Yeah, it seems like I am currently being very dithery, and looking for a good position to strike at the Fed Capital. Which I might have achieved this turn, but it remains to be seen if I hold on to it for next turn.

On your turn, you get to attack a million province raiders. So that's something!

I am reducing the Fed economy a bunch this turn. And the Kzinti. And the Gorn get a hole put in them (but not a big enough one).

But yeah. I am appearing kind of weak at press time.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Wednesday, July 04, 2018 - 08:59 am: Edit

CT17

Combat is underway!

The Coalition have recaptured planets 1001, 1802, 2509, 2610, and 3005; the Coalition offered an approach which was declined and then immediately ran away over SBs 2907 and 4206. The Kzinti accepted the approach over SB 1704 with combat still ongoing. The Klingons are fighting the Feds over planet 2306 and the Romulans are fighting the Gorns over planet 4705, but both of those fights are very advantaged, ship wise, by the Coalition.

SB 2907 saw about 70 Romulans facing 100+ Feds; I sent the Romulans there to see what would happen, and what happened was about 60 Feds reacted in, and then all the reserves showed up. So if nothing else, it kept the Reserves from preventing me from recapturing planet 2610 (where I only sent about a dozen ships). So that was something.

Combat continues.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, July 05, 2018 - 08:39 am: Edit

CT18

Combat is over and the turn is done! There was only a single combat that lasted longer than a single round, and that one only went 2 rounds before the Gorn abandoned their planet. Not an overly aggressive (or ambitious) turn for the Coalition.

In Hydran space--nothing happened. The Hydrans were all off map. The turn ends with a big Lyran force in 0416 including a solid reserve and a big mostly Klingon force in 0617. The Lyrans are setting up a MB over Hydrax, and the Klingons are installing a PDU.

In Kzinti space--the Coalition recaptured 1001 and 1802, and most of Kzinti space. The Lyrans have a giant fleet in 1407 including a solid reserve, a significant force at planet 1001. The Klingons have a big fleet at 1506, a moderate one at 1504. There is a mixed force, including 2 reserves (a KLI and a LYR) and then another 20 ships at 1105.

On the Fed/Klingon front--the Coalition recaptured planets 2306, 2509, 2610, and a lot of Fed space. There are about 30 ships, including a solid Klingon reserve at 2106, about 100 ships at 2306, about 50 ships at 2509, a dozen ships at 2610, and a motley dozen ship reserve at 2715.

On the Fed/Romulan front--the Coalition recaptured planet 3005 and a lot of Fed space. There are about 90 Klingon ships, including a solid reserve, at planet 3210 and then about 75 Romulans including a solid reserve at planet 3509, and then a dozen Romulans on planet 3306.

On the Gorn front--the Romulans captured planet 4705 and the south half of Gorn space. There are about 45 Romulans in 4310, about 70 ships on planet 4705, a solid reserve on 4411 and a modest reserve on 4510.

Ships Killed:
-LYR: FF
-KLI: D5
-ROM: FHF, SP

-ZIN: FFK, FF
-HYD:
-FED: SC, FF
-GRN: 2HD, (2PDU)

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, July 05, 2018 - 08:47 am: Edit

Map at the end of CT18:

http://www.lightlink.com/pdb6/SCD2mapCT18.html

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Sunday, July 08, 2018 - 09:33 am: Edit

AT18

The Federation generate about 130EPs and have about 137EPs to spend. They build CVA, NAC, NSC, 10NCL, and then 17FF (and a SWAC). No conversions and they repair a few cripples. They end with a fractional EP in treasury.

The Kzinti generate about 42EPs and have about 47EPs to spend. They build a CV and then 11FFs. No conversions, repair 7 cripples. They end with a fractional EP in treasury.

The Hydrans generate 31EPs, have about 39EPs to spend. They build 2HR, 7CU, PGS, and then convert 3HR>NEC. They fix a couple crippled CUs. They end with about 6EP saved.

The Gorn generate 82EPs, have about 153EP to spend (they have a huge savings in treasury). They build DNT, MCC, 3HD, 4BD, 2DD. They convert CL>CV. End with 82EP in treasury.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Sunday, July 08, 2018 - 09:56 am: Edit

AT18

So on CT18, the Coalition put 59 new ships on the map, including 30 new Free Fighter Factors. The Coalition have no FFF saved for the Fall. This includes 9 overbuilt FFs and 2 Romulan activations (of which there are, IIRC, 6 hulls left to activate).

The Alliance put 63 new ships on the map, including 30 new FFF (3 of them were doubled on HRs). The Alliance still have 15 FFF saved for the Fall.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 - 12:28 pm: Edit

AT18

Raids have occurred and moves have started. The Kzinti successfully raid 3 Lyran border provinces; the Feds successfully raid a Klingon border province; the Gorn successfully raid two Romulan provinces.

(As an aside, having now played a few games with Raids, it seems like they make you keep honest with province raiders, having to double up a lot, but otherwise mostly just contest provinces. And we are pretty deep into the double raid pool era, and neither of us have been using more than minimal raids--the Coalition raid, maybe, 2-3 provinces a turn; the Alliance could be raiding more than they are, but I guess they don't wanna tie up more good ships? Maybe things will change, raid wise, when there are things like the Lyran DNLP to send on raids?)

The Alliance has started moving; so far just some Hydrans poking out of the Old Colonies to pin some FFs, and some Kzinti coming out of the off map to also pin some FFs.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 - 11:18 am: Edit

AT18

After a delay caused by a computer upgrade, we are back in action!

On the Hydran front, the Hydrans have moved about equivalent forces to the Coalition on planet 0416 (113 SEQ of Hydrans vs 114 SEQ of Coalition), and then sent plenty of ships to beat up some E4s to secure an open supply path to the Old Colonies.

In Kzinti space, the Kzinti are rounding up a lot of province raiders, and have sent forces to fight over planets 1001, 1105, and 1802 so far.

The Feds have moved a few ships to attack some province raiders on the Romulan front.

The Gorn have moved a lot of ships to planet 4705, where the Romulans have a lot of ships holding the planet, as well as attacked some province raiders.

Plenty of ships left to move.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, July 26, 2018 - 09:09 am: Edit

AT18

Moves continue.

On the Kzinti front, the Kzinti have moved more ships to 1105 (now about 50 SEQ Coalition vs about 55 SEQ ZIN), sent a pin force to planet 1504 (about 30 SEQ on each side. They still have about 80 ships sitting on SB 1704 to move.

The Feds have sent a big fleet to pin the B10 fleet on planet 2306 (about 90 SEQ per side currently) and another fleet to attack the Romulans at planet 3509 (about 80 SEQ of Romulans to about 50 SEQ of Feds so far).

In Gorn space, an exciting attack from SB 4206, sending about 38 SEQ to attack ROM BATS 4010, which is undefended, but three reserves are in range, although at least one of them is likely to be pinned.

Hydrans are likely done moving (they have about 2 reserves worth of ships left off map unmoved).

Moves continue.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Monday, July 30, 2018 - 10:52 am: Edit

AT18

The Alliance continue spreading out their vast microscopic space fleet.

On the Kzinti front, the ships sitting on SB 1704 have moved to shore up the attack on planet 1504, seeing the Klingons react in from 1506 to make the hex advantage: Coalition; they then sent about 60 ships to 1506, seeing the Lyrans react about 80 ships from 1407 to 1406. The Kzintis aren't done moving yet, so we'll see where they end up.

The Feds have attacked Klingon held planets 2106 (about 75 Feds vs about 35 Coalition; the Feds will likely take this one); 2306 (about 100 SEQ on each side, so a toss up, but the Klingons have a B10 and drone ships); 2610 (about 25 Feds vs about a dozen Klingons, but a possible reserve can show up).

Kzinti, Gorn, and Hydrans seem mostly done moving. There are still about 90 unmoved Fed ships (plus all the new builds) on SB 3008, which can move to engage targets on either the Klingon or Romulan fronts.

By chris upson (Misanthropope) on Monday, July 30, 2018 - 01:53 pm: Edit

"vast microscopic"? whatchamacallit, sigvirions, the things whose seekers get stronger the farther they move? your bases are in trouble, homie

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Monday, July 30, 2018 - 02:22 pm: Edit

Really, more of a vast "microscopic space fleet". Ya know. Like the kind that accidentally gets eaten by a dog, saving our heroes in the 4th act.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 - 10:54 am: Edit

AT18

Movement is done and reserves have been sent in!

In Hydran space, there is a mostly even big fight over planet 0416 (advantage: Coalition, mostly due to EW factors) and a mob of Hydrans likely just killing an E4 while his buddies run at the mouth of the Old Colonies.

In Kzinti space, there are 9 fights; 5 of them are small groups beating up other small groups, all of which are slightly (or significantly) advantage Kzinti; 1001 is a middle sized, mostly even fight; 1105 is a big fight that a reserve went to that gave the edge to the Coalition; 1504 is an advantaged Coalition big fight; 1506 is an advantaged Coalition big fight.

On the Fed/Klingon front, 6 fights; 3 of them are groups of Feds beating up province raiders, of which the Feds will win all the fights; 2106 is a lot of Feds vs fewer Coalition, which will push them off the planet; 2306 is a giant, mostly even fight with Klingon advantage; 2610 is a moderate fight that was advantage Fed, but then a reserve showed up and it is advantage Klingon, but only modestly.

On the Fed/Romulan front, there are 7 fights. 4 of them a Feds beating up province raiders (or seeing them cloak evade), but at least one of them is likely an even wash. 3506 is 8 Feds hitting 4 Klingons, but then a reserve C8V, AD5, and D5S showed up to even things out, giving the Klingons a good chance of holding the planet. 3509 is a mob of Feds vs a bigger mob of Romulans. 3210 is a mostly even big fight between Feds and Klingons. Klingons might have a slight edge if they want to drone bombard (but the Feds have a lot more fighters).

On the Gorn fight, there are 4 fights. 2 are groups beating up province raiders that will each see a small Romulan either evade or get vaporized. 4010 is about 36 Gorns vs a BATS and two reserve fleets (about 25 Romulans). The Gorn can certainly go and kill the BATS if they are inclined, but they'll take a bunch of damage doing it, so I'm unsure what they plan on doing. 4705 sees 87 SEQ of Gorns facing about 90 SEQ of Romulans once a reserve showed up. The fight seems pretty even if the Gorn want to press it; the Romulans have more fighters; the Gorn have 4 point scouts and the Romulans don't.

So that is a total of 28 battle hexes. Woo!

By Alan Trevor (Thyrm) on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 - 12:00 pm: Edit

Peter;

Out of curiosity, how do you define "advantaged"?

Example: The Klingons are attacking a defended Federation planet with enough force that they will probably, though not absolutely certainly, capture the planet. But the Feds have a huge number of fighters in their force and if they fight until they run out of fighters and then retreat, they will probably cost the Klingons far more in EPs for destroyed or crippled ships. Is that "advantaged Fed" or "advantaged Klink"?

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 - 01:00 pm: Edit

I define "advantaged" (in these quicky theatre assessments) as "They are the side that is probably going to win the fight, generally as the result of numerical or qualitative superiority".

Most of the fights noted above, the sides listed as "advantaged" have a numerical or qualitative edge over the other force, and generally in a hex where the outcome isn't particularly important, and as such, one side or the other will probably fight a few rounds until they start feeling bad about the level of exchange, and then they'll retreat.

For example, in numerous hexes in Kzinti space, the Kzinti are "advantaged" as the fight consists of, like, a BC, CVL, 2FF vs a D6 and 3E4s. The Kzinti will certainly win the hex. The Klingons will run. The Klingons may or may not sacrifice a single E4 (depending on the numbers and specifics of the forces, they might put up all the ships), but will certainly be the first to flee the hex. Thus, Kzinti advantaged.

In 1105 (captured, devastated Kzinti planet), for another example, there were about 50 SEQ of Coalition, including a couple reserves. The Kzinti sent about 50 SEQ of ships to (presumably) pin those reserves. At that point, the fight was about even; neither side had a significant qualitative advantage, and numerically, they were about the same, so it was gonna be a toss up, and the winner of the hex was the side that rolled better and scared the other side off. But then a Lyran reserve showed up, giving the Lyrans a numerical advantage (and probably a slight qualitative advantage as well). Thus, "advantaged". 'Could the Kzinti stick it out and get lucky and push the Coalition off the planet? Sure. But it is unlikely.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Sunday, August 05, 2018 - 01:10 pm: Edit

AT18

Combat has started. In the Kzinti theatre, the Kzinti have killed a couple Coalition FFs, and are embroiled in 3 or 4 big fights that could be protracted or not.

Combat continues.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Friday, August 17, 2018 - 10:55 am: Edit

So my opponent has apparently run into some significant real life issues that are getting in the way of his ability to maneuver tiny giant space fleets, so we are kind of in a hold up for the time being. Hopefully, we'll get back into it at some point.

By Gregory S Flusche (Vandor) on Friday, August 17, 2018 - 05:57 pm: Edit

ACKKKKKK NOOOOOO. •••• was following this one sigh I hope all works out.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Friday, August 17, 2018 - 07:53 pm: Edit

You and me both, buddy.

By Jason Langdon (Jaspar) on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 - 12:18 am: Edit

And we are back on !

... assuming Peter hasnt moved on without me

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 - 08:05 pm: Edit

There is motion! We are finishing up battles in Kzinti space. Which is a little disorienting currently, but we'll get back in the swing of things.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, September 20, 2018 - 06:57 pm: Edit

AT18

Things are still moving slowly but surely. In Kzinti space, numerous fights are grinding along, with the Kzinti trading fighters and ad-hoc FF escorts for generally bigger Coalition ships and cripples; the Lyrans just abandoned planet 1001.

Fights have started in Hydran space, where the Hydrans have a big carrier force facing a giant Coalition force at planet 0416; the sides are numerically even, but the Coalition has a significant EW edge; the Hydrans have, like, 10 carrier groups of various types and a million fighters, so they can probably fight for a long time if they want.

In Fed space, the Feds have started mugging groups of province raiders, and are fighting the Klingons over planet 2610, where the Klingons have a numerical edge due to a reserve showing up.

Fights continue.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, September 27, 2018 - 03:59 pm: Edit

AT18

Combat in the West is starting to wrap up.

In Kzinti space, most fights are done; the Kzinti mostly traded FFs for bigger ships (including bagging a Lyran Scout Tug in the scout formation bonus box) and recaptured planet 1001, but mostly there was attrition.

In Hydran space, the Hydrans are fighting what could be a long attrition fight, trading CU escorts for bigger ships.

On the West edge of Fed space, the Feds have killed a bunch of province raiders, and retreated from Klingon held planet 2609 after one round and losing their fighters. A Romulan WE failed to cloak evade, and then got killed, failing to avoid pursuit (i.e. the Feds rolled low with their group of 4 ships to catch the cripple).

So far, a total of 17 Coalition ships and 16 Alliance ships have blown up. The Kzinti have lost a full turn of production so far, and will probably burn more FFs before they are done fighting.

Combat continues.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Sunday, September 30, 2018 - 09:25 pm: Edit

AT18

Combat in Kzinti space is done; the Kzinti retook planet 1001, but otherwise just waged a war of attrition, losing 13 total ships (mostly ad-hoc FF escorts) and a lot of fighters.

In Hydran space, the Hydrans continue fighting over 0416, having lost 3CUs so far, in exchange for a DWE and a couple SCs. This fight could go on for a while.

In Fed space, the Feds are now fighting over planets 2106 and 2306; in 2106, the Feds have a numerical advantage, but are behind on EW; in 2306, the Klingons have the B10, so outgun the Feds by about 20 compot, but have a -1EW shift due to numerous SWACs in the hex.

Combat continues.

By Jason Langdon (Jaspar) on Monday, October 01, 2018 - 05:29 pm: Edit

We may be done by Christmas !

Well, Turn 18 anyway...