They just released beta 4. There will be a beta 5, but hopefully that will also turn out to be 3.1.0.

It's been such a joy to just be able to load F&E without it being a big production.

By Michael Parker (Protagoras) on Thursday, October 16, 2008 - 02:37 pm: Edit

I should try Vassal again I think *ponders*

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Friday, October 17, 2008 - 05:03 pm: Edit

Coalition turn 10 op move is underway.

The Hydrans have now learned what it takes to get the Coalition to take note of their existence during its turn. Whether this is a good thing remains to be seen.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 08:50 pm: Edit

Op move continues.

The Feds had 60 generally very strong ships at Earth. The Klingons could have attacked it with about 120 somewhat weaker ships. However, they have instead decided to attack a bunch of BATS and planets. Reserves will save four of these; some others will fall.

In addition, the Romulans will make some progress. The combined Klingon and Romulan offensives will probably knock 20-30EP off the Fed economy next turn.

I should have sent about 10 more ships to the Romulan front. On the bright side, the 6th Fleet SB will hold.

The Kzinti front still needs to be done.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Thursday, October 23, 2008 - 05:42 am: Edit

The Alliance Reserves have been committed.

The Hydrans released one reserve with another reserve, to get a Tug nearer the front line (alas William spotted the plan).

Federation reserves attempt to save 4 planets under attack.

Hydran Front Battles have started -

So far -

Coalition losses - several cripples (including another failed shock roll - Shock failure must be back over 2/3rd again now).

Hydran losses - TG+VP, TR, 2 x CU, SC - all direct killed (Tug killed in Persuit).

Dice started well for the Coalition, but rapidly resumed their normal rolls (I failed to record some roll down, but recorded average is Coalition 3.22 v Alliance 4.56 - it didn't seem that bad, although the Alliance did roll alot of 6's!)

Going to be some interesting battles still!

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Thursday, October 23, 2008 - 09:46 am: Edit

Paul's average is horrible as normal. However, this time it feels better for him because he did well on a couple of important rolls, allowing him to kill my carrier tug.

Hydrans have yet to kill a ship this turn. But they have caused a lot of cripples.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 07:43 am: Edit

Well, 3 more fights was done.

Dice once more show they are an Ally of the Alliance(more though due to timing than what the roll is atleast this time)! Even the VBIR dice is now joing in it (I want VBIR to stay or go up...it goes down, I want to it stay or go down...it goes up )!

From the 3 battles -

Both sides lost more ships!
Lyrans FF killed
Klingson F5, AD5 and F5E killed (all were already crippled).
Hydrans HR and CU killed.

Both sides also took cripples. Poor Coalition rolls ensured the Hydrans are maximising fighter losses.

Unfortuantly, some Lyran forces ended up cut off from supply (I did two battles the wrong way round, or rather, I failed to take into account a battle where the reseve turned up - without the reserve, the battle and hex (and supply) was won).

More combats to be done tonight!

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 06:15 pm: Edit

Hydran and Kzinti fronts are done.

Hydrans lost a lot of ships:
TG+VP, TG, HR, TR, SC, 4CU. Joe S. would probably say that my Hydrans "think they are Klingons" and based on this turn's losses, I would be hard-pressed to argue. Fortunately the Hydran economy is booming and they will build a lot of stuff.

The Hydrans killed very little but did cripple a lot of the enemy.

Kzinti front -- he finally killed the Marquis SB. In the battle I put the Kzinti BT on the line so I could put their carrier tug in the form box. He killed the BT. But later a freak roll let me kill a 3CVT group. For the next 4 turns, Kzinti can only build 1 frigate. However they still hold Kzintai at least for the moment.

They are also down to 1 CR 10 ship -- a DN. But they only have one really important point -- namely Kzintai -- so the lack of command ships is only moderately annoying.

Losses on the Kzinti front were Kzinti BT and SB, Lyran CA, and Klingon F5 and 3CVT (E4A captured). In addition, the Kzinti, Feds, Klingons, and Lyrans all suffered some crips. The Lyrans spent 2CP, and the Kzinti spent 1, leaving them with none.

For once Paul rolled OK today -- probably a little better than I did overall.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Saturday, October 25, 2008 - 07:48 am: Edit

Well the dice are better - timing could still improve though.

The 3CVT is about the only major anmoying thing so far (BIR went up to 2 and Alliance rolled a 6 - probably only way for it to die!) - would have prefered 6 crippled ships than the dead 3CVT by far!

It did ensure the SB was going to die - although my luck would have had to get even worse for it to survive - there was a remote chance.

Just battles in Federation space remain to be done.


P.S. I don't think I mentioned the Romulans in 3808 retreated to 3809!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Saturday, October 25, 2008 - 05:51 pm: Edit

Well, combats for Coalition Turn 10 have ended.

The reasonable Coalition dice rolling ended in the todays session.

Over 22 rolls - Coalition Average was 2.72, Alliance Average was 3.91.

The slim chance of SB 3611 ceased with the 3rd round of rolling (1 v 6) and so survived. It was going to be close - but that just stopped any chance of success.

Romulans spend 2 CPS, Lyrans 2 CPS, Kzinti 1 CP and Federation 2 CPS.

About 30 Coalition damage was 'wasted' as I rolled 1 less than what was needed to exceed fighters and cause a cripple. Only about 4 Alliance damage was wasted - so again timing of dice has been crucial.

Summary of Federation Battles

Federation Bases
8 x BATS killed
2 x Minor Planets Captured
1 x Major planet reduced to 1 PDU

Federation DN, TG+Fighter Pods, DD, FF, DE, FFE and SC killed
Romulans SUP and FAL killed
Klingons 4 x F5 and F5E killed

Lots of Coalition cripples, and afer Federation ones too.

2 Klingon fleets are out of Supply in Federation space and 1 Federation fleet is out of supply - although it is easier for the Klingon fleets to get into supply.

Retro, CEDS and repairs is to be done

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 - 03:34 pm: Edit

Kzinti Economy Turn 10

Total from Previous Turn -7.65
Capital
Onmap majors
Onmap minors
Onmap Provinces 9
NZ 0.6
Other (specify)
Offmap 27

Survey Roll 10
Survey Total 104
Total Income 36.6
Grand Total 28.95


Econ and Repair Phase Expenditures

EFF 3.5

Shipyard (3 of 6) 15

Repair:
Barony [plus 6 Fed for 11.5EP total] 5.5

Support lines for 7 more Feds, including 1 carrier group 4.5
Total support lines: 8 ships, including 1 carrier group

Total E+R expenditures 28.5

Left at end of Econ Phase 0.45

Command Points:
Start: 0
Received and Purchased 1

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 - 03:36 pm: Edit

Hydran Economy Turn 10

Total from Previous Turn 0.6
Capital 17
Onmap majors 5
Onmap minors 4
Onmap Provinces 20
NZ 0.8
Offmap 25

Survey Roll 14
Survey Total 84
Total Income 71.8
Grand Total 72.4

Econ and Repair Phase Expenditures

Repair:
1st 7.5
Hydrax 2

Build:
4ID [FFF used] 45
3CU 7.5
TG 8
Skipped: HN, HR, TR 0

Convert
HN -> SC 1

Total E+R expenditures 71

Left at end of Econ Phase 1.4

Command Points:
Start: 2
Received and Purchased 1

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 - 03:38 pm: Edit

Federation economy Turn 10

Total from previous turn 36.2
Base 221
Planets lost -12
Provinces lost -38
Orion -10
Off-Map 10
NZ 0.2

Survey Roll 26
Survey Total 111
Total Income 171.2
Grand Total 207.4

Econ and Repair phase expenditures:

4CVA 57
CC,CA 17
10NCL 50
10FF, 2FFS [1FFS at 6th fleet SB] 38

Activations 7

Conversions:
Earth DN->DN+ 2
Earth 2x(CA -> CC) 4

Repairs:
Barony 6
3508 2
2901 2
2103 2
3008 5.5
2101 1.5
2705 1

Command Point 5

Total Expenditures 200
Left at end of Economic Phase: 7.4

Command Points:
Start 2
Received and Purchased 2

By Ezekiel P. Carpenter-Hyland (Admiral_Zekedak) on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 - 06:06 pm: Edit

I was wondering if you could post Coalition economy for turn 10. It seems to have been skipped. It would be nice to see it next to the Alliance above.

Thanks and may the dice always roll in your favor!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Thursday, October 30, 2008 - 08:26 am: Edit

Ezekiel -

Turn 10

Lyrans
DN - 16
CA STT (S) 10
3 x CW - 15
3 x DW - 12
3 x FF - 7.5
60.5

Conversions
608 DW DWS 2
408 CL BC 6

Repairs
504 CC 2
404 2 x CC, 2 x CW 7
705 2 x DD 2
707 CA 2
608 CW, DW, DD, DWS 5.5
408 2 x CW, CL, DW, 2 x FF 8
609 CW 1.5
1807 BC, D7C, F5L 6
Far Stars CW, DW, CL, 3 x DD 7.5
41.5


VP Pods 2 6 FFF

Income was 124.8 - balanced after costs 15.5 Ep's

Klingon
C8 - 16
D7 D6M (S) 10
7 x D5 - 35
2 x F5L 2 x F5 (S) 6
3 x F5 3 x F5 7.5
3 x E4 - 7.5
2 x D5, F5 3D5V 17 6 FF
B10 5
104
Mothball
2 x D6 2


Repairs
2610 All but D6, D5, F5L, F5S 18
1411 2FV 2
1716 F5S 1
1009 F5S 1
s

Income was 148 - Balance 0.7 Eps

Romulans
NH SUP (S) 18
FH 8
2 x SP 10
SP SPF(S) 7
SP+SK+SK 3SPB (S) 18 (6 FFF)
SK SKF (S) 6
WE FAL (S) 10
SN (4015) 2.5
79.5
Conversions
4613 KR KRM 5
4015 2 x SK 2SKB 10

Income was 97 (reduced income as Eastern area is unexplored!) - balance 2.5 Eps

Dice - well, the averages have got to start to balance out....haven't they?

A good example is Klingon and Federation Exploration.

Klingon average is 2.78 v Federation average 3.96 - ridiculous!!!

At least the 1 and only B10 under construction - the average is huge 3.125.
.............................

Alliance Turn 10 counter attacks have begun - and currently only the Romulan front has no actions going on! I am sure that will change though in due course!!

By Ezekiel P. Carpenter-Hyland (Admiral_Zekedak) on Thursday, October 30, 2008 - 05:34 pm: Edit

You Rock!

Coalition = 370 (125 + 148 + 97)
Alliance = 308 (29 + 72 + 207)

With the Hydrans at about full I was thinking the Coalition was worse off (36 Fed EPs were treasury too). Still, that 100 EP lead will evaporate on turn 12 when the Gorns are added. So which side looks like it will net the Coalition more, East or West? Any comment regarding mid-game strategy under these circumstances? I expect the Coalition still has the initiative.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Thursday, October 30, 2008 - 06:23 pm: Edit

After correcting an error, Alliance income was 35.6+171.2+71.8 = 278.6. Initiative is mixed.

By Ezekiel P. Carpenter-Hyland (Admiral_Zekedak) on Friday, October 31, 2008 - 06:25 pm: Edit

No error. I accounted for treasury (Kzinti 36.6 - 7.65 = 29. Fed 171.2 + 36.2 = 207), rounding off as well. Anyway, with mixed initiative I expect there will be some really great battles to come. Seems to me this stage of the game is most exciting.

Here's to your terrific post!

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Friday, October 31, 2008 - 08:15 pm: Edit

I made an error. Kzinti income was 35.6.

Turn A10 opmove is more than half done. Feds are mostly attacking Klingon fleets in their space. Hydrans are trying to retake a couple of planets and attacking nearby Coalition fleets. Kzinti are retaking a couple of planets, but mostly preparing for turn C11, when a new push on Kzintai appears to be planned.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 10:52 am: Edit

Op move is done. For once, the Alliance is not attacking any fixed defenses. Instead they are attacking enemy fleets and already-devastated planets on all fronts.

I think this is only the second time the Hydrans have not gone after any SB, BATS or PDUs.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 08:43 am: Edit

Well battles rage across the Galaxy. For once,in a major battle I rolled better than William.

Losses was heavy on both sides - but the Federation acheived their aims.

Elsewhere though,the poor Coalition rolling continued, and again,the Coalition generally was failing where the Alliance was not.

The only area where the Coalition had done well (Captures) is now firmly below Average - with the Alliance capturing another ship - I think the last 4 ships captured have all gone to the Alliance!

About the only 'bright' event, was a Mauler mauled and didn't fail the shock roll - so I must be up to 6 or even 7 succesfully maulings now, against the 20 odd failings.

Battles should be concluded tonight!

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 11:25 am: Edit

The Feds recaptured 2 planets. One of these (2610) was the forward Klingon base for attacks into the Earth region. In the battle, the Feds also crippled the main units of the Klingon fleet that was there, adding to the Klingon-Lyran repair backlog.

The Coalition now has no retro points in the central Federation and will have to rely on tugs for supply there.

The Kzinti recaptured 3 minor planets, then pulled back for the likely assault on Kzintai. If he doesn't take it during his turn, the Kzinti will get income for it the following turn.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 05:48 pm: Edit

Alliance turn 10 is done. The Hydrans recaptured 1514 and 1112 and gave him more stacks of crips. Many Hydran fleets stay in forward positions in Klingon and Lyran space. Meanwhile, Kzinti and Feds have retroed to defend their bases.

By Ezekiel P. Carpenter-Hyland (Admiral_Zekedak) on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 01:24 am: Edit

Appears the Hydrans are well positioned to invade the LDR. This opens up the interior of both the Klingon and Lyran Empires, and forces the Coalition away from the main front. Into the breech my little green tentacled trashcan comrades.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 04:13 am: Edit

Ezekiel - The LDR can't be invaded (no rules in any product yet for that!)

We actually had a shock this turn - the Coalition outrolled the Alliance (cica 3.6 v 3.5) over the entire Alliance turn 10 - however, the timing of the dice remain favourable to the Alliance (I think 3 of my 6's was where the roll was to really see if I was going to die,and my roll was irrelevant!)

The main battle in 2610 saw the Coalition roll well, which caused the Federation extra cripples - however, the timing of the dice ensured the mistakes made by the Alliance was not penalised.

2 1/6 chances of a Paladin dying - both failed (one actually turned into a 50/50 when the BIR went up, William rolled a 6, I rolled a 1!)

50/50 Chance of a CVS and Escort dying missed
1/6 Chance of a CVA and escort dying missed (I think I needed a 6)

Probably the second to last annoying roll. was single combat between a D7C and CU....(-2 on SSC) - rolled a 6 so I retreated - CU then retreated into the adjacent battle and caused my Lyran BC to be crippled (was a small fight which should have resulted in no cripples to either side!). Son instead of being 'up 1 ship', it ended 'down 1 ship'.

The most annoying - Persuit? Coalition continue to fail the odd pesuit, while the Alliance contines to always succeed - and then rolls well in the persuit battle (one persuit battle cost me 3 ships - it would have been acceptable, if I had got the Paladin - but missed it!)

So, averages are atleast getting back to normal - but timing now needs to improve.