Mini Fed & Empire

[Reynard]

Would anyone mind if I posted my draft idea for a strategic level game for use with ACTA:SF?

As my friend and I contemplated our first 2000 point battle and looking over the rules in the book for campaigns I thought what it would be like if there was a higher level to determine why Battlefleets fight. Fed & Empire came to mind. I wanted something fairly simple so you can get into the battles rather bogging down in the micromanagement of 4X (Explore, Exploit, Expand, Exterminate).

What I have takes portions and inspiration from F&E and SFB Campaign Designer's Handbook. It's three pages long including one for the map terrain generator. I know the Designer's Handbook encourages its use for such projects but would there be an issue showing it on the F&E side?

I was hoping to test it with my friend but, as much as we'll still be playing ACTA, he now wants to play Federation & Empire too. Can't blame him. Just want comments to polish it.

Shall I put it up here?

 

[billclo]

I would like to see it.

 

[logical_proof]

I would also like to see it.

 

[Nerroth]

Might be worth running the idea past ADB and/or Mongoose first. They may not be in a position to review it any time soon, but they may at least be ableto say whether or not they are open to the idea of it being discussed here (or on the ADB BBS).

 

[Reynard]

Good idea. I'll email ADB first since much is their baby then contact Mongoose (Pssst, Matt, what do you think?) for their opinion.

It's not meant to be some OFFICIAL game product, just a personal alternative for playing ACTA. I do understand protocols though so we shall see.

 

[djdood]

Running it past ADB first is a good idea.

If you have some new or interesting concepts that could be fleshed into a new game system, ADB would credit and compensate you. If you post it first, then it's out there for free and they wouldn't use it.

 

[gunner41c]

oh oh, i posted a game of F&E Finlos and I were playing to generate ACTA battles. Was that a mistake? It discussed after action reports and our ideas on how to integrate it into SFB.

 

[Jean]

Posting the results from your F&E game is just fine.

 

[Reynard]

*** This post is removed until I receive full permission. Sorry.

 

[Jean]

Posting the results of an F&E game is different than posting a new game system.

 

[Reynard]

I am so sorry! I misunderstood what you meant! It may be a bit late but I shall delete the post.

 

[Reynard]

Hey everyone. Just received word from ADB that neither they nor Mongoose has any need for the Strategic rules I made so it's a no go here. I swear everyone thinks I was trying to create some sort of commercial grade product. It may be their way to say not approved in general.

Anyhow, sorry no I can't put it here. Close of thread...

 

[Reynard]

A few people have asked for a copy of my Strat rules which I gave. If anyone else would like the same I can email. Three pages in rtf format and not very complex at all. Super casual but maybe fun. I assume (?) there's no problem distributing between players outside this board.

The question is can we discuss that rule set here?

 

[Reynard]

Has anyone else thought about some sort of Grand Campaign for CTA:SF?

The game is great but fleets of (fill in the blank) points can get a bit stale. Even the campaign offered in the rulebook is more like Arena than Star Fleet Universe. To me, your fleets have purpose and goals as to Why We Are Here so knowing what you have accomplished and what you need to do next seems to make each round of play an interesting continuing story.

Like to hear other concepts. Some What If details as to why the Kzintis are fighting their neighbor the Romulans (alternate universe) or Gorns finally getting tired of the Tholian obstacle for new survey territory. And everyone hates the Feds so double or triple race fleets. Anyone have stories?

 

[billclo]

I have had not had the time to sit down and think about a campaign system. I am busy painting minis and occasionally running demo games to try and build up the player base first.

I think your attempt at a campaign system is a good start. I would use Federation and Empire as a rough basis for a campaign system, but simplify it. Economic system, you did okay there. Using the production system and order of battle fleshes things out.

You can use the existing F&E map, with existing planets/bases, but make it a free-for-all, with each empire being it's own separate entity, make alliances, and so forth. One does not have to recreate the General War, though you certainly can if you wish.

Some things still need to be fleshed out, like Star Bases, planetary defenses, and so forth.

Having to use freighters to haul resources around gives plenty of opportunity to have battles over logistics/resources, which is just as important as big battles between fleets. Attacking an enemy's infrastructure is just as important as attacking his fleet, and can be decisive as well. The old adage "amateurs discuss tactics, professionals discuss logistics" applies here.

 

[scotty3p]

Oddly enough my group just started playing ACTA:SF since we missed star trek minis(played the old fasa ones back in the day) and I have been working on a simple campaign open style system with very basic economy(risk like). Just starting to play test to see how it works using Fed and Empire map at least as the back drop for things. Working through all the holes just in week one of testing many more weeks to go as I have no idea how balanced things may or may not be at the moment. Great minds must think a like lol. Did first engagement last night and with allowing reinforcements from up to 2 hexes away the Feds came in hot and heavy to support their frigates and base station. Still in its infancy.

 

[Reynard]

Sounds good. Let's hear your progress and details of your game mechanics. A variety of campaign systems can only keep the game interesting.

 

[scotty3p]

Will do, should be interesting since to start I just pulled numbers out of the air so far in the midst of the 1st turn of movements and potential engagements. Started with taking one of my fleets at at Fed outpost and how I structured things every nation had 15k points but had to deduct 300 points for every small station on the F and E map as "stationed unit" and 100 per small planet. This gave us starting point with which to create our "mobile" fleets so initially Klingons have bigger mobile fleet than feds. That's my beginning point and made a very small amount of points per turn based on owning outposts, base stations, major and minor planets. 10,20,30,50 again pulled out of air had to start somewhere and didn't want to get nation fleets out of hand tracking to many ships. So that is a taste of how I started things out.