Astrid Stjerna
Teraa Matar
412
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Posted - 2012.01.09 18:42:00 -
[1] - Quote
Vyl Vit wrote:The point is, why were the Goons and Russkies the only ones to take advantage of the huge vacume left by BoB's disappearance. Seeing them fill that hole NOW is a bit too late. Where were you when it was time to get in on the party?
Maybe that's a bit vague. As long as nobody else attempts a serious run at them, they'll sit in the catbird seat, assuming they don't respond in kind. It's what wars are made from, contention. I remember when the Goons were barely squeaking by. But, they persisted, and it paid off. Why should they be criticized for being effective? Why should the game be criticized if its dynamics afford such an opportunity to those who dare take it?
The remedy is to be just as effective...or moreso if you wish to tip the scale. It's all there waiting to be done. Do it.
It's a normal process after a large shift in the status quo. With BoB in control, the Goons couldn't make a move, but after their demise, there was a lot of unclaimed territory.
Sun Tzu said it best:
Quote:An army may march great distances without distress, if it marches through country where the enemy is not. You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.
If the Goons had attempted to oust BoB by direct combat, the Goons would have faced an uphill battle, facing opposition at every turn. By taking advantage of the void left by BoB's demise, they took a huge area of space, and they did it with little-to-no cost to themselves. I'd like to talk to the strategist that made the call, because his timing on the move was absolutely brilliant.
As for the 'why should they be criticized' angle -- frankly, I'm not sure they should be. At least, not for the clever maneuvering that got them where they are today. I think, rather, that criticism should be (and is) directed primarily at their increasing presence and voice in the meta-game.
Do the Goons have 'too much power'? In some ways, I feel that they do. I've read the complaints about how the Goons 'seized the CSM', and I've seen the results of their ice-belt embargo (the latter an extremely effective strategy, however unpleasant it may be for the rest of us).
My point is, only a massive dedication of ships and materiel will unseat the Goons; that's how it was when BoB was in the seat, and that's how it's going to continue after the Goons are finally ousted. Even if that happens, the next group that takes power will be in much the same position, holding the space that the Goons have vacated.
If we want to 'challenge the beast', it's going to take more than a token attempt at parlay. It's going to take force. |