Need info on strategic use of cloaking devices

[rulerofuniverse]

I am wondering how the Federation could possibly hope to win in a war against either the Klingons or the Romulans, since the Klingons and Romulans have cloaking devices. Wouldn't the cloaking device allow a large Klingon or Romulan fleet to run wild throughout Federation space, overwhelming targets and then disappearing before a Federation fleet could engage them? Sure, you can win the odd battle against a cloaked enemy using luck and superior tactics, but how could you win a war?

I have been trying to create an original strategy board game with balanced cloaking device technology and it seems impossible. The whole game degenerates into a hopeless struggle to defend against an invisible enemy.

Can anyone give me any insights into how this technology works in the Star Trek Universe on a strategic level?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Hartzilla2007]

Well by the 25th century tachyon detection grids are probably so wide spread and included on ships that cloaking probably isn't that effective.