The Phoenix Attack Cruiser was designed as the testbed hull for the new heavy plasma mortar. The Romulans hoped that this extension of their plasma development would create an even opponent for the Federation's Excelsior Cruiser, but after two separate encounters in the 2290s between vessels of these two classes it became obvious that the Phoenix and its heavy plasma mortar were ill equipped for the task. Lacking speed and mobility, and hampered by the slow rate of fire of the heavy plasma mortar, the Phoenix was quickly phased out of service.

The Phoenix is from the SNES version of Starfleet Academy released in the mid-90's. It was implemented as the equivalent of the Excelsior in that setting, so I translated that into my conversions. Adding the heavy plasma mortar to the ship not only made it reflect the game's presentation of the design but also allowed me to demonstrate the progression of the plasma mortars into the plasma torpedoes.