> a) IS there a new version, as such? Several versions in the running?
Vague directions (this would shock me as I've seen tantalizing clues in leaks
from the playtest group)?
As you might expect, there are "Proposed solutions to known problems" and "New
things". Some of the "solutions" are still subject to argument, some are
generally agreed to. Some of the New Stuff is pretty straightforward (eg Long
Range
PTorps--I
don't recall if that's actually on the list but it's easy to calculate what
the cost should be). Some still needs experimenting. Some of it (the weapons
and SSDs for the Islamic Fed, UN, ORC, New Israeli) is already out there.
> c) Will there be an expanded playtest 'beta' group?
It would really help if y'all can try out the new UN/IF/OU/NI ships
and weapons, and give your feedback for at least two or three battles.
Read the notes first--we already know that grasers and EMP beams
*feel* overpowered (if you're the target) AND underpowered (if you're the one
shooting them).
Detailed feedback--not just "Carol and I had a ESU vs ORC battle and
the ORCs totally rock". I say "two or three battles" because you're likely not
to have a good grasp of how to use (or counter) the new stuff on the first go
round. When FB2 came out, people played their first game and screamed about
the "unbeatable KraVak". Then they played the second or third game and
muttered "aha, I see how to cope."
Then take the weapons and try them on home-grown ships, and see if
they break things.
> bonus question) May we take your releasing of the PDF's as an
Given that he said "we're almost out, if you want hard copy you should get
them now"....yeah, I'd say that's an indication. :-)
Huge damn paragraph, and I missed it. *blush*
> >bonus question) May we take your releasing of the PDF's
The_Beast
While we're bugging folks, here's my bug:
I bought a mega fleet of the Japanese ships. I've heard the playtests for
those will be available soon, and would like to see them. Of course, I
promised my wife that I wouldn't paint my spaceships until I finished her
Valentine's Day present (fixing up the fireplace in the living room)...
If someone in the know thinks these are more like some existing fleet than
others, I'd like to know about that. I don't mind using proxy stats.
thanks,
> On Tue, May 24, 2005 at 01:11:52PM -0400, Andy Skinner wrote:
> I bought a mega fleet of the Japanese ships. I've heard the
OK. I'm one of the test list people who's been fairly active in pushing
Japanese designs. I suspect your best bet for getting close to my vision would
be to take FSE ships and replace many of the SMLs with
SMRs; then field a more carrier-heavy force than you consider
reasonable. (Note that _my_ vision is not necessarily going to be the
_official_ vision!)
This is a very blunt instrument but it'll give an approximate feel for what
I've done. One of the reasons the stats haven't been released to
beta-test is that, under the standard fighter rules, they're pretty
cheesy...
> From: Roger Burton West <roger@firedrake.org>
<snip>
> This is a very blunt instrument but it'll give an approximate
OK, thanks. Guess I'll have to wait for the fighter rules to settle down? I'm
still hoping for simple fighter rules. (My impression on the document that was
going around here a little while ago was that there was more to remember or
mark than I usually like.)
> I think we've pretty much accepted that BDS will not happen until
But see http://www.hyperbear.com/sg2/sg2-bds.html for a start
> Laserlight wrote:
I'll second that. I would personally, for obvious reasons, love to see
playtests of New Israel. I've even updated the page to correct a couple
errors, and added a simple conversion to change the test ships into a Stealth
fleet. I would indeed like to see playtests of the stealth versions of these
ships. I've long been convinced the mechanic is workable and interesting, but
I am only one man.
The New Israel test fleet is located here:
http://nift.firedrake.org/Alpha/NIAlpha.html
and includes links to the UNSC, IF, and ORC test fleet pages.
G'day,
> OK, thanks. Guess I'll have to wait for the fighter rules to
You've probably heard this a bunch of times before, but despite impressions
give them an actual run on the table they turn out to require little if any
extra recording overhead and play a lot more naturally and easily than the
existing rules. He definitely play a lot easier than they read;)
Have fun
> You've probably heard this a bunch of times before, but despite
Maybe, but I've avoided getting into the existing fighters, too. I want
something that works just plain and simple, and looks like it is going to be
simple before I get into it, too. Otherwise, I never quite get into it.:)
But you're right, we should give it a try.
The GZG Digest wrote on 5/25/2005 1:00 AM:
> Date: Tue, 24 May 2005 16:10:52 -0400
> I think we've pretty much accepted that BDS will not happen until
Yes, I found Jon's statement on the state of BDS to be quite strange,
too. :-)
I know there are some Kra'vak SG2 rules floating about. It wouldn't take
_that_ much to whip them into shape, really.
The Sa'Vasku would be the real bear, but I know the playtest list has some
ideas on how to handle them.
> Allan Goodall wrote:
> I think we've pretty much accepted that BDS will not happen until
There are at least three different such sets, probably more.
> It wouldn't take _that_ much to whip them into shape, really.
Er... no comment :-/
> The Sa'Vasku would be the real bear, but I know the playtest list has
Some very vague ideas, but nothing even remotely similar to a consensus
:-/
However, IMO the main problem is this: DS3 will happen. SG3 will probably
happen too, eventually. Should Jon write BDS for DS2 and SG2, or should he
wait for DS3 or SG3?
Later,
> The GZG Digest wrote on 5/25/2005 1:00 AM:
Yes, I know there is a fair bit of BDS-style draft stuff out there
(including your excellent work, Allan), but I was meaning an actual,
printed, official book - THAT will almost certainly not happen till
after SG3 is done.