Scenario Ten: Fleet Engagement¶
Although many space battles are fought between relatively small forces with very specific objectives – raiding convoys, making surprise strikes and so on – larger fleets will sometimes bring each other to battle to protect a system, hold the line or simply to destroy each other.
Forces¶
Both fleets are picked to an equal points value.
Battlezone¶
Fleet actions are normally fought in the primary or inner biosphere to keep a particular world outside bombardment range, but they could take place anywhere. Celestial phenomena can be set up in any mutually agreeable manner.
Set-up¶
Each player must choose one of the following fleet formations. Compare the two formations chosen on the table below and use the set-up indicated.
Sphere: This formation attempts to spread the fleet broadly so that it envelops the enemy fleet, surrounding it as the ships close in. The sphere is vulnerable to a wedge formation which will break through the closing net.
Wedge: A wedge is easily surrounded by more complex formations such as the sphere and cross. However a wedge keeps the fleet closely packed together for mutual support and allows it to storm through thinly-spread opponents.
Cross: A formation which spreads ships out to run parallel with the enemy fleet, keeping them on the broadside for an extended engagement.
| OPPONENT'S CHOICE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| YOUR CHOICE | Sphere | Wedge | Cross |
| Sphere | B | A(d.grey)/C(d.grey) | A(d.grey)/D(d.grey) |
| Wedge | A(white)/C(white) | D(d.grey)/D(white) | B |
| Cross | A (white)/D(white) | B | B |
Notes: In a split result (i.e. A(d.grey)/D(d.grey)) both players roll a D6 to see which set-up is used. The player whose fastest ship has a higher speed than any enemy ship adds +1 to his dice roll. The fleet with the best Admiral (i.e. highest Leadership) adds +1 to its roll. The fleet with the most escort class ships adds +1. The winner of the dice roll may choose which set-up to use.
Once the set-up has been determined, both players roll a D6 and the player who rolls the lowest has to deploy a squadron or lone ship in their set-up area first. The players then alternate deploying ships or squadrons in their set-up areas until all forces have been deployed.
Divisions¶
Some set-ups split a fleet’s deployment zone into several divisions. When this happens the fleet must deploy at least one ship or squadron in each division available.
Approach Angle¶
The set-up maps have arrows indicating the approach angle for the opposing fleets. As ships are deployed, they must be orientated so that they are travelling in the same direction as the arrows in their division.
First Turn¶
Once all ships have been deployed both players roll a D6 and the player with the higher score has the choice of whether to take the first or the second turn.
Game Length¶
The game lasts until one fleet disengages or is destroyed.
Victory Conditions¶
Both fleets score victory points as normal and the fleet with the highest victory points total wins.