"Federation Commander or Full Thrust?" Topic

I can't choose between Federation Commander or Full Thrust.

I'm after a system that offers lots of tactical options and crunchy rules. I should probably add just for the record that Star Fleet Battles is beyond my crunch tolerance.

Any advice?

Thanks all.

Fed Com is probably what you're after. Not as crunch heavy as SFB, but you have to track a bunch of stuff. You'll probably only use 1-3 ships per side. With Full Thrust you can get more in the 6-12 range (so you track less per ship).

Start out with Full Thrust. Rule books are free, as are the Emerald Coast books. This may interest you: link

FedCom is much crunchier than Full Thrust, even after you add all the Emerald Coast/Project Continuum books.

I have all 3 and depending on how how much you want to track will determine what rules you want to use.

SFB is great if you want to do everything yourself and only run one ship.
FC cuts back on a lot of the detail of SFB but has the same flavor. You still track energy allocation. Much more simplified. Only 8 chances to fire a turn instead of 32.

FT is great for fleet battles and there are lots of mods for Star Trek out there. But you have to bring in the flavor.

My current favorite rules is A Call to Arms:Star Fleet. Be sure to get the newest version of the rules v1.2. Plays very fast, we have run good sized fleets 7+ ships a side. Games are over in 2 to 3 turns. 90 minutes to 3 hours. The background is still limited as play testing is still going on for Book 2.

I've enjoyed both Fed Com and my own FT SFB conversion and I'd agree with what other's have said in regards to Fed Com being good for a couple of ships (but certainly 1 on 1 also) while FT is much more fun with a small fleet.

You might also want to consider, if you haven't already, the licensed Starmada version of SFB, by Majestic 12 Games. They have two versions, Starmada Admiralty Edition (AE) and Starmada Nova. Both sit firmly between Fed Com and Full Thrust for crunch and give a good game that still feels like its happening in the SFB universe. FYI of the two versions I prefer the AE as the Nova edition has a much more abstract system for handling weapons.

I would go with Federation Commander. It is more of a Star Fleet Battles light. You can play at the ship-ship scale or the fleet scale.

Another vote for Federation Commander.

Thanks all for the information.

I think I'll have a look at Fed Com

Again, I'm a huge FT fanboy, have a lot of Fed Com, and don't care for the SFB, even lite.

However, a) it DOES sound like you'll like it more than I, b) even the free intro does a better job of getting away from hex movement, a personal stick point, than just about any other.

A bunch of sixty degree turns is NOT not hexes. ;->=

Doug

I think it depends. Fed Comm really captures the feel of commanding star trek ships for me. I really enjoy the power management mechanics and anticipating enemy moves. Full Thrust is also a lot of fun and captures the more "cinematic" feel of space battles, but I don't quite get that "in the captain's chair" like I do with Fed Comm.

You can get a free demo of FC at Wargamevault: link

Regards,

Scott Chisholm

Full Thrust definitely.

Why definitely MajorB?

Does FT have energy allocation? Without actually trying EA out, it plays a big part in drawing me to FC.

I would also suggest FT. However, the rules are not really a Fleet level set. Rules like A Sky Full of Ships and G.O.B.S are more suited to that role of 25+ ships per side. I am a huge fan of Starmada. I mainly still play Starmada X. Great set of rules!

Thanks.

For what it is worth, I have both, but prefer FT – mainly because I like and use the vector version of movement. I have done conversions for many FC ships on my blog link but the emerald coast ones mentioned earlier are a good start too.

Does FT have energy allocation?

Nope, one part I don't miss, and you would.

DOug

One of the original FT alien races does have an energy allocation system of sorts. However, I have never used it. If that is important then go with FC.

Yes, if you need crunch FC is probably your first choice.

On a tactical level FC is a space dogfight and FT is space Jutland. That might also influence your decision.

-Will

If I order the FC Reference Rulebook, I'd still need to somehow acquire the hex space mat and SSD laminates?

Correct; it's probably better to buy one of the starter boxes (Klingon Border or Romulan Border) and go from there. Though reference rulebook IS useful.

-Will

I agree with wminsing, if you're going to go with FC then picking up either Klingon Border or Romulan border is probably your best bet.

Ok thanks for the advice