View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
pinecone Fleet Captain
Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 1862 Location: Earth
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 3:03 pm Post subject: Possibly getting into SFB |
|
|
Hey guys. I have been an FCer for a while now, and I very much enjoy the game. However, I realize that FC alone is not enough to be a true contributor to ADB. I want to get a little expixience with SFB without making a huge investment. So this is my question: Should I just get the SFB core set and possibly the SSD book from advanced missions? Or should I get the master rulebook and the SSDs from the Core set and the Advanced missions?
Note: I do have the cadets manual and have played some of the scenarios. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
terryoc Captain
Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Posts: 1386
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 3:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Well, if you're an FCer you already have maps, counters and dice.
For SFB you'll need rules & SSDs. You will also need energy allocation forms and a DAC but I'm pretty sure these can be downloaded for free and printed off if your computer has a printer.
The Master Rule Book does not contain the 'R-sections' which are the blurbs and special rules for each class of ship. So if I were you I probably would get the rulebooks & SSD books from Basic Set and Advanced Missions. Reading those rulebooks should let you absorb the rules in bite-size chunks rather than trying to swallow the whole MRB at once.
This is just my two cents. I'm sure more experienced SFBers will be able to give more certain advice. _________________ "Captain" Terry O'Carroll, fourteen papers published including six best of issue
"Man, Terry, you are like a loophole seeking missle!" - Mike West
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
mjwest Commodore
Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 4075 Location: Dallas, Texas
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 3:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Well, that is actually an excellent question, actually.
The problem is that the SFB Master Rulebook has some important holes in it, which makes it hard to use as a pure entry into SFB. Also, coming into it fresh can be hard, as you won't have all the counters and such.
I am thinking you want to get the following:
- SFB Basic Set (5501) $35
- SFB Module TR (5624) $10
The Basic Set gives you the basic rulebook. This covers all the basic rules required to play the base game with the Federation, Klingon, Romulan, Kzinti, Gorn, Tholian, and Orion empires. It is missing a few of the advanced rules from Advanced Missions, but it has the important stuff.
Module TR is the rules beyond the Basic Rulebook that is required to play tournament. I am not suggesting that you play tournament, but rather make use of the very handy tool to get a substantial look at the rules for the other empires not included in Basic Set.
From there, you can then decide where you want to go. But the above is the least cost path I can think of to give you the broadest coverage of SFB. _________________
Federation Commander Answer Guy |
|
Back to top |
|
|
pinecone Fleet Captain
Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 1862 Location: Earth
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 3:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks to you both. That looks like what I want.
I'm not completely sure if I want to make that investment yet, but thats definetly the way I'll go if I decide to. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mjwest Commodore
Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 4075 Location: Dallas, Texas
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Well, if you do Terry's suggestion of the rulebooks and SSD books, still get Module TR for the reasons I outlined above. That gives you:
- Basic Set Rulebook (5501-2) $15
- Basic Set SSD Book (5501-3) $10
- Advanced Missions Rulebook (5502-2) $15
- Advanced Missions SSD Book (5502-3) $18
- Module TR (5624) $10
EDIT: Actually, you could split the difference of the two suggestions: Just get the rulebook and SSD book from Basic Set and Module TR. That is then only $35. You would have to use your FC counters and maps, but that shouldn't be a problem. If you like that, you can then get the stuff for Advanced Missions. _________________
Federation Commander Answer Guy |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Alex Knight Lieutenant JG
Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 57 Location: Michigan
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
mjwest wrote: | The problem is that the SFB Master Rulebook has some important holes in it, which makes it hard to use as a pure entry into SFB. Also, coming into it fresh can be hard, as you won't have all the counters and such. |
There are holes in the Master Rulebook? What holes are they, and what modules are needed to fill them? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Dal Downing Commander
Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 652 Location: Western Wisconsin
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Pinecone,
Don't forget that there is a Cadet Training Book over on the legacy board that fills the same role as First Missions does in FedCom. It will give you the basic machanics of the game and after you digest it and its accompanying Cadet Training Manual (SSD) you will be ready to move on to the Basic Set to start adding more advance rules[/list]
http://www.starfleetgames.com/starfleetbattles.shtml _________________ -Dal
"Which one of you is the Biggest, Baddest, Bootlicker of the bunch?"
"I am."
"ARCHERS!!! THAT ONE!!!!" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mjwest Commodore
Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 4075 Location: Dallas, Texas
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Alex Knight wrote: | mjwest wrote: | The problem is that the SFB Master Rulebook has some important holes in it, which makes it hard to use as a pure entry into SFB. Also, coming into it fresh can be hard, as you won't have all the counters and such. |
There are holes in the Master Rulebook? What holes are they, and what modules are needed to fill them? |
There is no R, S, T, or U sections in the Master Rulebook.
While, on the surface, this doesn't seem like an issue, there are some important rules in those sections (like the definition of "crippled"), and some ships need more explanation than provided by their SSDs.
If you already have all (or most) of the rules, the MRB is a great way to get it all updated and consolidated. But it isn't that great of an entry point. _________________
Federation Commander Answer Guy |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Kang Fleet Captain
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 1976 Location: Devon, UK
|
Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 6:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
Alex Knight wrote: | There are holes in the Master Rulebook? What holes are they, and what modules are needed to fill them? |
They are there so you can put the loose sheets into your binder _________________
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Wolverin61 Commander
Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 495 Location: Mississippi
|
Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
Kang wrote: | They are there so you can put the loose sheets into your binder |
I can see now how you made Captain, Kang _________________ "His pattern indicates two-dimensional thinking."
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
terryoc Captain
Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Posts: 1386
|
Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 4:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
Tell Kang "you know the drill" and he nods and pulls out a Black & Decker... _________________ "Captain" Terry O'Carroll, fourteen papers published including six best of issue
"Man, Terry, you are like a loophole seeking missle!" - Mike West
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
MikeBurke Lieutenant SG
Joined: 14 Nov 2008 Posts: 129 Location: Frederickburg Virginia
|
Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
terryoc wrote: |
For SFB you'll need rules & SSDs. You will also need energy allocation forms and a DAC but I'm pretty sure these can be downloaded for free and printed off if your computer has a printer. |
Sure you will need these items but isn't there an issue here? I mean with the whole downloaded and printed for free part? You got to go buy the Basic set to get going. You should have the Basic Set or you won't have what you need to play the game. You would only have elements of it. _________________ "This Ship Was Built To Fight- You Had Better Know How" - Adm. Arleigh Burke - USN
Mike Burke
SFB since '84 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Scoutdad Commodore
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 4754 Location: Middle Tennessee
|
Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 11:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
note the positioning of the comma.
Pinecone needs the rules and SSDs. (period)
You'll also need the E form and the DAC, (comma) which can be downloaded...
Yes, just having the EA and the DAC downloads will not enable you to play the game as you still need the rules, but all Terry was saying was that those two forms can be downloaded. And technically... you could buy the MRB (which doesn't come with SSDs, EA forms or a DAC) and then download the DAC, EA forms adn tournament SSDs and be able to play the game. _________________ Commander, Battlegroup Murfreesboro
Department Head, ACTASF |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mjwest Commodore
Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 4075 Location: Dallas, Texas
|
Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 1:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
MikeBurke wrote: | Sure you will need these items but isn't there an issue here? I mean with the whole downloaded and printed for free part? You got to go buy the Basic set to get going. You should have the Basic Set or you won't have what you need to play the game. You would only have elements of it. |
If you are starting from scratch, yes. Note my initial recommendation way above.
That said, pinecone is coming from FC. So, he already has all the counters and maps he is gonna need. At that point all he really does need is the rules and SSDs. The EAF, DAC, and Impulse chart are all free downloads, and thus easily accessible from there. _________________
Federation Commander Answer Guy |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Steve Cole Site Admin
Joined: 11 Oct 2006 Posts: 3833
|
Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 2:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The cadet handbook is available on the website for free so you can, indeed, play SFB for free, at least to a limited extent. _________________ The Guy Who Designed Fed Commander
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|