New player seeking advice

[Tankdriver]

Let me start by saying tabletops are not new to me. I have played Battletech, the Warhammer family and spinoffs, even Star Fleet Battles for quite some time.
It was while visiting a local hobby shop here in Heidelberg, Germany, that I discovered B5: ACTA and I have been hooked ever since, even though I never played the previous B5 games. I learned to play the game before I even bought the box set and in five games I am undefeated, not an impressive record, but not bad.
Which is why I come for help. I have played the ISA, Earth Alliance, and Narn. I have won with all three, but I found each one lacking a bit. I have considered the Cantauri and even the League, I toyed with the idea of playing a campaign as the Vorlon, and I am intrigued by the Raiders.
The only fleet I seem to shy away from is the Minbari, as they seem to be a bit over gunned. My only one-on-one battle against the Minbari I won only on points, by scanning all the Minbari ships and getting right oút of Dodge.
Which fleet, is the best "balanced?" Which is good through the Priority Levels for campaign play? I know all the fleets are balanced, but some seem very lacking. The ISA for instance.
Any help for a newbie?

 

[Davesaint]

Let me start by saying tabletops are not new to me. I have played Battletech, the Warhammer family and spinoffs, even Star Fleet Battles for quite some time.
It was while visiting a local hobby shop here in Heidelberg, Germany, that I discovered B5: ACTA and I have been hooked ever since, even though I never played the previous B5 games. I learned to play the game before I even bought the box set and in five games I am undefeated, not an impressive record, but not bad.
Which is why I come for help. I have played the ISA, Earth Alliance, and Narn. I have won with all three, but I found each one lacking a bit. I have considered the Cantauri and even the League, I toyed with the idea of playing a campaign as the Vorlon, and I am intrigued by the Raiders.
The only fleet I seem to shy away from is the Minbari, as they seem to be a bit over gunned. My only one-on-one battle against the Minbari I won only on points, by scanning all the Minbari ships and getting right oút of Dodge.
Which fleet, is the best "balanced?" Which is good through the Priority Levels for campaign play? I know all the fleets are balanced, but some seem very lacking. The ISA for instance.
Any help for a newbie?

Hmmm.....Not all the fleets are balanced. The theory when ACTA was designed was to make fleets strong at some priority levels and weak at others. The ISA is strong at raid and battle, but weak at patrol and skirmish. The Narn have very good Skirmish level hulls, but their raid level hulls are a little bit lacking. The Narn have some decent hulls at battle level,and the Bintak is good.

The Minbari are good at Raid and up, but do suffer at skirmish and patrol levels.

The league are for the most part strong in patrol through raid, but have deficiencys as the PL and FAPS get higher.

As for the most balanced fleet, I would suggest 3rd Age EA. They have quality at all PLs if used correctly.


Dave

 

[Tankdriver]

Thanks.
I have found my success has come in undershooting the priority level and going with numbers. Fits with my old Star Fleet Battles Strategy and earned me the nickname Captain CF.
So, if I plan to hit the Skirmish and raid lists heavy, would the Narn or the League be better? And what about the Centauri? They seem pretty well stocked for lower priority ships.

 

[Davesaint]

Thanks.
I have found my success has come in undershooting the priority level and going with numbers. Fits with my old Star Fleet Battles Strategy and earned me the nickname Captain CF.
So, if I plan to hit the Skirmish and raid lists heavy, would the Narn or the League be better? And what about the Centauri? They seem pretty well stocked for lower priority ships.

Well, it depends on your play style.

The Centauri are prob. the toughest at raid level. Their stars are the Prefect, Sullust, Altarian, and the Dargan

The best ship in the Narn fleet IMHO is the Ka'tan, although the Ka'toc is preferred by some. That's a skirmish level hull. Also at Skirmish for the Narn is the Thentus which is a pretty darn good ship in it's own right.

As far as the lower priority hulls, you really cant go wrong with the League. Here's a list of the best of the Lot IMHO

Patrol:
Vaarl(Vree)
Tiraca(abbai)
Sunhawk(Pak'ma'Ra)

Skirmish:
Brikorta(Brakiri)
Vaarka(Vree)
Warbird(Pak'ma'Ra) - Not completely sold on this yet
Milani(Abbai)

Raid:

Supermerchant (Pak'ma'Ra)
Xill(Vree)
Battlewagon(Raiders)
Halik(Pak'ma'Ra)

Battle:
Zaak(Vree)
Kaliva(Brakiri)

War:
Z'tak(Vree)
Pshul'shi(Pak'ma'Ra)


Dave

 

[MustEatBrains]

Hello to the game!

Thought you might be interested in the link to the official german forum for B5 ACTA:

http://www.forum.ulisses-spiele.de/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=2930b6f3b8c03c2df19c17aa3060711d

 

[Tankdriver]

Hello to the game!

Thought you might be interested in the link to the official german forum for B5 ACTA:

http://www.forum.ulisses-spiele.de/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=2930b6f3b8c03c2df19c17aa3060711d

Thank you, or rather, vielen Dank. I will pass that on to my brothers-in-law. My German may not be good enough to take advantage of that, but it could very well help them out. I taught them how to play almost as soon as I got the hang of it myself. Which is why I do not feel SO great about being 5 and 0. All of my wins have come against fellow beginners.

 

[MustEatBrains]

That´s the best way to built a reputation for being unbeatable... :twisted:

 

[Tankdriver]

Granted. But I have not tested myself. Though I have to say, I tought the other games to people and lost the game I taught them with!!!

I have won two, TWO, battletech games since 1990!

 

[lastbesthope]

Ahh but how many games have you played?

:lol:

LBH

 

[Tankdriver]

Ahh but how many games have you played?

:lol:

LBH

Far to many to count. With just my borthers in law and their friends we have played more than a dozen games. And it was only against these newbies, with rules in English and their mother tounge being German that I managed wins one and two!