Help plan my invasion!

[Frankychan]

Shoot, I used to play with Blind Research since I got the game! I didn't even know you could 'beeline' to any tech. I think it's because when I first got the game, it somehow had Blind Research ON and I figured that was the default.

So you think Yang would demand compensation from Aki? I think I'll do that once my troops land.

As for the fleets, I decided to make it look presentable for the peeps here at Poly. I know Chop & Drop is the best thing to do, but because of tech stag, this is the most efficient form of invasion that I can think of that's also punitive.

Originally posted by GeoModder

Ouch, production has changed in the target cities? Means the Spartan fleet is now on the high seas?

You noticed that too, huh? I think Santiago knows something is coming and is preparing just in case. I'm thinking once she saw my transports, she knew a fight was coming...

Originally posted by Flubber

Thats what I was thinking . . . I would have probably made sure to have a ship or evn better a plane on that mining platform blocking that strait to prevent unpleasant suprises from occurring. I would likely have a bigger screening force as well.

But then again if it were me, I would have planted a seabase about 4 tiles of his coast and then hit him with multiple needlejets and have ground forces of a few rovers and probe teams. The geography is such that airpower can easily sanitize the capital and area and you really don't need much in the way of ground forces.


If I am reading the tech situation right, you should be able to sweep all before you quite easily

I should have thought about blocking that mining platform. I was more worried about any ships that I couldn't see sinking one of my transports. My paranoia runs high in SMAC/X sometimes.

Tech-wise, I'm in the lead. I've found out that the University has the HSA (one of my favorite SP's), and I plan on invading the city that has that SP later on in the game....but I'm getting ahead of myself...

[GeoModder]

Yes, perhaps the good Colonel still has a surprise for you in her sleeves...

[Hydro]

"Good" and "Coronal Santiago" are words rarely used in association with each other.

I view Yang as having little sympathy for those that are disobedient, and he is not forgiving of treachery. Aki's little betrayal is rather serious since she will then be likely to spread SyFF all across Chiron, which is a long term threat to The People. Giver her a choice: suitable compensation or a re-education camp for her and all of her Cyborg subjects.

As to Santiago, she deserves punishment for her meddling and improper attitude. Hit her where it will hurt the most and decrease her ability to resist: her population centers. Populations are resources, and Chairman Yang understands that very well. It is a tossup whether to take out bases in the Jungle or her capital (I’d lean toward the Jungle). Any SP would likely tip the balance.

Neglecting probes is not something a firm believer in a police state would do. After all, knowledge is power, and knowledge must be denied to your enemies and given in judicious amounts to the loyal members of The Hive. Having no defense against Spartan espionage is simply not acceptable.

Hydro (taking off his Chairman Yang utilitarian tunic to put on his flowing Gaian robe again)

[Darsnan]

Kill the head, and the body will die....

Originally posted by Lazerus
I'd say Yellow, the landing at spot 2 should take that base then you've got a nice chokepoint to kill whatever she sends from the top 3 bases while you conquer the one behind then you can easily advance and finish that conti if theres any sort of mass resistance.
If there isn't it will be a very quick strike, just make sure your highest defender +50% (land on rocky) can survive attacks from whatever shes got sitting about as he won't be able to move for a turn and theres little point trying to defend bases with rovers.

The only thing I'd add to Lazurus' comments above for option Yellow is to ensure you have fortified the chokepoint south of Sparta Command against counterattack/ Probe infiltration. After that (assuming your initial attack is sucessful) then the Hive's strength (production) should play to its advantage over the Spartans weakness (production) in the long term.


D

[Commy]

This is when it is really nice to have amphibious units...

[Frankychan]

Originally posted by Hydro
"Good" and "Coronal Santiago" are words rarely used in association with each other.

I view Yang as having little sympathy for those that are disobedient, and he is not forgiving of treachery. Aki's little betrayal is rather serious since she will then be likely to spread SyFF all across Chiron, which is a long term threat to The People. Giver her a choice: suitable compensation or a re-education camp for her and all of her Cyborg subjects.

As to Santiago, she deserves punishment for her meddling and improper attitude. Hit her where it will hurt the most and decrease her ability to resist: her population centers. Populations are resources, and Chairman Yang understands that very well. It is a tossup whether to take out bases in the Jungle or her capital (I’d lean toward the Jungle). Any SP would likely tip the balance.

Neglecting probes is not something a firm believer in a police state would do. After all, knowledge is power, and knowledge must be denied to your enemies and given in judicious amounts to the loyal members of The Hive. Having no defense against Spartan espionage is simply not acceptable.

Hydro (taking off his Chairman Yang utilitarian tunic to put on his flowing Gaian robe again)

Dude! Thanks Hydro! I like the Yang view of things. So, you think Yang would punish disobedience even if it concerned another faction? I've already expelled all her units, cancelled our Pact, and armed my border with her with enough units to invade her sorry cyborg a**. Maybe you're right. I think the good Chairman would crush her because its weapons technology.

As for Santiago, I agree. Population centers (ie more Spartan soldiers) are crucial in their elimination. I was thinking that after all those years of paying "tribute", Yang would hit her where it hurt-by taking her capital (and therefore her pride). After my Hive troops march through Sparta Command, I plan on having a second invasion of eliminating her 'Jungle Warriors'.

For the probe teams, you know. I think you are right. Any good police state would have an excellent intelligence agency. I'll found the HIA (Hive Intelligence Agency) post haste!

Only a couple more days until the invasion. Even if it somehow fails, I'll post the resulting aftermath.

[Frankychan]

Re: Kill the head, and the body will die....

Originally posted by Darsnan


The only thing I'd add to Lazurus' comments above for option Yellow is to ensure you have fortified the chokepoint south of Sparta Command against counterattack/ Probe infiltration. After that (assuming your initial attack is sucessful) then the Hive's strength (production) should play to its advantage over the Spartans weakness (production) in the long term.


D

You know, you also have a good point. My Red 3rd point is something that I would do. Would the Chairman split up his forces like that? I dunno. However, I have given this invasion up to the people of Apolyton. The next thing I ask will definitely be a "Yang decision".

Probe teams will probably be inserted next and hit the weaker bases. I'll probably have more HIA agents alongside the regular Hive army pawns.

I'm hoping that my bullying Domai (I really should have squashed him) results in him attacking some Spartan bases as well. But I really doubt it.

[Barinthus]

Don't fret too much over not crushing Domai. His philisophy is somewhat similar and also I'm sure even the Chairman would keep submissives as long they are useful (trade, cannon fodder, etc)

[Hydro]

FC,

Aki’s betrayal has forced you to arm another border, and this makes the treachery even worse since it diverts attention from where it is firmly needed: Santiago. Demand Aki’s secondary base as compensation. If she fails to see the logic of this just compensation then she will learn the Joys of Production and Right Thinking during her reeducation.

Yang is certainly cognizant of the value of human emotions, and how to use them to further the aims of The People. But he does not let the temporary joy of a battle cloud his judgment. In the end the decision on where to attack is a carefully weighed assessment of whether taking her capital with that shock value to her economy and strategic penalty she will suffer is greater than the material loss of her more valuable holdings in the Jungle. There is also the specter of attacking where the enemy is weakest to take advantage of their errors in strategy. I trust you’ve infiltrated the Spartans? If not then delay your attack until you have. Attacking blind is a poor idea, and as I mentioned – knowledge is power.

I view Yang as being utterly strategic and ruthless in his thinking. He will use every means at his disposal to ensure the rise of The People over the deeply flawed factions that surround him. He knows that in conquering these blighted factions he offering them a chance at bettering themselves since they can then be stripped (physically and mentally) of years of erroneous thinking, and that this will free them to attain their full potential as loyal citizens of The Hive. Moreover, by conquering them he is ensuring that humanity does not make the same soft-headed and blind mistakes that doomed Earth.

So you can see that Yang’s goals are altruistic, even if his means are amoral. This makes my brain hurt in a delicious way, which is why The Hive is my second favorite faction.

Hydro

[GeoModder]

Originally posted by Hydro
... I trust you’ve infiltrated the Spartans? If not then delay your attack until you have. Attacking blind is a poor idea, and as I mentioned – knowledge is power.

...

FYI, the screenshots clearly show Spartan baseproduction.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by GeoModder


FYI, the screenshots clearly show Spartan baseproduction.

Yes-- I assumed all along he had infiltration from that alone. besides its silly to plan an amphibious landing if you don't know whats waiting to hit you-- ie probeteams for instance

[Frankychan]

Originally posted by Flubber


Yes-- I assumed all along he had infiltration from that alone. besides its silly to plan an amphibious landing if you don't know whats waiting to hit you-- ie probeteams for instance

I know, but this is old-school style invasion.

If it's still tied tomorrow, I'm going to just flip a coin. One more day.

[CEO Aaron]

Invasion Plan Gold is my vote, but is that any suprise from a fundamentalist Morganite?

Seriously, if your goal is to take the capital, hold the choke point at Red 2 while you sack Sparta command and its two suburbs. You needn't even land troops at gold 2, just alternate flying needles there to block ground reinforcements. This is assuming Sparta lacks air power or SAM, otherwise you'll have to commit ground troops. However, if that's the case, I like landing troops at gold 1 and 3 and red 2. Red 2 holds the choke point while gold 1 and 3 scour the Spartan capital.

Also, depending on how weakly held Fleet Anchorage is, consider demolishing the garrison with airstrikes and capturing it with your missile foil. Then you can park a transport in there and have a walkable path for any reinforcements you care to send from the homeland.

I assume you didn't get the Weather Paradigm, otherwise you'd dispense with this naval chicanery and just raise a land bridge and march on Sparta. Or at least I would. I perfer to avoid amphibious landings unless I've got marines.

As for your choice not to use probe teams, I respect your decision, but just because you don't choose to employ spies against your enemies doesn't mean you shouldn't employ counterintelligence agents to keep them from being used against you. This technology theft of the Consciousness, for example, could have been forstalled by having a probe team garrisoned in the border bases. Just something for you to consider.

One last thing. If your eventual plan is to capture Hawk of Chiron as well, start shore bombardment of the city ASAP. Otherwise you'll spend the lives of far to many of your troops uprooting defenders from their perimeter defenses.

[Frankychan]

Just checking in. Looks like Gold won. I'm launching the troops and I'll post the aftermath of the battle...

[Frankychan]

I landed my troops all around her bases while we were still in Blood Truce. The fool Santiago didn't even know what was ahead of her, she didn't even tell me to get out of her territory.

I did a 2-unit stacked action instead of having them all on one square (avoiding any possible losses...)

Here's the preinvasion map.