Klingons have 5 planets within three hexes of the Federation neutral zone. Get local ship superiority, bring an FRD within six of such a planet (use a tug as a supply point) and you are on Klingon planet wrecking business.

Heck, the Tholians can go bust one on turn 22. Anywho, there are things that can be done, at least sometimes.

That being said, yes, the Coalition gets an edge in Xships as far as the SIT goes.

By Jason Langdon (Jaspar) on Thursday, July 04, 2019 - 01:17 am: Edit

Well, the Tholians may be saving up for a last hoorah.

Pretty sure the FRD would be a one off event because it would get trashed the following turn. But I am currently trying to work out the best way to hit the lesser defended points of Coalition space.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, July 04, 2019 - 08:03 am: Edit

Trading an FRD for a few BATS, or a poorly defended SB, or a captured major planet? Totally good trade.

CT27

Moves are finished, and waiting for reserves to come in!

In Hydran space, there is 1 fight; just a big one over planet 0416, with about 130 SEQ of Hydrans vs about 150 SEQ of Coalition (both Hydran reserves will probably show up, adding another two dozen Hydrans to the fight). The Hydrans might want to hold the planet and can fight for a long time, trading CUs and fighters for bigger things.

In Kzinti space, 2 fights; about 85 Klingons are in the Kzinti Capital, which may or may not go to Kzintai (Ron Howard Voiceover: "They won't."); about 120 Lyrans vs about 50 Kzinti over planet 1105. The Lyrans can easily take back planet 1105, but then there will still be a big mob of Kzinti in range of deep Lyran targets. Two modest reserves off map can go to either.

On the Fed/Klingon front, 5 fights--all attacks on recently liberated planets (2306, 2403, 2505, 2610, 2811). Planet 2403 is undefended and attacked by a small squadron, and 7 hexes from reserves (although a couple CX could show up if they leave the rest of their reserves behind); 2306, 2403, 2610 are defended by roughly equivalent fleets; 2811 is likely going to be rolled over.

On the Fed/Romulan front, 3 fights--planets 3005 and 3306 have large Romulan forces fighting smaller Fed defenses; 3603 sees a big group of Romulans beating up a small squadron of Feds, out of range of Reserves. The Feds have 4 reserves that can reach most fights.

On the Gorn front, the Romulans are hitting 4 planets, most of which are minimally defended. 4702 and 5004 can be defended by reserves, but have no ships at them (they got to 4702 using cloaked movement and then moving away from the Capital, so no reaction); 4903 has a few ships at it; they got a small group of ships (including an SHR that could reach with the 7 moves) to planet 5403, where 6 Romulans have an edge over 5 Gorn, and the reserves can't make it out there.

No action on the Tholian front. As thankfully, a military advisory (i.e. Richard) correctly pointed out that killing any Tholian base or entering their space results in them permanently joining the Alliance (which is clearly and obviously pointed out in the rules, but somehow, I forgot to notice that...), so the bloodthirsty Lyrans on the border have powered down disruptors. I mean, like, it wasn't that likely I was going to do that, but I kept considering blowing up a BATS, just to give some ships something to do :-)

Reserves need to come in, and then fights!

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, July 04, 2019 - 08:10 am: Edit

Richard wrote, re [3D5X, 3FX] vs [3DDX, 3FFX]:
>>Klingons are 57 compot, Feds are 51, so that's not really the same.>>

I mean, yes, on the one hand, 6 less compot. But in general, they are about the same in terms of total utility--you are still getting the 6 free dead fighters, the -3EW, the 10 points of X mauling, the 7 hex reserve movement potential.

And the FFX is 2 points cheaper, so the Feds are potentially getting, what, 2 more FFX on the map for the same cost in FXs.

I mean, yeah, 6 less compot is not completely insignificant (although when you factor in the 6 free damage from the X-BG, that marginal loss of, what, like, 2 damage output seems like rounding error :-), but still seems about a wash.

As noted, the biggest flaw with the FFX is the YIS date of 183. That's just mean.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, July 04, 2019 - 09:09 am: Edit

CT27

The Hydrans sent both reserves to 0416; the Kzinti sent both reserves to 1105; the Gorn sent both reserves to 4903; the Feds sent 1 reserve each to 4 different planets, that may or may not save some of them.

Combat to ensue!

By chris upson (Misanthropope) on Thursday, July 04, 2019 - 10:01 am: Edit

the klingon X ship [as opposed to YIS...] superiority i feel comes down to two factors. right at the beginning the DX has a big advantage because the fed can't easily generate 40 damage away from a starbase. late, the D5DX is horrifying.

jason: your klingon is just about as strong as klingons can be without having won a 3 capital victory already. if somehow that can be worked around, don't underestimate the klingon empire's capacity for collapse. they don't have any Russia Defense to work with, and with their economy in full exhaustion, battle damage combined with economic damage can snowball very quickly.

ISTR peter once winding up with a big part of the klingon fleet crippled at the end, and i watched a game where starting in 181 the coalition resolved basically every non-fighter damage point by self-killing war cruisers, to try to keep his fleet viable.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, July 04, 2019 - 10:27 am: Edit

Heh, yeah, at this point, I'm very concerned about every cripple I take, as my coffers are drying up; the Klingons currently have, like, 15 total EP/XTP combined in treasury.

In terms of X ship absurdity, I'm currently fighting over planet 2811 with:

B10+ADM (c/f), [C8V, 2AD5, HDWE, F5], 5DX, F5, (D6S)=137/4

The Feds will probably have a line of about 110, give or take (SCS+CVS group, BG, CX in the lead). He doesn't have a ton of ships, so it will likely be a one round fight. I think the Feds can certainly churn up X ship production by making sure they have 2CA to convert every turn, and skipping some CVA/SCS production if they wanted. But then on T28, they can churn out DDXs if they want anyway.

By Richard B. Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Thursday, July 04, 2019 - 12:46 pm: Edit

Some commentary:

An FFX costs 7XTP so you can't build two for 6XTP.

I am not sure that merely entering Tholian space allows them to join the alliance, it might be the destruction of a base is required.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, July 04, 2019 - 01:34 pm: Edit

>>An FFX costs 7XTP so you can't build two for 6XTP. >>

You can build 9FFX for the same cost as 7FX (i.e. 63XTP). Thus "2 more FFX on the map for the same cost in FXs". Spend 63 XTP on FX, and 63 XTP on FFX, you get 2 more FFX on the map for the same cost in FX's.

>>I am not sure that merely entering Tholian space allows them to join the alliance, it might be the destruction of a base is required.>>

Checking...yeah, it is, in fact, just if a base is destroyed do they join the Alliance (or whatever). There is an earlier line in the rules that says "they will attack and attempt to destroy any unit that enters their space", which I was conflating.

By Richard B. Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Thursday, July 04, 2019 - 02:07 pm: Edit

I'd probably want to do a Q&A before entering Tholian space without intent to activate them. :p

By Richard B. Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Thursday, July 04, 2019 - 02:23 pm: Edit

I think I can agree that one should sub CXs for the DN/CVA slot (and just use FFF for A20 carriers or something). Saves EPs too if you think about it, and by that point the Feds should have enough CVAs. If they want SCSs, then they can use FFF to convert those more cheaply as well.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, July 04, 2019 - 04:05 pm: Edit

Heh, yeah, I think I'll just let the Tholians be for now.

By Jason Langdon (Jaspar) on Thursday, July 04, 2019 - 05:55 pm: Edit

Richard, Feds have enough CVAs??? FOR SHAME !!

I can never have enough. Pair with a CAV and its a very nice group.

Though really I think the Feds are all about SCS.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Friday, July 05, 2019 - 04:22 pm: Edit

CT27

Combat is well underway.

In Hydran space, we are three rounds into the fight over 0416. Both sides have been blowing up small escorts each round, and soaking most of the rest on fighters/PFs. The Hydrans have gone through, like, 75 fighters already (of 180+ in the hex), and are slowly running out of full PFT groups to field. The Hydrans could conceivably hold out until they run out of fighters; the Lyrans might blink first.

In Kzinti space, the Klingons are just redevastating outer capital planets, killing fighters and crippling the occasional frigate along the way; the Kzinti are shoting down whatever juicy targets they can kill each round. Seems likely the Klingons will reflatten 7 planets, and lose 7 ships as a cost.

In Fed space, the Feds scared the Klingons away from planet 2505 (a reserve showed up with a ton more compot and EW than the Klingons had); scared the Romulans away from planet 3306 (for about the same reason), but were routed from planet 2811.

In Gorn space, the Gorn saved planet 4903 with reserves, but lost planets 4702, 5004, and neutral planet 5403, but the Romulans had to retreat (and couldn't pursue cripples), as I over extended myself and needed to be able to retrograde.

Plenty of fighting to come!

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Saturday, July 06, 2019 - 10:00 am: Edit

CT27

Combat continues.

In Hydran space, the Lyrans blinked first, and the Hydrans kept planet 0416; the Hydrans burned though about 130 fighters (still had about 50 left), but the Lyrans ran out of useable carrier groups, and while they could have probably taken the planet by tenaciously sticking around and crippling two dozen ships, I figured it wasn't actually that important.

In Kzinti space, the Klingons redevastated all non-homeworld capital planets in the hex, losing 7 ships and some PFs in return. The Kzinti lost fighters and had to cripple 11 ships (mostly FFs), as the Klingons continued to roll nuts, so there was a significant amount of damage to soak in the 7 rounds of combat (well, 4 rounds with 2 fights in each of the first 3 rounds). The Klingons then retreated, and the Kzinti partially retreated a battle line to planet 1502 to prevent the Klingons from just parking there.

4 more fights to go, all of which are potentially protracted. But probably won't be.

As of press time, the Coalition have lost 15 ships, the Alliance have lost 10. The Coalition continue to roll nuts, with an average of 3.94 vs the Alliance's 3.17 (and the Coalition have rolled a full third of their combat dice as 6's). On the upside, most of the high dice aren't really particularly relevant, other than over 1401 (where it resulted in a dozen FFs getting crippled to soak up extra damage); the Coalition have been devastating planets and killing escort FFs mostly; the Alliance have been shooting down the biggest things that they can most of the time.

By Jason Langdon (Jaspar) on Saturday, July 06, 2019 - 07:44 pm: Edit

Peter: 'rolls arent too bad this turn'
*next 3 rolls for Peter: 6, 6, 6
Peter: 'oh, sorry :/'

None of the battles were vital, but I have done less damage than expected, and taken a lot more damage than expected.

Though really, it is to be expected I guess...

By Jason Langdon (Jaspar) on Sunday, July 07, 2019 - 11:05 pm: Edit

T27C is now over. Im sure Peter will provide an update once he completes his retrogrades and sets up reserves.

I just did my Survey rolls for T27A.

Kzinti Survey - 2, 2, 1
Hydran Survey - 2, 5, 1
Federation Survey - 4, 2, 1, 3, 3, 2, 5, 5
Gorn Survey - 1, 2
Gorn Activation - 1

17 dice. Zero 6s. 13 rolls below average, 4 above.

18 turns of Gorn, and they still havent activated a CL.

By Richard B. Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Sunday, July 07, 2019 - 11:53 pm: Edit

Well, at least if Ghdar I gets devastated they'll all activate then.

By Jason Langdon (Jaspar) on Monday, July 08, 2019 - 12:29 am: Edit

Im not quite sure that is something I want to happen just to get a cheap CL

Still, if it means that Peter has lost half his Romulan fleet then I may actually be okay with it.

Unfortunately I dont think Peter is going to attack anything significant in the next 7 Turns.

It falls on me to be the aggressive one.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Monday, July 08, 2019 - 08:37 am: Edit

AT27

Combat is over!

In Hydran space, the Hydrans held onto planet 0416. Nothing else happened.

In Kzinti space, the Klingons redvastated all the non Homeworld capital planets and the Lyrans recaptured planet 1105, but there are still about 60 Kzinti ships forward deployed that can reach numerous deep targets.

On the Fed/Klingon front, the Klingons recaptured planets 2306 and 2811, but were repelled from planets 2505 and 2610.

On the Fed/Romulan front, the Romulans took back planet 3306, but were repelled from planet 3005.

In Gorn space, the Romulans took planets 4702, 5004, and liberated planet 5403 from cruel Gorn oppression.

Ships Killed:
-LYR: 4DWE, FFE, 3FF
-KLI: D6S, D6M, MD5, 2D5, 2F5L, F5E, F5, E4
-ROM: SPF, SP, SEH

-ZIN: 3FF
-HYD: 4AH, CU
-FED: 3NCL, DW, 3FF
-GRN: HD
-THA:

21 dead Coalition, 16 dead Alliance. The Kzinti took a dozen+ cripples as well, but most of them are FF hulls.

Dice this turn continued to be advantage Coalition, rolling an average of 3.85 vs the Alliance's 3.29 (21 recorded rolls). A full 1/3rd of my combat rolls were 6's this turn (but I never used any auto kills, as most of them weren't eligible, and with the one or two that were, I wanted to kill something specific rather than a random FF).

Retrogrades, etc. to follow.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Monday, July 08, 2019 - 11:43 am: Edit

CT27

The turn is over!

In Hydran space, the Lyrans pulled a bunch of ships back to SB 0411, and there are plenty of ships in 0617, including a modest Klingon reserve.

In Kzinti space, the Lyrans pulled a bunch of ships back to the now vulnerable SB 0608, and put most of the rest of their ships back in 1407; the Klingons have most of their ships in 1506. There are ok Lyran reserves in 0709 and 1407, and a modest Klingon reserve in 1506.

On the Fed/Klingon front, the Klingons have a big fleet in 2106, a gigantic fleet in 2812, battle lines in 2306 and 2811. There is a 9 ship X reserve at 1910.

On the Tholian front, the Coalition United Nations hex of 2916 has a solid fleet, a modest Lyran reserve, and a solid Klingon reserve. Still a bunch of Lyrans in 2318 and a joint Romulan/Lyran moderate force in 3518.

On the Fed/Romulan front, the Romulans have a big fleet on 3509, modest fleets on 3210 and 3706, and reasonable reserves in 3706 and 3711.

In Gorn space, the Romulans have very significant fleet in 4705 and a modest reserve in 4309.

Here is a map of the end of CT27. I used captured markers in all hexes of captured space, as I saw someone do that on a map on Facebook, and I liked the graphic representation of control of space. It is unlikely I'll do that a lot, as it takes a bunch of extra time, and is more confusing for actual play purposes :-)

Map at end of CT27:

http://www.lightlink.com/pdb6/SCD2mapCT27end.html

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Tuesday, July 09, 2019 - 09:44 am: Edit

AT27 (Fall y181)

The Feds generate about 100 EPs, about 70 XTPs; have about 116 EP and 122 XTP to spend. They build 3CX, NHV, NVH (they have a giant pile of F-111 squadrons to use up), 2NAC, NCL, HDWE, DW, 19FF. They convert 2CA>CX, DW>HDWE. No repairs (I don't think they have any cripples currently). They end econ with an EP and about 70 XTP in the bank.

The Kzinti generate about 34 EP, have about 35 EP to spend. They build HDWP, free ASC, 5FF, convert DW>HDWP. Spend 8.5 on repairs. End econ with some change in the bank.

The Hydrans generate about 20 EPs, have about 28 EP to spend. They build HDWP, AH, 2HN, 3CU. Convert 2HN>AH. 2.5 EP on repairs. End econ with a buck and a half in the bank.

The Gorn (now at 75%) generate about 42 EP, have about 97 EP to spend. They build CM, CLE, 3HD, HDWE, 3BD, DDE, DD. Convert DD>FCR. Fix a DD. End econ with about 30 EP in the bank.

The Tholians generate about 23 EPs, have about 38 EPs to spend. They build CAW, CWE, DD, 2PC. Convert DD>PFW. Fix a PCE. End econ with about 5EPs in the bank.

By Jason Langdon (Jaspar) on Tuesday, July 09, 2019 - 05:14 pm: Edit

The Feds repaired a DNG and 2xFF at the 2907 SB.

They have a LOT of XTP so will buy buying a heap of DDX next turn.

I always assumed the Feds got Xships earlier but the Klingons are WAY ahead. Plus the PF advantage makes it very hard for the Alliance to do well.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 - 09:07 am: Edit

Yeah, the various YIS dates of Fed X ships are just cruel. Like, the Klingons having a whole year to build up FX swarms before the Feds can build anything but CXs is very debilitating. And then the Feds don't get FFXs until the war is almost over (and they can't make battle groups of 6DDXs, as DDX counts as a SC3 ship for battle group purposes, apparently).

On the upside, on T28, the Hydrans, Kzinti, and Gorn start building X ships too, and that'll help their economies/build schedules a lot, relatively speaking.

By chris upson (Misanthropope) on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 - 09:50 am: Edit

XTP budgeting for the small alliance powers is pretty interesting, and by interesting i mean hard.