13-08-2005 01:39									#1
	Help plan my invasion! Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

I've been embroiled in constant war since the start of this new game. The first pod I popped had worms and spore launchers, wrecking havok on my early base attempts.

I've bottlenecked the CyCon to 2 bases. The Free Drones and the glorious Hive have been in constant war starting from scout weaponry. We've been battling basically since one pod I popped gave me the communique with Domai.

Anyway, I've finally subdued him and now he's my lackey...

...

Well, anyway during my long extended war with Domai I've been having to play the nice, obedient person and give "protection money" to Santiago lest she interfere with my subjugation of the Drones.

I've decided to turn my eye to showing Santiago just how much I appreciated her threats during my protracted war with Domai by invading her main island and taking her capital away from her. Its time the sleeping dragon wakes, IMHO.


So I turn to the good people of Apolyton for their counsel. I've planned 3 different landing points with 3 different invasion plans. My priories go RED-BLUE -YELLOW (Poly doesn't have yellow).


The Red and Blue 3rd points of invasion are nothing more than to tie up those Spartan bases and act as a feint for the main invasion points of 1 and 2. I'm deciding on picking the red invasion plan, although blue and yellow do have their advantages as well. I can't really decide.

(and yes, I'm playing random map thanks to some "constructive criticism" ala Darsnan and Geomodder )

So, help plan the Hive invasion of Spartan territory. Votes will be taken into consideration as well as alternative points of attack. Unfortunately, I want only 3 points of attack. I'm landing by transports. Chop & Drop tactics aren't applicable (due to tech stag)...it's basically an old school landing with troops and infantry units.


Help the Hive command and you will be rewarded!

Attachment: spartaninvasion.jpg
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	13-08-2005 01:46									#2
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Yellow. Avoids splitting your forces, the bases are on the same continent as yours. (as far as I can tell)

	13-08-2005 02:11									#3
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Yellow seems the best indeed, but I don't see a reason to land the '1' on the energy bonus tile, and even a drawback with the position of Halls of Discipline.

My main reason is for the production of those impact foils on the centre isle.

Btw, nice knowing you take "constructive criticism" at heart.

@ Senethro: no, those Spartan bases are not on his continent. Fleet Anchorage is a Spartan seabase.

	13-08-2005 02:16									#4
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I can't give reasonable advice without knowing the composition of your invasion force and the disposition of the enemy forces but a couple of general rules

1. land on a rocky tile for maximum defensive abilities
2. Concentrate your forces to ensure you achieve your objectives. The blue plan seem to sperad out your forces too much. In fact I don't like the idea of the feint into the jungle at all-- I would have all 3 forces land for maximum impact to capture the bases around the capital-- so maybe yellows 1 and 3 with red#2

3. geography here favors creating choke points and kill zones-- once you take the capital and 2 associated bases it can be a quick drive west to secure the area

4. ALWAYS plan for some unexpected combat results. Its always better to be griping because you have 4 units too many "doing nothing" than to have 1 unit too few.

I really would need to look at the enemy bases to advise more

	13-08-2005 08:27									#5
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My forces:

12-16 Missile Infantry (extra 4 will be in the second wave)
8 Missile Rovers (no armor)
2 Missile Rovers (armored)
2 Needlejets (will be finished by the time the first Hive solider steps foot on the Spartan stronghold bases.

My diversionary strike force would basically be infantry and capture that base (Militia Station & Commanders Keep). I have a tendency to favor misdirection and it's a really friggin hard habit to break.


For the Yellow 1 & 3, I focused on taking her capital first. That's why they are positioned in that way. Number 2 is placed to take Training Camp.

I've favored the red attack plan because it focuses on 1)Taking Santiago's capital 2)Includes misdirection 3)Creates a chokepoint for Training camp and Fort Liberty.

Seems like Yellow is winning so far....and I'd like to hear more people give their opinion on the matter.

Thanks guys.

quote: Originally posted by GeoModder Btw, nice knowing you take "constructive criticism" at heart.

Just don't let it go to your head, my friend.

	13-08-2005 08:59									#6
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No probe teams?!

	13-08-2005 12:27									#7
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Unfortunately, no. While I understand the extreme usefulness of probe teams, I despise the lack of 'honor' they represent.

Ok, seriously tho. I don't have any probe teams ready for the invasion. And I usually go by the creed:

"Wars should be won by "swords and arrows, not rice and salt".

Yes yes yes, I know, a Hiver trying to be honorable? Well yes. I don't usually do probe team actions unless I've been done first. I have at least some honor.

	13-08-2005 13:22									#8
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I repeat CTs "NO probe teams?"..

If you can get air units while your oppoent does not have any , nor any sam units, your units can be pretty invulnerable. Just build a cheapo needlejet to provide aircover for your troops and all my comments about landing on good defensive terrain become irrelevant

	13-08-2005 13:50									#9
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please post an after action report once your invasion is a success

	13-08-2005 14:11									#10
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quote: Originally posted by Platypus Rex please post an after action report once your invasion is a success

Definitely. But I have this poll open for 30 days.

Of course I don't plan on postponing the invasion for a whole month, but I would like to get more info from fellow Apolytoners before I make the committment.


and yes, after about 10 or so days, I will launch the invasion with the majority vote...and I will post pics of the aftermath. (I'll try post some invasion-in-progress pics too).

	13-08-2005 15:21									#11
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quote: I despise the lack of 'honor' they represent.

Yeah i always go by that in SP games aswell, damn spies !

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

	13-08-2005 18:25									#12
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If your opponent has probe teams (which I can't tell) and you don't, even against the AI, you're in trouble. The AI can and will mind control bases for cheap.

	13-08-2005 19:49									#13
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My sincere advice is to surrender your forces to the mercy of the good Colonel. That act of contrition would ensure that some of your people would prosper at least.

Barring that, I would take plan yellow. Deprive her of her capital and most important bases and the rest will fall easy. Do you plan on taking complete control or are you going to do her like Domai?

	13-08-2005 20:45									#14
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While I think taking the Spartan capital is important, I don't think it is more important than holding the Monsoon Jungle...by the time you completely hold ground on the Spartan HQ and neighboring bases, that monsoon jungle is going to be thriving with Spartan units...

If I were you, I'd land all my invasion force on that island with the monsoon jungle...land your infantry on the red 3 and the blue 3, then take the bases the next turn...once you control the bases, move your speeders into those bases with another transport or two, and start the campaign of taking the other two base...right now, there is probably little resistance, but later, it will have much better defenses...on the other hand, the Spartan capital really has little room for growth, and isn't going to be any more threatening in 20 turns than it is now...the Jungle, however, will grow very quickly, and while you can probably win this war no matter what you do, holding the Jungle and taking out the weaker part of the Spartan army is much more profitable, as you'll get better returns, and most likely have fewer loses...

About the only advantage I can see in taking the Spartan HQ is that the inefficiency will prevent the Spartans from getting anymore technology for a while...yeah, Sparta Command is the best industrial base, but its likely that, no matter where you attack, the Spartan industry isn't going to have enough time to react...

However, taking the HQ won't effect the industry of other bases, and all those bases, particularly on the monsoon jungle, will still continue to grow and build more and more military units...

	13-08-2005 21:20									#15
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Are there any goodies the Spartans have that we can't see, such as Secret Projects, or artifacts?

	13-08-2005 21:30									#16
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WAIT! HES PLAYING HIVE AND NOT ICSING! BURN HIM!

	13-08-2005 22:54									#17
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i miss badly inefficient games like those (no offense lol) .. they were so much more characterful and fun

	14-08-2005 04:13									#18
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quote: Originally posted by Lazerus i miss badly inefficient games like those (no offense lol) .. they were so much more characterful and fun

Yeah, I'm trying to play this game more in character. I know taking the Monsoon Jungle bases would most likely help me out more, but this invasion is a punitive one. Paying her off while I'm engaged in war with Domai was really pissing me off everytime I had to renew our Blood Truce. That's the reason I want her capital, just because its a big insult.

quote: Originally posted by Senethro WAIT! HES PLAYING HIVE AND NOT ICSING! BURN HIM!

I ICS'ed about 4 bases before I said screw it and started playing more in character.

quote: Originally posted by Chaos Theory Are there any goodies the Spartans have that we can't see, such as Secret Projects, or artifacts?

I think they have the Planetary Transit System...not quite sure. I'll have to open up the save game again and see.

quote: Originally posted by Sprayber My sincere advice is to surrender your forces to the mercy of the good Colonel. That act of contrition would ensure that some of your people would prosper at least. Barring that, I would take plan yellow. Deprive her of her capital and most important bases and the rest will fall easy. Do you plan on taking complete control or are you going to do her like Domai?

Surrender? In our moment of glory? I think you overestimate their chances! I'm not sure if I plan on taking complete control or doing a Domai. Now that I look back, I think Chairman Yang would have flattened the Drone bases... I should have thought of that. oh well, hopefully he'll get tired of my brutal reign and break our pact.

I'll save Santiago's fate for another poll when it gets to that time.



Dunno, I started this game cause I got tired of the same routine (ICS, Beeline to Industrial Automation, Build/Conquer, Repeal Charter, etc etc). Figured trying to play more in character would be more interesting despite me knowing what to do and what not to do.

That, and I figured this game I'll ask the people of Apolyton some questions on what they would do.

Thanks guys. I'll wait for some more votes and feedback, and then I'll plan the attack.

	15-08-2005 05:14									#19
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Playing in character

ICSing

	15-08-2005 08:28									#20
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During my mobilization against Santiago, Aki-Zeta thought that my attention was diverted and managed to download my files on Synthetic Fossil Fuels. Being the benevolent Chairman that I am, I immediately cancelled our Pact, expelled all CyCon from my territory, and sent some of my rovers to our border. I have one missile jet doing sorties over her territory as a sign of Hive military might. Yes, I know it's movement that doesn't do anything...but like I said, I'm trying to play this game in character.

She only has 2 bases with minimal defenses. Would the Chairman invade her just because some weapon technology was stolen?


My mobilization for Santiago is complete and I'm just waiting on the votes. 3 Transports filled with Hive soldiers willing to die for the Chairman. 2 Missile jets flying air cover-and will later do strafing runs against the Spartans. And 1 missile foil providing sea support.



The Chairman wants YOU!

(I'll wait until Friday before making the invasion so more people can vote.)

Attachment: spartaninvasion2.jpg
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Last edited by Frankychan on 15-08-2005 at 09:31

	15-08-2005 10:02									#21
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I assume that you are certain that there is no nearby shipping to take out your transports ??

If an opponent had nearby ships, ouch

	15-08-2005 10:45									#22
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quote: Originally posted by Flubber I assume that you are certain that there is no nearby shipping to take out your transports ?? If an opponent had nearby ships, ouch

Of course, my friend! You think the good Chairman would launch an invasion without first scouting the waters? I'm still in Blood Truce with her and plan on keeping it that way until my troops launch their attack. There will be no declaration of war, no pronouncing of Vendetta, just a flat out invasion.

One of her impact ships patrolling her shores bumped into my transport though before I started flying sorties. Luckily it was just about time to renew our Truce so I payed her off. Little does she know that I plan on getting back all my lost credits from her.

I AM in a Vendetta with Lal as well, but he's on the other side of the planet and none of his ships are anywhere near me. But just in case, my planes are combing the seas and I have a few more missile foils in production.

...which reminds me, I wanted to post another pic of an "afterthought" to my Spartan invasion plan. I have 3 missile foils ready to take 2 seabases on the other side of my little continent.

	15-08-2005 19:14									#23
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Do you have Doctrine: Intiative? Marines would make this much easier...but seeing as you already have units, never mind...

	15-08-2005 20:27									#24
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Ouch, production has changed in the target cities? Means the Spartan fleet is now on the high seas?

	15-08-2005 20:55									#25
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quote: Originally posted by GeoModder Ouch, production has changed in the target cities? Means the Spartan fleet is now on the high seas?

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

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


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

	15-08-2005 21:25									#26
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Heh that fleet looks so pretty and organized, it's normally after i've transcended that i manage to get anything like that, get the foil infront of the trans and retake pic

Demand compensation from aki !!!

	16-08-2005 02:17									#27
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quote: Originally posted by Lazerus Heh that fleet looks so pretty and organized, it's normally after i've transcended that i manage to get anything like that, get the foil infront of the trans and retake pic Demand compensation from aki !!!

Ya the fleet is pretty-- I almost never have them since i tend to just try to beeline to air and choppers to chop and drop them to death

	16-08-2005 08:52									#28
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The evil Yang and his enslaved masses deserve to lose. You should immediately surrender to Lal.

	16-08-2005 09:51									#29
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Some probe team in newly conquered base can prove useful. In one game my friend took a base from Miriam, stuffed it with like 10 units inside, many air units. Miriam (AI) quickly sent a probe team there taking over all the stuff. Quite cheap. We even did not notice any serious surge of energy in her banks.

	16-08-2005 11:13									#30
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quote: Originally posted by Frankychan Dunno, I started this game cause I got tired of the same routine (ICS, Beeline to Industrial Automation, Build/Conquer, Repeal Charter, etc etc). Figured trying to play more in character would be more interesting despite me knowing what to do and what not to do. .

This is why I often prefer to play with Blind Research