Invasion plans for University/Lal Axis

[Googlie]

Originally posted by Maniac
So when comparing the advantages and disadvantages, I personally think it's much better to keep everything we've conquered.

I agree

Here's (hopefully) what North Arcadia will look like in 2154

[Kassiopeia]

Whoa, hang on, I never realized there were so few Uni bases in the first place! Extending the war to bring about total control of the area doesn't seem like such a bad choice now. I'd say, don't accept submission if we don't have Monitoring Station. Modo

[Googlie]

I think if we can achieve the above in 2154 (ie capture Otk-Dis, bully him into giving up MonStat and buying/bullying into getting Clim Res) we can then accept his surrender. To postpone risks him bringing his 2 Ogres into play and we might lose some units that will be necessary to prosecute the subsequent advance into Southern Arcadia and takeover of Lalaland

The only downside to leaving him a couple of bases would be their vulnerability to probesteal - we can minimize that by stationing probe defenders in his bases or by transferring control of probes to him

[Snoddasmannen]

Wow, lots of discussion last night

You have convinced me that keeping the bases is indeed a good idea. Monitoring Station is a very strong base, and I agree that winning it is a prerequisite for accepting a submission. But I would rather win it through extortion (or even paying some energy for it) than taking it militarily, since the latter would destroy so many of the buildings in the base (and dangerous for our probe teams).

I don't think the last two bases in the east (Budishii and Mendelev) are important enough to waste time and risk forces on. So Googlies 2154 plan looks perfect

[Modo44]

I don't think we should allow ourselves to lose more units than necessary. Monitoring Station is definately worth it, but the other small bases don't present enough value, to take on two Battle Ogres.

[Googlie]

I think the key to Climatic research (for 2154 or 2155) will be where Morgan's trannie and longstrider - and their Western ocean 'Gator - are. If they are back in port, and if they have, say, stolen a tech or are now 1 turn away from whatever (not ecol eng) then we'd be safe to extort Clim Res this next turn and send our own Pippi loping westwards to set up shop in Clim Res in 2155

But if their trannie/probe or western 'Gator are still out and about we should wait until 2155 before calling Zak up and buying/extorting Clim Res (ie after we have our peobe defender in place)

I'd like for us to get our footprint on Arcadia's eastern ocean just to stop Morgan sending Colony Pods there. There are a lot of juicy forested tiles on that coast that someone who didn't care about a Vendetta with an emasculated Zak might find tempting to colonise. But they'll think twice if it's our territory and our base that's sitting there guarding that prime real estate.

[Googlie]

Originally posted by Googlie
I think if we can achieve the above in 2154 (ie capture Otk-Dis, bully him into giving up MonStat and buying/bullying into getting Clim Res) we can then accept his surrender.

I've played with the sim, and while it (obvioiusly) isn't the game itself, it's proven pretty accurate in the past as regards AI behaviour

We can capture Otk-Dis, then he declares submission to us

We can bully him into ceding Monitoring Station to us, but when I try to bully him into giving us Clim Res he gives us the finger.

Offering to buy it works, though

[Modo44]

Sounds like a plan. If we have the necessary cash, that would be a quick and effective solution.

[Kassiopeia]

So Googlie, do you need someone to do the diplo-testing parallel to the actual turnplaying?

[Googlie]

That'd be ideal - maybe run it together in the chat room

[Kassiopeia]

Oops, nevermind.

[Googlie]

But, again, I'd propose upon opening the turn to see where Morgan's probes are (or at least, where they are pointing)

In an ideal world they'd be back in base after a successful infiltration/techsteal - that way we'd be risk-free in buying Clim Res right away (our longstrider will take 2 turns to get there)

Otherwise I'd wait until 2155 before calling Zak again and buying Clim Res

[Googlie]

beat me to it!!

[Kassiopeia]

Yes, I realized that just now.

[Maniac]

I'm wondering, if we waited a few years with asking for Climactic Research instead of asking for it immediately after Monitoring Station, would he then give it for free, or still ask for credits?