Powerplay Faction: Aisling Duval Weekly Objectives for Cycle 128

[Cori]

Good morning Commanders!

As we were expecting, we have been pushed in Turmoil this week.

Sadly the deficit is worse than it could have been due to a cascade effect from the turmoiled systems, caused by commanders not following the plan and fortifying our loss making systems. Consider this a prime example of why those systems should be left alone!

The maths are currently being run to decide on the next step, so keep an eye on the Trello and Slack.

If you want to get an early start then as usual a few fortification targets are encouraged, for example Wulwula, Undines, Blod, Chankates, Rutujil or HIP 105391.

The finalised objectives will be posted on Reddit and copied here when ready once the numbers wizards have done their magic dance.

Never ever fortify: Tsanla, Chnumar, Daibo, Grebegus, HIP 10786, Kuki An, Kaukamal, Panganau. You will make baby Aisling cry.

To find out more about the primary Aisling Duval communication hub, our community Slack (including how to join), read the FAQ:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AislingDuval/comments/4f36wq/the_official_aisling_duval_slack_community/

Also, to keep an eye on our dynamic objectives list, which changes as the cycle progresses, please visit the webpage at https://trello.com/b/HBY3rRZR/aisling-duval

Fly safe, Commanders.

 

[Draxxa]

The main problem...so much resources are wasted on systems that reached already 100%. I usally make my run on wedsday and scan for the systems that are not on 100% yet, and come so many across with way over 120% ....not sure how, but the communication should be improved...

maybe we need to toalk to Artie of Inara to see, if there can be a section for powerplay...

 

[Cori]

Fortifying over 100% may be wasteful but at least that's all it is.

As we see this week, the big problem is that when systems are fortified when they should not be, it can be actively harmful. Sadly, it does not appear that the people doing it care.

 

[Uncoupledlight9]

Fortifying over 100% may be wasteful but at least that's all it is.

As we see this week, the big problem is that when systems are fortified when they should not be, it can be actively harmful. Sadly, it does not appear that the people doing it care.

Do you not think that the harmful fortification is perhaps being caused by those deliberately trying to push Aisling into turmoil, or am I just too cynical? This week was very frustrating seeing the reserve continue to decrease despite all of the systems listed on Trello being successfully fortified.

 

[Valethar]

Sadly the deficit is worse than it could have been due to a cascade effect from the turmoiled systems, caused by commanders not following the plan and fortifying our loss making systems. Consider this a prime example of why those systems should be left alone!

More the 5th column activists than our people, I would think. Seems we ended up with a lot more enemy activity after FD meddled with PP in the recent updates.

Is there a better format for communications than Trello? That monstrosity makes zero sense with the tiles and seemingly random colors applied to everything. I'd much rather see something in a text list somewhere that tells us which systems to help, and which systems to leave alone, instead of trying to figure out what the hell that page is telling us.

 

[Cori]

Do you not think that the harmful fortification is perhaps being caused by those deliberately trying to push Aisling into turmoil, or am I just too cynical? This week was very frustrating seeing the reserve continue to decrease despite all of the systems listed on Trello being successfully fortified.

Undoubtedly.

More the 5th column activists than our people, I would think. Seems we ended up with a lot more enemy activity after FD meddled with PP in the recent updates.

Is there a better format for communications than Trello? That monstrosity makes zero sense with the tiles and seemingly random colors applied to everything. I'd much rather see something in a text list somewhere that tells us which systems to help, and which systems to leave alone, instead of trying to figure out what the hell that page is telling us.

I am not involved in the running of the Trello myself but I do converse with the people that do. I do know that it is much easier to keep it up to date than a single text list. What makes it hard for you to follow? Do you have any suggestions on how it can be laid out better?

 

[pluton]

Trello didn't explain which systems must not be fortified, and why. I don't understand the mechanisms of turmoil, and I expect most people don't either.

There's the "Do not fortify" list, but some systems there are also listed as "High priority" to fortify (eg. Kauruku). That's confusing. It suggests the "Do not fortify list is out of date and doesn't apply this week.

Last week, with full undermining, should we fortify everything (the obvious, naive view) or is it important that some unprofitable systems remain unfortified (which is not obvious)?

The instruction "Fortify the rest to 50%" wasn't helpful (actually harmful) if some systems must NOT be fortified.

Rather than just give instructions (which can be interpreted as confusing or contradictory), it's better to also explain why.

Have all the turmoiled systems been fortified now, or do I need to fly out there and check? They're below the "already fortified" line, but that was also the case Thursday morning when I delivered to Rutujil and found 0% fortification.

 

[eruccio]

Hi Cori!

I think one major issue is the fact that CMDRs need to rely on third party apps to know what needs to be done; and I assume that many CMDRs aren't aware of these tools.

I really hope that FD will implement some in-game platform for PP so each power would work a bit like a guild with a guild master or masters.

 

[Uncoupledlight9]

Trello didn't explain which systems must not be fortified, and why. I don't understand the mechanisms of turmoil, and I expect most people don't either.

There's the "Do not fortify" list, but some systems there are also listed as "High priority" to fortify (eg. Kauruku). That's confusing. It suggests the "Do not fortify list is out of date and doesn't apply this week.

Last week, with full undermining, should we fortify everything (the obvious, naive view) or is it important that some unprofitable systems remain unfortified (which is not obvious)?

The instruction "Fortify the rest to 50%" wasn't helpful (actually harmful) if some systems must NOT be fortified.

Rather than just give instructions (which can be interpreted as confusing or contradictory), it's better to also explain why.

Have all the turmoiled systems been fortified now, or do I need to fly out there and check? They're below the "already fortified" line, but that was also the case Thursday morning when I delivered to Rutujil and found 0% fortification.

I have to agree that I found the "fortify the rest to 50%" a bit on the confusing side and therefore it ended up scaring me off fortifying any other systems.

Are you aware that you can check the current fortification percentage via the galaxy map using the powerplay tab prior to flying out to that particular system or is this option not available when a system is in turmoil?

 

[PulsarShark]

Are you aware that you can check the current fortification percentage via the galaxy map using the powerplay tab prior to flying out to that particular system or is this option not available when a system is in turmoil?

that option is not available for systems in turmoil.

Please do not fortify turmoiled systems this week. We have a group of experienced CMDRs handling that, because it requires some extra steps and attention to detail to avoid wasting fortification materials.

 

[pluton]

Please do not fortify turmoiled systems this week. We have a group of experienced CMDRs handling that, because it requires some extra steps and attention to detail to avoid wasting fortification materials.

It would have been useful to announce that on the Trello page.

I visited HIP 105391 on Friday morning, delivered 1 unit to check the status and found that it was already fortified to 246%. I found a few other turmoil systems already fortified before unloading at Aowica.

 

[Valethar]

Undoubtedly.



I am not involved in the running of the Trello myself but I do converse with the people that do. I do know that it is much easier to keep it up to date than a single text list. What makes it hard for you to follow? Do you have any suggestions on how it can be laid out better?

As I said, it makes absolutely no sense. I've no idea what the little color bars are, or why they're on specific items. There's no 'map key' to explain them. If they serve a purpose, it's not clear what that purpose is. They're just colored blobs.

Everything is laid out in a single column that has to be scrolled down to read. One would think, or even expect, that critical tactical information would be laid out in a manner that's easy to read and understand. Having everything in a single column does not fit that particular criteria. Perhaps having separate columns with understandable headers to explain which systems need to be left alone, which need fortified as 1st priority, etc.. would be helpful. It looks like, at some point, that was being done. Now it's just one long vertical column. Even a tabbed page similar to a spreadsheet would be better than what we have at present.

I imagine that site is great if you're working on pie charts, flow charts or some other back office financials or project management. As a means to disseminate information for what we're doing, it falls flat. More often than not, I just say F it and fortify whatever looks like it needs it the most, or on the occasion that someone update this thread with information we can use and understand, I go with that. Every time I go back to Trello, I ask myself why I put myself though the insanity.

It's great that someone's trying to give us information, and I'd love to be able to put that information to good use to help the Power. Unfortunately, I can't use that site to do so in it's current state.

 

[Cori]

As I said, it makes absolutely no sense. I've no idea what the little color bars are, or why they're on specific items. There's no 'map key' to explain them. If they serve a purpose, it's not clear what that purpose is. They're just colored blobs.

Everything is laid out in a single column that has to be scrolled down to read. One would think, or even expect, that critical tactical information would be laid out in a manner that's easy to read and understand. Having everything in a single column does not fit that particular criteria. Perhaps having separate columns with understandable headers to explain which systems need to be left alone, which need fortified as 1st priority, etc.. would be helpful. It looks like, at some point, that was being done. Now it's just one long vertical column. Even a tabbed page similar to a spreadsheet would be better than what we have at present.

I imagine that site is great if you're working on pie charts, flow charts or some other back office financials or project management. As a means to disseminate information for what we're doing, it falls flat. More often than not, I just say F it and fortify whatever looks like it needs it the most, or on the occasion that someone update this thread with information we can use and understand, I go with that. Every time I go back to Trello, I ask myself why I put myself though the insanity.

It's great that someone's trying to give us information, and I'd love to be able to put that information to good use to help the Power. Unfortunately, I can't use that site to do so in it's current state.

I will certainly pass that along.

The colour bars, though, are the priorities. If you click on them they'll expand and you'll see the text - HIGH, MEDIUM, etc.

 

[pluton]

It looks like a big undermine again this week.

Should we fortify the remaining profitable systems (Ienpalang, Igores, Halbara)? That seems obvious, but perhaps there is a reason not to?

Should we fortify the remaining unprofitable systems?

Clear, explicit information on Trello would be useful.

The "All other systems to 50%" box has been moved below "Below this line all systems have already been fortified". The remaining systems are not to 50%, so what does that mean?

I don't know whether to continue fortifying or not after Aurawala.

 

[Draxxa]

you guys probably make a calculation how much where which system...would it be possible to generate a table that we can read for ourselves...? using Googledocs spreadsheet or something like that? because as a user it's tedious to use Trello....it's nice for presentation...but still....not very informative

 

[Cori]

At the moment (due to the rather obscure maths of Power Play) more fortification is not the priority. Our starting deficit means that, even if we fortify everything, we can still be turmoiled. Selective fortification is the key, and at the moment we are about where we want to be.

Right now, efforts should be put instead into pushing the expansion. Grab materials from there and take them back to a controlled system - Kalana is nearest, from memory.

 

[Cori]

you guys probably make a calculation how much where which system...would it be possible to generate a table that we can read for ourselves...? using Googledocs spreadsheet or something like that? because as a user it's tedious to use Trello....it's nice for presentation...but still....not very informative

Generally we try not to make it too informative, after all the other side can read it too!

If you want more information, that's why we have the Slack, where there is at least some effort to restrict it to confirmed AD pledged commanders.

 

[pluton]

Selective fortification is the key, and at the moment we are about where we want to be.

Not exactly "clear and explicit", but I'll take that as "Do not fortify anything".

If that's what you want, replace the "We are doubling down" text on Trello with an explicit instruction.

If turmoil is inevitable, then isn't effort at Belgitan wasted? The expansion will fail because no CC available.

 

[Cori]

Not exactly "clear and explicit", but I'll take that as "Do not fortify anything".

If that's what you want, replace the "We are doubling down" text on Trello with an explicit instruction.

If turmoil is inevitable, then isn't effort at Belgitan wasted? The expansion will fail because no CC available.

It's not quite that simple. Again, further explanation is better on the Slack rather than an open forum thread.

 

[Draxxa]

I understand the OpSec....then Slack it is