S3 Alliances - Mid-January Update

[James Brown]

This is presented as is. It is a collection of my opinions. If you disagree with any aspect of it, more power to you. If your alliance is not included, it’s because I don’t know anything about you. You may or may not suck. War capability represents the ability to successfully wage a conflict against someone of equivalent size, while SimCity capability represents the ability to sustain growth. Stability represents the ability of the alliance to avoid internal problems or collapse. Overall grades are biased to war capability, as this is a wargame.

Alliances:

DM-EHJ: Combining the two largest alliances in the NE, DM-EHJ has established a solid hold over the region. Their constant warmongering has earned them few friends, although those conflicts have been reasonably successful. Well-honed warfare skills will make DM-EHJ a dangerous opponent, if they can maintain army strength in the face of constant battles. Borders with AFNE, AeM, and Unity are all potential battlefields, although it seems likely that the new war against BAMN will be their primary focus. Seemly intent on creating and maintaining conflicts, DM-EHJ's gunboat diplomacy is entertaining at the least. Expect to see them fight BAMN for the near future.

Combat Grade: A
SimCity Grade: B
Stability Grade: A
Overall Grade: A

AeM: AeM continues to dominate the NW, although they have yet to fight any real war. This gives them ample opportunity for growth, but it makes their ability to fight wars a large question mark. Rumors constantly surround AeM's future plans, and they've been recently linked to various plots against DM-EHJ, NSS, EoH, and Unity. The most inscrutable of the major alliances, their isolation and effective diplomatic and military control of the NW allows them enormous freedom of action. In a position to play kingmaker for the other alliances, the direction which AeM jumps could determine the ultimate winner.

Combat Grade: A-
SimCity Grade: A
Stability Grade: A
Overall Grade: A-

EoH: EoH is currently in a bit of a slide, giving up the dominant position in the SW to NSS. Losing several members has restricted their growth, although adding AFS as a wing somewhat compensates for that loss. The skill of their new wing is questionable though, and the value of that addition is yet unknown. Increasing crowding in the SW will bring increased tension with their neighbors, and it seems likely that tension will eventually spark into some form of war. A very extended period of peace has allowed them to build large armies, but it is difficult to tell how well they will be used.

Combat Grade: A-
SimCity Grade: B+
Stability Grade: A
Overall Grade: A-

NSS: NSS's continued growth and recruitment have allowed them to surpass EoH as the largest power in the SW. Large areas of overlap with Unity in the SE and EoH in the SW, as well as borders with AeM, mean that future conflicts appear inevitable. However, for the time being, NSS has successfully avoided any major conflict. Defensive assistance for BAMN will no doubt damage relations with Unity and DM-EHJ. It also seems possible that further escalation of BAMN's wars may inadvertently draw NSS into a war with one of their neighbors. However, intensive diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing this have had some success, and NSS seems to be in a stable position in the south. Expect to see NSS quietly intervene in neighboring regions for the near future.

Combat Grade: A-
SimCity Grade: A
Stability Grade: A-
Overall Grade: A-

Unity: Unity's war on BAMN has ground to a stalemate, but few counterattacks have left Unity's losses light. Continued large-scale recruitment has firmly established them as the largest alliance by population, although some question remains as to the actual unity of Unity. Strained relations with NSS and EoH over the BAMN war may lead to open conflict, and the unpredictable DM-EHJ to the north may be a risk. Unity appears large enough to handle almost any conflict, although the BAMN war absorbs most of their current focus. With no major offensive threat in the SE, Unity is in excellent position, and barring major internal problem, will be almost impossible to seriously hurt. Expect to see Unity continue the low-grade war against BAMN.

Combat Grade: A-
SimCity Grade: A
Stability Grade: B
Overall Grade: A-

AFNE: Cordial relations with DM-EHJ mean that AFNE is unassailable in the NE. The addition of RAGE as a wing gives them a large amount of experienced combat power which was previously lacking. Continued growth and recruitment, combined with the absorption of RAGE, means that AFNE is poised to become a major player. Relatively remote from the rest of the significant powers, they would nevertheless make excellent allies for any alliance seeking to wage war against DM-EHJ. In the same manner, AFNE would be excellent allies for DM-EHJ seeking to bolster their defenses in preparation for a war against one of the major powers. Expect to see AFNE make a serious play, either with or against DM-EHJ.

Combat Grade: B
SimCity Grade: B+
Stability Grade: B
Overall Grade: B

BAMN: The absorption of WAR by BAMN has created a fairly large alliance by both population and geographic position. Spread throughout the NE, SW, and SE, their dispersal has embroiled them in numerous conflicts. A failed attempt to create a global meta has estranged them from several of their former allies, and has left them in a position of weakness with only NSS and EoH providing assistance. While a long-term war against Unity seemed to be grinding to a sluggish halt, a new war with DM-EHJ has caused major damage to a previously-untouched area. In spite of the huge odds, BAMN seems to be surviving, although at some cost. Expect to see them lose many of their more distant villages and continue to contract around 125|-125.

Combat Grade: B-
SimCity Grade: C
Stability Grade: C+
Overall Grade: B-

NW: An alliance with AeM has allowed the NW alliances to trade some measure of freedom for stability and security. However, this has removed most other diplomatic options, and effectively locks them into a long-term relationship with AeM. Some attempt has been made to secure a favorable standing with Unity through limited military aid, but NW does not have major effect outside their home region. It seems likely that NW will not take significant action until AeM does. A long period of peace has brought population growth to the alliance, but may make them complacent in the early stages of a war. Expect to see NW continue to grow and secure the NW.

Combat Grade: C
SimCity Grade: B+
Stability Grade: B
Overall Grade: C+

Wars and Major Conflicts:

Please note that only major conflicts will be included here. If your war is not included, it is either minor enough to have no effect on the server or I don't know anything concrete about it. It will also generally be restricted to formally declared wars, as a subtle encouragement to actually do that.

DM-EHJ and Unity vs BAMN: DM-EHJ's obvious interest in starting a conflict was mishandled by BAMN. A war between the two alliances seems to have been inevitable, but a poorly judged attack gave DM-EHJ immediate cause to initiate the conflict. While the war between BAMN and Unity had cooled, the entry of DM-EHJ into the war has already caused serious damage to BAMN's NE holdings. The quiet assistance of NSS and EoH has prevented a rout in the SE, but unless something changes to reduce the pressure, BAMN seems to be in dire straits. Concentrating villages around 125|-125 gives BAMN some measure of defensibility in the SE, but leaves them with a crippling lack of offensive villages.

[world_warrior]

Excellent as always.

-w_w

[Xukluk]

>.>

2nd!

[Evil-Jake]

"Stability represents the ability of the alliance to avoid internal problems or collapse."



Is it just me or does BAMN always get a crappy stability grade, and then fail to fall apart or collapse?

I'd think we'd have earned at least a B for internal stability given how we've managed to hold together as well as we have despite being the server's favorite whipping post.

[Pippotaz [EHJ]]

DM-EHJ's gunboat diplomacy is entertaining at the least.

Haha what's so wrong with our Diplomacy ?

[Evil-Jake]

Originally Posted by Pippotaz [EHJ] Haha what's so wrong with our Diplomacy ?

In my book 'entertainment' is a good thing. Sounded like a compliment to me.

[Polish]

I read this expecting to be irritated by the bamn review, but JB gives a level headed assessment, credit where it's due. I guess when you read enough of RDM's posts you start to think everybody sees through a**hole shaded glasses.

[Silent Siren]

I love reading these updates. Great job

[Xukluk]

I always enjoy this read. It's my pixilated crack.


00010110100010110001111001001000010011000 <- Thats the code for "Taps for a vein"

[Silent Siren]

Originally Posted by Xukluk I always enjoy this read. It's my pixilated crack. 00010110100010110001111001001000010011000 <- Thats the code for "Taps for a vein"

That's funny