Rebellion in the Rim pt. 6 (Round 5/1st battle Act 2)

 

It's been a while since last I updated our RitR campaign. Progress has been sooo slow I've lost a bit of interest. Here is a brief summary of Round 5 (1st battle Act 2). 

Tarot-sized ship cards for Clone Wars factions

 

I just had to share some photos of these AMAZING tarot-sized ship cards I got from @petersaber over at the Armada Discord (link in sidebar). He prints these periodically, so do reach out to him if you're interested. 

I absolutely HATE the smaller ship cards (and to a lesser degree, the bigger upgrades) so I was thrilled somebody was making 'em in the old size.

Here are a few closeups so you can appreciate the quality. Look how he managed to get the new ship keywords in there as well (right under the image). Very clever.

The paper used is VERy sturdy and has a "plastic" feeling to it. No chance of tearing or getting bent. I'm guessing it can even tackle a coffee spill (not going to test that).

Got a couple of these cute alt arts as a bonus. Now I want ALL the squads in this alternate format 😅😅😅

Casual 600-pointer: Mar Tuuk vs Mr. Red Fish

 

Had a nice casual 600-pointer yesterday. Been too long since I played a battle of any size bigger than RitR 😅 

600-pointers* are my fav for casual games. It feels a lot like 400 (including how objectives affect the game) but with room for more of everything. You can have a good selection of ships of all sizes and still have a decent squad complement. You can also afford some suboptimal picks and not feel that too keenly. 400 points is a good choice for tourneys - a compromise between the feeling of a full fleet and time limitations.

* We have a 150 points in squads/2 flotilla limit in place.

I knew I wanted to run a CW faction because now I have the models but haven't played them before IRL only on Vassal. I tried making a Republic fleet but with only 1 squad pack I couldn't quite get the fleet I wanted so I gave up and ran with Seppies. Having only 4 Vultures meant I was going ship-heavy 😆

Simple fleet really: put as much plastic on the table as possible, keep it simple, roll a bunch of dice. IF! + Linked takes care of dice fixing, Mar Tuuk adds in dice (his drawback is really very small for ships with decent dice pools). 

BTs on the Recusants was a last-minute addition to give them some close-up punch. That worked REALLY well. The red flak/LTT also kept enemy squads hiding for most of the game so was decent. But Light Destroyer with Swivel would probably have been even better. 5 red + 2 black at long range. I'll try those next time.

TI-99 and RHD don't really mesh too well but I had to try something to keep the Vultures around long enough for flak to matter. Muni is there to keep the flag alive if it brawls. Same with BoB. In this game that didn't happen (you don't run your flag to brawl into the Ackbar death zone) but IMO it's a solid little trio.

Any hope of staying at range evaporated as my opponent turned out to be Ackbar with H1 (goodbye braces and useless Thermals) and 2 GT potatoes. We were both as 600. Rolled for initiative and my opponent picked 2nd. I went for Opening Salvo. No guts, no glory!

I wanted to kill Ackbar as quickly as possible. Failing that, get an activation advantage. Both of those didn't work. About the only thing that DID work was preventing a circling conga and having the rebel fleet spend its objective tokens piecemeal while I got more mileage out of my (red) bonus dice).

It was quite bloody, ending with the rebels being table 1st activation turn 5, for the loss of 1 Rec, 1 Muni, 1 Battle Refit, 3 Vultures, and a Rec at half points.

Mar Tuuk is a pretty solid commander. Call him simple or unimaginative but he gets his red dice more easily than Romodi. And once you're shooting into unshielded hull zones that's maybe better than extra dice. His drawback only comes into play once the enemy ship is nearly dead and if you've got more than 3 dice chances are that you can toss 1 die without trouble and still get the kill.

After the match, we discussed the fleets and the games: 

We agreed that taking out Intel Officer from the AFs to make room for X-wings was a mistake. Same with counting on H1 being safe the entire game and not needing def retros. HFZ/Draven on JL was a specific response to my consistent use of Counter squadrons and not some crazy stunt. It didn't do much here but against my usual fleets it melts my poor TIE Ints 😢

As for the game it was halfway lost at setup with rebels going in two directions and almost crashing and me blocking in an exposed Ackbar. Still, with all the dice being thrown - stuff was regularity doing 7-8 or more damage per shot with blocked braces - things could have gone differently.

Very fun game!

Update VASSAL OP 21 Midsummer Madness fleet submissions

Midsummer Madness is now accepting fleet submissions!

Midsummer Madness format: You submit a list, but you NEVER play it. Instead you're randomly assigned someone else's list each round. Scoring is the total of your own points and the points your fleet has scored. Can you make 80 TP!?

4 rounds Swiss. 1 week per round.

The deadline is Wednesday, 23rd June.

Start round 1 is Thursday, 24th June... aka MIDSUMMER.

Be there or you don't count as a mad 'mada player! 

https://forms.gle/hnJiEoqC2QusZwnh9

State of Vassal OP, Mid-2021 update

 Talking about the state of Vassal Organized Play.

VASSAL OP Midsummer Madness

Announcing "Midsummer Madness," a new VASSAL Organized Play event!

I got a new puppy...and covid is still a thing...so I don't think I'll be going anywhere this summer. So why not have a summer event on Vassal!?

Format

Here's the exciting bit: you get to decide the format. Take this survey to have a say. 

Schedule

Starting late June/Early July. Details TBA

Listbuilding restrictions/rules tweaks

Depends on the format. Details TBA

Signup

Signup/fleet submission deadline: TBA

Discord channel

There is a dedicated Discord channel for the event.

Use it to chat and ask questions, but keep it related to the event. 

Tournament software

We're using TTT to track players, scores, and matchups. You can find the event here.

Vassal Grand Championship

Read more here. Contribute to the prize pool here.

• Points for this tournament:
• Entry: 1
• Completion: 1
• Top 8: 1
• Runner-up: 1
• Winner: 2
• Special: TBA

Current score.

Rebellion in the Rim pt. 5 (Round 4/1st Pivotal)

My name is Hermoine

Due to Covid restrictions (among other things) the was a huge delay between this pivotal and our previous game. Not ideal but we make do!

We met early on a Saturday a couple of weeks ago (that puppy and my new job is the reason I haven't been able to post this before) for our first pivotal: Demonstration of Force, Rebels assaulting. I think it took about 6 hours all told, with the squad game slowing things down by a lot from r3 and out.

The Fleets

Fleets haven't changed that much but Rebels now have Adar to make the squad madness even worse 😅 and both non-squad fleets have Ion Techs (ouch).

Our duo-Arq fleet has EST on both ships and Iden on the Raider. This is VERY useful. It still suffers from a lack of dice mods so Ion Techs (totally OP) is next on the list). The VSD fleet has dice mods but not yet any EST. And both those fleets REALLY need more squad protection. Even 1 more Int would make it better. Preferably some RHD too (that goes from me as well). My only fleet picked up Demo last turn. Demo + Maarekdon...that's a lot of ship-killing ability.

EMPIRE

STRATEGIC TOKENS

Ally: 2

Destiny: 1

Resources: 4

Skilled Spacers: 1

###

Fleet: Why So Many Gozanti?

Commander: Commodore Drok Lodt (BJØRN)

Abilities: Master Navigator I (flagship), Ordnance Expert (fleetwide)

XP: 2

Conditions: None

Assault: Most Wanted

Defense: Abandoned Mining Facility

Navigation: Infested Fields

Gladiator I (56) [FLAGSHIP] [VET]

• Ordnance Experts (4)

• Demolisher (10)

= 70 Points

Raider I (44)

• Ordnance Experts (4)

= 48 Points

Gozanti Cruisers (23)

= 23 Points

Gozanti Cruisers (23)

= 23 Points

Squadrons:

• Maarek Stele (21)

• Colonel Jendon (20) [VET]

• 4 x TIE Interceptor Squadron (44)

= 85 Points

Total Points: 249

###

Fleet: Dat Ole VSD

Commander: Fleet Captain Lex Ander (ALEXANDER)

Abilities: Master Navigator I (flagship), Ion Tech (fleetwide)

XP: 2

Conditions: Low Fuel

Assault: Most Wanted

Defense: Contested Outpost

Navigation: Infested Fields

Victory I (73) [FLAGSHIP] [VET]

• Veteran Captain (3)

• Linked Turbolaser Towers (7)

• Harrow (3)

= 86 Points

Arquitens Light Cruiser (54)

• Skilled First Officer (1)

• Linked Turbolaser Towers (7)

= 62 Points

Gozanti Cruisers (23)

• Comms Net (2)

• Suppressor (4)

= 29 Points

Squadrons:

• Soontir Fel (18) [VET]

• Howlrunner (16)

• TIE Interceptor Squadron (11)

= 45 Points

Total Points: 222

###

Fleet: Pimp My Ships

Commander: Flotilla Commander So Tham (THOMAS F)

Abilities: Master Engineer II (fleetwide)

XP: 2

Conditions: None

Assault: Opening Salvo

Defense: Contested Outpost

Navigation: Infested Fields

Arquitens Command Cruiser (59) [FLAGSHIP]

• Expert Shield Tech (5)

= 64 Points

Arquitens Command Cruiser (59)

• Expert Shield Tech (5)

= 64 Points

Raider II (48) [VET]

• Iden Versio (6)

• Disposable Capacitors (3)

= 57 Points

Squadrons:

• Ciena Ree (17) [VET]

• Valen Rudor (13) [VET]

• TIE Interceptor Squadron (11)

= 41 Points

Total Points: 226

REBELS

Tokens: 2x resource, spynet, ally, 2x skilled spacers, Repair yard.

Eirik (235)

Commander abilities

- Master Gunner I

- Ion Technician

XP: 2

Objectives: Asteroid Tactics, Surprise Attack, Minefields

.

(V) [flagship] Assault Frigate Mark II B (72)

- Skilled First Officer (1)

= 73 total points

(V) CR90 Corvette A (44)

- Jaina's Light (2)

- Intel Officer (7)

- Turbolaser Reroute Circuits (7)

= 60 total points

GR-75 Medium Transports (18)

- Bright Hope (2)

- Comms Net (2)

= 22 total points

Squadrons (80/200):

1x Millennium Falcon - Lando Calrissian (23)

1x Kanan Jarrus (19)

1x HWK-290 (12)

1x VCX-100 Freighter (15)

1x A-Wing Squadron (11)

.

.

Roosh flying circus. 214

Comnander master eng I, Ion technician, Infiltration I

Xp 1

Objectives: Surprise Attack, Abandoned Mining Facility, Solar Corona

.

(V) Nebulon-B Support Refit (51)

- General Draven (3)

- Auxiliary Shields Team (3)

- Spinal Armament (9)

= 66 total points

CR90 Corvette A (44)

- Turbolaser Reroute Circuits (7)

- Hondo Ohnaka (2)

= 53 total points

CR90 Corvette B (39)

- SW-7 Ion Batteries (5)

- Reactive Gunnery (4)

= 48 total points

Squadrons (47/200):

(V) Corran Horn E-wing Squadron (22)

1x Rogue Squadron X-wing Squadron (14)

1x A-Wing Squadron (11)

.

.

2nd Expeditinary Fleet (249/200)

Rebels - Author: CTS

Commander Tomakak

Master coordinator II

Xp: 3

Objectives: Capture the VIP, Precision Strike, Infested Fields

.

Assault Frigate Mark II B (72) (V)

- Adar Tallon (10)

= 82 total points

GR-75 Medium Transports (18)

- Bomber Command Center (😎

= 26 total points

GR-75 Medium Transports (18)

- Comms Net (2)

= 20 total points

Squadrons (121/200):

1x Norra Wexley Y-wing Squadron (17) (V)

1x Y-Wing Squadron (10)

2x Y-Wing Squadron (20) (scarred)

3x X-Wing Squadron (39)

1x Moldy Crow - Jan Ors (19)

1x Scurgg H-6 Bomber (16)

Demonstration of Force

Both sides spent 1 ally token. We took our staple 3xYV-666 and Rebels took 3xYT-1300. The 1300s were taken, I think, with Jan Ors in mind. Plus the 2400s die fast to YVs. But they never got anywhere near Jan so it didn't really help much.

We (Empire) didn't have much of a plan going into this pivotal. The only bit that we were going to focus on was not spreading out too much. 

I put my stuff down to one side, but not all the way to the edge. My squadrons, including 3xYV-666 went on the inside so they could move centrally if needed to support the rest of the Empire battle group. Both Gozanti at speed 2 aimed at squadron commands. Raider to support squads with flak. Demo (with Nav I) lurking at speed 1 ready to jump forward. And this time I'd keep Jendon-Maarek in reserve.

The VSD fleet was placed in the middle with the Arq on the left flank. Squads to the left with the Gozanti ready to command them. We still need more squads in that ball. Howl + Int + Soontir is just a minor speed bump - at best.

Our dual-Arq+Raider-II fleet on the far left. But by "far" left I mean just a little bit to the left not all the way left. Deployed to either go wide to the (far) left to lure away some rebel ship or to curl inwards and present a total of 3 Arq broadside to the approaching enemy.

Rebels put their main squad fleet in the middle facing the VSD. Their "mixed" fleet with Neb+2xCR90 facing our duo-Arq, but deployed much further out (even after using Infiltrator + Spynet token). Facing my Demo-group was 1 AF, 1 TRC90 (JL), and BH backed by a squad ball augmented by the 1300s.

Rebels moving their first ship of the day.

My battle group augmented by YVs.

Our center-left. Arqs are angled slightly to the left but being Arqs they can quickly curl right and present their combined broadsides.

Closeup of rebel left flank facing my Demo. For some reason, Bright Hope is heading away and both rebel combat ships are clumped together.

View of rebel center and right flank. They are spread out too much. The same thing happened in CC.

Closeup of rebel chief of staff's hands. A most cunning and sinister plot is afoot!

Early r1. Ships are edging forward.

Left flank perspective. Clearly shows how the rebels are way too spread out.

Forgot to take pics for a little while...Demo & Maarekdon murderer poor Jaina's Light. The tiny corvette should have taken cover behind the AF or gone wide. Instead it was an easy target that popped too soon.

The rebel right flank was doing fine and close to killing the Arq flagship. Then THIS WILD ROLL HAPPENED. 8 dmg on 4 reds...rerolling with Evade...another double. The chance of that happening is...very small. Dead CR90 --> Arq flagship that managed to limp into hyperspace.

This is after the TRC90 died. That potato is heading into red dice hell. Rebel squads waste time killing some Howl/Soontir/Int and make only a half-hearted bombing run on the VSD.

Overview. I think this is start r4. Rebels activate something...

...Maarek setting up Demo.

Poor Ints. We need RHD bad.

Die rebel scum!

Potato gone. Neb in trouble. If not for the 8-damage roll that flank would have developed very differently.

Demo pounces. The AF2 (AF1 model) is nearly dead at this stage. The VSD fleets Arq actually kills two potatoes in this game, both on 1 hull. Talk about being served by your allies 😅

End state. Rebels are hunted down to (almost) the last man. The CR90B makes it out alive. As do Rogue squad and Mr. Jarrus. Both achieve veteran status by running for the hills. Every other rebel squad is destroyed.

The Empire loses 2 flotillas and a handful of squads. Massive 410 MoV victory for us, earning us a ton of extra XP. Go Empire!

In many ways, the Rebels lost at setup. They did exactly the same things as when we played the final assault in CC: spread out too much. We delayed engagement in the center/our left while I used my striking power to hammer the rebel flank. Only after 1/3 of the rebel fleet was out of action did the main battle begin. Rebels squads were too slow to engage and not focused enough (hard when both potatoes die and no other combat ships nearby). The final flank was pretty much decided by a single dice roll. Instead of a tough fight, the rebels lost their TRC90 to bad luck and the Arq limped away into hyper on 1 hull and no shields. But even barring that dice roll Empire would have won by a good margin. But not 410 MoV good.

Next up is act 2!

Submission deadline for VASSAL OP Q2 2021 "Unconventional Warfare" 16th May

It's time for another tournament!

This time we've been inspired by AMG's Unconventional Warfare event from May.

Short version: build your fleet a certain way and gain access to perks (they are quite potent). For every battle you fight, another perk is unlocked. Catch: you don't know what the future perks are until they are unlocked!

Type: Swiss

Rounds: 4

Time zones: 2 (EURO and NA - if there are enough players)

List building restrictions: Uses standard FFG/AMG fleet building but with an extra set of restrictions.

Errata: Hondo is unaligned (for funises), Moralo is Separatist (nerf).

The full rules are here.

The perk trees for round 1 are here.

Sign up for the torurnament here.

Join the tournament's Discord channel.

Final call for Vassal Team mini-league event (Sunday, 17th April)

Wave 10 is finally here! 

(both Warlords and Vassal have been updated with the full set of cards. Some of the images are a bit grainy but I've already gotten some better scans so will be replaced shortly)

It's time to get the VASSAL OP H1 2021 event "Team mini-league" rolling.

Team leaders must submit fleets by Sunday, 18th April using this form.

If you don't have a team yet, try posting your name using this form and also join our Discord channel.

Warlords clone

You can build your fleets any way you like but to help you along I've created a Warlords clone that has all the errata, costing changes, and upgrade slot tweaks. 

You need to create a new user to save your fleets as I didn't copy user data.

Most things should be coded in but there are a few oddities you'll have to manually check, like the Flagship limitation of Flag Bridge and the Star Destroyer limitation of SPHA-T to name a couple.

Custom Vassal module version

For the team league, we'll use a special version of module 4.4.0 called 4.4.0vop

4.4.0vop replaces standard 1.5 cards with their errataed versions and adds 3 new titles and 2 new squadrons. You can have it installed alongside 4.0.0 so there should be no problems at all.

Get the 4.4.0vop version here.

I haven't moved around existing stuff, so if the Republic wants to manually get Hondo in Slave I, he'll have to look under Empire --> Squads --> Firespray. Jango/Bo-Katan/Phoenix Nest are in a separate custom tab at the end. 

Shrimpbot is compatible with the special module, except for the 5 new cards. You need to remove those before generating the setup file. For everything else, Shrimpbot will generate a setup file that when run will give you errataed (if any) cards. Pretty neat!

Errata

Errata version 1.2.1 can be downloaded here.

Read it carefully and keep it at hand for reference!

Points changes/upgrade slot changes

These documents list out costs and upgrade slots (for ships):

Ships

Squadrons

Upgrades

The future

Lessons learned during this event will be applied to later custom events. So what you do here in terms of fleet building and battles will have a real effect on what comes.

Last, but not least: have fun!

VASSAL Armada module version 4.4.0 is available

Module version 4.4.0 "We will have revenge" is available! 

Download: http://www.vassalengine.org/wiki/Module:Star_Wars:_Armada

Checksum: a550828d

OVERVIEW

Full wave 10 release. Some images are of poor quality and will be replaced later on.

COMPATIBILITY

Armada 4.4.0 was built using Vassal 3.5.5. It should be compatible with module versions 4.0.0+ and Vassal 3.5.0+ but ALWAYS update to the most recent versions of both!

CRITICAL BUGFIXES

Onager has an additional range overlay that shows the exact ranges for the special arc.

OTHER BUGFIXES

Fixed some nomenclature errors.

MAJOR NEW FEATURES

Added remaining w10 cards.

Added quick-spawn functionality to all w10 cards.

Sounds can now be muted in-module (Preferences --> Sounds).

OTHER NEW FEATURES

Shu Mai can spawn round tokens.

Munitions/Parts Resupply can spawn respective command tokens.

Volume of "SET" sound slightly decreased.

Setup ("L") token added. It can rotate. Gink wanted it - I've forgotten why...

TO-DO

Add better quality card images as they become available.

IDEA BANK

Look at "locking pieces" functionality (to make accidentally nudging stuff not a thing).

Make shield dials toggleable (easier to resolve obstacle overlap corner cases).