Archive through August 27, 2008
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Archive through August 27, 2008
Just so it is put on the record - I actually rolled better than the Alliance in 617!
I am still in shock...and hopefully I will recover soon.
Now I just need the Mauler rolls to get back to average (I think something like 15 passed shock rolls is needed to get it back to 'average' - one can hope!).
I am not too unhappy with the turn - would have been nice to have done abit more damage to the Hydrans, but you can't do everything.
I will try and get retrogrades and Strategic movement done tonight - and then the evil part of the turns plan will come into effect.......(very evil laughter in the background) 
End of Coalition Turn 5 -
1.6 Ep's of Drones was fired.
21 Ep's of CEDSs repairs has been done.
Klingon balance is -22.55 Ep's.
Lyrans have 3 Reserves in the North (404, 705 and 906).
Klingons have 1 Reserve in the North (1401) and 3 in the South (714 x 2 and 1214).
Lyrans attempt to set up a PDU on the Kzinti Capital (with Klingon Permission).
I'll add a note here, if I can find the TGA which I have a note saying it is setting up a PDU - the Klingons will also set up a PDU in the Kzinti Capital (Minor planet). So far , my searches have failed to track the TGA down though!
Admrial K'Tang of the Klingon Eastern smilled in secret.
For the last 18 months, a stream of crippled ships has been pouring through the Klingon Eastern Provinces - Although non of his junior officers had said anything (and on pain of death - who would?) but the rumours were getting stronger - the war in the north, was not going well. Losses and cripples was far exceeding ship production.
His equivalent on the opposing Federaton side of the border, Admiral Sampson, had picked up on this, and more or less, daily sent reports back to the Federation Council, that the Klingons was in trouble.
How could the Coalition maintain the current war levels and losses it was taking - peace would break out...and K'Tang had heard from his 'Orion' friends', the Federation was already putting out feelers, to pick up the required rebuidling contracts, that would surely be needed following a peace treaty?
Yes peace would come.
...at that point,K'Tang had to stop a laughter coming out of his mouth - he couldn't let his crew know the truth......
Interestingly, Paul's latest move has reduced my certainty level of the impending attack on the Feds from 99% to about 90%.
Before, the logic was something like this:
He's done with the Kzinti and not really going after the Hydrans. Therefore, it must be the Feds.
But this turn he threw a lot at the Hydrans. The Coalition now has 3FRD down there. It still looks like he's going after the Feds, but I'm a little less sure now.
We shall see.
Hydran Economy Turn 5
Total from Previous Turn 0
Capital 12
Onmap majors 5
Onmap minors 3
Onmap Provinces 14
Other (specify) NZ (incl. from turn 4) 0.8
Old Colonies Grid EP moved to Hydrax 14.5
Offmap 19
Survey Roll 14
Survey Total 30
Total Income 68.3
Grand Total 68.3
Econ and Repair Phase Expenditures
Repairs at Hydrax SC, CU, HN, LC, RN 7
Repairs elsewhere 4UH, 2HN, HR 9.5
Buiild -- Sub TR for DG; RN, LN, 2HN for 4CV:
2TR 10
3CU, 5HN [1CU 1017] 20
RN, LN 10
2HR 10
Total E+R expenditures 66.5
Left at end of Econ Phase 1.8
Also 3 command points available
Kzinti Economy Turn 5
Total from Previous Turn -3.6
Capital
Onmap majors
Onmap minors 3
Onmap Provinces 8
Other (specify)
Offmap 21
Survey Roll 13
Survey Total 49
Total Income 32
Grand Total 28.4
Econ and Repair Phase Expenditures
Repairs:
902 3CVS, BT, SF 8
Barony VT, 6CVS, CC, SF 15
Build
EFF at Count's SB 3.5
Total E+R expenditures 26.5
Left at end of Econ Phase 1.9
Post Econ Phase Expenditures:
CEDS
Left at end of Alliance turn: 1.9
Command points available: 1
Alliance turn 5 is complete. Losses:
Hydrans: BT, RN, AH, BATS, 4 ships crippled
Kzintis: SB, 1 ship crippled
Klingons: 2D6, D6M, 2BATS, E4, about 10 ships crippled
Lyrans: BC, 3FF, 2FRD, about 10 ships crippled
The Kzinti SB that was killed was doomed anyway as it had 6 SIDS which they didn't have room in the budget to repair. He reacted onto it, reserved it, and used dirdam to score the final 2 SIDS at which point the Kzintis retreated, as being cut off on a crippled SB would not have been a good thing.
Even though the SB was doomed, I'm sure he was glad to get it out of the way on my turn.
The real action was on the Hydran front, where the Sultan used almost His entire fleet in an attempt to kill all Coalition BATS and FRDs within 6 hexes of Hydrax. Given this, the result that should have happened was BATS 1013 killed, 3 Coalition FRDs killed, and BATS 1214 surviving. However, each side made some mistakes, resulting in the Hydrans killing BATS 1214 as well, but one Klingon FRD surviving.
The Hydrans have two reserve "fleets". The stronger one consists of 1HR. So it is anticipated that the Coalition will be able to do some damage to the Hydrans on their turn.
The Kzintis have no reserves, but they don't need any as they only have one position the Coalition can attack without incurring the wrath of the Feds. (Said position is planet 1001, which the Kzintis recaptured this turn).
Kzinti final economy:
CEDS -- none
1.9EP remaining
Hydran final economy
CEDS -- AH for 3.5EP
-1.7EP remaining
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
The Count fought heroically in defense of his starbase, retreating only when the starbase was aflame, its doom certain. And even in this dire situation, the Count was, by quick thinking, able to liberate the planet Zamian from the grip of the Enemy. By his heroism, the Count has won the confidence and favor of the Caliph.
Although free, Zamian lies in ruins. Its mosques are destroyed. The Enemy ate the seed grain, so crops have not been planeted. The honor of its women has been defamed. Many of its men are dead. All of this angers the Caliph.
Allah willing, the Kzinti must have their revenge!
Well, a very interesting turn.
As William mentioned - a couple of mistakes on both sides.
The dice again came up trumps - generally for the Alliance 
1013 was about the only battle where the Coalition rolled well (plus a single combat, where they forced the crippling of a Hydran Carrier Tug), but pretty much everywhere else, the Alliance rolled well.
Once more, in the 50/50 battles, the Alliance won (bascially, a low roll, insufficent damage is done to cause any damage, a high roll is sufficent to get 50% of the enemy vessels Defensive Rating)... and in everyone (I think 4 or 5 now), the Alliance has succeeded.
Alliance persuits was also all succesful (although was only 1 this turn).
About the only 'good' thing which happened, was the the Hydran non-capital planets was re-devastated (so the 1 turn of recovery they had has been lost), for no loss (I re-acted into the Hex - and the Hydrans was no where to be seen!!!)
Maulers - 2 rolls - 1 shock - so my average actually has gone up, but is far below the 2/3rds chance of remainining unshocked. (If I had remained unshocked at 1013, I might have won, although probably would have just killled another Hydran cruiser).
Captures - No on Alliance turn (both sides are massively down on this).
Coalition Turn 6 will start shortly (is that an evil laughter I hear?)
No, that is evil maniacal laughter. Evil laughter is much shorter duration and doesn't take very much practice to do well.
The most interesting part of Coalition turn 6 is likely to be the strategic movement phase. Will he go after the Hydrans or the Feds? Enquiring minds want to know. (Or at least mine does . . .)
Coalition Turn 6 has started
Economics
Klingon
Balance end of turn 5 - -22.55 Eps
Total Income - 172 Eps
Current balance - 3.45 Eps
(3 more Ep's will be spent on Repairs - I assumed originally there was some E4's left in Mothball!)
Turn 6
C8 - 16
D7 D6M (S) 10
7 x D5 - 35
2 x F5L 2 x F5 (S) 6
F5 F5S (S) 4
2 x F5 2 x F5 6
3 x E4 - 7.5
2 x D5, F5 3D5V 17
B10 5
106.5
Mothball
2 x D6 2
2 x F5 2
(no E4's left)
Repairs
1107 F5, F5S 2
1507 2 x F5 2
1707 2 x F5 2
1807 2 x F5 2
1407 All 16
1509 TGA 2
1411 C8, 2 x D7, D5, E4 9.5
1011 2 x F5 2
Total 37.5
Scrap
2 x EFF 2
Revised Balance 0.45 Ep's (2 x CW's repaired in 1509)
Lyrans
Balance end of turn 5 - 0.5 Eps
Total Income - 122.4 Eps
Current balance - 0.9 Eps
Turn 6
DN - 16
CA STT (S) 10
CW - 5
2 x DW - 8
3 x FF - 7.5
2 x CW, DW 3CVL (S) 6FFF 18
2 x PDU 14
78.5
Conversions
408 - CA DN 6
Repairs
Far Stars All 7
404 All 8
504 DD, FF 2
705 SC, F5 2
608 All 8
408 CA, D5, DD 4.5
1407 All 6
37.5
Coalition turn 6 op move is well underway. He will be hitting the Feds next turn. An elaborate dance is underway, with lots of crips going to repair points near the Fed border. Pretty much all his repair capacity near that border will be used on turn 7.
He has managed to cut off the uncrippled portion of the Kzinti fleet. It is out of supply in 1102. The Kzinti should be able to get it into supply on their next turn. Additionally, they will have the usual slew of repairs.
To pull off his Fed strike, he is pulling a bunch of Klingons off of the Hydran front. With the Kzinti weak and the Feds under heavy attack, it will likely be up to the Hydrans to take carry the water for the Alliance for a while. They are definitely the only Alliance race that will be able to deal significant blows inside Klingon space for the next few turns.
As a good-bye present, the Klingons are destroying 2SB (2nd and Exp) and 4BATS. This is possible because last turn's attacks left the Hydrans with almost no reserves. The only surviving on-map Hydran base outside of Hydrax will be the First Fleet SB. And the Hydrax grid will only have about 25EP next turn as the Old Colonies are cut off again. But the essentials for attacking the Klingons are:
1) the First Fleet SB and
2) a strong fleet,
both of which the Hydrans have. And with so many Klingons departing, the Hydran economy may start to recover on turn 7.
Well, you never know....
Most battles have been done
Kzinti Front
1001 - Both sides directed on an Escort (E4A/EFF) and the Kzitni also lost 15 fighters, which will not be replaced. The Kzinti force is out of supply - although is easy enough to get back into supply.
311 - HN killed for no loss
114 - BATS killed for a CW being crippled
213 - Dice Gods returned to slap the coalition - BATS died and 1 E4A was crippled (basically, I needed to get 15% and avoid the Hydrans getting 35% - BIR startted at 3 - I rolled VBIR down 2 and a 1 for the Coalition...getting 10%, the Hydrans did 30% - and so killing the BATS required a further battle round, and William got the required 3 damage to force a crippling)
215 - Dice gods again favoured the Alliance Coalition lost a DN, D6M, D5 and E4A (all except the E4A direct killed - I self killed this to reduce the chance of the D6M being captured!), plus had a D5V, 2 AD5 and a F5E crippled. Hydrans lost the SB, HR and LN (both ships direct killed).
The Mauler actually passed a Shock roll, but was then direct killed (when not mauling ) the following round.
Battles at 318, 416. 716 and 1116 to be done.
Coalition Turn 6 battles have been completed.
318 - BATS (already has 2 SIDS) killed - E4 crippled
416 - FV crippled, CU crippled - both sides retreated (Coalitoon Force at 318 is now in a Partial Grid)
1116 - BATS killed, F5 crippled
716 - Not quiet perfect rolling, but 3 rounds of scoring 24 damage allowed William to kill 3 D7's (and as exactly 24 was done, I was never able to cripple anything, to make it harder the following round). SB, CU killed and 5 CU crippled v 3 D7's killed. Lyrans then led the last battle round against the crippled SB, killing it - and allowing me to retreat 1 hex closer to Federation space (Klingon supply line was to the North, Lyran North East!).
Retrogrades, CEDS and SM to be done!
My Dearest Sultan,
Today, we had a most interesting visitor. A medium-sized starship of unknown design approached the starbase from the general direction of the Vudar regions. The Starship hailed the Starbase. A conversation ensued between our communications officer and a member of its crew. The crewmember was an alien being which claimed to be "James T. Kirk", captain of the Starship. We do not know if "Kirk" is an actual name or a pseudonum. As we have no other name for the alien, we shall use it for the remainder of this transmission.
"Kirk" claimed to be a member of the "United Federation of Planets." He stated that this "United Federation of Planets" is a race of bold and daring explorers with a home called "Earth", located on the far side of Klinshai. He stated that his race has a tense, but currently peaceful, relationship with the Klingons. He further stated that the purpose of his voyage was to discover whether there in fact existed a race known variously as "Hydrans" or "Methane breathers" and, if found, to inquire about "their" situation.
As You surely appreciate, Your humble servant now found himself in a difficult position. Your servant wanted to show respect to this visitor who, regardless of the truth of his account, had obviously travelled a long way to find us. Furthermore, if these "United Federation of Planets" do in fact have a tense relationship with the Klingons, they may someday become an ally for You. Your servant therefore felt it would be unwise to mislead or offend them in any way. At the same time, Your servant did not want to reveal any information which might be used against us.
Your servant therefore chose to reveal readilly ascertained information about us, while politely declining to discuss more sensitive matters. Among the information revealed was:
We are the Hydrans, also known as the Methane Breathers. We are loyal to our Sultan. We posess several starbases such as this one. Our capital is called Hydrax. We are at war with the Klingons, who wish to conquer our realm. This they will never do. In fact, many of the cowardly Klingons are retreating from our realm. Intercepted chatter among these Klingons frequently refers to a "Federation". We do not know whether or not this "Federation" is the same as Kirk's "United Federation of Planets".
"Kirk" thanked us for our information and said it would be of great interest to his race. He also said that he had orders to return home immediately if he learned anything of importance. He stated that Your servant's information was of great importance to him. He therefore politely declined Your servant's offer of hospitality, saying he needed to return to "Earth" as quickly as possible.
During the conversation, Your servant was distressed to note several similarities between
"Kirk" and Klingons:
* Both have a face located on a head which is at the top of the body. These faces contain eyes, a nose, a mouth, and ears, arranged in a similar manner.
* Both walk upright on two legs.
* Both breathe Oxygen.
* Both use Starships with detachable sections at the front.
Despite these similarities, Your servant's analysis section believes that "Kirk"'s story is likely true, and that "Kirk" is likely not a Klingon trick. After all, Kzinti and Lyrans are superficially similar to each other, but they are definitely not friends!
With humble regards,
Nitrogen Hydraxaport, Admiral of the First Fleet Starbase
Retro, SM and CEDS has been done.
8 Ep's have been spent on CEDS repairs.
Klingon and Lyran forces have redeployed to counter any continued aggression from the Kzinti and Hydran empires!
The odd 1 or 2 ships, is also on a shake down cruise, in the Klingon Eastern Provinces. The idea being these provinces are a siginficant distance from the war areas, and therefore the crew can be rested and enjoy some free time.
Special Officer Chiak was happy.
For a few careful payments to his Orion friends, they had obtained the Federation vessel for afew months usuage.
Using something his Orion friends called 'Laytex', he had dressed up like on the 'Federation' officers he had seen in the Human 'Televideo programs' - and he liked the name of Captain T Kirk - it sounded nice and human!
After being allowed to Dock at the Hydran 1st SB, he had been allowed free access to most of the Base - that might come in useful should Coalition forces revisit that base - but his primary mission was information and mis-information.
That Hydran fool, what was it? - Nitrogren Hydraxaport, that was it! He had lapped up the information of the 'famed Federation' and gave some very useful information, which he was sure the Klingon Empire would benefit from.
So indeed, the Hydrans were not aware of the Federation....but wanted there help.
Well, if the plan is activated - both the Hydrans and Federation will be wanting for alot more than just help!
He viewed the Bridges 'View Screen' - the Federation ship was actually pretty confirmy, and he wished he could keep it (alas, keeping his Orion friends happy would preclude keeping it) - the View Screen showed the Hydran 1st Star Base getting smaller and smaller. He wondered if he could borrow 'long term' the View Screen? It would look cool in his Apartment in the Capital, and it would certainly brighten up his life!
Alliance Turn 6 operational movement has been done.
In the Kzinti front, the out of supply force attacks 1202, and do to reactions, the supply lines are re-opened for combat (1201 would have been retreated on to!)
In the single battle round, the dice gods one more favoured the Kzinti (6 v 1), and although the Coalition had 25% more Compot, therefore only did 2/3rds the damage.
A Kzinti SF was direct killed, and a Lyran CC and 2 CW was crippled (with average dice on both sides, I could have saved crippling one of the ships).
On the Hydran front - the Hydrans attacked pretty much everything in sight...and once more the dice gods favour them.
118 DD died (1/6 chance of living)
312 CC and DWS crippled (1/6 chance of persuit being missed and just one being crippled) - Lyrabns retreated
813 D5 crippled - Hydrans retreated
714 - D5 crippled in the battle, 2/3rd chance of failing persuit - persuit battle, F5 crippled. I then fighting retreated into 814, FF and E4 crippled, Hydran CR crippled - Coalition retreated into 914.
Battles remaining
914 - Even 'bun fight' over Lyran FRD and supply Tug
516 - Open space battle in Coaltioon favour
418 - Open space battle (need to check if I count in supply or not? Start of Turn, out of supply, Start of Combat Phase, in supply - currently out of supply again! - Rules not with me)
516 - 3 Coalition ships over the captured planet, defend against 2 Hydran ships
1217 2 E4 face off against an RN plus TR.
William has a couple of ships available for reserves (2 x Pal, RN, TGV+VP, CU)
Hopefully, the Hydrans will now roll some poor dice - and the Coalition good dice - I think we deserve it!
(I think this is the 3rd consecutive turn where the Alliance has rolled better than the Coalition - but more importantly, is getting the right rolls at the right time - i.e. if both sides need to roll 2 or higher - most of the time, the Coalition will roll a 1 and the Alliance is always getting atleast the 2!)
Well, first the results..
914 - TGA+BP, STT, FRD, e4a, d5, f5, e4, ff killed (lower case already crippled) plus D7C crippled v RN and LB killed, LB crippled
519 - F5 crippled
418 - CW crippled
516 - D6, F5 and DD crippled v LN and HR crippled
1217 - E4 killed
The dice- well I thought they couldn't get any worse - and they did. The key battle, which was 'fair', I rolled an average of 3.33 to Williams 5.67 - it only lasted 3 rounds, the persuit cost me 5 hulls (William rolled a 6, and I rolled my best roll, with a 5!)
Unfortunately, my retreating from 714 caused problems in that my retreat line had even more cripples in it - and so I lost several small hulls (the normal crippled hulls basically).
Over the later part of the turn (8 rolls), Alliance (A) Average was 4.875 v the Coalition (C) average of 3.625.
Key battles - A 5.67 v C 3.33 (3 rolls)
Moderate battles - A 5 v C 4 (2 rolls)
Minor battles - A 4 v C 3.75 (3 rolls)
William finally failed a persuit (OK, it had a 1/6 chance of success - but it's a start!)
In summary, the dice are really bugging me now. It's not Willaims fault, but to be constantly and consistently outrolled and not getting the 50/50 breaks is having a significant effect on the game (this turn, the bad dice have cost me probably another 5 dead hulls and 6 cripples). So, over 3 turns, thats probably 12 more dead and 18 more cripples.
Other than finding a new dice server - any thoughts?
I think thats it!
It's getting annoying for me, too.
I don't mind short-term swings in luck; in fact I expect them.
But the game is most interesting if things balance out over the long term.
That could still happen, but there is no sign of it.
Alliance turn 6 is done. Hydrans have retroed a lot of their best ships to the First Fleet SB, as forces based there threaten four Klingon BATS and two Klingon planets. Hydrans have created two small reserves.
Kzinti didn't do much during their turn but have created two very strong reserves.
There has been a lull in the fighting up North as the Kzinti needed to pull back and recover. The Kzinti, Klingons, and Lyrans have all been using the pause to work on their respective repair problems. After his next repair phase, the Klingon fleet will be almost all repaired (assuming he is willing to skip a few builds to do it). The Lyrans will be most of the way caught up on their backlog, but will still have a few crips that Lyrantan does not have the capacity to repair, as well as some crips that are still making their way home from the turn 5 battle at Hydrax.
As for the Kzinti, their crip mountain has been reduced to a 31.5EP crip molehill -- still significant in relation to their economy, but also a major improvement over the recent past.
The Hydrans have actually managed to accumulate 17EP worth of crips. A few are the result of dirdam, but most are due to running out of fighters in various battles. All are on repair points which are likely to be able to repair them next turn.
Kzinti final economy
Left at end of Econ Phase 4.9
Post Econ Phase Expenditures:
CEDS 14.5
Left at end of Alliance turn: -9.6
Hydran final economy:
no CEDS
0.3EP in Hydrax grid
14.5 EP in Old Colonies
Fed setup is complete. The Third Fleet SB is held by only a single battle force. The rest of the Third Fleet, including the FRD, is on the major and minor planets at 2106 and 2306 -- near the Fed/Kzinti/Klingon border.