RULES FOR SCENARIO #1
The objective of this scenario is to learn how to maneuver (turn) your ship, the mechanics of firing its weapons, and the tactics of knowing where to move and when to shoot. Note that this text is modified to insert notes regarding this vassal module and delete text not needed referring to moving a physical step counter used in the paper and pen version as this is done electronically in the module.
(B2.0) SEQUENCE OF PLAY
The game is played in a succession of turns. As noted, each turn consists
of a number of impulses, which are repeated for each turn. Each impulse
consists of a number of steps, which are repeated for each impulse.
The steps are: Move ships, move seeking weapons, resolve damage from seeking weapons hitting target, launch weapons, fire weapons, resolve weapons damage, end impulse.
These steps must be performed in their exact order. You cannot go back to a previous step, although that step will happen again in the next impulse.
To play a turn of the first scenario find the 8-Impulse Movement Chart (in Info Tables under movement). This is a physical chart where a physical counter is moved to track progress, however in the vassal module there is an electronic tracker. Find 8/16/32 Impulse chart button and select 8 Impulse game. This opens a window with a negative and positive button on the left and right. clicking the + button will move you forward in the sequence of play and echo the stage to the chat window. You can right click on the text area between the -/+ and configure this. This window will open already on the move step of impulse 1, click the - and then + to see the previous step and call the current step over again so you can see the move step called. Click + again and it will go to launch step. In the first scenario you don't need launch step or the shuttles step so either ignore them or go into configure and remove the check mark for it and from shuttles land launch mines. These will be used in other scenarios. (mines is not used in the cadet game but is used in the full game.
The steps "move ships", "move weapons", "resolve damage from seeking weapons" is combined as one step. Move ships first then move seeking weapons and then resolve any resulting damage(in scenario 1 there won't be any).
Note particularly that all players will do each step at the same time.
During the MOVE SHIPS Step, all players will move their ships (as called
for in the rules). During the FIRE WEAPONS Step, all players who wish to
do so (and are allowed to by the rules) may fire some or all of their
weapons.
After moving all ships (there is only one "ship" in scenario #1), continue
to "Move Seeking Weapons" step, and perform that function. (That is, move
each of the drone counters forward one hex.)
In the first scenario, the next two steps are skipped, so continue to the Fire Direct-Fire Weapons Step, and (if any player wishes to fire weapons and is allowed to do so by the rules) make a note of which weapons are being fired at which targets.
Continue to the next step (Resolve Direct-Fire Weapons), and resolve the
effects of that weapons fire by the rules in section E below.
Finally, the end of the impulse. It's a good time to look at the situation and decide what you will do next.
Start the next impulse.
Click the button "pieces" and this reveals a window with three tabs
"Generic Pieces", "Terrain", and Starships". Click starships and there is
a drop down selector listing the SFB races. Select Federation. There is
another drop down that will allow you to select Federation Ships,
FedTurnMarker etc.. Click and drag Federation ship counter onto the
map and let go. This is how you add pieces to the board.
(C1.0)
GENERAL MOVEMENT RULES
Starships move across the map by impulse power and warp engine power. The speed of most ships in the game varies from turn to turn, depending on the amount of power which is allocated on any given turn for movement. (During the first few scenarios, your efficient Chief Engineer will keep the ship moving at a constant speed so that you can concentrate on other things.[No need to fill out an EA form("show data")].)
(C1.1) PROCEDURE
Ships move from hex to adjacent hex on the map. Every time that a ship
moves, it will enter an adjacent hex. A moving ship (or other unit) cannot
skip hexes. A ship moves no more than one hex per impulse and (after the
first couple of scenarios) will probably not move during every impulse of
the turn.
Each ship must always be within a single hex and must always be "faced" directly toward one of the six adjacent hexes.
(C1.2) FACING
A ship may be faced in any one of six different directions. These
directions are designated by the letters "A" through "F." Note hex 2603 in
the top right corner of the sector B map. Arranged around this hex are
these six letters. Ships moving in direction A" move in the direction they
would move in IF they were in hex 2603 and were facing toward hex 2602
(the hex with the "A" written in it.) Thus a ship in hex 1702 facing in
direction A faces hex 1701, while a ship in hex 2201 facing in direction C
faces hex 2302.
Note the six numbers around hex 0316. These are used in some advanced rules to provide for random movement (where a die roll determines direction). If your ship were in 0316 facing A your #1 shield wold face A, your #2 would B, 3C, 4D, 5E, 6F.
(C1.3) ORDER OF MOVEMENT
Whenever the Impulse Movement Chart calls for a given ship to move, the
owning player may move it forward in any direction he wishes, within the
limits of the ship's turn mode (which tells you how often the ship can
turn) and other rules.
If two or more units are to move in the same impulse, they are moved in this order: Monsters (Scenario #11), ships, shuttles, seeking weapons, tactical maneuvers (Scenario #10). In each category, slower units move before faster ones. If two units are to move at the same time, the owning players write down the intended movement (secretly), then reveal these written orders and move the units as stated. In the Vassal module this is done via the SOP Orders button, on the "Delayed" tab. You would click "New" and give it a label in the name field like "move decision" and then in the text area write in your move decision. and click ok then save. This shows the name "move decision" in the chat window. When your opponent has done the same then you would click the line in the "visible once revealed" area and then click "reveal" and that information is now visible to your opponent.
(C1.4) PERFORMING MOVEMENT
Each ship will move one hex, and only one hex, during each impulse in
which movement is called for by the Impulse Movement Chart. (In
the first scenarios, the ship will move in every impulse.) The
specific impulses are determined by the IMPULSE CHART. The actual movement
and firing of weapons is done during the Impulse Procedure. During our
first few scenarios, each turn is divided into 8 impulses. Later, we will
use turns divided into 16 and (eventually) 32 impulses.
(C3.0) TURNING AND TURN MODES
Each ship in the game must maneuver within the limits of its turn mode. A
ship's turn mode is the number of hexes it must move straight ahead before
it is allowed to turn. There is a box on the SSD labelled "Turn Mode".
(C3.1) TURNING
A ship's turn mode regulates how often a 60 degree turn can be made (that
is, how far it must move in a straight line before it can turn 60 degree
to one side). The actual act of turning the unit by 60 degree is done when
the IMPULSE CHART calls for that unit to move (immediately before moving
into the next hex) and NOT at the end of the impulse (after entering a
given hex). Ships only turn on impulses when they are scheduled to move
and turn before conducting the movement. So rotate then move forward, not
move forward then rotate. To reverse direction, the ship would make three
consecutive right (or left) turns. If the ship's turn mode was "2," this
would involve a half-circle some five hexes across.; In the Vassal module
you would click on the game piece counter. i.e. the blue Federation ship
outline "Federation CA" and then use ctrl + shift and the number pad keys
to move the ship. The number pad not the numbers across the top of the
keyboard. You could also right click and use the movement menu for forward
or rotate.
HET's and Side slips will be explained later
POINT OF TURN MARKERS: There are "POINT OF TURN" markers for each race. These can be used as a play-aid to keep track of turn modes. Whenever a ship turns and enters a new hex, move its POINT OF TURN marker into the hex it just left (that is, the hex it turned in). This will make it obvious when the ship has fulfilled its turn mode and can turn again. The vassal Module also has movement trails Ctrl+Shift+M but these are cleared if "mark moved" Ctrl+M is used. The turn and slip markers will remain unless deliberately removed.
STACKING: Unlike some games, there are no "stacking limits" in Star Fleet Battles. Any number of units can be in the same hex. Weapons fired into a hex will damage only the unit they are fired at, not every unit in that hex. Weapons fired through a hex at a target in a more distant hex will not damage units in the intervening hex. This represents the enormous expanse of space which each hex represents. In vassal double click a stack and this will allow you to select the specific unit you wish to move. If you only single click you will be moving the entire stack.
(C3.2) DEFINITION OF TURN MODE
A turn mode is the number of hexes which the ship must move in a straight
line (straight ahead) before it can turn 60 degree (to face an adjacent
hex side) right or left. After each 60 degree turn, the ship must again
move the stated number of hexes straight ahead before it can turn again. A
ship is never required to turn and can continue moving straight ahead if
the owner wishes. Remember, however, that every time the ship turns the
count must be started over. Moving straight ahead for several hexes will
not allow a ship to make several turns in rapid succession later. Turn
modes increase with speed; also, less-maneuverable ships have higher turn
modes and cannot turn as rapidly.
(C3.3) ASSIGNMENT OF TURN MODES
Each ship is assigned a turn mode depending on the details of its
construction. This is shown as a Turn Mode Chart on the SSD of each ship.
determine the turn mode of each ship at its current speed, look under the
column for that ship's turn mode rating for the speed bracket that
includes the current speed. Then, look across on that line to find the
turn mode (the number of hexes the ship must move in a straight line
between each turn). For example, if the Federation Cadet cruiser is moving
at a speed of 8, it has a turn mode of 2 because the second line of the
turn mode chart says 7-16 = 2.
(C3.4) RESTRICTIONS OF TURN MODES
The hex entered on the impulse the turn was made counts as the first hex
of straight line movement for turn mode purposes.
(C3.41) The turn mode count carries over from turn to turn. For example, a ship with a turn mode of 4 that moves (on the first turn) seven hexes in direction A and then one hex in direction B has already fulfilled one hex of its four-hex turn mode requirement. It must move three hexes in direction B (not four) on the second turn before making a turn to C or A (assuming it did not slow down and change to a lower turn mode).
(C3.42) Hexes moved in a straight line at the end of a previous turn may
be counted toward fulfillment of a ship's turn mode on the current turn.
(C3.43) Unless otherwise specified, all ships have fulfilled their turn modes before the start of each scenario and can turn immediately when called on to move at their current speed.
(D1.0)
GENERAL COMBAT RULES
Combat takes place during the various impulses of each turn. Combat
consists of firing weapons at the units (ships, shuttlecraft, seeking
weapons) of the opposing player(s) with the intention of damaging or
destroying those units. A philosophical note: All military leaders are
taught that combat is the last alternative (because it is expensive and
dangerous). Star Fleet Battles, in general, depicts those cases in
which there is no viable alternative to combat.
(D1.1) PURPOSE OF COMBAT
The actions of combat are a means to an end, not an end in themselves.
Combat is used to gain or maintain control of territory, or to destroy or
reduce enemy forces as a means to that end. Combat involves causing damage
to enemy units to such an extent as to destroy them or force them to go
elsewhere.
(D1.2) OPERATION OF COMBAT
Within the game, players will use weapons to cause damage to enemy ships.
The impact of each weapon results in a number of "damage points" as
determined by the rules on that weapon. These damage points are then
allocated to cause damage to specific equipment on board the ship, thereby
reducing its capabilities, and ultimately destroying or capturing it, or
forcing it to disengage (i.e., flee the area).
(D1.3) WEAPONS TYPES
Weapons are divided into two types: "seeking" and "direct fire."
Direct-fire weapons include, for example, phasers, disruptor bolts, and
photon torpedoes. Seeking weapons include drones, plasma torpedoes, and,
in some cases, shuttlecraft(suicide shuttle). Direct-fire weapons are
those which are aimed and fired at targets; their effects are resolved
immediately. A seeking weapon is "launched" during a specific part of the
turn and is represented by a counter that moves on the map and follows its
target.
(D1.4) RANGE
To determine the range to the target, count the number of hexes from the
hex occupied by the firing unit to the hex occupied by the target unit
along the shortest possible route without skipping hexes. Count the hex
occupied by the target, but not the hex occupied by the firing unit. If
both are in the same hex, the range is zero. This is the "true range." The
"effective range" (which may be different from the true range due to
sensors, scanners, cloaking devices, and other effects that you will find
in later scenarios) is the range used on the weapons tables. For the first
few scenarios, true range is effective range. In the Vassal Module there
is a Range/LOS button. Click the button then click on the map hold and
drag the mouse to see the range. Click anywhere else and the range goes
away.
(D2.0)
FIRING ARCS
All ships with weapons have these designated as to which direction they
can fire. This is done in terms of "firing arcs." The area around the ship
is divided into six equal areas, each representing 60 degree or 1/6 of a
circle. Each weapon is designated as to which of these arcs it can fire
into. For example, a weapon on the left side of the ship could fire into
some (not necessarily all) of the arcs to the left of the ship.
(D2.1) FIRING ARC DESIGNATIONS
Note the diagram with six arrows on the SSDs(starship data sheets). See
also Info tables, Weapons, Firing Arc sheet - bottom left. This diagram is
used to designate firing arcs for all ships in the game. It is repeated on
each SSD. The area around each ship is divided into six "firing arcs,"
each of which is designated by code letters:
LF - left forward, RF - right forward, R - right, L - left, RR - right
rear, LR - left rear.
Note particularly that all firing arcs are relative to the ship, not to the map. (For example, some weapons might fire on the left side of the ship, but this is not related to the left side of the map unless, by coincidence, the ship faces in direction A.)
Each weapon on the SSD (except for drones, which can be fired in any direction) is marked with one or more of these designations. For example, the left rear phasers on the Klingon Cadet battlecruiser are marked: LR-L. This indicates that they can fire in the left and left rear firing arcs. Note that when several weapons are shown as a group of adjoining boxes (such as the two forward phasers on the Klingon ship), all of them can fire in the arcs shown.
Each firing arc is a 60 degree section of the map bounded by two straight rows of hexes. For example, a ship in hex 0915 which is facing hex 1015 (direction C) would have a left forward (LF) firing arc bounded by the row of hexes from 0915 to 1417 and beyond (directly forward) and the row from 0915 to 1910 (and beyond). All hexes on these rows (which extend to infinity) are within the LF firing arc and can be fired at by any weapon capable of firing in the LF arc (examples: 1114, 1315, 1612, 2017, and 2817). Hexes outside of this arc (examples: 0701, 2604, 0301) cannot be fired at by a weapon with only the RF designation.
Note that each firing arc overlaps the adjacent arcs on each side by a single row of hexes. For example, all three phasers on the Federation Cadet cruiser can fire straight down the row of hexes extending directly ahead of the ship. Maneuvering to put a target into that hex row is known as "centerlining" the target. ((See firing arc charts ))
(D2.2) COMBINED FIRING ARCS
For simplicity, some firing arc designations are combined into a shorthand
version. Combined designations include:
FA = LF + RF
FX = L + LF + RF + R
RA = LR + RR
RX = L + LR + RR + R
LS = LF + L + LR
RS = RF + R + RR
(E1.0)
DIRECT-FIRE WEAPONS: GENERAL RULES
Direct-fire weapons are fired during the "Fire Direct-Fire Weapons" Step
in the Impulse Procedure of any impulse. Their effects are determined and
recorded in the Resolve Direct-Fire Weapons Step immediately after firing.
Two ships firing at each other during the same impulse are presumed to
fire simultaneously. The fire of both ships is calculated and the number
of damage points determined before that damage is applied to either ship.
Thus, it is possible for a weapon to be destroyed by enemy fire at the
same time that it fires and hits the enemy ship.
(E1.1) PROCEDURE
A player simply indicates his ship and the target and says (for example):
"I am firing my two forward phasers at your ship." The effect is resolved
by a chart and die roll (explained below). A separate die is rolled for
each weapon fired. In the Direct-Fire Weapons Step, all players have the
option to fire. Technically, each player must make his decision on which
weapons (if any) to fire and at what targets without knowing if the other
player(s) is(are) also firing. This can be accomplished by writing down
the orders and exposing them simultaneously. In Vassal this is done via
the SOP Orders Notes button - Delayed Tab.
While learning the game, or in "friendly" games, many players use an informal system of one player declaring his intentions and the other then saying whether or not he will also fire. This is known as "me too firing" and gives an advantage to the second player to speak, since he can make a more informed decision. In Vassal just type it into chat or use a voice over internet service.
(E1.2) REQUIREMENTS
Direct-fire weapons require energy to fire. During the first three
scenarios, your Chief Engineer will make sure that the weapons are always
recharged when you need them. After that, you will have to use the energy
allocation form(show data on the SSD).
Each direct-fire weapon may be fired only ONCE per turn, and then only if each has satisfied its requirements for energy (see the specific rules for each weapons type). All direct-fire weapons have a definite field of fire (firing arc) which is shown on their SSD (as designations of which of the six arcs it can fire into) and cannot fire at targets outside of their field of fire.
(E1.3) EFFECTS
The effects of each direct-fire weapon are shown on the various weapons
tables. The number of damage points scored by a given phaser on a given
fired shot depends on the type of phaser, the range, and a die roll.
Photon torpedoes and disruptor bolts either hit or miss their targets. The
damage caused by each hit varies with range in the case of disruptor
bolts, but is constant at all ranges in the case of photon torpedoes.
Note that you can fire through a hex containing a unit which is not your target without causing any damage to that intervening unit (it is a tiny point in a very large area). Also note that one weapon cannot damage two targets with the same shot.
(E1.4) FINALITY OF EFFECT
There is no means of diverting a direct-fire weapon, although shields can
absorb some of their effect. While clever maneuvers will restrict your
opponent's ability to get in a decisive shot, and your shields will reduce
the damage he causes, there is nothing that can be done directly against
the fire of the weapon. Seeking weapons, on the other hand, can be damaged
and possibly destroyed before they reach the target.
(E1.5) FIRING RATES
Each weapon can be fired once (only once) during each turn; Exceptions
phaser-Gs and plasmatic pulsar devices(PPD). When firing a weapon twice on
two consecutive turns (once on each turn), the weapon cannot be fired
within a period of one-fourth of a turn of it's previous use. For example,
if the forward phaser was fired during the last impulse of one turn, it
could not be fired again in a turn using the eight impulse chart before
the second impulse of the next turn(turn two). This is intended to
eliminate the unrealistic tactic of firing a "full broadside" on the last
impulse of one turn and then repeating it on the first impulse of the
next. Weapons take time to recharge.
(E2.0)
PHASERS
The phaser is the primary weapon of most starships in the game. It is a
phased-energy beam which, when striking the target, does physical damage.
There are four basic types of phasers used most of which uses a different
table when fired at an enemy ship or other target. Type 1,2,3,4. The
phaser-G is found in Graduate Training and uses the phaser-III table. Type
-IV (4) is not used in the Cadet game and is found on bases, it is roughly
4 times more powerful than a phaser 1.
(E2.1) TYPES OF PHASERS
(E2.11) TYPE I - OFFENSIVE PHASER: This is the most powerful type of phaser in the Cadet game, causing considerable damage out to as many as eight hexes. This is the phaser used by the Federation ship (the one you will use in Scenario #1). It is often written as simply phaser-1 or ph-1.
(E2.12) TYPE II - OFFENSIVE-DEFENSIVE
PHASER: These are shorter-ranged than phaser-1s due to less
accurate fire control. The Klingons use phaser-2s on their ships. In Full
SFB in later years some Klingon ships have some if not all their Ph-2's
upgraded to Ph-1's.
(E2.13) TYPE III - POINT DEFENSE PHASER: This type of phaser is the least powerful of all, having an effective range of a few hexes. They were designed to be used only against drones. In practice they are used against other ships in close combat but are, of course, less effective. The phasers carried by administrative shuttles use the phaser-3 table (which is why this table is on the Commander's SSD sheets used in Scenarios #7-#12). One other ship in Cadet Training Handbook (used in Scenario #8) uses this weapon.
(E2.2)
RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS
(E2.21) A given ship may fire any number of its phasers in a given
impulse, assuming that energy has been allocated for this purpose, the
ship has fields of fire (arcs) that permit such firing, and other rules
(e.g., frequency of operation) are obeyed.
(E2.22) In later scenarios, players must allocate energy in the Energy
Allocation Phase to be able to fire their phasers. For now, your Chief
Engineer is taking care of this. After a few scenarios, you will be given
rules and expected to take care of it yourself.
(E2.23) During each turn, each phaser on the ship, except phaser-Gs, may
be fired no more than one time. Note that all phasers have a specific
field of fire, and that a ship may not have targets for all of its phasers
on any given turn. Possible fields of fire for the ensuing turn should be
considered when planning how much energy to allocate to phasers.
(E2.24) Each box on the SSD represents one phaser and can be destroyed by
a single damage point. Each phaser operates independently. Even if two or
more phasers are shown connected, they can fire at different times and at
different targets; one can be destroyed without affecting the other.
(E2.3) ENERGIZING PHASERS
Your Chief Engineer has energized the phasers in this scenario. In later
scenarios this is done on the energy allocation form.
(E2.4) FIRING PHASERS
When firing phasers, first determine the range to the target by using rule
(D1.4). Then roll one die, and cross-index the result with the range on
the appropriate phaser chart to yield the number of damage points scored.
Example #1: Look at the Klingon Cadet battlecruiser SSD. Note the
phaser-2 table. A phaser-2 is being fired at a target three hexes away.
The die roll is "2" which means that four points of damage have been
scored.
Example #2: Look at the Federation Cadet cruiser SSD. Note the phaser-1
table. A phaser-1 is being fired at a ship one hex away. The die is rolled
and the result is a "1," which means eight damage points.