6u]

I have liked this design since the first season of ST-TNG. I think it's unique, cool, and sleek.

[@feralprocessor9853]

Right off the bat, it looks like two corsant stuck together in a regal way.

[@bthsr7113]

It's rich for the Federation to assume was ONLYL a warship given how they build science and exploration ships.

[@ClaudiusCaelum]

I used to model 1:1400 Trek ships, and the Marauder was made by one out of business company, as a cast resin model... It was impossible to find... Those who had them sold them like if they were made of gold-pressed latinum, lol That was before accessible 3D printing... Today, making a 1:1400 scale Marauder would be a breeze ( perfect shape for 3D printing )

[@lukedogwalker]

Perhaps a good explanation for the extending neck would be adaptation for atmospheric flight. They just used it as a decoy or confusion tactic because they had that function available.

[@davidmcintyre8145]

It might be best to compare this class with the 18th/19th century Indiamen(heavily armed cargo vessels that carried high value cargo and in numbers could drive off privateers and warships up to a large group of heavy frigates or sail of the line)or even to the galleons of a few centuries earlier

[@Ravencos]

Great vid!

[@vinapocalypse]

Regarding the crew and interiors, I like to imagine the Daimon of the ship rents out the cabins AND furniture to his crew, and charges for meals lol

[@originaluddite]

Given the horseshoe crab design inspiration, I've always felt that the larger part should be the front. But, either way, it's a great looking ship, and I wish they had included it at least once in DS9 as the flagship of the Grand Nagus, even if the Ferengi had become comic relief by then.

[@andyrwebman]

Reminds me of the "Blackhawk" vessels described in Peter F Hamilton's books

[@cane6074]

I see that ship as something more used in patrolling or scouting role in conventional operations, with missions revolving around keeping the space lanes open for commerce. I could see the Ferengi dispatching these ships outside the alliance to provide security in regions in which they have major economic interests, yet the local governments lack the ability to police their space, and of course they would charge hefty sums to their clients in the process, thus protecting their investments and making a profit on the side!

[@AmeliaNeek]

I was hoping you'd eventually cover this ship. It's a favorite of mine.

[@jacara1981]

Just as merchants during the middle ages carried swords and even had hired guards, the Ferengi are quite aware that they need to protect their cargo as well. Especially since they do business with Nausicaans and Orians, both that have a large percentage of their populations that are pirates.

[@SephirothRyu]

Incidentally, I notice you have not yet done a full lore video on Latinum. And especially importantly, would it be safe to swim in a pool filled with it?

[@PinnacleOfDecadence]

I can't wait to get these in Star Tek: Into the Unknown.

[@KhanIlkara]

It's fascinating how this ship even in game is still pretty lethal capped out at T5-U X-2.

[@mirthywolf5912]

Awesome video!

[@DracoStarcloud]

I really like the design.

[@darkaxel1991]

I'd say if they really had to the Ferengi could put together a ship that would be more powerful and efficient than Starfleet could manage, at least on paper. The Ferengi habit of cutting corners to cut costs would be a problem, though.

[@obsidianorder864]

I remember having a small toy of this thing as a kid. I didn’t know anything about it and thought the rear was the front. Also made me think it was a Cardassian ship

[@novoscorp7275]

Great video, thanks for sharing. Now i am wondering what relations was like between Orions and Ferengi. 🙂

[@yellowprime8491]

The silouette always reminded me of the Ilwrath Avenger from the pc games Star Control & Star Control 2 (yes, I know TNG predates the games).

[@Tricky117]

For such a early 'new ship' in tng... they really side lined this thing. I can think of maybe two episodes where it appears?

[@davidpumpkinsjr.5108]

The Ferengi are one of the least militarily belligerent societies in the Alpha Quadrant, but you don't want to kick the hive. They can and will defend their holdings aggressively (if negotiations fail).

[@niccosalonga9009]

It's a horseshoe crab.

[@SephirothRyu]

You know, one of these could be modified to be one heck of a carrier.

[@Mark-in8ju]

Single-seat fighters are obsolete upon the accuracy and projectile speed of phasers.

[@SephirothRyu]

@@Mark-in8ju Yet they keep making them for some reason.

[@HellbirdIV]

The East Indiaman of the stars - a cargo ship first and foremost, a vital element of capitalistic expansion... and with enough firepower to take on most things it would feasibly face, only shy of the dedicated warships of its era.

[@thebaccathatchews]

* puts bridge in center of ship * Best designed ship in Star Trek! 🥳

[@jasonsmith3537]

Love my T5U Marauder

[@oliverrichardson7856]

I wish they’d come into play in the Dominion War ❤

[@VulpisFoxfire]

Any comments on the Nandi? I'm flying that at the moment. :-)

[@MagiTycho]

But remember, they're worth more if you keep them in the original packaging, complete with the Marauder Mo action figure!

[@bravalloy]

I like to think that the Federation had to build "service" warships along some unique/test deseigns while some minor Empires could afford a smaller state of the art fleet.

[@CaptainUnusual]

I always thought Ferengi ships looked super cool.

[@kineuhansen8629]

wold not mind a video of the aldorian battlecruiser from enterprise one of my favorite non human designs

[@captgeesh5163]

Always occurred to me that the Ferengi would have the absolute best weapons and defensive systems around. The for-profit merchant fleet is historically escorted by the top of the line weaponry.

[@jamesbizs]

Why do you keep pronouncing Daimon like that…

[@zerrodefex]

Yeah I always thought it was spelled "dai'mon".

[@TVX-SabersPlus]

Yeah I've been wondering the same thing. I've never heard anyone call it diamond before

[@TVX-SabersPlus]

Definitely pronounced more (Day•Mon)

[@dragonchaserkev]

He said day he said day he said dayyyyy mon

[@Kaede-Sasaki]

The early TNG (S1) pronunciation of daimon was Diamond rather than day-muhn (at least by the ferengi). It gives the impression of a high rank like an expensive jewel. The admirals I guess would be platinum 🤣

[@xSARGEx117x]

I love the videos, and will always watch no matter how you butcher the names.... That said, my guy they literally say the word "DAY-MON" in all the 90s era trek. Honestly I'm starting to think you do it on purpose to bait comments correcting you, and the inevitable arguments that pop up saying it doesn't matter how it's pronounced... It so, we'll done. You are a Master Baiter.

[@jasonmorello1374]

I am brought to think of quark's line on the fed and root beer myself.

[@Kaede-Sasaki]

I like your early TNG pronunciation of daimon as Diamond rather than day-muhn. It gives the impression of a high rank like an expensive jewel. The admirals I guess would be platinum 🤣

[@spiderweenie]

DIAMOND 😅

[@fanofthefollowing]

The ship reminds me of a Ferengi lobe when viewed from above. LOL

[@CertifiablyIngame]

I kinda see it

[@MourningNihilist]

I remember those things were near impossible to take out in game

[@feralprocessor9853]

I like the cute doggy 🐕

[@pravusprime]

You've sold me, I'll take one.