Also Paul, you are not playing this game; I advise you to limit what tactical advice you give to a minimum.

By Karl Mangold (Solomon) on Monday, December 07, 2020 - 11:49 pm: Edit

The Emperor was strangely calm, looking out beyond the spiral arm into the nothingness past the milky way. A flash of anger initially; the spark was quickly contained. The Emperor took the path of the wise hunter. Do not react, wait. Wait for a misstep in your quarry and pounce when your enemy presents you with an advantage. This was the wisdom of the ancients, handed down centuries and taught to children of Klingon nobility. These old axioms would return to serve the people of the Empire once again.
Still, uneasy thoughts did linger. Clearly, someone had sold the Klingons out to their Hydran intentions. A spy perhaps? Impossible that a Hydran could blend into the Klingon court unsuspected. Anyway, all Hydran nationals within Klingon space had been ordered executed a fortnight ago. Orions? Perhaps, although between the Kingdom and Guilds, the Hydrans barely had the money to cover their own operating expenses. Most likely, the Emperor thought, it was some Lyran braggart, spilling his guts at the gambling tables in a neutral zone saloon, or worse, in the LDR. These allied Cats, the Emperor mused, were terrible at cleaning up their messes.
Iacta alea est. The Emperor could only create reality with what the Hydrans had given him. Hydran action had been decisive. From border transmissions of invasion, quickly silenced, to reports from internal planets that had engaged small Hydran forces while a much larger fleet sped past; there was an enemy at the gates, through the gates. An intruder, speeding towards the Federation border as if their lives depended upon it. And here, the Emperor thought, the Hydrans had tipped their hand. It was always the Federation; that expansionist, imperialist power, a "friend to the downtrodden", that always ended up using those "downtrodden" to further its own goals. The Klingons had suspected Federation interference already with the Kzinti. Suspicions now were proved correct with the Hydrans.
Klingon losses on the Kzinti front were staggering, easily doubling what the Klingon "war experts" had forecasted when the conflict was just a wargame a year ago. Hydran belligerence (the second unprovoked war in the span of 3 decades by the methane-breathers, the Emperor thought bitterly), already elevated this conflict to a "second 4-powers war." If the Federation entered the war on the side of the "downtrodden," this could adversely affect the lives of Klingons throughout the Empire. The Emperor was a great conqueror, not a weakling. Federation entry into this war, which was already spiraling out of Klingon control, could not happen.
A fierce Kzinti counterattack on forward Klingon posts was troubling (including destruction of a fleet repair dock), but with a silver lining; the Patriarch's Pleasure Palace of 1502 had been captured. Early reports described bewildered Klingon commando squads looking in curiosity at the structures within. Automated laser-light shows, rooms with nothing but empty cardboard boxes, mechanical mice darting to and fro; entire villages whose purpose, it seemed, was to present scenarios in which fragile objects were perched precariously on the edge of tables? Their purpose was not clear to the Klingons, and North Fleet admiralty was hesitant to ask for an explanation from Lyran counterparts. The absolutely obscene amount of catnip impounded indicated this place was dedicated solely to the goal of feline hedonism, regardless of species.
In an earlier time, the Emperor might have suppressed a laugh, thinking that the Lyran Emperor would have to be kept in the dark as to the whereabouts of this fantasy-land. But capture of the Pleasure Palace had come at a cost: the Lyran Crown-Prince's dreadnought had been shot down, his escape pod having been retrieved only much later after hostilities ended.
Of course, the Lyran emperor made a great show of this, the valor of his son. State-sponsored "Empire Parades" hammered this point home, (much like they had paraded around the body of Sparrow-Killer), to stoke the fires of nationalism. Now, over the last 6 months Romulan engineers, in honor of the treaty of Smarba (and their alliance to the Klingon Empire), had been in Lyrantan teaching the Lyrans the secrets of the Mauler Cannon. The Romulan and Lyran engineers, it turns out, were already familiar, as the Lyran engineers had some years prior given the same Romulans the idea for modular warships (after their own failed Jagdpanther design.) The Lyran Emperor decided to call the new Lyran Mauler ship "Saber-Tooth," after himself. The Klingon Emperor thought this rather tasteless. Hopefully, though, in deploying this new weapon the Lyrans would start to pull their weight. So far, the alliance had brought the Klingons nothing but misery...

By Karl Mangold (Solomon) on Tuesday, December 08, 2020 - 12:02 am: Edit

Y170 Spring - Lyran Economy
Survey
Prev Total:35
New Roll:4
Total:39

Command Points: 7+1=8

Income
Maj Planets(9):45
Min Planets(10):30
On-Map Provinces(16):32
Off-Map Provinces(5):10
Captured NZ(1.0)
Captured Provinces(4) (0701, 0901, 0803, 1101)
Captured Planets(2)(2 min: 1001, 1202)
Total:124

Prev Turn:
6.5 salvage (DN, CW, DD)
9.275 old treasury
15.775 remaining (end of A3)

New Treasury:139.775

Production [59.5]
8 CA sub DN
10 STT sub CA
20 CWx4
6 DWS sub DW
8 DWx2
7.5 FFx3 (2x0408, 1x0411)

Repairs [25]
CCx2, CA, CWx2, CL, DW, DDx2, SC, FF, D5x3, F5L, F5x3

Conversions [5]
5 CA to STT 0408

Overbuilds [5]
FF (0411)

Other Production [34]
14 PDUx2
20 transfer to Klingons (tribute payment)

128.5 total expenses
11.275 remaining


Spring Y170 - Klingon Econ
Survey
Prev Total:24
New Roll: 6
Total: 30

B10
Prev Total:6
New Roll: 4
Total: 10

Command Points:7+1-2=6

Income
Maj Planets(9):45
Min Planets(15):45
On-Map Provinces(26):52
Off-Map Provinces(1):2
Captured NZ(6):1.2
Captured planets (1) (1min: 1504)
Captured Prov(2):2 (1503, 1404)
Total C3 income:148.2

CT3 Treasury:6.25
Salvage: 25.275 (D6Mx5, TGA, D7, D5S, F5Lx2, FV, F5x2, E4, E4Ax2)
Drone Bombardment: -7.2 (4.8C3, 2.4A3)
Allied delivery: +20
Start treasury: 44.325
Total:148.2+44.325=192.525 new treasury

Production [113.5]
16 C8
6 TGB sub D7
10 D6M sub D6
8 D5S sub D5
7 D5V sub D5 (6fff)
12 AD5 x2 sub D5x2
25 D5 x5
8 F5L x2
8 F5E x2 sub F5x2
6 F5 x2
7.5 E4 x3 (1411x2, 1509)

Repair [19.5]
D7Cx2, D5x6, F5L, F5x4, E4A

Activate [6]
2 D6 x2 (16 remain)
2 F5 x2 (4 remain)
2 E4 x2 (4 remain)

Conversion [8]
5 D6 to D6M (major) 1411
3 D6 to D6D (minor) 1411

Other Expenses [15]
5 B10 work
10 FRD

162 total expenses
30.525 remaining

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Tuesday, December 08, 2020 - 12:10 am: Edit

So, it seems that the yarn ball collection at the 1502 pleasure palace was evacuated successfully!

By Sam Benner (Nucaranlaeg) on Tuesday, December 08, 2020 - 02:29 am: Edit

Kzinti propaganda initially celebrated the destruction of the Lyran Crown-Prince's dreadnought, painting it as a marvelous victory, maybe enough to send the Lyrans packing. The tone became much more muted, however, when the Crown-Prince turned up alive on Klindai. Kzinti morale took a further hit when he held a news conference at the Patriarch's palace declaring that the planet would be subjugated by the Klingons. Rumours swirled about a possible retreat to the Barony.

Fortunately, Kzinti spies have been able to confirm that the Crown-Prince has not been given a new dreadnought, leading to questions (in the tabloids) about whether the Lyran Emperor might disinherit him, or whether infighting in the Lyran empire might cause them to abandon their Klingon allies in the field.

It's a faint hope, but the Kzinti are desperately holding onto it. At press time, the Federation had still not responded on whether they would send aid to the embattled Kzinti.

----

I don't believe I've seen this before - the Lyrans foregoing a DN build in favour of an STT. I mean, it's not like the Lyrans are ever lacking for DNs, but it's still a little bit of a surprise for me. They've only got 3 of them and 4BC - not even enough for a full line! The Kzinti might have to start thinking about shooting them down more frequently.

On the other hand, the Coalition is a little short on maulers - before construction, they only had 3 and one of them is crippled and isn't getting repaired this turn (it shocked mauling a CU in 1009).

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Tuesday, December 08, 2020 - 03:02 am: Edit

Richard - sorry only trying to help, as it seemed a tad harsh on Karl that he wasn't allowed to correctly deploy the Eastern and Western fleet due to not knowing Vassal (but big Kudos for Karl wanting to continue) - but more importantly 2 on 1 looking at the map is more likely to notice enemy errors than just Karl looking.

So the peanut gallery hopefully can at least reduce the chance of similar game terminal errors re-occurring.

Didn't notice the recent Q&A ruling - will have a search for it

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Tuesday, December 08, 2020 - 10:29 am: Edit

You are being insulting, Paul.

The opportunity was given to him to adjust his forces before the Hydrans set up on A3.

Stop trying to help.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Tuesday, December 08, 2020 - 11:11 am: Edit

Sorry - there was no mention of an adjustment on A3

"I definitely forgot to do the initial set-up of Klingon fleets at the outset to prevent the expedition. Being my first PBEM/Vassal game, I had overlooked that I needed to change what was default at the set-up, since on a board you are putting it together from scratch. "

I incorrectly assumed the choice was game over or continue as it is - please accept my apology.

By Sam Benner (Nucaranlaeg) on Tuesday, December 08, 2020 - 04:16 pm: Edit

Thought I'd mention one other thing of note. Due in large part to the loss of two Klingon FRDs on A3, and also partially to the intensity of the fighting on A3, there are 49 crippled Coalition ships not getting repaired this turn - a total of 76 EPs. The Kzinti have a repair backlog of 16 ships and 24EP, in comparison.

Assuming that there is a major assault on Kzintai this turn, we could expect to see significant delays in repairs in the coming turns.

By Karl Mangold (Solomon) on Wednesday, December 09, 2020 - 09:58 am: Edit

The Lyrans are trying to do what they can to help the cause. Klingon maulers have universally either been directed on every time they come on the line (mostly over 1401) or shock out (so for a mauler has survived the shock roll only *once* this game.) Lyrans suffer from an embarrassment of riches when it comes to CR 10 ships so I thought I'd give it a rest this turn.
Also to clarify, Paul, nobody forced me to play as is. I certainly could have asked for a "redo" before A3 on my fleet setup, but my own pride/arrogance simply prevented my from doing so. Plus, I don't like to give up even if I've made a mistake, and I'm curious to see how it plays out.

By Karl Mangold (Solomon) on Wednesday, December 09, 2020 - 10:08 am: Edit

The Lyrans had indeed scoured Klindai for the Patriarch's wool skein, but alas the most prized cat-toy in the galaxy had already been safely removed to the Barony.

By Stewart Frazier (Frazikar3) on Wednesday, December 09, 2020 - 08:18 pm: Edit

BTW, the Lyrans either built a FF at 411 or overbuilt a FF at 411 due to (431.51) ... ['... (the SB can still build only one ship).']

By Karl Mangold (Solomon) on Saturday, December 12, 2020 - 07:45 am: Edit

Aye, that's a typo. Only one can be produced at 0411 you're right. Originally was going to build one at 0404 and changed it at the last minute, forgetting I had already assigned one to the EB SB

By Sam Benner (Nucaranlaeg) on Sunday, December 13, 2020 - 12:37 am: Edit

C4 Operational movement is underway.

So far, the Klingons have sent about 100 ships to defend the Empire from unprovoked aggression, all around 1713. That's about a quarter to the total Coalition ships available.

In Kzinti space, there are 15 mostly small ships on 1304 (which only has a single FF defending it). There are 101 ships on 1401 with only 1 mauler against 73 Kzinti ships plus 12PDUs on Kzintai, with maybe a dozen ships left to move.

In Hydran space, 4 border BATS and SB 0215 are being attacked, with about 20 ships still to move.

By Karl Mangold (Solomon) on Sunday, December 13, 2020 - 05:32 pm: Edit

Kzintai is but a sand castle, waiting to be washed away by the Coalition tide...

By Sam Benner (Nucaranlaeg) on Thursday, December 24, 2020 - 02:06 pm: Edit

Combat in Kzinti space is over. There still remain a few battles in Hydran space.

SB 1304 went down for half a dozen cripples. The lone FF defending it fought bravely but the Coalition directed it in the first round. Quoth the Klingon: "Kzinti frigates have been a pain this whole [war]. Done with them."

1401 was much worse for the Coalition. Karl's been going BIR 2 with his maulers every round, so I went BIR 1 with the second one and BIR rolled down 2. Reports from the battle were confused for a while, with command hearing things like, "Is that one of ours?" and "Who's flying that thing?" and "That's not how you dock!" and "Christmas came early!"

The FRD was a complete writeoff but the Patriarch announced that he'll name the new Z6M the "Kris Klingle".

Overall, the Kzinti killed DN BC CA DWS and C8 D7 2D6M while only losing 8PDU over the capital, BC FRD, Vielsalm (M), and Kuballus (m). That leaves 4PDU over Kzintai as the only remaining PDUs in the capital.

By Karl Mangold (Solomon) on Monday, December 28, 2020 - 09:06 pm: Edit

Round 3 over Kzintai was memorable. Kzinti suddenly declare BIR1 (after going 4 every round this whole game) and the Mauler can't maul, Klingons roll a 1 with a -2 EW shift, the D6M gets directed AND captured.

Rather than face the emperor, the Klingon admiral (who had been popping champagne corks in premature victory celebration over the Kzinti capital) had his officers jettison him on the retreat to burn up over the planet.

At this time, the emperor is contenting himself by contemplating the date of the D7 captains who "forgot" they were supposed to be mauler consorts.

By Karl Mangold (Solomon) on Saturday, January 16, 2021 - 06:49 am: Edit

Should post an update given the radio silence here for a few weeks. Richard and I have finished up combat in the Hydran theatre and I'm working on retro/strat/end of turn stuff. Hydran space was attacked, but limited as the A3 actions by the Hydrans had put the Klingons mainly of the offensive. 0617 was untouched; I really just had too little to scrape up for a capital assault, so energies went into blowing up NE/E border BATS and the 1st fleet SB. Hydrans were focused more on western space, where the Lyrans only BATS 0114 while getting spanked over the 2nd SB and BATS 0315. (Home fleet showed up.) The expedition was repulsed, primarily by the Klingons pouring extensive resources into the effort, with the fleet surrounded by~100seq of Klingons. Hydrans lost 2 Hunters and a mess of fighters, and were forced 1 hex toward Hydran space. Out of supply and with only a handful of fighters left, I'm interested to see what happens here.
Coalition is doing some field repair (still have a lot of cripples, and a hefty butcher bill from the Kzinti offensive) and Klingons will have weak reserves I'm thinking; the bulk of the capital repairs/new construction went to the "stop the expedition" effort. Overall I'm not as despondent as I was the beginning of the turn. We'll see what A4 brings, I guess

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Sunday, January 17, 2021 - 10:53 pm: Edit

*Hydran A4 eco, SY170

*Hydran survey: 12 + 10 (A4) = 22.

*Hydran income: 74EP +2EP (Survey) -7EP(captured/disruption) = 69EP + 12FFF.

*Old treasury: 0.5EP
*New treasury = 0.5EP + 14.25(Salvage LM 2RN KN 2CR 6CU) + 69 = 83.75 EP + 12FFF

*Production:
16 PAL(3FFF)
6 TG(SUB CA, 0.75FFF)
15 3HR(4.5FFF)
15 3CU(0617, 0716, 0617) 3HN
6 Convoy(0716)
5 2CP(one free, one purchased)
14 2PDU(0617)
=======================================
77 EP 8.25FFF

Repairs:
3 LN KN (0617)
2 2CU(0515)

Conversions:
1 (0716) KN->DE (1.5FFF)

Treasury: 0.75EP 2.25FFF

Now have 3CP.

By Sam Benner (Nucaranlaeg) on Monday, January 18, 2021 - 02:27 pm: Edit

Kzinti start with a deficit of 1.85 EP, get an income of 35. They build 3CM 2FF, convert BC->CV and D6M->Z6M, and repair Z6M and TGC, leaving them with 0.15 EP in their treasury.

They also get 8EP in the Marquis' Zone, which they use to build FF and repair BC CLE EFF, leaving 1EP there.

By Sam Benner (Nucaranlaeg) on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 - 09:40 pm: Edit

For the second turn in a row, the Kzinti have managed a sortie against a Klingon FRD. There are 16 Kzinti SE in 1507 against 18 Coalition cripples, a BATS, and an FRD. There's a reserve of 7 ships in 1411 that can join the fight, but the Kzinti will probably get the FRD either way.

There are 5 other fights in Kzinti space, but there probably isn't anything exciting happening at any of them - a few small ships dying, most likely.

By Karl Mangold (Solomon) on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 - 10:42 pm: Edit

The Klingons are once again annoyed at the Kzinti single-minded interest in destroying their repair facilities.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - 02:42 am: Edit

Well, its like leaving a $50 bill under your windscreen in the local Wal-Mart while you go shopping....

...it isn't going to be there when you get back

But it's one of those tactical decisions - do you want to Op Move your repaired ships and get them back into combat that turn - or happy to Strat Move them and use them in a reserve?

Sometimes, you just need those ships now.

All you can do is take your pound of flesh.

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - 08:31 am: Edit

It's because ~100 Klingon ships are hanging around the South Fed/Klingon border for some reason.

By Karl Mangold (Solomon) on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - 09:18 am: Edit

Well, the Hydrans rode right up to the Black Gate and the Great Eye got distracted...

I'm not complaining, of course. Sam would have been foolish to ignore this opportunity (again)