As I previously mentioned in the analysis, the Federation Heavy Cruiser (Fed CA) is at a significant disadvantage against the ISC Star Cruiser (ISC CA). One of the problems with playing both sides is that it's easy to become biased and favor one side or the other -- or, in this case, to decide that one side doesn't have a chance and play it that way. This also happens in multiplayer games, but it's less of a problem because there will be the other player who has a different prespective of the game.

Starting out some 45 hexes away, both captains decided to move at speed 24. Early on, the ISC CA started launching its six shuttles, which strung out behind it. In the latter half of the turn, the Fed CA also started launching its shuttles, although with only four shuttles the squadron wasn't quite as impressive. At a range of about 12 the ISC CA fired its plasmatic pulsar device (PPD), scoring an immediate hit. The PPD scored more damage over the next three impulses, dropping the Fed CA's #1 shield to less than 50% At range 7, the Fed CA decided to fire all bearing weapons and turn away before the ISC CA fired its plasma torpedos. Three photon torpedos hit, and four phasers added below average damage, all of which wasn't quite enough to down the ISC CA's #1 shield. At the end of the turn the ISC CA fired its phasers and plasma torpedos at his opponent, the phasers doing heavy damage to the Fed CA's #6 shield.

Turn 2. The Fed CA puts all power to speed and tries to run away from the plasma torpedos. But an unfortunate miscalculation allows one torpedo to hit, after being phasered down a bit, crushing the #5 shield and down a few points of internal damage. Meanwhile, the ISC CA starts to reload and proceeds to engage the Fed shuttles, which are no match for the CA and soon are all destroyed by mid-turn. The Fed CA decides to chase the ISC CA before he can rearm the plasma torpedoes. He turns, letting the second plasma torpedo hit and almost down his #4 shield. The ISC CA heads for his shuttles to use them as a screen. By the end of the turn, the Fed (with no phasers charged and the photon torpedos unloaded) is some 7-8 hexes behind the ISC CA and starting to pass in front of the ISC shuttles, which fire to no effect, as shuttles are rather ineffective outside of range 3.

Turn 3. The Fed CA charges his seven remaining phasers and plots a pursuit of the ISC CA, neglecting to start loading the photon torpedos. The ISC CA is also moving quickly. The Fed CA fires at and almost downs the ISC CA's #4 (rear) shield. The ISC CA is able to fire a couple of phasers through the Fed's #1 shield, scoring more internal damage. At this point, about midturn, the Fed decides to run away so he can recharge the photon torpedos in peace. The ISC is currently moving away from the Fed and slowly turns around, so that at the end of the turn the ISC is a good 15 hexes away and starts firing his PPD at the Fed, scoring a hit.

Turn 4. The Fed CA starts charging the photon torpedos, 4 phasers, and puts some reinforcement on the shield being hit by the PPD., leaving him at a speed of 17. The ISC is also at a speed of 17, due to the fact that the plasma torps have a higher final turn arming charge. The ISC CA pursues, firing the bearing plasma torpedo immediately, calculating that the Fed can't get away from it with his slow speed. Fed phaser fire manages to destroy the ISC PPD, a little too late. As the Fed runs for the edge of the map, the ISC fires his second plasma torpedo and phasers at impulse 25, scoring more internals and stripping phasers, although not the photon torpedos. By the end of the turn the first plasma torpedo hits, doing a fair amount of power damage, although again the photon torpedos escape harm.

Turn 5. Desperate, since the Fed CA is a bit ahead of the ISC CA, leaving the photon torpedos out of arc, the Fed CA stops and tries to use Warp Tactical Maneuvering to turn his ship. But on impulse 1 the ISC CA fires all phasers, doing great damage and destroying two photon torpedo launchers. Then the ISC turns away, taking the remaining photons on a fresh shield. The second plasma torpedo hits the Fed, doing more internals. At the end of the turn the ISC shuttles fire at range 1, downing the strongest remaining shield and gutting the Fed cruiser. Game over, as the Fed CA has only its #3 shield with 7 boxes, along with 2 phasers and 4 points of warp power. The ISC CA has lost its #1, 2 and 4 shields, but only taken four points of internal damage. Decisive Victory for the ISC.