Archive through October 29, 2022
Star Fleet Universe Discussion Board: Star Fleet Battles: Battle Forces for Captain's Log:
Archive through October 29, 2022
Jeff,
At a guess it looks like using a whipcrack will blind a sensor channel (the normal use of a plasma whip blinds sensors (OE11.45).
What does a barb-2 fighter have more than a barb-1?
all good
... at a guess a Barb-2 would have 2 more power, and the ability to overload stinger torps (2point OL)
Among other things, each Barb-2 has five points of power, as well as the ability to overload its sting torpedo.
For what it's worth, I would strongly advise anyone with an interest in Omega for SFB who doesn't already own a copy to consider the PDF edition of the Omega Master Rulebook from Warehouse 23 or elsewhere. The current 2011 edition has a consolidated set of rules, OR-sections, MSCs, and scenarios from the five published Omega modules, plus from various issues of Captain's Log through to CL41 (or thereabouts).
Wayne, here's what the Omega MFC says.
Type: B-2
Size: 1
Speed: 14
Phaser: 2xPW-3-FX
Missiles: -
Damage: 14
Other Weapons: 1xST-FA; 5 Energy
BPV: 10/14
Year: 141
DFR: 2
Product: Omega #1
Reference: OR10.F2
The blurb on the craft from "Ship Descriptions"
(OR10.F2) BARB-2 FIGHTER (B-2): An improvement over the Barb-1, the Barb-2 has more speed and damage as well as an extra energy point. It is capable of overloading the sting torpedo, but cannot fire an overload within 32 impulses of a previous overload shot.
Design: Dan O'Connor.
As to your question regarding Whipcrack torpedoes blinding Special Sensors, I've not plunged through the rulebook to find out for certain, but I do know that normal plasma torpedo launches blind Special Sensors, so if your research showing firing a Plasma Whip also blinds them, then yes, Whipcracks will blind them as well.
Now, since our two groups come from neighbors hostile to each other, do our gloves come off? 
Jeff,
Depending on the battle group 550 scenario maybe, or we could be fighting an empire not from our common area of space, or we could be fighting something that is not another player empire submission.
Knowing me I may even change my current submission to a different empire (been looking through the different SFB empires again)
all good
@Richard Eitzen:
Quote:By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Monday, October 24, 2022 - 11:25 pm: Edit
Yeah, it's a Courier. Remove 2 of the extra boarding parties from two Cobras and add a 2nd T-bomb to the CBR.
You should re-post your revised force in it's entirety.
I will when I feel up to it.
I've looked at a couple of different empires too, Wayne. I don't think there's an ISC group yet (and the two Plasma-G on a DDL seem irresistable) and nobody's posted for anyone from the Simulator or the Magellanic Cloud.
Still, I kinda wanna do SOMEthing Omega. Don't know why. Maybe it's `cause I see how much work has gone into it and think it really adds to the best game out there...
In answer to a quer, there is no guarantee that you will face an Alpha octant empire. If someone submits an Omega octant empire, someone will be matched against it. Same if someone posts a magellanic empire.
Andromedan force (revised)
Richard Eitzen, San Diego California
83 Cobra #1 +2 4 Extra Boarding Parties +8 2T-Bombs +1 Two Commando
83 Cobra #2 +2 4 Extra Boarding Parties +8 2T-Bombs +1 Two Commando.
83 Cobra #3 +1 2 Extra Boarding Parties +8 2T-Bombs +1 Two Commando.
83 Cobra #4 +1 2 Extra Boarding Parties +8 2T-Bombs +1 Two Commando.
90 Recon Cobra +1 2 Extra Boarding Parties +4 1T-Bombs +1 One Commando
70 Courier +1 2 Extra Boarding Parties +8 2T-Bombs +1 one commando.
Total: 550
Withdrawing my Omega force (I like the Alunda, but we will play them another time, they got called away on a mission).
Jindarian Asteroid Patrol
by Wayne Power HMAS Livingstone
DV (98), with 11x Met-1 fighters (88), 1x MRS (+8), 4x Transport Artillery rounds (+1) = 195
DDA (108), 4x Transport Artillery rounds (+1) = 109
FFV (90), with 7x Met-1 fighters (56), 4x Transporter Artillery rounds (+1) = 147
FFA (98), 4x Transporter Artillery rounds (+1) = 99
Total = 550
A light carrier patrol defense force (both carriers have 2x EW, 1x Ground attack, and 1x Cargo Pod for supplies).
Well, there are Jindarians in both Omega and the LMC, though there has not (as of yet) been an "update" file detailing which existing units the Omega-Jindarians get (and, if so, when they get them) and which ones either do not exist in Omega at all or have their own local equivalents (such as, say, a set of "volatile warp" INTs and/or PFs, instead of the "hot warp" gunboats used back in Alpha).
To follow the LMC precedent, one might possibly expect the various "pre-Y1" units (those the Jindarians appear to have regardless of where they show up) to be present at the very least.
As for unit types which appear by Y175 over in Alpha:
No doubt the Omega-Jindarians would consider fielding fighters and carriers in response to the deployment of such units by the local Omega empires, though whether or not they would look anything like Alpha-Jindarian fighters and carriers is anther story.
As for would-be carrier escorts: if they were to get any form of Aegis fire control at all, that would have to wait until Y194 before installing limited Aegis under (OR1.N1). No Omega empire has full Aegis at this time of writing.
On the other hand, since the first "war" classes in Omega do not show up until Y187, any equivalent units in Omega-Jindarian service would likely have to wait at least until then, if not a few years after that.
Not that this is the right thread to post such speculation...
As for myself, I'm posting a playtest "Omega's Lost Futures" empire from Captain's Log, with permission from SPP:
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Zosman Collective 1st Phi Sector Destroyer Patrol Squadron
Gary Carney
HMCS Ontario
DD Taohua (68): +warp refit (+14); 2 tachyon guns in WPN mounts (+0), each with arcs upgraded from FA to FH (+4); 4 phaser-W1s in LS and RS phaser option mounts (+0); Barracks in SYS boxes (+2); AWRs in APR* and APR** boxes (+4); +2 transporter bombs (+8); 1 admin shuttle in the port shuttle bay and 1 admin shuttle in the starboard shuttle bay exchanged for 2 shuttle bombs apiece (+4) = 104.
DD Xiushan (68): +warp refit (+14); 2 tachyon guns in WPN mounts (+0), each with arcs upgraded from FA to FH (+4); 4 phaser-W1s in LS and RS phaser option mounts (+0); Barracks in SYS boxes (+2); APRs in APR* and APR** boxes (+0); +2 transporter bombs (+8) = 96.
DD Sijiao (68): +warp refit (+14); 2 FX phaser-W1s in WPN mounts (+0); 4 phaser-W1s in LS and RS phaser option mounts (+0); Barracks in SYS boxes (+2); APRs in APR* and APR** boxes (+0); +2 transporter bombs (+8) = 92.
DD Xiazhi (68): +warp refit (+14); 2 type-B tachyon missile racks in WPN mounts (+6); 4 phaser-W1s in LS and RS phaser option mounts (+0); Barracks in SYS boxes (+2); APRs in APR* and APR** boxes (+0); +10 upgraded tachyon missiles, five per TB-rack* (+30) = 120.
DD Dengbu (68): +warp refit (+14); 2 type-B tachyon missile racks in WPN mounts (+6); 4 phaser-W1s in LS and RS phaser option mounts (+0); 2 special sensors in SYS boxes (+20); APRs in APR* and APR** boxes (+0); +10 upgraded tachyon missiles, five per TB-rack* (+30) = 138.
*All upgraded tachyon missiles in this force are standard frames, propulsion-28 (reduced to 23), armor-12, explosion-12, type-III guidance; 1+.5+.5+1 = 3 BPV apiece.
Note: The Zosman home defense forces in the “off-map” Phi Sector operate using a standard Mæsron-derived set of weapon types: wide-angle phasers, tachyon guns, and tachyon missiles (OR23.RA66).
Total = 550 points.
This squadron, part of the home defense navy of the Zosman Collective, is tasked with patrolling the “off-map” Phi Sector. Its remit includes driving off any explorer ships sent by the nearest “on-map” Omega Octant empires, to include any long-range Quests launched from the extra-galactic Iridani Cluster; watching diligently for any signs of Sigvirion infestation in or around Zosman home space; as well as keeping an eye out for any “wild” deep space life forms - as opposed to those “domesticated” star-faring creatures used as living ships by the Alunda Host or the Branthodons Regime – which might pose a threat to the Collective’s holdings.
As these ships are among the first in the Collective navy to have had the newer and more powerful warp engines installed, enabling them to fight at Warp 3.14, this force is also intended to act as a first response to any points of trouble encountered by other Zosman ships or colonies in the region. Alas, since there is no “unity of command” between the Collective and the five independent Marauder worlds, or indeed between said Marauder worlds themselves, the potential for such trouble to be caused by other Zosman ships in this sector cannot be overlooked.
The ships of this squadron are expected to operate “in the open” outside of combat, so as to use the Dengbu’s special sensors to sweep its assigned patrol area. Even so, each of the upgraded tachyon missiles carried by the type-B missile racks aboard the Dengbu and the Xiazhi have a newly-developed self-guidance system installed, which enables these missiles to be launched even if their operating ships were to place themselves under the protection of their Stealth fields.
-----
The Zosman destroyer, which can be seen here on the Shapeways storefront, has a playtest SSD in Captain's Log #50. The current crop of Zosman playtest material is in CL50, the CL50 Supplemental File, and in Captain's Log #52.
The ship names are from islands in the Zhoushan archipelago, which was used as a base for "Wokou" ("pirate") activity during China's Ming Dynasty.
In the long run, it would be interesting to see a force from an "on-map" Marauder cell submitted in a future Battle Group round.
Indeed, should there be an "update" file for the Paravians of Omega at some point, perhaps then one could see how well the quantum wave torpedo serves as a "pirate" weapon for the Zosmans in Omega, just as the "lost empire" material in SFB Module C6 allows the Orion Pirates to test this option over in Alpha...
V2
Jindarian Asteroid Patrol
by Wayne Power HMAS Livingstone
DV Agate (98): 1x MRS (+8); Fighters: 11x Met-1(+88); Fighter pod stockpile: 22x electronic warfare, 11x ground attack, 22x Cargo; 4x transporter artillery rounds (+1) = 195
DDA Spinel (108): 4x transporter artillery rounds (+1) = 109
FFV Iolite (90): 4x transport artillery rounds (+1); Fighters: 7x Met-1 (+56); Fighter pod stockpile: 14 electronic warfare, 7x ground attack, 14x cargo = 147
FFA Anatase (98): 4x transporter artillery rounds (+1) = 99
Total = 550
hmm, the Jindarian might not be allowed?
I cannot find a rule in Battle Group 550 CL #55 saying module F1 can or cannot be used.
(Making a cuppa and looking at more SFB empires, all good).
After having a read and looking at the last battle group 550 CL #54, it looks like the Jindarian force is ok to field in this battle group CL #55.
Tholian Destroyer Task Force
Alan Trevor - U.S.S. Virginia
3 x DD @ 80 each: Total - 240
1 x DDP @ 80: Total - 80
1 x DDF @ 88: Total - 88
1 x DDS @ 90: Total - 90
Total for 6 ships: 498
Each ship carries 2 x T-bombs @ 4 each: Total - 48
8 x boarding parties upgraded to commando squads @ 0.5 each: Total - 4
Commando squads distributes as follows: 2 each for the three standard DDs, 1 each for DDP and DDF.
Total Force: 550
Gary? I've made an observation about your Zosman force that I think you might be interested in. Would you shoot me an email at storm61285@gmail.com?
Jeff the Dingbat.
Actually, I've decided to revise my battle group somewhat:
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Zosman Collective 1st Phi Sector Light Patrol Squadron (29 October 2022 revision)
Gary Carney
HMCS Ontario
DD Taohua (68): +warp refit (+14); 2 tachyon guns in WPN mounts (+0), each with arcs upgraded from FA to FH (+4); 4 phaser-W1s in LS and RS phaser option mounts (+0); Barracks in SYS boxes (+2); AWRs in APR* and APR** boxes (+4); +2 transporter bombs (+8); 1 admin shuttle in the port shuttle bay and 1 admin shuttle in the starboard shuttle bay exchanged for 2 shuttle bombs apiece (+4) = 104.
DD Xiushan (68): +warp refit (+14); 2 tachyon guns in WPN mounts (+0), each with arcs upgraded from FA to FH (+4); 4 phaser-W1s in LS and RS phaser option mounts (+0); Barracks in SYS boxes (+2); APRs in APR* and APR** boxes (+0); +2 transporter bombs (+8) = 96.
DD Dengbu (68): +warp refit (+14); 2 type-A tachyon missile racks in WPN mounts (+2); 4 phaser-W1s in LS and RS phaser option mounts (+0); 2 special sensors in SYS boxes (+20); APRs in APR* and APR** boxes (+0); +6 upgraded tachyon missiles, three per TA-rack* (+12) = 116.
FF Cezi (58): +warp refit (+14); 2 tachyon guns in WPN mounts (+0), each with arcs upgraded from FA to FH (+4); 4 phaser-W1s in LS and RS phaser option mounts (+0); APRs in APR* boxes (+0) = 76.
FF Changbai (58): +warp refit (+14); 2 FX phaser-W1s in WPN mounts (+0); 4 phaser-W1s in LS and RS phaser option mounts (+0); APRs in APR* boxes (+0) = 72.
FF Dayu (58): +warp refit (+14); 2 type-A tachyon missile racks in WPN mounts (+2); 4 phaser-W1s in LS and RS phaser option mounts (+0); APRs in APR* boxes (+0); +6 upgraded tachyon missiles, three per TA-rack* (+12) = 86.
*All upgraded tachyon missiles in this force are standard frames, propulsion-24 (reduced to 21), explosion-12, type-III guidance; .5+.5+1 = 2 BPV apiece.
Note: The Zosman home defense forces in the “off-map” Phi Sector operate using a standard Mæsron-derived set of weapon types: wide-angle phasers, tachyon guns, and tachyon missiles (OR23.RA66).
Total = 550 points.
This squadron, part of the home defense navy of the Zosman Collective, is tasked with patrolling the “off-map” Phi Sector. Its remit includes driving off any explorer ships sent by the nearest “on-map” Omega Octant empires, to include any long-range Quests launched from the extra-galactic Iridani Cluster; watching diligently for any signs of Sigvirion infestation in or around Zosman home space; as well as keeping an eye out for any “wild” deep space life forms - as opposed to those “domesticated” star-faring creatures used as living ships by the Alunda Host or the Branthodons Regime – which might pose a threat to the Collective’s holdings.
As these ships are among the first in the Collective navy to have had the newer and more powerful warp engines installed, enabling them to fight at Warp 3.14, this force is also intended to act as a first response to any points of trouble encountered by other Zosman ships or colonies in the region. Alas, since there is no “unity of command” between the Collective and the five independent Marauder worlds, or indeed between said Marauder worlds themselves, the potential for such trouble to be caused by other Zosman ships in this sector cannot be overlooked.
The ships of this squadron are expected to operate “in the open” outside of combat, so as to use the Dengbu’s special sensors to sweep its assigned patrol area. Even so, each of the upgraded tachyon missiles carried by the type-A missile racks aboard the Dengbu and the Dayu have a newly-developed self-guidance system installed, which enables these missiles to be launched even if their operating ships were to place themselves under the protection of their Stealth fields.
-----
Rather than take five Zosman destroyers, I decided it would be more interesting to swap two of the destroyers out for three Zosman frigates.
This required cutting back a bit elsewhere, mainly by reducing the tachyon missile racks from type-Bs to type-As, as well as going for a cheaper build for the missiles themselves.
One question: in which Australian state (or territory) is Livingstone located?
I mention this since the submission format as posted above asks to list the state/province/territory (at least for "federated" countries which have such political sub-divisions), rather than the town or city itself. So "HMAS Victoria" as opposed to "HMAS Melbourne", to give one example.
Which, I suppose, could mean submissions from "unitary" countries such as Ireland or New Zealand go by the name of the country itself. Don't quote me on that, however...
Shire of Livingstone.
Gorn Emergency Reaction Force
John Stiff - U.S.S. Virginia
5 x CL @ 92 each: Total - 460
1 x SC @ 80: Total - 80
Total for 6 ships: 540
2 CL carry 1 T-bomb for 8.
Total Force: 548
John L Stiff,
A Gorn force has already been submitted by,
on Wednesday, 19 October 2022-11:34am
Nick Blank USS Ohio
Gorn Strike Force
BDL Fang (103), refit (+2), 2x T-Bomb (+8) = 113
BDD Venom (96), refit (+2), 2x Commando (+2), 2x T-Bomb (+8) = 108
BDD Swift Strike (96), refit (+2), 2x Commando (+2), 2x T-Bomb (+8) = 108
BDS Seeker of Prey (95), refit (+2), 2x T-Bomb (+8) = 105
FF Sunbasker (45), + refit (+5), 2x T-Bomb (+8) = 58
FF Windrider (45), + refit (+5), 2x T-Bomb (+8) = 58
TOTAL = 550
and size class 3 ships not allowed in this CL #55 battle group 550.
I am on vacation without my Omega books. Is it possible to call dibs on the Lorilyll and submit a force next week?
Nope, unless SPP gives you a waiver.