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Recently I have been looking at the second edition of A Call to Arms: Star Fleet. This is a tabletop fleet action game set in the Star Fleet Universe, a fork of Star Trek that branched off back in the 1970’s with the arrival of “Star Fleet Battles.”. A CALL TO ARMS. Errata This document contains all official updates to A Call to Arms: Star Fleet and will be repeated in all reprints of the rulebook.
Volstagg – having played SFB, ACTA in various incarnations including SF and B5 ACtA does fleet battles gloriously, while SFB is for single ship to small squadron battles (at least in the terms of an evening's game – I've done weekend session for SFB fleet games in the past). Can't help with Starmada comparisons as I haven't played that. While the mechanics are essentially the same the initial version of SF:ACtA differed enough from the B5 that you can recognise the common ancestry and the mechanics feel very similar in the broad sweep.
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However, they were adapted to the SFU enough to mean that playing B5 ships vs SFB ships would require some work or some ability to run two different rule structures for movement and damage resolution – the way criticals operate is different for example. How much more is different – well I need to grab a copy of this new version to see. 12 Nov 2014 10:15 a.m. PST. The main difference between A Call to Arms: Star Fleet and its sibling ACtA game settings is the assumption that battles in the former are being fought at tactical warp speeds – as opposed to the low sublight speeds in play for B5 and NA. While 'sublight' (non-tactical warp) combat took place in an earlier period of Star Fleet Universe history, the starship combat portrayed in the 'modern' SFU era takes place at low warp speeds, and is fought using 'warp-class' weapons, like phasers and photon torpedoes. Some of the other SFU games have rules to represent sublight ships (and sublight weapons, such as lasers and atomic missiles) in the same scale as their tactical warp-powered counterparts – but by and large, they are grossly outgunned and out-maneuvered by even the earliest generation of tactical warp starships, let alone the hulls you see in ACtA:SF.
It may be best to treat the combat in ACtA:SF on its own terms, rather than trying to mesh it together with 'sublight' versions of the game system. And I should note that the SFU is not quite the same as the on-screen Paramount/CBS franchise, due to the arcane nature of ADB's licences. The Klingons here have no brow ridges; 'Star Fleet' is two words; and while there are neither Breen nor Borg nor Bolians, there are a host of SFU-native species and empires which will hopefully take centre stage as future books roll in over time. 12 Nov 2014 10:39 a.m. PST.
Hard copy - eventually there will be a print edition. However, before we print a 'dead tree' version, we want to make sure it is as close to perfect as possible. Therefore, it is probably several months down the road - we want to go a month with no reports of 'you capitalized this here and not there' or 'I don't understand this rule; can you add an explanation?'
We tried very hard to keep the style of play very ACTA-ish while keeping some of the challenges there. Drones can be used to 'herd' ships in our other games; ACTASF now reflects that. Disruptor-armed ships actually have to close in to fight and cannot just snipe all the rest of the ships to death. You have to get in and get dirty.:) As for protocol, the reason we set it up as 'pay what you want' is that this way there should be no guilt. I sort of think of this as a free-wheeling Patreon.
If you can afford it and you really like the book, then we'd appreciate it. We aren't going to be upset if you download it for free, especially if you bought the hardback.
Do whatever makes you happy - gaming is supposed to be fun. 12 Nov 2014 12:36 p.m. PST.
I split the difference and paid an amount less than the suggested retail price. I had the original hardback which I had largely shelved once I heard that ADB was going to revisit the rules. I do intend to eventually pick up the deluxe version (or the printed version) so they'll eventually get some of my coin for their efforts, but for me giving them some immediate payout for their efforts seemed fair.
Of course, if the revised game plays as it looks like it will, they can also expect my coins for any future books Truth be told, I probably would have happily paid the full amount if just to have a nice portable PDF copy of the rules, but guilt over the $300 USD I'm going to have to pay for a brand new windshield for my car due to my own stupidity caused me to shirk a little 12 Nov 2014 1:54 p.m. PST. How does it compare to the Starmada version of the Trek rules? I'm guessing slightly less record keeping, less dice? I don't have the books in front of me to do a detailed comparision, but generally the systems go from most complex to least complex (with the low complexity systems being considered better for fleet actions and quick games). Starfleet Battles Federation Commander Klingon/Romulan Armada (Starmada) A Call To Arms: Starfleet What is the protocol here? I bought the original hardback, so I shouldn't feel guilty downloading for free what is essentially the same (smoothed out) product. From what ADB has said, the idea is that previous owners of the original rulebook are entitled to a free PDF upgrade.
No reason to feel guilty about that. If you do want to throw ADB some money (as you said, they did spend time on this that they could have spent on other, paying products) then go ahead (I'm planning paying something at least). Everyone will have to pay for the eventual finalized hard copy version of the rules, though. One question: Does this game include rules for fighters, specifically, the Kzin?
Quick answer, no. There are supplements planned for ACTASF now that the version 2 rules are out. IIRC, the fighter rules are supposed to be in the second(?) supplement, which I would not expect before late next year, at the earlierest (some time in 2016 is probably more realistic).
12 Nov 2014 4:24 p.m. PST. On November 20, 2014, at 9:30 pm EST, Steve Cole and Tony Thomas will appear on Star Fleet Universe On Call, the call-in talk radio show hosted by Paul Franz. They should have answers to all sorts of questions about A Call to Arms: Star Fleet.
Need more information about how to chat? Star Fleet Universe On Call (Talk Shoe ID: 17702) between 9:30pm and 10:30pm Eastern Time. (URL: If you want to call in, just call 724-444-7444 and enter the Talkshoe ID. It is also downloadable as a Podcast for those that can not make it. Also, if you can't make it but would like to have a particular subject discussed, email Paul Franz before the show and he will see what he can do. If you have problem with the Talk Shoe website go to: and if there is still a problem refresh. Then do a search for call 17702.
We at ADB, Inc. Hope to hear you there.
22 Dec 2014 3:55 p.m. PST. We have uploaded a new version (Revision C) of A Call to Arms: Star Fleet to DriveThru RPG and Wargame Vault. This new version standardizes the references to various plasma torpedoes (all now follow the pattern of plasma-F torpedo), clarified some of the rules, fixed some typos, and fixed a few more places where data changed one place but not another. We also added a few more notes about places and ways to reach out to fellow ACTASF players.
Major changes: 1. Accurate +3 was removed from plasma bolts.
(It was found to make them too powerful.) 2. Klingon D5W and C7 had some changes to their weapons.
Some Klingon ships changed the 'name' of the class. This was done to add later flexibility to building fleets. In a future book, a Klingon D7B (lacking the K refit that the D7K has) would be a lower points-value ship and might fit into a hole in your fleet. If you have downloaded the file previously, it should be in your library. If you want to download the latest revision as a 'pay what you want' PDF, then you can get it from Wargame Vault: DriveThru RPG: We hope you enjoy it! 21 Jan 2015 1:41 p.m. PST.
A Call to Arms: Star Fleet 1.2 Revision D Available! We have uploaded a new version (Revision D) to DriveThru RPG and Wargame Vault. This new version clarified some of the rules, fixed some typos, and fixed a few more places where data changed one place but not another. Major changes: 1. We finished making the ship names more accurate.
That will allow future flexibility in providing more ships for you to use. There were two numbers that were wrong on ship rosters (a Gorn torpedo range and a few extra labs on the Fed CC). One rule on cloaking and terrain was fixed. If you have downloaded the file previously, it should be in your library. If you want to download the latest revision as a 'pay what you want' PDF, then you can get it from Wargame Vault: DriveThru RPG: We hope you enjoy it! 23 Jan 2015 4:16 p.m. PST. A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2: Federation Ship Roster Card Pack Is Available Often known simply as 'the Federation,' this empire is the strongest and most economically aggressive.
Without a few wars to slow them down, the Federation (due to its booming economy, the result of freedoms not seen elsewhere) might make enough profit to simply buy the other empires in a century or two. The Federation has never invaded another empire and only fights defensive wars; then again, more than one of its neighbors object to where the Federation placed its borders. We are pleased to announce that the first of our play aids for ACTASF has been released. The Federation Ship Roster Card Pack includes all of the Federation ships in A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2. It also includes the armed cutter, Prime Trader transport, mobile base and battle station, all of which have been specialized for you to use as a Federation player.
The Federation Ship Roster Card Pack is available from the following: Wargame Vault: DriveThru RPG: We hope you enjoy it! 24 Jan 2015 3:51 p.m. PST. A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2: Klingon Ship Roster Card Pack Is Available Regarded by the Federation as one of its two primary enemies, the Klingons are a military dictatorship. With less territory than the Federation, the Klingons feel threatened and can only match Star Fleet's combat power by keeping their civilian population on the brink of poverty. The Klingon government is corrupt and paranoid, and legions of secret police watch for any sign of disloyalty among the military. We are pleased to announce that the next of our play aids for ACTASF has been released. The Klingon Ship Roster Card Pack includes all of the Klingon ships in A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2.
It also includes the armed cutter, Prime Trader transport, mobile base, and battle station, all of which have been specialized for you to use as a Klingon player. The Klingon Ship Roster Card Pack is available from the following: Wargame Vault: DriveThru RPG: We hope you enjoy it! 27 Jan 2015 2:05 p.m. PST. A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2: Romulan Ship Roster Card Pack Is Available The Romulan Empire is run by an emperor, with the support of the great houses (the 21 powerful families who control most of the Romulan economy). This creates a great deal of inefficiencies and waste as each great house is more interested in its own advancement than in progress for the entire empire. The refusal of the great houses to work together (along with a few Gorn commando raids) delayed the Romulan development of warp power by decades.
The Romulan fleet is based around three series of ship: their original Eagle series, the Kestrel series obtained from the Klingons, and the new Hawk series. We are pleased to announce that the next of our play aids for ACTASF has been released. The Romulan Ship Roster Card Pack includes all of the Romulan ships in A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2. It also includes the armed cutter, Prime Trader transport, mobile base, and battle station, all of which have been specialized for you to use as a Romulan player. The Romulan Ship Roster Card Pack is available from the following: Wargame Vault: DriveThru RPG: We hope you enjoy it! 29 Jan 2015 1:56 p.m. PST. A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2: Kzinti Ship Roster Card Pack Is Available The Kzintis look like eight-foot-tall tigers.
Their empire is smaller than that of the Klingons and (to hear the Kzintis tell it) about half of Kzinti territory was stolen by the Federation when it first declared its borders 68 years before the General War. Relying on drones and disruptors more than phasers, the Kzintis build their ships to fight their most deadly foes - each another! We are pleased to announce that the next of our play aids for ACTASF has been released. The Kzinti Ship Roster Card Pack includes all of the Kzinti ships in A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2. It also includes the armed cutter, Prime Trader transport, mobile base, and battle station, all of which have been specialized for you to use as a Kzinti player. The Kzinti Ship Roster Card Pack is available from the following: Wargame Vault: DriveThru RPG: We hope you enjoy it! 31 Jan 2015 3:00 p.m. PST.
A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2: Gorn Ship Roster Card Pack Is Available The Gorns border both the Federation and the Romulans. The Gorns met (and fought several wars with) the Romulans before discovering the Federation in a famous incident in which two brash young captains shot first and faced embarrassing questions later. After this incident, the Gorns discovered they had much in common with the Federation (including previous wars with the Romulans) and the two empires became fast friends. The Gorns are a confederation of three worlds on which genetically identical species of dinosauroids existed. Evidence indicates that unknown ancient beings, nicknamed the 'Lizard Kings,' planted the Gorns on those planets around 11,000 BC.
We are pleased to announce that the next of our play aids for ACTASF has been released. The Gorn Ship Roster Card Pack includes all of the Gorn ships in A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2. It also includes the armed cutter, Prime Trader transport, mobile base, and battle station, all of which have been specialized for you to use as a Gorn player.
The Gorn Ship Roster Card Pack is available from the following: Wargame Vault: DriveThru RPG: We hope you enjoy it! 03 Feb 2015 3:18 p.m. PST. A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2: Orion Ship Roster Card Pack Is Available Not an empire at all, but instead a network of criminal organizations, the Orions are involved in piracy, smuggling, and no end of other criminal enterprises.
The Orions have divided the Alpha Octant into several territories, called cartels. Each is run by a crimelord. Over time, the borders between these areas shift as one crimelord bullies his neighbor, strong cartels dismember weak ones, or a dead crimelord's heirs split his cartel in two. Rarely, an existing cartel disappears or a new cartel is created.
Some of the areas within a given cartel may be more (or less) under the total control of the crimelord. Generally speaking, the idea is to make your profit without getting the government so upset that they must respond. Losing a ship here and there is an operating expense for a shipping company; losing a lot of ships won't be tolerated. We are pleased to announce that the next of our play aids for ACTASF has been released.
The Orion Ship Roster Card Pack includes all of the Orion ships in A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2. Since that is only three ships, we are making this a free download. The Orion Ship Roster Card Pack is available from the following: Wargame Vault: DriveThru RPG: We hope you enjoy it! 05 Feb 2015 3:14 p.m. PST.
A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2: Tholian Ship Roster Card Pack Is Available The Tholians occupy a small territory on the edge of the galaxy, south of the United Federation of Planets and blocking most of the pathway between the Klingons and the Romulans. The Tholians are a crystalline life form that exists in high temperatures. Tholians consider carbon-based life to be on the same level that humans consider bacteria. Tholians are, in fact, refugees from the M81 Galaxy who fled their homes after a slave uprising overthrew the Tholian Will, which had ruled M81 for centuries. The Tholians survive only because their tiny territory is defended (sometimes with the greatest of effort) by their tiny fleet, using webs as artificial terrain to block enemy invasions. We are pleased to announce that the next of our play aids for ACTASF has been released. The Tholian Ship Roster Card Pack includes all of the Tholian ships in A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2.
It also includes the armed cutter, Prime Trader transport, mobile base, and battle station, all of which have been specialized for you to use as a Tholian player. Since the web rules are preliminary in Book 1.2, we are making this ship roster card pack a 'pay what you want' release. The Tholian Ship Roster Card Pack is available from the following: Wargame Vault: DriveThru RPG: We hope you enjoy it! 10 Feb 2015 1:36 p.m. PST. A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book 1.2: Civilian Ship Roster Card Pack Is Available The ships presented here are intended to represent abstractions of dozens of different (but similar) designs in use by all fleets for a variety of functions.
Form follows function, and as these ships (for the most part) are cargo haulers, they can functionally be divided into these types. Outwardly, the various 'Class-One Small Freighters' may look very different, but their ship rosters would be nearly identical. After all, a cargo ship needs cargo, enough engines to move them at a steady economical speed, a big enough hull to contain the crew, perhaps a phaser or two for self-defense, and whatever tractor beams and transporters are needed to facilitate cargo handling. All of these ships might be owned by a civilian crew or corporation, or by a government at any level. Also included in this pack are two generic military bases.
We are pleased to announce that the next of our play aids for ACTASF has been released. The Civilian Ship Roster Card Pack includes all of the civilian ships in A Call to Arms: Star Fleet Book One, Revision Two. It also includes the generic forms of the mobile base and battle station. The Civilian Ship Roster Card Pack is available from the following: Wargame Vault: DriveThru RPG: We hope you enjoy it!