The restrictions in CL54 were pointed to just as a general sense of what is happening--Geoff is using them (and similar rules) as a basis for his tournament rules (which are not yet fully established at press time). Those rules prohibit HDWs in a largely academic sense, as those rules are based on a YIS date of y175, and no HDWs exist in y175.

I the rules presented here, by Geoff, the YIS date is currently y180. Where some folks can use HDWs (Feds, Klingons, Lyrans) and most can't due to, essentially, arbitrary YIS dates for HDWs.

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Monday, February 03, 2025 - 02:50 am: Edit

Hey Paul,

We'll make a special exception for Seltorians in Y182. Their ship is part of the regular cruiser tournament. The Force selection did not list them, due to Y180, and focus on General War fleets, but I don't see a reason to exclude them. The Y180 remains in force, since that is the perfect balance of fast drones as regular availability, and plasma sabot, as well as no X-ships. Only the Lyrans get PFs (per the specific rule), and that is because they are available in Y178, as far as I know.

I'm inclined to permit SC3 Battle Tugs. As Peter says they might have great firepower, but they pay a price in shields and maneuverability. I don't recommend it, but Battle Tugs and LTT + battle pods are ok.

HDWs ... yes they are not evenly available. But it is not like the Roms and Gorns really are hurting for other alternate SC4 units. If a player really wants an HDW that is not available until Y181+, I'm inclined to permit it. Please note, they will not have any fighters or INT/PF. If you "build your own" SC4 scout, its fine, but pay attention to the Weapon Options and Non-Weapon Options rules.

So, as a summary, and as guidance on Force selection, we will keep Y180 in general, but will permit the Seltorian Fleet from Y182, and also permit each race to use an HDW if they want to. If there is any additional non-X, non-SC2, non-CV, non-PFT, non-Captured, regular availability warship for your race that is prior to or equal to Y185, you can submit it and I will probably approve it.

I will write up the modified rules shortly, within about a day. We are cruising towards a tree to be confirmed by this Friday, Feb 7th, so please get in any further force selection and approval questions ASAP. Thanks!

By David Hanson (Glimaash) on Monday, February 03, 2025 - 02:32 pm: Edit

Can you fly solo or are you required to have at least two people on the team. I have seen both in the threads.

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Tuesday, February 04, 2025 - 01:08 am: Edit

Hey Glimaash,

The first draft of the rules were only a team can compete. Then, under discussion from players, it became clear that most players want to run their fleet solo. So, the current version of the rules permits solo, or a team. At this point, only solo players have signed up, so I presume this will be the norm.

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Tuesday, February 04, 2025 - 03:53 am: Edit

Hello All Players and Potential Players. I've given the entire electronic rulebook a review, and expanded the rules used and not used thoroughly, including the rule reference. Please see below. I'm expecting these rules are the final draft. If there are any further rule questions, please ask here before this Friday 2/7.

------

STAR FLEET 500-BPV TOURNAMENT
The purpose of the 500-BPV tournament is to test a player’s skill with some of the more advanced rules in the game system and to allow an SFB group to demonstrate their tactics in a small squadron battle. These rules are a modification of the standard tournament rules presented in the SFB MODULE T:TOURNAMENT BOOK. The Standard Tournament rules are considered in effect except where specifically modified below. These “experimental” rules may be modified in the future.

PLAYERS: A player may control the entire force, or a team of two or three may participate. An active SFB Online account is required, and this is the only venue available for these battles. The Star Fleet Games BBS will be the primary communication and annoucement communication path, although emails are also required and used for force selection and approval.

TIME LIMITS: Each player or team will have twenty (20) minutes each turn to make plans and complete energy allocation (EA), plus an optional five minute bio break if necessary (with proper advance communication with the opposing team). Players and teams need to mutually agree to start, and stop the turns, after all EOT actions are completed. Records of turn start and end down to the minute must be kept and submitted to the judge. For both players or teams, if EA is completed after 20 minutes but within 25 minutes, a random ship will be subject to leaky shield rules (D3.6) for every tenth point of damage scored. If EA is completed after 25 minutes but within 30 minutes, all ship are subject to leaky shields as above. If EA is completed after 30 minutes but within 45 minutes, all ship are subject to leaky shields after every fifth point of damage. Shields will go back to normal function if EA is completed on-time in subsequent turns. If EA is not completed within 60 minutes, the judge reserves the right to impose hull or armor damage, or ultimately to take control of the ships and attempt to disengage.

SCHEDULE: Each round is planned for one month. Judge may authorize weekly extensions if warranted. The concept is to complete a three-round, single elimination tournament within three months. If a battle remains unfinished after six weeks, the judge will adjudicate the match so the tournament can continue. Player and judge etiquette and fair play is required!

VICTORY: Teams are expected to fight until all opposing ships are destroyed or disengage. In the case of any unresolved games, the judge will determine the winner through the use of (S2.20) in the SFB rulebook. Players are not allowed to voluntarily surrender a ship. If a team abandons a game, a judge will control their ships and try to disengage. If the time limit runs out, judges will adjudicate the fate of each ship for point value purposes. Judges reserve the right to review and revise scores in the event of obvious collusion by one team to give the other team a superior score.

FORCE SELECTION: Players are free to select their fleet from SFB published products, within the restrictions below. Every unit must be available in Y180. Drone ships are assumed to have fast drones, and must include the cost in their BPV. Plasma ships are assumed to have the sabot refit, and must likewise pay the refit cost. The total of the ships plus refits and drone speeds should not exceed 500 BPV. The players may select commanders options, and the adjusted total must not exceed 550 BPV.

RACES: Certain galactic races that operated fleets in the later General War era are available: Federation, Klingon, Romulan, Klingon, Kzinti, Gorn, Tholian (including the 312th Neo-Tholian squadron ... see notes below), Hydran, Lyran, WYN (outside cluster only, see S8.141; Fish series or purchased Orion hulls), Vudar, or ISC. The Seltorians are a special case, having a YIS of 182, however, since the Seltorian Tournament Cruiser is included in the SFB Module T and associated tournament, an exception will be made, and a Seltorian fleet may be selected. For Tholians, Web caster limits under (E12.16) are further restricted, only one Web-caster armed ship is permitted. For ISC, PPD limits under (E11.17) are further restricted, only one PPD-armed ship is permitted.

PERMITTED: BCH (S8.333), Scouts (S8.35), Tugs (S8.46) (Battle Tugs only, pods are fixed), Drone Ships (S8.47), Statis Field Ships (S8.42), Maulers (S8.43), Fast Ships (S8.57), ships subject to shock (D23) are permitted. Only one such ship from this list may be selected.

PROHIBITED: Heavy Ships (S8.33) (i.e. Size Class 2 (DN/DNL/BB), True carriers and escorts (S8.31) (Hydran casual only), PF Tenders (S8.34) (Lyran casual only), Minelayers (S8.45), Auxiliaries (S8.51), Separated sections (S8.52), Monitors (S8.53), Cargo ships (S8.54), Police (S8.55), Converted or Captured ships (S8.56), Skiffs (S8.58), Penal ships, Conjectural Ships (S8.41), Mixed Allied Squadrons (S8.6).

LIMITS: Maximum two size class 3 ships, at least one size class 4 ship MUST be included. Only Hydran fighters (max 18) and Lyran casual PFs (max 4) are permitted as non-ship units included in the force selection, however one MRS or A-MRS shuttle per fleet may be chosen as part of the force, or commanders options. A single "Limited Availability (S8.44)" or Command/Leader variant (S8.36) ship may be selected; for example Command or Leaders variants, Maulers, ships with Stasis Field Generators, ships with shock (Fed BCJ, Rom KHK or SPJ, etc.). If there is any additional non-X, non-SC2, non-CV, non-PFT, non-Captured, regular availability warship for your race that is prior to or equal to Y185 (the end of the General War), for example an HDW (S8.49), this may be selected. Please follow the detailed rules in G33, and realize that the various roles such as carrier, PFT, survey, etc. that are not available above are also prehibited in a customized HDW.

The judge reserves the right to reject any selection that is not in compliance with these rules.

BPV LIMITS: Y180 is assumed for all battle forces. If a refit is not specifically stated in the set up, the ship does not have it. NOTE: All forces will “fight” at 550 points, so each team can spend the additional points from their starting point level for additional Commander’s Option items (including special drones). These must be approved before the game begins by a judge. You can select them after knowing your opponent.

Players must submit their forces to the judge for approval prior to play, and the judge may order changes if compliance issues exists. Players will be provided with a Google Docs Spreadsheet link with a template to enter their ship selections, which will include details like Rule Reference, Year-in-Service, BPV/EPV including refits, and speed upgrades. Players and judge will communicate in secret by email, to submit the force and have it approved by the judge. There will also be a section on commander's options, to be filled in and submitted after knowing your opponent. This will serve as the only official record of commander's options available in play, and it will be shared with your opponent prior to the start of the match. These records will eventually be made available to all players.

DRONES: You can exchange two type-I-Fs for one type-IV-F (maximum of one type-IV-F per drone rack), compute speed upgrades normally. You can select special drones per the usual racial restrictions and limits.

MINES: Romulan Eagle ships have their NSMs included in BPV. Mines are not hidden. NSMs can be distinguished from T-bombs, and T-bombs are not hidden if dropped from a shuttle bay.

BETWEEN ROUNDS: A team’s ships are considered fully repaired and reloaded between rounds. Destroyed ships are considered replaced. The number of rounds will be driven by the number of players. The winner will be determined by which force holds the field. Victory Points will also be computed, and used at least as a tie-breaker. Players or Teams may not change forces between rounds, but they may re-select and must gain the judge's approval for commander's options each round.

SCENARIO SET UP: Four maps will be used. Force A will start on map #1 within 3 hexes of 0306; Force B will start on map #4 within 3 hexes of 4024. On SFBOL there is a single hex grid which is 60 hexes by 84 hexes, so map #4 hex 4024 should be 8254 on the main SFBOL map (lower SE corner). All ships are at WS-III (S4.13), speed max, heading at the option of the owning team (all ships from one team must start with the same heading). The map is fixed and does not float. Force A may disengage by exiting the map from the 01 xx hex row of maps #1 and #3. Force В may disengage by exiting the map from the 42xx hex row of maps #2 and#4. Any ship which disengages in any other direction is considered destroyed. No terrain will be used.

RULES USED: All rules allowed in the standard tournament are in effect, with the addition of the following rules:

C3.5 Reversing Direction (Kaufman retrograde is OK, but fixed map),
C3.6 Quick Reverse,
C7 Disengagement (only by leaving the map),
C10 Erratic Maneuvering,
C11 Nimble Units,
C13 Docking (for BP combat),
D3.6 Leaky Shields (only for Time Limits, see above),
D5 Self-Destruction,
D6.3 Electronic Warfare,
D7 Boarding Party Combat,
D11 Chaff (Hydran fighters and MRS shuttles only),
D12 Chain Reactions,
D13 AEGIS Fire Control (but no formal carrier escorts, see above),
D14 Emergency Damage Repair,
D23 Shock Effects (Maulers, BCJ, etc.),
E8 Maulers (E8.23 standard arcs only, no E8.27 Alternate Firing Arcs),
E21 Ion Cannon,
E22 Ion Pulse Cannon,
FD2 Types of Drones (Type I-F, III-F, IV-F, VI-F only, but see restrictions above for IV-F)
FD2.32 Advanced Drones,
FD3 Drone racks (as per the SSDs),
FD4 Launching Rates,
FD8 Multi-Warhead Drones,
FD9 ECM Drones,
FD10 Drone Construction,
FD11 Swordfish Drones,
FD12 Armored Drones,
FD13 Slug Drones,
FD14 Spearfish Drones,
FD15 Starfish Drones,
FD16 Stingray Drones,
FD17 Stonefish Drones,
FD21 Heavy Drones (only on Drogues),
FP11 Plasma Sabot,
FP12 ECM Plasma,
FP13 Type-K Plasma (only on Drogues, or Plasma Racks),
FP14 Plasma Carronade,
G9 Crew Units,
G10 Tholian Web Device,
G14 Tugs and Pods (Battle Tugs only, no Pod Release G14.3),
G16 Statis Field Generators,
G24 Scout Functions,
G33 Heavy War Destroyers,
G34 Drogues,
G36 Ion Pulse Generators,
G37 Ion Storm Generators.
H8 Vudar Ionization System,
J1.53 Balcony and Track Systems,
J7 Dogfighting (Hydran fighters and all shuttles),
J1.54 Launch Tubes (Hydrans only),
J1.63 Landing in the opponent’s shuttle bay (BP combat only),
J5 Warp Booster Packs (at normal BPV cost),
J8 MRS shuttles,
J11 Fighter Pods (only EW pods on Hydran fighters),
J17 Advanced Shuttles,
K0 Fast Patrol Ships (Lyran only, (K2.114) CASUAL PFTs only),
K1 PF General Operations (Lyran only, (K2.114) CASUAL PFTs only),
K5 PF Damage Allocation (Lyran PFs only),
M0 Mine Warfare,
M2 Nuclear Space Mines (Romulans only, per rules above),
M3 T-bombs (All Races, per rules above),
M4.2 Types of Mines (M4.3 Explosive only),
M9 Minelaying (by Transporter, or Shuttle Bay only),
S2.2 Victory Conditions,
S8.11 BPVs,
S8.12 Commander's Options,

Not all races and force lists will be able to use all of these rules.

RULES NOT USED:
---------------
C3.8 Directed Turn Modes,
C9 Position Flywheel,
C14 Tholian Pinwheel,
D18 Surprise,
D6.4 Non-Violent Combat,
D8 Critical Hits,
D14 Power Absorber Panels,
D15 Ground Combat,
D16 Advanced Marine BP combat,
D17 Tactical Intelligence (forces know each other's capabilities, including selected Commander's Options ahead of time),
D20 Hidden Deployment,
D21 Catastrophic Damage,
D22 Energy Balance Due to Damage,
D24 Andromedan Critical Hits,
D25 Jindarian Armor,
D26 Boarding Jindarian Ships,
E6 MCIDS,
E9 Tractor-Repulsor Beams,
E18 Warp-Augmented Rail Gun,
E19 Prospecting Charges,
E20 Transporter Artillery,
FD6 Probe Drones,
G6 Security Stations and Klingon Mutiny,
G11 Super Intelligent Battle Computers,
G12 Ship Separation,
G13.61 Hidden Movement (Cloak),
G13.62 Experience in Tracking (Cloak),
G15 Orion Pirates,
G17 Repair Systems,
G18 Andromedan Displacement Device,
G19 Andromedan Satellite Ship Operations,
G20 Andromedan Energy Modules,
G21 Crew Quality,
G22 Legendary Officers,
G25 Combat Cargo Transfer,
G26 Tholian Web Anchor Buoy,
G27 Romulan Cloaked Decoy,
G28 Barracks and Commando Ships,
G29 Positional Stabilizers,
G30 Inactive Systems,
G31 Temporal Elevator,
G32 Prime Teams,
G35 Andromedan Small Support Ships,
J1.42 Spare Shuttles (all are replaced between rounds),
J6 Pilot Quality,
J9 SWAC Shuttles (Fleets are too small, no CV groups),
J10 Heavy Fighters (only standard Hydran fighters),
J12 Rail-Launched Anti-Drones,
J13 Casual Bases,
J14 Bombers,
J15 Remotely-Controlled Fighters,
J16 Megafighters,
J18 Shuttles Towing Shuttles,
K1.75 PF Scouts,
K2.5 Scout Capabilities,
K3 Interceptors,
K4 PF Leaders,
K6 PF Engine Degredation,
K7 Death Rider PFs,
K8 Crew Quality,
M6 Minefields,
M7 Detecting Mines (automatically detected, see rules above),
M8 Minesweeping
M10 Power Absorber Mines,
M11 Trans-Captor Mine,
P0 Terrain,
S5 Local Conditions,
S8.26 Off-Map Drone Bombardment,
S8.31 Carriers (no true Carriers, not even Hydrans),
S8.48 X-Ships

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Tuesday, February 04, 2025 - 04:11 am: Edit

Here is a list of players and their status:

Nbr Status Text Player Callsign
1 Confirmed Franz Andromedan
2 Confirmed Lemay Princeton
3 Confirmed Madsen Madman
4 Confirmed Flusche Vandor
5 Confirmed Bakija Bakija
6 Maybe Yes Royter MetalDog
7 Maybe Yes Crutchfield librarian101
8 Maybe Yes Mascia Rikk (?)
0 Judge, play? Clark Spartan

If we do not get to eight players, I'm planning to play an ISC force of CC + CF + FF (488), but I hope we can get to eight players! If we have 7 players, we will give one lucky random player a first round bye. If we have six or less, we might play three rounds of randomly selected round robin.

Please send your detailed forces, if you have not already. Your CO may be selected and submitted to the judge after knowing your opponent's race on the tree. Please be detailed! If you don't select warp booster packs (J5), for example and pay 1 BPV each, you cannot use them in play!

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Tuesday, February 04, 2025 - 04:32 am: Edit

BTW, I've extended the Time Limit rules as much as I think is practical. We have a few SFB players from old times, but who do not know the SFBOL interface well. I'm playing a practice game with one of them. I'm tracking my EAF time diligently, but there are times that we need to spend extra time on SFBOL interface explanation. This time should not count against the player. The Time Limits are intended to keep play moving along, especially in the later rounds after everyone has become comfortable, and play has become competitive. Therefore, I'm thinking that for the first round only the Time Limit leaky shield rules will not be enforced.

Comments?

By Frank Lemay (Princeton) on Tuesday, February 04, 2025 - 09:30 am: Edit

Geof,
I will be away from Feb 11th until March 1st so if this is problematic, feel free to drop me in this run.

Cheers
Frank

By Frank Lemay (Princeton) on Tuesday, February 04, 2025 - 09:38 am: Edit

From what I am seeing in the entries, I think there is a Gorn, Rom and ISC fleet as well as my Lyrans.

Me thinks Sabot is the way to go perhaps ?
:>)

Cheers
Frank

By Eddie E Crutchfield (Librarian101) on Tuesday, February 04, 2025 - 10:24 am: Edit

I am thinking yes at this point, I understand the EA form and movement at this point, once I understand the weapons fire and such this week I should be OK, will either be Fed or Vudar, working on fleets today. Had a Warlords turn to get in yesterday.

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Tuesday, February 04, 2025 - 11:06 am: Edit

Frank,

We'll wait for you! I'll post the tree, if I'm lucky you'll get the bye if we don't have 8 players, but nonetheless we'll wait for your holiday!

You'll have to see on the races!

Ed,

Thanks for your reply, I'll look for your fleets, and we'll do weapons fire, DAC and such this week.

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Friday, February 07, 2025 - 01:14 am: Edit

Hello Tournament Players,

Everyone in CC has confirmed they will play, and I only have one more fleet to receive and be confirmed. Once this is done, I will email and post the tree which shows the opponents and races, but does NOT show the actual forces selected. Each player will then confirm their Commander’s Options. I will record them all, confirm the “fighting” BPV at 550 or less, and then email/post the forces and CO for everyone to see. I hope we can get that all done by Monday Feb 10th.

The final rules have been sent by email in PDF format. If there is a typo or clarification needed, please let me know. If you want a change, make your case here on the BBS. Note: the only major addition was clarification on Shuttles, in Y180 the Advanced Shuttles (J17) become common place, no BPV cost.

Nbr Status Text Player Callsign
1 Confirmed Franz Andromedan
2 Confirmed Lemay Princeton
3 Confirmed Madsen Madman
4 Confirmed Flusche Vandor
5 Confirmed Bakija Bakija
6 Confirmed Crutchfield librarian101
7 Confirmed Royter MetalDog
8 Confirmed Mascia orgyockbo
9 Judge Clark Spartan

Since we have eight confirmed players, I will not be playing, only as alternate in case of a dropout, or stand-in.

The schedule looks like this:
* First round scheduled to start Feb 10th
* First round scheduled to end Mar 10th
* First round max extension is Mar 24th
* Any game going past Mar 24th will be adjudicated per the rules.

Speaking of the schedule, Frank Lemay will be on vacation from Feb 11th until March 1st. So, we have a few choices … in descending order of preference.
1. Frank and his opponent can try to get in the first few turns before his vacation.
* It seems unlikely this will determine the victor.
2. Frank can team up with another player and that person can play his fleet in his absence (maybe me).
* i.e. Squadron Commander Lemay is promoted to Rear Admiral, and has to transition to his successor ASAP!
3. Frank and his opponent can wait until he gets back on Mar 1st, and start then, with a “hurry up and finish” style of play.
4. Frank can sit this out and Geof’s ISC can take his place (hope one of the above options works better).

By Frank Lemay (Princeton) on Friday, February 07, 2025 - 08:50 am: Edit

Geof,
How about option #2 ?
I will ask Dave Hanson to fly for me and if he cannot, tag, you're it !!

Sending you and Dave an email.

Also, my COs I submitted is all wrong.
Correct CO selection on the way as well.

Re J17,
I see advanced shuttles are available but do not see that they are included with the ship ?
In any case, my ships are pre Y180 so I think I have to pay to get advanced shuttles which is fine by me.

Cheers
Frank

By Frank Lemay (Princeton) on Friday, February 07, 2025 - 10:50 am: Edit

Change of plans.
Dave Hanson has just joined giving us 10 players but since I will be away for 3 weeks of the 1st turn, I will bow out this time around.

Thanks Geof for organizing and Good Luck all !!

Cheers
Frank

By Frank Lemay (Princeton) on Friday, February 07, 2025 - 11:13 am: Edit

Change of plans again !!
I am back in it seems !

Dave Hanson has now agreed to fly my fleet for Round 1.
If he wins, I will fly my fleet for Round 2 !

Cheers
Frank

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Friday, February 07, 2025 - 11:42 pm: Edit

Welcome Dave, Frank's solid XO willing to step in!

I've got fleet selection from everyone, but there are some changes requested to certain fleets based on the rules, so please wait a little more until adjustments can be made and the tree will be published!

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Saturday, February 08, 2025 - 07:48 pm: Edit

Hello Players,

Just want to make you aware, the Seltorians are a playable race in this fleet tournament, just like they are in the normal Module T cruiser tournament. There is a rule that Seltorians cannot use WW or SS shuttles until Y184, however, this rule is NOT in force. Seltorians can use WW and SS shuttle missions normally, and they also benefit from A-MRS shuttles just like everyone else.

Thanks, will adjust the rules to reflect this.

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Saturday, February 08, 2025 - 07:59 pm: Edit

Here is the tree:

Game 1.1: Madman's Klingons vs Bakija's Gorns
Game 1.2: librarian101's Federation vs Princeton's Lyrans (***)
Game 1.3: MetalDog's Federation vs Vandor's Romulans
Game 1.4: Andromedan's Seltorians vs orgyockbo's Federation

*** Princeton's force is played by Dave Hanson in Round 1. Thanks Dave for stepping in!

Please confirm your Commander's Options, now that you know your opponent's race. If they are unchanged, just tell me that. Fighting BPV is 550!

Good Luck to you all, Admirals!

By Justin Royter (Metaldog) on Saturday, February 08, 2025 - 10:21 pm: Edit

in a civil war I would be happy to change my fleet to Klingon, ships that were the exact match.

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Saturday, February 08, 2025 - 10:28 pm: Edit

Understood, we will discuss. There is no civil war in Round1. First task is Vandar's Romulans.

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Saturday, February 08, 2025 - 10:52 pm: Edit

Hey Gregory, you are Admiral Vandar vice Vandor, sorry about that!

By Jack Taylor (Jtaylor) on Saturday, February 08, 2025 - 11:07 pm: Edit

Can you post a list of the forces so we can all see??

By Eddie E Crutchfield (Librarian101) on Sunday, February 09, 2025 - 12:52 am: Edit

And who said the Federation was not out to conquer the known Universe

By Geoffrey Clark (Spartan) on Sunday, February 09, 2025 - 04:56 am: Edit

Once the players all submit CO, I will post the forces and CO in detail. Just like everyone knows exactly what each Tournament cruiser has in detail, so it will be with these fleets.

By Frank Lemay (Princeton) on Sunday, February 09, 2025 - 07:21 am: Edit

Justin,
Civil wars are easily handled.
Before the battle starts, one side puts a stripe on their ships.
Then when that ship launches shuttles/seekers, they are also striped at time of launch.
Also, POS and POT counters are striped.

A really cool feature Paul put in.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
Frank