AAR - Federation vs. Romulans.

[Da Boss]

I still feel that having Reload a special action is incredibly devastating to empires that require it. Yes Klingons don't have any knockout punch, but 2 turns of disruptor fire is very nice and prevents you from getting caught with your pants down.

Would you prefer it to be like other ACTA games weapons with the Slow-Loading trait - ie it still takes a turn to power up the plasma but you don't need to use a special action to do so - its automatic? Would that make a difference?

I am guessing its not the reload time thats the issue as its reduced from other SFU games - three turns would I feel be to much in ACTA.

 

[Da Boss]

Warning *** brief foray into F&E rules ***
Unfortunately we are not using any rules that help shape battleforce formation. For example, in F&E, the Romulans are frequently forced to hoard and protect their marginally superior KR-series ships because they are effectively irreplaceable. The Klingons rarely have the opportunity or desire to sell them more KRs. So the Roms get stuck using their domestically produced Sparrowhawks and their inferior Skyhawks more than they might like. But they've got little choice in the matter.

Unless playing themed scenarios/campaigns/tournaments people should not really be forced to choose specific ships - this should come from the relative points cost. Whilst no game is ever going to have perfect balance - I feel ships should be either cheaper/expensive or have different strengths/weaknesess.....

 

[billclo]

Warning *** brief foray into F&E rules ***
Unfortunately we are not using any rules that help shape battleforce formation. For example, in F&E, the Romulans are frequently forced to hoard and protect their marginally superior KR-series ships because they are effectively irreplaceable. The Klingons rarely have the opportunity or desire to sell them more KRs. So the Roms get stuck using their domestically produced Sparrowhawks and their inferior Skyhawks more than they might like. But they've got little choice in the matter.

Unless playing themed scenarios/campaigns/tournaments people should not really be forced to choose specific ships - this should come from the relative points cost. Whilst no game is ever going to have perfect balance - I feel ships should be either cheaper/expensive or have different strengths/weaknesess.....

Oh I agree. It's against the spirit of what this game is about; simplicity. I'd much rather encourage people to use X ship versus Y ship by manipulating point cost or traits rather than some arbitrary rule restricting ship usage. Or some directive from Romulan High Command saying you can only have 30% of your force in KR-hulls due to limited availability, etc.

Would you prefer it to be like other ACTA games weapons with the Slow-Loading trait - ie it still takes a turn to power up the plasma but you don't need to use a special action to do so - its automatic? Would that make a difference?

This is a great idea. That way you can still use a Special Action like Cloak or All Power to Engines to get the heck out of the way while you reload (which happens frequently in SFB).

 

[logical_proof]

Da-Boss, I think that slow reload would be a great way of alleviating some of the problems for the reload races.

 

[MongooseMatt]

Having already tried the game with that rule, I can tell you it would make such empires unbeatable...

 

[archon96]

just a question here, do seeking weapons completely ignore shields and go straight to the attack table for direct damage. if so the races using seeking weapons seem to be very powerfull.

 

[billclo]

just a question here, do seeking weapons completely ignore shields and go straight to the attack table for direct damage. if so the races using seeking weapons seem to be very powerfull.

Seeking weapons's damage is applied to shields first. Then the hull when shields run out.

 

[Keeper Nilbog]

And seeking weapons don't 'leak' (no hull hits on a 6), as you don't roll to hit. Still scary when someone throws 8AD of drone/plasma at you.

 

[Nomad]

Why would I take a sparrow hawk?

To be fair, many of the strengths of the Sparrowhawk class (efficient, low-energy cloaking, easy conversion to special-purpose - scout, carrier, transport et.c - roles, and that the Romulans *can* build these ships in campaigns, unlike their Klingon-supplied hulls) don't translate from SFB/F&E/FC into ACTA:SF.

 

[Keeper Nilbog]

But Sparrowhawks just LOOK so cool ! 8) 8) 8) 8) :lol:

 

[Da Boss]

Why would I take a sparrow hawk?

To be fair, many of the strengths of the Sparrowhawk class (efficient, low-energy cloaking, easy conversion to special-purpose - scout, carrier, transport et.c - roles, and that the Romulans *can* build these ships in campaigns, unlike their Klingon-supplied hulls) don't translate from SFB/F&E/FC into ACTA:SF.

Hmm strange I always thought the Sparrow hawk was a pretty awesome ship.
Compared to the D7 or the Roumlan version

Better damage, better shields, better phasers, better defenses (has phaser IIIs) - slightly weaker torpedoes at range but- but otherwise just better?

 

[Finlos]

I quite agree with you, Da Boss. For reasons you mentioned I think the Sparrowhawk is on par with the KR and that the KR / SPA gap isn't as wide as has been mentioned earlier.

When you pick ship 'in a vacuum', so to speak, you're always able to pick the 'best' ships without any real restrictions. The main rulebook provides explanation enough as to why the Romulans have the ships they have and there's more background out there for those of you who might be interested. It's just one of the things that make Romulans different, fleet-wise, from other empires.

It is important to note that spare parts for the Kestrel ships became increasingly difficult to obtain as the general war progressed however.

 

[Nomad]

L-P was criticizing the Sparrowhawk, not me.

If I was playing Roms, I'd certainly use them. Agile with a FH Pl-S? You'd have to work hard to *not* have a target.

 

[shiba-tenchi]

Actually, one thing I notice in the reports so far is a relative lack of players fielding Hawk-series forces. I guess it is down in no small part to mini availability, but the Kestrels and Eagles seem to be enjoying the lion's share of on-table play at this point - and thus, having the biggest impact on how new players are judging the Romulan fleet as a whole.

Are people just not interested in the Hawks, or are they simply working with what they can get to hand?

I dont really like the look of them. I have had essentially no exposure to SFB so they just aren't "Romulan". I'll try and play Roms with the classic ships and the odd Klingon hull. Might end up a slightly sub-optimal build but it will appeal to my aesthetic.

I did wonder if you turned one of the Hawks upside down and leave off the extra engines if it would look like a Romulan ship.......