Haha - Bring more ships...

In my current game I took a bad beating taking down the SB in 0716. I didn't bring enough ships so had to kill way too many to make sure the SB went down. It hurt, but was sure better than having to face off over the SB again the next turn with the Hydrans restocked with fighters.

You would think that the Klingons would have invented some kind of anti-fighter weapon to deal with the pesky Hydrans - like a Tribble cannon or something.

Paul

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Friday, July 02, 2010 - 04:46 pm: Edit

Anyone seen a small Coalition fleet round here?

All I need is just 10 ships - or 15 would be nice!

Probably fell down the back of the Galactic Sofa!

(Looking at my retrograde options....and so far they all come up poor!)

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Monday, July 05, 2010 - 07:41 am: Edit

Well, retrogrades have been completed and Strat moves also done.

Hydran Front

Coalition forces remain forward deployed, and 2 Lyran reserves are also 'in theatre'.

Half the strategic Carrier reserve was returned to Hydran space (I wanted to send it all to the Federation from, but 1217 not dying stopped it).

Kzinti Front
The rightful Patriach of Kzinti is pleased to annouce his Capital once more has 9 PDU's on it and all of Kzinti space is his. 1 Lyran and 1 Klingon reserve are deployed to guard Kzinti and Eastern Klingon space.

Federation Front (West).
The bulk of Coalition forces remain forward deployed, although second line forces guard the remains of the border. One Klingon reserve fleet covers the waist of the Klingon empire.

Federation Front (East)
The bulk of Coalition forces remained forward deployed, and were re-inforced by two Klingon Reserve Fleets.

Gorn Front/Romulan Front
The bulk of Romulans forces withdrew to Romulan space. 3 Romulan reserves are available to cover this front.


Hopefully, I haven't left too many holes in my defences, but I was hoping the Hydran front would be shortened alot....which didn't happen!

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Monday, July 05, 2010 - 01:33 pm: Edit

Kzinti Economy Turn 17

Offmap 31

Survey Roll 6
Survey Total 170
Total Income 31
Exhausted Income 23.25
Grand Total 24.95

Econ and Repair Phase Expenditures

Repairs in Barony 19
EFF 3.5

Total E+R expenditures 22.5

Left at end of Econ Phase 2.45

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Monday, July 05, 2010 - 01:35 pm: Edit

Hydran Economy 17

Total from Previous Turn 3.05
Capital 14
Onmap majors
Onmap minors
Onmap Provinces 1
Offmap Treasury 0
Offmap

Survey Roll 9
Survey Total 160
Total Income 15
Exhausted Income 11.25
Orion Smuggling from offmap 5.7
Grand Total 20

Econ and Repair Phase Expenditures

Repair:
Hydrax 8

Build:
2RN 12

Total E+R expenditures 20

Left at end of Econ Phase 0

Command Points:
Start: 8
Received and Purchased 0
Used 0
At end: 8

Offmap grid:
Offmap income: 31
Onmap income:
Total income: 30
Exhausted income: 22.5
From previous turn: 19
Total money: 41.5
Repairs: 6.5
Build CU: 2.5
Orion Smuggling to 1st 0.5
Orion Smuggling to Hydrax 11.4

Remaining: 20.6

1st SB grid:
income: 1
exhausted income: 0.75
Orion smuggling 0.25

total money: 1
supply 5 ships 1
Remaining: 0

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Monday, July 05, 2010 - 01:37 pm: Edit

Federation economy 17

Total from previous turn 9 [includes 16EP recaptured from corrupt Orions]
Capital 59
Onmap majors 20
Onmap minors 11
Onmap provinces 54
Off-Map base 6
Survey 20

NZ 2

Survey Roll 29
Survey Total 284
Total Income 172
Grand Total 181

Econ and Repair phase expenditures:

Builds
DN+ 14
TG 6
2x3NVS (FFF used) 46
8NCL 35
9FF, 2FFS, EFF 39

Conversions

On tug for Kzinti 10

Repairs
6th 5
3008 4.5
Earth 11
2907 2.5
Survey 1.5

Total Expenditures 174.5
Left at end of Economic Phase: 6.5

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Monday, July 05, 2010 - 01:38 pm: Edit

Gorn Economy Turn 17

From Previous Turn -4.8
Capital 24
On-Map base 51
Off-Map base 12
Survey 4
Lost to Coalition -9
Conquered from Coalition
NZ (including planets) 6
Other

Survey Roll 8
Survey Total 48

Total income 88
Total money 83.2

Repair:

4503 2
4403 7
4006 1

2nd and FRD 6.5
6th 2

Build:
TG 6
HD 5
HV+HDE+BDE 30
2BD, DD 11

On tug for Kzinti 10

Total spent 80.5

Remaining 2.7

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Monday, July 12, 2010 - 05:21 pm: Edit

Alliance turn 17 op move is done.

The main targets are the Coalition fleets and Coalition-held devastated planets. Four Romulan BATS are also under assault.

The heavily-outnumbered Hydrans moved gingerly to replenish the fighters at the cut-off First Fleet SB. They did this partly by paying for new fighters on the SB, and partly by moving out the depleted 4ID group, replacing it with a bunch of rangers and a carrier tug.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 03:57 am: Edit

Indeed!

I would say the Romulan front is the main front at the moment - it's just more or less raids in Kzinti, Hydran and Klingon space - although the Feds are trying to clear out their North West sector.

Fortunately, forward elements of the IKV are taken some pressure off the Romulans - not alot. but it's something!

Reseves are to be dispatched shortly (just as soon as I have worked out where they are going!)

....as I said to William, I just don't know why he didn't go for the 'all out frontal assault' - it's guaranteed not to fail!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 07:31 am: Edit

Combats are still occuring accross the Galaxy.

No major major battles have occured yet - but so far losses on both sides have been heavy (as usual, heavier ones on the Coalition side), and my tactic of using cripples to help garrison areas (usually pair up a cripple and non-cripple) has cost me a stack of crippled ships this turn.

About the only success for me, was in North West Federation space, where the Coalition have kept one of the minor planets from being liberated - question is - will it be in supply?!?

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Friday, August 13, 2010 - 03:50 am: Edit

Alliance turn 17 combats are all done.

A single roll would have made the turn acceptable - but as usual, Willaim got it - and killed 3 crippled ships in the persuit round (after killing 2 crippled ships in the battle).

Unfortunately, the cripples had worked there way out of Federation space - and I knew they were vunerable! And I was right.

I think William had close to a 100% success persuit rate this turn

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 - 08:09 am: Edit

...Romulus - Romulan Senate Session.....

Senator Maximus once more stands up with a mighty applause

'Where are the Allies? Once more our enemy invades deep into our space. When we entered this war, the Klingons promised us victory and expansion - yet there has been few Romulan victories and the Klingon Empire is the only one to grow - I call the Klingon Ambassador to the floor - get him in here!'

Ambassador Kurang enters the silent Chamber, and proceeds to the Speakers position.

Maximus - 'No doubt you have read the latest reports, which indicate your Emperor once more favours winning the war in the West - and letting us be defeated in the East'

Kurang - 'Senator, you know that is not true. Significant ISF forces have been dispatched to assist in your....I mean our war with the Federation.'

Maximus - 'Ahhh, you confirm it is our war with the Federation - which you started! You force the Federation to defend in the East....while you attack in the West!'

Kurang - 'No no no, that is not true! Was it not a Klingon Admiral T'ang who recently saved one Romulan BATS from destruction? Other Klingon forces East of Orion space are also engaging Federation forces, in reducing the pressure?'

Maximus - 'Mere side actions Ambassador - mere side actions. We need MORE (slamming his fists into the Desk) forces - and they need to be further East. Let us take this war back to the Federation and Gorns!'

Kurang - 'I shall communicate that to my Emperor as soon as the sub-net communication chain is repaired Sir'

Maximus - 'I will return to you ....shortly Ambassador.... but you raise an important issue - where is the Defence Minister? She promised a report on the destruction on BATS 9, severing our link to the Tholian region, and fellow Senators - has she provided that report yet?'

(Maximus turns to Senator Weagle , the Defence Ministers liasion Officer......)

(To be continued!)

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 - 08:17 am: Edit

Well, I think William will be happy with Alliance turn 17.

Summary - Hydrans give as good as they get, although they are bottled up pretty tightly still.

Kzinti succesfully raid several provinces and have disrupted the Coalition hold on several planets. Two good persuits rolls cost the Coaltition several crippled ships - so the dice inbalance is continuing to favour the Alliance unfortunatly!

Klingon and Federation space - the Klingons continue to lose their supply points. The Federation have cleared out several provinces and remain in a healthy position. The only fly in the oitment is the Lyrans held a minor planet in North West Federation space (and therefore for the first time in a couple of turns, I have a useful retrograde point!).

Several Klingon ships are also cut off and out of supply.

Romulan, Gorn and Federation space. The Romulans have re-lost 3 more Federation planets - and a deep Federation raid killed BATS (2318???), creating a partial grid on the Tholian border. Romulan ship losses remain high - and again, the dice are not being kind to the Romulans (failed cloak rolls and generally poor combat dice).

William remains the expect/luckyman at winning key Small Scale Combats!

I'll have a fuller look at the map tonight/tomorrow - but hopefully, the Coalition can still do a few surprises and unbalance the Alliance!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Friday, August 20, 2010 - 08:23 am: Edit

Senator Weagle stands...

'... Senator Maximus, my apoligies. The Defence Minister personally instructed me to delay that report. She was led to believe a replacement communication system would be in place immediately.'

Maximus - 'So she wanted to cover up her minstry's failing?'

Weagle - 'No, I believe not! [his personal communicator bleeps and alerts him to a message]. One moment please Senator'....

......'Good news Senator - a test signal has been transmitted to our Tholian Border SB and our Ambassador to the Klingon Empire - both have acknowledged in the approved coded method'

Maximus - 'Excellent Weagle, no doubt we can 'review' that report later. Kurang - any chance you can now communicate with your Emperor and see what crumbs he will offer us?'

Kurang - 'With the permission of the Senate, I request that you permit me to leave this Chamber, and deal with those urgent matters' (turning to leave before hearing any confirmation)

Maximus - 'In good time Kurang, I feel it would be useful for you first to here the report on the loss of BATS 9 - as I believe that Sector was supposted to have been guarded by ISF forces?'

Kurang (Kurang turns showing real anger is his face, but delicately says) - 'Maximus, was it not your OWN Internal Security Ministry which declined us permission for a forward base in Romulan space - therefore ISF forces were several sectors away from that location? No doubt you will now correct that mistake of yours.'

(and continues his walk out of the exit)

Pro-Consul Ramus - 'Maximus, what is this? Did you refuse permission for the Klingons to have a base in Romulan Space'

(Weagle rapdily stands up, spotting a chance to redeem his Minister) - 'yes Consul, I have a copy of the Klingon request here' (rushing it over to the Consul)

Maximus - (attempting to deflect the dual attack) 'As per this Senate standing orders...'

Ramus - 'Senator Maximus it is a time of war and we can not win this war on our own, you will therefore permit our allies to have a base in our territory, and you will provide all assistance to them in the future.'

Maximus - 'But this Chamber....'

Ramus - 'Thank you Maximus, you are permitted to withdraw while the Senate considers 'other' matters'

Maximus (wondering if he will ever set back in the Senate Chamber again) - 'But...'

Ramus (cutting off Maximus even more harshly) -'Maximus, didn't I make myself clear. Would you prefer to leave unaccompanied or accompanied (beckoning 2 Senate Chamber Security officers over)?'

Maximus (noticing the rapid change in atmosphere and disapprovals from what he considered 'Allies' in the Senate') - 'Thank you Pro-Consul, I will deal with those matters immediately. Please excuse me.' (and leaves the Chamber as far has his short legs can carry him -and ignoring the mocking smile of Kurang, who was standing just outside the Chamber doors).

(While Senator Weagle quitely sits down, but making a mental note of those Senators who smiled approvingly at him. May be there are some benefits to this position he thinks?)

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 02:47 pm: Edit

Pretty much full builds (no DN's though!) and the Lyrans build another FRD and PDU!!

Romulans have a split grid - but tugs keep the bulk of ships in supply!

Lyrans spent 59.5 Ep's on Construction, 17 Ep's on bases and 29 Ep's on Repairs.

Klingons are 86.5 Ep's, 0 Ep's and 40 Ep's - plus 1.5 Ep's on other (Mothball/Supply etc).

Romulans are 36 Ep's, 0 Ep's and 29 Ep's.

Several captured ships were scrapped, which assisted in getting some old hulls de-mothballed!

Operational movement has started.....

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Monday, September 06, 2010 - 03:55 am: Edit

Well, Operational movement across the galaxy has finished.

Hydran Front - 1017 will finally die this turn due overwelming force. The Hydrans will also then be out of supply - so at least my pain will be reduced!

Lyran Front - No enemy forces present

Klingon Front - No enemy forces present

Kzinti Front - The imposter from the Barony has forces in three areas. Two forces should be defeated - although only one of those battles is relevant. One Pretender force was left untouched, as it lacks the range to reach any valid targets.

Federation Front. Once more a major Coalition offensive begins. Western Federation space is blanketed, as is South East Federation Space. Hopefully large areas of Federation Space will be Coalition owned. Large numbers of Klingon vessels have finally reached 3611!

Gorn Front - Minor harrassment operations continue.

Romulan Front - A major offensive to recapture the key points has begun!

Alliance reserves have been dispactched (I haven't seen the move file yet - am at work - so locations are unknown!)

Hydran reserves can't reach anything and 1 Gorn reserve is out of range of the combats. 1 Federation reserve is also currently pinned (3611).

For once, I had stacks of FF's, F5'S and E4's which were not needed for the planned reserve forces, so garrson forces in several areas have been bumped up.

Onwards to Victory. Coalition Brothers and Sisters!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 - 07:50 am: Edit

Well combat has started.

The dice although not unkind to me, are still being kind to William.

Over 1017, William has rolled 'just' enough in two of the rounds to direct on the main target - and in the other two rounds, easily enough.

So far, over 1017 -

4 x RN's have died for 2 x DN, 1 x C8 and 1 x BC.

The SB will go down, although the loss of so many DN's is not good!

Elsewhere, a small battle continues to rage over 1802 - in a close contest, the planet probably will fall!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Thursday, September 23, 2010 - 07:52 am: Edit

Hurrah - After 7 years of being the thorn in the Klingon side, 1017 finally dies....

Hydrans retreated after the 4th round...and the SB then died for no further permanent losses.

Losses

Lyrans - 1 CP used, 2 x DN, 1 x BC killed plus a STT and CWE crippled
Klingons - C8 killed

Hydrans - SB, 4 x RN killed, plus 2 x TR's crippled.

The Hydrans retreated and will be out of supply - but good fighter management means they are full on fighters!

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Thursday, September 23, 2010 - 11:15 am: Edit

I'm shocked 1017 lasted so long....

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Friday, September 24, 2010 - 04:02 am: Edit

Well, it should have died last turn - but my dice rolling was typical for this game - appalling!

I am sure if the dice had been kinder around turn 10, it would have been killed then (as I would have had more ships everywhere).

Up until last turn though, it's alway had a strong garrison on it - and I never felt the desire to suffer the pain to take it down!

As I said though - it had been a huge pain in the side - the Hydrans for about 10 turns had constantly raided and disrupted the Southern Reserve Fleet area - and it was only the massive influx of Coalition hulls which slowly rolled him back (and forced William to put more on 617)

But it's dead now, so the border provinces will be safe once more!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Sunday, September 26, 2010 - 07:52 am: Edit

Combats rage across the galaxy - with the usual sufficent rolling of the Alliance continuing, and the Coalition rolling OK, but VBIR is killing me (two big battles where odds were in my favour, VBIR goes down 2!).

Elsewhere, another Alliance force escapes with limited damage, with another failed persuit roll (failed on a 6 again.......).

I suppose the best summary I can give, is that where the Coalition has lots of fighters - I get to use and lose less than 15% of them in combat - and the Alliance is using well over 50% of their own fighters.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Saturday, October 02, 2010 - 01:45 pm: Edit

Well, the dice for the Coalition have more or less gone from bad to worse - I am now rolling horribly in the small battles....

.....another chance to kill ships went after rolling badly (VBIR went down 2 and I rolled a 1!) and then failed another persuit roll.

Hopefully, with the few battles remaining I well roll significantly better than William!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Sunday, October 03, 2010 - 03:34 am: Edit

First roll after posting the above....and the dice really really don't like me.

Small battle - I have 6 fighters and Williams has none.

William needs to roll a total of 11 with the VBIR and his roll to do damage...and guess what, he gets it. I roll another 1.

In just two combats, Federation have 1 less ship crippled and Klingons have 1 more crippled. If the Coalition had rolled better than average, it's probably 2 uncrippled Federation hulls saved.

This seems to be happening 3 or 4 times a turn.....

I honestly have never played a game before, where dice are hurt one side so much, and benefited another side so much.

From those watching the game - do the dice seem that different between us?

By jason murdoch (Jmurdoch) on Sunday, October 03, 2010 - 02:41 pm: Edit

After years of being on the wrong side of your dice it is about time that lady luck, even if she has no memory, spotted something amiss.
May I cite your time as France in Empires in Arms as an example?

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Sunday, October 03, 2010 - 03:32 pm: Edit

Jason

I wouldn't say my dice in EiA was lucky (from what I remember) - certainly, the last time I played the on line verison (EIH), my rolling was as bad as Simon was when he was France!)

I honestly can't remember the last time I noticed anyone to roll this badly though.

A good example, is over the last 6 dice rolls, I have averaged 2.167, and William 4.667! I haven't won one round of those 6.

The average for the turn doesn't show much better - and thats after I had a really good spell of dice for 4 or 5 rolls shows averages of 2.82 v 3.29!

And on top of that, I have two failed persuit rolls (5/6 chance of success in one and 50/50 in the other!)

So, I think again I feel pretty hard done by the dice - I do really need the dice to provide me with some good dice at the right time - as in this game, I don't think I have had one good key roll (6 to kill a carrier group etc) and William has had several lucky rolls!

So fingers crossed!!!