[LURKERS] Mr. Gradgrind's Review

[Fluffball]

On the other hand, if Sullla successfully persuades Scooter to play this defensively/cautiously, and if Boldly is thinking the same way, that leaves REM with the initiative. Initiative plus miltech lead *would* mean victory, in my opinion.

I think that's some bad reading-in-to Sulla's posts. He knows they have to attack REM or the game is over, what he has been suggesting is to not dump a bunch of units in the danger zone without knowing if it's going to help. Especially since REM can see the map better, that is absolutely the right call. If Scooter's core gets threatened and burned, that's game over for everyone.

I see him as advising a plan rather than desperate action. I think it was Scooter that mentioned they were in the exact same scenario a few turns ago with Dreylin, where Scooter himself nearly conceded the game. Figure out exactly what's going on, then act. Sulla's planned boat attack on Dreylin paid off majorly, there is a chance they can find the holes in REMs empire once they get those airships out.

But really, they just need to survive for 6 more turns, even if Pindicator collapses he'll still be a DZ like pain in REM's butt, and REM is going to be really bogged down with so many enemies.

[The Black Sword]

Well Sullla reads too cautious to me. REM wants them to sit back and defend their home cities, let him deal with Pindicator alone. It might be risky to help Pin but REM doesn't want to be sending forces at Scooter where he can't make permanent gains.

[Fluffball]

I disagree, I think REM are the Germans in WWII. If I were him I would be looking at every possible opportunity to burn Scooter cities. Pindicator is just going to sit there waiting to be conquered, even if he can put up a stout defense. Scooter can in time manage a lethal offense with Dreylin.

It's in REMs best interest to hit fast and hard, and it's in Scooter and Dreylin's best interest to survive until they can mount a decisive D-Day. That's why REM offered peace to everyone, the sooner he's out of war (not going to happen until he loses cities) the better.

[The Black Sword]

If I were him I would be looking at every possible opportunity to burn Scooter cities

But then why would he declare on Pin and BGN?

[Fluffball]

Sorry I meant in his current situation. It was an obvious call to declare on Pindicator, BGN got pulled in by the defensive pact. Now that's he's also at war with Scooter and presumably soon Dreylin, he needs to do damage quickly so he doesn't get slowly get ground down.

If Scooter over-props up Pindicator, REM should -- and I think absolutely will -- look to burn some of Scooter's core. I believe he already stated he plans to take control of Scooter's inner sea.

[Mardoc]

It's in REM's best interest to do damage as fast as possible, yes. I'm not convinced that he ought to do that damage to Scooter, not unless Scooter gives him an overly-cheap opportunity. Mostly because I could easily see Scooter repeating his role in the Dreylin war: peacing out as soon as REM takes some damage or progress appears too difficult - so long as REM leaves him hope.

Scooter, on the other hand, needs to prevent REM from doing damage. Agreed that he needs to protect himself, but he also needs to tie up some of REM's army in the process, to protect pindicator and BGN. If REM comes for him, defending at home will work; if not, Scooter needs to show a threat that REM has to respect.

I think the best thing REM could accomplish in the next 5 turns would be to break Pindicator, and free up those forces to redeploy elsewhere. Also, to start getting some profit from Pin's lands. Assuming it's possible, of course.

[Thoth]

Based on REM's last post it sounds like he'll be in a position to either raze some of Scooters core cities or at least force him to relocate significant quantities of troops away from the front lines.

So he either scores a significant strategic and morale victory by killing some core cities belonging to a key rival or he gets a nice tactical victory by reducing the forces defending Pindicator's cites and makes easier progress on his primary front.

Well played REM

[Fluffball]

...cause a headache for Scooter. Also I have managed to see that he has virtually no defenders in his core.

This is what I'm (and Sulla are) talking about. Scooter needs to fight REM, but if he engages in a huge battle right now REM will smoke him and the game is over. He needs time to build units and for Dreylin to join in. Remember Scooter basically hasn't built any military since the Dreylin invasion with galleons because they had to fix their horrible economy, while REM and Dreylin continued to build units.

[Tyrmith]

They are starting to build units it looks like - if REM doesn't go for it for 4 turns hopefully that's enough time?

[Epoxy]

It sure would be nice if BGN and Pindicator were to update their threads It wouldn't be so much a Scooter vs. REM situation.

REM could really use a Blitz destroyer right now