Honour in SGW
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:37 pm
Honour in Stargate Wars
How to Make Friends Whilst Hurting People
How to Make Friends Whilst Hurting People
Introduction
Diction
- Language
- Cursing
- Threats
- Sexuality
Your Alliance and You
- Communication
- Loyalty
- Treaties
- Command
Conflict
- Avoiding/Starting War
- Wartime Communication
- Extortion
- Allies
- Making Peace
Tactics
- When To Mass
- Subterfuge
- Sitting
- PPT
- Purgatory
- Officers
Farming/Raiding
- Farming
- Raiding
- Planet Stealing
- Vulturing
Introduction
I've been playing this game for quite some time now, as some of you may know, and I have always maintained my honour in the face of any conflict or situation. I've seen wars decided based solely on how one individual has conducted themselves, whole alliances brought down because of a few harsh words in a private message. Inspired by certain events, I decided that I would write a guide for those who are knew, or just seemingly not in the know, what the community in general thinks about a number of issues.
These perspectives are, of course, not uniformly held by the community, some of which I may disagree with myself. However, I feel that they do represent the general ideals of the 'average' SGW player. These days fighting the good fight and being nice about it seems to be taking a back seat to resource sales and bitter fights. I hope maybe I can bring back some community spirit. However, I digress, to the article.
Diction (Use of Words/Word Choice)
Language
Choice of words is extremely important at certain times in SGW. Saying the wrong thing can get your whole alliance massed. The sensible place to start is what language to speak. Obviously, if you're reading this, you have some English ability. This is good, because the majority of SGW players speak English, and it is the only language allowed on the Stargate Wars forums and in the main channel on the IRC.
When communicating in-game, your safest bet is to use English. While speaking another language isn't likely to offend anyone, it's not gonna be a whole lot of use if they don't understand. German will also be understood by a large portion of the community. There is a German channel on the IRC, however English is what you'll need in most cases.
Cursing
Cursing is generally frowned upon by members of the community, especially if used in response to an attack. Cursing in an in-game message is likely to offend the other player, which may in-turn be used to ally more players against you. Don't do it unless it's friendly swearing and you're well acquainted with the other player.
On the forum, and on public channels in the IRC, cursing is expressly banned and your account will be suspended if you use it too profusely. It will not make you friends.
Threats
Threats are the easiest way to get a lot of people attacking you very quickly. Any personal insults or threats against someone's person or friends/family/property is highly inappropriate and will get you sat on by many members of the community. Keep your head.
In-game threats, such as "Me and <alliance> will sit on you if you do that again.". are all well and good if you can back them up. However, you'll probably get massed saying these things too. People don't take kindly to being threatened. However, it's generally an acceptable way to start a war. These kind of threats are fine in the Galactic Colosseum on the forums, in-game or on IRC.
Sexuality
Sexuality is a dubious issue that should generally be avoided unless you know who you're talking to. Some people take offence at this, and your taste for camel porn probably isn't cool with everyone. In-game and on the forums, just don't do it, jokingly, seriously or insultingly. Questioning someone's gender or preference is also not cool.
On IRC, however, it's pretty much as dirty as you'll find. If you see Ishmayeck on, he's pretty much the boundary of what people will tolerate without vomiting.
Your Alliance and You
Communication
Communication within an alliance is key to success. The only point to address here is that you should talk to alliance members like your friends/colleagues. If you disagree with someone, then debate the issue or simply avoid them. Treat your commanders with respect, they PROBABLY know what they're doing.
Loyalty
There's nothing your alliance will value more than loyalty. This means that when a war starts, you support your alliance in every way your commanders deem fit. You fight for your alliance, you supply resources to those who need it and you act as a team player. You DO NOT leave during a war unless your alliance leadership says you may.
Treaties
Basically, don't attack who your alliance leaders tell you not to attack. It's quite simple.
Command
Your alliance leadership is your boss. You do what they say. If you don't like it, then you should take it up with your other alliance leaders or leave the alliance. The command group probably knows what it is doing, and is acting in accordance with its ideas.
If you command the alliance, the only thing to consider is what's good for the alliance. Sometimes this may be about reputation and honour, sometimes about saving the members from damage. It's a fine balance at times.
Conflict
Avoiding or Starting Wars
In most cases wars can be resolved before they begin with simple communication. If you are seeking to avoid a war you should talk with the other side and find out why they want a war. You may have to make compromises, but as long as you're polite and fair most people will listen.
If you're planning on starting one, you should also keep it polite. Don't insult them. A little role-playing doesn't matter, as long as you don't go over-the-top.
Wartime Communication
Basically, don't let your enemy get to you. Report any insulting or threatening messages to your alliance leaders, and don't sink to that level. Keep a cool head and it'll benefit you and your alliance.
Extortion
Extortion is generally frowned upon by most members of the community. Extortion consists of things such as:
Pay us 1 trillion naquadah or we shall mass your alliance.
Most members of the community find this behaviour quite rude and dishonourable, and I have made it my personal rule to never give in to such demands. Giving into demands may sometimes save you a massing, but it also gives your enemy satisfaction. Paying is a personal choice. Extorting other players, however, is something that may get you into trouble, and isn't good form.
Unfortunately extortion is quite popular amongst larger alliances. They can do this often as no alliance can really police their actions. Any other alliances that could go to war, don't want to, especially over such a small issue. Recently, a new form of extortion has been used. Alliances you are at war with may demand payment in order to leave a war and for the attacks against you to cease. An example would be:
To leave the war you shall have to pay us 2 trillion naquadah and 1.5mil untrained units.
Often they will be the ones beginning the hostilities, then will proceed to demand payment from you in order to leave. At this stage there's not much that can be done, and it's only really done by more powerful alliances.
Allies
Bringing allies into a war is generally acceptable. In situations where you are vastly out-gunned, bringing your alliance's or personal allies into a conflict would be advisable and understandable. In evenly matched situations, some may frown upon such an action. It would also make it fine for the other side to do the same. So always consider whether you can deal with your enemy's friends before doing so.
Making Peace
Making peace works much the same way as avoiding the war. If you have obviously defeated an enemy you can negotiate terms in your favour. Extracting some tribute from them would be acceptable. Enforcing disbandment or name changes are often considered unnecessary and cruel. If the fight is drawn or close, you may wish to have someone admit defeat, or to part war peacefully on level footing. In both cases it is best to be polite and civil with your enemy, no matter what happened during the fight.
Tactics
When to Mass
When to mass is pretty much up to you. Just try to have a good reason, or else people might get upset. This is especially so when attacking weaker players or alliances.
Subterfuge
Allying and employing spies, agents or traitors within your enemy's alliance is generally deemed ok on your end. The person who betrays his alliance may draw alot of negative attention as a traitor, so best keep their name safe. Leaking the identity of your own informants is generally bad form. The enemy alliance may also be annoyed if they find out.
Sitting
Sitting, meaning keeping an enemy's statistics at a minimal and stopping them from rebuilding properly, can really ruin someone's game. Sitting on someone should only be done if they really, really deserve it. Sitting on someone until they quit is just mean, and may result in people returning the favour on you.
PPT
The Protected Planets Treaty is often called cowardly. Most people, however, recognise it as a valid tactic in a conflict. Feel free to use it when you want to avoid damage. However, when on PPT, try not to taunt the enemy. That's just cowardly.
Purgatory
Under peaceful circumstances, Purgatory is fine if you can't be on too often, if you're on vacation, or if you're just generally not wanting to spend too much time defending yourself.
During wartime, however, most consider purgatory to be cowardly and dishonourable. If you're vastly out-powered it may make sense, but in any battle in which you're not out-gunned 10 to 1, it's best to avoid.
Officers
In a war, just don't hit officers. It's not nice. If the officer hits you or declares war, then he enters on his/her own choice. Do not mass them simply because you're at war with their commander.
Farming/Raiding
Farming
Farming people is all good. If done excessively it may be deemed an act of war, however. Keep in mind people may attack you for it. If people are doing it to you, it would be best to ask them to stop before simply attacking, however.
Raiding
Raiding is mostly done on inactive accounts. In this case, it matters not what you do. If, however, you are raiding someone who is active, they may take it very poorly and deem it an act of war. If this does not trouble you, feel free to do it.
Planets
Stealing planets is something the community generally can't agree upon. People can be touchy, because sometimes a lot of effort and resources can go into single planets. Taking a planet, however, is also seen as a valid attack. Some alliances and individuals regard it an act of war, so be careful.
Vulturing
Vulturing is the newest word throw around, especially by big alliances, to describe farming or raiding members who are engaged in a war. Opinions are fairly split.
Here I must add a personal note, if you have a 500 bil defence and 500 bil naquadah out, YOU ARE NOT being vultured.
Vulturing is defined as stealing resources from someone who as at war, simply because their defences are lower than normal. Taking advantage.
It is my opinion that if you enter a war, it's a consequence you have to face. Most "vultures" do not even know the target is at war. It is up to you whether you wish to attack someone. Personally I will attack anyone, war or no war, so really I'm not taking advantage. Some alliances will add you on massing lists for attacking them though. Personally I think it's silly, but it's done often.
I hope this has helped some people to be avoid getting on people's bad side, and to get on with everyone else. Honour seems to be lacking amongst players these days, hopefully that'll change.
I parodied the subtitle... from something I heard... some time.... can't remember... meh, beer will help 