To Dominate?

[scoutsout]

To Dominate, or not Dominate. That is the question.

Situation: We're about to drop our first settler on The Other Continent. Daghie has suggested that we grab enough tiles from the soon-to-be former TNT lands to pursue a Domination Victory.

I think that this idea has enough merit to explore; and I think the implications are complex enough that it warrants its own thread.

The tactical problems are generally more easily solved than the strategic...and we're quickly approaching the point that a strategic decision will need to be made.

As I see it... the biggest risk is that such a campaign would consume too many resources that we'll need to fight MIA. The biggest strength is the increased unit support that would allow us to warmonger in Republic.

Thoughts? Comments?

 

[Whomp]

Just my penny's worth...
All win conditions depend on some form of domination. Whether it's creating client states for a space victory or simply going in and conquering. Minimizing each teams core is the critical piece to all equations.

So the way I see it we've already delivered a bit of a death blow to TNT. If we cut off their capital and coastals you can stick a fork in them regardless if they're still alive.

The next step is to take notches off MIA. This will be the true battle and one that needs great focus.

 

[Sir Bugsy]

I think if we are the first to mil tradition we could easily take a domination victory without going to war with MIA. I'm sure they will not allow that to happen though.

 

[scoutsout]

I'm not sure we can win this without going to war with MIA. They are gearing up for war - mark it. The only question in my mind is when and how we fight them. We've got all we need for a combined arms slugfest. If we grab the sort of land that KB and Daghie are advocating... we could afford a pretty good sized combined arms army...

 

[Sir Bugsy]

Someone was worrying about corruption if we get too large. I don't think that should concern us as long as our core is strong. Given the early work of this team in planning the core, that will not be a problem.

 

[scoutsout]

Someone was worrying about corruption if we get too large.

With the puppet-master of specialists on board (Bede) I am not sweating that part in the least. We are agricultural. We can convert food into gold, and gold into beakers.

And something tells me that a lack of that subtle understanding is what's holding back our purple colored farmer friends.

And that... may be their undoing.

 

[Daghdha]

Another factor is whether Nuts will stay true to our agreement. As for now, we are at peace with them for a lot of turns beyond MT. If they honor that, we have the possibility to fight MIA with cavs and still not having to keep massive defense for our cities overseas. If they play us....they play us.

 

[Kickbooti]

So what is the alternative to Domination?

I agree with Whomp - war with MIA seems inevitable, and surely will be the war to end all wars. That much of our planing/policy should be fixed. I think we have the balance of our 50 turns, then it hits the fan.

Regarding Battle Isle, my thought is that if we choose something other than Domination we would have to go with a plan that incorporates a large and effective Rapid Deployment Force (four galleon, four frigates, four cannon, four muskets and eight cavalry might do) that does nothing but slash and burn, then run.

We wouldn't be able to keep the Nuts (or MIA) from holding territory, but could probably keep them from growing large and effective cities that could threaten in a space-race.

If that course is wise (it sounds fun, but lost of fun decisions aren't wise) then having the smallest, most defensable, lux-grabbiest encleves is perfect. Not only could we make them tough nuts to crack, they would be sally points for raids and therefore enticing targets to the Nuts that we could easily afford to loose but would bleed them white while our RDF ripped them a new sphincter.

There may be other long-term plans for victory that don't include domination, but I'm not that creative.

 

[Kickbooti]

Okay, I split the post in two. Whenever I see an exceptionally long post I think that people may fear me somewhat insane

The biggest advantage I see to a non-dom win is that it requires less trust of the D'Nuts.

My nightmare scenario is that if we choose to carve out a nice province in TNT, that when we go at it with MIA the Nuts attack when we could not afford to do anything about it. It would give the Nuts and entire continent to develop while we and MIA are in a knife fight for our lives. Not a bad deal for the nuts.

I suppose in my mind it boils down to two questions.
1) Can we get the kind of military we will need without Dom?
2) Can we trust/work with the Nuts diplomatically? I'm afraid I'm not really an MSM/AIM guy, so I am generally out of that loop and don't have a feel for that. Is there a MA goal we can cast that is attractive enough to the Nuts that they will stick with it yet will allow us to 'slingshot' on to our ultimate goal?

The only one I can think of is to propose allowing the Nuts to 'define' our goal with TNT (i.e. elimination or just a smack down), getting their 'permission' to start our province and offering them the same chance to attack/carve a territory in MIA.

If we can sell it, or the diplos think they would buy it, then there might be some possibilities for the Dom win.

Sorry guys, if I were a better player I would have strong opinions or, Heaven forfend, answers. As it is I will simply throw out annoying questions.

 

[gmaharriet]

Okay, I split the post in two. Whenever I see an exceptionally long post I think that people may fear me somewhat insane

Oh, no, we don't fear it...we're quite sure on that point...but that's what makes you so lovable.

As it is I will simply throw out annoying questions.

Actually you make some extremely good points. I think you're very good at discerning how we might overcome any reluctance on the part of D'nuts.

 

[Tubby Rower]

Domination has my vote... from what I understand we'll lose the post war. which is nutz if you ask me

 

[Bede]

Just my penny's worth...
All win conditions depend on some form of domination. Whether it's creating client states for a space victory or simply going in and conquering. Minimizing each teams core is the critical piece to all equations.

So the way I see it we've already delivered a bit of a death blow to TNT. If we cut off their capital and coastals you can stick a fork in them regardless if they're still alive.

The next step is to take notches off MIA. This will be the true battle and one that needs great focus.

The Senor from Cheecago has put it succintly. If we carve out a nice colony in TNT's northlands for farming specialists I don't think it matters what Donuts do in the south.

KB's RDF force is right up there with one of scout's "ideas", as how many troops can you commit to battle when a werewolf is hanging off your coasts just looking for a place to land?

And yes, the real battle will be in the south and we had best be ready for it. Driving to cavalry is our best shot. BTW do we have native horses?

 

[Tubby Rower]

yes we have horses just north of Ignoramus. We have everything native that's possible as soon as Spite is settled

 

[Sir Bugsy]

let's hope we have saltpeter.

 

[Kickbooti]

let's hope we have saltpeter.

Gee thanks. I was starting to feel comfortable...

 

[Whomp]

The map is balanced and I think Rik would view that as gamebreaking. I think in his mind the resources from here on out will continue to move further and further towards the middle on each continent (IE Rubber, oil, alum).

 

[scoutsout]

The map is balanced and I think Rik would view that as gamebreaking. I think in his mind the resources from here on out will continue to move further and further towards the middle on each continent (IE Rubber, oil, alum).

Perhaps you should take a second job writing for the Ironic Bible?

 

[Sir Bugsy]

Anything has to be better than the drivel TNT is printing.

 

[Tubby Rower]

FWIW, we are now in commuinication with the Diplo contact of TNT. Simon (BCLG100). Whomp is extracting info out of him like taking Opium from a baby.

 

[scoutsout]

FWIW, we are now in commuinication with the Diplo contact of TNT. Simon (BCLG100). Whomp is extracting info out of him like taking Opium from a baby.

Soo... nevermind. Something about Opium and babies is just...

Oh man... do we have issues.