Mercenaries of Mikunn - The Background Simulation and Colonization Test

[fergal]

Yeah its good to have some action on 5c at last. And to meet commanders in open, the bonus for open can't be fast enough. The first time you prepped Wadir was a disappointment, as no one showed up. We wondered whether this was another nuisance attempt.
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Its just a pity that most of your active guys seem to be on Pacific time. If/when the Delaine ship sinks we have a couple of Australian mercs you could team up with, if you like our corner of the galaxy.

I don't remember us ever trying to expand to Wadir before, the only time it might have been was when were were expanding into both Kenna (an area Patreus just lost ) and LTT 874 (right next to the Imperial Capital) and we had to waste some CC somewhere.

If we did, I imagine no-one went there since its income was nothing special, with Horizons the CC income of many unclaimed areas were increased, and Wadir is just about the best system left unclaimed in the galaxy anywhere near us.

 

[Walt Kerman]

The information is in the public domain. I don't see your point.

Let us know when you are ready for a sensible discussion.

Not all of it is in the public domain.

I vaguely remember your player group as being the one who first started the 5c attacks on powers by pushing bad systems onto their prep lists.
Its nice to put a face to your true enemies, rather than us blaming Mahon, which is who all the players are actually pledged to that are opposing our expansion.

Not all the players are Mahon. The Mercs haven't been with Mahon for some time now. Our commanders can choose whoever they want.

I don't remember us ever trying to expand to Wadir before, the only time it might have been was when were were expanding into both Kenna (an area Patreus just lost ) and LTT 874 (right next to the Imperial Capital) and we had to waste some CC somewhere.

If we did, I imagine no-one went there since its income was nothing special, with Horizons the CC income of many unclaimed areas were increased, and Wadir is just about the best system left unclaimed in the galaxy anywhere near us.

The 5C back in June was us demonstrating to Frontier that it would be a problem. We informed Frontier before hand and it was before power play even started. That was last year, and after we pointed out the issue we haven't done that since. Pointing out these problems is the purpose of this group.

 

[fergal]

Not all the players are Mahon. The Mercs haven't been with Mahon for some time now. Our commanders can choose whoever they want.

My point was 100% of the players opposing us (in open obviously) are pledged to Mahon, which means Mahon is the one attacking us.

With no contract from your player groups informing anyone what was going on, we were about ready to focus on retaliating on him, whats going on is basically a false flag event thats framing Mahon.
I'm not blaming you guys, there is no mechanic to fight off a power unless you join one, but choosing Mahon seems a good way to get them into trouble, pledging to Aisling would have been much smarter, unless you also want to harm Mahon

The 5C back in June was us demonstrating to Frontier that it would be a problem. We informed Frontier before hand and it was before power play even started. That was last year, and after we pointed out the issue we haven't done that since. Pointing out these problems is the purpose of this group.

And the response from Michael Brooks was that its a fair an valid tactic and its plagued PP for 40 weeks.

 

[Walt Kerman]

My point was 100% of the players opposing us (in open obviously) are pledged to Mahon, which means Mahon is the one attacking us.

With no contract from your player groups informing anyone what was going on, we were about ready to focus on retaliating on him, whats going on is basically a false flag event thats framing Mahon.
I'm not blaming you guys, there is no mechanic to fight off a power unless you join one, but choosing Mahon seems a good way to get them into trouble, pledging to Aisling would have been much smarter, unless you also want to harm Mahon



And the response from Michael Brooks was that its a fair an valid tactic and its plagued PP for 40 weeks.

Like I said, we left Mahon several months ago. Our players can pledge to anyone they want to. We literally are forced to pick a power to defend ourselves. If you have a complaint about that, bring it up with Frontier so we can be independent "Freedom Fighters". I have already.

 

[fergal]

Like I said, we left Mahon several months ago. Our players can pledge to anyone they want to. We literally are forced to pick a power to defend ourselves. If you have a complaint about that, bring it up with Frontier so we can be independent "Freedom Fighters". I have already.

If you are pledged to Mahon, you are a Mahon supporter. Its your choice to pledge to a Power or remain with No Faction.

If you want to block our expansions, then we will need to flip your minor factions.
I imagine it will be more difficult to manipulate the BGS with actual players to compete against.

 

[Walt Kerman]

If you are pledged to Mahon, you are a Mahon supporter. Its your choice to pledge to a Power or remain with No Faction.

If you want to block our expansions, then we will need to flip your minor factions.
I imagine it will be more difficult to manipulate the BGS with actual players to compete against.

Its very hard to play the BGS in power play. Either way our BGS is screwed. We would rather resist than yield, especially since we have been here since the game launched, months before the writers even conceived Archon. We aren't blocking your expansions, we are blocking A expansion HERE. You may go elsewhere.

 

[Jane Turner]

If you are pledged to Mahon, you are a Mahon supporter. Its your choice to pledge to a Power or remain with No Faction..

That's just not true. Until freedom fighters are extablished we are obliged to pick a power for the purposes of opposition and that choice is generally a choice between plague and cholera as one of my German comrades so aptly puts it. I can't speak for anyone else but for me it was a pragmatic choice based on which powers I was likely to need to oppose expansions from since opposing expansions into our corner of space is my only real interest in PP. The other factor in selection is a power which restricts your options least. We have regular attempted incursions from Empire and Federation powers, so picking an independent was preferable. I have been pledged to Mahon and am currently pledged to Sirrius. You won't have seen any of our guys pleged to Sirrius or Antal in Wadir since our options for opposing you are rather limited. You should have seen those players who are tempering their dislike of the empire for their desire to own fancy shields or fancy weapons.

PLease do lobby for Freedom Fighters.

 

[fergal]

Its very hard to play the BGS in power play. Either way our BGS is screwed. We would rather resist than yield, especially since we have been here since the game launched, months before the writers even conceived Archon. We aren't blocking your expansions, we are blocking A expansion HERE. You may go elsewhere.

There is no-where in the galaxy for us to go to.

Since every power needs to expand, this area of space will be taken in the next month or two, we would prefer that we are the power that gets Wadir.

We have no desire to take any other systems in that area, but if we need to take more to win Wadir, so be it.

That's just not true. Until freedom fighters are extablished we are obliged to pick a power for the purposes of opposition and that choice is generally a choice between plague and cholera as one of my German comrades so aptly puts it. I can't speak for anyone else but for me it was a pragmatic choice based on which powers I was likely to need to oppose expansions from since opposing expansions into our corner of space is my only real interest in PP. The other factor in selection is a power which restricts your options least. We have regular attempted incursions from Empire and Federation powers, so picking an independent was preferable. I have been pledged to Mahon and am currently pledged to Sirrius. You won't have seen any of our guys pleged to Sirrius or Antal in Wadir since our options for opposing you are rather limited. You should have seen those players who are tempering their dislike of the empire for their desire to own fancy shields or fancy weapons.

PLease do lobby for Freedom Fighters.

We have only seen Mahon players, with PvP builds in open.
Strangely, all the guys actually earning the merits haven't been seen at all

As for lobbying for freedom fighters, we can't even get bugs fixed that were first reported in July last year, the most basic of which is just the text description telling our players that they need to pirate Sirius to oppose him.

If that won't get looked at by FDev, I can assure you that any lobbying we do would just reduce the chance of it happening.

If we fail to expand Wadir this week, we fully expect Wadir will be prepared by Mahon next week.

Our only sensible response will be to prepare Wadir, Mikunn, and a third and maybe fourth system that will hurt you the most.

 

[Walt Kerman]

There is no-where in the galaxy for us to go to.

Since every power needs to expand, this area of space will be taken in the next month or two, we would prefer that we are the power that gets Wadir.

We have no desire to take any other systems in that area, but if we need to take more to win Wadir, so be it.



We have only seen Mahon players, with PvP builds in open.
Strangely, all the guys actually earning the merits haven't been seen at all

As for lobbying for freedom fighters, we can't even get bugs fixed that were first reported in July last year, the most basic of which is just the text description telling our players that they need to pirate Sirius to oppose him.

If that won't get looked at by FDev, I can assure you that any lobbying we do would just reduce the chance of it happening.

If we fail to expand Wadir this week, we fully expect Wadir will be prepared by Mahon next week.

Our only sensible response will be to prepare Wadir, Mikunn, and a third and maybe fourth system that will hurt you the most.

No we are fighting and earning merits in open. Our builds are a mix between PVP and merit grinding. We had three wings running straight in supercruise throughout the day grinding merits and attacking any archon players that entered the area.

Mahon will not prepare Wadir because they know its our area....

 

[Jane Turner]

We have only seen Mahon players, with PvP builds in open.
Strangely, all the guys actually earning the merits haven't been seen at all /snip
Our only sensible response will be to prepare Wadir, Mikunn, and a third and maybe fourth system that will hurt you the most.

I think you are going to have to blame instancing then, since we were thinking exactly the same about you.

.....and I think Mikunn would hurt you rather a lot more than the Mercs. 4 inhabited systems a lot of rocks and a very very long way to go

 

[Soda Popinski]

I think you are going to have to blame instancing then, since we were thinking exactly the same about you.

That makes sense. Spent 10 minutes or so fighting the Instancing system to try to get a group in to fight a pair of commanders that sunk me near Detmer dock.

Most of our players right now are playing out of Europe, while I'm in North America. I wouldn't be surprised if the 2 Archon commanders are also in NA.

 

[fergal]

I think you are going to have to blame instancing then, since we were thinking exactly the same about you.

.....and I think Mikunn would hurt you rather a lot more than the Mercs. 4 inhabited systems a lot of rocks and a very very long way to go

My tongue in cheek reference to you hiding from open (or not) was more saying all the players we have seen are pledged to Mahon.

Mikunn is worth 0cc to us, we don't want it, but if we have no choice we will try to take it.

 

[fergal]

That makes sense. Spent 10 minutes or so fighting the Instancing system to try to get a group in to fight a pair of commanders that sunk me near Detmer dock.

Most of our players right now are playing out of Europe, while I'm in North America. I wouldn't be surprised if the 2 Archon commanders are also in NA.

Yes, you do seem to be able to instance with our guys quite well.

 

[Walt Kerman]

Here's the thing. You know what I want... I want to keep Wadir independant. There isn't really an in between and its non-negotiable even if we lose over the next week. Is there anything we could do for you to make that a reality?

 

[fergal]

Here's the thing. You know what I want... I want to keep Wadir independant. There isn't really an in between and its non-negotiable even if we lose over the next week. Is there anything we could do for you to make that a reality?

There just seems to be a big disconnect on what you want, and how Power Play works.

Wadir isn't your system.

Minor Factions have nothing to do with PP, they are two completely separate (which has been a big letdown) mechanics.
Spreading your minor faction to all the systems in the galaxy doesn't have anything to do with PP.

Its your choice to pledge to powers and oppose us, but thats you joining and playing PP. Thats you choice, every player can pledge to any power they wish to, and help or hinder the power they pledge to.

I don't even see one of your (and we still have no idea how many minor factions you are claiming as "yours") minor factions in Wadir.

To us it looks like you are claiming systems for PowerPlay, without really playing Powerplay, or being pledged to one of the 10 powers with the goal of helping that power.

I'd oppose your minor faction on those grounds alone, if your goal is to actually become a power, you will be squeezing us from the only side that is left for us to expand into.

We obviously want Wadir, but it looks more we have an 11th power to deal with each week, and if you wont negotiate on a system your Minor Faction isn't even in, there is nothing else to negotiate over.

I hope your players all choose one Power to pledge to so we can actually fight you directly.

 

[Walt Kerman]

There just seems to be a big disconnect on what you want, and how Power Play works.

Wadir isn't your system.

.

The systems around it are. The problem is you don't understand how power play affects the BGS.

Minor Factions have nothing to do with PP, they are two completely separate (which has been a big letdown) mechanics.
Spreading your minor faction to all the systems in the galaxy doesn't have anything to do with PP.

.

Wrong. Powerplay influences the BGS and our minor factions, and is extremely aggrevating for those who play the BGS. It will mess up the BGS less reliable in our area. The purpose of our group is to play the BGS, you are threatening the purpose of our group. Other powers have chosen to leave us alone, including Mahon as they understand this.

Its your choice to pledge to powers and oppose us, but thats you joining and playing PP. Thats you choice, every player can pledge to any power they wish to, and help or hinder the power they pledge to.

QUOTE]

No you are forcing us to protect our playstyle. You've known from the beginning we were here. You claim no players still play from the last time you attacked us here, but I've seen some of them in system fighting, Alexander the Grape being one. I've even asked what we could give you in return to leave us alone yet you continue, so you are clearly in the wrong.

I don't even see one of your (and we still have no idea how many minor factions you are claiming as "yours") minor factions in Wadir.

.

An example of a system this effects has already been given to you.

I'd oppose your minor faction on those grounds alone, if your goal is to actually become a power, you will be squeezing us from the only side that is left for us to expand into.

We obviously want Wadir, but it looks more we have an 11th power to deal with each week, and if you wont negotiate on a system your Minor Faction isn't even in, there is nothing else to negotiate over.

I hope your players all choose one Power to pledge to so we can actually fight you directly.

We obviously want Wadir, but it looks more we have an 11th power to deal with each week, and if you wont negotiate on a system your Minor Faction isn't even in, there is nothing else to negotiate over.

.

I've been trying to negotiate with you. I've even asked you what you want in order to leave us alone. Saying "die!" by continuing to attack us isn't us failing to negotiate, its you. I can only assume you are just trying to stall us while you continue to attack.

Hopefully this isn't true. So again.... what can we do for you to leave us alone?

 

[withnail]

I don't know what you have to offer. I tried to talk to you early in the cycle, but you wouldn't have a sensible discussion with me.

You only offered to talk properly yesterday, but prior to that all we have had is intransigence. Even your recent offer provides no compromise.

Now you are talking about the BGS, would your care to explain how us taking Wadir will effect your BGS?

 

[fergal]

The systems around it are. The problem is you don't understand how power play affects the BGS.
Wrong. Powerplay influences the BGS and our minor factions, and is extremely aggrevating for those who play the BGS. It will mess up the BGS less reliable in our area. The purpose of our group is to play the BGS, you are threatening the purpose of our group. Other powers have chosen to leave us alone, including Mahon as they understand this.

Here is the first thing again, you have an unspecified area that you are claiming, and wont even share systems names.
Wadir doesn't have either of you two minor factions in it.

When a coutry claimed a new area for itself, they used to put up a big flag and tell everyone "we claim this land"

You can't just stay quiet, but when someone else turns up you suddenly say its your land.

PP does influence the BGS, our power would be a benefit for your Independent Feudal minor faction, as the Kumo Crew are also Independent.

What are the downsides to you Minor Faction if a system it is in is exploited by the Kumo Crew?

No you are forcing us to protect our playstyle. You've known from the beginning we were here. You claim no players still play from the last time you attacked us here, but I've seen some of them in system fighting, Alexander the Grape being one. I've even asked what we could give you in return to leave us alone yet you continue, so you are clearly in the wrong.

An example of a system this effects has already been given to you.

We haven't went out of our way to attack you play style, or expand to "your" systems, we have no idea where they are.
I'm sure there would have been little chance of you changing our minds last week, but our preparation targets are public on our reddit each week, and everyone can see the current list in game.

If you are a minor faction and don't want to be expanded into, the tools are available to look at each Powers preparation list in game and see if "your" systems are on any of them.

Maybe you don't think its fair for you to look at what the Powers are doing, but there is no easy way for anyone to know what minor faction is where.

Any deal you have made with the Alliance is between yourselves and the Alliance, it's got nothing to do with us or any other Power.

I've been trying to negotiate with you. I've even asked you what you want in order to leave us alone. Saying "die!" by continuing to attack us isn't us failing to negotiate, its you. I can only assume you are just trying to stall us while you continue to attack.

Hopefully this isn't true. So again.... what can we do for you to leave us alone?

What I've read so far is you wont negotiate.
We aren't trying to stall you, at no point have we stopped trying to expand to Wadir, nor have your players stopped trying to oppose us.

Your group is just in a bad situation.

You don't want to participate in PowerPlay, but will do so only to stop our expansion.
We want opposition to our expansions, fighting a close battle is what makes Powerplay interesting for us.

If we beat you guys this week, it will have been a good, closely fought battle, and our interest in that section of space will be ended, because of its low CC value.

If you win this week, it will still have been a good closely fought battle, and we will prep Wadir again next week, and try to beat you the following week, hopefully its another close battle.
We will also prep other systems of yours to give us a better chance of winning one of them.

I'm perfectly happy with either situation.
It doesn't sound like you are happy to fight us every 2 weeks.

That doesn't give you any room to negotiate, and there isn't anything you could offer us anyway. We can't even lower our fortification triggers through swapping minor factions like the other Powers can, so a similar deal as to the one you have with Mahon does nothing for us.

I understand that you wont believe us, and you think if you win this week that will be an end to it, but you aren't dealing with Sirus or Torval.
The CI snipe on Sirius a few weeks ago was very nice, and Torval will probably never try to expand into their current system again.

So here is what little of a deal I can offer your coalition of minor factions.
If we expand to Wadir this week, that will be the extend of our expansion between Harma and Mikunn, if we fail to expand Wadir this week that area of space will be the most important area to us in the whole galaxy.

We don't have anyone left to fight anyway

 

[withnail]

I don't think they realise that we are able and happy enough to take on loss making systems if we want too.

 

[Jane Turner]

CI snipe on Sirrius? You've got me confused there.