Is there a "First Contact" scenario?

JonPerry · Post by **JonPerry** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:16 pm

I remember that SFB had a kind of a "first contact" scenario, I think involving Andros? Where the Andro had a randomized victory condition, and the fleet player didn't know what it was.

I do not yet have the FedCom Andro module - is it in there?

More importantly, is it usable for any new race?

The group I game with have thus far only used the "core" races covered in Klingon Border/Romulan Border. A couple of them don't have any real interest in the Hydrans, Andros, etc as regular features (they weren't in TOS, dontcha know) - but that means they would be great as a one-off "first contact" scenario.

And who knows, if they find this new race to be interesting enough (whoever I choose), they might get thrown into the pot with everyone else.

So - is there such a scenario?

Nerroth · Post by **Nerroth** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:28 pm

In Captain's Log #42, there are a couple of scenarios that might do the trick; such as Pop Goes the Andromedan. It's not a "first contact" scenario per se, but it would make for an interesting way to introduce the trouble-makers from M31.

For my part, it's the range of new empires that the Star Fleet Universe offers (from the ISC and Andros, to the powers of the Omega Octant, Lesser Magellanic Cloud, and the M33 and M81 Galaxies, to name more than a few) which truly make this setting unique.

So, send the Intruder in, and let them have it!

(Although, if they insist on linking it to the TV show, pretend the Andromedans are Kelvans...)

terryoc · Post by **terryoc** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:09 am

There has not, as yet, been a conversion of that SFB scenario published.

Nerroth · Post by **Nerroth** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:41 am

I tried to submit one, but was told it wasn't necessary.

(I'm not sure if that means they already have one on file, or want to go with the alternate first contact written into the Andro background for War and Peace...)

JonPerry · Post by **JonPerry** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:30 pm

Can someone tell me what that Andro 'first contact' scenario was in SFB? I'm going through all my books and just can't find it.

Nerroth · Post by **Nerroth** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:02 pm

There are a couple.

In the Alpha Octant, there's a scenario in Captain's Log #25; (SL212) First Encounter. That's the one I tried (and failed) to submit an FC entry for.

In the LMC, there's (SL297) Previously Unknown in Captain's Log #42; where things don't go quite so well for the locals...

Historically, they are first recorded in the Omega Octant in 2567, when the Probr destroy one of their ships (having initially mistaken it for a Sigvirion vessel, since they are also saucer-shaped). However, no scenario detailing that event is in print at the moment.

mike_espo · Post by **mike_espo** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:52 pm

I am thinking of creating a first contact scenario. Gotta figure the special rules for combat, labs, ect.

JonPerry · Post by **JonPerry** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 1:31 am

I think the one I was thinking of was an Andro scenario, and the initial flavor text was something like

"What does the Andromedan want?"

And the Andro player could be there to make friendly contact, to get lab info on the galactic player, or to blow them up.

This ringing any bells with anyone? I'm sure it's right under my nose.

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 2:01 am

I remember the one you're referring to. I never cared for Andros, so never played it.

Nerroth · Post by **Nerroth** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 2:51 am

(SG10.0) Visitor from Andromeda, in SFB Module C2.

Kang · Post by **Kang** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 8:51 am

mike_espo wrote:I am thinking of creating a first contact scenario. Gotta figure the special rules for combat, labs, ect.

Interestingly, I have written (and submitted) an Andromedan scenario (although not this first contact one you're talking about) where the use of labs is important.

In playtesting my scenario, we have noticed an interesting phenomenon when the Andromedans begin to receive enemy fire. Every small salvo that hits and causes a burnthrough has a 17% chance of hitting a Lab box. While normally this does not matter when it's Feds vs. Klingons, when it's an Andromedan 'research' scenario it can make a huge difference to the Andros' victory chances over time - and all without 'properly' penetrating their PA panels.

I'm not knocking the system of course, just making an observation. But perhaps players should seriously consider the use small-salvo tactics against the Andros, where the victory conditions require the use of labs - I have seen it work in practice.

[Edit: Correction - there is a 33% chance of hitting a Lab with an untargeted burnthrough point. My bad.]

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 12:46 am

Kang wrote: I'm not knocking the system of course, just making an observation. But perhaps players should seriously consider the use small-salvo tactics against the Andros, where the victory conditions require the use of labs - I have seen it work in practice.

Sounds like a new Command Note, Tony.

Kang · Post by **Kang** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:41 am

Yes - thanks. I'm actually working on it at the moment

The Transporters are important to Andros too - H/R raids - and so this means that the Andros have NO free hits (harmless hits, if you like) on the first row of the damage chart if they are using their labs in the scenario.

Kang · Post by **Kang** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:30 pm

Another interesting point here is that, for Andro ships with no labs (anything smaller than a Conquistador, i.e. a Sat Ship), a hit on Table #4 is Impulse; only a Table #5 hit produces a Hull hit. Nice. This too has been mentioned in that new Command Note.

kirbykibble · Post by **kirbykibble** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:01 am

ok... apparently, The Andros were first recorded at some sort of asteroid field that was being mined. In the time, the USS Potemkin and hailed it asking to talk to it as it was illegally mining. In response, it had fired weapons. So. the USS Potemkin did the same. After a Few Volleys, the Andro Left the area. i would assume that the Andro ship is an Intruder as it was filled away as "Intruder" So, it had never said it had any Satellite Ship Whatsoever. TO make the scenario fair, i would make the USS Potemkin a Light Raiding Dreadnought. The objective of the Dreadnought is to transport the miners safely aboard from 5 different asteroids and to either destroy or force the Andor ship to Disengage. The Andro ship would want to mine asteroids so it would send parties aboard asteroids.