CT33

Combat is well underway.

In Hydran space, the Coalition killed a few CUs and the Hydrans holding open supply to the Old Colonies retreated off map. The bulk of the Hydran fleet is on planet 0416. This is all mostly irrelevant, as the fleet is in supply, and supply will be back open to the Old Colonies likely as the first Hydran move on their turn, but it is costing the Hydrans a handful of EPs.

In Kzinti space, the Coalition recaptured planets 1504 and 1802 with no opposition, and fought their way to take back planet 1001.

On the edge of Fed space, the battle over planet 2214 is raging, as X ships just keep getting vaporized. I dunno if the Feds will retreat soon or not.

In Gorn space, a similar fight is happening over planet 4705.

The Alliance are rolling very well so far this turn, averaging 4 vs the Coalition's 3.1; doesn't matter much to the end results, but it is nice to see :-)

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, November 28, 2019 - 07:58 am: Edit

CT33

Jason is apparently having some internet issues in his home, so we are paused for a bit.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Sunday, December 01, 2019 - 10:08 pm: Edit

CT33

We are back in action!

The Coalition have recaptured planet 2214; the Romulans retook planet 4705. The Kzinti are now defending planet 1105 from a huge Coalition force. So far, the Kzinti have diced the heck out the Coalition (both rounds so far were 6 for VBIR, 1 for the Coalition, 5 for the Kzinti. Both sides are over 130 compot, no EW shifts).

Carnage!

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat2) on Monday, December 02, 2019 - 08:29 am: Edit

Looking at the maps from the ends of A31 and A32, it seems the Alliance is making progress, with two planets briefly captured (12VP) and two Klingon BATS disappearing (10VP) and also two Romulan BATS (10VP more).

But is it sufficient progress? I guess we'll see.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Monday, December 02, 2019 - 09:50 am: Edit

Remains to be seen. The Alliance have 2 more turns to kill things; the Coalition have likely killed everything they can possibly kill at this point, and other than recapturing already devastated planets and trying to prevent the Alliance from killing stuff, the Coalition can't really do much at this point but hold. The Hydrans still can (and probably should) kill Lyran SB 0411; the Feds have plenty of BATS they can get to; the Kzinti will be able to reach some targets in Lyran space too, even if they lose planet 1105 (but won't have anywhere to retrograde to, however).

I suspect that victory will hinge on how much economy the Alliance reclaim at the end of AT34. The Feds will probably finish rebuilding their Northern SB this upcoming turn as well.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Wednesday, December 04, 2019 - 07:30 pm: Edit

CT33

Combat is over!

In Hydran space, not much happened. The Coalition pushed the ships that were keeping supply open between the Old Colonies and planet 0416 off the map, but only killed a couple CUs, and the supply cut is mostly irrelevant.

In Kzinti space, the Coalition recaptured planets 1504 and 1802 with no opposition, planet 1001 with a single line of combat (and then immediately gave the planet back to get some Klingons back into supply), and over planet 1105, the Coalition managed to push the Kzinti off after 4 rounds of brutal combat with the Kzinti outrolling the Coalition significantly, but then when the Kzinti ran, the Coalition killed 5 cripples in pursuit.

On the Fed/Klingon front, the Coalition recaptured planet 2214, pushing a significant Fed fleet off the planet, and planet 2715 with no opposition.

There was no combat on the Fed/Romulan front.

In Gorn space, the Romulans took back planet 4705 after 2 rounds of combat and no pursuit.

Ships Killed:
-LYR: 3CCX, DWS, DW, FF
-KLI: DX, 2D5X
-ROM: FHX, SPX

-ZIN: CCX, BCX, CMX, FKX, 2FF, (BC, DWE, 3FF)
-HYD: 2CU
-FED: CCX, FFX
-GRN: CCX, HDX

Also, lots of PFs exploded this turn.

So the Coalition lost 11 ships, including 8 X-ships; the Alliance lost 17 ships, including 8 X-ships, and 5 ships providing no salvage.

Retrogrades, etc. underway.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, December 05, 2019 - 05:51 pm: Edit

CT33

The turn is over!

On the Hydran front, the Coalition have a strong hold on 0617 and the Lyrans have a significant fleet defending SB 0411. The Lyrans have solid reserves in 0408 and 0608 (covering both the Hydran and Kzinti fronts), and the Klingons have a reasonable, but not amazing reserve in 0617.

On the Kzinti front, there is a giant Lyran fleet in 1407, a solid Klingon fleet at 1506, a battle line at planet 1504. The Lyrans have a solid reserve at 1407.

On the Klingon/Fed front, there is a solid fleet at 1910, a few fleets in interior Klingon space in case of Fed incursion, and a giant fleet at SB 2916. There are solid Klingon reserves at planet 1910, SB 2318, and SB 2916 (which is a B10 and X-ships).

On the Romulan/Fed front, there is a giant fleet at SB 3711, a solid fleet at BATS 4010, a solid Klingon fleet at 3415, and a modest fleet at planet 3612. There are solid Romulan reserves in 3711 and 4313.

On the Gorn front, most Romulan ships are on planet 4309. There is a solid reserve in 4309.

We are in the last gasps. The Alliance have plenty of things they can kill, but it'll be costly to kill them. The Coalition have more ships in interior space than they have in years.

Map at end of CT33:

http://www.lightlink.com/pdb6/SCD2mapCT33end.html

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 - 08:05 pm: Edit

AT33

The Federation have about 129 EPs and 101 XTPs to spend. They build 2CX, 3DDX, 5FFX, 19FF, SWAC; the upgrade a BATS to SB, and spend 1.5EPs on repairs. The end econ with about 34 EP and a fraction of an XTP in treasury.

The Kzinti have about 36 EP and 48 XTP to spend. They build CCX, 2CMX, FFX, 6FF; they spend an EP on repairs. They end econ with 20 EPs and 9 XTP in treasury.

The Hydrans have about 10 EPs and 26 XTP to spend. They build LBX, DGX, 4CU. They end econ with a fraction of an EP and less than 2 XTP in treasury.

The Gorn have about 53 EP and 42 XTP to spend. They build CCX, 2HDX, CC, CM, HDP, DDE, 2DD; spend 4 EP on repairs; end econ with about 11 EP and 6 XTP in treasury.

By Gregory S Flusche (Vandor) on Thursday, December 12, 2019 - 05:10 pm: Edit

Looks to me that the poor Hydrans are done for. even if the Coalition are the ones suing for peace, they could keep most of if not all Hydran space.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, December 12, 2019 - 05:49 pm: Edit

AT33

Upon further accounting, it turns out that the Gorn and Kzinti forgot to build a few ships; they each built 2 more DD/FFs (as appropriate).

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 - 05:03 pm: Edit

AT33

Raids have happened and moves are underway!

The Alliance raided 7 Coalition provinces, and succeeded in 6 of the raids, being scared off by a POL in one of them.

In moves, in Kzinti space, the Kzinti have so far hit planets 1001 to liberate, planet 1504 to liberate, planet 1506 which may or may not result in liberation, and planet 1802 to liberate.

In Hydran space, the Hydrans have, so far, moves about 130 SEQ into 0617, where the Coalition have about 180 SEQ (and SBX, SB, 6PDU). 90 of those Hydrans are CUs, so it seems unlikely that they are planning on fighting, but it looks like they want to pin the Coalition there.

On the Gorn front, the Gorn and Feds have linked up over Romulan held planet 4309, possibly to try and kick them off the planet; they also have rounded up plenty of province raiders, and will liberate planet 4705.

In Fed space, the Feds have just been rounding up province raiders, and sent forces to liberate planets 2812 and 2214. They have tons of ships left to move.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Saturday, December 21, 2019 - 01:59 pm: Edit

AT33

Moves are likely nearing the end; the Hydrans are only operating in Hydran space , likely just pinning 0617, liberating everything West of 0617, but otherwise not taking any big swings.

The Kzinti are liberating most of their space (which isn't really significantly defended by the Coalition). They arecertainly taking back planet 1105, possibly poising for a late lunge into Coalition space.

The Feds are liberating a lot of space, and have sent huge fleets to planets 1910 and 3711 (where the Romulans have a SB); the Coalition are defending those planets with significant fleets as well, so it is unclear what the Feds plans are here.

On the Gorn front, the Gorn and Feds have linked up with giant fleets over Romulan held planet 4309. It could just be a pinning action, or maybe they mean to take it. The Gorn are also liberating most of Gorn space as well.

The Feds have a not insgnificant number of ships left to move, but the majority of their ships have gone somewhere already.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Monday, December 23, 2019 - 08:49 am: Edit

AT33

Moves are done and reserves and gone in!

In Hydran space, 5 fights; 4 of them are mobs of Hydrans likely killing an FF (and liberating 0519); one is a giant mob over 0617, which might see the Hydrans attack Coalition starbases, but probably not.

In Kzinti space, 6 fights; 4 of them are mobs of Kzinti likely killing an FF (and liberating a few planets); 1504 is a larger Kzinti force likely pushing away a smaller Klingon force; 1506 is two significant forces, with the Coalition probably having an edge now that a Lyran reserve showed up.

On the Fed/Klingon front, 8 fights; 5 are attacks on captured planets and crippled BATS 2014; 3 are mobs hitting province raiders, one of which had a few reserves show up to save the day for a Klingon E4. Planet 1910 will probably be kept by the Klingons; crippled BATS 2014 will probably go down.

On the Fed/Romulan front, 8 fights. 3 are mobs beating up province raiders; planet 3711 has a ton of Feds vs a ton of Romulans and a SB, which they may or may not actually attack; planet 3912 is a small, roughly even fight between 4 Fed ships, 2 Romulan ships, and some fighters and PFs that reacted in. BATS 4012 will probably go down. BATS 4010 is defended by a significant number of Romulans, but more Feds are there and can probably kill it if they press. Planet 4112 is under attack by a battle line, but possibly being saved by a reserve.

On the Gorn front, 5 fights; 4 are just gonna see a Romulan FF die (or weasel away); one if a giant Allied mob vs a giant Romulan fleet over planet 4309.

32 battle hexes. Most of them quick. A few of them potentially brutal.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, December 26, 2019 - 11:13 am: Edit

AT33

Combat is well underway. In Hydran space, the Hydrans killed a bunch of province raiders, retook planet 0519, reopened supply to the Old Colonies, but immediately ran after a declined approach over 0617. No big swings yet from the Hydrans, and they are running out of time to make them.

In Kzinti space, the Kzinti have killed a bunch of province raiders, retaken planets 1001, 1105, 1504, and 1802, and are currently fighting over planet 1506.

On the Fed/Klingon front, the Feds are currently fighting over planet 1910 which they may or may not intend to try and capture (the Klingons have a lot more X ships and a bigger compot) and crippled BATS 2014 (which they just won the approach over, and will likely just vaporize it this round).

A dozen dead Coalition (including a DX) and 7 dead Alliance (including an FFX) so far. And lots of dead fighters and PFs. Plenty of fighting to go!

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Monday, December 30, 2019 - 11:25 am: Edit

AT33

Combat continue to rage, and most battle hexes have been resolved.

Currently, there is fighting over planet 2812 (Orion?), where two moderate, very high compot, low attrition unit fleets are fighting until someone blinks (B10+full X ship line vs dense Fed SCS line with X ships), but both sides are already low on attrition units after one round.

Over Romulan BATS 4010, the Feds brutally fought through an approach, doing, like, 50 damage, and are now likely to just vaporize the BATS, but they'll take some serious damage in return.

At planet 4309, the Gorn have a giant fleet, backed by some Feds, and spent a command point, so probably intend on fighting till the Romulans give up the planet. There are, like, 160 Gorn ships, 16 SEQ of Gorn attrition, 37+6 Feds vs 126+20 Romulans. In 2 rounds, both sides have rolled terrible (1, 1; 1, 2). The Gorn have a marginally higher compot. This fight could go for a while if both sides are stubborn.

So far, 30+ ships have exploded, about 2:1 Coalition: Alliance. The Alliance have been rolling significantly better everywhere other than in the big Gorn/Romulan fight, but the Romulans made, like, 12 of 13 cloaked evasion rolls.

Carnage!

By Alan Trevor (Thyrm) on Monday, December 30, 2019 - 11:38 am: Edit

Peter Bakija's post about "very high compot" fleets reminded me of something I've wondered about. How often does it happen that a player will put two (or more) SC2 ships in a battle line? This would allow a valuable ship to be directed on without receiving formation bonus. But is it sometimes deemed worth it for the additional compot? I was pondering the possibility of, for example, putting a heavy dreadnought in the formation bonus slot and also including an SCS (with all its escorts, of course) in the line. Neither ship seems easy to dirdam, though it might be possible with late-war lines and maulers. Does it ever happen? If not, why not?

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Monday, December 30, 2019 - 12:02 pm: Edit

It happens all the time. Examples include capital assaults, SB assaults, situations where the opponent is unlikely to be able to direct on your DN, and situations where the battle is more important than your DN. A 1/36 chance of getting fried is almost always worth taking.

I've lost five this way in my current game. But the number of time's I've gained 5-10 compot surely makes it worth it.

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Monday, December 30, 2019 - 04:34 pm: Edit

I do it often.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Monday, December 30, 2019 - 05:35 pm: Edit

Alan wrote:
>>Peter Bakija's post about "very high compot" fleets reminded me of something I've wondered about. How often does it happen that a player will put two (or more) SC2 ships in a battle line?>>

I have seen the Coalition do this a lot early in the war, certainly (i.e. the Lyrans have lines full of BCs and/or DNs, 'cause they can, and the Alliance doesn't have maulers). The Alliance often does this over capital defenses (the Hydrans or Kzinti put up multiple DNs and/or BTs in front of piles of PDUs; the Coalition is going to shoot the DNs instead of 4PDUs?).

In this instance, however, as it is year 184, the large compot is simply the result of scads of X ships and late war combat formations (i.e. 3rd Way Fed CV groups). The first lines over planet 2812 mentioned above were:

FED: CX(flag,form), [SCS+2xHDWE+2xFFE], [3xDDX, 3xFFX], 8xIFF, 2xE2C, NSC(scout form) - 130/5

KLI: B10+ADM (c/f), [C8S, HDWE, AD5, F5E], [3D5X, 3FX], 2DX, (D5DX)=152/4

Both sides had X-ship BGs; the Feds had a free 8IFF squadron (from 3rd Way). The Feds oddly don't have significant EW superiority here (they usually do) as the Klingons have an X scout and the Feds don't.

The second round was a little smaller on both sides, due to dwindling attrition units.

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Monday, December 30, 2019 - 06:31 pm: Edit

Those compots could be even higher if DBB was available.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 - 08:49 am: Edit

AT33

The Feds killed Romulan BATS 4010 (direct vaporizing it), but ended up taking so much damage in return on the one round over the BATS that they had to self kill 3NCLs (well, they could have crippled a bunch of ships and had a terrible pursuit; they chose a much more advantageous pursuit situation and some salvage; the Romulans didn't then pursue).

The Klingons managed to keep control of Orion (2812); they had more compot and an EW advantage (due to an X scout); after two rounds, both sides were mostly out of attrition units, so rather than just getting ground up, the Feds left the planet in Klingon hands.

The Gorn and Romulans are apparently in for the long haul over planet 4309; 4 rounds in, the Romulans are running out of X ships and compots are settling down in the low 110's (the Gorn are still higher, due to command point). Dice have been terrible for the Gorn so far, and only a little better for the Romulans. Given that the Alliance have twice the ships and more attrition units than the Romulans, it is unlikely that the Romulans will keep the planet, but the fight might go for a while.

By Chuck Strong (Raider) on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 - 06:26 pm: Edit

...or used Prime Teams...

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 - 07:24 pm: Edit

I don't think they are using prime teams.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 - 10:34 pm: Edit

We aren't using prime teams. DBB is generally an option, but generally only gets used when specifically necessary (i.e. needed for maximum compot for some specific reason or to win an approach or whatever).

I think I have only used DBB in capital/SB assaults mostly. I've used it a few times for approach battles. I don't think I have ever used DBB just for a random open space fight ever this game.

The Kzinti used DBB to burn up their stockpile early, and have used DBB a few times since y180 when they got the fast bonus (usually in big fights over a planet they wanted to take off).

But in general, not much DBB that often. I don't think the Feds have ever even built any drone ships.

By Peter Bakija (Bakija) on Thursday, January 02, 2020 - 08:34 am: Edit

AT33

The battle over planet 4309 is now 7 rounds in, with no sign of ending soon. Not much has been crippled, but most of the Romulan and Gorn X-ship navies have been destroyed (the Roms have lost 7 X-ships so far, and now are out of X-ships in the hex; the Gorn have a couple left, but they haven't had them on the line every round, presumably waiting to get an X-ship advantage now that I'm out). Lots of dead fighters and PFs (both sides out of PFs now), the Gorn have a handful of cripples, the Romulans have fewer, but now that most of the X-ships are gone, it seems likely that if the battle goes on longer, more ships will end up crippled.

The Gorn have a significant compot edge at this point (Romulans hover a little over 100; the Gorn/Feds continue to be in the 120's) and when the Feds are on the the line, they have the EW advantage (now that X-ships are gone). There are still plenty of Romulan fighters in the hex, so the fight will probably keep going for a while.

Dice started out terrible for the Alliance, and marginally better for the Romulans, but the Alliance have swung back with a couple 5's vs low Romulan numbers recently.