Getting started with Federation and Empire?

Maxtype · Post by **Maxtype** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 10:35 pm

Hi all. I have long been interested in the strategic side of the SFU,and I anticipate having some cash after the New Year. What should I buy,besides the F & E box set of course, to have a good start? I'm thinking of getting the Expanded version of everything I buy.

Thanks!

-Dave

djdood · Post by **djdood** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:40 pm

You'll get more response on the legacy forum. Hardly any of the F&E folks come here.

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:45 am

I resent that!

I'm one of that rare, endangered group of marathon F&E guys you see in Columbus every year playing F&E 16 hours a day for 5 consectutive days... plus, we have an ongoing FtF campaign in Murfreesboro... and a VASSAL game... and a CyberBoard game going... and once PlasmaBoy gets settled at his new base - I'll probably start up another Cyberboard game with him.

I play much more F&E than I do Fed Comm or SFB, so feel free to ask away.

Max...
I have several suggestions for you, and a bit of advice - but my wife is glaring at me to quit typing and get in the car (we're headed out to dinner w/the kids), so I'll post a follow-up later.

Maxtype · Post by **Maxtype** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 2:04 am

Scoutdad, I greatly appreciate any advice you can offer, and I'm at your convenience,sir!

-Dave

Nerroth · Post by **Nerroth** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:03 am

One thing I might suggest is to try Fighter Operations - not so much for the extra rules there, but more for the inclusion of the Four Powers War scenario!

4PW might need to be re-balanced somewhat, but it does allow for a smaller, though still (hopefully) fun scenario...

...and if you happen to also get Captain's Log 38, you could consider giving the Altered Alliances version of the War a go, too!

(Not that I'd have any self-centred reason to promote that scenario, of course... *coughs*)

Maxtype · Post by **Maxtype** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:13 am

I'm definitely interested in Fighter Operations, I've always liked the carriers and fighters in SFB.

So,did someone here who shall go un-named write Altered Alliances?

Congrats!

-Dave

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:21 am

Maxtype wrote:Hi all. I have long been interested in the strategic side of the SFU,and I anticipate having some cash after the New Year. What should I buy,besides the F & E box set of course, to have a good start? I'm thinking of getting the Expanded version of everything I buy.

Thanks!

-Dave

Dave:
You certainly need the box set... and Gary's right (but for totally different reasons than the one he "cough" mentioned...) about Fighter Operations being required.
Fighter Operations provides flexible Carrier groups (among other, absolutely essential rules) and is considered by most people to be one of the essential expansions.
Fighter Operations is the old "Carrier War" expansion modified and updated to the F&E 2K rules.
Combined Opeations is the old "Marine Assault" and "Special Operations" expansions, also upgrade to F&E 2K...
Those are the core rules and most people agree should be added in that order.
Advanced Operations is the first expansion designed for F&E 2K from the ground up and is also a must have.
The later expansions, Planetary Operations and Strategic Operations received mixed reviews. Our group uses the entire rules set plus all expansions and optional rules, but then the 7 (well 6, now that my son joined the ARMY) of us have been playing F&E continuously as a group for nearly 20 years.

As for expanded versions... go for it. You can never have enough counters. I have at least 4 copies of every set (thanks to ebay), plus all of the original sets... and no telling how many F&E counter sheet grab bags and a pile of countersheets donated by SVC at Origins. I probably have 20,000 or so counters now and we still run out.

I hope this helped a little... if you have any further questions, please feel free to ask away.

Maxtype · Post by **Maxtype** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:28 am

Thanks,Scoutdad!

I'm going to grab the Expanded F&E and Fighter Operations in January then,and Combined and Advanced in February hopefully.

I'm excited,and I've been reading all the articles in my Captain's Logs and on the BBS that I can handle-I'm looking forwards to commanding the entire Federation!

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:07 am

Dave,

I just noticed your location. You need to contact Chuck Strong.
He's the head ofthe SFU Federation and Empire staff, he oversees a large group of F&E players, and he lives just up the road from you in Colorado Springs.

His email address is Chuck (dot) Strong (at) comcast (dot) net

Maxtype · Post by **Maxtype** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:21 pm

Hey,that's cool! I met Chuck about 15 years ago,when I was first learning to play SFB. He's a good guy. I'll have to get in touch,because it would be good to have a group to play with again.

Thanks!

-Dave

Rick Smith · Post by **Rick Smith** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:30 pm

Thanks for starting this thread Dave. And thank you Scoutdad...good info to know. I've been considering diving into F&E for a while now.

Rick

Maxtype · Post by **Maxtype** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 8:31 pm

You are welcome,Rick.

This forum is a great place for advice on the SFU and all the games.

I'm so excited! I can't wait to get my stuff!

-Dave

Rick Smith · Post by **Rick Smith** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 10:27 pm

Yeah, something about the "godlike" aspect of controlling and commanding all the nitty gritty details in F&E appeals to me. And then fighting larger battles that spring from an F&E campaign...fun stuff.

Maxtype · Post by **Maxtype** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:46 pm

Yay!

Expanded versions of F&E,FO,CO,and AO are on their way!

Maxtype · Post by **Maxtype** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:55 pm

Got my games Tuesday ( Thanks Leanna!

). Wow! I'm a little overwhelmed by all the stuff in these sets,but I'm enjoying reading the rules.

Federation Commander

Getting started with Federation and Empire?

Getting started with Federation and Empire?

Re: Getting started with Federation and Empire?