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Winter 2012 FCOL Tourney: Info, Announcements and Deadlines
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JimDauphinais
Commander


Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Posts: 769
Location: Chesterfield, MO

PostPosted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 1:44 am    Post subject: Winter 2012 FCOL Tourney: Info, Announcements and Deadlines Reply with quote

Rules for the Winter 2012 Federation Commander Online Tournament


Tournament Signup and Empire Selection Deadline: January 22, 2012

Final Player and Empire Selection List Posted: January 26, 2012

Ship Selection Deadline: January 29, 2012

Start of 1st Round: February 1, 2012

Completion of 1st Round: February 28, 2012

Future rounds begin on the 14th of a month and conclude on the 15th of that following month.


Signup via E-mail to: jimdauphinais@aol.com and gar1138@yahoo.com


It is highly recommended that players use Skype voice chat while playing their matches.


1. CORE TOURNAMENT RULES

The 2010 Origins Federation Commander Tournament Rules (http://www.starfleetgames.com/federation/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2900) and their associated clarifications apply except as clarified or amended by the rules which follow below.

The SIXTH Edition of the Federation Commander Rules will be used for this tournament including all updates and clarifications of the Sixth Edition rules that have appeared in Communique.



2. FC SHIP AND WEAPON PURCHASE RESTRICTIONS

All normal Federation Commander ship and weapon purchase restriction rules apply in addition to all other tournament purchase restrictions on ships and weapons. Ships that have been released on e23 (other than Omega playtest ships) may be selected in addition to ships that have been released as a laminated card provided the selection of the ship is not otherwise prohibited by the tournament rules.


Note that AEGIS and Special Sensors are no longer Borders of Madness rules. The AEGIS rules WILL be in play for this tournament. However, the Special Sensors rules shall NOT be in play.

GM Note: Special Sensors will not be in play because only the Federation currently has a laminated ship card with Special Sensors.


3. FC: WAR & PEACE

To the extent their ships are available in FC Online prior to January 22, 2012, the ISC and Vudar are available for selection as an empire by players.

GM Comment: Other than possibly not being included in FC Online, there is no longer a reason to hold these empires out of the online tournaments. The Andromedans will not be available as an empire in this tournament, but will hopefully be available as an empire in the next FC Online tournament.



4. FRAX

The Frax are available for selection as an empire by players. Since the Frax are currently only available via e23, players selecting the Frax as their empire may treat the following Frax ship cards from e23 FRAX Packs #1, #2 and #3 as if they were laminated ship cards: BCH, CA, CC, CF, CW, CWD, CWL, DN, DW, DWD, FF and POL. Frax Submarines and ships with Axion Torpedoes are not in play.



5. LDR

The LDR will only be available as an empire to the extent its ships (with the correct weapon mounts) are available in FC Online prior to January 22, 2012.

GM Comment: Unfortunately, the LDR are not quite yet in FC Online. However, hopefully they will be available by the ship selection deadline.



6. HYDRANS

Players selecting the Hydrans may freely choose between Fusion and Hellbore armed ships.

Note that a workaround must be used if you want to use the pre-game arming option for Hellbores as the pre-game arming option for Hellbores is not currently implemented in FC Online (see http://www.starfleetgames.com/federation/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=43155#43155).



7. WEAPON LAYOUTS

For ships that have multiple possible weapon layouts (e.g., most Orion Pirate ships), players may only purchase ships with weapon layouts that are available within FC Online prior to the start date of the tournament.

GM Comment: This is to minimize the amount of manual tracking needed in order reduce the chance for confusion or misunderstandings between players.



8. PLASMA G, S AND R TORPEDO TUBES

Note that players will need to use a workaround in FC Online in order to manually setup starting a scenario with the second turn of P/S/R plasma loading complete (see http://www.starfleetgames.com/federation/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=43155#43155).



9. POINT VALUE FACTORS

For purposes of this tournament, the printed point value of all ships and weapons are adjusted by multiplying those values by the following factor for each empire (retaining all fractions):

1.10: None
1.05: Federation and Orion Pirates
1.00: Hydran, ISC, Kzinti, LDR and Vudar
0.96: Frax, Gorn, Klingon, Lyran and Tholian
0.92: Romulan, Seltorian and Wyn

These modified point values apply for all game purposes, including, but not limited to, purchase cost and victory determination.

Example: If the factor that applies to the Federation for the tournament is 1.05, the point value of a Federation CA will be 154.35 points rather 147 points. It will cost 154.35 points to purchase and will be worth 154.35 points for victory determination purposes.


If after all players select their empires more than 25% of the participants select the same empire, the GM will boost the factor for that empire by one level and give all players who have selected that empire the opportunity to select another empire. If this still results in more than 25% of the participants selecting the same empire, once again the affected empire's factor will be bosted one level and the GM will once again give all players who selected that empire the opportunity to select another empire. This will continue until no more than 25% of the participants have selected that same empire.

GM Comment: The purpose of this rule is to help minimize the empire selection bunching that dominated the 1st FC Online Tournament. In general, the idea is that the empires that are both popular and viewed as difficult to defeat in the tournament setting have the largest factor applied to the point value of their ships and weapons. Empires that are unpopular and viewed as difficult to prevail with in the tournament setting have the smallest factor applied to the point value of their ships and weapons. Hopefully, this will reduce the likelihood that the final rounds of the tournament devolve into a civil war to determine the final winner!

I expect that from tournament to tournament the factors applied to each empire will move around as players gain more experience with various empires and new tactics are uncovered. In particular, I expect if all the players who picked a particular empire are the top placers in a given tournament, that empire's factor will move up one level for the next tournament. Conversely, if either no player selects a particular empire in a given tournament or none of the players who have selected particular empire win any of their matches in a partciular tournament, I expect that the factor for that empire will fall one level for the next tournament. Other adjustments may also be necessary depending on what experience with this rule reveals.




10. SHIP SELECTION

The GM of the tournament shall set a deadline for ship selections (January 29, 2012 for this tournament). Only ships available in the Federation Commander Online Client as of January 22, 2012 are available for use. All purchased ships and selected weapon layouts are subject to final approval by the GM and Assistant GM. Weapon layouts may not be changed over the course of the tournament.



11. STARTING LOCATIONS, CLOAKING AND OTHER MAP RELATED RULES

The combat will take place on a standard SFB map (42 hexes by 30 hexes). One force begins in or within one hex of hex 1701 and the other begins in or within one hex of hex 2530. This map is fixed, it does not "float" in any manner. Any ship which leaves the map as a result of the player's own movement (or the movement of a ship he tractored) is considered to have been destroyed. Any ship held in a tractor beam that will be forced to move off the map as a result of the opposing ship's movement is immediately released from the tractor in the last hex of the map (and does not leave the map). If its facing is such that its next movement would force it to exit the map and it cannot turn by any means to avoid doing so, it immediately stops (Speed Zero) in that hex; it otherwise will move normally (subject to its own speed plot) from that point. Drones, shuttles, and plasma torpedoes whose movement would force them to exit the map are destroyed.

Ships with cloaking devices can use them for a total of 48 impulses, including the fade impulses, in any given game. At the end of the 48th impulse, the cloaking devices fail and will no longer function for the remainder of that game. Note that this is done for each individual ship. This applies whether the opposing ships have cloaking devices or not.

GM Comment: The starting points have been moved back to their traditional locations because the Sixth Edition rules now allow P/S/R Plasma torpedoes to be fired on the first turn of the game.



12. TIME LIMIT

There is no time limit in terms of hours played. Instead, each match between players shall last for ten (10) turns or until one player concedes. You don't have to play all ten turns at once. You'll have 28 days to get the game in, and it should be possible to save the game in mid-game. In general, player match ups will be provided by the GM in consultation with the Assistant GM prior to the start of each month and results must reported by players back to the GM and Assistant GM by the 28th of that month. When a concession is made, the conceding player will be awarded a "loss". The conceding player's opponent will be awarded a "win" if he has scored at least 15 points for every turn that has been fully played. Otherwise, the conceding player's opponent will be awarded a "draw".

GM Comment: Based on feedback, we have increased the turn limit to 10 turns. This is expected to reduce the effectiveness of defensive tactics relying on single use weapons (e.g., suicide shuttles) and help the empires that rely on tactics involving slow attrition. Note that most games should end in a concession before the ten turn limit is reached.



13. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GM AND PLAYERS

The GM shall post deadline and match-up information on the federationcommander.com site. The GM shall also email players with this information. Announcements may also be posted on the starfleetgames Discus forums and/or the ADB, Inc. Facebook page. While the GM shall make every effort to ensure that players are adequately informed, it is the responsibility of the players to make sure they know the deadlines and matchups, and understand the rules. The GM shall post deadline and match-up information on the Federation Commander Forum.



14. EMAILS TO THE GM AND ASSISTANT GM

All emails to the GM and Assistant GM must have the name of the tournament in the subject line (e.g. "FCOL Tournament #3") or else the email wasn't sent. (This is to make it easy for the GM and Assistant GM to find the email(s) later.)

GM: jimdauphinais@aol.com

Assistant GM: gar1138@yahoo.com



15. SIGNUP

Players sign up by sending an email to the GM and Assistant GM by no later than January 22, 2012 indicating the player's real name, username on the Federation Commander forum and the player's choice of empire. Once all the players have signed up for the tournament, the GM and the Assistant GM will as necessary resolve any oversubscription of empires by players. On January 26, 2012 the GM will post on the Federation Commander forum the final list of players and empire selections. Ship Selections will then be due to the GM and Assistant GM by no later than January 29, 2011.



16. PLAY DEADLINES

Once the Players are informed of their match-ups, they must arrange between each other a mutually agreeable time to play the game on FCOL. The Players shall have approximately 28 days to make these arrangements and complete the game. It's up to both players to actively pursue the match; if one player makes a reasonable effort to arrange a game and another does not, the first player is awarded a win. If neither does, both are awarded a loss. "Reasonable effort" is in the judgment of the GM and Assistant GM. All emails between players attempting to arrange a game should be carbon-copied (cc'ed) to the GM and Assistant GM so that the GM and Assistant GM have evidence that players are actively pursuing the match-up. If both players are actively pursuing the match but circumstances beyond the players' control prevent it from happening, the GM and Assistant GM will adjudicate a result. If the GM and Assistant GM do not have a consensus on the adjudication, the game will default to both players earning a draw result.



17. NUMBER OF ROUNDS

The number of rounds will be a function of the number of participants. For example, if there are five to eight participants, it will take three rounds to determine a winner. If there are 9 to 16 participants, it will take four rounds to determine a winner.

This will be a Swiss-style tournament. As such, all participants will play in each round and all players will be ranked at the end of the tournament. Points will be awared to players as follows: "Win" 2 points, "Draw" 1 point and "Loss" 0 points. Except for the first round, when a "bye" is necessary due to an odd number of players, it will be awarded as a "draw" to the player with the lowest score at that time. If there is a tie for the lowest score, it will be awarded to the player with the lowest score that has received the lowest number of "byes". If there is still a tie, it will be awarded to one of the tied players by random selection by the GM. If a "bye" is needed for the first round, it will be granted as a "win" to the player in this tournament that ranked highest in the 2nd FC Online Tournament.

If at the end of the tournament there are any players that are tied for points, the final ranking of those players will be resolved by comparing the tie breaker points earned by each. Each player's tie break points will equal to the sum of the all the points earned by all of that player's opponents in the tournament.



18. RULINGS

Federation Commander rules questions will be resolved on the Federation Commander Forum by Mike West when possible. When this is not possible, they will be resolved by consensus of the GM and Assistant GM.

All tournament rules questions will be resolved by consensus of the GM and Assistant GM.

For games involving the GM, the Assistant GM will resolve all tournament rules questions for that game.

For games involving the Assistant GM, the GM will resolve all tournament rules questions for that game.

In the event the GM and Assistant GM face each other in a game, another participant in the tournament will be recruited by the GM and Assistant GM to resolve all tournament questions for that game.



19. SEEKING WEAPON LAUNCHES

FC Online does not currently support the simultaneous plotting of Seeking Weapon launches on a given Impulse (4F2a). The following method can be used a substitute.

When two or more ships oppoing ships want to launch Seeking Weapons:

Step a. Both players roll a die (reroll on ties).

Step b. The higher roller declares one of his Seeking Weapon launches.

Step c. Then the other player declares one of his Seeking Weapon launches.

Step d. The launches continue back and forth between players (using Steps b. and c.) until all of the players are finished with their Seeking Weapon launches for that Impulse.

01/06/2012 Edit: Seltorian multiplier value raised from 0.88 to 0.92 to reflect likely oversubscription of them at 0.88.

04/10/2012 Edit: Changed end of rounds to the 15th of each month.
_________________
Jim Dauphinais, Chesterfield, MO

St. Louis Area Fed Comm Group: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/STL_Federation_Commander/


Last edited by JimDauphinais on Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:21 am; edited 8 times in total
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JimDauphinais
Commander


Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Posts: 769
Location: Chesterfield, MO

PostPosted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 1:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I will be going with the Seltorians this time around.

Also, I have not had a chance to check with Garrett in regard to his availability to be an Assistant GM this time around. If he is not able to do so, I will need a volunteer.

Thanks,

Jim
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Jim Dauphinais, Chesterfield, MO

St. Louis Area Fed Comm Group: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/STL_Federation_Commander/
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JimDauphinais
Commander


Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Posts: 769
Location: Chesterfield, MO

PostPosted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Signups so far:

1 x Frax
1 x Seltorian
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Jim Dauphinais, Chesterfield, MO

St. Louis Area Fed Comm Group: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/STL_Federation_Commander/
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ncrcalamine
Lieutenant Commander


Joined: 23 Feb 2010
Posts: 272

PostPosted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:35 am    Post subject: Can the Wynn use Orion ships Reply with quote

Above. If so which ones

Thanks
Nicole
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ncrcalamine
Lieutenant Commander


Joined: 23 Feb 2010
Posts: 272

PostPosted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry

Can the Wynn use Orion ships. If so which ones.

Previous post lost subject line.

Thanks

Nicole
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gar1138
Lieutenant Commander


Joined: 10 Jul 2007
Posts: 346
Location: Eugene, OR

PostPosted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm available to be the Assistant GM again. Just let me know what is needed as the tourney gets rolling.

I will not be playing in this tourney. I've got some real life commitments that are taking up a fair amount of my available gaming time.

Thanks,

Garrett
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JimDauphinais
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Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Posts: 769
Location: Chesterfield, MO

PostPosted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Wyn must use Wyn ship cards.
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Jim Dauphinais, Chesterfield, MO

St. Louis Area Fed Comm Group: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/STL_Federation_Commander/
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JimDauphinais
Commander


Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Posts: 769
Location: Chesterfield, MO

PostPosted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I'm available to be the Assistant GM again. Just let me know what is needed as the tourney gets rolling.


Thanks Garrett!

Sorry you do not have time to actually play.
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Jim Dauphinais, Chesterfield, MO

St. Louis Area Fed Comm Group: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/STL_Federation_Commander/
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storeylf
Fleet Captain


Joined: 24 Jul 2008
Posts: 1897

PostPosted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was getting somewhat excited about entering with a total oddball squadron, but just discovered lack of client support scuppers that plan Sad
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JimDauphinais
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Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Posts: 769
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Paul Scott or someone else who knows how to add ships to the client might be able to help you out.
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Jim Dauphinais, Chesterfield, MO

St. Louis Area Fed Comm Group: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/STL_Federation_Commander/
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storeylf
Fleet Captain


Joined: 24 Jul 2008
Posts: 1897

PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It was an orion squadron, but orions need to have all their ships be able to take all the options. It appears Sal can't take any options, they get disrupters whether they like it or not, other ships can't take some options like drones.
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The_Rock
Lieutenant Commander


Joined: 16 Jul 2008
Posts: 240

PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 2:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That is fixable, Lee. PM me with the ship defs you need fixed.
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gar1138
Lieutenant Commander


Joined: 10 Jul 2007
Posts: 346
Location: Eugene, OR

PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am also available to create any ship defs that might be needed (if it isn't in a communique or e23 digital file that I already have, you'll need to send me the ship image to work from). I can generally get one done and submitted to Paul Franz very quickly. How long it takes Paul Franz to post it to the FCOL library I don't know.

That being said, I don't know how the recent ADB decision regarding changing the SFBOL ship defs (and restricting to only ones sent in officially from ADB) might affect this and FCOL.

Garrett
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The_Rock
Lieutenant Commander


Joined: 16 Jul 2008
Posts: 240

PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The new policy is less cumbersome (in theory, any way, we'll see how practice works) than I was expecting. basically, to correct a .def, email Paul and he will email you the file. Fix it, and email it back to him.

To make new .defs, email Paul with the ship you want to make. He will contact ADB and get the file needed and send you the graphic. You then make the .def and send it back to Paul for posting.

So a few extra steps and some mandatory extra time. We'll see how much extra time it turns out to be in practice.

The biggest draw back to the new system is that if I want to play a game with one other person I used to be able to make a .def and email it to my opponent and then we could both load custom ships. I don't think that option is available anymore, sadly.
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Archer
Lieutenant JG


Joined: 03 Feb 2011
Posts: 27
Location: Inver Grove Heights, MN

PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:15 am    Post subject: Archer sign up Reply with quote

Sign me up for Seltorians.

Archer
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