Hypothetical plan to invade Lego

[vmxa1]

That is often what I do. It depends on what I see as the amount of time before resistances ends, what kind of cash I have (presuming cash for rushing) and how soon I need reinfocements.

In our case we may need those transports before we could replace them, but who knows.

[WarriorPoet]

This is a very detailed plan. If it goes according to how you wrote it originally...LOL...then we should go ok.

Why would GoW not take the opportunity to attack us? Why wouldn't ND do the same? I have to believe that Lego is the diplomatic power in the world, and GoW is very opportunistic it seems. This is my gut feel, but I almost tremble with the thought of a crippling flanking invasion by GoW once our second wave lands in Lego land...

Where would ND stand in all of this? Best case senario would have them remain neutral, unless GoW attacks us, which is more probable than ND attacking us.

What are our thoughts on my possible paranoia?

[DeepO]

Paranoia? Not really, I would call it very real threats. However, if GoW doesn't attack Lego now, it will not be able to do so later. Lego is for sure the #1 power in this game. GoW also fears us, or at least should do so, we still have the power to mount a decent invasion of their lands.

ND seems to be a bit dormant right now, not gaining much in power other then the new cities they are building, and improving. That could be our chance... however, once they see the kind of numbers were talking about, I'm sure they will beef up their defenses, and become a very serious threat later on. But we're not there yet.

What are our guarantees? basically, we will have enough reinforcements on our continent waiting (not everything will land in the first turn, as this will not be a rush, it can't be), which should be able to deal with possible invasions of our own. Further, we need scouting fighters, and picket ships. We will be able to spot if GoW also invades, due to the drop in power from both them and Lego, changing of cities, and hopefully spying. But it stays a risk.

Oh, the plan has changed somewhat: privateers are out (was a bit silly really, it would have been fun though), the date has been postponed a bit to let us build more troops, and the numbers for our invasion forces have been upped as well. (see the topped Smith's thread for new guesses).

The basic plan remains: build factories, get a tech advantage, build loads of tanks and marines, attack most of the picket ships, capture one city using marines, pillage suoroundings so Lego can't reach us easily and brace for impact on the rebound. When reinforcements arrive, slowly gain some land, and when the time is right rush forward and take whatever we can reach.

DeepO

[DeepO]

Oh, one thing we should keep in mind for both Lego and us when under attack: drafting. When you lose the tech advantage, simple majority of numbers can go very far... I hope Lego doesn't realize this

DeepO

[vmxa1]

I would not go so far as to call it paranoid. We all have those concerns. We will need at least a commitment from GoW.

I guess we feel that they would not do an out an out backstab and become pariahas. Either way, we have to sh_t or get off the pot at some point.

In the main we know that it will not win them (Bobians) the game to take us out. We do not have enough land to get them past Lego.

The only way anyone other than Lego can win is to cripple them.

[vmxa1]

Originally posted by DeepO
Oh, one thing we should keep in mind for both Lego and us when under attack: drafting. When you lose the tech advantage, simple majority of numbers can go very far... I hope Lego doesn't realize this

DeepO

I am sure they will be aware of that. That is the reason we need to swarm over as many cities as possible in a few turns. The good news is that those units are inferior to built ones.

[DeepO]

but that's a problem. I don't think we'll be able to swarm, we simply don't have the capacity to do so. Lego has more production power then we have, and the moment we attack their pickets (2 or 3 turns before invasion), they can start drafting.

The only reasonable thing I can see is if we are able to take out all their rubber resources, so we only face conscript riflemen. But that would be a very lucky shot, and we can't count on it

DeepO

[vmxa1]

Swarm was maybe not the most apt term, but with GoW we should at least make a dent.

[asleepathewheel]

what are the rules on drafting again? I never use it SP.

something about can only draft if above x citizens, can only draft x number/turns, x amount of unhappiness.

[vmxa1]

I never draft either, but I think it depends on your form of government.

[Arrian]

Isn't it that you can draft 1 unit per turn (republic), which costs 1 pop and has the same unhappiness effects as poprushing? In return you get a conscript of the best defensive unit available.

-Arrian

[WarriorPoet]

Arrian is right. This is a short term tactic and only under the most dire of situations, because of the happiness and pop penalties.

However, it can save your hide if you get involved in a surprise invasion.

On the paranoia aspect:

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one with concerns. That said, however, I'm with you guys on the need to cripple Lego. The only way to beat a Juggernaught is to hamstring him before he's in full gear. I also believe that we have no other choice for victory in this game.

I would suggest that we try a landing strategy that takes at least 3 cities out in the first two turns. I'm sure you're already considering this, but the way I have read some of the planning, it seams that we're talking more about an assault in one location.

[DeepO]

WP, any plans so far have been very simple and are certainly open for suggestions, so please do make them. it's always better to discuss different options

The reason why I suggested one landing site, is because when we land, we need to hold for the first turn what we attack, without any risk of being pushed out to sea. The more land we try to keep, the harder that will get. Concentrated defenses mean that in the counterattack, Lego will face all of our defense, instead of half, or one third of them. It also means that in the initial invasion, our chances to actually conquer our landing spot are nearing 100%.

But, I'm interested in any other plans you have... more options means we have a bigger chance of success.

DeepO

[asleepathewheel]

also if GoW actually meets its end of the bargain, we will have 2 fronts opened.

Unfortunately with rails, any undermanned landings are likely to get smashed. One alternative would be to use a couple transports of marines to just raze the other coastal cities of lego, or at least a couple to hamper their naval production. One fun thing to do there would be to raze every other coastal city, that way we would leave open quite a few possible 2nd landing points, or at least make them think we were purposefully leaving some cities intact.

[asleepathewheel]

also, IMHO, if we razed all the coastal cities but couldn't gain ground on the interior, I would probably consider it a successful campaign. Looking at about 1/4 to 1/3 of lego destroyed as a minimum goal.

razing cities would help out with RP as well: we raze the city and fire the b's ships 2 tiles inland destroying all roads, then the Conq's land and are more secure, then run wild.