Boldy Going Forward ‘Cos We Can’t Find Reverse - A Birth of the Federation Mini-AAR

[Captain2]

Excellent, The USS Enterprise stands ready to take on all Dominion ships that attempt to stop us.

 

[Antilogic]

The mod allows it. Hell, they even get newer, more powerful versions as technology advances, going by the fact we're building Andorian Mark II Warships.

I have just realized we have different versions of the mod--I think I have an earlier one that doesn't have this feature.

If the outposts are of similar strength relative to warships (side question: did you see if it was a type I, II, or III by armament?) as they are in my version, four ships is too high a price for Starfleet to pay.

Regarding the Home Fleet: Rub'Rum has a decent plan short-term. Generally, those alien ships are pretty tough and the Home Fleet is nowhere near strong enough to deal with one on its own. Therefore, we would have to withdraw some of the active task forces along the Dominion border to deal with it. I think I usually take at least 20 warships, preferably top-rate cruisers, "explorers", or heavy destroyers, to fight the Husnock or the Crystal, a few less for the plague ship. Borg cubes are by far the most dangerous, where I recommend fleets of around 50 ships or greater (and expect heavy casualties). Of course, the more the better.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

I have just realized we have different versions of the mod--I think I have an earlier one that doesn't have this feature.

Yeah, it came as a surprise to me as well. It's a feature that should have been in for vanilla, so I love it.

If the outposts are of similar strength relative to warships (side question: did you see if it was a type I, II, or III by armament?) as they are in my version, four ships is too high a price for Starfleet to pay.

Type 2. A comparison with a Constitution class vessel. I chose the light cruiser as it's fairly average, as far as our fleets go (the destroyers/Andorian ships are weaker, the T'Lani ships stronger) so you can get a rough idea of 9 vessels vs an outpost.

The ships we lost were all of the older Andorian/T'Lani vessels, so we have an opportunity to replace them with the far more powerful Mark 2 Andorian ships. And to remove the Dominion's fleet range is a pretty good win for us, given that armada they have.

Regarding the Home Fleet...

I am inclined to agree - most of my reasoning for holding him there is simple story purposes. If we got a random alien event I would have to pull back half of Starfleet anyway.

I suppose it is tradition in Star Trek to have absolutely no ships in range of Earth except the Enterprise. Maybe I'll just send Captain2 up on his own and bring Rub'Rum to merge with his fleet.

 

[Synobun]

Ah, upgrades to the fleet, I like to hear that!

Updated tactical view? Also, if I may, is it possible to perhaps send one or two computer-manned science vessels to take a peak at their innards? I doubt we could take on the Dominion fleet yet, so it may be wise to take out more outposts and maybe some raiding runs on secluded planets to get a cheap buck (or even do a hit and run to take a few thousand people out and maybe destroy a few buildings).

 

[The Magic Hobo]

"Sir four ships lost with all hands, but we... w-won."
"You expected less? My grandmother could have won that fight with only one bottle of stale whiskey and using only her bad eye to fight with."
"Uh yes, sir. Also Starfleet Command has been calling asking why we didn't notice one of our ships was missing."
"One of our ships was missing?"
"Yes, sir Constitution class."
"Well how the Hell am I suppose to know I only give orders to shoot things."
"I accept full responsibility sir. I should know better than to trust you with anything other than our inevitable demise."
"Now you're learning. Anyway start scanning for escape pods, I want some entertainment tonight. Mhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah-laugh with me crew-hahahahaha"
"Uh I guess sir, Mhahahahahah-*cough*myasthma*wheeze*"
"Dammit Lieutenant now you've gone and ruined it."
"Sorry sir.*cough, hack, wheeze*
"*mumble* So what if Starfleet 'frowns upon throwing fleet personnel out the airlocks for target practice' I'm tired of this guy.*mumble off*


Side note: When will we have enough transports for a planetary invasion? Also regarding the Husnock, Crystal, Plague, and Borg ships how do they come to be in our space? Are they random, and what are the Husnock and Crystal ships?

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

Updated tactical view?

Pretty much exactly the same, except we have a rogue Federation fleet in Dominion space /glares at Magic Hobo.

Side note: When will we have enough transports for a planetary invasion?

We're building transports at T'Lani. As the Federation though, planetary invasion is something you want to do quickly and cleanly, so all research is going towards getting the mark 2 transports. It'll be a wee while yet before we start planetary invasions.

 

[The Magic Hobo]

Pretty much exactly the same, except we have a rogue Federation fleet in Dominion space /glares at Magic Hobo.

"I just felt a disturbance in the force as if something is threatening me."
"Sir wrong universe."
"Silence! I feel it it's, it's, IT'S KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!"
"Sir that is a blatant rip off the One."
"Quit speaking about William Shatner in that ominous tone."
"You have named him! WE ARE DOOMED!!"
"Quiet you ignorant fool or I'll throw you out the airlock just like that guy who eyed my assorted collection of alcohol the wrong way."

 

[cardgame]

Not enough transports? Sigh...

Well, at least we're researching better ones. Soon, my pretty Dominions, you will be beneath my boots liberated from your tyrannical rule!

 

[Antilogic]

Yeah, it came as a surprise to me as well. It's a feature that should have been in for vanilla, so I love it.



Type 2. A comparison with a Constitution class vessel. I chose the light cruiser as it's fairly average, as far as our fleets go (the destroyers/Andorian ships are weaker, the T'Lani ships stronger) so you can get a rough idea of 9 vessels vs an outpost.

...

The ships we lost were all of the older Andorian/T'Lani vessels, so we have an opportunity to replace them with the far more powerful Mark 2 Andorian ships. And to remove the Dominion's fleet range is a pretty good win for us, given that armada they have.



I am inclined to agree - most of my reasoning for holding him there is simple story purposes. If we got a random alien event I would have to pull back half of Starfleet anyway.

I suppose it is tradition in Star Trek to have absolutely no ships in range of Earth except the Enterprise. Maybe I'll just send Captain2 up on his own and bring Rub'Rum to merge with his fleet.

I was hoping they still had type I outposts. Guess we are going to have to pay for space with blood until we can get heavier ships. How's the research front looking? Are we getting Excelsior-class mid-cruisers soon? Maybe some Constellation-class heavy destroyers on the front?

 

[The Magic Hobo]

"Sir when's the last time you heard from command?"
"Oh I don't know. Four days *hic* four months *hic* all I know is *hic* blowing up the Dominion is *hic* fun!"
"Sir what have you been doing in your quarters all this time?"
"Certainly not planning a revolu*hic*tion."
"I'm sure sir. Oh and here's that Romulan ale you ordered."
"Ah *hic* the gooooooooooo*hic*ooooood stuff."

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

It's coming - it's all pretty much written, but BotF goes crazy enough during wartime without having to write about it in a linear and sensible manner.

Also, the bulk of the update is "when are we getting those fancy new troop ships and Excelsior vessels?" so I'm having to boost it a little.

 

[Antilogic]

"I'm sure sir. Oh and here's that Romulan ale you ordered."
"Ah *hic* the gooooooooooo*hic*ooooood stuff."

Ah, the benefits of a good alliance.

It's coming - it's all pretty much written, but BotF goes crazy enough during wartime without having to write about it in a linear and sensible manner.

Also, the bulk of the update is "when are we getting those fancy new troop ships and Excelsior vessels?" so I'm having to boost it a little.

That and you have to save every turn due to the crash-tastic nature of the game. Glad you didn't forget about this--I want to see the Dominion humbled!

 

[cardgame]

Have we captured any planets yet? No? Bugger.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

Boldly Going Forward ‘Cos We Can’t Find Reverse

The first months of the war, besides the Battle of Inferna, were quiet. The Dominion fleet, removed of its ability to push into Federation space, could do little but patrol its border territories. A Federation counter-fleet, led by the starship Enterprise, followed its movement carefully without engaging - the Dominion fleet, even by the most optimistic reports, had the stronger ships.

For now the war was being fought ‘behind the scenes.’ Federation engineers and scientists worked around the clock to develop new shielding and armour for a new class of starship. Hardier transport ships, capable of transporting thousands of Starfleet marines and establishing beach-heads on enemy worlds, were being constructed to support Chief of Staff Cardgame’s desire for a more active role in the war - he had the troops, why was Starfleet not providing the ships?

Meanwhile, engineers at the Utopia Planetia shipyards were developing a new starship to replace the Constitution class. The Excelsior cruiser provided better armament and shielding, and was specifically designed to match Dominion vessels. A variant class - the Excelsior Strike class, provided better long-range weaponry for orbital bombardment of enemy installations. Both would be necessary in taking Dominion worlds.

For the Dominion, robbed of the ability of direct military action, only sabotage through their changeling infiltrators provided any victories in the war. Industries, economic and research facilities all came under attack by unknown saboteurs, though at best such actions caused only minor setbacks. At any rate, Federation Counter-Intelligence would require a complete overhaul.

The Romulan-Dominion Expanse

The Romulans proved exceptionally disappointing as allies. Maniacal’s Onizuka B, patrolling the expanse between the Romulan and Dominion territories, reported no activity. Federation ambassadors resorted to accusing the Romulans that the Federation was carrying the brunt of the war. The Romulans sternly retorted that the destruction of a single outpost was hardly ’carrying the war effort.’

They were right, but it would hardly do to inform them that in the next few days a massive Federation taskforce would cross the Dominion border. It’s mission was to liberate Inferna, and provide the first land victory of the war…

 

[The Magic Hobo]

Will I by any chance be "supporting" the invasion?
If you think I might "accidentally" destroy half the fleet, I could always provide a distraction.
You know, anything to help the spread of freedom and all that nonsense...

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

That and you have to save every turn due to the crash-tastic nature of the game.

The game's been pretty stable so far. Probably a combination of the mod and the fact I don't play many turns between updates.

Question for you though: is it better to deny offers of peace or simply ignore, when playing as the Federation? The former gives a morale hit, from what I've seen*

*The rest of you: the AI is rubbish, they'll declare war one turn then demand peace the next. I will not agree to peace with the Dominion until we've had a decent war.

Have we captured any planets yet? No? Bugger.

Your moment is about to come.

Will I by any chance be "supporting" the invasion?
If you think I might "accidentally" destroy half the fleet, I could always provide a distraction.
You know, anything to help the spread of freedom and all that nonsense...

No. Consider it your punishment for attacking without orders.

 

[Antilogic]

The game's been pretty stable so far. Probably a combination of the mod and the fact I don't play many turns between updates.

Question for you though: is it better to deny offers of peace or simply ignore, when playing as the Federation? The former gives a morale hit, from what I've seen*

*The rest of you: the AI is rubbish, they'll declare war one turn then demand peace the next. I will not agree to peace with the Dominion until we've had a decent war.

Ignore them. If you don't specifically refuse the treaty, it doesn't give you a morale hit. It was important to make this exception for multiplayer because otherwise you could spam someone with offers that would reduce their morale each turn due to automatic refusals (and predictably you don't want the deal; alternately, it can boost an ally's morale). Or, if you send an identical deal on subsequent turns, it cannot be signed twice so it is automatically ignored (which would cause a morale hit).

So they got rid of the diplomatic penalties for ignoring proposals. Now, you can exploit diplomacy the other way around as the Federation! I always figured the press was a little bit censored in the Federation, which is how I tell the story to sweep these offers under the rug. You wouldn't do this as the Klingons, of course--they are quite happy when peace is averted.

I've never had the AI ask me for peace, though, despite taking worlds and obliterating fleets. Must be the final mod's improvement.

 

[The Magic Hobo]

*cough*
"Number One shut up."
"Huh, what?*yawn*
"I said be quiet I'm trying to decide were we should raid first."
"What?"
"What SIR? Is the correct term you insignificant low-life fauna."
"Sorry sir. What are we raiding?"
"I don't know yet, but we're getting short on rubbing alcohol, and I sure as hell won't be drinking alcohol 50-50."
"Why don't you just order some more from command sir?"
"We can't you idiot the Federation has been destroyed."
"WHAT?"
"Well we haven't heard anything from ANYONE in, what, ten days?"
"Oh yeah that. I'm sure there fine."
"Well screw "them" I'm going to take care of myself and maybe you fools too."
"Right, sir, right..."
"Shut up Number One, and fetch me some of that whiskey/rubbing alcohol the cooks whipped up."
*crickets*
"And kill those damn crickets while you're at it."

 

[Vylinius]

Reporting for duty! I'd like to be magic hobo's number one. I have a feeling I can do some good there.

 

[The Magic Hobo]

Reporting for duty! I'd like to be magic hobo's number one. I have a feeling I can do some good there.

Well you better get to it. I need the paper work filed for 3,000 tons of Whiskey and BBQ flavored pretzels. Oh and something about patrolling some thingamarang or something and how the fate of the Federation and democracy hangs in the balance or some BS like that.