@Jason: The KEX has PL-R (FA), 2*PL-L (RP/LP), 8*Ph-1 (2*FA-R, 2*FA-L, 2*LS+RR, 2*RS+LR), 6 battery (18 power), 36 warp, 6 impulse, 1 APR, and 40 shields all-around. It's not the best X-cruiser, but it is a fun ship that can cloak on batteries alone (although it would take all 18 batteries to do so).

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 - 10:16 am: Edit

CT30

The raid phase resulted in 3 of 4 raids to disrupt provinces (1 Kzinti, 2 Fed) were successful; an FFH was chased off by a Fed POL. There are zero targets for raids to attack (as opposed to just disrupt provinces) currently that would not result in the raiding ship likely demolished in the "reaction" battle.

Moves are under way. In Hydran space, the Coalition seem to again be avoiding the main Hydran fleet at planet 0416, and possible trying to cut supply off from that planet again. Lyrans are also attacking planet 0519 en masse. And more Lyrans are attacking a group of 8 Hydrans in the south edge of Lyran space.

In Kzinti space, so far, the Coalition is attacking planets, 1001, 1105, and 1802, They are advantaged everywhere than at 1001, where the Kzinti have more ships, and no more Coalition ships can reach it.

On the Klingon/Fed front, the Klingons are attacking planets 2509 and 2610 with large fleets, and have attacked Fed held planet 2214, where there are currently 36 Feds and about 50 Coalition (mostly Lyrans). The Fed ships at planet 2214 will probably end the turn cut out of supply.

Over on the Romulan side of Fed space, the Romualns are attacking planets 3210 and 3306, as well as some groups of Feds in the North of Fed space, but aren't likely going to be able to cut off the off map area again or anything.

So far in Gorn space, the big Romulan fleet on planet 4705 simply jumped one hex to the NW on top of an identically sized Gorn fleet sitting there. The Gorn front is likely to just be a wash this turn.

Plenty of ships to go!

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, August 15, 2019 - 11:51 am: Edit

CT30

Operational moves are done, and I'm waiting for reserves to show up.

In Hydran space, 3 fights. The Lyrans are likely taking back planet 0519; the Klingons are likely winning a fight in hex 0218 and pushing Hydrans back towards the Old Colonies there, but my clever plan to cut off supply between the Old Colonies and planet 0416 is unlikely to work (due to there being Hydrans in 0519 and an off map reserve that could run over any small groups of ships in important hexes; I could have put, like, a dozen ships in each of a few hexes, but that seemed imprudent at the time). It probably isn't really a big deal, but still. The Hydran reserve is unlikely to change the outcome of any fights.

In Kzinti space 4 fights. A lot of ships on each side at planets 1001 and 1105; the Kzinti probably hold on to 1001 and probably don't hold onto 1105. A mob of ships vs a few FFs and a CVT in 0713 (some ships left over from last turn where they were there to provide a retrograde path). A currently Coalition advantaged fight in 1802, but the two Kzinit reserve could probably save that if they both go there.

On the Fed/Klingon front, 4 fights. A mob of Lyrans beating up a forward deployed force at planet 2214 that will certainly be pushed off the planet, and will end the turn out of supply (but it will be trivial to put them back in supply on AT30; they'll just have no ability to resupply any fighters lost this turn, and will be limited to 3 hexes of movement). The 3 big fleets fighting at planets 2509 (roughly even), 2610 (significant Klingon advantage), and 2811 (Fed advantage).

On the Fed/Romulan front, 3 fights. A lot of Romulans attacking planets 3210 and 3306 (both currently Romulan advantaged) and a line attacking a small mob of ships out of range of reserves in the NE corner of Fed space.

The Feds have 3 solid and 1 light reserve that can reach all of the fights in Fed space except for planet 2214 and the one in the NE corner. They could turn things around in a few fights, if they all go to one place.

In Gorn space, 2 fights. A giant even fight in open space hex 4604 (which will likely be only one round, one way or there other, as there isn't really any incentive to fight here other than attrition; the main Romulan fleet couldn't really have gone anywhere useful without running into this force anyway; I could have gone for the planets in the east instead, but probably need some retrograding in the other direction to happen at the end of the turn) and a big mob of Romulans attacking planet 4001, currently defended by 10 Gorn. There are two strong reserves that can move; if thye both go to 4001, they can probably save that planet.

So 16 battle hexes, but nothing super exciting (i.e. no base/planet assaults). Again, it seems likely that at this point, the Coalition are just trying to maintain status quo, and prevent the Alliance from pressing too far forward. The likelihood of the Coalition killing another SB (let alone taking another Capital hex) is very low at this point.

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Thursday, August 15, 2019 - 11:54 am: Edit

Home stretch!

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Friday, August 16, 2019 - 07:59 am: Edit

CT30

Reserves have moved and combat is underway.

The Hydrans sent their one mobile reserve (about 6 ships, but two of them X ships) to planet 0519, where it is unlikely to change the outcome (i.e. the Lyrans will probably take back the planet).

The Kzinti sent both reserves to planet 1105. Only about a dozen total ships added to the fight, but they included a BCX and two PFTs. This fight is now 85 Coalition SEQ vs 69 Kzinti SEQ. The Coalition have more X ships in the hex; the Kiznti have more fighters. This is now kind of a toss up; if the Kzinti hold planet 1005 here, that would be deeply bad for the Coalition. So probably will be a dicey, protected fight.

The Feds spread their reserves around to planets 2610, 3210, and 3306. The reserves might save planet 3210 for the Feds, the other two are unlikely to change the outcomes of the fights.

The Gorn sent both reserves to planet 4001, which will probably save the planet.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Sunday, August 18, 2019 - 01:44 pm: Edit

CT30

So far in combat, the Lyrans took back planet 0519, and the Coalition killed a few small Hydrans, but combat is done in the theatre, and the Hydrans have a completely uncompromised supply situation.

In Kzinti space, the Kzinti held on to planet 1001, lost planet 1802, and most importantly, lost control of planet 1105. There are still 50+ Kzinti in hex 1104, putting them in range of 3 deep Coalition BATS and a Lyran minor planet, but at least pushed off of 1105, they aren't in range of SB 0608, and have complicated retrograde situations.

So far in Fed space, the forward deployed Fed fleet at planet 2214 has been dislodged and is stranded, low on fighters, out of supply. It will be trivial to get them in supply next turn, but they can only reach a BATS and a Klingon minor planet. The Romulans also recaptured planet 3306. Numerous fights are still ongoing.

So far, 5 dead Coalition (3 X-ships) and 12 dead Alliance (2 X ships). Plenty of fighting to go

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Monday, August 19, 2019 - 09:42 pm: Edit

CT30

Combat is over!

In Hydran space, the Coalition took back planet 0519, killed some province raiders, and failed to cut the main Hydran fleet out of supply.

In Kzinti space, the Coalition failed to capture planet 1001, but did recapture planets 1105 and 1802.

On the Fed/Klingon front, the Klingons took back planets 2509 and 2610; the Lyrans recaptured planet 2214, leaving about 35 Fed ships stranded out of supply and low on fighters, but in range of some good interior Klingon targets. The Klingons were also repulsed form planet 2811.

On the Fed/Romulan front, the Romulans recaptured planet 3306, but were repulsed from planet 3210.

In Gorn space, the Romulans took back planet 4001, and fought a single round of pointless open space combat.

Ships Killed:
-LYR: 2CCX, CW
-KLI: D5X, FX, D5S
-ROM: KRS, SP, 2SEH

-ZIN: FFK, 4FF
-HYD: 3CU
-FED: CX, 2DDX, NCL, 2FF, (FFE)
-GRN: BD

So only 10 dead Coalition and 16 dead Alliance (i.e. not much killing this turn, relatively speaking).

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - 10:31 am: Edit

CT30

The turn is over!

In Hydran space, the Lyrans have a big fleet on SB 0411, the Coalition have a solid fleet in 0617, modest fleets in 0519 and 0718, and a solid Klingon reserve at 0617.

On the Kzinti front, the Lyrans have big fleets at SB 0404 and SB 1407, and a solid reserve at 1407; the Klingons have a big fleet and solid reserve at 1506. The Lyrans also have a 9 ship X-Reserve at BATS 0809.

On the Fed/Klingon front, the Klingons have huge fleets at planet 1910, planet 2812, and a big fleet at 2916. The Lyrans have a big fleet at planet 2715. There are solid Klingon reserves at SB 2318, SB 2916; the Lyrans have a solid reserve at SB 2916.

On the Fed/Romulan front, there are big Romulan fleets on planet 3509, planet 3706; a reasonable fleet on SB 3711, and a solid reserve on SB 3711.

On the Gorn front, the Romulans have solid fleets on planet 4705 and planet 4309; solid reserves at 4309 and 4310.

The Lyrans have pulled back a lot of ships to defend interior SBs (0404, 0411); the Klingons are mostly defending planet 1910, planet 2812, and the SB park in 2916. The Romulans have pulled ships back to defend planet 4309; the Gorn can likely hit some interior Romulan targets this upcoming turn if they want.

Map at end of CT30:

http://www.lightlink.com/pdb6/SCD2mapCT30end.html

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, August 22, 2019 - 08:27 am: Edit

AT30

The Feds have about 93 EP and 94 XTP to spend. They build 2CX, 4DDX, 4FFX, SCS, HDWE, DW, FFE, 9FF, SWAC, convert DW>HDWE, spend a dozen EP on repairs, end econ with change in the treasury.

The Kzinti have about 33 EP and 44 XTP to spend. They build CCX, CMX, CDX, FKX, CVH, HDWE, 3FF; convert BC>CVH, spend a bit on repairs, end econ with change in the treasury.

The Hydrans have about 15 EP and 24 XTP to spend. They build RNX, LNX, HDWE, AH, 2CU; end econ with change in EPs and about 5 XTP saved.

The Gorn have about 41 EP and 45 XTP to spend. They build CCX, 2HDX, CMV, HDWE, 3BD, DDE, 2DD; convert BC>CCX, end econ with a couple EP and XTP in treasury.

The Alliance got 20 new X-ships on the map this turn.

During the Raid phase, the Alliance successfully raided 9 Coalition provinces.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Saturday, August 24, 2019 - 08:51 am: Edit

AT30

Moves are underway!

In Hydran space, the Hydrans have dropped enough ships into 0617 to pretty much pin everything there; at press time, the Coalition have 1 unpinned ship in the hex (IIRC, at press time, there are 144 HYD SEQ in the hex, and 145 Coalition SEQ in the hex), but it will be trivial for the Hydrans to fully pin the hex (and the reserve there), and still have enoigh ships to hit planets 0519 and 0718 with enough to liberate them (momentarily).

In Kzinti space, nothing bold yet, just a lot of pinning of province raiders and attacking occupied 1105 and 1802 with forces that will easily take them back (as they are both just garrisoned by a few ships).

In Fed space, also just province raider pinning so far, although some Feds have pushed into Kzinti space, to help out there.

In Gorn space, lots of chasing down small groups of province raiders. The Gorn have a forward deployed group of ships in 4604 that can probably kill a Romulan BATS without too much effort this turn.

Plenty of ships to go.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Monday, August 26, 2019 - 10:04 am: Edit

AT30

As moves continue, the Hydrans look as if they will liberate planets 0519 and 0718 this turn. It remains to be see if they intend on trying to hold on to them, however.

In Kzinti space, the Feds have shown up to reinforce the fight over Klingon held planet 1506; it is possible they will be kicked off of it.

In Fed space, the Feds are hitting Romulan held planet 3509, pinning the fleet at 2812, and are likely capturing NZ planet 3415.

The Gorn have pushed a large fleet to attack Romulan held planet 4309, with enough ships to potentially take it, which is problematic as there are a couple FRDs in the hex (it is possible I underestimated the number of Gorn ships in the fleet that could reach that hex...).

Still more ships to move!

By Jason Langdon (Jaspar) on Monday, August 26, 2019 - 06:14 pm: Edit

Peter talks about 2812 being a pinning action, then the Feds go and send another 120 ships there.

Should be a fun single round of combat !

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Monday, August 26, 2019 - 09:26 pm: Edit

AT30

Moves are done and reserves have been sent in.

In Hydran space, 6 fights. They Hydrans will probably win 5 of them, including both over planets 0519 and 0718; the fight over 0617 is likely just a pinning action.

Around Kzinti space, 7 fights. 5 involve the Kzinti just smashing something small; 1504 is possibly something the Coalition can save; 1506 saw a reserve show up, and maybe the Klingons can hold it.

In Fed space, 15 fights. 12 of them are something small getting beat up, including them capturing planet 3415. In 2316, there is a reserve and then 6 ships fighting the Fed force that was out of supply last turn; it has limited fighters. 2812 is a lot of ships vs a lot of ships; it is unclear who has the advantage currently, but only 'cause I haven't checked since moves ended. Planet 3509 has a bunch of Feds attacking a smaller bunch of Romulans.

On the Gorn front, 8 fights. 7 of them are something small getting beat up. One of them is a lot of Gorns vs a lot of Romulans over planet 4309. The Romulans have 2FRDs in the hex, and sent 2 reserves in, which might have tipped the balance to the Romulans.

36 battle hexes this turn.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 - 03:29 pm: Edit

AT30

Combat is well underway, and it is currently a bloodbath for the Coalition!

In Hydran space, the Hydrans took back both planets 0519 and 0718, killed some small ships including an FF in pursuit (no salvage!).

In Kzinti space, the Kzinti have killed a bunch of small ships, reclaimed planets 1105 and 1802, and are currently fighting an even fight over 1504, which probably comes down to dice at this point.

The Feds have murdered scads of frigates, recaptured planets 2509, 2610, 3306, and 3415.

The Gorn are killing small Romulans left and right, and are fighting over planet 4705, which I think is advantage Gorn, but not hugely so.

Dice have been solidly pro Alliance so far this turn, and the cloaked evasion rolls are at 29% failure (i.e. marginally below average), but still, lots of crushed snipes.

Currently, there are 17 dead Coalition ships and 2 dead alliance. Yikes.

By Gregory S Flusche (Vandor) on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 - 06:22 pm: Edit

owed and the tide slowly turns... sue for peace your worlds are devastated. rebuild your economy and then after exhaustion is over go kill the FEDS.

Oh •••• then came the ISC followed by the Andros

By Jason Langdon (Jaspar) on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 - 09:03 pm: Edit

Slightly deceptive as we have done the bulk of the small fights.

The real battles begin soon. Hopefully the kills start to include Coalition X-Ships because they have SO many !

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, August 29, 2019 - 09:55 am: Edit

AT30

Combat has moved onto the big fights.

At planet 1506, there are a ton of Coalition vs a ton of Alliance; the Coalition have a lot more X-ships (Lyran CWX/DWX battle group with backups) and a much higher compot; the Alliance have more carriers and attrition units. The Coalition are probably intent on holding on to this planet, so it seems likely this one could go for a while.

At planet 3509, there are a ton of Feds vs fewer Romulans. The Feds outgun, out EW, and out fighter the Romulans. The Romulans would like to hold this planet, but it seems unlikely that they will if the Feds press.

At planet 4309, there are about 75 Gorns attacking about 80 Romulans (two reserves showed up) over a planet with a couple of FRDs. Both sides have numerous X-ships, and high compots (about 130 each). The Romulans are keen on not losing the FRDs and holding the planet, so this one also could go for a while.

At planet 2812, the Feds have about 260 ships (yikes!) vs the Coalition with about half as many ships (well, mostly Klingons and a single Lyran reserve that showed up for moral support). There are plenty of X-ships on both sides; the Klingons have an EW edge, as they have an X-Scout (D5DX), and the Feds haven't invented those yet, but the Feds have a compot advantage--first round, the Feds are at 142/5 (142/2 after X-ship EW reduction); the Klingons are at 136/4 (no EW reduction). The Klingons are also pretty intent on holding this planet, but, well, if it goes to ground, they can't. So we'll see how intent the Feds are at taking it.

By chris upson (Misanthropope) on Thursday, August 29, 2019 - 02:23 pm: Edit

what's the drone bombardment usage look like in this game?

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, August 29, 2019 - 04:35 pm: Edit

Hasn't really come up much till recently. I mean, like, early in the game, the Klingons used it liberally when attacking the Hydran capital; the Kzinti used up their free drones early on. After that, it only appeared seldomly, usually when the Klingons needed to direct something quickly or win an approach battle, but I can only think of a couple times they actually did that; now that I think of it, they probably used DBB when killing some Fed starbases too. I don't think the Kzinti have ever gotten to use their Aux Drone ships (as they have always been at the Homeworld, and I have never stepped foot over Kzintai).

Since y180, the Kzinti have used full fast drone DBB (+18 compot for 1.2EPs) probably about once a turn when they were attacking a planet that they really wanted to me to run away from quickly.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Saturday, August 31, 2019 - 10:25 am: Edit

AT30

Combat is over! This turn, the Alliance made serious pushes forward, including liberating Orion (2812), pushing most of the Coalition out of range of Earth, and the Hydrans are swarming all over the place.

In Hydran space, the Hydrans took back planets 0519 and 0718. They soundly hold planet 0416. If they leave numerous ships on 0718, they can threaten a currently poorly defended Lyran SB in hex 1216.

In Kzinti space, the Kzinti took back planet 1105 ad 1802, but were repulsed from planets 1504 and 1506.

The Feds liberated planets 2509, 2610, 2812, 3306, 3509 (which the Romulans have been holding for a decade), and recaptured planet 3414.

The Gorn were repulsed from both planets 4309 and 4705; the Gorn could have killed an FRD or two over planet 4309, but they chose to kill more X-ships instead.

As of press time, the Coalition hold zero supply points in range of the Federation capital; the Coalition attacking the Fed Capital hasn't been a realistic threat since, like, T15 or so, but now that I have lost all supply points in range, that gives the Feds a lot more freedom to leave ships forward deployed.

Ships Killed:
-LYR: NCA, 4FF, (FF)
-KLI: DX, D5DX, 2D5X, 2D5S, F5, 8E4
-ROM: 3FHX, 2SPX, KEX, VUL, SK, K5, 2SEH, SN

-ZIN: 2FF
-HYD: CU, AH
-FED: 2CX, 5DDX, NCL, (SWAC)
-GRN: 2CCX, HDX, (HD, 2BD)

33 Coalition and 18 dead Alliance, including 10 X-ships on each side. The Feds shot down the D5DX in scout formation for 48 damage in the first round of combat over planet 2812.

Early on, Jason was rolling the heck out of me, but those were in small fights where it didn't matter that much; later in the turn, I rolled like crazy (although Jason did score 50 damage on a 6 in the first round of combat over Orion). Overall, I averaged 3.69; Jason averaged 3.65 (i.e. we rolled basically identically, but I got my good rolls in bigger, more important fights).

The tide has certainly turned. But the Alliance only have 4 turns to take advantage of it. Let's see what they can do!

By Gregory S Flusche (Vandor) on Saturday, August 31, 2019 - 05:10 pm: Edit

Wow this has been fun to follow. I am guessing that the winner will be decided by some kind of victory point system?

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Saturday, August 31, 2019 - 05:43 pm: Edit

There is a very elaborate VP system used if the game doesn't end in SUDDEN DEATH (which is capturing three capital hexes, which is certainly possible for the Coalition, but not in this game).

The VP calculations which take place at the end of Alliance T34 (when the space refs call the war) are:

For each side, add together:
-Total economy (ignoring exhaustion)x2
-Total ships/5 (ignoring fighters/PFs/non ship units)
-20 points per surviving SB, 5 points per surviving BATS (limits below)
-100 points for holding an enemy capital (modified for Gorn and Romulan hexes).

SB and BATS that are newly built don't count if they are in the same hex as another base or unless they are in enemy territory, or unless they are within 3 hexes of a lost base.

So an un-captured province is worth 4VP, an un-devastated major planet is worth 10VP, a ship is worth 1/5 VP.

I Currently have a lead in economy, starbases, and am holding the Hydran Capital. I might lost some SBs before the game is over, it isn't impossible that the Hydrans will burn up their fleet to liberate their Capital on the last turn (which will gain the Alliance 100 points), and I might very well lose the economy war by the end (as the Feds are rapidly gaining ground on Econ).

The Alliance also get to move last, so they can send FFs all over the place to contest/liberate provinces for VPs, and the Coalition can't do anything about that.

By Gregory S Flusche (Vandor) on Saturday, August 31, 2019 - 08:36 pm: Edit

ahh so it becomes a holding war for the Coalition. I do know it as been fun following this game

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Sunday, September 01, 2019 - 08:37 am: Edit

AT30

The turn is over!

In Hydran space, the Hydrans have most of their fleet on planet 0416, about 25 ships on planet 0519, about 30 ships at planet 0718, and they have 2 modest reserves off map.

In Kzinti space, the Kzinti have about 35 ships at planet 1001, about 60 ships at planet 1105, a battle line at planet 1802, and the rest of their fleet (about 75 ships) at the Capital. They have 2 moderate reserves off map.

The Feds have ships all over the place, with of note about 50 ships between planets 2106 and 2306 (most of them on 2106); about 150 ships between planets 2811 and 2812 (Orion); about 40 ships at planet 3514 (the Fed/Rom NZ); about 50 ships at planet 3509 (the main Romulan front). They have 4 solid reserves at Earth.

The Gorn have most of their ships in and around their Capital hexes (i.e. they pulled their forward fleets back to the Capitals), with 25 ships at planet 4001 and two modest reserves at the shipyard.

As noted, the Feds have regained control of most of their space; at press time, the Coalition are only holding 4 Fed planets (all of which are within 2 hexes of the NZ) and 13 of 46 provinces (i.e. not many at all). The Hydrans and Kzinti are poised to wreak all sorts of havoc.

Map at end of AT30:

http://www.lightlink.com/pdb6/SCD2mapAT30end.html

(Don't get confused by all the random ships spilling out of the Dead Guy Pile into northern Lyran/Kzinti space; that is just sorting of the dead).

By Jason Langdon (Jaspar) on Sunday, September 01, 2019 - 08:59 am: Edit

We need a 2nd board just for the dead ships !