galciv1 illustration

[Emp_Palpatine]

It wont be sold until 2006! Will you wait so long?

[Gothmog]

...The region prior to the first “Minor War”...the last minor war

Is it just me, or does this AAR remind one quite a bit of (Mega)Traveller in more than a few ways.

I know for sure that the first race I'll create in GC2 will be called Vilani, though.

[Gothmog]

It wont be sold until 2006! Will you wait so long?

I'll be playing my own homemade Star Wars strategy game.

[Emp_Palpatine]

What sort of game it is?
Well... you're right to wait, just in order to spare as much sleep as you can before GalCiv 2 is released! (In the case that he's as good as the first)

[Gothmog]

What sort of game it is?

An odd one with hexes and counters with Star Destroyers and Nebulon-B Frigates on them.

Well... you're right to wait, just in order to spare as much sleep as you can before GalCiv 2 is released! (In the case that he's as good as the first)

Just as well, as I have quite a bit of work to do during the latter half of this year.

But I might just start a MOO2 or BotF game one of these days... much cheaper.

But one thing I really do like about GC (from what I've gathered here and elsewhere) is the ability to fight proxy wars of sorts like described above...something that's wholly missing in most games of this kind. I hope this will be kept and improved in GC2.

[Emp_Palpatine]

An odd one with hexes and counters with Star Destroyers and Nebulon-B Frigates on them.

I love hexes, counters and Star destroyers!!!

[Tambourmajor]

I picked up GalCiv today, so I am now actually able to follow Ladislav's presentation somewhat...
I like it so far.

[Ladislav]

Red: Initial targets of the Human attack. Orange: Secondary targets. Green: Torian invasion attempts

The Great Galactic War

Despite the fact that there were a number of Galactic wars prior to the Human-Torian conflict, it was the first clash between all of the civilizations of the galaxy. On one side, was the Human-Altarian alliance. The joint enemy of theirs was the Torian confederacy.

The Great Galactic War (as it was often referred to shortly after the truce) has firmly established Humans as the dominant force in the galaxy and delegated the hitherto premier Torians to third place (even behind the Altarians).

The first shot was fired by human ships, during a chance meeting between Dreadnoughts of both parties far removed from any place of conflict or contention. Even though it was officially declared as the trigger for the war, the Human Federation was preparing for a conflict with the Torians for quite some time and almost all the pieces were put in place when hostilities commenced.

Soon the entire Human fleet was engaged in combat with the Torians, who were fairly slow to prepare a concerted effort against the locally overwhelming odds of the Humans. They have chosen to prosecute a three pronged attack on the red marked planets. The southern planet was a wedge between the Human systems and had to be occupied first.

Southern Operations

The star system Cremor was lodged between the Human core areas and their newly occupied Alien systems further east. For this operation a small fleet of Rangers and 4 billion troops have been allocated. Star missiles have destroyed the sole Dreadnought in orbit and the remaining BattleAxe outdated ship was easy prey for the overwhelming superiority of the Human detachment.

It was however soon proven that despite the fact that Human Federation had overwhelming superiority in ships (locally), they have underestimated the need for Space Marines to prosecute landings and actually capture individual Torian star systems. A case in point are the failed attempts to quickly secure Cremor in order to free the fleet for operations elsewhere. Despite the fact that the orbit was in their control, there were no enough troop on hand to capture the planet and only a third landing succeeded in wresting control of this enemy outpost from their hands.

Meanwhile, the Rangers in the fleet were delayed from flying northward towards the main offensive operations. A screen of light Fenixes has dismantled most of the Torian star stations, denying them these vital resources during the upcoming conflict. Another fault of the Human federation was the lack of constructors on hand. The lack of these ships prevented the Federation from gaining advantages (especially in the crucial military area) that they have denied their enemies.

With Cremor in human hands, the operational focus has swiftly moved northward towards the core of Torian planets. Somewhat surprisingly, the Torians were able to send small detachments from their newly colonized Southeastern systems (which didn’t figure in the Human military planning) and destroyed a number of ships. It was too little too late and the height of this Torian effort came towards the end of the Great Galactic War, when the results elsewhere doomed their efforts. The local human commanders have made good use local resources and their nimble Fenix class space ships usually managed to blunt the enemy’s efforts (with the ratio of loss of 2:1. Meaning there were 2 Human Fenixes lost for each Torian Dreadnought). The screening of the aforementioned Fenixes also managed to destroy a number of Battle Transports heading for the Eastern systems of the Human Federation. One only wonders what would be the outcome of the Great Galactic War had these transports (possibly carrying 15 billion Torian troops) arrived in the newly conquered provinces of the Human Federation.

Alliances

2 months after the commencement of hostilities between the two leading galactical civilizations, the Human war effort received a welcome boost. While the Human southern fleet was still awaiting further marines to finish their ill-fated landings in Cremor and before the northern fleets made contact with the enemy, the Altarianshave decided to join the Human side of the war, even though they had alliances with both civilizations. Their choice was not hard to understand. With the Torians the dominant force in the galaxy already, there was very little they would gain from a Torian victory. Instead, with the Human victory or even struggle, the Torians would leave many of their systems defenseless against a counter attack from the Altarian Far East. The wedge created by the Alexian republic and the Human Federation split the Torian empire in two. While Human bore the brunt of the attack the Alexians diverted at least some Torian forces towards the Far East. The two northern front of the Human were the greatest benefactors and there were rarely even joint operations of the two allies.

The Altariansthemselvese have for long been the benefactors of human benevolence and received ships, technology and aid from the Federation. It was their time to repay the debt and they didn’t failt the hopes of Earthlings, even though they were not relied upon in the war planning of the Humans.

North-Western Operations

Andromeda III, the premier star system of the Human Federation was the main logistical base and source of troops to the N.W. theatre. The goal of this thrust was the prize of the twin star system of Alexandria-Eridani and then further onto the more distant planet system of Valerianus. This area was once the core of the Torian empire and its loss would result in great hardship for the Torian war effort.

The Human fleet allocated for this purpose was adequate to the task and soon the space around the twin-planets was controlled by humans. The lack of ground troops was felt here as well and there was fighting for the area for many months before the next wave of troops arrived and finished the task by actually capturing planets. Alexandria was clearly the goal in this endeavor and the Human planners even considered leaving Eridani alone and maybe later capturing the planet through superior cultural effects nad luring from Alexandria. After heavy fighting and numerous attacks (4) Alexandria fell. It is believed that the Torian High Command has sent the core of its fleet to liberate this ancient and hollowed ground. Alas, the Human amassed superior ships and destroyed the Torians mostly piece meal, despite the fact that the losses were heavy on both sides. Luckily, the Human North-Western operations had a steady stream of ships arriving from the core planets as the Human Federation dedicated 50% of its efforts towards military buildup. Dreadnoughts kept appearing in the area and before long Alexandria-Eridani was firmly in Human control.

The remaining ships headed for Valerianus and captured this star system with less difficulties. It was obvious that the Torian empire has lost its breath and had a hard time concentrating critical mass to smash their Human enemies.

The Humans had also deployed Fenixes to scout ahead of the main fleets in order to be aware of any incoming danger. This worked to a certain extent, although the level of loss to Fenix crews was very large. Still Torians managed to force entry behind the battle lines and there were a number of battle transports that feel victim to Torian dreadnoughts raiding between Andromeda and the conflict zone.

With ground troops in short supply and every lost contingent delaying the capture of systems the Humans had to adopt the somewhat slower but safer method of convoys where each transport was awaited and escorted to the destination planet by a Dreadnought or Ranger.

The convoy system ensured that the Humans did not loose large armies needlessly. Another reason why the convoy system was introduced only later was the fact that only in the later years of the conflict did the humans have sufficient superiority in large ships to allow convoy duty for some of them. Since in the beginning stages of the GGW every Dreadnought, Ranger and Death Knight (to a lesser degree) was needed on the front line fighting the main Torian fleet.

Next, north-eastern operations and the “northern raid”.

[billy bob]

Lets go Ladislav lets go!

[Mettermrck]

May the Humans prevail.

[Ladislav]

May the Humans prevail.

make no mistake, after GGW the Humans control around 40% of the galaxy and roughly 50% of the trade.

ooh, and i have the largest voice in the united planets

[Mettermrck]

make no mistake, after GGW the Humans control around 40% of the galaxy and roughly 50% of the trade.

ooh, and i have the largest voice in the united planets

Excellent, Smithers. Don't hold back. The aliens are just wasting that other 60%.

[Ladislav]

Excellent, Smithers. Don't hold back. The aliens are just wasting that other 60%.

i'll do another narrative update of the GGW and then a more gamey one, highlighting the other fields.

im surging ahead in research so im thinking of just doing a research victory...dont know. either way, death star technology has been discovered so "scorched earth" tactics will enter a new era

its a zero-sum game right now. each planet lost will not be replaced by a new found system. a gain to humans is a direct loss to aliens etc..

i wouldnt mind making the Altarian wedge a "no-man's" land

[ECLoco]

i'll do another narrative update of the GGW and then a more gamey one, highlighting the other fields.

im surging ahead in research so im thinking of just doing a research victory...dont know. either way, death star technology has been discovered so "scorched earth" tactics will enter a new era

its a zero-sum game right now. each planet lost will not be replaced by a new found system. a gain to humans is a direct loss to aliens etc..

i wouldnt mind making the Altarian wedge a "no-man's" land

What a wonderful idea! Pillage, plunder, rape. Then raze the place. It's what humans do best anyway.

[Ladislav]

What a wonderful idea! Pillage, plunder, rape. Then raze the place. It's what humans do best anyway.

aye. interesting fact is that we are the most "evil" civilization in the galaxy although im overall a good (neither evil nor neutral) alignment. its just that the 2 other civilizations are so angelic especially the Torians

im keeping myself as a good civ so that im not singled out as public enemy #1 by the other civs. the altarians are useful allies and as of right now, (or during GGW) it was in their best interest to weaken the torians. they are now the second most powerful empire in the galaxy...

which makes them a prime target

but with me being the most powerful, the next war i will most likely have to confront them both.

[Ladislav]

Red: Primary targets Orange: Secondary targets Yellow: Tertiary targets Aqua Lines: invasion routes and defense corridors

The Great Galactic War
continued

North Eastern Front

Of the three fronts open by the Human Federation during the outbreak of the Great Galactic War, the one with the most success was the North-East Front. With recently annexed alien planets as the base of operation, the Torian systems of Lasitus (primary) and Zambdari (secondary) were the targets. Even before the Southern Front, with its crucial timetable has been successfully completed, the North-East Front was progressing and great speed.

The two reasons being the close base of logistics able to provide new ships for the effort. The second that there were ample land troops ear marked for this sector (unlike the other two. In fact, the North Western Front didn’t even have any land troop carrying transport at the outbreak of hostilities!)

To the Human Federation Council of Ministers and Advisors, I urge the command to allocate landing troops to the sector at greatest speed. The entire war effort in our area has been halted as our dreadnoughts circle the twin systems of Alexandria-E. as we do not have sufficient troops to prosecute a forced landing. You latest deployment of marine units has been to our knowledge ambushed en route from Andromeda to Alexandria. Please attach armed escorts for this valuable cargo as otherwise the Northern front will be further stalled.

General Hans Sanchez

Lasitus fell (as you can see from the screen) as the first Torian planet system. The N.E. fleet was also outfitted with a number of Death Knights, as they were deployed in the invasion area since conquering the now springboards of invasion.

After Lasitus, Zambdari fell to Human hands. The conquest of this planet was once again delayed as there were not sufficient land troops to prosecute a successful invasion. Zambdari became the last outpost of Humanity in the Central area of the galaxy and was in close proximity to the Alexian system of Gallus.

Since however the conquest (with the exclusion of the Southern front) was invading the richest and most populous Torian systems, the struggle proved worth the effort and the Torian Confederacy was reduced to the last place in space and the Humans expanding their influence and size to become the most powerful Empire in the galaxy.

Northern Raid

With Humans finally in control of all the planets as according to the “Port Arthur” Plan, the Torians were still not offering reasonable peace terms. It was then decided by the Human Federation that a punitive raid into the very heart-land of the Torian systems was needed. The reasoning being that if the peace terms will not crush the Torians, a punitive expedition will achieve the same results.

The target was selected to be the systems of Iris and Hestia. It was hoped that the Human ships might locate the capital of the Torian Confederacy in these systems and hopefully deliver a crushing blow to the now fast declining Torian Empire.

Fleets from the North-Eastern and North-Western areas were to rendez-vous in the space between now north-most Human territory and prosecute the raid. The screen of Fenixes before the main fleet of Dreadnoughts and Combat Transports identified the targets as being lightly guarded. It was believed that the bulk of the Torian fleet was destroyed around Alexandria and beyond the Eastern borders, although it was statistically proven that the Torian Confederacy has still a fairly large fleet at its disposal. They might have been assigned to garrison duty and were thus vulnerable to a concerted attack by a larger Human fleet. (As a side note, even the Alexians managed to destroy a Torian garrison detachment in one of the Eastern most Torian planets, but didn’t manage to capture the system by the time universal peace was signed).

Iris was chosen as the first target and fell to the first assault by Human troops. It was then decided that the left over inhabitants will board a transport and execute an invasion of Hestia. Further raids were stopped as planetary conquests would need additional Combat Transports flown in from remote core star systems and with the Human Federation on firm war footing for years and great scientific breakthroughs arriving monthly, the core planets decided to shift their production towards social construction.

After Hestia was captured, the Torians were forced to sign a peace with the Human Federation. They were found to pay a war indemnity of around $100 per month (their entire treasury at the time) for the next 3 years. Following peace the colonies of Iris and Hestia were dismantled and the Human Northern fleet returned to orbit the newly conquered Alexandria system, with a small squadron deployed to Zambdari, which already had the core of the Southern fleet and North Eastern fleet.

Peace

Although initially blamed on a rogue captain who commenced hostilities, the Great Galactic War was prepared for by Humans for years. Even if not meticulously planned (initial failures in the Southern and North-West area of operations), the Human Federation was able to gain momentum in the conflict and the Torians never managed to field a credible threat to the Human home areas (although there were scares during the war of a large Torian fleet flying towards the Eastern border systems, they were fairly evenly matched and a number of lucky attacks ensured that no core Federation territory was even under attack).

Since most of the galaxy has now been thoroughly explored, there were no new planet systems that might be discovered and allow the Torians to rebuild. Instead, every planet lost to them was a direct gain to the Federation. Furthermore, the invasions on Iris and Hestia have made them inhospitable. The dismantling of all the planetary improvements and war damage will most likely result in them being uninhabited for some time.

The Alexian allies have made attacks of Torian territory themselves and contributed to the joint war effort. It was a great boon and morale boost for the Human Federation to be fighting alongside friendly ships.

With 40% of the galaxy under control and the largest voice in the United Planets, the Human Federation had one more positive outcome. The capture of strategic resources in the sectors. Most Torian space stations around and even inside Human territory (although nominally claimed by the Torians) were destroyed as soft targets and these bonus granting space resources are firmly under control of the Human Federation catapulting them even further ahead of all opposition.

The Human Space Federation has entered a new golden age and the race of Men reigns supreme over the galaxy!

[ECLoco]

The Human Space Federation has entered a new golden age and the race of Men reigns supreme over the galaxy!

Man reigns supreme? How unexpected.
Is this continuing? And if not when are you doing an AAR for GalCiv2!!!

[Gothmog]

The Human Space Federation has entered a new golden age and the race of Men reigns supreme over the galaxy!

But for all of us who've played (or are familliar with) the Traveller universe, we know it won't last.

[mib]

When I looked at the first picture of the diplomacy screen you posted... I thought for a moment, how the heck did you get the diplomacy option before universal translators?

Then I realised it is Czech. (It's Czech, right?)

[Ladislav]

When I looked at the first picture of the diplomacy screen you posted... I thought for a moment, how the heck did you get the diplomacy option before universal translators?

Then I realised it is Czech. (It's Czech, right?)

yup got it for free with a mag, alas translated into the local language already though