*Retrogrades:
*In 0701, FF CVE go to 1001.
*In 1306, 2FF CV 2TG(2VP) SF go to 1001.
*In 1505, 2BC FF 3CLE go to 1001.
*In 1406, mec cle go offmap. FF goes to 1502, FF goes to 1202.
*All other retrograde eligible units go to 1401.

*Strategic movement:
*Kzinti:
(free) 2FF TGC(2VP) go offmap.

*Hydrans:
(free and 1 of 10): In 0617, TG picks up FRD and goes offmap.
(2-5 of 10): In 0915, LM 3RN go offmap.
*(6-9 of 10) In 0715, PAL LB RN TG go offmap.
*(10 of 10) in 0715, LB goes offmap.
Two tugs pick up BPs, one picks up a VP.

*Reserves:
*Kzintis:
1st(OM) FF TGC(2VP) 2CLE SF.
2nd(OM) FF.

*Hydrans:
1st(OM): PAL BT 2LB LM 4RN HR CU SC.
2nd(0617): LM 3RN LN CR CU TG(VP) 2DE SC.

*Treasuries:
*Kzinti: 9.8 EP -2.4EP(DBB) = 7.4EP, 3CP.
*Hydran: 1.5 EP, 1 CP.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Thursday, January 26, 2023 - 02:40 am: Edit

Unless I missed it - no Hydran attack on the Coalition in turn 3?

In true Blackadder 4 style - 'The Diplomates must have yanked the iron out of the fire and the war is over?'

Well, congratulations all round

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Thursday, January 26, 2023 - 02:42 am: Edit

Note that I am playing as if I didn't know my opponent's intended strategy. It's unrealistic to play otherwise, as a good opponent would change strategy if I did foolish things based on my 'knowledge' of his intended turn seven strat (like not building up Kzinti PDU on A1-2).

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Thursday, January 26, 2023 - 01:40 pm: Edit

No Hydran attack, quite a lot of Coalition units in the way of expeditions. Getting ready for the deluge.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Thursday, January 26, 2023 - 05:09 pm: Edit

I would have been fine with it had Richard played knowing my strategy. But right up front, I reserved the right to change it if he reacted sufficiently.

I view this as perfectly normal, much like a chess player who opens with d4 to avoid the Sicilian.

In F&E, if it were to become accepted that this is the strategy to deal with, it would be normal to play around it.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Thursday, January 26, 2023 - 06:36 pm: Edit

For anyone wondering, what happened at 1407 was that I decided it was worth spending command points to try to keep things intact. I knew this ran the risk that Richard would run after his fighters ran out, which he did.

So he got something (2CP spent by me), but the planet and MB are intact.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Thursday, January 26, 2023 - 06:57 pm: Edit

Lyran economy, turn 4

Survey roll 13
Survey total 35
Survey EP 2
Offmap 22
Capital 37
Planets 24
Provinces 32
NZ 1.8

Income 118.8
From last turn 3.9
Total Money 122.7

Repairs
504 CL 1.5
404 2CW 3
Subtotal 4.5

Builds
DN 16
STT (for CA) 10
3CW 15
2DW, DWS 14
3FF 7.5
3FF, CW (overbuilds) 25

Subtotal 87.5

Conversion
Lyrantan DN 6

Total spending 98
Money after Econ 24.7
Command points: 7+1=8

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Thursday, January 26, 2023 - 06:59 pm: Edit

Klingon economy, turn 4

Survey roll 5
Survey total 21
Survey EP 2
Capital 49
Planets 41
Provinces 52
NZ 3
Z provinces 2
Z planet 1

Income 150
From last turn 5.8
Total Money 155.8

Repairs
1507 D5 1.5
Subtotal 1.5

Builds
C8 16
TGA (for D7) 8
D6M (for D7) 10
7D5, D5V, AD5 48
4F5, F5S, F5E 20
3xE4 7.5
Activations 7
B-10 roll 5
Carrier pod 12

Subtotal 133.5

Conversion
Klinshai D6M 5

Total spending 140
Money after Econ 15.8
B-10: 6+1=7
Command points: 6+1=7

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Thursday, January 26, 2023 - 07:00 pm: Edit

Both Coalition powers save a little money, due to the possibility of high repair expenses on C5. Of course that depends on what the Hydrans decide to do.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Friday, January 27, 2023 - 02:20 am: Edit

1407..... Spending the Command Points would have made a tough approach battle even harder I guess?

The Kzinti fleet at this stage is so anaemic - it can't fight it's way out of a 'damp paper bag'

(And a strong EW line will make it more difficult)

What out rolling was needed to win the first approach round, which might have given the Kzinti a shot at the MB?

2 Cp's well spent I think!!

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Friday, January 27, 2023 - 06:37 am: Edit

Both sides were at 100 compot the first round. Coalition went to 118 2nd round but lost.

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Friday, January 27, 2023 - 05:18 pm: Edit

If the Coalition want a low repair bill, don't attack the Hydrans!

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Friday, January 27, 2023 - 11:55 pm: Edit

Operational movement has begun, the Klingons have attacked the three eastern Hydran BATS. No one was surprised by this.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Saturday, January 28, 2023 - 10:00 am: Edit

Yeah, we were hoping they would be impressed by our show of force and surrender peacefully, but it didn't happen.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Sunday, January 29, 2023 - 06:18 pm: Edit

Turn C4 op movement is complete. There is one minor attack on the Kzinti front as the Coalition are trying to retake devastated planet 1504.

All on-map Hydran planets and bases are under attack. There is a very strong Hydran reserve offmap. It could either reinforce 617 or save any other planet or base in range. I considered making the assault on SB 215 reserve-proof, but decided against it as the attack on 617 is significant and the reserve can't go both places. As an aside, I think it would be an interesting balance option to allow a race to split a reserve.

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Sunday, January 29, 2023 - 07:57 pm: Edit

One can buy an extra reserve with balance options which effectively could let you do that, sort of. :p

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Thursday, February 02, 2023 - 03:05 pm: Edit

C4 combat:
In Kzinti space, 1504 is captured, the Kzinti lose an FF, fighting retreat over an E4 and kill it and retreat again. That's pretty much it.

In Hydran space, the Coalition have destroyed every base and captured every planet on map outside the capital. Generally they took one cripple per fight at a BATS or minor planet, occasionally more. Two SB were undefended, but the Hydrans fought with fleet ships for 5 rounds at the Exp SB. Their force was BT 6KN 2LN 5CU SC. Sometimes I got confused and forgot some ships.

The Hydrans lost 2LN 2CU here, the Klingons 2D7 D6 D5 and F5L. The Hydrans got 3 CU crippled, the Coalition something like 2D5 4CW 2F5 and maybe some ships I forget.

0617 still has to be fought, where most Hydran ships are, but over 100 Coalition ships as well.

It is likely to be a blood bath, but maybe the Coalition will just leave.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Saturday, February 04, 2023 - 10:17 am: Edit

Hydrax battle is progressing. So far we have two devastated minors, dead 2D7C, D7 vs LB, LN, SC, with crips 6C vs 1A. We are about to have a round at Hydrax!

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Monday, February 06, 2023 - 09:57 pm: Edit

Coalition turn 4 is complete.

At Hydrax, we removed 4PDU from Hydrax and devastated both side systems. We lost DN, 2BC, 2D7C, D7, D5, CW while killing LB, LM, RN, LN, CR, 2SC.

We also lost 5 ships at the Hydran Exp SB while killing 4 somewhat smaller ships.

All other Hydran planets and bases were undefended and inflicted crips in the process of dying. Our total crips on the front are 60-odd EP.

The Hydrans will have an economy in the mid-30s. Assuming they spend most of it on ships, they will have 70-odd ships available next turn, including close to two full CA lines.

In light of this, the Coalition sent most of its larger builds South, while the smaller builds, plus a C8, either went North to deal with the Kzinti, or went into centrally located reserves that are likely to go North.

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Wednesday, February 08, 2023 - 07:50 am: Edit

*SY170.
*Federation:
A4 PWC (3rd Fleet) 3NCL 3FF (6th Fleet) CVB DE FFE


*Kzinti eco A4 SY170
*Survey roll:9 . New total: 35 + 9 = 44 (two provinces).

*Old treasury: 7.4EP 3CP.
*Income:
Offmap: 21 EP
Capital planets: 32EP
On map (not capital) planets 12
On map provinces 11
Total: 65.

*New treasury: 72.4 EP 6FFF 3CP.

8 TGC(sub DN)
36 CV(6FFF sub BC) 4MEC (sub 4CM)
16 (1704,1401) 5FF SF (sub 6FF)
Free CP (now 4 CP total)
----------------
60 EP Total

Conversions
7 (1401) CVL->CV
---------------------------------------------
7 Total

Repairs
3 (OM) MEC CLE

70 Total spent
2.4 EP 4CP remaining.

*Hydran eco A4 FY170
*Survey roll: 10 + 12 = 22.

*Income:
19 (offmap)
16 (onmap)
1.5 Old treasury

*New treasury: 36.5 EP 6FFF.

6 RN(sub PAL 2.25FFF)
6 TG(sub RN 0.75FFF)
15 TR 2HR(3FFF)
5 CP + Free CP (now 2 CP total)
----------------
32 EP Total

Conversions
2 (0617) 2HN->2SC)
---------------------------------------------
2 Total

Repairs
1.5 (0617) LN
34 Total spent
1 EP remaining. 2 CP.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, February 08, 2023 - 04:22 pm: Edit

STICKY FINGERS!!!!!

I see 3 disputed provinces for the Hydrans, and 13EP worth of provinces for the Kzinti.

Who had their fingers in the cookie jar?

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Wednesday, February 08, 2023 - 04:55 pm: Edit

I think 1602 is disrupted which puts the Kzintis at 12.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, February 08, 2023 - 05:21 pm: Edit

You killed us in the FR battle. I don't think that triggers 430.24, which talks about "voluntarily withdraws". The inhabitants of that E4 are not voluntarily dead . So I'm not sure why it would be disrupted. At any rate, the kitties' situation may not change your build.

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Wednesday, February 08, 2023 - 05:33 pm: Edit

I did not reoccupy the province as I retreated out before the end of the combat phase.

By William Jockusch (Verybadcat) on Wednesday, February 08, 2023 - 05:38 pm: Edit

Yeah, but the rule starts out like this:

(430.24) ABANDONED OCCUPATION: If the enemy occupies
(sole possession) a province and voluntarily withdraws from it
during his Player Turn . . .

The "if" part is not satisfied, because the "and" part is false. So I'm thinking that wouldn't trigger the rule.