The Sphinx-class Escort Frigate came about as the result of Marrak's Military Armaments wanting a frigate-class vessel that could take the place of, and easily outperform, the aging Nebulon-B Frigates in its arsenal. As also standard, a set of backup shields rated at one-third the power of the ship's standard shields exists. Finally, the vessel also features the new PDS, a network of rapid-firing rotary blasters which provide excellent anti-missile and anti-starfighter defense, in addition to the ship's standard weaponry.