Archive through June 30, 2019
Star Fleet Universe Discussion Board: Federation & Empire: F&E INPUT:
F&E Reports from the Front:
Inactive Scenarios:
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure:
Archive through June 30, 2019
of course, the point of using up fighters is that *usually* you get them back. a jest, a mere jape.
if there is a struggle for initiative on the romulan front generally you have a barn-burner of a war, and it reads that way. is anyone going to post some hexagon porn, by any chance?
The CVD was brand spanking new. After promising dad not even a scratch on the paint job, Bill brought it home a stinking wreck only good for salvage. 
Bill attacked 1401 because basically I provoked him sorely. Mostly, the Zin have been biding their time, taking little in the way of casualties, and mostly taking out garrison units and preventing me from really capturing most of the outer Zin planets - while slowly building up his forces now that his shipyards are back.
I *wanted* the Zin to engage me so I could work on reducing his navy. To do that, two turns ago I put a MB on Kzintai and a PDU. That was not sufficient provocation. Last turn I put four more PDUs and started to upgrade that MB to a BATS. THAT was sufficient provocation and lead to this last fight. I think that Bill guessed (correctly) that if he didn't put a stop to those Coalition shenanigans there would be *at least* a starbase and 8 PDUs over Kzintai, and THAT would have meant really serious pain if he ever had a hope of retaking the Kzinti capital.
So, he brought in the bulk of the Kzinti navy, including that newly minted CVD group. We fought one round of approach, which he won, and then he came in.
In a sense, we both "won". He accomplished his objective of reducing all of my defenses and killing a couple of really good ships. I accomplished my objective by reducing his navy by roughly 10% by SEQ.
Tale of the Tape for the Kzintai Kombat:
Coalition KIA: L_MB (being upgraded to BATS, no fighter), 5*L_PDU, C9A, D6S.
Coalition WIA: TGC+A, 3*BC, CC, STJ, JGP+G, D6M
Kzinti KIA (mostly directed, couple of self kills on the smaller units): CC, 3*BF, 2*FFK, FF, CVD, NEC, MEC, 2*DWE, 2*FKE
Kzinti WIA: CC, 4*BC, NCA, MEC, DWE
I don't remember, do PDUs take a turn to set up or are they good instantly upon delivery?
When no PDUs are present, it takes the intervening enemy turn before the PDU is setup. Once at least one PDU is setup, you can load up to 4 at a time, and said loading is instant. So, I setup 1 two turns ago (wasn't opposed) and then I setup 4 more last turn after the 1 was laid down.
Ted, did you ever get an answer to your Q&A about whether or not the Tholians count for victory conditions?
By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Tuesday, January 03, 2012 - 11:07 am
Q603.3. In the event that victory is caluclated by this rule (603.3) (i.e., no knockout victory under 651.2), do Tholian bases and ships get added to Alliance victory points? Assume the Tholians joined the Alliance as "limited partners" under 604.15 between turns 22-28, but then re-entered their territory thereafter per 604.152). Assume further that neither the Coalition nor the Alliance ever entered Tholian territory. Rule 604.151 makes it clear that the Tholian capital does not count for victory conditions. However, that rule is confusing to me, as 603.3 would only add the value of a capital if it's captured and held in the first place (meaning that this sentence in 604.151 appears to be redundant to the basic victory caluclation in 603.3 (where bonuses are achieved only for holding capitals anyway). That being said, because 604.151 essentially reiterates what 603.3 already provides, it makes me think that while the Tholian capital counts towards victory when captured (no matter what), perhaps Tholian bases and ships DO count towards Alliance victory points even if the Coalition never entered Tholian territory. While it could be argued that the Tholians never "joined" the Alliance (603.3, final sentence), it could also be argued that the Tholians DID join the Alliance as "limited partners" between turns 22-28 and thus their bases and ships should be included in Alliance victory points. Please clarify, and thanks.
William, no, I don't think so. I double checked with a keyword search. I'll repost it in Q&A. Thanks for noting!
This game has been active, but I have not been posting. Even now, I'm going to be very brief - but I don't want the thread to die at this time.
Last report in this game was A14. We are now starting A15.
C15 was relatively quiet, as I need to redistribute my forces. However, Richard's little stunt of putting 117 SEQ on a MB that I could not possible reach within 6 hexes of Lyrantan caught my attention, let me tell you.
Because I was facing a serious ship shortfall on account of needing to defend against Richard's clever little maneuver (which took him 2-3 turns to setup, by the way- more props to him), I decided to borrow to the hilt with the Lyrans and Klingons and overproduce a lot of ships in addition to my normal load.
Klingons build D7C, D6M, D6D, FDW, LTT, 10*D5, 3*F5W, F5G, F5R, 7*F5, 3*F5L (these include MiSYs). Construction cost is 235. They overproduce 3*D5 and 10*F5. Spend 33.5 EPs on repairs. Spend 18 on conversions: D5->D5L, D6->D6S, D6-D6M, and D5->DWD. B10#2 is up to 26/40 on the rolls, and swarm is now at 88/100. Buy command point (2 total now).
Lyrans DO NOT overproduce, but they do spend ALOT on fighters - going for maximum CV production. BC, CVD, NCF, CL, 2*CWE, DWV, 3*DWE, FCR, 4*FF, DWG, STJ, CWS. Construction cost 98.5 EPs. These include MiSYs. 38 EPs in repairs. Conversions are CL->DN, CW->CWP, DD->NMC, and convert a captured Kzinti FF. Total EPs on conversions: 37 (almost half on the fighters).
I retain 12 EPs for use as RCR in case Richard attacks something important. Like the Lyran home world.
Romulans actually reduced their debt by 24 EPs (from 70 to 46). They activate WE and SN and call up SNV. Build CNV, FFH, SPF, SPH, SPC, SPM, 2*SKE, SKR, FAL, SN, 3*SEH (includes MiSYs). 9 EPs in repairs. Convert WE->KE, 2*SP->FHM, SP->VHK, WE->FAL. 18 EPs in conversions.
Raids were uneventful really. So, I disrupted some provinces and killed a picket.
Operational:
HTO:
I totally blocked off the offmap (absolutely no way he can get direct connection between his MB and the Hydran grid). Unless he brings the bulk of his navy back down from 1112. I stomp 3*POL in his POL stack, and I have almost 100 SEQ within 2 hexes of the Hydran offmap (I only have a 15 SEQ Lyran reserve in 617 plus some occupying ships).
I end up using operational and strat movement to have 43 SEQ at SB411, 24 Lyrans and 13 Klingons (37 in all) at Lyrantan (408). I have two decent Klingon reserves at BATS 908 and a very powerful Lyran reserve at 607.
Note I cannot block the Hydrans from reaching Lyrantan and a bunch of other Lyran deep targets. However, I have enough firepower to make him pay dearly for anything really valuable, and he does not have the firepower to take the entire capital.
The real Hydran victory here is that about 40 Klingons went HERE instead of to the Gorn theater... It also means that I've had to use nearly 200 SEQ to contain 117 SEQ of the GREEN MENACE. I have the forces now to drive him back towards the Hydran offmap and away from Lyrantan - but frankly Richard did his job without firing a shot...
ZTO:
Relatively quiet. I boot Patriarch's fleet off of 1802 and do a little damage. Mostly... it's a bunch of nothing. 1 powerful Lyran reserve in 1401.
FTO:
I deliberately avoid the Federation central reserves. Thus, while the Feds have a big cripple backlog, they're still cranking out the ships. It's become clear by now that I'm not attacking Earth again in this game - at least not in the next few turns. However, the Roms do manage to press back into Fed space up to 3711 and 3612. I have 1 good Klingon reserve in 2106.
GTO:
Here's where the offensive action was. I pressed forward, destroying several Gorn BATS and capturing Gyrennia (5004), Gijard (4705), and Midketh (4309). I have some 220 SEQ versus some 100 Gorns, so his options on A15 will be reasonably limited in the GTO. The B10 is in striking distance of all 3 Gorn capital systems. I have 2 powerful Rom reserves in 4710 and a powerful Klingon reserve on 4411. A third good Rom reserve is in 3518.
That's it.
Bill has done Eco for A15. Waiting on Richard at this point.
Kzinti build BC, MEC, DWE, BCE, NEC, 2*CM, 2*DWE, 2*FF. 9 EPs in repairs.
Gorns build CC, BC, MSC, LTT, 2*HD, 4*BD, FCR. 22.5 EPs in repairs.
Feds build DNG, 2*CA, NSR (with survey slot), LTT, NCD, 3*NAC, 7*NCL, 9*FF. 30.5 EPs in repairs.
Of note the Federation debt is.... staggering. He borrowed 27 EPs, so tThe Federation national debt is now up to 240. He paid 21.3 EPs just in interest this turn! With an economy at 137 per turn right now, that means he's accumulating exhaustion at a pretty fast rate.
If he continues to borrow at this rate, Federation debt will be twice his income level on A16 (next turn) which will be TWO turns of extra exhaustion instead of the one he has been accumulating.
Right now, Fed extra exhaustion is only at 3.5 turns. So, they still have a ways to go yet before that's a problem.
What's the Coalition debt at?
Lyran: 67 EPs (39.6% income).
Romulan: 46 EPs (36.2% income).
Klingon: 105 EPs. (42% income).
None of the Coalition empires has yet acquired extra exhaustion.
Couple of interesting Lyran conversions - CL/DN (CL/BC or CA/DN) and CW/CWP (prob CW/CVP) …
A15 op moves are over and combat.
The Hydrans did not engage any Coalition but pulled out of Lyran space.
The Hydrans built a LB DG IRQ 2TR and called up a POL and did work on an offmap colony and an FF MSY. They end with around 3.6 EP plus a CU yet to salvage i think.
A lot happened on map, I'll let Bill and Ted go over that if they like.
AT15 Summary
Economy
Gorn. Income 78, previous balance 42.55, total available 120.55. No borrowing at all yet. Built CC, BC, MSC, LTT, 2*HD, 4*BD, FCR (11 SEQ) and spent 22.5 EPs to repair 15 ships.
Kzinti. Income 42, previous balance 28.325, total available 70.325. No borrowing at all yet. Built BC, MEC, DWE, BCE, NEC, 2*CM, 2*DWE, 2*FF (11 SEQ) and spent 9 EPs to repair 5 ships.
Federation. Income 146, previous balance 18.2, total available 164.2. New debt of 27 EPs bringing national debt to 240 EPs. Currently 3.5 extra turns of exhaustion. Built DNG, 2*CA, NSR, LTT, NCD, 3*NAC, 7*NCL, 9*FF, and activated their last mothball, a CS (26 SEQ) and spent 30.5 EPs to repair 24 ships.
Operational and combat:
Gorn:
In the GTO, under pressure, Bill withdrew most Gorn ships to the capital region. To consolidate scattered, surrounded ships, he arranged for a couple of battles which resulted in a few Gorn kills and some cripples. In addition, he arranged a battle to bring 80 SEQ of Feds to within 6 hexes of Gdhar III (4403), in addition to the 41 Gorns already there.
Kzinti:
In the ZTO, emboldened by a weaker Coalition presence as ships are diverted to the LTO and GTO, Bill sends out raiders to 1001, 1202, 1504, and 1802, and kicks off the Coalition off of those planets and kills a bunch of pickets. He sends the bulk of the Kzinti Navy to 1401 in a bid to kick the Coalition out of the capital system. The fight goes 9 rounds. A total of about 100 SEQ of Coalition and 140 SEQ of Kzinti are present. However, faced with superior compot and EW, Bill went down to 24 fighters from something like 110 over 8 rounds. On round 9 I used a mauler and other directed damage to kill 23 fighters - meaning the Kzinti compot would fall into the toilet in the face of increasingly strong (115/9+ compot lines). Rather than cripple the fleet in an attempt to kick me out, Bill (wisely I think) elects to retreat offmap. Doing so costs him 3 SEQ during pursuit.
Tale of the tape:
Coalition KIA: 1*D6D (directed).
Coalition WIA: TGC+A, STJ, 5*CW, 2*CVL, 2*CWE, 2*DWE, 2*DWS, TGA+BB, AD5, 2*F5E.
Fighters: Initial 57. Lost 45.
Kzinti KIA: 2*CC, FFK (all directed during pursuit).
Kzinti WIA: CC, BC, FFK, 3*MEC, CLE, FKE.
Fighters: Initial 129. Lost 129.
Federation:
The Coalition are now clearly focusing on the Gorn, and with not quite enough forces to contain the Federation to Earth, the Federation starts to spread its wings again. A bunch of Coalition pickets are killed. More notably, a fleet of 60 SEQ is sent to 2505 and kicks off 68 SEQ of Klingons after just 1 round of combat. A fleet of 40 SEQ is sent to 2509 to liberate the planet, but timely reserves mean that the planet remains in Coalition of control with 47 SEQ present after 1 round of combat. The Federation also strikes its first offensive blow, sending 25 SEQ to 2214 and capturing the formerly neutral, now Klingon planet and capturing it. There are 5 more SEQ in 2213 which killed a picket, meaning 30 SEQ of Federation units threaten deep Klingon targets. The Federation liberated planet 2610 on A14, and currently has 35 SEQ on that planet in attempt to hold it.
It remains to be seen whether Bill will remain aggressively forward deployed, or will retrograde from 2214 back to 2610 for a tighter defensive position. If he remains forward deployed, the Coalition will have to dedicate a small fleet to protecting Southern Klingon space.
In the RTO, the Federation largely abandoned Eastern Federation space, maintaining only 24 SEQ at 3210 (which includes the surviving 11 ships of the Tholian Holdfast). Most Federation ships went to fight at 3707 in order to retreat to 3806 and put 80 SEQ of Federation ships in a position to defend the Gorns against a burgeoning threat of 200+ SEQ of Coalition units led by the B10AA Invincible.
Hydran Theater Comments
In the HTO, I will add a bit. During Eco Richard supplied his most important ships using the expeditionary tug.
During operational, the Hydrans abandoned their MB in 112 and sent the bulk of their fleet (some 115 or so SEQ) to 214. I declined to react with a small picket force in 116. He also moved a small force of 12 SEQ of POLs from 218 to to 319, to which I could not react. So there was no combat in the HTO on A15.
Currently, the Hydrans are cutoff from the offmap, as I have ships in 116, 117, 118, and 217 (some 88 SEQ) in all. In Lyran space proper I have 95 SEQ, which is WAY too many - but Richard's excellent maneuver on prior turns effectively forced me to send those ships to defend the Lyran capital - or else. I now have an overwhelming advantage against the Hydrans, but I don't need it and don't want it. So, props to Richard for drawing away resources from the Kzinti, Gorn, and Federation theaters. Many of those will go to those theaters on C16, of course, but doing so will cost me extra strategic moves, and I can't move them all by strat, so mission accomplished for the Hydrans - without firing a shot.
On the bright side I'm now in a position to start whittling down the Hydran navy. Eventually he will make it back into supply, but my (rather obvious) strategy will be to try to force him back to the Hydran offmap where I can contain him with fewer ships. We will see.
It is now time for Richard and Bill to produce end of turn files (Retro/Strat/Reserves). Bill is out for the next week, so next movement on this game is in probably 2+ weeks.
Game File
Anyone who wants a more detailed review of the current situation in this game can download the game file from this link and review on Cyberboard.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wnxucsetigcgonq/BTEA_6.gam?dl=0
I took a look. Not familiar with all the expansion rules. How many EP do colonies give? But my gut is that the Coalition is doing well.
William, each completed colony adds 1 EP to a given empire each turn before any effects of exhaustion. See (446.21).
This game is active. Please retain.
CT16 is underway. Stage I exhaustion for Klingons, Lyrans, and Romulans
Lyran Eco: Borrow 23 more (national debt 90) for 166.45 available. 6.7 interest paid. Extra turns exhaustion: 0.5. Build DNL, TGA, BP, NMC, CW, LTT, CSV, DWG, 3*DW, 5*FF, CW, CWE, DWE for 97.5 EPs plus 6 FFF. 30 EPs in repairs. Convert 4*DD->NCC and CW->NCC for 27 EPs. After doing the Wyn shuffle, 2.95 EPs in the bank. Note: MiSYs used.
Klingon Eco: Borrow 10 more (national debt 115) for 201.35 vailable. 10.5 interest paid. Extra turns exhaustion 0.5. Build C8, FD7, TGA, B10 roll (AT 30/40 on the rolls), DWB, MD5, D5H, 9*D5, 3*F5W, 3*F5L, 6*F5, F5E, F5G, FV, E4 for 157.5 EPs and 12*IFF. 20 EPs in repairs. Convert 2*D6->2*D6D, D7-D7C (all using CDR), D5->DWA, and D5->ADW for 14 EPs. During the turn I will receive 20 more EPs from commercial convoy deliveries (the Lyran and the first (slow) Romulan). Note: MiSYs used.
Romulan Eco: Borrow 11 more (national debt 57). Extra turns of exhaustion: 0.5. Activate 2*SN, build SUB, FHF, SPF, 4*SP, 3*SKE, SEH, FAL, SN, 2*SK, 2*SEH for 91 EP and 12*IFF. 12 EPs in repairs. Convert Federation FF-> Romulan FF, FE->KE, SK->SKR, and SP->FHM for 19 EPs. Note: MiSYs used.
CT16 Raids:
A variety of raids in Gorn and Federation space for the most part. During AT15 Bill pretty much abandoned onmap Kzinti space, so it was pointless to raid it when I will simply occupy it (and bleed more pickets next turn).
While it is now Y176 and the raid pool has dramatically expanded (double initial normal raid slots), I find I just don't need more than the ordinary allotment. So, only 10 total normal raids (after including a G ship for a normal raid). All but one raid succeeds.
One raid in the HTO pits a Lyran DNL against the audacious Hydran MB which Richard had planted in 112 (and drawn so many Coalition ships in response). I get lucky and roll an 11, which turns into a 12 with a net +1 modifier - killing said MB dead, dead, dead. DNL takes no casualties in return, and proudly comes home with limp Hydran in its mouth to drop at the Emperor's feet. The DNL captain, a commodore, is promoted to admiral and placed in charge of driving the Hydrans offmap.
CT16 Operational is underway.
In the HTO I shuffle ships to put 11 SEQ in each of 117, 118, and 119, which will block his 11 ship offmap reserve. He has 3*POL in another reserve, but they can't enter a hex with more than one enemy ship, so the offmap is effectively blocked for CT16. I send some AUXes, a DN, and a bunch of miscellanea against a group of 9 or so POLs sitting in 319. I being moving ships to attack his 117.83 SEQ of the Hydran main fleet in hex 214, and Richard reacts into hex 213 on the way. After this, it's going to be a dogpile onto 213. Note that because of use of the expeditionary tug last turn, something like 20 SEQ are in supply - but I forget which. However, salavge and depot are cut off, as well as replacement fighters, so I anticipate a "fight a round and run" battle this turn. For the most part, the Hydran theater is done.
The ZTO was little more than pro-forma shuffling and reconquering of planets and provinces. With no on-map Kzinti units and no Kzinti reserves this turn, it's just about retaking stuff to deprive the Kzinti of the income, and then waiting to see what pickets he slays on CT16. However, I do have a pretty decent stack of 20 or so cripples from the AT15 battle, so I'm down to 78 ships actually sitting on 1401. He currently has 135 SEQ offmap, plus some 12 more in cripples. No doubt he'll make another play for Kzintai, and not bring his fighter count so close to 24 again.... The only other thing I did was move some of the fleets that had been reserves defending Lyrantan on AT15. However, having limited strategic move capacity and fewer EP points now that exhaustion has hit, I moved much of them up as far as I could - 17 of Klingons SEQ to 1103 and 7 SEQ of Lyrans to 1105. Anyway, the Kzinti theater is done.
The Eastern Federation theater is interesting. I take back most of the planets and provinces in the Northeast, as he abandoned that area. I send 33 SEQ from 2106 to 3708, giving him many reaction chances. He's got some 110-120 SEQ guarding Earth, but I have the same in striking range, so maneuver will be important. He has yet to react. Oh, he also has some 37 SEQ threatening deep Klingon targets (25 of which are in 2214). However, I don't have much in range to respond to them, so mostly I will have to rely on reserves to protect the Fatherland.
The Western Federation Theater sees my Romulans and Klingons advance. Because 80 Federation ships left to defend the Gorn capital, that left a power vacuum which allowed me to take BATS 2508, major 3509, and I am attacking 24 Federation and Tholians with 47 Romulans and Klingons - so that minor planet is going to be back in Coalition hands this turn. That will put some 80 SEQ in striking range of the Federation capital on C17 - unless he kicks them out on A16. We'll see.
In the Gorn Theater I strike deep into northern Gorn space, and take many of the NZ hexes in the far NW of Gorn space. I attack all planets and BATS west of 4702, inclusive (I already am sitting on 4705 and 5004). I also make a play at BATS 4002 and 4004. He has some 180 SEQ on the Gorn capitals and an 11 SEQ Federation reserve in 3804. of the Gorns, 19 are in two reserve fleets in 4402. I have the bulk of my ships to move. It remains to be seen whether I make an initial play at the Gorn capitals - or if I will just squeeze the lizard tight this turn.
Operational continues.
Driving the Hydrans off map?
Good luck with that.
Heh. I realize it would probably take 2*Hydran SEQ to actually drive you offmap - too many - but I figured you need to give effective Lyrans lofty goals. 
West<--- ...? East
Someone send the Coalition a memo.
DON'T LAUGH AT ME BECAUSE I'M SPECIAL!
It's been too long so I don't have editing privileges any more. Ah well, my shame will be immortalized...
BWAHAHAHAHA!
meanie
Turn C16 has started, perhaps Ted will have something to say about economics.
In the Hydran theatre, the Lyrans destroy that impetuously placed Hydran MB with a DNL (scoring 5 casualties).
Only two hexes on map have Hydrans, both get attacked.
The Hydrans use a reserve of five cruisers and three aux carriers to oopen supply to the beleagured POL stack in 0319, not that it helps them but maybe they'll hart the Coalition a bit (and at least end the turn on map with a few ships).
Operational movement has ended, combat has started in the Gorn theatre.