Put up or shaddup!I don’t think there is any need to micromanage the defense for this special event or any continuing “anti-horde” night. However… some small degree of coordination is required. It’s pretty clear that the offense will be in no rush to drop ord and dive down to the deck and furball. If we want to stop them, or fight period, we will likely have to force that to happen. If we can’t pull it together enough to do that then there is no real reason to complain against the horde players. Like it or not, the game structure fully allows this behavior and it’s up to those who disagree to try and do something about it until that changes. However, I don’t see any real need to go overboard either, nor is that in the personality of most of the “brawling” players or squads and a "low general factor" is how it will have to work to be successful, IMO.
All you guys who have contributed so far to these "anti-horde" threads please get in contact with your squads and get a turnout. To name some names:
Jamusta (of course, the father of the movement)
SlapShot/ mars01
Guppy35
Dedalos/ mechanic
bustr
killnu
Furball
Stang
RedTop
Redd/ Dead Man Flying/ lazs2
WMLute/ DieAz
plank
anton
airbumba
FiLtH
victor
Elfie
mojo55
A_Clown
We can add Shane and Urchin to the list as well, I believe. Don't be slobberdonkies!
And please have somebody from the squad get in touch with me via e-mail (it's enabled). DoK has put together a thumbnail sketch of the likely attack and defense scenarios that I will pass along. There are likely several useful roles that need to be filled and it would be nice to have some dedicated volunteers. Fortunately, some of those roles are right up the alley of various squads SOP. If by some bizarre chance (I know I’m kidding myself here) we have too many anti-hordes show up and it gets too lopsided, we can just split up and have some move to the offense side
If it does come down to, “Let’s just show up and wing it…” that’s cool too. But keep in mind a few basic realities and operate accordingly:
1. The horde will likely work to avoid contact. If you want to fight it it’s up to you to make that happen. This means altitude. There is never going to be enough. Take one step forward but two steps up. Eventually (at least a 1/2 sector out) stop taking steps forward and concentrating on steps up. If you think you’re high enough go higher -- you can always dive. (I think that the more successful this is initially the lower the fight will become). A dedicated high fighter sweep and high base defense effort would help… Always work to grab more altitude and when there, keep it.
2. Discipline. Don’t gain all that altitude just to throw it away on the first conga line you see at 500 feet. A good opportunity for experienced squad leaders to evaluate and allocate resources as needed. Now, if it’s the main strike force… Similarly, there’s no need to rush single handedly into bad odds if there are some friends close behind. Work to have close odds if it’s practical -- it’s a lot more fun when you’re not working the glory hole.
3. Be prepared to chip in with a goon/supplies if needed. Be prepared to conduct and support smart “offensive” defense if the situation calls for it. Be prepared for attacks from different bases, and planes that arrive late to the battle (bombers, jabos, goons) at high altitude after the initial contact has dropped the defense down to the deck (go back to point 1). Always work to grab more altitude.
4. Don’t expect a horde of Zeroes or F4Fs. If you want to shoot them you have to catch them. From someone whose favorite ride is likely the Zero it sucks to be us. If you want to catch them then you know what you likely need to be flying (or at least how high you need to be and where you need to be positioned). The battle may very well slow down and drop down later. For any hi cap think in terms of fast and cannons (to catch jabos or stop heavies at 30K). If you must fly fun and interesting planes Alt can give you a shot if you have enough and time it right. Or... think about how you can use those planes in a proactive manner given how horde attacks typically develop. Always work to grab more altitude.
5. Osties and M-16s are nice and useful in the appropriate numbers. But it's better if you stop them in the air short of the base. Something to keep in mind.
Again, I see this as being a squad/squad leader/individual driven defense. See what needs to be done, report on new developments, work together (loosely), fly smart and get it done. My generalship is over
If this works out it may even become a source of weekly fun. Shubie has graciously volunteered to keep attacking a single defended target and give up winning the war effort for an evening. If he has come to fight, then all us non war winning complainers could make a few concessions as well.
Charon
