Just starting out, where to begin?

Ciciro · Post by **Ciciro** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 7:09 am

I just found out about the game, and I absolutely love the concept of an in-depth Star Trek space simulator.

However, I do not know anything about the game beyond the most basic description, other than that I should get the basic Captain's set. How do I learn more about the game? What other things should I get?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Asmoridin · Post by **Asmoridin** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 12:15 pm

If you've never played before, you should buy the Basic Set, and probably stop there until you decide you enjoy the game- there's a lot of play just from a basic set, so one needn't rush.

If you do enjoy it, I guess you'd buy Advanced Missions (more ships for the Basic Set races, plus a lot of new rules), then maybe C1-C3 (each come with a bunch of new races).

Post by **Steve Cole** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 5:48 pm

Star Fleet Battles has lots of rules. That's not bad if you like games with lots of things you can do. If you want a more streamlined game, there is Federation Commander. If you go to the site front page and click the MASTER INDEX link you'll find things for both games including examples of play and game walkthroughs. You can also find for Fed Commander something called FIRST MISSIONS which will let you know if FC is too simple or just right for you.

djdood · Post by **djdood** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 7:36 pm

Also available for free download is the Cadet version of Star Fleet Battles, which has served as the training module and gateway to the game for many, many players (myself included).
http://www.starfleetgames.com/CadetTraining.shtml

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 7:47 pm

Another good resource would be local players.
I noticed you do not list your location on your profile... if you let us know where you are - we may have someone close to you that can take you under their wing and show you the ropes.

And then there is always the Starlist opponent locator:
http://www.starfleetgames.com/starlist.shtml

Ciciro · Post by **Ciciro** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 8:52 pm

Scoutdad wrote:Another good resource would be local players.
I noticed you do not list your location on your profile... if you let us know where you are - we may have someone close to you that can take you under their wing and show you the ropes.

And then there is always the Starlist opponent locator:
http://www.starfleetgames.com/starlist.shtml

Oh, I'm in Virginia. Not sure if there are any players near me. I certainly have not seen the game played at my FLGS. (At least, before it closed down.)

Asmoridin · Post by **Asmoridin** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:04 pm

Where in VA? I am in Maryland, and dont mind an occasional drive.

phdillman · Post by **phdillman** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:28 pm

Yes, try out the Cadet version first as it will help introduce the basic concepts of the game, check StarList for opponents and if you do decide to carry on, my wayward son, then here's a graphic to help you figure out your next steps.

Ciciro · Post by **Ciciro** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 11:07 pm

Asmoridin wrote:Where in VA? I am in Maryland, and dont mind an occasional drive.

I'm in Reston.

Asmoridin · Post by **Asmoridin** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 12:28 pm

I'm in Catonsville, you're only an hour away. I'll message you.

koogie · Post by **koogie** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:28 pm

I second the Cadet Manual, I taught myself the game using its predecessor.
You can download it for free and you will be able to tell after a few games if you want to move into Basic Set. Where you go from there is a matter of personal taste.

Ciciro · Post by **Ciciro** » Fri Jun 09, 2017 9:30 pm

So I just got a copy of the Basic Set off of eBay, and I noticed that it is the 1999 version, not the 2005 one. How outdated is the rule set in it?

mjwest · Post by **mjwest** » Fri Jun 09, 2017 11:11 pm

Ciciro wrote:So I just got a copy of the Basic Set off of eBay, and I noticed that it is the 1999 version, not the 2005 one. How outdated is the rule set in it?

It's close enough. The 1999 version the one with the important updates. Pretty much everything after that is just typo corrections and clarifications. If you go to the main site, click on the Master Index, then go find Errata, you can see all of the SFB errata out there.

Ciciro · Post by **Ciciro** » Sat Jun 10, 2017 5:55 am

mjwest wrote:
Ciciro wrote:So I just got a copy of the Basic Set off of eBay, and I noticed that it is the 1999 version, not the 2005 one. How outdated is the rule set in it?
It's close enough. The 1999 version the one with the important updates. Pretty much everything after that is just typo corrections and clarifications. If you go to the main site, click on the Master Index, then go find Errata, you can see all of the SFB errata out there.

Looks like I was wrong. The box said 1999, but latest date on the ruleboom is 2011.