STGOD2k6 Discussion Thread

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » 2006-05-04 09:11pm

Last time around, the standard point-cap boost was for every active player.

Duckie · Post by **Duckie** » 2006-05-05 06:37am

Bah, 'tis all a nefarious plot to deprive the Khar Imperium of the tools it needs to accomplish its mandated destiny.

600 points will not delay the inevitable- we will triumph. It is impossible for it to be otherwise.

Oseng · Post by **Oseng** » 2006-05-05 07:16pm

I will be gone for this weekend, without access to a computer or the internet.

I'm an assistant scoutmaster for a Boy Scout Troop, and there is an event that we are camping at.

I should be back sometime Sunday afternoon, and I will post any posts that I need to then.

have Fun!

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-05-06 02:33am

*gauntlet hits floor*

Shoot down the cruiser. Make my day.

Post by **Beowulf** » 2006-05-06 03:51am

Pretend you don't understand them and run!

Spyder · Post by **Spyder** » 2006-05-06 06:32am

If anyone else wants to take the reigns of the Silver Flame, the option's there. Only condition is that you must run them how you'd run your own, that is do not engulf them into your own empire.

MrDod, have you made at least one post within the last 30 days? That was pretty much the only requirement. The spirit of this rule is to ensure that nations can't defend themselves with silence. It's not there to deprive people of income due to technicalities.

I'd like to get opinions on this. How many here feel that MrDod hasn't been active enough?

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2006-05-09 02:47am

I for one, think that's he's been plenty active with his nation. It's just that you all can't see it because the extent of his activity is mostly endless ranting over AIM.

Thirdfain: My scout is in Talon. The Fleet is in the Lesser Library. Note that the cruiser is at a "very safe distance". Which means that unless you have FTL weaponry, you might not want to waste your ammo on it.

EDIT - "Trans-Cluster Line"? That's fucking retarded. If Point A is safe, and Point B is safe, the pirates in between the two points can't do shit. Points A and B can be next door to each other, or have the whole cluster in between, the pirates still can't do shit.

OOB update pending mod aproval for my "Weapons of Ass Destruction"

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-05-09 11:10am

"Trans-Cluster Line"? That's fucking retarded. If Point A is safe, and Point B is safe, the pirates in between the two points can't do shit. Points A and B can be next door to each other, or have the whole cluster in between, the pirates still can't do shit.

On the contrary. A number of matters:

1. Maintenance. Starships need to refuel, undergo maintenance, and repair any damage incurred while en-route. What if there's some sort of accident on one of the megafreighters? Seeing as the territory it'll be travelling through is pretty much entirely unknown to it's crew, it'll have no safe places to put it.

2. Multiple destinations. The network of bases will attract local trade, so a ship moving down the line will not just be moving goods from point A to point B, but also enjoying stays at a series of safe ports of call where goods can be bought or sold.

3. Interdiction Devices. Pirates have them- interdictors for knocking a ship out of FTL. It's old hat in STGODs. " A" and "B" can be impenetrable fortresses, but while it's en route between them, a ship is vulnerable to anyone with those capabilities.

This plan is going to establish security on the long trip across the uncharted Sphere while helping disseminate Crobuzoner, LPG, and Falau'un goods.

Meanwhile, Adrian, read more carefully. The Basilaerus is over the Lesser Library, along with most of my fast cruisers and battlecruisers. She's approaching your main battlefleet, not the Boulder.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-05-09 12:11pm

Adrian Laguna wrote:EDIT - "Trans-Cluster Line"? That's fucking retarded. If Point A is safe, and Point B is safe, the pirates in between the two points can't do shit. Points A and B can be next door to each other, or have the whole cluster in between, the pirates still can't do shit.

What should keep several dozen light years of distance safe? Just because the end points are?
Using that logic, on force in history would ever have had need for escorting convoys...

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2006-05-09 02:13pm

Thirdfain wrote:1. Maintenance. Starships need to refuel, undergo maintenance, and repair any damage incurred while en-route. What if there's some sort of accident on one of the megafreighters? Seeing as the territory it'll be travelling through is pretty much entirely unknown to it's crew, it'll have no safe places to put it.

Accidents... but of course, how silly of me. Shit does happen.

2. Multiple destinations. The network of bases will attract local trade, so a ship moving down the line will not just be moving goods from point A to point B, but also enjoying stays at a series of safe ports of call where goods can be bought or sold.

That part of the plan I can get behind.

3. Interdiction Devices. Pirates have them- interdictors for knocking a ship out of FTL. It's old hat in STGODs. " A" and "B" can be impenetrable fortresses, but while it's en route between them, a ship is vulnerable to anyone with those capabilities.

How the hell can you interdict something in deep space? It's huge, gigantic. Cubic light-years upon cubic light-years. Even if you could put an interdiction field over such a large area, it still wouldn't work. So the freighter drops out of FTL. Now what? Unless the pirates are really lucky bastards the ship is very far away, and they could spend days or weeks chasing after it. It's a lot better to just steal shit on the ground and then smuggle it.

Consequences asked, in the original thread, about FTL interdiction and did not get a reply. I assumed there wouldn't be any. Still, I took precautions. You may note that my primary FTL system, the Rip Drive, is handicapped in that it cannot be activated within a star system. I did that in case interdiction was introduced, because my idea of how the thing works doesn't allow for it. So Rip Drive can't be interdicted, but it doesn't matter because the ships still have to be outside the system to use it. Though this in-transit interdiction (as opposed to: "you can't leave/enter this system") is totally unexpected, mostly because it sound stupid.

This plan is going to establish security on the long trip across the uncharted Sphere while helping disseminate Crobuzoner, LPG, and Falau'un goods.

Good for you, but I still say that could be done without wasting resources on a network of "safe stations".

Meanwhile, Adrian, read more carefully. The Basilaerus is over the Lesser Library, along with most of my fast cruisers and battlecruisers. She's approaching your main battlefleet, not the Boulder.

Whoops. Don't reply until I fix things, though the message is the same.

Dahak wrote:What should keep several dozen light years of distance safe? Just because the end points are?
Using that logic, no force in history would ever have had need for escorting convoys...

The thing is, no force in history ever went into another dimension while in transit. That kind of changes things.

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2006-05-09 02:30pm

Adrian Laguna wrote:I for one, think that's he's been plenty active with his nation. It's just that you all can't see it because the extent of his activity is mostly endless ranting over AIM.

Unfortunately, as you said, we can't see it, especially as he has no viewable AIM account in his profile.

I for one, PMed him two weeks ago with the intent of discussing ingame proceedings, and again a week later specifically in regards to reaching a gentlemanly accord about me starting some shit in his territory. Before, I was willing to allow that RL happens and let it slide, with this revelation, I'm feeling nowhere near as charitable.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-05-09 05:43pm

Adrian Laguna wrote:
3. Interdiction Devices. Pirates have them- interdictors for knocking a ship out of FTL. It's old hat in STGODs. " A" and "B" can be impenetrable fortresses, but while it's en route between them, a ship is vulnerable to anyone with those capabilities.
How the hell can you interdict something in deep space? It's huge, gigantic. Cubic light-years upon cubic light-years. Even if you could put an interdiction field over such a large area, it still wouldn't work. So the freighter drops out of FTL. Now what? Unless the pirates are really lucky bastards the ship is very far away, and they could spend days or weeks chasing after it. It's a lot better to just steal shit on the ground and then smuggle it.

Interdiction happens. By your logic, trade lanes and interdiction devices in Stars Wars shouldn't be useable or needful...

Consequences asked, in the original thread, about FTL interdiction and did not get a reply. I assumed there wouldn't be any. Still, I took precautions. You may note that my primary FTL system, the Rip Drive, is handicapped in that it cannot be activated within a star system. I did that in case interdiction was introduced, because my idea of how the thing works doesn't allow for it. So Rip Drive can't be interdicted, but it doesn't matter because the ships still have to be outside the system to use it. Though this in-transit interdiction (as opposed to: "you can't leave/enter this system") is totally unexpected, mostly because it sound stupid.

Interdiction is a given in STGODs. Drives, any drive, can be interdicted. Saying that your drive could not be simply does not fly.
And trade lanes are an equally given in STGODs. Best to accept it and deal with it. Simply saying it is not so does not make it so.

This plan is going to establish security on the long trip across the uncharted Sphere while helping disseminate Crobuzoner, LPG, and Falau'un goods.

Good for you, but I still say that could be done without wasting resources on a network of "safe stations".[/quote]
Piracy happens. Without stations or protection, your trade will suffer. YOu can ask the mods, but I daresay that "invulnerable" trade won't fly here. So you either protect it one way or another, or...not.

Post by **Beowulf** » 2006-05-09 11:15pm

Trade lanes occur because it's cheaper to go along a preplotted out route, than have computers capable of doing the hyperspace calcuations on each vessel, and it's cheaper to spend as little time in transit as possible. So interdiction will work against trade ships.

Warships are not bound by the same performance/price issues, and so can come along virtually any vector into a system, taking an infinite number of different paths to get there. Hence, using interdiction to stop warships in interstellar space, will not work. Space is big. Unimaginatively huge.

For similar reasons, hitting smugglers and pirates in deep space won't work. Hence, any action that is not commerce raiding or protection will likely have to be forced in a star system.

Spyder · Post by **Spyder** » 2006-05-10 03:10am

I don't really think the price of hyperspace computers would be a factor, even for the small traders.

What you'd probably see happen is pirates would hit areas where there was a lot of traffic between two specific points. I would imagine that only a relatively small percentage of legitimate trade traffic would be attacked, the big corporate liners would probably barely be touched. The most at risk would be smaller black market traders.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-05-10 08:41am

By the way, would it be possible to sticky the Game, Diplomacy, and OOB threads in the big STGOD sticky at the top of this forum? I need to do lots of cross-referencing, and it would help me- also, any newbies joining would find it useful...

-edit- My latest post has been UPDATED, with stuff in it for DAHAK.

I'll post to 2rd Impact and Adrian later today- got to go to rehearsal.

Spyder · Post by **Spyder** » 2006-05-11 06:30am

I've been meaning to bug one of the forum mods about doing that.

In the meantime, I've put them in the top of this discussion thread, which can be found here.

...Well obviously since you're all reading the discussion thread now.

I'll repost them here too. It might be an idea to bookmark these.

-Links-

Main Thread

Discussion Thread

OOB Thread

Diplomacy Thread (Depricated)

Duckie · Post by **Duckie** » 2006-05-11 09:50pm

Contrary to my spurious promises, personal problems and final exams have so far compounded my difficulties with catching up in the STGOD. I'm not sure whether I will be dropping out, this weekend will give the yes or no.

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » 2006-05-11 10:13pm

Is Raxmei's Custodial Staff still around, or did my galactic neighbors suddenly vanish into thin air?

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-05-11 11:19pm

It' entirely permissible to take a couple-week break, MR DOD. Heck, I'll even writ up summary of what's gone down when you get back.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-05-12 12:46am

Adrian, is your Boulder still over Talon? I see no reason why it shouldn't be, seeing as your edits wouldn't have effected it's jump towards the bulk of the Iron Fleet.

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2006-05-12 01:11am

Thirdfain wrote:Adrian, is your Boulder still over Talon? I see no reason why it shouldn't be, seeing as your edits wouldn't have effected it's jump towards the bulk of the Iron Fleet.

Umm...

I wrote:The voice returned to the calm diplomatic demeanor of the first part of the message. "If you wish to speak with the Mekidar Republic in an official capacity, we have diplomats available. They are on a ship in the system where most of your fleet is holding, if you haven't detected it, send a query in all directons and it should respond. If you wish, a meeting point may be designated, or you may wait several hours for one of our civilian freighters."

That's my ship. I think we both could use some reading comprehension classes. Should we take them toguether and split the price 50-50?

Dahak, I'm gonna have to get back to you (the off-topic discussion). Not enough time to think about it. There is one thing I wanna say though: "That's fucking retarded", wrong choice of words. It's just that I really, really wanted to use that phrase. "That doesn't make sense" would have been more in line with what I wanted to say.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-05-12 01:24am

Your original post had a segment directed from the Talon towards the Iron Fleet itself, I couldn't find it, nor the section of your pre-edit post where you described the Boulder's arrival.

your posts on your fleet's arrival (the relevant parts)

"This is Silver Flame space. The red system is the location of the Arisian fleet. The green one is our destination. We'll be splitting into two Fleet Groups. High Admiral Radoslav is in charge of Group Beta, composed of the Sixth and Seventh Fleets. It will jump into the system. Group Alpha, the First and Fifth Fleets, is commanded by High Admiral Kavadei. The First will go here, and the Fifth here. The Silver Flame's early warning systems should pick them up, but the Arisians won't see shit unless they're dragging around a sensors station."

The images dissapeared and all was again submerged in darkness. A chessboard on a stand appeared beside the VGA. He looked at it for a few seconds then moved a piece.

"Checkmate."

Group II came-out of subspace outside the system and transmitted a low level IFF code. The Quelectin wouldn’t recognize it as a friendly code, but they would likely recognize it as belonging to the Mekidar. Not awaiting a response, the two fleets Folded into very high orbit above the Lesser Library.

“This is Fleet Group Beta of the Mekidar Republic’s expeditionary force. Fleet Group Alpha is holding outside the system.” The transmission came from a shuttle much closer to the planet. “I am Vice-Grand Admiral Asdvadz, commander of the Republic Expeditionary Force. If you wish us to help in defending your homes, I recommend that you direct me to the local command center so we can coordinate fleet operations.”

Pardon, I'm in the habit of working off of force declarations, and I don't see anything about the arrival of the Boulder over Talon.

Not that it matters, I wrote the post as if the Boulder was there anyways.

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2006-05-12 01:37am

Whoops, yeah, the arrival of Boulder in Talon got lost somewhere as I was re-arranging things.

The way things stand now:
-Mekidar light cruiser, slightly weaker than one of your armoured cruisers, floating in the outer parts of Talon.

-A fleet showed-up in the Lesser Library, went "Whoops, the Silver Flame surrendered. No need to fight now", and left. Vandermere probably suspects that they are somewhere outside the system, or perhaps even moving to Talon. Reality is: they are way outside the Library and away from Talon.

It could not be tolerated, cowshit about "sovereign vessels" and "aborted missions" besides. The Mekidar had lied before to gain tactical advantage when they'd slipped by the Sanguine Straights.

No Grossadmiral, the bullshit is you accusing the Republic of being liars.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-05-12 01:47am

Come now, Adrian! The Boulder spouted some noise of concern regarding the Silver Flame, or somesuch, but with the arrival of your large battlefleet, Vandermere is quite convinced it was simply trying to scout out the Iron Fleet in preparation for your attack. Ýou can't deny that the Boulder certainly *acted* like a battlefleet scout rather than a first contact vessel, what with her arrival at combat speeds and hasty retreat, followed not long after by the arrival of a large force of capital ships. Now that she's showing up again, he's not giving her much of a second chance.

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2006-05-12 08:04pm

MRDOD wrote:Contrary to my spurious promises, personal problems and final exams have so far compounded my difficulties with catching up in the STGOD. I'm not sure whether I will be dropping out, this weekend will give the yes or no.

Shit happens. Consider Piracy on hold.

Although I will, of course, selfishly lobby the mods for a percentage of the points you aren't using.