I'm sorry this is just the way things worked out. I'm not sure what you want me to do as of now. The battle has begun, and unfortunately you guys are out gunned.I'm kinda upset that you are attacking both my frigate and the shuttles down below. You're blowing up our only big cruiser and now telling me you're going to basically destroy this whole mission bcs he's bombing them before they can even take off. You people can have one or the other. Not both.
While I absolutely hate butting into OoC’s that don’t involve me, or anyone that critiques when critique is never asked for, reading this thread and its accompanying story compels me to say something.
To start, I’m confused on as to what’s happening (I'm in the middle of my classes), but here’s what I’m getting so far: Shadow Syndicate is kidnapping civilians as slaves. Protectorate is swooping in to save the day. Protectorate brings in a bundle of star fighters and lay waste to the clearly unprepared Syndicate, who also bring in NPC patrol ships to counter.
So, reading this OoC, I can see that this is the "onset" of a "tactical battle," and that it’s clearly unprepared, unbalanced, and unmoderated. My issue is that I see no indication of troop and unit counts within anyone’s posts, and just by reading each one, it’s clear that this battle isn’t “relatively equal” as it should be, but completely one-sided. Because....
By reading said posts, the Syndicate has: one CZ-MCF01 frigate accompanied by several (presumably unarmed) private shuttles, a luxury CS-MT01 (also unarmed), a CZ-100 light corvette, and 8 DRV-12 light patrol craft. While the Protectorate has: a Tayana-class frigate, two squadrons of Nova-class star fighters, a Shakula-class heavy corvette, a whopping 25 KPDY-Wasp fighters (two fighter squadrons), and a Picketing-class corvette.
Taking units into account (by this thread), the Syndicate has an estimated 85 units, while the Protectorate has an overwhelming 140 units. So, it’s clear this tactical battle has become plainly one-sided and rife with a lack of information on both sides, specifically that of the Syndicate. A naval tactical battle (even if approved by staff after this ruling was made) must allow both sides to be even or, as I said, "relatively equal" (per here).
Hell, even at the beginning of the thread, I can see that this thread was originally not intended to be tactical. And by Topher’s earlier post in this OoC (where he correctly assumed NPC’s cannot be used as an advantage), it looks as if this tactical battle was more forced upon the Syndicate rather than by offer, consent & appropriate agreement, because I don't see anywhere or anyone saying: "Hey, let's do a tactical battle!" And everyone else going: "Sure!" It's just "this is a tactical battle" and only Topher going "wat? sorry had no idea, I'm new to this." I mean, there isn’t even mention of staff mediation anywhere here either.
But, take my word for a grain of salt. I’m no staff myself, and my knowledge on this subject is pretty new, but regardless, I feel that this thread has twisted into a confusing mess and I would personally recommend that both sides just decide to void this thread entirely, so then nobody dies, no slaves are captured, no allies are attacked, and we avoid staff involvement (unless, of course, y'all already secretly consulted staff via Skype or PM and this OoC is a lot deeper than it goes, then I'm just being stupid).
Again, sorry for butting in. I hate backseating, but seeing a good friend get blatantly overwhelmed and distressed kinda makes me just want to jump in, even if it's like, hella taboo. Apologies.
First off, thank you @Deviant for stepping in. I appreciate someone from outside the circle taking a look at what happened. And I'm sure all four of my people would vote to erase this thread bcs you're right, we weren't prepared. As @Topher Ridge said, a pvp battle could have happened on land. I knew that was a possibility when making it an open thread. But we never asked for some glorious space battle. At this point if all continued the Protectorate would crippled our faction. They're destroying the only big ship we have and several of our smaller ones, not to mention capturing two of our members (though technically @Herrith Hendarsin is freelance). Neither of them would have joined this thread if that was an option. Which is why I put death disabled bcs I didn't expect pvp to break out. They could if they wanted to, say like if someone happens to be on Ryloth and wants to step in. But not like this.
@Mad Dog, I'm sure @EmilyHuene was stating if the thread continued the Protecterate would capture the two Syndicate members in board our main vessel.
u right tho. I was just purely basing my argument on (unofficial) precedence and what's been said before regarding tactical battles in certain threads. Either way, looks like my only real issue now is just the balancing of both sides (if I had counted and compared correctly, which, believe me, could be super off lol). That is, of course, if balanced sides ultimately don't matter in [Open] tactical battle threads, which I can understand.I went ahead and contacted the admins regarding the issue. At the beginning of the thread it does state "Please allow all Syndicate members to post before other factions join in" indicating PVP is not only an option, but expected. I don't think you can rule out one type of PVP when in an open thread if it applies to the situation.
Also @Deviant I couldn't find anything in any rules anywhere stating permission needed to be gained beforehand for a tactical battle to occur. Also not in the rules is there a statement of even sided battles, and that kind of ruling wouldn't make sense because in a ground fight even if the Syndicate's units were ambushed by every other member on this site at once it would still stand.
As for troop counts, although they are not blatantly stated, all Protectorate members are well under their 500 unit maximum.
It is an unfortunate situation for the Shadow Syndicate, I will agree to that. But to my knowledge and understanding no rules have been broken. Again as @Deviant said, I am no admin and that is the reason I have just asked them to step in and make a ruling.
Shadow Syndicate ships:
@EmilyHuene
1X Model: CZ-MCF01 =50
1X luxury CZ-MT01 cruiser =?
@Topher Ridge
1X CZ-100 = 25
8X DRV-12 = 10ish?
And an unnumbered amount of unnamed shuttles = probably 0.
An unnumbered amount of Shadow Syndicate Numbers troops = ?
Shadow Syndicate Troop Total = 85ish.
Yes that would be my best guess, as the DRVs don't have a proper calculation under the unit system. I wouldn't count the luxury cruiser as it doesn't have any weapons.