Federation Commander

[mike_espo]

Hi all I have played SFB in the 80s for about a decade. Have not played since. Was thinking of getting back into it. Unfortunately, I do not have any of the components still.
Then I found out about Fed. Commander. It looks to be easier than SFB, but was wondering about the detail.

Just what I have been able to gather from BGG and this website, some ommisions I noted: No sensors or scanners. So I can guess that through battle damage there is no degrading of fire? No EW amongst other things.

Also, if memory serves, one of the things that was frustrating is with every expansion, new rules would crop up....is this the case with FC? Is errata published online-so I don't have to buy additional rules?

I am thinking about Romulan Border as my first pick.

Opinions or comments would be most welcome to help make a decision

thanks

[Scoutdad]

Hey Mike, Welcome aboard.

I've played SFB since 1980 and still can't say enough good things about Fed Comm. Yes, I still prefer SFB... but in my area I now have 0 SFB opponents and over a dozen Fed Comm players.

The rulebook is less daunting...
The high quality pieces are more enticing...
The glitzy, laminated color ship cards are more appealing than B&W SSDs done with 1980's software...
Fleet scale lets you run multiple ships quickly...

Are some things left out? Yes:

No EW (although certain things do provide a built-in shift to the "To Hit" roll)
No Wild Weasels
No T-Bombs
No PPTs
No proximity Photons
Only one type of drone
No hidden EA (everything is pay as you go)
No hidden anything, in fact...

But if you're still on the fence, then might I suggest you download First Missions .
It gives you the ship cards for the Fed CA and the Klingon D7 and enough of the basic rules to get a feel for the game.

Also, where are you located? There may be forum members close to you that already play the game.

Again, Welcome to our family.
_________________
Commander, Battlegroup Murfreesboro
Department Head, ACTASF

[mike_espo]

Thanks Scoutdad I reside in the Chicago Area. My local gamestore has a Friday nite SFB/FC group. Unfortunately, I did not keep in touch with my old friends who playtested with me in the '80s...so I will probably need new opponents.

I see on the FC site that there is updates for the rules. Thats cool!

As I said, I was looking at Romulan border for the start point. Is there any scenarios for the early Earth-Romulan War? I seem to remember that SFB had Atomic Missiles and Laser cannons or something.....Armor?

thanks

[JimDauphinais]

[mike_espo]

[SFU_FEAR]

Hey, Scoutdad... I still play SFB! It just hasn't been for a while!
_________________
Mike Curtis, FEAR, Copyright 2014 ADB, Inc.

[Scoutdad]

[Dal Downing]

[Blammo]

Welcome, Mike.

I think most everyone else has covered everything, but I am glad you are here with us. The SF Universe get's in your blood and pretty much stays there.

We you get more settled in perhaps you might be interested in some PBEM games.

Anyway, let me know if you need anything...not that I can help, but I will try or point you in the right direction

[Kang]

Welcome to the group, Mike

This suggestion has been made before but I can't find the thread.

Firstly, as people have already said, try First Missions. This was what got me and many others on this forum into the game.

If you like First Missions - and I'm sure you will! - then there are several options. You can do what you have already mentioned, and buy a Border module. This gives you the latest rulebook, maps, counters and ship cards. If you like First Missions enough, then this is the way to go.

Thirdly, if you're still not sure after First Missions, then you could do worse than buy the FC Reference Rulebook electronic copy from e23, or the paper copy direct from ADB. I think it's about $15 or so, either way.

This could be a cheaper way into the game for you because it sounds as if you already have maps and counters from SFB, which you can use with FC; all the tables you need are in the rulebook, and/or can be downloaded from the Commanders' Circle on the FC website, and you can flesh out your fleets by using the ship cards from the Communique newsletter.

However, to my mind, part of the magic of FC is the high-quality game components and the sheer richness of the game system. You will probably want to buy the real thing, I'm sure, but the ideas above will give you a cheaper entry path if you need it.

The advantage of buying the electronic rulebook, btw, is that you can download later editions for free (to a point; the price includes minor updates but not major revisions), incorporating all the latest rules modifications. Granted, you will get the latest rulebook if you buy a Border module, but the electronic copy may be something you might want anyway in addition to the paper one from your Border module, because of this flexibility.

I hope this is helpful. Once again, welcome aboard!
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[Dal Downing]

One more little tidbit. Yes First Missions is definitely the cheapest fastest way into FedCom. It is a extremely slimmed down copy of the very basic rules and gives you 2 Fleet Scale ships (Fed CA & Klink D 7). If if you think to yourself these ship do not look big enough you are looking for Squadron Scale ship cards in the full ruleset.

Once you decide yes your hooked there are actually 3 ways in. One is to pick up the Ref Rule Book (which is strictly all the rules, no ships, no scenarios, no fluff.) Or you can look at Fedearation Academy. The Base Rule Book with 4 fully laminated double sided cards FedCA, KlinkD7, Gorn BC, & Rom WB plus small counter sheet. And lastly just jump in with one of the Border Boxes.
_________________
-Dal

"Which one of you is the Biggest, Baddest, Bootlicker of the bunch?"
"I am."
"ARCHERS!!! THAT ONE!!!!"

[Kang]

Fed Academy. Of course, I forgot about that. Good catch, DD.
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[JonPerry]

[Jean]

ACK! Bad formatting and I was running late and didn't check the preview. Praise be for "quote" that let me recover my missive!

Hi Mike,

I do know some folks who play SFB in the Chicago area if you want to hook up with them.

However, a lot of SFB players have picked up Fed Commander as it is perhaps easier to teach someone new all the rules. I promise you, if I can learn the rules, anyone can as this is really the first game like this I have played. (I come from an RPG background.)

Either Romulan Border or Klingon Border are good entry points, depending on whether you like Romulans or Klingons better. Packages exist for both that let you get the "missing" parts for the other set.

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_________________
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[mjwest]