Topic: I played my first SFB game since the early 1980's today.. (Read 6711 times)

Panzergranate · « **on:** June 12, 2022, 03:08:46 pm »

Today, at the South Dorset Military Society's monthly meeting (at Entoyment, Alpha Business Centre, Fleets Bridge, Poole, Dorset, England), I played my first Star Fleet Battles game since 1982.

It was a Cadet 16 impulses per turn, basic rules, introduction with a friend who's always wanted to play SFB, but didn't know anybody who had the game or any ship models. I use Micro Machine models kit bashed into Federation DD, BC, CL & Tug & Klingon C7 kit bashed from a D7.

In the scenario he played a Fed CA versus my D7. I wasn't allowed to use drones, to make it easier as my friend is a newbie..... and he wiped the floor with me, after 6 turns.

He's now hooked on SFB and wants the next game to include the 32 impulses per game turn movement, with the full rules in play.

Nemesis · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2022, 06:33:35 am »

You need to use your maneuverability and those 60^o firing arcs. Also don't forget you don't have to arm every weapon every pass.

Starfox1701 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2022, 12:44:27 am »

Saber dance man saber dance

Nemesis · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2022, 10:28:45 am »

I just realized he said cadet rules. I never used them so it is hard to say how much of the strategy of the full rules and full ships applies to the cadet cruisers.

Panzergranate · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2022, 01:53:40 pm »

Cadet rules = 16 impulses per turn, all turn mode A, no lock-ons, no shield reinforcement, no damage control repairs, no shuttles, no ECM or ECCM, no overloads, no transporter use, no transporter bombs or mines, no shield cost, no life support cost, no mutiny, no HET, no tractor use, etc.

The energy allocation form is very simple. Just fly, manoeuvre & shoot.

What's annoying is that I had a perfect Alpha strike shot, at range 2 hexes, into his number 2 shield...... and threw 3 x 6's (Disrupters) & lots of 4's and 5's with the phaser 2's.

It went downhill rapidly from there.

The Cadet rules F-CA SSD has aft Ph-1, the SFC one doesn't. I didn't notice this until he used them after I'd manoeuvred my D7 for a shot into his aft shield with my aft facing Ph-2's..

The SFB F-CA is OP compared to the K-D7.

Nemesis · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2022, 11:15:26 am »

Did you use the Cadet Cruisers or the full ships?

Panzergranate · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2022, 04:08:45 pm »

Full ships: NCC-1017 Constellation F-CAR versus a very basic pre-General War / Four Years War era original K-D7. These are the basic SSD sheets that come on the SFC CD ROM "Introduction to SFB" manual.

I played a game, on Tuesday, against my son, who's visiting for the week. He flew the D7 & I flew an NCL+. Same beginners Cadet rules. It was touch & go, but on turn 5 I scored a crippling Photon salvo, despite 50% of my phasers being shot out, leaving him with only emergency bridge control, 17 Warp, 3 Impulse, but all but 1 Disrupter nailed of his weapons. My son opted to disengage 7 the game ended on turn 6 as my NCL+ was too battered to give chase.

Panzergranate · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2022, 03:15:52 pm »

I played a full game, on 7th July 2022, using a CX to attack a Klingon BS defended by a K-D7C. Lots of drones, a transporter bomb, boarding parties & shuttles dogfighting each other.

A very intense & enjoyable game.

I managed to wreck the BS before withdrawing with only a chewed up number 2 shield.

Starfox1701 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2022, 03:01:04 am »

Nemesis · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2022, 03:45:59 pm »

An X ship versus non X does make it easier but still fun.

Try the Planet crusher mission with 3 F-Pol or a R-WB+ as your ship. The planet crusher will get to the planet before the WB+ is in range so your victory levels are limited.

Panzergranate · « **Reply #10 on:** July 23, 2022, 06:32:25 pm »

We play SFB on a 1.25 inch hex 6 x 4 foot rubber space nebula background mat, with models, not counters.

The current 1/3300 scale models that I have available are:

2 x F-FS (scratch built small freighters).
1 x F-TUG (kit bashed from a Micro Machine USS Enterprise).
1 x F-FF (scratch built).
1 x F-FR (kit bashed from a Micro Machine USS Enterprise into a Makeshift class frigate).
2 x F-DD (kit bashed from two Micro Machines USS Enterprises).
2 x F-CL (ADB resin).
3 x F-CA (Micro Machines).
1 x F-CX (Micro Machines).
1 x F-BC / F-BCF / F-BCG (kit bashed from a Micro Machine USS Enterprise).
1 x F-BS (Micro Machines K7 space station).

1 x K-E3 (ADB 3D printed).
1 x K-E5 (Mongoose "Call to Arms" metal model).
9 x D6 / D7 (Micro Machines).

7 x R-WB / R-BH (Micro Machines).

1 x G-DD (Mongoose "CTA" in metal).

1 x Z-BC / Z-CVL (Mongoose "CTA" in metal).

Scenarios need to be based around these models.

At the moment, we're operating on a 1 player 1 ship basis, due to keeping track of the paperwork & learning the rules.

TAnimaL · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2022, 06:38:05 pm »

Great stories - it's making me want to pull out the old SFB binders. My last SFB was probably 98 or 2000...

Panzergranate · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2022, 04:48:50 pm »

Just added:

One more D6 / D7 (Micromachines).
3 x D5 War Cruisers (Starline 2400).
1 x Kzinti Medium Cruiser
2 x Federation NCL (One Starline 2400 & one Mongoose "Call To Arms").
1 x Federation CA (Starline 2500).
1 x Federation Star Base (Starline 2400).

And for planets, I'm using these:

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/rWkAAOSwa85ig2ME/s-l400.jpg

So that the Federation can defend Uranus from Klingons!!

Starfox1701 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 27, 2022, 12:53:47 pm »

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/amarillo-design-bureau-inc have yall seen this?

Panzergranate · « **Reply #14 on:** August 29, 2022, 01:12:08 pm »

Yep, I have seen the ADB website models.

Starfox1701 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 03, 2022, 11:37:55 pm »

Interesting to see how they have evolved over the years.

Panzergranate · « **Reply #16 on:** September 04, 2022, 06:11:05 pm »

I still have a few 1980's 1/4000 scale cast metal models, that I bought in 1983, at a local wargaming convention. I had the intention of playing the game, back then, but availability & cost, in the UK, was prohibitive. I was & am still very heavily into WW2 wargaming (all theatres) & I was the hub of my local wargaming club's WW2 group, where I created, play tested & developed the Panzergranate wargames rules system, released in 1996.

Starfox1701 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 05, 2022, 12:36:26 pm »

I could never afford the minis growing up and when I finally had money everyone was playing 40k so that's what I bought. I need to geet the newer books though. R7 and C4 are about where I stoped buying

Panzergranate · « **Reply #18 on:** September 07, 2022, 03:14:29 pm »

I had the opposite situation, back in the 1980's, where SFB rulebooks & boxsets were a rare wargames convention find, plus very expensive. However 1/4000 scale miniatures were cheap & available.

I have, in 1/4000 scale, the following ships:

1 x F-DD/F-DDG/F-DDL
1 x F-BC/F-BCF/F-BCG
1 x K-F5
1 x K-D6/K-D7
1 x K-T6 Tug

I've had these since 1983. I've no idea who made them, but they're UK made.

Starfox1701 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 08, 2022, 06:13:16 pm »

My understanding that tug is pretty rare these days

Panzergranate · « **Reply #20 on:** September 09, 2022, 02:59:12 pm »

Unfortunately, my K-T6 tug is in 1/4000 scale, and I now play the 1/3125 scale.

If I want to haul Klingon pods around, I have to use one of my K-D5 war cruisers as a K-D5H light tactical transport.

At least I have a F-TUG for my Feds.

Starfox1701 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 09, 2022, 03:19:43 pm »

https://www.shapeways.com/product/UA52YF462/3125-scale-klingon-t7k-refitted-fleet-tug-wem?optionId=64916927&li=marketplace Well at least you wont have to break the bank to replace your T6 with a T7K

Panzergranate · « **Reply #22 on:** September 15, 2022, 02:13:27 pm »

It is in the UK.

I've printed out the SFB Cadet counter sheet, from the SFC freebee SFB Cadet game files, and using a glue stick, stuck them onto plastic counters. These replace the cardstock ones, that I fabricated a few months ago, on shirt backing card.

Wiz Kids (Star Trek Attack Wing) 1/3250 scale NX class frigates (unpainted) are available on E-bay. I ordered one a few days ago, which arrived today.

For SFB, count phase cannons as Ph3 that cannon be charged, instead drawing power straight from impulse power. Phase cannon, powered from battery, have Ph3 hit score divided in half and with fraction rounded up.

Torpedoes count as speed 1 drones, with an explosive value of 4.

Polarised hull plating counts as 1 shield box plus any power reinforcing it.

FA Frey XC · « **Reply #23 on:** September 16, 2022, 06:29:34 am »

Panzergranate · « **Reply #24 on:** September 16, 2022, 03:33:46 pm »

Hi Frey!!

Starfox1701 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 17, 2022, 01:35:49 pm »

Panzergranate · « **Reply #26 on:** September 19, 2022, 02:52:02 pm »

I've just added a Mongoose Orion salvage cruiser O-SC & a pair of Orion light raiders O-LR to my 1/3250 scale models line up. Both are in the SSD Sheet Book #1, which I have.

Starfox1701 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 10, 2022, 02:12:54 am »

nice you got a cartel picked out or are toy going to paint them up as freebooters so you can have more varied loadouts?

Panzergranate · « **Reply #28 on:** October 16, 2022, 03:31:58 pm »

I haven't decided yet, what to paint them.

Obviously, they show up, post battle, to pick over any wrecks & crippled star ships, like Crows or Vultures. Could make for an interesting SFB or SFC scenario.

Panzergranate · « **Reply #29 on:** October 24, 2022, 03:29:04 pm »

Just acquired some more ships, via a 3D model company, that sells on Etsy:

1 x Neptune class (Warp Delta) frigate (ENT era).
1 x Daedalus class light cruiser.
1 x Romulan destroyer (as seen on ENT).

I already have 1 x NX class exploration frigate, made by Whizz Kids.

With some adjustments & additions, to the SFB rules, it should be possible to fight a Romulan War battle.

Starfox1701 · « **Reply #30 on:** October 24, 2022, 05:23:07 pm »

I'm sure some one has done the SSDs

Panzergranate · « **Reply #31 on:** October 25, 2022, 05:41:37 pm »

I've looked around, but found none suitable. I'll probably create my own, based on ENT observations.

In the show:

Disrupters are comparable to TOS versions but are weaker. A Disrupter 1 is compatible.
Plasma cannons draw directly from a ship's plasma grid.
Phase cannons are directly powered from the Impulse reactors and can be overloaded. There is no banked charge.
Missiles (Spatial & Photonic) are basically sub light drones.
Photon torpedoes are only slightly better than the missiles but can be fired at warp speeds & sustain a warp field, briefly.
Shields are obviously not brilliant, maybe 5 boxes for basic shields.
EM polarised hull plating is just SFB armour that can be reinforced with power & can be repaired by Damage Control, like shields.

Starfox1701 · « **Reply #32 on:** October 25, 2022, 08:36:17 pm »

You could look into the ships in Y1 and Y2

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Topic: I played my first SFB game since the early 1980's today.. (Read 6711 times) var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};

Topic: I played my first SFB game since the early 1980's today.. (Read 6711 times)