Federation Commander

@Itharus

Yes, there is a rule that no more than three ships can fire out of a hex side in a single impulse.

Spreading ships out in an echelon would make it more likely that at least one ESG connects, but I don't think that's the best plan. Landing an ESG isn't a guarantee that you'll knock that ship out of the fight. I would probably fly a fleet of Lyrans like I would a fleet of Klingons. If I can disrupt their formation then I'd try to overrun the stragglers with my ESGs.

Itharus wrote:I've been giving it some thought...

Would a vertically staggered (say, echelon left or the like) formation of Lyran ships positioned each just outside of ESG range from each other but close enough to cover the gaps be an effective means of helping ensure enemy ships get hit by at least one ESG? Almost like "laying a web" of ESG coverage.

I imagine it would take some fancy flying and superb timing... but at a glance I suspect it might work. Granted, if people try to stack ships in a single hex it could still be a pain in the butt.

It certain does take fancy flying.
I attempted this against Patrick Doyle (mistake #1) at Origins one year.
I then preceded to mess up on my turns and banged two ESGs together (mistake #2).
Patrick was gracious enough to offer to let me redo the last movement point so as to prevent this occurrence... I turned him down (mistake #3) and accepted the consequences of my bad decisions.

I have not attempted this since then.
There are easier ways to insure your ships are damaged.

I'm curious in particular about deploying ESG v. Klingons. The little buggers turn better than Lyrans. So I'm trying to devise methods of trapping them into range of the ESG.

If you get lucky with speed choices are simultaneous movements - awesome. But when both parties know what's going on and the speeds are comparable - ouch. Klingons (imo) are a bit better straight up as a warship than the Lyran vessels (assuming ESG's aren't employed offensively). The ESG can at least negate or mostly negate an equivalent ship's drone supply - but once the special weapons are out of play it's down to just good old phasers, disruptors, maneuver - and the dice.

My favorite opponent almost always plays Klingons, in case anyone was wondering, lol. He also usually beats me in a duel. I've only ever taken him down as a Gorn before. Gorn ships are sooooooo forgiving. Perfect newbie ships, IMO.

Another class of forgiving ships are the WYN "fish" ships. They are disruptor/drones, instead of plasma, so you can try them against your Klingon opponent for a more like/like combat.

Itharus, you got to keep in mind that the Lyrans and Klingons where allies during the General War (with the exception of a few skirmishes during the middle years). Unless you are playing duels or tournaments with FC, Lyran vs. Klingon match ups are rare. Just as MJWest pointed out, its going to be a typical "Disruptor vs. Disrutpor" matchup. I give the edge to Klingons because there ships maneuver better.

MJWest, you might want to tone down your talk about the WYN "Fish Ships".

I do realize that. But he's like... fixated on Klingons. So if I want to fight him with Lyrans, it will probably be a Lyran v Klingon match up

Hehe Klingons huh? Maybe he is trying to get back to stovocore.