You can also lower your repair bill by self-killing at every opportunity.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Thursday, July 30, 2020 - 04:32 am: Edit

Well, looks like the Alliance is attacking the Coalition were we are not in strength.

Overlooked a couple of ships that could reach the Romulan SB 3518 - things look 'interesting' there.

Romulans again seem to be bearing the brunt of the Alliance counterattacks.

Going to a be a long cold winter for them!

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Sunday, August 02, 2020 - 03:56 pm: Edit

Alliance turn 12 combat is underway.

The Hydrans won a must-win map-reentry battle. They had to win it because a fleet has been wandering OOS for several turns, supported only by the special supply tug and its fighters. The fighters were running low -- only 4 left. Dead ships on that front are close to even as the Hydrans lost 2RN, HR, CU and HN while the Coalition lost D6M, Lyran CC, 2D5 and F5E.

The Feds and Tholians destroyed Romulan SB 3518. The Feds also retook planet 2715 for the first time in several turns.

Based on Paul's reserve movement, he appears to want to balance out these Alliance gains in the South with some gains of his own in the North. Federation major planet Cygnus (2306) appears particularly likely to come under attack. We'll have to wait for turn C24 to see how that turns out.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Monday, August 03, 2020 - 05:28 pm: Edit

Well, not a good turn for the Coalition so far.

Dice gods clearly favour the Hydrans on the Alliance and hate the Romulans on the Coalition side.

In the two key battles of the turn - Alliance has pretty massively out rolled the Coalition, 117 was 3.0 v 2.3 and over the Romulans SB, 4.8 v 3.2.

Accepting William was willing to kill the 12 Tholian ships there (and I would have self killed the bulk of the defenders), the SB might have lived if the dice was reversed

What is massively helping in the Hydran is pretty much every 50/50 chance to kill a Hydran hull, comes up a failure for the Coalition - hence over 2 turns, Hydrans are now up 2 or 3 Hydran RN's.

It would also be fair to say the Romulans have failed more 2/3rd chances of success than the Alliance has failed more 1/3rd chances.

It would be fair to say the Federation haven't rolled too well though in battles in Federation space.

Pesuits though the Alliance is massively up on - several smaller pursuit forces all succeeded - total 1 failure so far for the Alliance - and 100% failure for the Coalition.

Last 12 persuits for example - 1 failure for the Alliance and 4 failures for the Coalition (and from the notes, the Coalition on average had more ships for pursuits over those 12 rolls).

At least no Captures so far.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Tuesday, August 04, 2020 - 05:12 pm: Edit

Well, combat dice averages ended pretty close.... just William rolled well in key battles - and I rolled well in irrelevant battles.

On pursuit though - William has now rolled 21 pursuit dice in a row, with zero 6's.

Some did fail (with a modest number with 2 - 4 ships - you should fail more often than not, and William passed a lot more than he should have done).

Last 21 Coalition pursuits have seen 5 6's....

So, Coalition on top of losing more hulls in key battles - are losing stacks more in pursuit still

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Tuesday, August 04, 2020 - 05:34 pm: Edit

OK -looked at the dice more in depth.

Cloaks - 90% success rate (2 of 8) on Offensive Cloaks and 150% failure rate (which happened in one of the larger battles).

Cloaked Withdrawals - Bang on average with 100% success rate (6 of 9 attempts).

(The failures were all on the 3 best hulls for the turn though - with a KE and BHE dying - the KR only survived due to a poor SSC roll)

Pursuits Average of 130% for Alliance was 9 successful, average based on hulls perusing was 7. (Coalition I think had 3 pursuits, 2 passed).

Dice average

VBIR 3.39
Coalition 3.59
Alliance 3.71

(So was pretty accurate on how close the dice was - timing and relevancy though helped the Alliance a lot more than the Coalition though).

So down to 1/3rd of the game to go to catch up on quality dice at the right time....

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Tuesday, August 04, 2020 - 10:45 pm: Edit

The deadpiles for the turn are:

K 19
L 7
R 8
C total 34

F 11
Z 2
H 5
G 0
T 3
A total 18 (Tholians don't count).

That +16 is actually pretty bad. We were -4 on the Coalition turn, for +12 net on kills, but I think the Coalition built 12 more than we did, so overall, we break even on ship count, which is not good at all.

The territorial changes were considerably better for us. The Tholians killed two BATS, a combined T-F fleet killed the Romulan SB near the Tholians, and the Feds retook several planets in the South. The result is that the Coalition now has no bases or planets between Klingon SB 2318 (near the Tholians) and Romulan planet 4112 (near the Feds and Gorns).

There are still some Coalition fleets in the region, but they typically have a lot of crips that are not easy to repair.

The Tholians are a regional power, but they are having a big impact on the war, as their location conveniently allows them to send fleets to planets and bases that are difficult for the Feds to reach.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, August 05, 2020 - 10:37 pm: Edit

Alliance turn 23 is done. The Feds have three reserves in the Earth region and one on empty space near the 6th fleet SB. This last one came about because the Romulans reacted onto one of their fleets. This meant the fleet got into battle without moving. It didn't move after the battle either and is therefore eligible to be a reserve.

The Feds sent a very powerful fleet to Cygnus (2306), which may still not be enough. They are also trying to hold all of the Romulan neutral zone planets, in one case in conjunction with a large Gorn fleet.

The Hydrans are on the map, barely. They don't have or need reserves as their two on-map fleets are in adjacent hexes.

The Kzinti have a reserve in the Barony and another one on Fed SB 2103 (upgraded BATS).

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Thursday, August 06, 2020 - 10:38 am: Edit

Sounds like the Alliance is on the upswing?

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Thursday, August 06, 2020 - 11:00 am: Edit

Maybe. The clearing of bases and planets in a big area is certainly new. But the chances that the Feds will lose ground in the North are also significant, and the lack of ship kills is a problem.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 - 03:43 am: Edit

C24 has started

Lyrans built a full ship range - although 2 DW's was downgraded to FF's. They did also build a PFT Pod and 2 PFW's.

Klingons downgraded what that could and in effect didn't build a D6 hull (although I think I forgot I could have double sub'd the D6 for a E4 or F5.

They only built one D5P.

Romulans built everything - but again with downgrades (2 x FH).

Lyrans spent 39 Ep's on Repairs, Klingons 66 Ep's and Romulans 21.5 Eps.

Only the Lyrans are left with a meaningful Ep balance (just over 5.4 Ep's).

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 - 03:49 am: Edit

Op movement has nearly been finished.

In the Hydran front, Coalition forces attempt to evict the Hydrans from the Coalition's back yard.

1802 is attempted to be liberated, but for the first time for several turns, no attacks on the 2103 SB occur.

Coalition forces do raid deep into Federation space - with Coalition forces bypassing Sol's defences have hit pretty much every base and planet in the North and Central Regions - including the 2901 SB - which is defended by just 4 cripples (and no reserve is in range).

In the East - the Romualans once more attack into the Gorn North East area, avoiding the Gorn capitals.

Modest forces remain uncommitted at this stage as the final parts of the operation are concluded.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Thursday, August 13, 2020 - 08:16 am: Edit

Operational Movement has been completed and Alliance reserves dispatched - which are likely to save 1 minor planet, a BATS and the 4807 and 3611 SB's (although both SB's could in theory still fall).

Combats have started.

SSC really doesn't like the Romulans (a 4 and 3 rolled in key combats - although on the 2nd Fighting Retreat attempt, I did finally kill the Gorn DD which had been guarding 5403 - rolling a double 6).

4903 and 5004 are liberated by the joyful Romulans - and the Gorns get away with just a crippled DD.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Thursday, August 13, 2020 - 03:43 pm: Edit

Well, we have now had a unique event.

A Gorn DN has finally died! After probably 10 reasonable chances (including 1 surviving because I rolled a 6 in pursuit) - the dice finally allowed it to happen.

William put it on the line (so a BC could go in Form) - VBIR went up 2 and I rolled a 6 and the D6M burst through the Gorn lines, destroying the Gorn DN with it's Mauler Cannon.

4705 was then liberated from their evil Gorn overlords.

Elsewhere, 3706 was devastated but the brave defenders forced the Romulan forces to retreat.

...Alas for the crippled Fed TG in 3806, (which has been moderately lucky to survive from a lopsided SSC battle in 3907) it was then overran by the retreating Romulan forces.

I wanted to capture 3706 - but after I reminded William I could retreat after devastating the planet and so William had to stay another round (crippling his Fed FF) to ensure the planet was devatstaed so I could either capture the planet and then be cut off due the retreating Alliance forces and Fed TG - or retreat myself.

As I had two crippled Romulans ships in the force - I felt keeping them safe and killing the Fed Tug was better.

Losses so far are

Lyrans - Nil (no combats so far!)
Klingons - Nil
Romulans - SP killed and 1 CP spent

Kzinti - Nil (no combats so far!)
Hydrans - Nil (no combats so far!)
Federation - TG and minor planet devastated
Gorn - DN and BD killed - 5 minor planets lost (3 home and 2 NZ) - plus 1.7 to 3.4 Eps.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Saturday, August 15, 2020 - 03:50 am: Edit

Battles continue and ship losses remain low - as both sides are generally avoiding protracted battles.

Total losses so far are

Lyrans - CL
Klingons - F5
Romulans - SP killed and 1 CP spent

Kzinti - Nil
Hydrans - CU
Federation - SB (Fed 2nd SB), NCL, FF, FFE, 2 PDU's and 4 minor planets captured plus 1 minor planet devastated. 1 BATS also suffered 2 SIDS.

Gorn - DN and BD killed - 5 minor planets lost (3 home and 2 NZ) - plus 1.7 to 3.4 Eps.


I have started to Self Kill Out of Supply crippled Klingon ships which are dotted throughout Romulan space - instead of crippling Romulan ships.

It's possible those Klingon ships might get back into Klingon space (and repaired), but it will take several years or a concentrated effort to get them back - and I think having uncrippled Romulan ships at this stage makes sense.

Supply for some Coalition forces will be interesting (they certainly will not get replacement Fighters or PF's) - but the bulk should be in supply for the Alliance turn.

Equally, Supply will be an issue for the Federation - with the Federation Off Map area now cut off from the Main grid. With 7 ships in the off map area though to be crippled, the economic effect will not be too major though.

Lots of battles still to be done!

Dice - well what can I say.

After more than 2 full turns - the Alliance finally rolled a 6 for a pursuit (and then rolled another 6 for the next one) - and we had 4 6's in a row - so a lot of 6's in pursuits.

SSC remains not very nice for me - I even lost a battle I should have won (4 v 11 rolled) - but in normal combat, the Coalition has rolled well (and very well in some).

Cloaks remain poor value though, with no successful (at least no failed) Offensive cloaks attempts.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Saturday, August 15, 2020 - 09:06 am: Edit

Well the dice can give.... and the dice can take.

2206 ended after 13 rounds... and the Federation held the devastated planet.

Dice was just....brutal.

Averages of 2.46 v 3.85!!

Even self killing 10 ships (William self killed 2 ships) didn't make a difference.

Battle looked like it was an easy win for me (I had 11% more Compot in the hex - although Williams line was about 8% better) - but dice just was ahhhh! Self killing should have easily got me across the line - but William then rolled at least 2 pips higher in the last 4 rounds.

Probably biggest flipped result for a long while.

(On the rounds, I won 2, drew 2 and lost 9.... with the first 5 rounds being even on pips to that point.... just shows had bad the dice went!!)

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Saturday, August 15, 2020 - 06:02 pm: Edit

Well, dice in combat marginally improved and I actually ended the turn up 3.48 v 3.32.

Probablty fair to say (with 1 exception), the bigger the battle the better William rolled.

Over 3611 for example - roll was 1 v 6 - which pretty much scuppered the benefit of staying for a second round to kill the 2nd FRD there!

Some interesting battles - both sides missed a couple of times do anything more than fighter damage.

On pursuits though - William remains king and the D6 I use must have more than 1 6 on it (3 of 5 attempts came up a 6).

Cloaks remain terrible (6 NA's and 1 failure... ).

No captures at least.

Losses

Lyrans - STT, 2 x CW, CL, DW and FF
Klingons - D6M, 4 x D6, 2 x D5 and 2 x F5
Romulans - 2 x SP, K5S and 1 CP spent

Kzinti - FF
Hydrans - CU
Federation - SB (Fed 2nd SB), FRD, BC, 2 x TG, 2 x NCL, CL, 3 x FF, FFE, 2 PDU's and 1 major and 5 minor planets captured plus 1 minor planet devastated. 1 BATS and 1 SB also suffered 2 SIDS each.
Gorn - DN, BC, captured FAL and BD killed - 5 minor planets lost (3 home and 2 NZ) - plus 1.7 to 3.4 Eps (looks like the latter).

I blew 39 damage to kill the FAL over killing a Gorn DN for 32 (lost a STT and D6M in exchange for a Gorn BC and Captured FAL - and didn't get to maul either!)

The Alliance is down to only 1 captured Mauler now.

Ship wise - I think the Alliance will be happy
as they lost 16 and killed 18 - but will be interesting to see what the size of the Federation Economy is - this turn I was able to shred it.

Hydrans got evicted off the map again and so fingers crossed I will contain them on A24.

By Stewart Frazier (Frazikar3) on Saturday, August 15, 2020 - 06:48 pm: Edit

OK, OK, how does one lose 3 home minors without also losing the majors with them? Now I see it if they were just devastated, but lost?

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Saturday, August 15, 2020 - 11:07 pm: Edit

He means minors in Gorn space.

Feds now have four supply grids -- offmap, home, and two in the far South. Total will be 140ish, but having 36EP in partial grids is certainly annoying! Looks like they can spend 15EP or so efficiently offmap. They could spend another 12EP offmap on fighters, but it may be better to wait a turn as the chances of reconnecting are good. Or they could send some to the Kzinti, but not this turn, so there would be another turn's delay before the EP could actually be spent.

Pretty sure the casualty figures above are incomplete.

Hydrans still want a mauler!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Sunday, August 16, 2020 - 03:44 am: Edit

Stewart

As William said - Minor Gorn Planets - not capital hex planets (although I would like them too!!).

By Stewart Frazier (Frazikar3) on Sunday, August 16, 2020 - 05:33 pm: Edit

Ah, bad use of 'home' ... (yea, the homeworlds ae majors but those minors are also there)

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Monday, August 17, 2020 - 03:37 pm: Edit

Retrograde has been done and the Lyrans send their 6 monthly tribute to the Klingons (a tad lower than normal, the Klingon Ambassador will raise that with the Lyran Foreign Office).

Romulans see to have a huge surplus of Carriers - and a lack of Scouts and Escorts - spend, 17 Ep's on Field Repair.

Really don't want to - but the Escort Shortage is Critical.

Reserves are set up in 1504, 2106, 1910, 2509, 2610, 2214 (two in), 4318, and 4611, 4909.

Romulans pull back so they can defend in depth - but the Lyrans and Klingons remain forward deployed in Federation Space.

On the Kzinti Front - the line is set up once move coveign 1502/1504.

In Hydran space, the Blockaid is reset up - but is re-enforced with 2 Maulers and PFT ship.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Monday, August 17, 2020 - 03:47 pm: Edit

Fed main grid economy is down to around 103 Ep's.

Off Map will have over 30 Ep's though - and the two Partial Grid have about 6.2 Ep's to split (they are 7 hexes apart).

A lot of Fed ships will not be build I predict (goes some way to offset the pain of me having to self kill so many ships!).

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 - 10:57 pm: Edit

Kzinti Economy, turn 24

A24
Survey roll 12
Survey total 245
Survey EP 18
Offmap 17
Provinces 2
Total 37
Percentage 0.75
Income 27.75

Total Money 27.75

Builds
CMV 7
BCH 10
TGT 6
FF 2.5

Total spending 25.5

Money after Econ 2.25

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 - 10:58 pm: Edit

Hydran economy, turn 24

Survey roll 8
Survey total 217
Survey EP 16
Offmap 17
Total before exhaustion 33
Percentage 0.75
Income 24.75
From last turn 2

Total Money 26.75

Repairs
Offmap 8.5

Builds
PAL 16

Conversions

HR>NEC 1
TR>NEC 1

Total spending 26.5

Money after Econ 0.25