Gorn Economy Turn 14

From Previous Turn 15.7
Capital 24
On-Map base 51
Off-Map base 12
Survey 2
Lost to Coalition -11
Conquered from Coalition
NZ (including planets) 3.2
Scrap SP 2

Total income 83.2
Total money 98.9

Repair:
3801 1.5
4002 1.5
4004 1.5
4006 2
4008 2
2nd 3
4203 2
4402 1
4503 3.5
5006 2
6th 4
4403 5.5

Activate DD 2

Build:
DN 18
3HD 15
3SC, DD 15

Convert:
GeyDhar 3HV 4
Gidhar, 2nd, 6th 3CL -> 3BC 9

Total Expenditures Repair/Econ: 92.5

Remaining at end of econ 6.4

By Thomas Mathews (Turtle) on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 04:35 am: Edit

William why did the Hydrans overbuild CUs? The money could have been better spent next on a MB or FRD or Field Repairs or saved for the next turn.

By David Slatter (Davidas) on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 06:50 am: Edit

I must admit, I'd spend extra cash on Hydran carriers, but that's me.

As to bases, unless the Hydrans have supply problems, I would think they should be secondary - given the low Fed income, the Hydrans' primary concern is to pressure the coalition as hard as possible, and that means hulls.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 11:57 am: Edit

I agree with David that the Hydrans' main job is to pressure the Coalition.

They appeared to be making a great start at this until about turn 10, but since then they haven't been able to do as much as I had hoped. I asked myself why. Certainly the problem is not a shortage of fighters -- they have tons. I think a big part of the problem has been a shortage of frigates. The Hydrans need frigates for all of the following tasks:

* Raid Coalition provinces (or even just contest the provinces)
* Garrison Hydran provinces so that the Hydrans still collect 1EP when the Coalition raids the province
* Kill Coalition province raiders and counter-raiders. Any ships can do this, but frigates are very good at it. The reason is that if you have enough ships in the kill force that you have a reasonable chance of succeeding with a pursuit roll, you can go with low compot. For example, if you have 5 ships in your force and need 25% damage to kill, then your overall chance of killing the target is almost 34/36, as you will only fail if you first do 20% damage or less, and then fail a pursuit roll.
* Garrison captured Coalition planets, if only for a turn. The point is that the attacking force often has to retro for its own safety, or to protect something on the Coalition turn. But if they can leave a frigate behind, the planet is captured, rather than being merely devastated.
* Provide scouts. Most detachments need one, especially if they don't plan to retro.

Furthermore, many of the above jobs are extremely hazardous. The life expectancy of frigates is short.

The combination of the above is why I decided to overbuild frigates.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 03:49 pm: Edit

Combats rage in all Empires.

So far, the dice gods have returned to their normal turn 2-13 approach.

Generally -

Small battles - both sides roll well

Large Battles - Alliance rolls well

The dice are basically causing 1 higher Alliance cripple, and then 2 extra Coalition dead ships.

Persuit is a main area where Alliance rolls high, just at the right time.

Romulan Cloaks appear to have been infected by various virus's in the phasing out software - as most cloak rolls failed this turn (3 of 5 of hand) - the main one, would have resulted in the Gorn planet at 4705 being recaptured - but I failed it and then 'won' the combat, forcing the Gorn ship to retreat to 4705!

Combats will continue next week, after real life is out the way!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Sunday, September 27, 2009 - 04:53 pm: Edit

Well, it looks like combat for turn 14 is finished.

I'll let William post all the juicy stuff, but easiest way of explaining the turn.

Last 5 combat rolls, average was 5.16 for the Alliance v 3 for the Coalition.

Rest of the turn wasn't as bad as that - but the dice once more massively benefited the Alliance far more than the Coalition.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 02:14 am: Edit

I actually got the Alliance average wrong....

...it's 5.2!

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 12:20 pm: Edit

Just to update the board on goings-on:

The Feds, Gorns, and Hydrans have all made progress against their respective enemies. Only two Fed planets are currently in Coalition hands -- 2715 and 2610, both held by Romulans. It is interesting that both of these planets are in the region where Romulan and Klingon forces overlap. The Romulans have also been kicked out of two neutral zone planets, and one Romulan planet (4112) is currently under Gorn control -- though perhaps not for long.

On the Hydran front, Coalition forces in Hydran space currently consist of a lone Lyran FF. Hydran forces in Klingon and Lyran territory are taking about 20EP off the combined K/L economy this turn.

In my view, this was all possible because of the huge backlog of crips which was weakening the K/L forces. Last turn, Paul was much more conservative than normal about getting into big battles, which allowed the Alliance to make some gains. However, it is also likely to allow the Coalition to cut back on its crip backlog, which in turn should improve the Coalition ability to slug it out in the coming turns.

The Kzinti, meanwhile, have completed their new shipyard but are still pretty well locked down by the massive Coalition forces in that sector. The Lyrans have been rebuilding their PDUs on Kzintai and are currently up to 6.

The Romulans, meanwhile, have built up a moderate crip backlog.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 08:02 am: Edit

Coalition Turn 15 has started.

Usuall economics (last turn of 100% ) - the Lyrans were able to build fully - but both the Klingons and Romulans downgraded their DN's to Cruisers! Lyrans built 4 more PDU's (no prizes for guessing where they are going, but 1401 looks good - will be up to 9 PDU's!).

Huge numbers of cripples have been repaired, and the crippled Romulan SB had 2 SIDS repaired on it - and so is uncrippled again.

Large numbers of cripples remain - especially in Klingon space - I am going the best I can - and atleast, the Lyrans can start taking Klingon hulls to repair now.

Operation movement has seen the Federation once more the main target (although there isn't really any targets left in Kzinti space, as all Rebelous Kzinti planets are now loyal to the new Patriach) - and with a change of direction once more, the Coalition has avoided the Core Federation space, and attacks the North West area most strongly.

Eastern Gorn space also suffers the same attention and several bases will be captured/destroyed.

The out of supply Gorn squadron on the ISC/Romulan border is not currently under attack (why let him retreat back into supply!).

Several more moves to go (including William - good luck), and then combats will be done.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - 11:56 pm: Edit

Yes, I overdefended the core Federation on A14, leading him to avoid it on C15. Additionally, his concentration on repairs has raised his effective fleet sizes. This will lead to some Coalition gains in the North.

On the bright side, the Hydrans are looking great.

The game is on hold for the next week or two while I wait for the movers.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 11:19 pm: Edit

I had some time the other day and counted the fleets. The results still show a large Coalition lead:

K 328 (including 75 crips)
L 172 (including 21 crips)
R 214 (inc. 53 crips)

total 714 (inc. 149 crips)

Z 37 (inc. 4 crips)
H 102 (inc. 5 crips)
F 230 (inc. 22 crips)
G 96 (inc. 12 crips)

Total 465 (inc. 43 crips)

This works out to a Coalition lead of 249 ships during C15 movement.

It will be interesting to see if exhaustion allows the Alliance to make major inroads into this lead.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Monday, January 25, 2010 - 07:58 am: Edit

Hurrah

Assuming my son goes to bed on time (and doesn't fall out of bed - we converted his Cot bed into a bed at the weekend!)....the next batch of Operational moves will now be done.

An Orion spy was caught selling 'tactical plans' to to the Hydrans, and a full review of Coalition plans for the sector has been completed. No other significant breach in Coalition has been found and therefore the other operations will be completed as planned.

(i.e. FEAR has answered 2 of our 3 questions....enough for the op moves to be completed!)

By Andrew Bruno (Andybruno) on Monday, January 25, 2010 - 11:21 am: Edit

Good to see you guys still playing. It will be interesting to see if the dice gods' love will swing in favor of the Coalition and take some of the steam out of the Alliance counter offensives for awhile.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Monday, February 01, 2010 - 07:53 am: Edit

Well combats have resumed, and combat is reported in all sectors - excempt the 'beer and pretzel' area to the East (ISC to you and me!) and 'rock area' to the South (Tholians).

Andrew - well, the first few dice rolls seem to indicate the dice roller remembers me

4 rolls so far - and outrolled by a total of 3 'pips' so far!

First batch of battles have been completed (capture rolls to be done still).

Hydran space
Crippled F5L killed (allowed a Lyran FF to escape) - the force was blocking one of the supply routes to some forward deployed Hydran forces - and got jumped on.

Kzinti space.
Klingon D6V, E4A and D5 crippled - Kzinti CC and CL crippled, and already crippled FF killed (former Lyran FF!)

Federation space
Planet captured for no loss (was already devastated)

Gorn space
Planet captured for no loss (was already devastated).

BATS killed for the crippling of a KR and SN.

Second batch of battles to be started tonight!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Monday, February 08, 2010 - 08:03 am: Edit

Well, we are about 60% through the combats.

Dice generally remain pro-Alliance - and unfortunately, the single most important roll for some time, the Coalition failed again.

The bulk of the Lyran forces on the Hydran front were able to cut off two Hydran fleets - one was able to be brought back into supply - and the other remains cut off. Unfortunatly, the battle against this fleet was not succesful as the Coalition failed the persuit roll (only failed on a 6 too!), and so instead of having a mauled Hydran fleet in Lyran space, out of supply and out of fighters, there is a reasonably intact fleet, still with 50% of it's fighters

Single combats remain a problem for the Coalition, with 3 fights and on even dice, rolling 2 (the important on), 3 and a 4!

Also, although having killed about twice as many Alliance ships as Coalition ships - the Alliance once more is the only side to have captured a ship so far!

Hopefully, the dice will come good in the latter part of the turn.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Monday, February 15, 2010 - 08:13 am: Edit

Well combats for Coalition turn 15 are very nearly over.

In summary, I have to say the turn has been a near disaster for the Coalition.

There was three main aspects to the Coalition offensive.

Cut off Hydran forces in Lyran space
Break the on-map Kzinti-Federation link
Minimise Coalition casulties.

Unfortunatly, the dice gods once more came to hinder my plans - and although overall the combat dice were not too different (although the Alliance once more outrolled the Coalition generally), the timing of the dice was crucial.

Part 1 - Partial success - a small Hydran fleet is cut off - but rather than being heavily mauled and fighterless - they are still in fair shape (another failed Coalition persuit roll being the culprit)

Part 2 - Success - North West Federation space has been 'liberated' by the Coalition, and the Alliance has suffered heavy losses.

Part 3 - Total failure. Due to generally 'the right dice at the right time' for the Alliance - the Coalition has suffered high losses across all fronts - and due to getting the wrong dice at the wrong time, Alliance losses were limited (one three battles on the Hydran front, I think I needed a 2,3 and a 5 to be able to direct on a ship - and failed in all three (rolling 1,2 and 4 IIRC)- therefore fighter losses only were suffered).

Also, uniquely for a turn so far, the Alliance has not failed any persuit rolls (12 rolls off hand - average should have been probably 8 succesful).

Other highlights (or lowlights)

A 50/50 chance of cutting a Hydran fleet off in Klingon space failed (I needed 30% damage, and got 25% - thereby allowing the crippled Hydran HN to escape - thereby keeping supply open).

I somehow attacked the Hydran MB being set up with insufficent force to do the job (I thought the force was sufficent - even if a reserve turned up - no reserve was needed and I just must have made a fleet error) - to make matters 'worse' - the Lyrans in the Eastern Hydran theatre are now out of supply (about a dozen ships all in all).

(And if the dice in the battle had come up the other way, I think the Tug and MB would have died, as I rolled a 1 and William rolled a 6 - as I would have got to the base after 1 approach battle)!

Single combats remain pro-Alliance - 3 even rolls ended up with 2,3 and 4 being rolled

Summary (Appoximate numbers - OOS is Out of Supply)


8 Hydran ships in Lyran Space OOS
12 Lyran ships in Hydran Space OOS
15 Federation ships in Federation Space OOS
6 Gorn ships in Romulan Space OOS

Two combats remain to be completed - and Retrograde movement can then be started.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 - 11:34 am: Edit

The B-10 saw its first offensive use this turn . . . to kill the northernmost Fed BATS on the Kzinti border and the FRD that was parked there.

That BATS had been a thorn in Paul's side ever since he was unable to take it down on turn 7. As it is only 6 hexes from the Barony, Federation supply to the Barony generally opened up at some point during each turn, allowing the Feds to use the Fed FRD stationed in the Barony to repair Kzinti ships, thereby propping up the Kzinti economy a little bit. Additionally, whenever the Feds felt pressure on their core was sufficiently light, they could station a reserve there to help the Kzinti.

None of that is likely to be possible anymore.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 03:52 pm: Edit

Coalition turn 15 has been completed

Klingons spent 16 Ep's on CEDS and Romulans 11 Ep's.

Next turn is 75% income, so can't afford to blow cash on non-urgent field repairs.

Further summary of the turn.

When the dust settled - I found another Gorn fleet of 5 ships out of supply in the Gorn/Rom NZ.

There are also 4 Klingon ships in Romulans space OOS.

Coalition Reserves see
2 Lyran reserves in Lyran space at 511 (Supply Tug) and 809. The third Lyran reserve is covering Kzinti space at 1407. (All at, or near full strength - varied quality of ships though)

3 Klingon reserves in Klingon space, at 1010, two at 1013 (another Supply tug) and the 4th is at 2214. (All at full strength and generally a strong line)

2 Romulan reserves are in Romulan space at 4015 and 4514. The third is in Federation space at 2715. (All near full strength).

Over to the Alliance - lets hope the only good dice they get are the Survey rolls (another average of over 4 for the Federation).

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 09:30 pm: Edit

Last turn, the Hydrans set up a mobile base at the far Eastern end of their Kingdom . . . at 1218. The idea was to threaten the Southern Klingon regions. I expected Paul would react to this, but I have to admit I am surprised by the extent of it . . . as five Coalition reserves are facing the Hydrans, with a sixth able to go to the Klingon South if the Hydrans push there.

I imagine this will force the Hydrans to pull their horns in a little, or perhaps even a lot . . .

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Sunday, February 21, 2010 - 06:13 am: Edit

Well, I was hoping the MB would be a drifting in space at this point..... but as the Hydrans have been getting a little 'frisky' recently, a short sharp reminder of where they should be is needed!

Fortunately, the reserves are reasonably multi-usuage. The one at 2214 coves both southern Klingon space and southern Fed space - leaving me with several options on what to do.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Saturday, February 27, 2010 - 12:41 pm: Edit

Alliance turn 15 Op move has begun on the Gorn and Hydran fronts. So far, the Gorns are attacking the two Romulan BATS closest to the ISC/Gorn/Romulan border. They are also attacking some Romulan forces in Gorn space.

On the Hydran front, the Klingons have reacted off the SR starbase towards a moving Hydran fleet. The Hydrans then moved onto the reacting Klingon fleet. The starbase is now defended only by crips, but a strong reserve is in range.

The Federation and Kzinti fronts are quiet. Could a peace overture be in the works?

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Friday, March 19, 2010 - 03:22 pm: Edit

Well comabts are pretty much in all sectors - but things will go quiet over the weekend!

With a dozen or so battles done - I hate to say it but the dice have nearly put me at the quiting point (again) and so I will be taking a break for afew days from F&E!

Averages over 16 dice rolls are so far -

VBIR 3.5
Alliance 3.94
Coalition 3.56

So after 15 turns of the game so far, I think 1 or 2 good dice wise Coalition turns, 1 average and 12 or 13 good Alliance ones.

And again timing is everthing - and generally key rolls go Williams way (another Coalition Escort Carrer has died due to a 6 being rolled - don't think I have ever had that chance in the game come up for me yet - and I think it's the third one for William!).

5008 is an excellent example - 3 rounds of battle, averages so far are VBIR 4, Alliance 4, Romulans 1. Net 3 dead hulls (including the SKB).

Enough said?

By Thomas Mathews (Turtle) on Friday, March 19, 2010 - 04:29 pm: Edit

Paul, you need to find a new die roller if you keep get such bad rolls.

By Jason E. Schaff (Jschaff297061) on Friday, March 19, 2010 - 04:56 pm: Edit

Or get a Chibithulu.....

By Mike Curtis (Nashvillen) on Friday, March 19, 2010 - 05:07 pm: Edit

Jason, you need to add a link showing this in effect...