well now who would want to play Sub-light Roms vs warp powered Feds? Even Pre Smarba. So no phasers just some heavy Plasma Rs. Ahh what fun

By Jeff Anderson (Jga) on Monday, May 25, 2020 - 06:42 pm: Edit

My copy of Module G3A has, starting on page 109, a list of scenarios in chronological order, Sgt. G. It does not list any scenarios between Federation and Romulans in the Y154-Y155 timeframe, but quite a few for Fed vs. Klingons in the Y155-Y156 timeframe.

By Garth L. Getgen (Sgt_G) on Monday, May 25, 2020 - 07:20 pm: Edit

Yes, Module G3A. Thank you. I knew I saw that list someplace.


Garth L. Getgen

By Joe Carlson (Jrc) on Saturday, May 30, 2020 - 09:17 pm: Edit

Does anyone know where the chart is that converts game turn impulses to warp speed is?

By Mike Dowd (Mike_Dowd) on Saturday, May 30, 2020 - 11:20 pm: Edit

Vandar:

The trick with playing pre-warp Roms vs. any other warp-capable empire is entrenchment.

Get to a system first, drop a boatload of Early Fighter / Bomber Bases and flood the skies with Gladiator and Legate fighters or Maniple bombers. Then you prepare with cloaked ships in ambush points, like behind moons and planets, in asteroid fields, etc, leaving some obvious bait that the opponent will *need* to go in and clear out. If you add a couple of minefield packages, it gets even messier, since they will need to close to within 5 hexes to engage the ground bases.

As a Rom, I'd take those odds.

By Randy Green (Hollywood750) on Sunday, May 31, 2020 - 08:15 pm: Edit

Joe, page 9 of CL#16 has it. Pretty sure it is elsewhere if you don't have that issue, or I can send you a picture of the page.

By Joe Carlson (Jrc) on Sunday, May 31, 2020 - 11:18 pm: Edit

Randy,

Thanks. I have started an outline of a story. I have really enjoyed your fiction stories. Hope to see more.

By Randy Green (Hollywood750) on Monday, June 01, 2020 - 09:14 am: Edit

Thank you, Joe. I try.

I have found that chart useful, as well as the military rank charts of the various empires. If you need any other references, just ask.

By Mike Grafton (Mike_Grafton) on Monday, June 01, 2020 - 09:22 am: Edit

IIRC it's just the cube root of the "tactical speed."

So speed 32 = warp 3.2

By Andrew B Johnson (Abj9562) on Friday, June 12, 2020 - 10:11 am: Edit

I am a returning player to Star Fleet Battles after a near 4 decade absence. The Basic Set rules are extensive with numerous references to modules and advanced mission etc.... There are modifiers applied in all sorts of situations. Are there charts to simplify summing these modifiers vs. combing the rules to find all such references? Does Module G3 or G3A accomplish that or is it just extensive lists of various things as seen in the Basic Set rules?

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Friday, June 12, 2020 - 12:34 pm: Edit

Andrew, welcome back!

There are several schools of thought on how to proceed.

Over the years I Have noticed that Some players pick a specific empire, learn it completely by solitaire missions at first, and if it is An empire with a history of Civil Wars (like the Kzinti or Lyrans) duels or small squadron battles.

Once you are comfortable, branch out by learning a historical opponent. In the case of both the Kzinti and Lyrans, that would be the Klingons. The Federation only borders the Kzinti.

The least successful method is trying to learn all of the game at once. If you tried to learn the omega empires at the same time, it’s a very challenging excercise.

The middle road is start with the Federation, and branch out to all bordering empires specific rules. It is more of a challenge than the kitties centric approach, but tends to be more The commonly Used method.

Good luck!

By Jeff Anderson (Jga) on Friday, June 12, 2020 - 01:01 pm: Edit

Welcome back, Andrew! We're happy to see you again

You ask your question to a dozen of us, you'll get a dozen different answers. That said, my recommendation would be to look at section (A4.0) and see how that looks to you.

I would also suggest that the easiest solitaire scenario would probably be Cruise Drones (SH4.0).

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Friday, June 12, 2020 - 01:06 pm: Edit

Welcome back!

Please note that the game has SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED since the 1980s. Some of the changes are radical, others are not. Do not assume that any of the "old ways" apply; consult the master rule book for everything.


I also strongly recommend the following:

Learn the Tournament rules. Play tournament ships using the empires Jeff mentioned. Tournament ships are extremely well balanced and the rules are somewhat simplified.

Alternatively, fight with a few small ships, like FFs, until you learn the rules. Keep things simple and manageable.

Also, consider build on your rule base. Start by NOT playing with rules such as "changing speed in mid turn", "high energy turns", "erratic maneuvering," "tactical maneuvers", or any kind of electronic warfare. Ignore the tractor and transporters on your ships as well.

Just learn the weapons for two empires and the basics of energy allocation and maneuver first. Then, after playing with those rules, add one or two new rules in your next game (e.g., add playing with transporters).

Naturally, you can "deep dive" and just do everything at once, but it will be much easier to bite off manageable chucks of rules and learn them as you go.


Have fun!
-T

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Friday, June 12, 2020 - 01:06 pm: Edit

Andrew,

One last thing.

Consider subscribing to SFBONLINE (www.sfbonline.com). The online client is a great way to meet SFB players all over the world. It's a very friendly place, and I am certain you can find veterans who will teach you not only the rules, but the tactics as well.

By Andrew B Johnson (Abj9562) on Friday, June 12, 2020 - 05:04 pm: Edit

Thank you for all the responses. We (3 of us) started by using the cadet (online download) version 1st using just the Federation and Klingon races with no problems. It seems like we did stumble on doing it sort of right by going with Cadet Rules and 2 races for the first couple of sessions.

I purchased the Basic Set so we could move up to the standard rules. We are doing as y'all suggested by adding in a few rules at a time. However the confusion started by the extensive cross references to other modules and advanced missions concerning specific situational rules. So, I am thinking ahead when I ask if the G3 or G3A annexes would simplify those issues.

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Friday, June 12, 2020 - 05:16 pm: Edit

Having G3/G3A is a good idea. It put all the essential ship info in one place, even if you are not yet considering use of all of the available units.

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Friday, June 12, 2020 - 07:53 pm: Edit

A new tactics manual has been on discussion for years, but the existing tactics manual (at a guess is over 90% still accurate.)

The only things seriously out of date (mostly because they got published years after the tactics manual got published) would be the Omega stuff, and the later number C modules (5,6). (The C6 module had IIRC the Carnivons and the Paravians.)

Still, it sounds like you have a good handle on the process.

If you run into any issues, please do not hesitate to ask. Most people on the bbs are happy to help. And we all count on the Steve’s set us straight (AS needed,) grin.