Module Notes

Hello, I hope you enjoy using this module.

Please please please if you buy anything from ADB's webstore let them know you learned/got into SFB through this module so they know it wasn't a waste of time to grant permission for it (it was a rare occurrence indeed that they did).

Once you go through the scenarios and graduate to the full scale SSDs you will notice that the cadet ships lack some systems. Notably tractor beams. This was done to keep the sometimes complex tractor pseudo speed calculations out of the learning process. You will also notice that in the actual written cadet rules(if you downloaded them) and on the cadet energy allocation forms, they don't have shield reinforcement, repair lines, or make use of tractor beams, suicide shuttles, wild weasels, scatter packs, HET's, erratic maneuvers or electronic warfare. You can however add these once you learn them. On some EAFs I've already added specific and general reinforcement as well as shield repair so you would have something to do with all that excess power.

Creating/modifying ssds in vassal is time consuming so you'll forgive me for the combined ssds, or when I moved some boxes around. It made things easier on me and hopefully easier on the players.

Cloaking device: For the Romulan ships you should only use the cloaking device on the Old/New series ships. Using the cloak on the klingon series will unbalance the game in favor of the Romulan.

Q: Some races have more ships than others. WHY??
A: Making SSDs in vassal is slow - - tedious - - and - - time consuming. I only made the extra ships for the most popular races. Fed, Klingon, Gorn, Kzinti, and Romulan. If you want more you will have to make them yourself and submit a module extension or request that I do them. Keep in mind ADB has only given permission for the 4 full sized SSDs. Any other full sized SSDs are a no go. If you really need the full size ssds make sure yourself and your opponent have each bought the ADB product the ship is from and then just use the paper copies and use vassal as the map and counter interface.
UPDATE: ADB gave permission to add more of the cadet ships. This has been done. The charts for full scale rules are still not included so you won't find
rules or charts for things like overloaded photon torpedoes.

Orion:
You can add a cloak to the Orion to increase the replay difficulty for the scenarios where it is used. Also note that the Orion weapon mounts for the Photon and Drones are actually option mounts in full SFB and if you look at the Orion Cartel sheet you can experiment replacing them with other weapons.

Slowness:
You will notice using the Full scale SSDs the vassal client slows down. Applying 1 damage may take 2 seconds and applying 16 may take 20. This is because of the way the SSDs are represented graphically. We are pushing the Vassal engine to it's limits. For instance a 16 point shield is actually one layer containing 17 graphics. So a D7 30 pt shield is 31 graphics just for that one shield shield! The bigger things get the more graphics are used. Things get out of hand pretty quick. 30pt #1, 22pt #2,#6, a 15 pt #3 & #5, a 13 pt #4 that's 127 graphic just for the shields. There is probably a better way to do bigger SSDs using imported javaclasses but that is beyond my ability. Since there are only 4 full size SSDs in the module the slowness using them is acceptable. Stick to the cadet ships and there should be no slowness. The new combination text graphic ssds with art has helped in this regard.

BPV:
In SFB fleets are assembled using a battlepoint value(BPV) system and S8 patrol rules. Cadet doesn't have this. Jeremy Gray has created a system to assemble fleets and you can read about it here http://jgray-sfb.com/cadet/cadet.html or you can make up your own system.

Simultaneous reveal:
There is a rudimentary way to do this using the PubPriv Notes button on the Delayed tab. Click "New" enter the sequence of play step you wish to do a simultaneous revel on as a label in the "name" field (your opponent see's this). Then fill in the text area with the specifics of what your action is (this is hidden until revealed). Then click "ok" and "save". Once saved your opponent sees the stage you wish to simul on in the chat window. He does his action/no action for that step and saves. Then you both go back to pubpriv and select the step and click "reveal". You should then copy paste this into the chat line.

Dropped connection:
SAVE YOUR GAME, reconnect rejoin the room then load the save.

STACKED counters:
Use the "Units on map" window to select a single unit of a stack to move. The ctrl+shift+number pad shortcuts will work with that window. You can otherwise double click the stack then grab the individual unit.

Setting Speed:
Use the "Change label" menu option and just type it in after the unit name. You can do this in either the counter or SSD sheet.

Chat & EAF Done:
There is no echo to chat when you close the EAF spreadsheet so you will have to type into chat that you are done EA, or if you are using a voice/ audio service tell your opponent you are ready.

8/16/32 Impulse chart:
These charts are configurable to hide steps you don't need. Only one player needs to control this as every click of the "+" is echoed to the chat area.

SSDs:
You can drag and drop an SSD onto the map for use. Just move it to another area on the map to avoid covering up counters in use. SSDs on the map can be clicked on by ANYONE. The "show data" spreadsheet is accessible by ANYONE while an SSD is on the map. To make these private use the Player SSD window.

Player SSDs window:
If you like to, you can drag the SSDs into this window and only you (as a specific player) can modify the SSD or see the "show data" spreadsheet. You need to become the player side to use that player side SSD area however.

Retire button:(Player sides)
Use this to change player "sides". That is to say if you want to be the Klingon player and use the Klingon player's SSD are you need to assume the Klingon player side. This can be done when first opening a room/screnario or via the retire button.

Feedback:
email me at starfleetbattles@outlook.com or post to one of the Facebook groups for SFB like the SFB Cadet group You can thank ADB for allowing this module at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amarillo-Design-Bureau-Inc/231728653279?fref=ts or on their BBS http://www.starfleetgames.com/discus/messages/12031/10254.html?1438962324#POST745316

Have fun playing SFB!