Breakthroughs in bionics have granted peers in this field the ability to influence the behaviors of several intelligent animals, including apes, birds, whales, and dolphins. Among these achievements, the creation of Physeter constructs from sperm whales stands out as the most significant. Typically employed as scouts or observers, these constructs provide advanced warnings of approaching adversaries. When equipped with an array of weaponry, they can be prompted to execute coordinated ambushes against predetermined targets. During battles, these Physeter Constructs are maintained and dispatched from Control Ships like the Descartes Class, formidable battleship-sized vessels equipped with advanced weaponry and crewed by dedicated nautical engineers committed to advancing scientific pursuits.
Despite possessing Physeter Constructs and arrays of Particle Beamers, the Descartes Class still relies on smaller, swifter vessels for support. The Covenant commonly deploys Lovelace Class cruisers but also outfits various other specifications. The Antarctica Class Superiority Cruiser not only features a pair of Particle Beamers but also boasts a devastating Heavy Particle Cannon. The Chatelet Class and Ulysses Class are equipped with a small number of Scythe class fighters for reconnaissance and support, while the Stiletto Class emphasizes speed to swiftly engage and disengage from encounters.
The armed forces of the Covenant of the Enlightened consist entirely of compensated volunteers and, consequently, are limited in numbers. However, the technological advancement of the Enlightened compensates for this shortage through automation. Many smaller vessels within their fleet operate virtually without crews, relying on sophisticated routines and reactions. This substantial automation significantly reduces the necessary crew complement for the entire navy. The Germain Class Zebek and Merian Class Frigate are two such vessels commonly sighted in squadrons alongside larger ships.
The Descartes Battlefleet Set kit contains eight multi-part plastic and resin miniatures:
1x Descartes Class Battleship
2x Copernicus Class Cruisers. Each Cruiser can alternatively be assembled as Antarctica, Chatelet, Lovelace, Stiletto, or Ulysses Class ships
6x Merian Class Frigates. Each Frigate can alternatively be assembled as Germain Class
2x SRS Tokens
2x Bases
1x Whale & Iceberg Token Sheet
