tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36697650924579938952024-03-08T04:00:34.834-08:00WTF FWAlmityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-78167757397122729492014-07-13T10:38:00.001-07:002014-07-13T10:38:18.308-07:00Five Months Later...<div>
I was just really getting into Space Engineers, I think it stands a
good chance of ranking in the top three of my 'Games that are kind of
like Minecraft including Minecraft' list. The other one is Seven Days to
Die, both of them lots of fun but in very different ways. Too bad this
is an Eve blog and I have Eve things on my mind! </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Last
Monday I was convinced to come play a little Eve after many months
away. Amarr had just started their most recent push to take the long
time Minmatar home system of Huola. Within minuets of patching and
logging in, I was fleeted up and headed out to fight. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Amarr
has <i>tried</i> to take Huola before. Most times it was some new group on
the block thinking they could do it easily, other times it was yelled
and shouted about but no real effort put in, and still other times we
used an “assault" on Huola as a distraction to claim another system we
wanted. Every time these attacks failed, the Minmatar claimed victory
and clogged up the forums, blogs, militia chat, and twitter with claims
of their ultimate superiority. Those of us in the loop just chuckled and
laughed at them quietly. We knew that it was good propaganda to keep
the average Minmatar happy, but that was good for us and our desire for
fights. Myself and the leaders of another alliance who shall not be
named went as far as quietly discouraging any plexing in Huola. The less
they had to deplex their home, the more the Minmatar would possibly,
maybe, once-in-awhile, leave and partake in pew-pew with us and ours. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The
Minmatar historically had four home systems: Dal, Auga, Arzad, and
Huola. The first Amarr took was Dal. We remember it as the Dalamo. It
took us over a month to finally get it due to those pesky Russians and
their timezone. Weeks of mindless plexing and some good fights later,
the resiliency of the Russians started to slip. Amarr forces pushed
their advantage and took the system evicting hundreds of Minmatar who
called Dal home. After it fell many of them moved Huola. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Auga
fell soon after to the likes of TMFED and Skunk Works who rather like
that system. Many of the Minmatar occupants moved to Huola. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Arzad
was a blood bath for Amarrian Vengeance for a few weeks as
Flyinghotpocket ground down the occupants will to live. Then the hammer
fell in the form of a 100 man fleet one weekend finishing it off,
evicting the Minmatar residents. Where did they go? Huola. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Every
time Amarr took a Minmatar home system they made Huola stronger. It is
'Fortress Huola', almost every single Minmatar corp or Alliance has a
stake in its defense. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
When the offensive first
started the Minmatar were basically caught off guard even though they
knew about it in advance. They probably assumed it would be another
light hearted effort that they could brush off. Then the system shot up
40% plus. Panic deplexing and calls to allies and friends went out. In
the days since, the system has been repeated plexed down to 0% in the
Russian and part of EU time zone and back up in others. The same thing
happened in Dal and Arzad. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I have no doubt the
diehard Minmatar groups will keep fighting for every plex and deplexing
whenever they can. The not-so-diehards will get bored and slowly drift
back to whatever else they do in Eve. Huola will be a battle of
attrition played out over weeks and possibly months if Amarr can muster
the staying power to keep the pressure on. Eventually the Russians will
crack like they did in Dal, if the Amarr can push them that hard for
that long. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-3584511354632560732013-10-18T16:54:00.001-07:002013-10-18T16:54:21.484-07:00The Dance
Faction War and small scale fleet combat in general is a different
kind of PVP than most everything else in eve. You are not
fighting over an objective, you are fighting for the sake of
fighting. You build your fleet to counter an enemy fleet or pick
something you think your enemy can and will fight. Why?
Because you want to blow stuff up.<br />
<br />
While we have had many good fights recently, some lost some
won, I have gotten a bee in my bonnet about some of my
enemies. Before I get into specifics let me walk you through
the making of a low sec small fleet engagement.<br />
<br />
Normally your corporation/alliance/allies are hanging out talking
about the latest internet cat sensation while a few try hards are out
soloing. Maybe you have a person or two out scouting and they see
something worthy of your time to fleet up and go kill. At this point
you get some numbers, choose a ship size, frantically search
for that mod someone is missing that's never on market even though
someone always needs it, and then go looking for the fight.<br />
<br />
They key thing here is bringing a fleet composition your opponent
will fight but still gives you a decent chance of winning; if you and
yours don't royally fuck something up. This is the dance.
If you over ship the enemy runs and you don't get a fight. You
go too small and you get welped. If you have a numbers
advantage you ship smaller than the enemy. If they have a
numbers advantage you can go a little bigger, but not too much
bigger. You have to look at things like logi, ewar,
range, and speed. You do some quick math in your head and
if you would fight you with what the enemy has you did it right.
If you wouldn’t fight you with what you have you failed and need to
start over.
<br />
So back to my bee and bonnet issue. Late Nite Alliance has
been getting active once again. Over the summer their numbers dropped
pretty drastically and we're no longer good for a fight. Since they
are getting back into form our elite scouts and spies have once again
been looking at them and seeing if getting a fight is possible. <br />
<br />
Earlier in the week I took a corp fleet down to their home
system. We rolled mostly tech one frigs with a few faction in
the mix. Numbering around 15 strong I decided to set up in a
medium plex just in case a lot of them were afk. Doing so
allowed them to bring cruisers, this is like me letting the
Minmatar lead the waltz, or salsa, or whatever kind of
dance we had going.<br />
<br />
Sure enough they bring cruisers. But not just cruisers,
cruisers with logi. I was about to have us warp out but
figured, why the hell not? They staggered into the plex,
that was their tactic to get us to stay, and the fight was on.
We ended up getting a jam on their dual eccm Augs and killed
both. We killed another cruiser and a few frigs and dessys
before we all were headed home in pods. The fight was fast hard
and fun. We lost but we killed more than we should have by any
means. <a href="http://inexile.eve-kill.net/?a=kill_related&kll_id=20038027">Battle report</a><br />
<br />
But why did the Minmatar go cruisers? They matched our
numbers. They had links in system and could reship in no time.
They had every single advantage in the fight but they still decided
to over ship. I barely took that fight and I only did so because we
all wanted a fight. Most nights we would have left local
trolling them about being scared of Punishers. I gave them the
benefit of the doubt and thought maybe they wanted a cruiser fight so
we reshipped and came back. Late Nite docked up and logged off.<br />
<br />
Some people will say it was good tactics for the Minmatar to bring
what they did because I took the fight. Not so. They know
I'm a fairly conservative FC who rarely welps a fleet even if it is
just frigs. I like to take good fights. They want easy kills
and ganks.<br />
<br />
Now I am told Late Nite will not fight our cruiser fleets because
they can't beat our doctrine. They don't want to ask people to have a
specific ship with a general fitting to use to fight us. If it
can't be beat with a mish mash of whatever they have in the hanger
they won't fight. How bloody stupid is that? They have
lived in the same system for years. They are rich and fat from
many tier 4 and 5 pushes yet they won't ask people to keep an armor
cruiser laying around or an Aug? They will tell you this is not
their fighting style. That they are lone wolf solo and small gang
elite. But they will sure as hell undock a fleet of faction
battleships to fight a neutral gang before you can count to three.
Its not that they can't do it. Its that they are scared to do
it. <br />
<br />
This brings me to last night. We did the whole bit.
Bullshitting on comms, scouting around. Found some active
people to shoot at and picked a fleet comp. Twenty people in
eleven AF, four logi frigs, the rest t1 frigs. We
expected cruisers and we got them. Late Nite brought ten
cruisers, one HAC, and one Battle Cruiser. They also brought a
blackbird. We had both danced the dance and the fight was on.
I would have fought either fleet with what we had brought. But
Late Nite must be scared of dancing. They cannot waltz or salsa.
They can't even tap their feet to the rhythm of a beat. They
had to call in back up. Another 15 man fleet of Talwars and
other such things spoiled the dance. We left field soon after
once again narrowly loosing the isk war. <a href="http://inexile.eve-kill.net/?a=kill_related&kll_id=20050415">Battle report</a><br />
<br />
A Late Night member once blogged or said in local or whatever that
“this is not pick and choose PVP”. Meaning we cannot show up in
destroyers and expect them to fight us in destroyers every time. I
don't think anyone especially myself ever expects that. What I expect
is my opponent to dance the dance. We are not risking SOV worth
billions in ratting or renters fee, we are not fighting over some
super lucrative moon, we are where we are to pew. When your opponent
forgets that, when they become so bitter and wrapped up with winning
a fight at any cost that they would prefer to dock and play DOTA then
risk a loss, well it kind of spoils the fun for everyone.
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-5974527521021205962013-09-24T20:54:00.000-07:002013-09-24T20:54:06.032-07:00Rambling and Cruisers
I have returned to the land of EVE online after a three month
hiatus. As I mentioned in a prior post my return to Eve and
FCing is going to focus on PVP activities and not system control type
things. I have had some good fun in my short time back
including a hilarious fight against an awoxing Caldari corp where we
teamed up with Late Night Alliance, a Minmatar group.<br />
<br />
When you can cut out the bickering and squabbling over system
control you tend to look upon your enemies in a better light.
You can give a GF in local, win or lose, and really mean it.
That does not mean I'm going to suicide my people into a shitty
situation just to get a brawl though, I still have my standard
of course :p.<br />
<br />
I have been wanting to try some new things out for fleets.
Different doctrine ideas I have heard of or cooked up in my head.
Running armor cruiser fleets, while extremely effective and
cost efficient, does tend to get boring. But here I have
a problem. At one point I knew what most of my Alliance and
allies could fly and what was available in their hangers. Now
it's more of a crap shoot. I can tell people ahead of time to
have xxx ships ready but It feels like a waste of isk and effort for
them if they do get this specific ship with a specific fit then it
sits for months before the opportunity to use it arises. With
many new pilots around, many of them newer, it's almost
impossible to get 10-20 people into specific fits or have the ships
available for them to use. If they can use it.<br />
<br />
The other thing people want to do it get into something bigger
than a cruiser from time to time. Pre Inferno battle cruisers
were the ships of choice. Around the third of the cost of a
Battleship they had the damage, tank, utility, and most
importantly, versatility. If I was running a brawling
armor fleet made of Harbingers, Hurricanes, and Brutix
but all you had was a Drake? Sure come along just warp in at
range and start that missile spam! The only reason people used
a cruiser was because they were new and didn't have a BC yet.<br />
<br />
I have gotten to use BC's a few times since my return and they are
still a blast. Even using T1 logi, BC's put out enough DPS and
they get hit hard enough to make a fight interesting unless your
bring way to much logi with you. But then you're not even
looking for a fight are you?<br />
<br />
Today while browsing the Eve forums I noticed a post about PVP
becoming too expensive and that is really where I got the motivation
and idea to blog. You can read the post, it's mostly
trolling the OP but what Eve online forums post isn't?
https://forums.eveonline.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=280391&find=unread<br />
<br />
Your back? OK, I'll continue.<br />
When I first started flying full T2 fit Harbingers around two and
a half years ago they cost about 60 million isk, today they are
approaching 100 million isk. An Abaddon went from 250 million
to 335 million. That is quiet the increase if you ask me.
Is it an unsustainable amount of isk? Well actually it is for
most players. Low sec has very limited isk making
opportunities. Smaller corps and alliances don't have ship
replacement programs.<br />
<br />
We do have the income available to us through FW but how the
system is currently set up you have to plex an insane amount to pay
for a few BS loses if your side is down in T2 or lower. If the
PVP landscape was that of a few years ago where pirate and militia
groups roamed low sec in battleships and battle cruisers I honestly
don't think pilots could sustain the losses incurred without other
forms of income. I lost four Harbingers one weekend on the
Huola Kourm gate pre Inferno. They were good fights and not
stupid losses, fleets fights. Today that would be 400
million isk. That's a LOT of plexing most people just don't
have the time for if they want to have any life and still do some
pvp.<br />
<br />
So today we run cruisers. We have logi to minimize losses.
We scout better. We don't blind jump that gate if we can avoid
it. While we desire to fly bigger ships more often the risk
involved in doing so limits the opportunities I have to tell people
to ship up. FW and low sec in general has turned into the land
of the cruiser and down and that kind of makes me sad.<br />
Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-30957551258680400992013-08-24T19:27:00.000-07:002013-08-24T19:29:59.272-07:00Overdue Update<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For those who don't know I've been on a
pretty lengthy Eve break. The reasons behind my leave of absence are
quite varied. With both of my parents being diagnosed with cancer
within a month of each other(they are both on the mend now) I had some IRL srs things to deal with
and stressing over internet space ships was not on my priority list.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In addition to that Amarr had finished
a rather large war zone push. I ended up Fcing/planning/coordinating
way more of that than I should have. Shalee asked me to help take one
system in the back of Metro to keep the Minmatar from getting a medal
and I agreed. Our offensive went so well we kept the ball rolling and
with the Amarr Militia working like a well oiled machine(for once)we
rolled on finishing up with the capture of Arzad.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Arzad was kind of the proverbial straw
for me. I've said it a million times but I will say it again, I care
not for war zone control. The weekend we took Arzad I woke up to find
the offensive pretty much stalled. Iron Oxide was dug in hard and
ripping the split attacking forces to pieces. I took over the Fweddit
fleet and merged in a few other fleets to blob IO into docking up.
The fleet swelled to over 100 people and at that point you are not
FCing, you are babysitting. The combat was non existent. The Minmatar
tried to take advantage of people not listening or paying attention.
Getting ganks in new plexes before I could have the right number of
people in the right ships in a plex.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is no glory in blobbing a system.
Many systems we took that way were hollow victories. Earlier in the
year we fought over Dal for almost a month. That victory was sweet,
but that was the exception. The majority of systems I have help take
were either blob fest or “didn't want that system”.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So I took a break. I played Kerbal
Space Command, Minecraft, Sins of a Solar Empire, and hell I even
played Lemmings. Anything BUT Eve. I've enjoyed my time off only
logging in to talk to people and load skills. I was still on comms
talking to my friends and playing other games with them.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today I bought the motorcycle I've been
pondering on for almost a year. I have plans to ride down Highway
One, see the Red Woods, maybe take a trip down to Yosemite. But as I
told Shalee today, I may end up back in Eve before too long. When I
got home I checked the forums and saw this
<a href="http://i.imgur.com/KcFiDLG.jpg">http://i.imgur.com/KcFiDLG.jpg</a>
. I went from thinking about playing Eve to hating Eve again. It was
like a light switch being flipped in my head.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(right here I wrote a rant about FW
mechanics, how I can't be bothered caring. I cut it out because it
put a sour taste in even my mouth)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If I do come back to Eve I never see
myself leading 100 man fleets again. I don't see myself dropping
dreads on the Huola gate. I think those days are behind me. I truly
believe I have reached the top of my game as an FC. I was never a
great FC, I was just good enough. People like Pinky and Rina made me
better than I was. Maybe someday soon the Minmatar will get to bitch
about an Almity fleet again, but there is a good chance its going to
be a hell of a lot smaller in numbers and ship size!
</div>
Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-64290238442687378772013-03-17T08:35:00.002-07:002013-03-17T08:35:39.389-07:00A Common Question then Things
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One of our newer members asked a very
telling question yesterday on comms. “Do the minmatar always run
from a fair fight?” he wondered. The answer came back sounding
like a group of Gregorian monks chanting in perfect harmony. “Yes”.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sure, there are a select few Minmatar
who are down for a 1v1 or 2v2 but most scamper away at the first sign
of someone on their plex gate. I wish I could record the nightly
sounds of disappointment on comms after some Minmatar destroyer ran
from a rifter. I wish I could record the confusion in peoples voice
when they explain how they wanted to “suicide” into a 3v1 fight
to see if they could get a kill, maybe two, but instead the Minmatar
warped out and left system. I would take these recordings and force
the talking heads on the Minmatar side to listen to them every time
they blogged or tweeted.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now that the pendulum that is war zone
control has swung back to the Minmatar side it's even worse. Last
night, and I'm not exaggerating here, five Minmatar in frigs, dessys,
and one cruiser ran from one destroyer. As we did a little corp dessy
roam we got smack talked in local for um, pvping....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Phoenix Raid Yaken > getting a shit
ton of LP. how are your LP gain going?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kimsemus > disregard LP, acquire
kills</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Phoenix Raid Yaken > I value money</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now that I've gotten that out of my
system lets get down to business. I have the pleasure of FCing
probably one of the best low sec corps in Eve. Over the last year and
a half we have gotten pilots from other Amarr corps, null sec
alliances, and noobs looking for their first kills. Many of these
pilots have stuck around and blessed us with their experience and
superb piloting. We use forums and in game channels to find pilots
but we also use something else, something special. Combat has to be
one of the best recruiting tools in eve. We have had dozens of pilots
look into joining us after we killed them.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We have never been elitists assholes.
After we kill someone, if they convo me I'll take it and talk to them
and offer GF's. A lot of times, if they are new they have questions
about what happened I will answer them honestly or help them with
fitting. Sometimes they will ask if we are recruiting and I will
point them at Shalee. Sure, I could troll them and lie about what
happened but whats the point in that? Even if they are not interested
in joining us I would rather have them not get discouraged and quit
eve, its just more pvp for us if they come back. Hopefully with
friends.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The pay off is fights like this
<a href="http://inexile.eve-kill.net/?a=kill_related&kll_id=16833030">http://inexile.eve-kill.net/?a=kill_related&kll_id=16833030</a>
. We were out on our roam last night and jumped into Ardar. The
Minmatar were set up in a medium plex with a Pilgrim and Falcon
presumably set up at range. With them having three cruisers, two
recons and five dessy and down ships I expected a hard fight. It was
not. But let me tell you what should have happened first.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Falcon jam put jams on all the
thrashers. Over heated even off race jams will land on a lot of them</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Pilgrim neuts out both
Coercers</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Both Thorax’s and the Rupture
were dual web fit. Dessy killers. Follow primary and kill</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Win the fight</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
None of that happened. Instead they
spread damage and stacked jams. What we did was very crafty and maybe
a even a little underhanded. I will do my best to explain it but it
may take up a lot of your time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Spread points</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Follow Primary</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kill</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If your paying attention you can see
how this all comes together(if you disregard my opening rant). We do
things as a corp. We get new people in and help them out. They learn
to solo and to fleet or hone their already excellent skills. We kill
shit.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Finally a hearty congratulations to
last weekends Corporation Tournament winners
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1v1</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
First Place-V1triol</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Second Place-Baialein</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Third Place-Katerina</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
FFA winner Durr(really? Who puts a neut
on THAT??????)</div>
Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-34896974772594686072013-02-06T20:35:00.001-08:002013-02-06T20:35:27.685-08:00How not to do itUntil recently the FW blogosphere was rather quiet. I had not posted
in almost two months, other blogs I follow were also quiet. I'm sure the
holidays and vacations kept some away, but I believe the silence had
more to do with a relatively quiet warzone.<br />
<br />
After the Retribution changes and new and exciting fights
that were had there was just not much to talk about. Sure Amarr took a
bunch of systems and knocked the Minmatar down to tier 1 for awhile but
besides that there was nothing to report. My corp and our allies settled
into some nice small gang/solo pvp. I stopped running larger more
focused fleets due to lack of targets.<br />
<br />
We found ourselves shipping and fleeting up as needed. Things like
Eve Uni or some other larger fleets strolling into our area would let us
dust off our armor cruisers/BC/BS fleets and have some proper organized
fun. With UK folding and LNA no longer the power house they once were
our focus had to change to keep the fun rolling in.<br />
<br />
Having the ability to put out a ping and get 50+ in fleet at a
moments notice is a great thing, as long as you have something to fight.
The sad thing is the US TZ Minmatar do have the numbers they need to
counter us. They just don't have the organization needed.<br />
<br />
Just the other night we ran into a 50 man fleet shooting an I Hub.
There was no LNA and only a few DL in local helping. I believe the
problem boils down to elitists within the Minmatar Militia. When UK
needed numbers they reached out to general Militia and neutral friends.
Once in a great while LNA would even come help. Sadly those days appear
to be gone.<br />
<br />
LNA has treated the rest of their own Militia so poorly they have no
one to turn to. When Amarr pushed Dal, a system where dozens if not
hundreds of Minmatar lived, LNA couldn't be bothered to lift a finger
and try to stop us. The Euro and Russian time zone Minmatar fought tooth
and nail but when they needed help their call went unanswered.<br />
<br />
There has always been a fundamental difference between groups like
LNA and my friends. We have never been elitist awoxers. Looking back at
our little war zone Amarr has always been inclusive. Predator Elite,
Eran Mintor, myself, and many other FC's ran open fleets. We included
people in our fun. "All you can bring is a punisher? Ok get in it and
undock"<br />
<br />
The Amarr Militia has always been much more open and welcoming to new
people. It has been one of our greatest strengths. We grow pilots. More
importantly we make lasting friendships. If I have learned anything
from watching groups like LNA rise then fall is this; Eve is a game but
it's the people around you who make it worth playing. Treat your militia
friends well and with respect and more often then not they will return
the favor. Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-81989869501528206152013-02-02T12:25:00.000-08:002013-02-02T12:25:04.149-08:00Stop and ThinkLast night I received an eve mail from a Minmatar FC that I respect more
than a little. Earlier that night, after a little action it slowed down
and I decided to watch some TV. When I hopped back on comms LNA had an
RR AF fleet in Sis on the Egg gate and people wanted to fight them. I
put a fleet up, asked for cruisers with webs, and because I have seen
what RR AF's can do, some ECM. In a moments notice I had 25+ people in
fleet. Since I was in Sis I warped to the gate, engaged the closest
target and had the bulk of the fleet jump in. Points and webs were
called, ships were jammed, stuff exploded. We looted the field and I
stood the fleet down and went on my merry way.<br /><br />I didn't think
much of it until I got that mail. My Minmatar counterpart was not raging
or chastising me about the fight, it was more of a reminder. If you
always bring the hard counter people will avoid you. After fighting the
Minmatar for such a very long time I know their habits as I'm sure they
know mine. It's almost impossible to do anything in our little war zone
without the other side knowing whats going on. I can clearly remember
when I used to bring my fleets to Kourm area on a regular basis. At
first i would sit around and see what came my way. Most times we died
horribly as our opponents has time to see what we had, how we were fit,
and bring the proper counter. The next stage was get in, get a kill or
two maybe, and get gone before they could react. As I said before, if
one the Minmatar saw me or one of mine they expected a gank and avoided
us as they should till a proper fleet could form to counter, by then I
would be gone.<br /><br />Finally I just started avoiding the area unless I
had a proper fleet with excellent intel. If I knew I could match numbers
and ships we may have a go. If they couldn't match it was just us
waving our e-penis around and some(mostly) good natured smack talk.
Fighting LNA became more of a chore than enjoyment. The same people and
the same ships in the same systems over and over. My corp and our group
of friends started to do a lot more small gang stuff, random enemy's and
random ships. I may go a few days at a time now without leading a large
fleet from our home to spread havoc across the war zone and beyond. It
seemed to me LNA was happy to do the same. Our war zone was split with
Auga as the middle ground. From time to time they ventured our way or we
went to them.<br /><br /> A few months ago I took a destroyer fleet to
Kourm looking for a fight. Once the Minmatar came out it was in a blob
of SFI's that I wanted none of. A few people in fleet piped up in local
and complained about bringing faction cruisers(with webs and tracking
bonus no less) to kill a random mix of destroyers. One of the more vocal
Minmatar(think blog here)informed us that this is not "pick and choose
pvp" just because we are in destroyers does not mean they should oblige
us and come fight in the same. We were on their turf and should expect
to see such a reaction. I have thought about that from time to time. My
response to their fleet in Sis last night was my own version of that.<br /><br />I
don't feel bad for bringing the appropriate fleet to counter the enemy.
It's my understanding that I had a reputation for running away for a
long time. I never saw it as running, more of me trying to be a smart
FC. If I see a fight, and know we have no chance of winning why should I
fight? Ships are not free, they take isk and time to replace. If I
believe we have a chance at victory, or taking down as much as we will
lose I take the fight no questions asked. I just want to be smart about
it.<br /><br />Learning to FC is one thing, earning peoples trust is
another. I want pilots to think that when they fly with me, even though
they may die, it will be worth it. In the end no one cares if they lost a
ship as long as they had fun doing it. I told Shalee the other day
nothing annoys me more than getting kited to death so when I solo I pick
and chose my targets. I'll fight any AF or even a DD in my trusty
thrasher and I'm ok with it if i lose. If I get caught by a 7k a sec
hookbill that just orbits me at 25k for two min while he chips away at
me i wont be happy on my pod ride home. <br /><br />At the end of the day we all just want a good fight.Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-54736214261450129802012-12-08T11:11:00.001-08:002012-12-08T11:22:03.299-08:00Rise of the Cruiser<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With Retribution came ship re
balancing. The biggest benefactor to these changes were by far the T1
cruisers. Long before the expansion launched our theory crafters
buckled down and spent some time exploring the possibilities these
changes would bring. The day Retribution went live we had ships in
place and a fleet doctrine ready for trial by fire. That fire came
quickly. The SFI blob was in for a surprise.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The first test of our new doctrine did
not come in a medium plex as I expected it to but on a gate. Our
cruiser fleet with T1 logi met a Minmatar fleet in Huola. The time
spent in EFT was well rewarded. Even though the Minmatar brought
Guardians we quickly dispatched them. They tried again with more
guardians, cruisers, ahacs, BC, and even BS but our fleet held. Both
fights we took little to no losses.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We then punished UK for their lack of
foresight. More brawls where our cruisers and T1 logi decimated the
field.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I knew that the Minmatar would quickly
catch on and around day three they did. At the same time UK and LNA
overcame some of their differences and decided that we were a bigger
threat. It just so happens that took place in Isbrabata, one of the
new gate systems. It's nice to see they really did make a big
difference. The Minmatar pinched our fleet on a gate and we had to
disengage, very well played by them.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We have had many cruiser fights in the
last week or so. We have won many but also lost a few as the Minmatar
brought more numbers, coordination, and caught up on fits. Even
though these fights are T1 hull cruisers there is much more depth and
strategy to them then most would realize. What happened last night in
Kourm should have made it clear to anyone who was on field that
Faction War plex fighting has changed forever.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The first engagement of the night was
in Ezzara. We were set up in a medium plex. LNA/UK/Defiant Legacy and
to come into us. Primaries were called and ships started dieing. Both
sides had substantial amount of Logi. The Minmatar had 7 and Amarr
had 6, all T1. We had the advantage of being set up with a few Black
Birds at range and a few more tricks up our sleeves so we won the
fight pretty handily. 27 ships destroyed to 9 lost. From there we
went back to Kamela and got ready for round two.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A medium plex opened in Kourm and both
sides made their moves for it. What followed was the longest fight I
have ever been part of. Almost an hour and a half of constant
fighting. The Minmatar forces did not skimp on the Logi. I believe
they had brought 10 and we had also brought our fair share. After
both sides took some initial losses Logi chains were set up and reps
were almost impossible to break for both sides.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I found myself calling rifters primary
just to have something to kill. Both sides tried to Alpha ships
before reps could land. Some times it work but mostly it didn’t.
Both sides used damps to slow the lock time of logi but with so much
on field it was damn near impossible to damp it all out. The Minmatar
even brought in a ECM burst super tanked vexor to break our Logi's
lock. To top this all off there was a group of awoxing/pirating
caldari militia killing both sides as they tried to reship. They got
rewarded by a War Dec from Fweddit and I.Law for their actions.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The point finally came where I could no
longer break any targets. I asked if we had anything else, anyone
else to bring on field but the answer was no. I made the choice to
break off and regroup. Only one or two people were pointed and left
to die.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After the fight many of us sat around
on comms and chatted about what will probably go down in
Amarr/Minmatar history books as one of the greatest fights ever.
Ideas were tossed around about what we could have done and what we
can do next time. I mostly sat there with a smile on my face
listening to the chatter. It's not often you get to FC a fight like
that.
</div>
Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-77611425139069913592012-10-08T21:58:00.001-07:002012-10-08T22:15:44.244-07:00A Birthday Party and Bitter Vet's<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I.Laws one year anniversary is today.
The Corporation itself has been around longer but a year ago it
became the home of Shalee, Ryven, Kato, Phione, Czech, Snape, Joni,
and myself. Since then many others have joined and left us. It's been
a hell of a year. We survived our “CEO's” bio mass, a massive
corp theft, and a few long distance moves. While there were
whisperings and serious talk about leaving the Amarr Militia we stuck
to our guns and saw it through. I'm very proud of what we have
accomplished in the last year and look forward to the next! Thanks to
all who helped make this thing a success.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I make mistakes every day. In real life
and in Eve. The important thing is I also learn from them. As our
large fleet activity went down and small gang stuff went up I started
watching the kill board like a hawk. I've always been a numbers guy
even though I hate math. I liked to look at the fits and the damage
taken and all the other little things. Also, it's fun to see how much
isk you cost the other guys after a fight. As time went on I started
looking at that corporation efficiency number a little too much.
After one of our newer members lost a few surprisingly expensive
frigates I almost went off the deep end.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've always looked at our kill board as
the worlds first look into our corporation. When I want information
on a pilot or their corporation I look them up on Eve Kill or Battle
clinic. While this won't give you their complete biography reading
the dust cover is better than nothing. So when I see “wtf” losses
on our own kill board I cringe a little. I put the fleets I FC under
the same scrutiny. Even more so if I'm honest. This is where the
bitter vet syndrome starts to kick in.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I started taking losses to personal. I
blamed myself for not getting my people fights. Everything that went
wrong was my fault. Luckily I had Shalee to talk me off that ledge.
For those of you that don't know her very well she is one of the
kindest and sweetest persons you will ever meet. She also gives great
advice and is willing to listen to me bitching about whatever. After
I started getting a little burnt out she suggested I take a break
from FCing and I did. When something popped up I would go for it but
besides that I relaxed and did solo and small gang stuff. I forgot
how much fun that could be.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After some time just blowing some stuff
up without all the frustrations and stress that can come from FCing
it felt good to get back into the chair. This past weekend has been a
blast. It culminated in a six hour fleet yesterday that started on
our home station in Egg. About twenty war targets must have thought
they were being cleaver camping our undock in a mix of BC down ships.
Fweddit had just put a fleet up and a few of us I.Law guys decided to
join in the fun. RTSAvalanche of TMFED was already outside poking
them with a stick when we undocked a few armor BC. I told my pilots
to hold aggression until the Vagabond red boxed. He did and I called
for the fleet to undock. Many of the war targets were spread out and
out of point range but we grabbed what we could. It was a beautiful
site watching almost thirty purple boxes explode from inside the
station.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since we were already in a fleet and in
a killing mood we went on a nice roam. We went up metro and
got a few kills then came back down once we got word that LNA was
messing around in Kourm. A Caldari fleet was asking for help but they
welped into the Minmatar before we were ready. We picked off a
Cyclone at the sun then set up in our cruisers in a Major plex. Even
though we out numbered them by about ten they had two falcons and
were in BC's compared to our cruiser fleet. Setting up in a plex was
to negate the Falcon issue. After a while they didn't come to fight
so we set up on the Houla gate. After a small wait they came into us
in mostly armor BC's. We had a nice little brawl and we held the
field for once. It felt good calling a larger fight again. I really
do get a feeling of satisfaction watching(mostly) focused fire and a
primary dropping like it should.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I told Shalee one night, during one of
my “bitter vet” conversations that leading a fleet can have
dizzying high's and terrible lows. You really do feel responsible for
the outcome either way. I can't tell you how good it felt, how my
hands shook from adrenaline when I baited out a minmatar carrier and
killed it. I also find it hard to explain why I almost fall into a
depression when I make mistakes and get us slaughtered. What I do
know is that I need to find a balance. I can never be a“didn't
want that fleet anyways” kind of person. There has to be a happy
medium. Care enough to get people the fights and kills they want
while not suiciding them while not emo rage logging every time I lose
a fight.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-1719680782942280632012-09-13T10:00:00.000-07:002012-09-13T10:03:56.871-07:00Why Do I Even Bother?<br />
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">For months on end, night after night, my fleets clashed with the Minmatar in the triangle of doom (maybe death is better than doom?) Epic battles from thrasher free for alls in minor plexes to the only capital fight in US TZ for the last eight months.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">After Fweddit and MT left for Caldari space I changed how and what we flew. Mostly smaller faster ships. We roamed the war zone looking for little fights, brawls, and ganks. You may be surprised in how little we found.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">After a few roams all over the war zone, some nights going as much as sixty jumps without killing more than a rifter I was bored, burnt out, and hating Eve. I got this way a few times. I wanted a fucking fight! But since LNA is lazy and all they do is sit in triangle of death night after night you have to go into them. Below Im going to detail what happens when I take a fleet to kourn area.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Step 1 Form fleet, get 8-12 pilots.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Step 2 Pick ships.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Step 3 Shake your head as half the people can't fly what you need.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Step 4 Roam down to Kourm area and bait the gate camp.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Step 5 Kill a few things. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Step 6 Either hang around waiting for LNA to forum up or leave.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Step 7 Fight LNA (Late Night Alliance) blob and die in a fire.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">This is how it goes almost every time. I guess I have a reputation for running away now as Susan Black and Gritz like to point out. But what are my options? I can't get my guys a fight anywhere but around Kourm. When I do chose to fight in Kourm I'm almost always outnumbered and out shipped. The Minmatar base there. They see what we have and ship accordingly.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">We can either take a fight we have little chance of winning or leave. Either option is not very appealing to me. Last night I asked for drakes and canes. I got about half the fleet into the right ships. The rest was kitchen sink. When LNA finally came to fight they had almost all BC's and matched my numbers. They also had links and we did not. I ended up welping half of my fleet and we got three kills.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Later on LNA did an amazing thing and came over to Sisiede. We had been playing around with a few neutrals and killed their Vagabond. A war target Vexor landed at the sun and we killed it but not before one of our BC's was pointed and local spiked by around ten war targets. Some pleasant local banter followed where I was told I always run away. I mentioned the numbers and reshipping issues. To that Susan Black told me to get more people.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Believe me we have been trying. We are getting new pilots. Unfortunately many just don't have the Skill Points to fly what I need to effectivly fight the Minmatar head to head. There are just not that many pilots with the skills and wallets needed that want to join Amarr.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Every night I ask how many pilots are online in both Militias. The average is about sixty Amarr and 240 Minmatar. Last night I.law had 9 pilots online. The entire Amarr Militia had 38! We had about a quarter of the entire militia online in our Corp. Add in alts and Afk people and it was probably closer to half.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">So why do I bother getting fleets up? I know we won't find much on a two hour roam. I know I can't fight in Kourm area effectively. We get more kills hunting in small packs in the Dal cluster. What is the point of even trying to do an organized fleet?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">To answer my own question, because I need to. Because people like fleets. Because when people apply to I.law they want to roam and fight and have fun. Because there is always that off chance we will run into another roaming gang and have a good fight.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">I don't give two shits what the Minmatar think. They can tell everyone I run away. They can think we are not trying to grow our corp. They can think we are scared to fight them. They can talk shit all they want. The simple fact is when we had even numbers we dominated the Minmatar fight after fight.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">To the best of my knowledge I am the only US TZ Amarr FC left that runs even semi open fleets. There is just no one left. There is no back up I can call. There are no other corps or FC's I can ask for back up. When you see me and my fleet out and about that is it. That's everything I can get. Every single person I can beg, borrow, or steal to toss in a ship.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">I may be a shit FC. I may welp my fleets almost every time I try to pick a fight in Kourm these days. I may end up burning out completely and spend all my time mining. I just want to have fun. I just want the pilots who risk their ships with me almost every night to enjoy the game. That is why I bother.</span></span></div>
<br />Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-75395273520965737722012-08-25T16:08:00.002-07:002012-08-25T16:10:45.416-07:00Umm, Ok?<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I got on Eve today after sleeping in
late, talking to a friend on IM, getting sushi, and a very pleasant
phone call. I relaxed and lounged and ate raw fish dipped is soy
sauce and wasabi and I never once thought “fuck me we are down to
one system!”. It just never crossed my mind. You see even though I
FC for Amarr from time to time and I do feel a sense of pride and
loyalty to my faction and the many friends I have made here I just
can't be bothered to care about system sov.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Call it apathy if you want. It's just
not something that I, or most of Amarr people I know care to much
about. There was no huge cry when the Minmatar started taking all the
systems. No Call to Arms to save them. If fact we used a few days
after our cash out and the subsequent Minmatar plexing push to take a
much needed break. I think many in the Minmatar Militia can
sympathize with me here.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There was heated fights over Kamela
then Kourm. After Amarr took Kourm most of the fights stayed there as
the Minmatar pushed it to keep us out of Huola. This is the system
occupancy fights that mattered. Once Fate and Moar Tears left FW we
chose not to defend Kamela since we lived elsewhere. If you are
keeping score at home there are 70 systems in the Amarr/Minmatar war
zone and the fighting happened in two.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Many people have suggested that we
should spread out. Put bases everywhere and plex for system control
from them. It is a sound tactic. But why them were most the Amarr and
the Minmatar in my timezone based in the same area? Because we wanted
to fight not plex! I can not stress this enough. We live where we
live for ease of access to fights. That applies to both the Amarr and
the Minmatar.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After my sushi and pleasant phone call
I looked at twitter to see Poetic felt the need to blog again. He
seems very keen on getting a medal from CCP for controlling all the
systems. Kudos to him and the Minmatar if they get a medal I'm sure
many people will proudly wear it and many blogs will be written. What
I don't understand is this.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<i>Last week I was of the mind that
this medal (if we get one) will be a tad undervalued due to the
remaining Amarr rolling over, giving up. But this week, I've come
around to a different view of the situation. Fuck the Amarr. Even
without Fweddit and Moar Tears and Lost Obsession, they still have
more than enough pilots that they could have held one or two systems
(nothing is a certainty, but they would have made it exceptionally
difficult at the very least.) If the Amarr want to roll over like
submissive dogs, then that is their choice. I'm sure there'll be the
"we gave it to you" propaganda from the Amarr, but since
they didn't prove they could keep total system dominance from us,
their complaints are a moot and indefensible point.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So by continuing to
say what most of us have said for the last three months will be
propaganda? Since when were we out to prove anything in the realm of
system control? I just don't understand where this is coming from
Poetic. Every Amarr I know has said for a very, very long time they
can't be bothered to defensively plex. Why do you think Fate left?
Why do you think so many Amarr moved to Egg? It's because we don't
enjoy plexing! We want to use our time in Eve to do things we enjoy.
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think most have
made it clear they consider the PVP aspect of Faction War to be the
determining factor in winning or loosing. System control is mostly a
PVE experience. Again two systems heavily fought over. If you see me
or my fleets in Sathogas it won't be to help save it. It will be
looking for a fight while the Minmatar try to take it.<br />
<br />
</div>
Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-22016459721830838692012-08-23T10:24:00.000-07:002012-08-23T10:24:25.137-07:00Not PVE Blog<br /><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Is anyone else sick of the PVE talk?
Forums, blogs, and local is filled with it. I'm all for the chest
beating when you win a nice fight with internet spaceships. If LNA
beats me down I may not enjoy the taunting and obligatory blogs that
accompany it but I know the next time there is a good chance myself
or my friends in Amarr can do the same. This is what should matter in
Faction War. PVE should be a means to an end, a way to support the
war effort. We are not miners, we are not incursion runners, we are
combat pilots for fucks sake. Lets act like it!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After the recent loss of many of our
friends I.Law took some time to relocate our dispersed assets back to
our home base. We resumed formal corp fleets Tuesday night. They have
been somewhat disappointing. I was expecting Minmatar everywhere. EM
and their neutral support has been south of Dal for the first time in
a long time. LNA members have been blogging about wanting to fight
and in Poetics case being a down right jackass. In reality it has
been rather slow.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For those of you that may read this but
have not flown in my fleets I do have a few rules. I ask any links
with nudity or vulgarities are labeled as such. I also ask that
people lay off the sexual insults regarding our Minmatar friends.
While I am no prude I want everyone to be able to enjoy themselves.
Normal smack and is more than welcome of course and is even
encouraged!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This was why I was so disappointed in
Poetic's recent blog and corresponding Eve Forums post. We are all
just people who fly internet spaceships. Why can't he insult people
without focusing on their sex? Why was that even necessary? Was it
to piss I.Law off? Did he think that would make us undock in
battleships and sit on the Huola gate waiting to get our revenge?
Poetic's display of sexism was truly pointless. He should be ashamed
of himself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since resuming fleeting activity we
have seen two things. The first and most annoying to me is stabbed
and even cloaky MWD trick frigs. Dozens of them. Very annoying to
hear your inty pilot call point then watch as your prey warps away.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The second is over shipping. Last night
I showed my fleet to the Minmatar. Let them get a real nice look and
then hung around waiting for a response. I always try to mix things
up. Some nights I will try to hide part of my force to get that upper
hand. other times, like last night I just lay all my cards on the
table and see what comes. As I watched the Minmatar form up and head
out things looked good. We wanted a fight, they were undocking so I
could only assume they were looking to brawl also! Happy times all
around.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We were in Shield BC with fast tackle.
The Minmatar were bringing the same. Then came the Battleship. Scorch
Mega Pulse or maybe even beams were not something I was looking to
fight. We were pretty evenly matched till that point. Unfortunately
its tank and damage projection was more than I wanted to deal with.
Instead of getting a nice brawl with the Minmatar I took my fleet
elsewhere.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I can't really fault the Minmatar for
bringing what they did. Everyone wants to win. But if you do want the
fight, and you know what the enemy has, and you have no way of
evading their eyes, bring a fight they will take. I am known as a
fairly conservative FC. I don't “leeroy” my fleets all that
often. I like to know what I'm fighting and I like to know we have a
chance to win. Ships are expensive.</div>
<br />Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-17157088834475393442012-08-12T13:56:00.000-07:002012-08-12T13:56:29.179-07:00Thank F&@#ing GodThank god that's over with. I can't tell you how much I wanted to just
cash out and stop caring about plexing. To be honest with you I never
really cared about what level we were at or what percent of the war zone
we controlled. What I did care about was getting my Corp mates and
people who I fly with some isk in their bank accounts. In my humble
opinion CCP really fucked up FW with Inferno. They tried to introduce
some grand occupancy plans where system ownership mattered. What they
got was a massive influx of LP farming alts and still the same two or
three systems being fought over. <br />
<br />I fully expect the Minmatar to take back most of the systems and hit T5
very quickly. Not because the Amarr Militia can't stop them. We could put
up one hell of a fight. I expect this to happen because the Amarr
combat pilots have better things to do than defensively plex a system 15
jumps away in Metro. There is just no incentive to do it. The Minmatar
Militia have the easiest time getting to T5. They have an entire region
of space, something around 40ish systems that are almost inaccessible
or so inconvenient to get to its not worth the time or effort to go
plex, offensively or defensively(except for AFK plexers as no one goes to these systems and its safe).<br />
<br />
So I have to ask, why the hell are there so many systems? Why, when the
two Militia's live mostly within four jumps of each other are we forced
to try and control 70 systems? If that number was brought down to 30
systems total and the map was made remotely fair I think we would see a
increase in fighting over systems and PVP in general. This would also
deter AFK frigate alt plexing. Concentrate the people you have in FW.
Make every system mean something. Honestly, when was the last time you
were in Eytjangard?<br />
<br />
I fully expect the troll blogs to start up about how Amarr failed to get
T5 and fell from T4 so quickly. Things like "Even with a null sec blog
Amarr suck" will be tossed around I'm sure. That's ok. The Amarr Pilots
knew what they were up against. A astounding number of afk plexers, a
map that's so messed up Patton himself wouldn't try to invade, and a
hole so deep and dark light can't escape. Amarr created a strategy,
implemented it, and accomplished their goal of a lucrative cash out.
There was a lot of talk about waiting to hit T5 or just cash out at T4. I
was in favor of T4. A man can only bash his head against his computer
desk so many times while orbiting a button before brain damage becomes a
real possibility. <br />
<br />
Once this is all over, and Amarr pilots take a much needed break from
plexing, we can get back to what FW is supposed to be about. Running
Missions on our Minmatar Alt's and getting space rich!Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-67575553805565554942012-08-04T11:31:00.000-07:002012-08-04T11:31:13.919-07:00In Love and WarI had thought to write this before the recent flurry of blogs and forums
post but Susan's most recent tirade finally got me to put pen to
paper(or fingers to keys as it where). Susan Black recently wrote <i>"While I never, ever intend or strive to single out people for personal
attacks that go outside the bounds of game-play, some of what I say is
taken very personally.". </i>What Susan may fail to understand is that
we invest large amounts of time into Eve and singling people out in game
is almost the same as a personal attack against them. Most people don't
respond too well when you write a poem implying that they are a witch.<br />
<br />If you were to take a little time and go though her old blog posts
you would see she spends a lot of time and effort singling people and
corporations out. She repetitively insulted Individuals,<br /><br /><i>"If
you want something different --something less, where GMs try to make
things a little less hard, and a little more fair, then I suggest you go
back to playing WOW."</i>.<br />
<br /><i>"In the midst of all this cowardice, the Amarr have attemted to paint a picture to the rest of EVE of an elite, underdog Amarrian force, overpowered by the tyrranical regime of Minmatar bullies. In a post truely made up of "lies and tears" on Sovereignty Wars, Amarr pilot Almity attempts to portray his corporation as an elite small group depending on the advanced tactics of 'guerrilla' warfare."</i><br /><br />Corporations<i>,<br />
<br />"This was seen this weekend when the Amarr (specifically
Smurfsbrigade) abandoned their ships in a station and ran home in pods
",<br /><br />"Some of the arguments they gave were uncannily close to what I’ve heard I.LAW members say in the past"</i><br />
<br /><i>"As far as his Fwedditer Interviewees go, someone's been drinking the Amarrian Bitter-Vet Kool Aid. I'm kinda disappointed."</i><br /><br /><i>"Even though many considered this a surrender by Wolfsbrigade"</i><br />
<br />And the entire Amarr Militia<i>,<br /><br />"Amarrian ‘vet’s’ are whining about “why I hate Faction War”<br /><br />"Honestly,
I used to feel kind of embarrassed by the Amarr, and the picture of
incompetence they were painting to the rest of the EVE community."<br />
<br />"The Last few months have been very eye opening, as Amarr Militia
veterens who were once thought to be hardened warriors have been reduced
to the ranks of whining, sniveling juveniles. In an uprecedented show
of tears--rivaling even those of the ongoing Hulkageddon--the Amarr have
literally bathed the streets of their abandoned home systems with a
salty flood of incompetence."</i><br />
<br /><br />She continues on by saying <i>"I sometimes wonder if these people—these Amarr, (I realize that often a
very few tend to loudly contribute to the overall perception of their
Faction) will ever realize that their personal attacks, their local
spamming and threats have little effect. I wonder when people will
realize that entire blog posts ranting about how I am a liar and should
‘suck it’ just makes the writer thereof look petty and immature, and
doesn’t really inspire remorse on my part, or even much of a thought
beyond what I write here."</i>.<br />
<br />
If someone looks petty and immature it
is you Ms. Back. Almost every blog or forum post is in response to a
specific attack from you. People have every right, and will exercise
that right, to respond to the vile and insulting things you say. I for
one will not turn another cheek when you insult my friends as you so
frequently do. I will blog and post and rebut what you say. This is how
things are done.<br />
<br />I do find it funny how any response to Susan is labeled as "crying",
when any Amarr pilot posts on the forums they are "cry babies". Susan
spends the vast majority of her time blogging about how the Amarr suck.
Should she be surprised when she get a negative response to that? <br />
<br /><i>"I grow incessantly frustrated and disgusted with the growing argumentum
ad hominem stance of people like Shalee Lianne, and others"</i><br /><br />Shalee's
recent blog post was in defense of her friends and her Militia. She did
not say, or call Susan anything that Susan did not say first. Shalee
and her blog were attacked by Hans(CSM) for doing so. When did it
become ok to lob insults but not to rebut them? Does Susan expect a free
pass? Should the entire Amarr FW community let her spout her hate
speech and toss insults at anyone who dares to speak up? Fuck no. It infuriates me that Susan is playing some sort of victim here. Being
the aggressor the vast majority of the time she should expect a healthy
dose hate filled back lash. <br /><i><br />"Contrary to what anyone in Faction War might tell you, it’s not just
about getting good fights. There are extreme elements of camaraderie and
loyalty that you will not find anywhere else in this game."</i><br /><br />Susan
and I agree on this point. While I do enjoy the good fights I'm here in
FW because of the friends I've made. I don't like it when my friends
are insulted and demeaned. I can only assume Susan Black feels the same
way. I hope Shalee will use her extremely popular blog to keep
countering Susan Black's hate filled rants. She has every right to post
op-ed's in defense of her friends and Amarr, it is her blog after
all(looking at you Hans). <br />
<br />AlmityAlmityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-39783505295644791592012-07-07T10:50:00.001-07:002012-07-07T10:50:42.074-07:00After ActionHere in I.law we have been doing some thing we call an After Action Report for a while now(Shalee's idea!) I figured I would share last nights report with you all. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We formed up around 0100 eve time In Egg and rolled out Nano BC down.
The Minmatar had a gate camp on Kourm Kam so we went the back way to
pick the rest of the fleet up in Kam. Once we were assembled we went to
fight the camp but Fweddit fleet showed up at the same time and the
minnies ran. A Neut Pirate fleet showed up to help the Minnies but they
would not come close enough to gate to fight. Got a few kills then moved
on.<br /><br /><a href="http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=13910006">http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=13910006</a><br /><a href="http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=13909720">http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=13909720</a><br /><br />We roamed up Sosala way and got a few kills.<br /><br /><a href="http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=13909842">http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=13909842</a><br /><a href="http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=13910030">http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=13910030</a><br /><br />Arayar
was vulnerable and intel told us they were trying to form a fleet to
hit the bunker. We went up to see what they had and the fun began. We
warped onto the ihub and spread points getting a few nice kills
including a Damnation. A few more warped in(fail intel on their part)
and we killed them. After coming in and out of system they hit the
bunker again. I had us warp back in but they ran as we jumped in.<br /><br />After
we landed at the bunker someone opened a Major plex and I had us warp
to it. The Minmatar landed a few min later and we slaughtered them. We
lost a falcon and a dessy. Falcon was my fault as I thought they would
try and go into the plex and not die horribly on the acceleration gate. <br /><br />We
decided to run a Minor plex and camp a gate hoping they would come
back. After the Minor plex failed to decontest the system and the enemy
fleet was reported in Oyo I decided it was time for us to intercept.
Before we could go far a scout reported Baha off station possibly afk in
a Drake. He was and he died in a fire! His pod must have been afk also.<br /><br /><a href="http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_related&kll_id=13910412">http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_related&kll_id=13910412</a><br /><br />Before
we even left local the Minmatar came back to Arayar. After debating for
a few sec if we wanted to jump our nano fleet into an armor Cane fleet
we said fuck it and went in. Drakes broke cloak before the lighter stuff
and falcons warped off to come back at range. Canes melted in seconds
once the rest of the fleet decloaked. We killed four Canes, a ruppy, BB,
Arbi, and some smaller stuff while losing 4 frigs.<br /><br />Battle report for that whole thing. Almost 3bil killed and 300mil in losses.<br /><br /><a href="http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_related&kll_id=13909964">http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_related&kll_id=13909964</a><br /><br />We
took a break then headed back to Kourm area. Got intel of a Muninn
camping Kam gate at range so we sent 2manno to get a tackle. He did and
it died.<br /><br /><a href="http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=13910817">http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=13910817</a><br /><br />Since
the Minmatar packed it in the for the night we went on a roam up Metro
and we were rewarded by a pirate Tengu jumping into our fleet.<br /><br /><a href="http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=13910920">http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=13910920</a><br /><br />We
went all the way up to Resbroko and got a few kills. A Scorp jumped
into us and we went GCC. I am so used to flying with people who know the
rules of GCC I kind of forgot to tell the newer people. Few people died
to gate guns but nothing expensive. <br /><br /><a href="http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_related&kll_id=13911169">http://ilaw.killmail.org/?a=kill_related&kll_id=13911169</a><br /><br />We
called it a night soon after. Was a great fleet overall with some great
kills. Our inty pilots were kicking ass and we got a few very nice
pods. Good job all!Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-47926495426582645162012-07-07T10:00:00.000-07:002012-07-07T10:00:02.774-07:00What's in a Name?<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's was not an easy choice. Even in a
game your grow attached to things. I have spent the last two years in
the Amarr Militia and it grew on me. I can't help but feel a little
sad we may soon be parting ways. It is almost like an era is coming
to a close.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since before Inferno launched a small
group has been very vocal about the repercussions of the changes made
to Faction War(a few very well known and respected Minmatar
included). Many of these people were shouted down and said their doom
and gloom predictions would never come to pass. Some predictions have
not came to pass. The docking issue is a pain in my ass as an FC but
we are able to work around it. The incentive to join the winning side
has pulled many more pilots into the Minmatar fold but we still win
many of our fights.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
While the Amarr has gotten combat
pilots, many of them seasoned veterans the Minmatar have pulled a
1,700 pilot lead. They have gotten many PvE pilots, enough to
pressure every Amarr held system. The doom and gloom people predicted
this. The winning side will keep winning. The availability of easy
Isk ensures this. Farming Minmatar LP with an afk alt in a T1 frigate
is safer than mining in high sec.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
At the start of Inferno I honestly
didn't give this too much thought. I figured it would be more for us
to kill. After a few weeks the gravity of the situation started to
sink in. With so many new and dedicated Minmatar plexers any system
we flipped was just a pile of isk for them to flip back. Meanwhile
the Amarr Militia had little reason to defensively plex. Hours spent
in a system to try and hold it would just increase the Minmatar
wallet size.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As the weeks after Inferno's launch
turn to months something must be done. A war is expensive. When I ask
for a certain ship type for a fleet and people are no longer able to
afford those ships or even the potential loss of that ship something
is wrong with the system. As the Minmatar printed their own isk for
almost a month riding the coat tails of the Goons then control enough
systems to coordinate an effort to raise their control level to three
or four as they please the Amarr struggle to make any isk at all.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Missions are not viable. LP made from
kills and plexing won't pay for much at level one. Capturing systems
to see them flipped back a week later and add 20 billion Isk into the
enemy’s wallet is not a solution. How do we keep fighting? How can
we make the Isk we need to pay for ships and fittings? We turn
Caldari!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Susan Black blogged about it, she was
wrong, but what else is new? Shalee posted on SovWars the real
version of what we plan. We will join the Caldari Militia but stay
and fight the Minmatar. We will get Cladari LP for killing Minmatar
and capturing their plexes. The Cladari love to plex(god knows why)
and have enough systems to reach a higher war zone control level. Why
not play the system? Nothing changes but our Militia chat, current
war targets will remain war targets. Where we live and fly and fight
stays the same. It's a win win for us.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I feel like we were pushed to this
point by broken game mechanics. We don't want to leave Amarr Militia.
We want to stay and fight but with almost no Isk coming in how long
could we pay for our war? There are times in life where you must make
difficult choices. Risk losing the war to keep flying under a certain
banner or change in name only to keep up the fight?
</div>Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-50843215074656766052012-06-24T13:02:00.000-07:002012-06-24T13:02:25.917-07:00Been a Long Time<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Its been a very, very long time my
friends. As I sat on the undock of Kourm V and camped LNA in one of
their home stations I could not help but smile. Will this be a sign
of this to come? Was it a one night deal? I don't know but it was
sure fun as hell!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The night started out asking around
seeing who was doing what. Strayshot was leading a plexing fleet so I
decided to put up a roam. Nano Battle Cruisers down was the order of
the day. Most nights we get around 10-15 pilots. We do our “elite
gorilla pvp” and roam and have fun. I was surprised to see the
numbers I was getting. More and more kept joining and soon we were
pushing 30 people in fleet.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We roamed around looking for anything
to kill. It seemed every Minmatar we could find was running for their
life to avoid our BC blob of doom. Hmm, so that’s how it feels to be
on the other side of the blob. After some looking we found a Goon
Swarm fleet in Egg but since we had just taken a little break it was
taking some time to rally the troops again.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Minmatar also found the Goons and
were headed their way. We decided to let them start hacking into each
other then crash both their parties. The goons were in RR Domies with
a few other BS/BC. The minnies where in mixed BC mostly. Once the
Minnies jumped into Amamake we jumped Auga and headed to the gate.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once the fight was confirmed top belt
Amamake I jumped us in and we warped to 0 of the belt. The Minmatar
had been kiting the RR Domies and were about 50k off us when we
landed. I called for the fleet to burn into them and spread points. I
was rather surprised to see a Vaga burn right into my fleet. It died
in a fire. Ok we will take that. We pointed everything we could and
Fweddit's Arty Thrasher fleet landed on field. Lots of stuff died and
we took no losses. Amarr Victor! Er Big Plays!!!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After waiting out our GCC timer we
roamed around looking for anything to kill. We got word LNA had a
gate camp in Kourm on Kamela gate so we decided to break that up.
They ran. Our scouts informed me they warped to Kourm V. I sent Kato
in a cane to see if they wanted to play but they would not red box
him. Once the fleet landed they docked.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“So guys want to camp them in?”
“Hell yes!” was the response from the fleet. Camping LNA in their
home station on a Saturday night. If you told me a month ago we would
be doing that I would have never believed it. Local was full of scams
and Susan Black quotes. It was good. We decided to call it a night
and headed to Kam to dock up.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
LNA started to come back out but we
were losing a lot of people. Sorry LNA I'm not that dumb. They had
seen our fleet comp for over an hour and we were losing a lot of
people. If they wanted to fight now its because they had an ace up
their sleeve.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I enjoyed last night. We only got one
real fight and it was pretty one sided but that's not the point.
Amarr worked together very well. Many different corps and Alliances
working together in the proper ships to control the entire war zone.
I hope we can do this again from time to time.</div>Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-85440944630218173432012-06-22T13:52:00.001-07:002012-06-22T13:53:13.877-07:00An Apology<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">I know when I crossed a line and with my last post I did. I may not agree with Hans or like what he has to say but I did go to far. Hans, my apologies.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">I have worked very hard to learn how to FC, get people to fly with me, and bring a fight to the Minmatar. When Hans suggested I was running he did make me very mad. I lashed out at him then and we spoke in private mails to try and hash things out.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">After that we had a few more disagreements that were never settled. His blogs and posts may not have been directed at me but many seemed to be and I took them as such. After a little time I thought it was all over until he said the same things on a response to a recent blog.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">Since I had just blogged about LP and I do live in Egg I took his post as another below the belt insult. Normally I just let these things roll off but lastnight I decided to let Hans have it. For bad or worse I wrote what I was thinking and hit the post button.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">We are all adults and curse words are used in friendly and heated conversations to make a impact. I could have used others but I was trying to make a splash. What I do regret most is insinuating Hans broke NDA.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">My next apology is to my corp. I never intended to drag I.Law into this. My personal rantings on my personal blog are my doings. We may have joked about Hans is a new word for douche but that is all.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">I will sit here and accept all abuse tossed my way. God knows I deserve it. Just know my corp mates had nothing to do with it.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">Almity</span></div>Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-21400864697846637492012-06-21T23:24:00.000-07:002012-06-21T23:24:44.872-07:00Stop Being a Hans<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Before I get the obligatory “u mad”
I will answer that. Hell yes I am mad. My anger reaches back a few
month before Inferno. The forums were ablaze in discussions over the
proposed and rumors changes, not all of it was civil. Most did keep
their cool and gave their views on the good and the bad. From my
preservative it was almost an even split on most issues. The issues
were debated to death, brought back to life, and mercilessly
slaughtered over and over.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I never really posted on the forums
before but what better time to start than on something I almost cared
about? Giving my opinion on the docking issue I left it at that. Once
it was settled that you would not be allowed to dock in enemy
controlled systems I.Law leadership decided to move from Arzad to
Egghelende. We did not want to risk being locked out of our assets
and since Egg is closer to Kourm, what is considered by many the
center of the war, we thought it worked out very well tactically. In
addition many of us in I.Law like to do a little pirating from time
to time and Egg is great for that.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I didn't think much of our move. What
commander fighting a war would risk losing access to all his weapons?
We fought like hell to help keep Kamela for those that chose to base
there. If Kourm was in danger of being lost would the Minmatar have
kept all their ships their? I would say no.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
By now Hans Jagerblitzen was taking
some serious heat on the forums. Many people did not like the changes
and they told him so. Most knew he could do little to sway CCP but
since he was the liaison he bore the brunt of the assault. Instead of
remaining civil he lashed out. He chastised corporations for moving
from the war zone or considering dropping from FW all together. Most
of this was directed at Amarr. Since the Minmatar were clearly
winning the numbers war and controlled many more systems than the
Amarr they had little to complain about.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Even in a heated discussion people were
expressing their concerns and praise for the up coming changes. Hans
took it upon himself to insult and degrade anyone not for the
changes. His response turned from “I'll pass it on” to “suck it
up” and “come at me bro”. How can people discuss something
they disagree with without, um, disagreeing with it?
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In my views Hans was meta gaming the
fuck out of FW and his role as CSM. I found it rather telling that
the Minmatar started pushing systems before any real announcements
were made. I called him out on the forums and left it at that. To be
fair to him I mailed him in game and explained that I don't hate him
but disagree with how he is going about the FW changes discussion.
Since then he has posted almost everywhere how Amarr just needs to
suck it up and “come at me bro”.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I mostly left his underhanded insults
alone. Why feed the troll? Until recently I thought we had moved past
the whole moving to Egg was somehow I.Law retreating. I was wrong.
Hans must really have a hard on for what I say. He must really
fucking hate me. He must hate I.Law. He can go fuck himself.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I recently blogged about how fucked up
the LP situation is. Goons recently confirmed what many had thought.
Hans must disagree. Since I posted my last blog he had this to say.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<i>You sir, get what Faction Warfare
is all about. You’ll go far here, keep up the good fights. Thanks
for bringing all the action, sure beats sitting in Egghelende
complaining about station lockout and shitty LP prices doesn’t it?
“</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Are you for fucking
real? Hans you sniffling piece of shit. I'm out fighting almost every
night. I FC fleets and kill shit and die and have fun. That's my Eve.
I will bitch, whine, complain, and blog about what I think is wrong
with FW. But I don't sit in Egg. Who the fuck do you think you are?
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You said “come at
me bro” and I have almost every night. Hell we even tried to get a
cap fight in LNA time zone and you fucks ran. Props to FWEDDIT for
bring you a fight. Lord knows I try but unless you have a BC for
everyone of my cruisers or twice my fleets numbers or logi when we
have none you run like little girls. Since Amarr does base in more
than two systems right next to each other we don't have the luxury of
almost instantly reshipping to match what LNA brings. If we win the
fight we win, if we lose we lose. End of story.
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So yes, I am mad.
Not at the Minmatar though. They have done an excellent job using the
current FW rules to hold systems and make some good isk. I'm mad at
Hans for being a Hans (In I.Law vent we don’t say douche any more
we say “stop being a Hans”).
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So Hans, stop being
such a fucking Hans!</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-59999686806296003852012-06-21T00:12:00.000-07:002012-06-21T00:12:13.551-07:00How Hard Could It Be?<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">How
Hard Could It Be?</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Today Shalee
and I had a bunch of stuff to buy and move. Not the most enjoyable
activity in Eve but one that must be done. I had bought a bunch of
ships and needed to fit and arm them. For the last few months
Thrashers and Ruptures have been my ships of choice. Everyone I build
is pretty much the same. If I need something specific for a fight I
just change up the one I'll be using for that.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After fitting
the first five ships exactly the same I thought about something
Shalee had said a few nights ago. “Why isn’t there a button that
fits everything including ammo, rigs, and drones?” she mused. My
right hand hurt already. The new inventory system made my task even
harder. Damn she has a great point! I was sick of fitting ships and I
still had another fifteen to go.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In the past I
enjoyed fitting ships. As I grew as a pilot (stopped fail fitting
ships) my fits became pretty much standardized. Any enjoyment from
fitting my day to day ships quickly went away. Now its mostly just a
chore. I still enjoy playing with EFT when I open up a new line of
ships and weapons or if its a really expensive/cool ship. Sadly those
are few and far between.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I like Shalee's
idea. I love Shalee's idea. I want to see it come true. How nice
would it be to buy your ships and fittings, click one button, change
name and undock ready to pew pew the world? I'm not lazy, really I'm
not. I just like convenience. I'm the guy who will spend a million
isk more on a mod than go one jump to get it. Ok, maybe I am a little
lazy but its still a great idea. I mean, how hard could it be? </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669765092457993895.post-71324308485233225002012-06-18T18:33:00.000-07:002012-06-18T18:33:37.723-07:00I Hate Faction War<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
Hate Faction War</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">No really I do.
Before the patch it was ok to say that. System occupancy meant
nothing. People fought, plexed, missioned, and complained how CCP
didn't care about FW. CCP finally gives FW some loving and I fucking
hate it now. I hate the not being able to dock but its not a game
breaker. I hate orbiting a button for hours hoping to maybe get a
fight. I hate all the things /emo rage....</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Of all the
things I hate about current FW is the LP system. I was never a
mission runner. I buy plex to support my Eve habit because I can't be
bothered to mission or mine or do indy stuff. But that's me, many of
my friends did run FW missions to make their isk. Now they are cut
off from that. Amarr LP is hard to come by and worth jack shit. In my
two years in FW I have made a grand total of 451,605 LP. About 420,00
of that has been since Inferno launched. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">With the LP I
have earned I could buy two or three Omen Navy's. If I flew them that
may last me a week. If I sold them I'd have enough isk for thrashers
and a few ruppys for a week of plexing(unless I did the current
Minmatar strategy of stab everything I fly). Two months of LP for
maybe a weeks worth of combat ships. This math sucks.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The winning
side should have advantages. That's the point of winning. But in a
game of numbers and isk the advantages compound. The Minmatar
currently have 1200 more pilots than the Amarr. Even with less
systems to plex the pay out is still massive even for more pilots.
CCP has given the winning side of the FW battle everything. Including
the added incentive to entice more pilots to join the winning side. I
think I know why. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Money. Not eve
money but real money. The power struggle between Amarr and Minmatar
always went back and forth. In the run up to Inferno the Minmatar
held the advantage. They used their numbers and coordination to push
a huge numerical system advantage knowing that the time it takes to
flip a system after the changes would dramatically increase. This
gave the Minmatar a massive advantage, a huge influx of players, and
a whole pile of isk.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Amarr on
the other hand had their source of income cut off. Many have opened
second, third, or fourth accounts to try and make isk in other ways.
Even more have resorted to buying plex. CCP makes a profit off of
every plex sold. They make even more when someone opens a new paying
account. People like there corporations, they have friends here and
they don't want to leave. They have to pay for their pvp some how. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Susan Black
recently blogged how the Minmatar are letting systems go. Keeping
Amarr controlled systems low enough so they are stuck with horrible
LP and LP store prices. Once Amarr takes a few systems they have a
few more ready to be taken back. She may be full of it but the tactic
is very valid. Soon many Amarr pilots will be broke. They will be
buying plex or mining on a second account. CCP wins big.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I love my corp,
I care for my friends, I'm not going anywhere. But how long can other
pilots hold out? Not everyone can afford plex or second accounts.
Some even have to earn enough isk to pay for time in game. The system
has to change.</span></div>Almityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888100168150358185noreply@blogger.com2