Type distinguishes size/power, not advancement.It's actually pretty obvious. Just look at this:
Type I Hand Phaser (Cricket):
Originally used in TOS, able to connect to Type II for more power. Still used in TNG, and though it is more advanced, it's still called a Type I.
Type II Hand Phaser:
Actually looks like a 'gun'. Bigger and more powerful then the Type I. Most of the time the Type I can fit within the Type II. Again, the phaser from TOS and from TNG, relativly the same size, are both called Type II, even though the TNG version if more advanced
Type III Phase Rifle:
Largest and most powerful hand held phaser available. Bigger and more powerful then Type I and II. Though never officially called a Type III in TOS, it is assumed to be called this, so, yet again, the TNG version is called the Type III, just like the TOS version, but is more advanced. Also, note, there is a Type IIIA and a Type IIIB, as evidenced by the DS9TM. The Type IIIB is more advanced then the Type IIIA.
Type IV Shuttle Mounted Phaser:
Larger then all hand held phasers. First seen in TNG, therefore, there is no comparison to TOS.
Type X Starship Mounted Phaser:
Currently known as the largest phaser array capable of being carried by a Federation Starship. These phasers are definatly more powerful then the Type I, II, III, and IV listed above.
Type XI (X+) Planetary/Starbase Mounted Phaser:
Currently known as the largest and most powerful phaser built. Listed in the TNGTM, the X+ (most likely referring to numbers ABOVE 10) phasers are deamed suitable only for planetary surface instalation. Apparantly, the design was able to be mounted to starbases, as evidenced from the DS9TM.
As you can see, as the Roman Numeral goes up, the phaser becomes larger and more powerful, therefore, it's safe to assume, the Type XII would be too large to be handled by a starship. By my guess, a starship bassed off the Ambassador class would use a phaser roughly the size of a Type VIII or IX. The Sovereign class also most likely uses Type IX or X.
Note, as I said with the Type III Phase Rifle, there is a Type IIIA and a Type IIIB, and the IIIB is more powerful. Therefore, if you want a phaser like a Type X, but a lot more advanced, then maybe you should called it Type XB or XC, or however far down the alphabet you want to go to show more advancement.
Also, it would be good to right now state the 'scales' used by starfleet and such, and how groupings work. Here are the three major ones I can see:
CLASS: Denotes vessel or technology that are all relativly the same in design. Evidence: Practically all Constitution class starships look exacly the same, with exception of minor differences.
TYPE: Denotes size of vessel or technology. Evidence: Type II phasers are larger and more advanced then a Type I. Also, a Type III shuttle is larger then a Type II (Class-9 Shuttles are Type II as well)
MARK (Mk.): Denotes advancement. Evidence: A Mark X tricorder is more advanced then a Mark IX Tricorder
Now, I know these don't agree with what has been said on screen (Like shuttles being called 'Type'), but I believe this is a bit of mistake, and the terms 'Mark', 'Type', and 'Class' aren't fully understood by Paramount, and they are just spitting out whatever sounds good. Therefore, from what I said, Shuttles should be referred to by Class, not by Type.
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"I am Sci-Fi"
-The 359
[This message has been edited by The359 (edited September 19, 1999).]
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