General newbie questions

[Requete]

Howdy; I'm new to ACTA: SF but not to the Star Fleet Universe.

I just have a couple questions vis a vis getting started:

1. I picked up a Klingon Fleet Box. The minis look really good. Question: the only resin hull is the C8, which trimmed up very nicely... but does it hold up to immersion in water? I've washed some resin kits without a problem, but one sculpt I washed one time was overly porous. What's the best way to clean my C8 hull?

2. The "Pocket Rulebook" does not appear to contain rules for shuttles. Is that true or did I just miss it? I'm not putting more money into this one for a little while, and when I do I'd rather buy more sculpts than a hardcover. Or is the hardcover pretty much indispensable vis a vis having the complete rules set?

3. Speaking of the hardcover: I'd actually enjoy having the rule book in PDF. I see that there's quite a bit of errata for ships and rules. Is an updated PDF going to be available soon?

4. Does anyone have a sense of how the game is doing? I like FC but I don't really have time for it at this point, and it's fun to use the miniatures which hex games are not that good for (stacking, etc.). I also tried Starmada for the fleet games and it has some good points, but the ships just explode really fast. So for the fast playing miniatures niche, ACTA: SF seems pretty promising. But I don't see much talk of it outside the usual SFU places (unlike FedCom and SFB, of which board gamers in general seem to be somewhat aware).

5. How do the Klingons play? Pretty fierce?

Qapla'!

 

[dix]

Welcome!

1. I picked up a Klingon Fleet Box. The minis look really good. Question: the only resin hull is the C8, which trimmed up very nicely... but does it hold up to immersion in water? I've washed some resin kits without a problem, but one sculpt I washed one time was overly porous. What's the best way to clean my C8 hull?

I'm not the best modeler so I'll leave that to someone else.

2. The "Pocket Rulebook" does not appear to contain rules for shuttles. Is that true or did I just miss it? I'm not putting more money into this one for a little while, and when I do I'd rather buy more sculpts than a hardcover. Or is the hardcover pretty much indispensable vis a vis having the complete rules set?

Yep, If you want the complete rules you need the hardcover. PLUS the errata file.

3. Speaking of the hardcover: I'd actually enjoy having the rule book in PDF. I see that there's quite a bit of errata for ships and rules. Is an updated PDF going to be available soon?

We're still waiting...

4. Does anyone have a sense of how the game is doing? I like FC but I don't really have time for it at this point, and it's fun to use the miniatures which hex games are not that good for (stacking, etc.). I also tried Starmada for the fleet games and it has some good points, but the ships just explode really fast. So for the fast playing miniatures niche, ACTA: SF seems pretty promising. But I don't see much talk of it outside the usual SFU places (unlike FedCom and SFB, of which board gamers in general seem to be somewhat aware).

The game is well received by those who have played it. I agree, though, that it doesn't seem that well known outside of the ADB and Mongoose communities.

(I agree too about Starmada. I am trying to work out a revision for Starmada SFU with simpler rules and 'tougher' ships. It's going slow, though; not enough time in the day...)

5. How do the Klingons play? Pretty fierce?

Klingons are good as long as you can keep the double strength forward shield towards the enemy. Flanking attacks on the weaker sides will be what kills you.

 

[billclo]

Howdy; I'm new to ACTA: SF but not to the Star Fleet Universe.

I just have a couple questions vis a vis getting started:

1. I picked up a Klingon Fleet Box. The minis look really good. Question: the only resin hull is the C8, which trimmed up very nicely... but does it hold up to immersion in water? I've washed some resin kits without a problem, but one sculpt I washed one time was overly porous. What's the best way to clean my C8 hull?

Warm soapy water, with some grease cutting soap and a toothbrush is fine. Let dry for a while.

4. Does anyone have a sense of how the game is doing? I like FC but I don't really have time for it at this point, and it's fun to use the miniatures which hex games are not that good for (stacking, etc.). I also tried Starmada for the fleet games and it has some good points, but the ships just explode really fast. So for the fast playing miniatures niche, ACTA: SF seems pretty promising. But I don't see much talk of it outside the usual SFU places (unlike FedCom and SFB, of which board gamers in general seem to be somewhat aware).

I think the game is cruising between major releases right now. Book 1 needs a major cleanup to incorporate all the errata and add some clarifications. Steve Cole wants all the remaining miniatures from Book 1 released before any new minis come out.

On a couple forums I frequent, the game isn't spoken of much, but there are quite a few nay-sayers who felt burned by Mongoose with Babylon 5. I do post miniatures pics there and try to get the word out though.

I run the game at conventions, and it's generally well received; my games tend to be sell-outs, and I get the sense that some of the players are planning on buying it.

5. How do the Klingons play? Pretty fierce?

Qapla'!

When I started learning the game, the Klingons had a 100% win rate. They were pretty much unbeatable, until I learned different tactics. If you let them do their thing, which is keep their doubled front shield pointed at you, and ping you to death at medium range, you lose.

I learned that you have to wade right into them at range 5-8, get onto their flanks and kill them. It isn't that hard to set up some ships on the flanks and run them into the Klingons flank/rear if you plan a bit. He can't point that front shield at all of your ships if you spread them out.

Still, the Klingons can be a difficult opponent until you learn their ways. However, they no longer seem to dominate tournament play like they initially did.

Here are some discussions about Klingon tactics and how to fight them:
http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=50111
http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=50580


Federation tactics:
http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=50167
http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=51251
http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=51329

Some useful rules clarifications that were compiled for a time (a now abandoned project)
http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=50573

 

[Requete]

Thanks for the responses and the links.

Another question: how do people handle the basing for the (Starline 2500) minis? My box came with clear plastic 2 inch bases; there's a central stem with a ball adapter and a plastic housing which theoretically accepts the ball and itself glues to the casting.

My worry is that repeated dis-/assembly of the mini from the base will eventually break the housing from the bottom of the casting. Has this been a problem? Is there a consensus regarding the use of rare earth magnets?

 

[billclo]

Thanks for the responses and the links.

Another question: how do people handle the basing for the (Starline 2500) minis? My box came with clear plastic 2 inch bases; there's a central stem with a ball adapter and a plastic housing which theoretically accepts the ball and itself glues to the casting.

My worry is that repeated dis-/assembly of the mini from the base will eventually break the housing from the bottom of the casting. Has this been a problem? Is there a consensus regarding the use of rare earth magnets?

You just have to be careful with the ball and sockets. I've broken a couple, and that was my fault, as I forgot to cover them up with tape while spraypainting the minis.

I don't use the magnets, can't comment there.

 

[kyrolon]

For basing check out Corsec engineering. They are my go to option for everything with a flying base. As someone with fleet, planes, skimmers for multiple period/genres it makes thing a lot easier. I have one set of about 30 posts, base bottoms as needed (I have some square, some hex, and some round) and then just need a .39 adapter for each ship or plane (if you buy 15 at once there is a discount).

I highly recommend them. Excellent product, excellent service, and it really simplifies the storage issues. In addition, IIRC the newer bases from Mongoose (since you seem to have older ones) are not the removable ball and socket.

http://corseceng.com/