I did that with the Kzintis once as well, or something like it.

By Karl Mangold (Solomon) on Wednesday, March 03, 2021 - 11:53 pm: Edit

Tell me about it. He's assaulting 0411 right now in my game. If he succeeds, there's a clear path...

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Thursday, March 04, 2021 - 03:23 pm: Edit

Alliance A4 survey.

In the Kzinti survey area, an SR attempts to tame a Space Amoeba but ends up partially eaten. It has returned to base for repairs and crew replacement.

"Explore New Frontiers! Enslave Exotic Alien Sentient Species! Get eaten by Interstellar Space Monsters!".

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Thursday, March 04, 2021 - 03:32 pm: Edit

Sorry Richard on the recruitment posters.

I think the Intergalactic Translator got confused.

It was supposed to say : -

"Explore New Frontiers! Enslave Exotic Alien Sentient Species! Meet Interstellar Space Monsters!".

I'll get the next batch reprinted pronto!




.................Nope sorry, you was right the first time.



It was Eat, not Meet

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Thursday, March 11, 2021 - 03:54 pm: Edit

A3 FY169 Kzinti eco:
*I am putting Fed PTs at Earth for now (except one in 4th Fleet), the Feds get one a turn in peacetime if I recall, divvied up between fleets or some such. When the Feds activate, I propose that at that point I divvy them up to the fleets. Let me know if this plan is ok.

*Start survey total: 33.
*Survey roll: 14+2(PT).
*New total: 49.


*Treasury 1.18EPs, 1.5FFF(end of A3 eco).
*A3 borrowed: 8.82(for WYN trade). New treasury = 10 EP.
*A3 Wyncovia = 8 (start) - 8(taken out) + 15(WYN trade) = 15.
*A3 trade rights = 4(start)+6(new)-10(used) = 0.
*A3 ComCon delivery:10 EPs.
*A3-C4 Salvage: 3.5 (CL FKE 2EFF ).
*A3 EPs from WYN trade: +8.
*C4 DBB 7.2E(1401) + 4.8EP(1304) = 12.
*A4 start turn treasury: 9,5EP.
*A4 debt at turn start: 8.82EP.
*CPs: 1.

*Income: 12FFF +...
*On map (outside capital hex): 3 (1401 1304-disrupted) = 3.
*Off map: 17+4 = 21.
*Capital: 5 (Kzintai) + 6(3 dev major) + 4(4 dev minor) = 15
*Captured nz: 0.
*Captured provinces: 0.
*Captured planets: 0.
*Other income: 4(DIP).
*Total income: 43EP.

*National debt: 8.82EP.
*Borrowing limit: 10.
*Interest payment: 0.88EP.
*Current treasury balance: 51.62,13.5FFF.


*Production:
12 CV(6FFF)(sub DN)
6 TGT(sub BC)
18 3MEC
13 FFK 4FF (sub 5FF)
(4) FKE (sub FF) (Partial grid 1704 gets 7EP, pays 4EP for FKE and has 3 EP remaining).
0 Activate PT
Callup POL (1501).
0 (OM) MSY-CM#1(ENG)-T1
----------------------------------------
49 Total


*Conversions:
5 (1401) CVL->CV(1.5FFF) EFF->FKE
3 (OM) BC->CD
-------------------------------------------------------
8EP

*Repairs:
1.5 (OM) MEC
Depot BC CL SF enter depot
-----------------------------------------------------------
1.5 Total

*EPs Borrowed: 6.88.

*New Borrowing Limit remaining: 3.12.
*Current debt: 15.7.

*Treasury: 0EP, 0FFF.

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Thursday, March 11, 2021 - 03:56 pm: Edit

*Federation:

*Old treasury 4 DIP:
*A4 income: 1910(3 DIP EP) 3415(3 DIP EP) +DIP INCOME(2EP) = 8 DIP EP.
*A4 expenditures: ComCon (Fed offmap) 6 Convert CA->GSC 5
*A4 PWC [CVB+DE+FFE] (Sixth Fleet); 3xNCL, 3xFF (Third Fleet), FFS (Sixth Fleet)
*A4 new treasury. 1 DIP.

*Gorn:
*Initial treasury: 1DIP EP.
*Income: 2DIP EP.
*Production(PWC) to Home Fleet:
HD 2BD
*New Treasury: 3DIP EP.

*Tholians:
*Production: 2919:
PC BW PCE AWT
*Conversions: 2919:
PC->DD


*Federation diplomats convince Bezwel Index (2214) to return to neutrality.
*Federation diplomats are expelled from 3912.
*Gorn diplomats convince 4309 to join the Gorn Confederation.

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Monday, April 26, 2021 - 04:18 pm: Edit

This game is on temporary hold and (hopefully) will return in the next few weeks.

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Friday, July 23, 2021 - 07:57 pm: Edit

A4 ODM Hydran eco

*Old Survey: 14
*A4 Survey roll: 17 + 2
*New Survey Total: 33.

*Previous Treasury (A3 end eco): 0EP 0FFF
*C4 salvage: 3.88 (2LN CR)

*Income: 12FFF, 74 EP + 2EP(survey) - 9EP(captured/disrupted) = 12FFF 67 EP.
*National Debt: 13.5EP
*Pay interest: -1.35EP
*Borrowing limit 13.4.
*Current Treasury: 69.53 EP 12FFF

*Production:
5 PAL(activated)
6 TG(0.75FFF)
15 TR 2HR(3FFF)
15 3CU 3HN one CU at each of 0215 0716 0617
28 4PDU
5 CP
2 Callup POL(0718) FLG PT
----------------------------------------------------
69 EP

Conversions:
2 (0617) KN->DE(1.5FFF) LN->DE(0.5FFF)

Borrow 8.47 EP.
Borrowing limit remaining: 4.93EP.
Treasury at end eco: 0EP, 6.25FFF, 2CP, 21.97EP debt.

*File attached.
--- Richard Eitzen

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 - 06:16 am: Edit

*Retrpgrades:
*In 1601, 2FFT go 1SE 3S to 1604, all other units go to 1401.
*In 0604, all units go offmap.
*In 0703, all units go offmap.
*In 0904, all units go 5NE to 1401.
*In 1105, Constable's Fleet goes 2N 3NE to 1401.
*In 1202, Olympus Fleet leaves behind ff 2cle and goes off map, all other uinits go 2NE to 1401.
*In 1018, all Hydran ships go to 0617.
*In 0213, HN goes 2S 2SE to 0416. hn goes offmap, the rest of the ships (LC 3LN SA) go 2S to 0215.
*In 0413, 3KN FCR SC go 2SW 1S to 0215, the rest of Home Fleet goes 3S 2SE to 0617.
*In 1018, Gold Fleet goes 1SW 2NW 2N to 0716.
*In 0716, 2LGE go to 0617.
*In 0215, Paltinum Fleet leaves behind TG(BP) 3CU TG(VP) FCR LNG ADM and goes to 0617.

*Strategic movement:
*Kzintis:
*(1 of 6) In 1704, FKE goes offmap.
*(2-6 of 6, free) In 1401, FF CC 3BC CLD go offmap.
*Hydrans:
*(free) In 0716, CU goes to 0519.
*(1-2 of 8, free) In 0215, 2RN CU go offmap.
*(3-7 of 8, ftee) In 0617, TG(BP) TR HR TG(picks up FRD) LAV SAV FTS all go offmap.
*(8 of 8) in 0115, POL goes to 0318.

*Reserves:
*Federation (2nd, 2004) BT DNL(ADM) CC 2CA PT 3FF SC
*Kzintis:
*1stOM): DN 3CC 5BC 2FFK CD
*2ndOM): CC FF 2FFT CVE DDV FKE EFF CLD.
*Hydrans:
*1st(OM): BT RN HR.
*2nd(OM): RN TR CU TG LAV SAV FTS

*Records:
*Kzintis:
*New Borrowing Limit remaining: 3.12.
*Current debt: 15.7.
*A4 salvage: 0.625(FF)
*Treasury: 0.625EP, 0FFF.

*Hydrans:
*New borrowing limit remaining: 4.93EP.
*Current debt (end A4): 21.97EP.
*Salvage(A4 RN 2CU FFT): 3.88EP.
*Treasury at end A4: 3.88EP, 6.25FFF, 2CP.

*Tholians:
*No treasury.

*Federation:
*A4 End Treasury: 1 DIP EP

*Gorns:
*A4 End treasury: 3DIP EP

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Thursday, August 26, 2021 - 02:51 pm: Edit

On A4 the Hydrans mostly reorganized their defense The Lyrans are down 4 BATS, 2 on each alliance border.

The Kzintis mostly drive the Coalition out of Western Kzinti space, liberating three planets.

My health has been poor which has kept me away from this game until recently. Hopefully I will be better able to continue this game in the future.

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Wednesday, September 01, 2021 - 12:06 pm: Edit

CT5 Eco

Is fairly standard, but I did overbuild some units to try to make up for earlier losses. Repairs are light, as mostly Richard has been using directed damage to kill ships (especially heavy units).

Klingons upgrade BATS-SB(6) on the Lyran border to take advantage of the ComCon.

They also upgrade MB->BATS(6) in 1403 to give the Kzinti something to stare at and admire.

Lyrans convert MB-BS(3) using COEs for the cost break in both 1506 (Zursk, for Kzinti support) and 1214 (for Hydran support).

My Eco Forms, if anyone wants details:

Klingon: https://www.dropbox.com/s/2o3ea6citfu8t96/Coalition%20Klingon.xlsx?dl=0

Lyran: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zxceqh9pz8d0a8g/Coalition%20Lyran.xlsx?dl=0

Romulan: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4dpleqr6nunxave/Coalition%20Romulan.xlsx?dl=0

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Wednesday, September 01, 2021 - 12:08 pm: Edit

CT5 Raids

Hijinks and Hi-larity. BC raid fails and D5 raid ironically succeeds in the two Marquis provinces. No other raids.

I considered doing a raid in the Kzinti capital province with DNL+PT, but Richard pointed out that it IS legal for a tug-carrier to react, as it is considered a SSC. That cooled my jets on that account.

Did the WYN shuffle (BR with D5H to pick up and drop off EPs).

That's it.

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Wednesday, September 01, 2021 - 12:15 pm: Edit

CT5 Operational

Only just beginning. So far, I moved a bunch of crap around for shuffling stuff (e.g. ComCon, convoys and FFTs for colony creation, moving cripples and a captured LN back for repairs/conversion, etc., etc., etc., ad nauseum).

Starting real moves in the HTO. Klingon home fleet (63 SEQ) moves straight to the capital, daring the Hydrans in 716 and 617 to react. They did not.

Next move was Enemy's Blood (37 SEQ) in 315 moved mostly straight and then 1S to the capital 617. Waiting for reaction, which I deem unlikely.

If he does not react I will have 110 SEQ in the capital relative to his 111. He has some 23 SEQ in 617 and I have about another 100+ units left to move in the HTO.

---

Quote:

I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ***. And I'm all out of bubblegum.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXJI-G7ulsg

---

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Saturday, September 04, 2021 - 11:06 am: Edit

Operational movement is over.

In the Hydran theatre, Ted pours ships all over 0617, 0716 and 0718 leaving the west side of Hydran space alone.

Both Hydran reserves go to 0617. Most Hydran DDs are at SB 0215 and 0716, almost all of their heavy ships are in 0617.

In the Kzinti theatre, the Coalition attack 1001, 1202 and 1105 in force. A lot of Kzinti ships react to 1202 from 1401 while three carrier groups and assorted ships were previously stationed at 1001 and are defending that. A strong Kzinti reserve (mostly cruisers) goes to 1202, a weak reserve reinforces 1001. Certainly the Coalition can take all three planets, but how many Kzinti fighters will get traded for ships in the process?

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Wednesday, September 08, 2021 - 03:46 pm: Edit

CT5 Combat Update

In the ZTO there's a brief exchange at 1202, despite the large number of ships. Otherwise, only some fighters were lost. The Lyrans kill a D5 and I kill an FKE. He then bugs out to 1302.

At 1001 we exchange and EFF for a DW (or something like that) and then he bugs out to 1102.

1105 was recaptured without a peep.

Coalition retains control of all planets and provinces outside of the Capital and Marquis (other than 1102 being disrupted).


The HTO is a bit more violent. There are 3 combats: 718 (major), 716 (SB), and the capital assault.

At 718 I end up taking the planet. I direct kill a POL in form, and then it's a grind on the PDUs and the MON there. He also left a DIP there, which he left for some reason I can't figure, so it died. My butcher bill is a bunch of cripples: HFF, FF, 3*F5, 2*E4.

More violent yet was SB 716, where he fought 3 rounds with a small fleet of mostly DDs and FFs. A 4th and 5th round were needed to kill the SB. In the end, the SB went down, as was foreknown by both players. We each direct killed something every round the Hydran fleet fought.

I lost DDG, D5, and D6S (directed in the scout box). He lost CU (to force his tug group into the SE or else risk precious DEs) and 2*LN. I cripple D7C, F5L, F5, and DDG.

The capital assault is being setup and will be fought later. That one will make the fireworks at SB716 look like poprocks...

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Monday, September 13, 2021 - 05:52 pm: Edit

Combat is over.

In 0617 the Coalition destroy most of the PDUs and cripple a Hydran LNG. In the first two rounds of combat, the Hydrans roll low (the Coalition used SAFs) but still do enough damage to pretty much cripple the entire Coalition battle line (near enough). Possible damage on Round one would have maxxed at about 170 and on round two at 150. I personally wouldn't have used SAFs in this way but he did kill 3 PDU (total) with their use. Ted did stuff most of his big ships in the battle forces to try to avoid having to self kill a lot of ships on high damage rounds). Both rounds ended at a base BIR of 8 before die rolls. Scary!

The Coalition lose some important ships (notably a C8 D6M 2D7 2CF 2D5 or some variant of this) and take a lot of cripples (around 60). The Hydrans have no planets that get devastated (in 0617). Two PDU remain on Hyreark and one on one of the major planets. All other PDUs are destroyed. It may be that Ted will post a more detailed account of the battle. Ted's repair bill is nominally upward of 90 EPs.

The Coalition eventually retreat, not really having the cruisers for good battle forces. They could certainly stay and try to shoot down Hydran cruisers, but the compot disparity would be large as the Coalition have no uncrippled CR-10 flagships remaining (all of them having been crippled or destroyed over 0617). The lone D7A did not see combat.

The Hydrans roll a 1 in pursuit (with 2PAL 2LGE BT LB) and get 12 points, which sink a D6J in the sacrifice mission. It saved a c8 from destruction. The Hydrans lose five fighter factors in return.

***

In an intercepted transmission from the Lyran Grand Admiral to the Klingon Fleet Commander it was commented 'We're going to need a bigger boat'.

It will, however, be some years yet before a B10 will be available.

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - 09:59 am: Edit

That is all largely accurate. Of the kills the C8, D6M, and 2*CF were directed. The 2*D7 and 2*D5 were self kills owing to the large damage done at the Hydrax initial rounds.

I used the SAFs in the way I did because (1) it gives me in all likelihood 12 more damage absorption (important on those initial potentially line-killing rounds). Even stuffing my line with my best heaviest units can still result in line-killing damage, so every damage absorption point helps. 2) I can bag a few more PDUs to reduce as quickly as possible line-killing compots. I did manage to bag extra 3*PDU with the two SAFs, but 2 of them were because Richard elected to drop the damage (rather than disrupt the SAF) to maximize crippling my large ships and forcing some self-kills to preserve critical ships (i.e., a C8 that was directed to death in the form box on the following combat round).

I was forced to fight the last round with a D7C in command, managing to scrape only 108/2 compot/EW even after 12 points in DBB. I wasn't sanguine about fighting that last round, as I was already over repair capacity. However, there was only one PDU left at Hydrax Major, and I wanted to kill it so that he could not turn it into 5 PDUs (total) by the time I return on CT6.

Anyway, it was an interesting battle. Dice were variable but, due to timing, overall favored me since his initial two rounds were relatively low rolls for the Alliance, as he indicated.

I still need to do EoT, but have been busy.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - 03:29 pm: Edit

Sounds like lots of fund over 617....

...I agree though - killing the last PDU was key.

5 PDU's would add probably add 2 rounds (a SAF might get the 5th) before you can target the SB - and might be 3 rounds if lots of owed points occur.

Ships lost don't seem too bad too (although you get lucky on the Persuit!).

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - 04:06 pm: Edit

@Paul: Agree entirely. He rolled a "1" on pursuit. Even so, that was 18 damage with a 91 compot pursuit line (1 shift). Combined with -6 from minus points and -8 from the sacrifice mission left only 4 for him to use to direct - and the only thing that made sense at that point was to finish off the D6J. So, overall yes, very lucky on pursuit.

As well as first two rounds on Hydrax. I always report my combat rolls as variable, coalition, alliance (V,C,A). Here are the rolls at Hydrax Major:

Round 1: 3/6/3 (5 PDUs lost, 1 via SAF)
Round 2: 4/5/5 (6 PDUs lost, 2 via SAF)
Round 3: 6/5/1 (3 PDUs lost)
Round 4: 5/2/2 (1 PDU lost (last PDU))

So one good Alliance roll on round *2*, but overall average was 2.75.

Coalition had 3 good rolls at critical times so I didn't have to fight through so many minus points that I couldn't bag lots of PDUs each round.

Coalition average was 4.5.

So, mean difference of 1.75, which is significant in terms of overall outcome.

Most critically, a roll of "3" on round 1 meant I didn't have to cripple *everything* or - worse - kill half the line.

Then, of course, a crappy roll of "1" for the Alliance on pursuit.

For sure Richard got his pound of flesh - and more - but overall the Coalition did well. Unless the dice are very bad on CT6 the Hydran capital should fall next turn.

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - 06:27 pm: Edit

There are no die rolls, there is only Zuul!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - 02:32 am: Edit

Dice and timing……

Hydrans would probably been happy(ish!) with 5/3/2/1.....

Alas there are so few times several ships have to be self killed!!

As long as the dice are being fair though - it probably isn't a massive issue.... so how have the dice been?

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - 05:23 am: Edit

I try not to obsess about die rolls. You should too.

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - 10:20 am: Edit

On average, overall, dice work themselves out. This is the law of large numbers. This game is no different.

There have been times where 1/6 splits were inconvenient for either side. It happens. It's part of the game. You re-assess and adapt your tactical and strategic decisions accordingly. If you MUST take a position on a given turn according to your strategy you send sufficient forces that luck will have no bearing on the outcome, even if very bad for you.

As for significant events that only happen as a result of luck, I look at it this way: Sometimes you get the bear. Sometimes the bear gets you.

Regarding "so few times several ships have to be self-killed" that was partially as a result of luck - but it was also planned. I overstuffed the line with my *best* units. Sure, I won't be able to stick around very long when I'm forced to cripple most or all of my DNs and CCs and BCs in just two battle rounds. However, I also have the damage absorption capacity to not self kill lots of ships.

In fact, I was *not* required to self kill the 2*D7 and 2*D5. I *chose* not to cripple a DN or a D6S in those two cases because I really wanted those units on the following combat round, and it was worth self-killing a few good ships in order to preserve the compot and EW I *needed* to finish stripping Hydrax of PDUs this Coalition turn.

The important part of what I'm saying is that overstuffing a capital assault line with capital ships, along with a SAF, means that, unless you get a line-killing double box cars rolls, you're going to be able to take the damage and then come back next turn - and any kills are *voluntary*.

Planning!

Relying on luck is for amateurs.

Complaining about luck is for whiners and Irish red heads.

....I'm an Irish redhead, by the way, LOL. =)

However, Richard has evangelized me to the way of Zen when it comes to dice. Every so often the Irish redhead comes out, but I have become convinced that Richard's cold, German analytical approach is much better both for good thinking and peace of mind!

Words to consider!

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - 11:06 am: Edit

Dice don't normally bother me... and in most games I do roll average.

If the opponent as a W in their name though....

Saying that, I am not the only bad roller of dice.

I play with someone who will never again play Settlers of Catan as his luck in the game is nearly as bad as my luck with William.

What ever 'lands' he has - you can bet other rolls will come up far too often (i.e. if he is on 4,6,8,9 and 10 say..... 5 and 11 will be rolled 50% of the time...…..)

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - 11:08 am: Edit

---

Quote:

If the opponent as a W in their name though....

---