CheesyRobMan
Mongoose
5 point Raid.
Centauri carrier group (me):
1 Balvarin (+8 Sentri flights) - Andromeda
1 Darkner - Hydra
2 Maximus - Vela, Musca
4 Vorchan - Cetus, Crux, Auriga, Lacerta
4 flights of Rutarian
Earth Alliance task force (Narchy):
1 Omega
1 Hyperion
3 Artemis
8 flights of Thunderbolts
Initial deployment for the Centauri saw the Balvarin and Darkner flanked by a Maximus on each side, and the four Vorchans in a diamond attack formation to their starboard side. The Rutarians were positioned behind the Balvarin. The Earthers' Omega destroyer and Hyperion cruiser were on either side of the 3 Artemis frigates, with the Thunderbolt flights spread in a loose line-abreast to their port side.
Turn One - Centauri initiative
On sighting the Earth ships, alarms sound in the Andromeda's fighter bays and the pilots scramble to their ships - all goes to plan and four Sentri flights will be launching at the end of the turn to join the 2 already on escort duty. The Omega's Lumbering trait means the Centauri ships know where it will be next turn, and all converge on that point, looking to put the destroyer out of action as soon as possible. The Hyperion takes the right flank, with the Artemis frigates racing in to get in among the Centauri ships. The Omega turns slightly to boresight the Crux.
The Vela and the Musca shoot down a Thunderbolt flight each, knowing that they can do serious damage to the Vorchans if left alone. The Omega's forward heavy laser damages the Crux, but it remains fully functional. In return, the Hydra's battle laser opens up on the Omega, scoring a 2-3 critical, and its other guns target Artemis 1, with no significant effect. Nothing else is in range, and the Sentri flights come pouring out of the Andromeda's hangar bays, ready to enter the fray next turn.
Turn Two - EA initiative
As the Thunderbolt squadron reaches the Vorchans, 6 flights of Sentri fall upon them from the Balvarin - the numbers are even, but the Centauri fighters have the advantage in manoeuvrability and shoot down 4 T'bolt flights for the loss of 2 Sentri flights. The Rutarians move to within range of the Hyperion, staying outside its anti-fighter screen, but their ion bolts are either intercepted or bounce off the hull. The Hydra calls All Stop, hoping to stay out of range of the Omega's forward weaponry, whereas the Vorchan formation swoops right down the Earth destroyer's throat, closing to attack range. The Omega boresights the Vela and targets the Crux with its other weapons. The Artemis frigates close range and come sailing into the midst of the Centauri ships, guns blazing on all sides. Meanwhile both Maximus frigates and the Balvarin trundle forwards, converging on the Omega.
The Omega's heavy laser opens up on the Vela, damaging it heavily and destroying its Escort trait, and cripples the Crux with its other forward weapons. In return, the Auriga takes the destroyer's starboard pulse cannon out of commission, the Crux and Lacerta pile shots in too, and the Cetus destroys the forward heavy laser. Meanwhile the Artemis frigates fire in multiple arcs, scoring critical hits on the Hydra and Andromeda - -2 speed to both and -1AD to all weapons on the carrier. The Hyperion on the Centauri's left flank joins in the carnage, slicing across the battle with its heavy laser and pulse cannons, leaving the Vela adrift and destroying the Hydra. The Musca and Andromeda pour their fire into the Omega, hoping to destroy it, but it is left with 2 points of damage for next turn.
Turn Three - Centauri initiative
The Andromeda calls All Stop. Artemis 3 swings around the back of the Centauri carrier where it is defenceless, and the other two converge on the three Vorchans. The fighter furball continues behind the Vorchans which have swung left towards the Hyperion, with the Sentri ganging up on the remaining Thunderbolts, and the Rutarians continue to harass the Hyperion. The Omega struggles forwards, facing almost certain death, and the Hyperion edges to port to boresight the damaged Crux.
The Sentri flights destroy another Thunderbolt flight, but one remains in the fray. Although the Crux is crippled, its guns finish off the Omega, leaving it burnt out and drifting. The Hyperion is quick to take revenge, and opens up with all forward firepower on the Vorchan. There is a spectacular explosion as the lasers sweep through the Centauri ship's fuel and ammunition stores, and the blast not only takes out 3 Sentri flights and the remaining Thunderbolt, and damages the Cetus, but destroys the Auriga too! Everything within 4 inches of the Crux suffered 15AD, and the Auriga took 12 hits, among which were 4 criticals (5-4, 6-5, 5-6 and 1-2)... One of the Sentri flights is recovered by the Balvarin, but in one shot the Hyperion has done more damage than the rest of the Earth fleet combined! It's not finished either, as its rear guns shoot down a Rutarian flight and its starboard weapons cause another -2 speed critical hit on the Andromeda. Vengeance is swift for the Centauri too, however, as the Cetus and Lacerta score hits on the Hyperion, leaving it both crippled and with a skeleton crew. Artemis 2 scores criticals on both Vorchans, killing the Cetus. Crews on both sides are too stunned by the mayhem and destruction to repair any damage!
Turn Four - Centauri initiative
The Musca, still undamaged, boosts power to its thrusters and comes about, hoping for an angle on the Hyperion. The Andromeda creeps forwards, its engines still struggling, and the Lacerta swings around parallel to the Musca. The Hyperion can do little except crawl forwards, but the Artemis frigates begin to swing around, encircling the remaining Centauri ships. Seeing that the Earth cruiser is nearly finished, the Rutarian strike squadron directs its attention to Artemis 2, which is already damaged a bit. Meanwhile the Sentri flights envelop the Hyperion and engage its escorting flight of Starfuries.
The Rutarians' ion bolts cannot get much past the little Artemis' interceptors, and only one shot gets through. The Andromeda's forward guns put the final nail in the Hyperion's coffin, and Artemis 3 scores two more criticals on the Lacerta, leaving it dead in space. The Musca and Artemis 2 exchange a few shots, and the Earth ship uses one of its other fire arcs to damage the Andromeda again.
Turn Five - EA initiative
The Artemis frigates encircle the Andromeda and Musca, the latter moving to cover the carrier's vulnerable rear arc. The remaining Sentri flights, including the one that was recovered from the giant explosion two turns ago, engage the Starfuries left over by the dead Hyperion, and the Rutarians continue to engage the Earth frigates.
The Sentris finish off the human fighters, and the Andromeda's port and starboard guns tickle the two frigates on either side of it, but nobody's fire seems to be causing much damage this turn, just a few points here and there.
At that point we ran out of time, and had to call the game.
Centauri losses: Four Vorchans, one Maximus, one Darkner, one Rutarian flight, six Sentri flights
Earth Alliance losses: One Omega, one Hyperion, eight Thunderbolt flights, two Starfury flights
The Centauri had one and three-quarters Raid points left, and the EA had one and a half, so a victory for the Centauri, but only by the narrowest and most pyrrhic of margins!
In my last game I paid too little attention to the large enemy ships, and I think I might have overcompensated this time around. The Artemis is a punchy little ship, and between its interceptors, multiple fire arcs and hull 5 they caused me more trouble than I expected. However, the real star of this battle was Narchy's Hyperion cruiser. Obliterating two Centauri warships, not to mention three flights of fighters (and one of his own...) with a single shot deserves to be recorded for posterity, even though it will be a posthumous honour for the Hyperion's crew! If I'd been able to kill the Omega in turn 2, I'd have been able to concentrate more on the Hyperion from then on, but the blasted thing just wouldn't die...
Anyway, another enjoyable game, and I maintain that the cardboard counters are thinner and therefore more difficult for my ships to hit!
Centauri carrier group (me):
1 Balvarin (+8 Sentri flights) - Andromeda
1 Darkner - Hydra
2 Maximus - Vela, Musca
4 Vorchan - Cetus, Crux, Auriga, Lacerta
4 flights of Rutarian
Earth Alliance task force (Narchy):
1 Omega
1 Hyperion
3 Artemis
8 flights of Thunderbolts
Initial deployment for the Centauri saw the Balvarin and Darkner flanked by a Maximus on each side, and the four Vorchans in a diamond attack formation to their starboard side. The Rutarians were positioned behind the Balvarin. The Earthers' Omega destroyer and Hyperion cruiser were on either side of the 3 Artemis frigates, with the Thunderbolt flights spread in a loose line-abreast to their port side.
Turn One - Centauri initiative
On sighting the Earth ships, alarms sound in the Andromeda's fighter bays and the pilots scramble to their ships - all goes to plan and four Sentri flights will be launching at the end of the turn to join the 2 already on escort duty. The Omega's Lumbering trait means the Centauri ships know where it will be next turn, and all converge on that point, looking to put the destroyer out of action as soon as possible. The Hyperion takes the right flank, with the Artemis frigates racing in to get in among the Centauri ships. The Omega turns slightly to boresight the Crux.
The Vela and the Musca shoot down a Thunderbolt flight each, knowing that they can do serious damage to the Vorchans if left alone. The Omega's forward heavy laser damages the Crux, but it remains fully functional. In return, the Hydra's battle laser opens up on the Omega, scoring a 2-3 critical, and its other guns target Artemis 1, with no significant effect. Nothing else is in range, and the Sentri flights come pouring out of the Andromeda's hangar bays, ready to enter the fray next turn.
Turn Two - EA initiative
As the Thunderbolt squadron reaches the Vorchans, 6 flights of Sentri fall upon them from the Balvarin - the numbers are even, but the Centauri fighters have the advantage in manoeuvrability and shoot down 4 T'bolt flights for the loss of 2 Sentri flights. The Rutarians move to within range of the Hyperion, staying outside its anti-fighter screen, but their ion bolts are either intercepted or bounce off the hull. The Hydra calls All Stop, hoping to stay out of range of the Omega's forward weaponry, whereas the Vorchan formation swoops right down the Earth destroyer's throat, closing to attack range. The Omega boresights the Vela and targets the Crux with its other weapons. The Artemis frigates close range and come sailing into the midst of the Centauri ships, guns blazing on all sides. Meanwhile both Maximus frigates and the Balvarin trundle forwards, converging on the Omega.
The Omega's heavy laser opens up on the Vela, damaging it heavily and destroying its Escort trait, and cripples the Crux with its other forward weapons. In return, the Auriga takes the destroyer's starboard pulse cannon out of commission, the Crux and Lacerta pile shots in too, and the Cetus destroys the forward heavy laser. Meanwhile the Artemis frigates fire in multiple arcs, scoring critical hits on the Hydra and Andromeda - -2 speed to both and -1AD to all weapons on the carrier. The Hyperion on the Centauri's left flank joins in the carnage, slicing across the battle with its heavy laser and pulse cannons, leaving the Vela adrift and destroying the Hydra. The Musca and Andromeda pour their fire into the Omega, hoping to destroy it, but it is left with 2 points of damage for next turn.
Turn Three - Centauri initiative
The Andromeda calls All Stop. Artemis 3 swings around the back of the Centauri carrier where it is defenceless, and the other two converge on the three Vorchans. The fighter furball continues behind the Vorchans which have swung left towards the Hyperion, with the Sentri ganging up on the remaining Thunderbolts, and the Rutarians continue to harass the Hyperion. The Omega struggles forwards, facing almost certain death, and the Hyperion edges to port to boresight the damaged Crux.
The Sentri flights destroy another Thunderbolt flight, but one remains in the fray. Although the Crux is crippled, its guns finish off the Omega, leaving it burnt out and drifting. The Hyperion is quick to take revenge, and opens up with all forward firepower on the Vorchan. There is a spectacular explosion as the lasers sweep through the Centauri ship's fuel and ammunition stores, and the blast not only takes out 3 Sentri flights and the remaining Thunderbolt, and damages the Cetus, but destroys the Auriga too! Everything within 4 inches of the Crux suffered 15AD, and the Auriga took 12 hits, among which were 4 criticals (5-4, 6-5, 5-6 and 1-2)... One of the Sentri flights is recovered by the Balvarin, but in one shot the Hyperion has done more damage than the rest of the Earth fleet combined! It's not finished either, as its rear guns shoot down a Rutarian flight and its starboard weapons cause another -2 speed critical hit on the Andromeda. Vengeance is swift for the Centauri too, however, as the Cetus and Lacerta score hits on the Hyperion, leaving it both crippled and with a skeleton crew. Artemis 2 scores criticals on both Vorchans, killing the Cetus. Crews on both sides are too stunned by the mayhem and destruction to repair any damage!
Turn Four - Centauri initiative
The Musca, still undamaged, boosts power to its thrusters and comes about, hoping for an angle on the Hyperion. The Andromeda creeps forwards, its engines still struggling, and the Lacerta swings around parallel to the Musca. The Hyperion can do little except crawl forwards, but the Artemis frigates begin to swing around, encircling the remaining Centauri ships. Seeing that the Earth cruiser is nearly finished, the Rutarian strike squadron directs its attention to Artemis 2, which is already damaged a bit. Meanwhile the Sentri flights envelop the Hyperion and engage its escorting flight of Starfuries.
The Rutarians' ion bolts cannot get much past the little Artemis' interceptors, and only one shot gets through. The Andromeda's forward guns put the final nail in the Hyperion's coffin, and Artemis 3 scores two more criticals on the Lacerta, leaving it dead in space. The Musca and Artemis 2 exchange a few shots, and the Earth ship uses one of its other fire arcs to damage the Andromeda again.
Turn Five - EA initiative
The Artemis frigates encircle the Andromeda and Musca, the latter moving to cover the carrier's vulnerable rear arc. The remaining Sentri flights, including the one that was recovered from the giant explosion two turns ago, engage the Starfuries left over by the dead Hyperion, and the Rutarians continue to engage the Earth frigates.
The Sentris finish off the human fighters, and the Andromeda's port and starboard guns tickle the two frigates on either side of it, but nobody's fire seems to be causing much damage this turn, just a few points here and there.
At that point we ran out of time, and had to call the game.
Centauri losses: Four Vorchans, one Maximus, one Darkner, one Rutarian flight, six Sentri flights
Earth Alliance losses: One Omega, one Hyperion, eight Thunderbolt flights, two Starfury flights
The Centauri had one and three-quarters Raid points left, and the EA had one and a half, so a victory for the Centauri, but only by the narrowest and most pyrrhic of margins!
In my last game I paid too little attention to the large enemy ships, and I think I might have overcompensated this time around. The Artemis is a punchy little ship, and between its interceptors, multiple fire arcs and hull 5 they caused me more trouble than I expected. However, the real star of this battle was Narchy's Hyperion cruiser. Obliterating two Centauri warships, not to mention three flights of fighters (and one of his own...) with a single shot deserves to be recorded for posterity, even though it will be a posthumous honour for the Hyperion's crew! If I'd been able to kill the Omega in turn 2, I'd have been able to concentrate more on the Hyperion from then on, but the blasted thing just wouldn't die...
Anyway, another enjoyable game, and I maintain that the cardboard counters are thinner and therefore more difficult for my ships to hit!
