A Strategy...

[agapooka]

I don't know how well this'd work, especially now that I'm putting it in the open. Hah.

Essentially, an alliance would need an ample supply of complete n00bs. Those n00bs would be in a front alliance, whose link with the primary alliance would be unknown, except to high command.

The n00bs would be unleashed in a war of blank threats against a powerful alliance and encouraged to steal planets and otherwise do things that would initiate conflict. This would be coordinated with the primary alliance's high command covert agency, which would monitor the amount of turns that the targets have, spend and acquire.

The most strategic day to go through with the final assault would likely be after all market turns have been used up - normally on Tuesday, right? Some trading is still possible, but with quick action, once the front alliance is destroyed (or if the target alliance refuses to destroy it completely, disbanded) and the command of that front alliance has ensured, with feedback from the primary alliance's high command, that the target alliance has spent as many turns as possible, the primary alliance's strikers can jump into action with the element of surprise, catching the enemy when they do not have enough turns to retaliate properly.

The n00bs would obviously need to be well coordinated; however, it is important that they be willing to be impolite and/or have no sense of what politeness is. Furthermore, it would be more effective if they had the hologram technology, as this would ensure that the target alliance waste more turns. Any strategy that they employ would be limited to what is ordered to them by high command.

It is imperative that only the primary alliance's high command and the front alliance's leader be aware of the link between the front alliance and the primary alliance. The leader of the front alliance would effectively be a double agent, sacrificing the front alliance for the benefit of the primary alliance. He is encouraged to use PPT, purgatory, nox and other so-called cowardly tactics to remain "untouchable".

If the primary alliance can afford it, they also ought to covertly funnel funds into the front alliance (through the double agent, so that they cannot be traced to the primary alliance by the n00bs) in order to build the n00bs up a bit and encourage the n00b attitude and allow them to be a more effective distraction for the target alliance. The n00bs, however, should not mass, especially if the target has nox activated. They should send cocky messages, attempt to farm, raid and steal planets.

On an economics scale, the primary alliance may want to temporarily gain control of the turn market.

Agapooka

[Noobert]

I blame TTF for price increases!

[Cole]

Very good tactic Pookie!

[~Vix~]

Good strategy there. It could be used from time to time i guess. Like noobert i blame TTF, and I fully expect TTF to blame Fuall haha why spoil the habbit of...er... a year!

Peace& Love!

[Duderanch]

Tbh 2years ago that would have been a good tactic. These days resources are practically limitless for the big alliances/empires.

[agapooka]

I quit 2 years ago.

Makes sense.

[~[ Greased Gerbil ]~]

I quit 2 years ago.

Makes sense.

It's still a compelling tactic. I especially like the idea that the n00b army use cowardly, frustrating tactics like hiding in PPT etc. I also love the siphoning idea. But to an experienced enemy, the apparent endless resources of a bunch of n00bs might become a little suspicious.

Plus, now you've told everybody. So all they have to do is look for the biggest coward in the n00b army and know that he's the double agent. Sit on him enough and they find the puppet-master.

Otherwise it's brilliant... that's why I love this game: no bright flashing lasers, 1GB graphics cards or guys with 100 macros programmed into their $300 wireless KB & Laser Mouse set. All tactics, makes you think.

[Mathlord]

Why would I blame FUALL for the turn prices?

I blame the fact we have limitless farming potential at high rates meaning that we can profit even at very high turn prices.

Sheesh the hostility

[agapooka]

I quit 2 years ago.

Makes sense.

It's still a compelling tactic. I especially like the idea that the n00b army use cowardly, frustrating tactics like hiding in PPT etc. I also love the siphoning idea. But to an experienced enemy, the apparent endless resources of a bunch of n00bs might become a little suspicious.

Plus, now you've told everybody. So all they have to do is look for the biggest coward in the n00b army and know that he's the double agent. Sit on him enough and they find the puppet-master.

Otherwise it's brilliant... that's why I love this game: no bright flashing lasers, 1GB graphics cards or guys with 100 macros programmed into their $300 wireless KB & Laser Mouse set. All tactics, makes you think.

Well, I know that saying it kind of ruins it, but I prefer thinking of it than actually trying it. I can't be bothered to actually try this strategy. On another note, there might still be hope. It's not like it's that abnormal for n00bs to wage war on powerful alliance, right? If anyone finds out that these kinds of tactics are being used, it's usually when the primary alliance attacks, but then it'd be too late if everything went according to plan.

But ok, the siphoning of resources should be carefully planned, not to make the n00bs suspiciously powerful, but rather to give them a little edge that they wouldn't otherwise have, due to their inherently n00bish nature. Also, giving a n00b freebies boosts their confidence and attitude and they won't find it difficult to start conflict.

As to finding the double agent, it's pretty easy if you know that you're looking for one: it has to be the one that makes the final decisions in the alliance, or at least someone with a huge say. The use of an alliance bank like before (users pool resources with a user) would make it seem normal to the n00bs that they are getting resources from the alliance bank to fight a war! The resources would be funneled from the primary alliance in increments, through the agent and then through the bank!

Of course, these days, I've heard that a wallet does more than strategy. I've created a game account to see how long I'll need to get a decent army. Then I'll mass random people and quit again.

Cheers.

Agapooka

[Mathlord]

The problem is in wars today, you can take out the biggest enemy defenses almost immediately no matter how high (at least the big alliances can). And in taking out defenses, spies and even a good chunk of attack weapons, they are more than capable resource wise to strike right back.

So surprise only really gives you a few days head start, and with limitless resources out there, anyone can catch right back up and fight back.

Glad to hear you're back in the game Pooky

[agapooka]

That's why games like this are normally played in waves, I guess. Maybe someone could try this in Quantum?

[SSG EnterTheLion]

lol rather old strategy and been tried out multiple times.

[agapooka]

Yeah, I'm not pretending I came up with it completely. I was, ehm, inspired by how real wars are fought.

Hey, Rhett, it's been a while. By the way, do you have fascinating stories for us about when this has been tried out? I'd love to hear the gruesome details, ya know.

Agapooka

[SSG EnterTheLion]

quantum first wave, then against some guys who exploited a bug I once referred to. And so on... fun times!

[Juliette]

quantum first wave, then against some guys who exploited a bug I once referred to. And so on... fun times!

That description doesn't do your literary talents justice.. We (or at least Agapooka and me) would love a story!