Curious as to why disrupter fire at r10-15 didn't waste (or at least seriously damage) a small ship like the DDG?

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Monday, February 20, 2023 - 10:55 pm: Edit

The minefield is farther from the SB than 15 hexes? Its density can't be too serious.

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - 01:12 pm: Edit

I set the single, standard mine package at 15 to 19 hexes. It's very sparce.
I was thinking 25 hexes range might have been a better choice.
I asked about target choices. All I got from the Klingon was: "Onions have layers."
He's a moody fellow.

By Jeff Anderson (Jga) on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - 03:49 pm: Edit

My goodness.

The Klingon player sounds like a real Ogre.

I just hope any Lyran allies with him aren't treated like talking donkeys.

By Stewart Frazier (Frazikar3) on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - 09:32 pm: Edit

Rmember that a single minefield package is for a 30x5 area, coving a R15 (90 hexes) will make it thin (further coverage will require a second [or more] package) ...

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Friday, March 17, 2023 - 05:47 pm: Edit

STARBASE TRYOUTS: Game 2 of 3
(SG8.0) ASSAULT ON A STARBASE Y175
UPDATE: Turn #4
Quick recap: 11 ship Klingon attack force. Probably not best suited to SB assault, but we chose what we chose. Federation Star Base with 8 police ships defending. Again, not a great choice, but who knows, it could happen, maybe.
The Klingons seem content to doggy-paddle thru the minefield at a snails pace. Previously I thought they'd take longer to clear a path, but it looks like there is but 1 mine left impeding them. After that, they'll close to range 15 and likely obliterate me. They continue to spread their own mines via transporter, and no doubt by shuttle hatch. They are picking away at the SB #6 and #3 shields, giving them a damaged shield to shoot at every turn.
I botched my Turn #3 sortie of police ships and fighters. It was an impressive wave of drones, but I should have followed it in and rumbled with the Klinks. It likely would have decimated my fighters and police boats. I think, however, it would have done sufficient damage to the attacker that their assault may have bee halted.
As it is, I recovered my SP's, am reloading fighters, and hope to make another sortie before the SB is toaster strudel.
Also, we'd likely have blown each other to bits already were it not for the heavy EW activity. On Turn #5 my photons will be ready again. I might go all in on ECCM and try to really put a dent in the Klinks. I'm somewhat apprehensive about their return fire if I dont have ECM defense. Both sides have ECM drones out the wazzu I might add. Makes my head hurt tracking everything!

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Friday, March 31, 2023 - 06:26 pm: Edit

STARBASE TRYOUTS: Game 2 of 3
(SG8.0) ASSAULT ON A STARBASE Y175
UPDATE: Turn #5
Long game. Not in turns. In time. But that's ok.
We've spent the last couple of weeks reading rules and talking shop. Today played Turn #5.
Highlights include:
Klingons reached their optimal rang of 15 and will begin the blasting of the Starbase in earnest now.
Because they were trying so hard to protect their wounded D6, their D5J was left exposed. I blasted it for 16 points of internal damage.
I really feel that I dropped the ball and may have cost me the game by playing too defensively.
I should have hit the Klingons with everything I had at the moment they stopped for the minefield. Now my options have not changed but my base is in dire straights and my offence will be more difficult.
Next turn my fighters will be able to relaunch, and what is likely to be my last major offensive, will hopefully make a big dent.
The big question is: is 6-8 police boats and a Starbase enough to stop a DN led klingon attack?
Not to worry, at the rate we are going, we should know by September or so.

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 - 10:16 pm: Edit

STARBASE TRYOUTS: Game 2 of 3
(SG8.0) ASSAULT ON A STARBASE Y175
UPDATE:
I've been talking to 'The Klingon.' We feel that our notes and a paper map marking positions is in sufficient order to pick this game up again and finish what we started.
I can't say whether this is a good idea or not, but at the very least it should be entertaining.
I think this weekend will be a more thorough review of the game and where it was left off at. Then play will resume in September.
More details to come . . .

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Tuesday, September 05, 2023 - 10:25 pm: Edit

Soooo the Klingon insists we had not completed Turn #5. The only proof of this claim is a sticky note on his fleet binder. As I had no sticky note to counter with, the Klingon finished Turn #5 by placing additional transporter bombs--that treacherous fiend! Justice and the Federation shall prevail!

To sum up the game thus far, the vile, unhandsome, ill-groomed, son-of-Klingon used hovercycle salesman has squandered his firepower by spreading it across fighters, drone defense, and plinking at the starbase. The klingon has rooted himself into MY minefield quite effectively however. He is now at range 15 and preparing to blast away.
I lost several fighters but should have been more aggressive in my early defense. I find myself forced to be aggressive now for survival only to deal with an entrenched enemy. It will, no doubt, cost me dearly, but I'm thinking of sending in all the fighters and police boats. They'll get plastered, yet I think that they will do sufficient damage to compel a Klingon withdrawal.

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 - 12:24 pm: Edit

STARBASE TRYOUTS: Game 2 of 3
(SG8.0) ASSAULT ON A STARBASE Y175
UPDATE: Turn #'s 6 and 7.
Doom and Gloom! The end is nigh!
Turn #6 consisted mostly of looking up rules, tracking fighters, shuttles, drones, EW, EM, SP's, calculating launch times, etc. In short, it was EPIC!
The Klingon invaders continue to fight defensively, I don't think they are afraid of my defense force.
Their D6S scout was painting the starbasse with a full spread of offensive ECM. That was irritating.
To sum up, my Federation sortie of F18's, F14's, POL's, a DDG, and a CL got to close to the fire. More patience and reloading might have been a superior choice.
The Klingon D6S was destroyed, the F5V has a security station and its RX phasers left, The C8B lost its forward shield, but to the Federation's great shame, no internal damage was delivered, and all 8 of the F5V's ZV fighters were destroyed in the D6S explosion.
In trade, the Federation defenders lost all of their fighters in the same D6S explosion. That hurt. Not just for losing the fighters, but for not falling back and reloading--curse my impetuous hide!
Anyway, one POL was crippled, all remaining POL's lost their facing shields, and the DDG and CL escaped injury due to being slightly slower in charging the enemy.
Turn #7 ended with the Klingon and Federation ships at ranges zero to three from each other with most weapons recently fired.
The Klingon's have the advantage with a handful of disruptors ready to fire. The Federation has speed to make an escape back to the starbase.
Handled differently, the starbase and its defenders could perhaps have repelled the attackers. As it is, I'm not confidant of my chances at this point. I think my best bet will be to harass the C8B, it will be disadvantaged with no forward shield.
Of notable mention is the Klingon D5J. Despite its penal ship limitations, its emerging as the MVP of the scenario. Just out of spite I might let the C8B go and pulverize the D5J as it has no forward shields either.
Not that I hold a grudge or anything.

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Sunday, October 01, 2023 - 06:51 am: Edit

starbase tryouts game 2 of 3.
Turn #8.
Taking a lesson from the Klingons, the Federation starbase plastered the C8 and all 3 D7s with O-ECM.
The D6D replaced the destroyed D6S Scout and returned the favor. Also loaned ECM to the C8.
There was a fury of drone exchanges with none landing a hit.
One POL and the Fed CT Corvette were destroyed.
The Klingon minesweeper towed the wrecked F5V to 25 hexes from the starbase. A lost opportunity for the Fed to get a easy kill.
With such heavy EW, the Klingons may have to risk a point blank assault.
The Feds have only 2 POL, 1 DDG, and a CL between their base and a largely intact Klingon assault force.

By Ginger McMurray (Gingermcmurray) on Sunday, October 01, 2023 - 08:57 am: Edit

How long did that turn take to play out?

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Sunday, October 01, 2023 - 02:20 pm: Edit

3 or 4 hours, plus or minus the ibuprofen for the headaches it generated.

By Steve Petrick (Petrick) on Wednesday, October 04, 2023 - 04:32 pm: Edit

Joseph Jackson:
Curiosity, what, if any, of the Advanced Base Rules (R1.1G) were you using? If any, did they seem to help or simply add dirt to the mechanics of the game?

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Wednesday, October 04, 2023 - 11:03 pm: Edit

Ok, tough question. Here goes:
R1.1G1 Repair Limitations:
Use it, love it. hasn't come up in this game . . . yet.
R1.1G2-3 Haven't used MRS or SWAC before, having reread the rules on such in preparation to answer this question; this situation will be remedied for future games.
R1.1G4 Flotillas: Have Mod K, haven't cracked it open yet but looking forward to it.
R1.1G5 Employ the optional shuttle deck, but keep forgetting all about it in the heat of battle.
R1.1G6 Haven't seen a use for changing rotation rate, too much to pay for anyhow. But I guess having the option never hurts.
R1.1G7 Firing Arcs:
Somehow I've missed this one all this time. I'm kicking myself and gnashing my teeth and clenching my fists in rage. It is permanently on the menu from now on.
Thanks for asking. May your positional stabilizers keep you well.

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Monday, October 09, 2023 - 03:13 am: Edit

STARBASE TRYOUTS: game 2 of 3
Turn #9
I fell off my back steps and landed on my noggin, so game time was limited as I was visiting instacare. Fear not, my skull is thick, and other than a headache and sprained wrist, all is well.
The loss of the Klingon D6S Scout has cost them EW superiority and it's starting to show.
Closing to 8 hexes, the Klingons failed to penetrate the starbase shields.
The base, hoping for an Impulse #1 alpha strike on Turn #10 fired early for good damage on the Klingon C8B.
The dice didn't favor the Klingons this turn at all. Perhaps there is a ray of hope for the beleaguered Federation.
The few remaining Fed ships rallied a rescue effort to save a powerless POL Cruiser. All the remaining POLs are disengaging, leaving the DDG and CL to reload and aid the base defense.

As unlikely as it is that a Base would be defended solely by its patrol force, it's been terribly interesting to me thus far. As I consider Turn #10, I can't say for sure who has the upper hand. Probably the Klingons, but the Federation still has a trick or two up it's sleeve.
Next week we're all going to go party and watch the solar eclipse in Central Utah. So the real question is, can we wrap this game up by Halloween?

By Ginger McMurray (Gingermcmurray) on Monday, October 09, 2023 - 10:40 am: Edit

I'm very curious to see how turn 10 goes. Range 8 phaser IVs are terrifying. Then again, that's a lot of disruptors pointed back at you.

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Monday, October 09, 2023 - 11:28 pm: Edit

I'm very stressed out over it. The C8B has taken 50 ish internals, the D5J about 15 internals, the F5V is out of the fight, and the minesweeper is to far away to matter. The D6S blew up, but there are 3 D7Bs, 2 D6Bs, a D6D, F5 escort, and as mentioned, the C8 and D5.
Fed starbase Shield #4 has 30 of 80 boxes left. Shield #5 has 50 of 80 boxes.
Also, the starbase has burned thru its batteries and is DESPERATE for power.
I think it's gonna get messy.

By Ginger McMurray (Gingermcmurray) on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 - 09:45 am: Edit

Keep us posted!

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Monday, October 16, 2023 - 04:32 am: Edit

STARBASE TRYOUTS: Game 2 of 3
Turn #10 report:
Impulse #1 saw ten phaser 4's brutalize the C8 dreadnought at 8 hexes. Lots of EW, and lots of box cars on the dice saved the ship-barely.
It's got 4 phasers, 4 disruptor, and most of its center warp engine, but not much else.
The Fed DDG and CL made a too slow run at the D6D and were intercepted by the D5J and a D7B (from farther away).
The D5J was gored and left for dead.
The DDG was crippled.
Everything else overran the Starbase and hit it at point blank zero range. Pod six is gone, half the upper armor is mangled, and the scanner/sensors took a beating.
Turning hard on the follow thru, the Kilingons lined up a whole fleet, rear arc phaser-2 marathon against the starbase's weak number 4 shield earning 10 internals.
So much was going on, both sides completely forgot about hit and run raids.
5 Klingon Cruisers and a F5E are lined up at range one at the Starbase's backdoor for Turn #11. The Fed CL is gunning for the D6D, and only a F5M stands in its way.
Place your bets now before it's too late.

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Thursday, October 19, 2023 - 04:19 am: Edit

STARBASE TRYOUTS:Game 2 of 3.
Outcome:
In what feels like a huge let down, the Klingon has conceded the game post Turn #10.
I really thought he had me there, and I was looking forward to an epic Turn #11.
Several factors led to the Klingon's decision.
In Game #1 the Klingons chose to divide their fire between 2 shields as they had the time, range, and firepower to 'toy' with the starbase. They carried this attitude into Game #2, ultimately downing starbase shields 1, 4, and 6. While downing two shields seems a viable tactic against a rotating base, the second, and certainly the third shield may have been better served as 160 internal damage points. Additionally, and I'll have to trust klingon math on this, do to poor execution of his Turn #10 overrun, the 5 Klingon cruisers are set to take 200+ hits from the bases p4's and photon torpedoes. And that's after EW adjustments. The Klingon feels that what remains of his cruisers after that won't have anything remotely threatening to the starbase, even with 3 shields down.
So I guess that's a win for me and the Federation! If we replayed this one exactly with same set up, I think I'd loose; but it seems that even a modest defense does indeed create a force multiplier effect.
Given the many valuable lessons learned from this scenario, the thought of Game #3 chills me to the bone.
Much appreciated is the thoughts, advice, insight, and encouragement you've all offered thus far. Thank you.
Game #3 set up coming soon.

By Gregory S Flusche (Vandar) on Thursday, October 19, 2023 - 06:34 pm: Edit

YES, and it has been good to read about the battle. Keep it up please!

By Joseph Jackson (Bonneville) on Thursday, October 26, 2023 - 11:15 pm: Edit

STARBASE TRYOUTS: Game #3.
Supplemental:
1 out of 2 people that I can get to play SFB with me have been engaging in some emotionally elevated discussions concerning Game #3 set up.
Ultimately, we've decided that our efforts are more concerned with force-on-force action than force-on-terrain action. Thus, the ground based starbase is out; but an orbital base around a Class-M planet is in.
Preliminary forces are as follows:
The Klingon is shaking things up with a new line up in setting Y182.
From Module R3, a C7 Heavy Battle Cruiser leads the pack. With it is a new F5WS scout from the latest Hailing Frequencies. Add to that D5P with a 6-pack of PF's ready to rumble. Not to be out done, a D6U interdiction carrier and its AD5 and AF5 escorts get in on the action. It's loaded up with 24 freaking Z-YB fighters. Oh my! As the D5J from Game #2 survived with 3 warp engines, it's back. This time it's bringing two buddies, a pair of standard D5's to make a trio-more of a quartet if you throw in a D5M minesweeper. Lastly, in honor of the metric system, the Klingon has 10, count them, 10 suicide freighters. 4 large, 6 small. Also, thru my secret spy network (he told me, as we pre-agreed on it), the Klingons will be employing an undisclosed number of drogues, at least one of which will be loaded with Type-H drones.
I'll list off the Federation forces tomorrow, as I've got to run right now. Well, let's be honest, it's more of an urgent walk than a 'run.'

By Mike Erickson (Mike_Erickson) on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 09:55 am: Edit

Game on! I must admit I'm a bit envious. In my active SFB days of many years ago, our group talked about a SB assault a number of times but never undertook one due to the perceived high level of complexity. If only we had!

--Mike

By Gregory S Flusche (Vandar) on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 02:32 pm: Edit

The last write Ups have been intriguing so please keep posting.