Has anyone tried out the "Star Fleet Battles Cadet Training Manual", which comes with Interplay's SFC games?
It can be found inside the "SFB" folder in the root-SFC directory.
What do you think about it?

I have not played the demo game which comes with SFC, but I do play the full version of Star Fleet Battles. It is a very fun game, and I meet up with a group and play it about once a month. The game has an active and friendly community. The company who makes the game, ADB, makes several other game systems of varying complexity and detail. You can check them out at starfleetgames.com.

Agreed, I found the Cadet game last winter. And I have been playing SFB via their online client ever since.

I enjoy Starfleet Battles. You could also give Federation Commander a shot -- it's a streamlined version of SFB that makes for games that you can actually finish in a day instead of a week ^_^.

Both are great games though... the amount of detail and complicated little things you can manage in SFB is unrivaled... hence the 600 page rulebook!

Federation Commander is a lot more accessible though, and still plays very well.

Star Fleet Battles truly is a game that needs a true computer game adaptation of it's own in order to handle all the little details (SFC isn't an exact translation). In fact, all of ADB's Trek games could use Computer Game versions. Or even better, all-in-one!

Imagine: A grand-strategy computer game of "Federation & Empire". However, when combat happens, you can either use F&E's rules or you can play out the combat with "Star Fleet Battles" rules. Then, on top of that, if the combat is over a Planet, you can have planet side combat using "Star Fleet Marines" rules. (ADB also mentioned plans for a Ship-Interior combat game someday. Add that in as well once it ever sees the light of day.)

Something like Paul Franz's SFBOnline or SFBAddict's Cadet Training Manual Module for Vassal?

Hi I have programmed a PC game inspired by SFB with a good A.I. its free https://manyone88.itch.io/spacewar-9222

You can finish a game of SFB in a day...you just might use up 4-6 hours of it.

IIRC In the late 80's at a Uni gaming club W nights we would set up a point total and some customary limits (no Independent Fighter Strikes or PF Wings and no X-Tech) then set a fixed map. Often had as many as six players effectively doing Demolition Derby...everyone v everyone.

First Player to turn on a direct firing pass would usually die 1st or 2nd, his target the other. Good Times.

Anyone remember SSI's "The Warp Factor" way back during the Apple II days? Or is that too far back for you all? That's basically SFB on a computer, albeit, they didn't use the names like Federation or Klingon as they didn't want to be sued by ADB or or Paramount. :D

Look up The_Warp_Factor at Wikipedia and see for yourself. :)