FT tryout

Hi Vac-heads

This Sunday I'm going to tryout FT at my club. We'll be using the vector
movement from FB as that is what attracts me to the system. I want to pit two
small groups of ships out of the Fleet Book. Can anyone suggest what ships
what be suitable. They should have a wide range of tactical options and the
fight should be short but not too quick.

> Anthony Leibrick wrote:

> Hi Vac-heads

Hello, gropo

> This Sunday I'm going to tryout FT at my club. We'll be using the

NAC vs ESU, 1500 points. Eg:

NAC, 1495 pts:
Inflexible-class CVL + 4 standard fighter squadrons
Victoria-class BB
2 Huron-class CL
2 Ticonderoga-class DD

ESU, 1500 pts:
Petrograd-class BB
Voroshilev-class CH
Beijing/BE-class CE (Note: this is the ADFC-equipped "defensive
close-support variant" described in the Beijing notes, *not* the ship
shown on the Beijing data panel!)
Tibet-class CL
Volga-class DH
4 Warsaw-class DD

I've deliberately avoided things like Salvo Missiles and fighter variants
(extra complexity can be fun, but not if it is your first game
IMO), as well as thrust-2 ships (virtually unmaneuverable in Vector)
and Vandenburg-class Heavy Cruisers (which always die horribly whenever
anyone around here tries to use them :-/ ).

Regards,

I'd look at the NAC and use the Vandenburg, Furious, and Huron classes against
their ESU counterparts. Straightforward, but a few limited arcs and a thrust
differential...

> On Mon, 28 Feb 2000, Oerjan Ohlson wrote:

> Anthony Leibrick wrote:

now, i'm no expert on FT (unlike Oerjan), but i have two criticisms of this
setup. firstly, it may be too big. six ships a side, of which about two are
capitals, is really too much for a first game. secondly, fighters are
unnecessary complexity at this point.

> I've deliberately avoided things like Salvo Missiles and fighter

are thought vectors have the same direction, but different magnitude:).
complexity is bad here, and even standard fighters are too complex for a first
game. now, fighters may be a vital part of FT, but i think it's worth bringing
them in later. i'd bring in SMs about the same time, too
-
they seem popular with some people.

> as well as thrust-2 ships (virtually unmaneuverable in

a very good point.

> and Vandenburg-class Heavy Cruisers (which always die horribly

it's a shame about the Vandenburg - i can't verify this trend, but it
looks like the NAC lack a working CA.

anyway, i would say that NAC vs ESU is probably good (you could even use NAC
vs NAC to keep it really simple, and say one side is FCT rebels!). i'd
suggest using the classic FT starter scenario of 2 CL + 3 DD (or is it 3

FF?):

NAC: 2 Huron CL, 3 Ticonderoga DD; 634 NPV ESU: 2 Tibet CL, 3 Warsaw DD; 603
NPV

the difference is 31 NPV (5%), enough to buy a scout for the ESU; you might
want to give them an edge somehow, eg giving them to the best player and the
NAC to the worst. alternatively, give the ESU the initiative on the first turn
(say it's an ESU ambush).

you can use these fleets in your first game to get the hang of the rules; you
should be able to fit in one battle with these ships and still have time for
something more filling. you could run the battle again with the benefit of new
experience, or keep the jam going by adding in more ships
to each side - maybe some FFs, or swap a CL for a CA. a good idea would
be
to use unequal forces - on top of the 2 CL + 3 DD core, the NAC could
have 4 FFs or 3 FFAs and the ESU could have a CA.

the main point i would stress is that you should start with small, simple
fleets, fighting the classic ships-beams-shields battle. once you've
grasped the rules, play with the fleets, sticking to beam weapons as far as
possible, and once you've got a feel for fleets, throw in the other
weapon systems: p-torps, fighters, SMs and PDSs are probably the most
important.

tom

> Tom Anderson wrote:

> > >This Sunday I'm going to tryout FT at my club. Can anyone suggest

Depends entirely on how many people are involved. If it is a club game
(4-6 people or so), having a single DD or CL per person is too little -
a DD goes pop *fast*. A single capital, two cruisers or 2-3 DDs works
OK IME - much less chance of one player losing all his ships at once.

If there's only one player per side I agree with your OOBs below, except maybe
that they don't have that wide a range of tactics
available which Tony specifically asked for :-/

> secondly, fighters are unnecessary complexity at this point.

True. Replace the Beijing/BE with the standard variant and the
Inflexible with two Vandenburgs (sigh) :-/

> I've deliberately avoided things like Salvo Missiles and fighter

I'd wait with SMs until you've had a few fighter battle - fighters get
a second chance if you guessed wrong, SMs don't :-/

> and Vandenburg-class Heavy Cruisers (which always die horribly

For a CL, the Vandenburg is pretty OK :-/ A bit expensive, though...

> anyway, i would say that NAC vs ESU is probably good (you could even

Since this is Vector (with new players, too), I don't think the the higher
maneuverability of the NAC ships will have a very big effect. The ESU ships
are as well armed (except against fighters, which is irrelevant in this
matchup), and better protected, than their NAC
equivalents - they already have the advantage IMO. It's the NAC who are
in trouble :-/

If you're worried about the ESU being outmatched, upgrading one of the Warsaws
to a Volga is a better option.

Regards,

Earlier I asked

> This Sunday I'm going to tryout FT at my club. We'll be using the

After a lot of advice I've decided to go with: NAC 2 Furious CE and a Majestic
BC versus ESU 2 Gorshkov CG(?) and a Manchuria BC There is only 4 points
difference between each squadron and the squadron tonnage is exactly equal.
Now this may not mean anything in reality, but it will satisfy those players
who want a balance.
Aside from the standard beam weaponry there is also p-torps and SM to
introduce a tactical variation. SM may be considered only for the adept but
with a thrust factor of 4 it should be possible to place a salvo marker in the
optimum location. Can anyone suggest a possible best tactic for each side. To
me it looks like long range sniping for the ESU versus the NAC getting close
and vicious.

> After a lot of advice I've decided to go with:

These sound like an interesting battle. At my game club, I give each person
about 750 points. (4 to 6 ships). It allows everyone to get a feel for

fleet combat. We however use cinematic rules so a fleet would take a lot
longer to move.

> Can anyone suggest a possible best tactic for each side. To me it looks

> like long range sniping for the ESU versus the NAC getting close and

Last time, the ESU and NAC fleets went toe to toe with each other in the

front arc and the ESU tore the NAC fleet to shreds. Most of the NAC have
better drives ton for ton for the ESu fleet and need to use them to get into
the rear arcs for the ESU ships have more weapon systems than the NAC.

Just my thought. I'm not sure though!

If there are SM's involved and playing vector movement then advise the player
placing them to place the salvo's at the point where his enemies ships will
end up after doing his velocity movement for the turn, and with only a thrust
of 4 it is impossible to miss your enemy the only problem is what will you end
up hitting.

Hi I played FT for the first time on Sunday. Using vector and the FB
amendments.
Very bloody and it showed the importance of co-ordination. It probably
didn't help that there was almost a player per ship and although I suggested a
possible tactic for each side i.e the NAC having weapons that would be
devastating at close range (P torps) should close and as the Furious are
escorts they should keep near the Majestic. While the ESU should maintain the
distance and perhaps swamp the NAC with an initial missile barrage from the
Gorshkovs. The two sides (minus 1 Gorshkov) raced towards each other, going at
one point from just inside range 2 to very close range. The Majestic player
not realising that if you keep thrusting your speed will increase, raced ahead
of his escorts. The initial fusillade from the Manchuria and one Gorshkov
ripped away the Majestic's armour and caused some hull damage. The reply from
the NAC badly damaged (2 threshholds passed) the Gorshkov. As the two groups
passed each other all except the Majestic reversed heading to decelerate. The
Gorshkov launched it's 2 SMs and neatly bracketed the Majestic. It's PDS was
only able to shoot down 2 missile resulting in 9 missiles slamming into the BC
causing 38 DP and ripping it apart. A
P-torp
from one of the CE Furious and additional Beam hits revenged the Majestic. The
Manchuria's fire then badly damaged the Furious resulting in massive damage to
ship systems including all the core systems. The surviving Gorshkov (mine) had
looped round the flank and launched it's SM's in an attempt to damage the
relatively unscathed Furious unfortunately I missed it with both volley's but
not the broken hulk as all 6 missiles of one volley ripped it apart. With 2
NAC ships gone I declared the ESU the winner. The fight had lasted 5 moves. I
would have liked to try another with sides reversed but they wanted to try a
different game (Crimson Skies)