From: Steven Guffey <magetower@r...>
Date: Sun, 30 Jun 1996 22:45:09 -0400
Subject: RE: New FT Gamer (long)
Sorry for the delay in answering this one...but I couldn't let you all be
misled.
There are a number of pretty good sized battles in the Battlestar Galactica
series. (it has been awhile since I've seen them but the memory is still
there)
The one that was mentioned in reply to the original post was about the
Galactica/Pegasus vs. Base ships episodes (which was a 2 parter BTW).
As memory recalls the last battle fought in that episode was the two
Battlestars and their compliment of fighters vs. 3 Base ships and fighters.
The Pegasus ended up taking on the base ships at close range destroying two of
them with a volley of missiles.
Here is my guess on the forces: Battlestars (superships of 150 mass)
Pegasus: Thrust factor 2 and FTL capable
Level-3 shields
4 dual-arc A beams (2 pf, 2 sf)
4 tri-arc B beams
6 PDAF (due to reliance on fighter based combat) 2 missiles 6 fighter groups
(all have ace)
Reasoning for ace fighters: The Pegasus has successfully survived hit and run
skirmishes unsupported for a number of years. The commander is a very
militaristic perfectionist who insists on the best from his crew. This
combination would have produced aces to lead each of the squadrons.
Galactica: Same as Pegasus with two exceptions; 1) only two or three of the
ftr groups would have an ace. 2) there is some modification to the ship to
accommodate an additional 2 ftr groups [this could be done by eliminating some
of the systems to allow for the groups or allowing the available hull space to
be increased ie. To 62 instead of 50{I would opt
for the latter}] This would represent the Galactica picking up the
remnants of the fighter forces left over from the initial fiasco and being
forced to convert as much internal structure as possible to accommodate
storage of the fighters.
Base Ships: (superships of mass 160) Thrust factor of 2 and FTL capable
2 tri-arc A beams
4 tri-arc B beams
4 tri-arc C beams
4 PDAF 8 fighter groups (4 regular, 4 attack)
Level-3 shields
The fighter groups would not contain any aces (Cylons are a dime a dozen) and
to more closely reflect the overall combat capability some of them could be
considered turkey. Some of you may argue that since they are machines they
should be able to maintain an overall average fighting force (but they are
definitely NOT terminators). The base ships are larger and contain more
fighters than the battlestars but their firepower at range is less. This could
be justified by the fact that a base ship never directly engaged a battlestar
if they could avoid it. Cylons believed in quantity over quality (thus the
additional groups).
As for the fiasco battle at the beginning of the series (or movie if any of
you remember [it did show in theaters]) the forces consist of 12 battlestars
(of the Pegasus configuration without aces) in which all but
the Galactica would be considered in a stand-down status (ie all systems
at standby, no active shields, no ready fighters). The opposing forces would
consist of 4 Base ships with all fighters launched plus two
freighter/tenders with an additional 20 deployed fighter groups (half
would be attack fighters). The Galactica would begin with all systems ready
and all fighters launched but within 6 in of the Galactica. The remaining
battlestars will not begin activation of systems until the first volley of
fire from the Cylons (hey! They are attacking!). On the initiative of the
battlestars after the Cylons open fire they can attempt to activate systems
with a roll of 6 (this can either be done
for individual systems or ship-wide) and for each turn thereafter the
chance increases (ie 5,6 then 4-6 then 3-6) until automatic full
activation on the 6th turn (any that take this long are surely space dust).
Once activated a battlestar will only be able to launch one group at a time
(to simulate the unpreparedness of the pilots and crews; we're supposed to be
at peace, let's party). On turn 2 Commander Adama will realize that the core
worlds are in danger of attack and will beat feet with the Galactica
(simulated by the Galactica making for the closest map edge accelerating the
entire way). Beginning thrust for the battlestars should be no greater than 6
and the fleet should be arranged close to center of map. The Cylons begin
within 24 inches of the farthest map edge from the battlestar fleet (adjust
according to the size of playing field). Any Colonial fighter group depleted
to half
strength or less have a 50/50 chance of breaking off (will make for the
same map edge as the Galactica at full speed [we're not suicidal after all])
Cylons will attack with everything until all battlestars are destroyed (we
must annihilate the Colonials). There is a one turn turnaround for recovered
fighters (ie they can launch after one full turn has elapsed after recovery);
this goes for both Cylons and Colonials.
This scenario has just been made up as I sit here and thus has not been
play-tested. Please feel free to try it out and let me know how it
goes.
S Guffey