Battlegroup 9 - Flying Shovels: Comms

[glossy flower]

I would say the light green

We could use that house as a temp fob if we do the airfield there

[strange shoal]

this is how i wouldve done it

blue for the airfield with the greenlines as the defensive positions

[glossy flower]

I would agree but there still a road in the rear technically looking from the strategic map

[dreamy kayak]

We have city maps?!?!

Oh dear lord

[strange shoal]

i took a screenshot of the one from #midround-events and zoomed in + enhanced it

if that is the right map then we good. if he plays with us gg

[glossy flower]

We would probably have to remove these Houses for clear firing lines and to stop the bots from getting cover to much cover

Or worry about them if we can’t remove them

[strange shoal]

we got 2 bulldozers to help out for the first like 2 turns so we should be fine

[glossy flower]

Ok

And we can use the buildings that are on green lines to acts as natural garrisons

[bitter root]

When did we get more intel???

[strange shoal]

i took a screenshot of the one from ⁠midround-events and zoomed in + enhanced it

[bitter root]

Oh okay

[glossy flower]

We just hoping that it is the map

[ocean onyx]

They won’t be coming from the south, so no need to worry about that

[strange shoal]

https://tenor.com/view/cap-phone-call-calling-cap-calling-cap-is-calling-gif-27456793

[ocean onyx]

They literally can’t unless they do so airborne

It’s very unlikely

[flat tapir]

Sure but maybe we do a poll when it’s done so everyone can decide how to name it with Flying Dutchman at the top since it is the first suggestion 😄

[flat tapir]

Sad that is not possible to vote for two options

[bitter root]

So from what I’m seeing crossroads is still going to be a pretty good location for inf fighting

[flat tapir]

Just gonna ask here again in case some missed it.
Any interest in being a backup Tac-Com for Flying Shovels?
For now I am the primary TCO and Morpheus and bunnytob volunteered as backup TCOs

[strange shoal]

Was thinking that 1 is enough. Think I can change it in a bit

Also if anyone get a hold of shack. Please ask him what placements in crossroads allows for an airfield

[flat tapir]

It’s fine it seems like Crossroads is the most popular location

[bitter root]

If you’ve got a primary and two secondary tac coms then I think you should be alright? No harm in asking for another one though

[ocean onyx]

Can’t we clear the houses for space?

[remote breach]

Oh boy… looks like Lodge is working with PIRATE again 😂

[flat tapir]

It should be enough but if someone is passionate about it then it just reduces the workload. Checking orders and making maps is a lot of work

[strange shoal]

we can if needed. but its unneccesary to do it if theres no need

[strange shoal]

@fringe bison pin possible?

[fringe gazelle]

https://tenor.com/view/disney-movies-quotes-potc-pirates-of-the-caribbean-gif-14851127

But yeah as you’ve probably read

I (and maybe the other bulldozer) will be aiding in the construction of the airfield, and then rushing to rejoin venator

[remote breach]

Good to see you again Pirate! And so soon after that iceball run

[fringe gazelle]

Oh hey it’s lodge

[flat tapir]

Good to hear! Hopefully it won’t be necessary to demolish those homes but better be prepared for the worst case scenario where our hand is forced

[fringe gazelle]

Eh, bulldozers probably will be needed

Regardless if we need to knock down houses or clear the area in general for a flat landing strip

[polar lynx]

Is it possible to use our HATs to deploy other battle groups if they're in the same area from other task forces/the same task force or is that not how it works??

[strange shoal]

not possible from my understanding. but we also only got like 4 slots left for first drop off

[polar lynx]

I meant after the initial deployment

Thanks though sorry if it's a silly question I'm kinda lost on the logistics side of things

[strange shoal]

Ty!

[gentle flame]

(Stole an image and circled where I think I would be most useful with my hotel missiles in black)

[bitter root]

Quick question, is there a limit to how much capacity a house has? Is there only so many infantry squads we can shove in each one?

[kindred tinsel]

hi guys

[gentle flame]

Great question I’d assume so but I don’t know how they’d quantify it

[remote breach]

Thats really going to come down to how the grid lays out

[strange shoal]

no idea

[strange shoal]

hello!

[bitter root]

Alright because I’m just thinking there will be a ton of battle groups there and we might run out of capacity in those houses depending on how big they are

[ocean onyx]

We should mine the main road coming from the southeast if possible

[bitter root]

That’ll depend a lot on if we can push Ziyal city or if they are pushing hard into us though

[gentle flame]

(Just making sure Im reading it right but the areas circled in yellow are where the defensive line is right?)

[ocean onyx]

Yep

[strange shoal]

btw folk check pins

theres a poll

[ocean onyx]

Just for some initial protection whilst the engineers set up the airfield

then they can set up the trenchlines, bunkers, walls and minefields

[strange shoal]

personally i was thinking this due to expecting no enemies from Elim city

[ocean onyx]

That's a bit too far back for my liking, we would be ceding too many houses

[strange shoal]

problem is that you cant really have any good presence in the southern part. northeast is right at the entrypoint

[ocean onyx]

If we give the enemy the chance to entrench it will be difficult to push them out

[strange shoal]

but remember

we got 6 engineers and 4 infantry

[gentle flame]

(If we go off of this map then this building (depending on the grid) will be what I’m aiming to hunker in)

[strange shoal]

WE WILL DIG AND RIG THE WHOLE AREA

[kindred tinsel]

Rock and Stone!

[bitter root]

Yeah we have to watch for the mines to the southwest. No group has volunteered to clear those just yet so we can’t assume how many or how little enemy forces there are there

Also the village ofc

[gentle flame]

(I may have picked correctly with the hotel missiles if vehicles come from the right)

[bitter root]

They give you some extra options as infantry which is always good

[gentle flame]

Thought some dwarfs offered to go and clear/secure the mines?

[bitter root]

BG4 Dwarves are going to the north mines

[gentle flame]

Unless that changed

K

[bitter root]

Yep. So we need a battle group to clear the village to the south west on foot at some point and then maybe storm to scout the south mines as well

[kindred tinsel]

so how do I officially sign up with you guys?

[bitter root]

Phalanx might clear the southwest village, we will have to see what people want to do when we get there

[strange shoal]

this is how id do it if we got time

Blue Airfield
lightgreen: trenchline
lightblue: hotel AA
orange: demolish
red: enemy advancments
purple: minefields

[gentle flame]

(Also I’m realizing there’s dotted lines and solid lines on the strategic map so is there an actual difference or are they just fancy?)

[bitter root]

Dashed lines on the strategic map are air travel only. Solid are land

[strange shoal]

solid: ground
doted: airway

oops

[bitter root]

That’s why we need storm

[strange shoal]

Did you change you mind mira or dont know where to sign up?

[gentle flame]

(Check the pins and we have a sheet for you to put your unit info in)

[gentle flame]

(Ya just realized that it would be a longer journey than I thought if we don’t have air transport)

[devout bolt]

Don't forget about me. I can make runs through light enemy air without escorts.

[strange shoal]

your gonna be a godsent for us wanderer

[ocean onyx]

Might I ask why you write in ()?

[gentle flame]

(Also in light of this new info I’m guessing we are going through elm city to get to crossroads?)

[kindred tinsel]

change my mind about what?

[bitter root]

Yeah you have to. That’s where the starport has to be

And where 70% of our forces will land

[strange shoal]

most likely yes. problem is about how stingy we are on transport security. are we willing to push further with the risk of crash and boom before we arrive, or wait until its secure. then push

[gentle flame]

Personality (usually it’s used for afterthoughts like this (but sometimes I just do it for entire sentences))

[strange shoal]

joining up with the fighter? or have i misunderstood something?

[gentle flame]

If ya joining us or not (:

[ocean onyx]

It also really depends on the hex composition

[kindred tinsel]

well I only have that 1 fighter
but that's what I'm planning yea

[valid violet]

That’s good

[bitter root]

So much of this is useless theoretical planning😝

[kindred tinsel]

also. on the sheet. the second paragraph in the description kind of repeats itself

@sweet gale yo. waddup

[strange shoal]

ofcourse

[golden orbit]

Hopefully rabbit will already be in the area by the time you guys deploy, and after you guys deploy we should be in full force behind you guys going towards crossroads so. We should be able to assist in this

Security

[ocean onyx]

I would send our infantry units to occupy the houses closest to the entry points, vehicles can occupy the main roads until the airfield is done

Then we can systematically destroy the houses on the outskirts whilst the defence line is set up

[strange shoal]

airfield will be done on the 2nd turn. might be smarter if they start doing trenches right away

[ocean onyx]

I'd agree only if there isn't any immediate danger

and setting the sandbags before beginning with the airfield would take another turn I believe

[bitter root]

Hey one of you guys should probably talk with Atlas at some point. They are going to be relying on your airfield a lot for HAT supply runs to crossroads

[strange shoal]

gonna head for work. might pop in here and there. but please folk

PLEASE CHECK PINS FOR VOTING POLL
AND ALSO PLEASE ASK SHACK WHERE WE ARE ALLOWED TO PLACE THE AIRFIELD BASED ON THIS PICTURE

[gentle flame]

Also the southern red arrow here is that enemies coming from the mine by air or is it coming from ziyal?

[strange shoal]

southeast Ziyal
south south west Mines

its a ish, not exacty

[bitter root]

Theres a connection to the south west of crossroads to a village as well

[devout bolt]

Currently talking with them

[gentle flame]

So we should have AA defending the south (since most of what they can send from there would have to travel by air….right?)

[ocean onyx]

That village is pretty much isolated

unless there's enemy there already it won't be of concern

[bitter root]

I would rather assume there are enemies there until we check it fully to avoid being flanked

[ocean onyx]

It depends a lot

For the time being I would position our AA capable units in the center as a qrf

[devout bolt]

Yeah, but our land units can't retreat without airlift there

[gentle flame]

(Also can I reserve a ride up to my house with anyone or is it way too early to consider asking?)

[bitter root]

Not like we won’t have other air support in the hex as well. Most of the large groups have some kind of fighter or AA presence

[valid violet]

Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face

[gentle flame]

Dat true dat true (:

[bitter root]

We have a bad habit of getting punched in the face upon trying to land

[gentle flame]

(Flash back to fighting the tyrant) :3

(Wasn’t there for it but saw the video)

[devout bolt]

Well, we're aren't trying to direct drop HATs on an suspected airbase this time. So that's an improvement

[strange shoal]

Yet

[bitter root]

Not that we know of*😂

Just wait for there to be fighters hovering over Elim

[gentle flame]

(Turns out the bots (somehow) beat us to crossroads and already have and airfield there) :3

[devout bolt]

Hey man, you weren't there man, you weren't there

I saw them ripped to shreds right in front of me man...

Just gone in seconds....

Snuffed out like that * snaps *

[gentle flame]

Boom :3

[devout bolt]

https://tenor.com/view/its-free-real-sate-gif-7215175

[kindred tinsel]

https://tenor.com/view/think-emoji-thonk-meme-gif-11987870

maybe we should've invested in scrap refinement instead?

[gentle flame]

(Makes a sandbag line out of bot corpses)

[fringe gazelle]

This the crossroads?

If so yeah me and aether are going to be needed to demolish those houses for the airbase

[ocean onyx]

“Bit hard to tell with the data we have. But I'm guessing those structures are larger than you think.”

[potent pollen]

I don't have any upgrades for my medics so I can't build any CCP though I think I can still use medical supply to give aid to civilians

[fringe gazelle]

https://tenor.com/view/drifting-bulldozer-coming-on-my-way-sliding-into-dms-hello-there-gif-13568079

Looks like I’ve got the job

[strange shoal]

Thinking so aswell, but it would be nice to know what's good and what's not before we actually get there xD

[remote breach]

Man I was SO glad I went in by hovercraft instead of HAT on Yos

[potent pollen]

I was glad I chose the IFV to take me to my AO. I know my group's drop went well, but there was still a few AA on the position

[kindred tinsel]

I generally like the idea of setting up in Cross Roads which is very central to all our operations
but it would also be harder to defend

it would be really handy to get a rough idea on some of the larger Battlegroups and see where they're going and what their plan is
then we could see for example if there are 2 BGs close together to a location and in need to a close logistics net

but not sure we have any info on that yet

[bitter root]

Basically every other battle group is going to crossroads besides BG4 Dwarves and BG7 Ultra

[ocean onyx]

We are going there exactly because it’s vulnerable, engineers have to be filling in the holes and beefing up weak points

[bitter root]

We will spread out from there based on our existing intel but crossroads is the objective of almost the entire fleet

[fringe gazelle]

For those who don’t know, me and maybe the other bulldozer will be aiding you in the airfield construction

[kindred tinsel]

sounds like it. makes sense.

[fringe gazelle]

then we will we skedadle back to BG2

[ocean onyx]

We will try to keep collateral damages as few as possible

[kindred tinsel]

I re-read our mission log and we really do not know much so far, huh. mostly that the Moon might be Fubar

[bitter root]

Yep main problem is that we have zero reliable intel

[fringe gazelle]

Your asking the BG comprised of madmen to help, specifically the mad pirates in a tank, there will be collateral

[ocean onyx]

Dont want to anger the more, um, “righteous” among us

[remote breach]

https://tenor.com/view/not-a-moon-its-not-a-moon-star-wars-obi-wan-bad-lip-reading-gif-16822263

[kindred tinsel]

https://tenor.com/view/pepe-nervous-sweating-concerned-monkas-gif-15154684

[fringe gazelle]

For those who’ve been in the same campaigns as me in the past

you know what I get up to

And those who haven’t

prepare your sides

[devout bolt]

crossroads does give us a solid fall back point at LH-point

[ocean onyx]

Imagine we arrive and they are turning the moon they captured into a space station

[kindred tinsel]

"thx for the work. Yoink."

[bitter root]

Let’s just steal the moon

[kindred tinsel]

with the entire fleet there it'll be fairly save
and also with everyone spreading out
it'll give everyone an equally short path back to us

[ocean onyx]

I don’t like the wording on that 💀

[bitter root]

Throw a net behind it and drag it away with the orbitals

[gentle flame]

Free space station after we defend the natives

[fringe gazelle]

All you need know is

[kindred tinsel]

https://tenor.com/view/the-moon-gru-steve-carell-despicable-me-luna-gif-16560528

[fringe gazelle]

The last mad thing I did

[ocean onyx]

https://tenor.com/view/the-moon-gru-steve-carell-despicable-me-luna-gif-16560528

[ocean onyx]

You beat me to it, damn it

[fringe gazelle]

https://tenor.com/view/thomas-thomas-and-friends-gordon-thomas-crash-a-better-view-for-gordon-gif-21408535

[kindred tinsel]

xD

[fringe gazelle]

Was Comedy Gold

[gentle flame]

……. You both were in the same wavelength

[kindred tinsel]

if you think about it. a full moon is kind of like the back of a shovel 🤔

[ocean onyx]

Then this will be fun

[kindred tinsel]

or maybe that's just the cave madness speaking

[fringe gazelle]

Yeeeeep

I’m the wild card

[kindred tinsel]

great minds

[fringe gazelle]

The madman who keeps getting away with increasingly more insane schemes

[ocean onyx]

Think alike

[kindred tinsel]

hell yea

[gentle flame]

(I imagine the bots won’t like that) (:

[fringe gazelle]

First it was broadsiding boarding craft

Then it was counter boarding then

Then it was stealing a battleship

Then it was broadsiding two battleships at once

Then it was crashing a train

the reason marl head hunted me for venator was because of this madness lol

[gentle flame]

Wait that was you (when the pirates brought a giant ship to intercept a dust train)

[bitter root]

Crossroads intel from a few years ago via Shack

[fringe gazelle]

I was there yeah

I was the madman who broadsided two battleships at once

Also had the idea to steal the battleships in the first place

[bitter root]

Look at that nice potential airfield down in the bottom left🤔

[gentle flame]

Holy Moly guess we need to change some of our plan

[ocean onyx]

Your welcome

[fringe gazelle]

Welp guess I’ve got some snow clearing to do

[bitter root]

Noted that we can beg for more intel😂

[gentle flame]

(Love how the place we were planning around was just some of the center of the map)

[ocean onyx]

We will have to see how much the town has changed in the last decade, it might be good to establish an airfield to the south west and secure the nearby village

[bitter root]

South west does look juicy for sure. Plus the village is probably a good secondary objective

[gentle flame]

Though we may want AA on the airbase in case the boys decide to send something over the hills

[fringe gazelle]

Aren’t AA turrets a thing we can build?

[bitter root]

Once again, might take Phalanx down there depending on what the boys want to do. We will have to see

[fringe gazelle]

It seems like this whole airfield will need a lot more effort, I’ll remain in support untill it’s done before returning to BG2

[ocean onyx]

We might need to send a bg towards nery’s village to safeguard the airfield

[gentle flame]

(My opinion on where enemies might pull up from)

[ocean onyx]

Make sure we don’t get attacked from behind

[bitter root]

Yeah defintiely will have to. No one has committed to that yet though

[gentle flame]

(I’m under the impression nothing wants to be going through the mountains)

[bitter root]

Probably not. Those are some steep mountains to the south

[gentle flame]

And we might be coming in from top left

[bitter root]

We need to worry about the red arrows there and potentially the village to the south west and that should be good

[gentle flame]

(I’d imagine)

[ocean onyx]

That would only be a concern if Elim city is under attack, Id expect that some BGs will move there if so

[gentle flame]

So do we want to keep the buildings as is and garrison the ones on the perimeter or clear out an area inside the town?

[ocean onyx]

Good question, no idea

[fringe gazelle]

Right lads

[bitter root]

Honestly the town layout is the most likely thing to have changed. I wouldn’t look into its layout that much yet

[ocean onyx]

We need to secure the city center for sure, the infantry detachment and ground vehicles can move there and seize it

[fringe gazelle]

I’ll be aiding you with the airfield once BG2 arrives in the crossroads

When that will be? IDK

[ocean onyx]

I appreciate the intention

[fringe gazelle]

Intention? We’re coordinating this with your TAC-COMs lol

Hell they asked me if I could help lol

[ocean onyx]

Well, as long as you get here

[fringe gazelle]

The other bulldozer in BG2 also seems to be onboard so we will be splitting off from BG2 when we arrive in the crossroads to assist

[gentle flame]

(So I guess plan to take and hold center while being ready for a far larger town (unless crossroad has been abandoned cuz of some disaster or maybe even an infestation (of giant bugs(….sry imagination goes wild sometimes)))). :3

[fringe gazelle]

BUGS?!

https://tenor.com/view/evil-spongebob-gif-6081957

[gentle flame]

Wow you just have that ready at all times or smth?

[fringe gazelle]

Never underestimate my gifs I have on standby

[livid lake]

I am currently with TF2, but TF2 is planning to be close to you guys (going elm city then crossroads), and TF2 will be the main logi fleet for the planet, so we will be near you guys most of the time (at least for now).

[flat tapir]

That’s great! Keeps the airfield stocked for the ground

[glad linden]

late to the party, just signed up with a basic engie

[flat tapir]

Yeah Brymaster! 👋

Now we are really an OG engineer group 😄

[dreamy kayak]

We really are old heads of ARMCO now, eh?

[strange shoal]

As it should be!

[flat tapir]

A lot of Haven vets around here.
If we had Wesmas and rossybossy we would have all engineering capability of Haven that is still interested in Meta 😄

[strange shoal]

1 more engineer and we can get the airfield up in 1 turn!

[golden orbit]

We may be able to get an engineer from rabbit to help you guys finish it faster, we're supposed to be going that way anyways

So we'll most likely be in the same area

[flat tapir]

True. If the bots hold cross roads I imagine it will be a brutal fight that will need a whole lot of supplies

[dreamy kayak]

As long as we don’t pull that “let’s just jump in with no intelligence” ahh move with this group, I think we’ll be fine.

[bitter root]

Flying shovels is not the group I am worried about doing that😆

[lucid cypress]

Those are air-only routes.

[lucid cypress]

eyes

[remote breach]

The Lodge would’be been there- Shack just didn’t give us a spot in the deployment lottery. Damn fuel rationing. There were so many rivers to dam on Haven!

We finally made it to Yos after another round of failed lottery XD

[flat tapir]

Ah yeah the damn logistics in these parts of the galaxy are really bad
(I guess you mean you missed the deadline for Haven? 😅)

[remote breach]

I was very busy working as a school teacher at the time and was too slow for both Haven and the train heist signups

[flat tapir]

Understandable

But hey now is the time!

[nimble sundial]

god i need to check this channel more!\

[remote breach]

Yep! Made it through OP:Blackout on Yos and Dashing Through the Snow, now time for the Flying Shovels!

[flat tapir]

The longer the list gets the more I want to make BEARDS wiki article. I barely fit my actions in the dossier

[nimble sundial]

Lol

Also we need to edit the strategy tab more than what i have done which is short little sentences outlining the basic idea;

[flat tapir]

I can have a look later

[nimble sundial]

We need a better look at the tactical mao.

map

[flat tapir]

I think there was some discussion already earlier

[stiff python]

someone want to pin the current map of crossroads until we get something better so we have a reference for future discussion?

[flat tapir]

I think it would be good to add that to the sheets document.
I have look later just need to get some stuff done

[remote breach]

Map is added to the strategy page of the battegroup document

[ocean onyx]

ooooo

Our VTOL has rappelling gear

That will be useful

We need one more engineer to set up the airfield in one turn right?

[dreamy kayak]

Yeah, I was really debating on using my spec ops vtol or not but this battle group having one more HAT was definitely the play

[dreamy kayak]

I believe so , yes

[ocean onyx]

https://tenor.com/view/welcome-dark-side-evil-happy-evil-smile-emperor-good-gif-7511205043893163190

[flat tapir]

Should also be possible now. Build actions only cost 0.5 movement. So if we are precise with our landing we should be able to do 2 build actions per engineer

[strange shoal]

How we doing folk

[flat tapir]

Good! I think we can start planning a little bit where we can build the airfield and fortifications in Cross Roads

[glossy flower]

From the map I done some possible roots for bot to try and flank us

[flat tapir]

Assume blue is the airfield?

[glossy flower]

Yep that the most likely location for it

[flat tapir]

Gotta keep in mind that the route to Nerys Village is circa in that direction

[glossy flower]

Definitely that been a worry for me

I’m expecting to have some bots in their from bot air drops

[flat tapir]

Yeah that might become a problem

[stiff python]

depending on the hex sizes, I dont think the airfield would take up more than half that length. so perhaps it could be a little closer, or much easier to put a line of trenches and bunkers around, though perhaps it would make more sense to bottleneck the choke points instead then. with secondary and tertiary fallback defenses

[gentle flame]

My initial plan is the same as before I’ll be going for the building circled in black (cuz I feel it’s the best place for my AT)

[glossy flower]

Green are Friendly roots from ecity and yellow are air enter areas point from the strategic map blue airfield orange is possible route through the mountains the bots could take

[stiff python]

wouldnt that air entry point on the left also be from friendly territory?

assuming we dont get backlined of course, but considering we are coming from that direction roughly

[glossy flower]

Yes but still a air entry whether it be friendly or not

I missed on entry points

And reason for the question mark is because we don’t know if that gonna be a front unless One of the other Bg send a team to lock down nerys village

[ocean onyx]

We should hold those checkpoints

[remote breach]

I really hope the Bajorans are holding out ok in Kira Nerys village

Oh shit is t Ziyal also a DS9 character?

[glossy flower]

Wait what

[remote breach]

Also Damar was Dukat’s successor as the cardassian leader

And Elim is Garak’s first name

[glossy flower]

Oh ok

[remote breach]

Shit- the character’s name is TORA ZIYAL

[glossy flower]

How this purple possible mine location and lime green possibly AA position

[remote breach]

Lime green positions XD

[devout bolt]

are we riding on with a TF or slowboating it on the NPC transports?

[glossy flower]

We have enough transports to carry ourselves last time I checked

[devout bolt]

only once we are planetside, before that you have to be carried by a TF

[glossy flower]

Oh no idea then sorry

[ocean onyx]

Hopefully a TF

[devout bolt]

Capt said that if you don't you most likely land a round later on the "autonomous" haulers that we have been using until now

[glossy flower]

We’re we get a tf?

[remote breach]

A quick note on that though: the current mid rounds event seems like that might be altering the deployment methodology a bit.

[gentle flame]

(Happiness that my version of a map was used/updated by someone else) :3

[devout bolt]

who would we want as a small advance force

[stiff python]

I thought TF 2 was saying they would drop us so we could start moving turn one?

[devout bolt]

problem is that they are trying to bring as much LS as possible to keep us all supplied since we cant get more of that

[ocean onyx]

I appreciate good maps

[glossy flower]

We got 24 people currently seven are engineers if we get one more would 6 hat slots so 3 hats are needed so we can ad 2 inf and a vehicle and fighter for security for 3 ls (15 dc)
= to
8 engi
2 inf
1 vic
3 hats
1 fighter
If we wanna rush that air filled out turn one
This just a idea

[outer crest]

Hewo, I'm interested in joining yall as Logi, only've been here for Yos but looking to drop in again, is there space for me to join?

[glossy flower]

Allway just add your name to the flying shovel sheet

[outer crest]

Okay, so more on the campaign side, how is all of this actually playing out lol

I've been looking at the overall map and feeling incredibly lost on a overall operational lvl, how are we deploying our forces exactly

[outer crest]

Actually do I have to do anything with SAM bot to join in?

[glossy flower]

Yes you do

Just unit ativae at and join the campaign

[outer crest]

I did all of that, was more asking about anything I had to do battlegroup-specific

[glossy flower]

Besides putting your name down on the doc not really

[outer crest]

Alright, then that's done as well

[nimble sundial]

god our map is so bad lmao

but very defensivle

[livid lake]

If the entire BG can deploy into Aerospace units that can fly in the void, then the BG does not need to be in at TF to deploy. BG 3 is doing this, where everyone is in a VTOL.

I assume HAT are aerospace... which would mean they could fly in space. So if you all fit into your assorted transports, you can move pretty quick. Its just very risky, since youll get smoked in space combat if you run too far ahead.

[nimble sundial]

ooh

[outer crest]

I'm just spewing shit out based on my understanding of what is going on as a whole on a campaign lvl from reading google docs (not group chats so info might be outdated), feel free to correct me if I'm wrong and I hope this helps coordinate understanding across all of us lol

Objective of ARMCO:

Stand and hold the planet at all hazards until relieved - Personal comment: Basically stand and die, very interesting task for a mercenary company - especially considering bots seem able to build new units while we have a supply cap...

ARMCO Initial Operational Plans:

• First Wave of TFs and organically attached BGs scout the planet and secure Elim, followed by unloading remaining BGs on transport ships to Elim/Zival as situation develops, Zival is expected to be the main front where we concentrate most BGs/TFs - Personal comment: What are we doing about the mine down south?

Our BG plan:

• Secure and fortify Crossroads as airbase for Aerospace assets to strike from and as the centrepiece of 2nd line of defence should Zival fall - Personal comment: I'm not quite sure how this plan for a sortie base works with coherency, afaik it demands the whole taskforce to be in one place, but then since there are no pure aerospace BGs per rules the "real" location of the BG is wherever the ground units are, so then most aerospace assets are actually gonna be at Zival fighting rather than sortie from Crossroads at least while Zival stands, once it's goners then Crossroads can actually act as a base to strike the surrounding points I think

[outer crest]

I assume they would be treated as troop transports tho - like we can't actually move as a TF on the strategic map, TFs can deploy us without needing to go in Starport but that's not the same as us being able to move on the strategic map like a space force (tho that would be funny lol)

[livid lake]

Apparently, they move at normal speed

Its how BG 3 can easily get to Elim

VTOL are speed 5

[outer crest]

Oh I doubt speed = strategic move ability

[livid lake]

Also, TF do need to go to a starport. The only ships that can drop troops off anywhere are those with landing gears.

Or they need to have other ways to offload troops, either by Aerospace transports, drop pods, etc.

[livid lake]

Speed is strategic move apparently.

[outer crest]

Lmao no fking way

[glossy flower]

That a thing you probably have to ask shack about

[livid lake]

BG 3 was told by shack that they can deploy and make it to Elim

[glossy flower]

Never mind

[outer crest]

I mean seriously thousands of kilometers, if not tens to hundreds of thousands of kilometers is probably not getting treated the same as like 5 hexes on a tac map

[livid lake]

and that their speed in the space is the same, so its 5.

[outer crest]

Wow

[livid lake]

im sure its jsut done for simplicity

[outer crest]

The destroyers crawl at speed 3 vs them lol

I mean if I was doing it for simplicity I'd assign speed 1-2

For all aerospace assets wishing to deploy in space not in an orbital

[livid lake]

THe trade off is they basicalliy have 0 protection in space

[glossy flower]

So we don’t have to worry about a tf then we can rush crossroads all we need is a extra engi from another group to 1 turn the airfield

[livid lake]

IMO, i agree, but thats why this is a play test 😂

[glossy flower]

Yep still use it before you lose it

[outer crest]

I mean I appreciate the capability boost, I sure as shit don't want to crowd the TFs supply slots lol

[livid lake]

The only caution id give around that: you guys would be the most forward unit out of everyone in ARMCO, and the initial intel map that Shack gave is going to be 2-3 weeks old at least.

[outer crest]

Even ahead of the recon?

[livid lake]

If BG3 was warned about the dangers of flying in without orbital support, id assume those would apply to you

[livid lake]

Right now, there is no recon... because of what you just mentioned

[livid lake]

this

BG eat a shit ton of cargo space

we dont have enough ships in campaign to deploy rabbit, who wanted to be recon

[outer crest]

I mean there's a smol 5 man recon BG, are we actually charging ahead of even them?

[livid lake]

need 15 minimum for a BG

(unless theres a special circumstance)

[glossy flower]

I understand but we just plaining with what we got now

[livid lake]

yea of course.

and to be clear...

TF2 & TF3 are planning on trying to push to crossroads ASAP

i think right now TF2 is planning to go to crossroads first... asltho its a bit scary having our logi taskforce out in front 😂

but realistically, i think Turn 1 most groups will secure Elim first for the star port (so the other BG can deploy), and then will break to crossroads.

TF2 is also probably going to give a LS to TF1, so TF1 can blow their way thru any enemy fleets at Elim

(since TF1 is slow, so they can only get there T1 with a little boost)

[outer crest]

Tbh I don't think we would be "rushing" in the first place - task description on the the doc establish us as rear line support, and given our composition is transport/defense oriented, us staying back some turns till Crossroads is open is probably what's actually going to happen

[flat tapir]

Hehe someone noticed 😂

[glossy flower]

Only problem with that our flyboys

[livid lake]

if things go well.... it should be turn 2 we are crashing into cross roads and fighting w.e is there.

If things dont...

[outer crest]

We have a total of 2 combat capable aerospacecraft, if they want to go in against the Pillar of Dawn or DSS be my guest

[glossy flower]

But like everything up in air still till we get more intel

[flat tapir]

So catching up with the discussion. There is literally no benefit of us flying head first into cross roads.

1. We need TF Atlas to even provide one LS to build the airfield
2. If no one is at crossroads except the quick moving BGs what use has an airfield at the crossroads? The benefit of the airfield is that fixed wing can land and that is a resupply point

[livid lake]

There is a benefit, BG3 has a ton of VTOL, VTOL can be repaired at the airfield

[flat tapir]

Storm blessed might be the only ones that could benefit from an early airfield and they specifically made their force to not be dependent on an airfield

[livid lake]

its just a timing issue

[flat tapir]

VTOL can also be repaired in a field and motivation

[livid lake]

Not wrong 🤣

also TF 2 (atlas) will 100% be supplying you guys, wherever you setup

[flat tapir]

Don’t get me wrong taking risks is part of the game but those risks need to be worth it. If our airfield could allow every BG to just deploy then yes let’s go. Build an airfield basically inside the frontline but it’s not a starport

[outer crest]

I actually wanna ask about the 2nd point - RAW there's no pure aerospace BG so based on coherency rules the real location of the BG is based on the ground force, but that means if say BG is fighting in Zival the aerospace is actually also based in Zival, so unless sorties allows you to refuel then Crossroads as a airbase doesn't really work initially at least

[flat tapir]

I know. The airfield can only be used if the Bgs decide to move as a whole. The idea that speaks for crossroads is that is a central point and will probably see a lot of traffic

[livid lake]

Its exactly as Synatx said

thats why everyone ive talked to wants the airfield in the cross roads

most the BG are very mobile, so they can pop over quick, rearm, and then pop back into a zone for fighting.

[flat tapir]

So if venator wants to help out the tailor shop in elim then they have the opportunity to get some needed repairs on their way in crossroads and resupply what they have

[outer crest]

How small would maps have to be so ppl can pop in and out within like 2-3 turns lol

[livid lake]

certainly something we will have to see 🤣

[outer crest]

I was thinking we encourage flybois to join our BG so they can sortie without being tied to the filthy dirt lol (tho 1 large supply per 10 planes is how do we say this... inadvisable for a war of attrition)

[livid lake]

i do agree that the scale feels... off. But i think after Round 1, it will make sense.

its just us as the players not knowing the larger GM mechanics at play

[flat tapir]

Very much possible. Could also be possible to make a quick moving ground force with a lot of fighters/bombers

And considering we are next door to Ziyal we could also just move there on foot and the HATs resupply the BGs

[outer crest]

The issue is really do they have any way to show up behind our backs, that southern mine point is the most worrying bit so I hope there's a TF watching it, but unless the tac maps are tiny I would think being able to keep everyone fine and dandy on Ziyal without having to cycle in and out on the strategic lvl is far better

[flat tapir]

Nerys Village is the most likely back door we should be mindful of

Cell’dar mine could be problematic if the bots move troops completely by air

Same as C-Z which is connected to Ziyal

[outer crest]

Didn't see any mention of that on the brief, is there sneeki breeki bots there?

[flat tapir]

Well I just assume that the whole planet could be occupied

And NV is only reachable by land from crossroads

[outer crest]

Oh in that case everyone would be crawling step by step lol, but doesn't seem like everything's captured yet since we're sent to defend stuff so there's gotta be ppl still kicking

[flat tapir]

Overall crossroads has 4 land and 3 air-only entryways. 3 should be covered by the objectives of the other BGs the other 4 need BGs to take a look

[outer crest]

Oh so that's what the dash vs full lines are

[glossy flower]

The only thing we can do is hope there not as far as we might think they are and hope any local resistance been able to slow them down

[outer crest]

Also starport locations are suggestions, it sure would be funny if turns out the only functional starport is at Zival lol

[flat tapir]

I hope so. They should have had good teachers with the Bajorans 😂

[glossy flower]

Yep and another thing to note is there trying to capture the populace not out right kill them so hopefully that also slow thou damm bots

[outer crest]

If Stellaris has taught me anything a slow death is not necessarily a good one lol

I hope our qrf BGs will be rummaging all the interest points on the map until Zival is in deep shit

[flat tapir]

The capturing of populace is definitely an early advantage for us on the other hand we need to be mindful with our maneuvers

[outer crest]

What do you mean we shouldn't amass 400 players at Zival and fight a brutal siege for 10 solar years ala Vraks

[flat tapir]

Luckily we don't need to. We are payed before that happens 😄

[stiff python]

while it doesnt translate exactly, I think the idea of speed being equivalent on the big map and the actual battle maps could be compared to going 65 on the highway versus 40 on city streets. same vehicle, different speeds because one has stops and starts and the other doesnt. the lines connecting are "highways" where we can go faster due to lack of obstacles. (although now that ive said that I wonder if BG can be intercepted between locations or not)

intercepted by the enemy that is

[flat tapir]

You mean an ambush?

[stiff python]

or just running into enemy units going the opposite direction

but yeah, that too

[flat tapir]

Could happen. Of course depends on how many maps Shack has

[stiff python]

and if he wanted to have to simulate that with everything else happening

anything is possible if the GM is willing to put the work in. its all of question of how much effort do you really want to put into it. (I say this as a DM myself, I can get really lazy with game prep and encounters lol)

[outer crest]

I mean the scale is vastly different tho - our tac maps might be like at most 50-100kms from one edge to the other, vs space/strategic map being in the thousands of kms - it's very odd to equate them, even if we assume space rides have less "busywork" associated with it

Then again not like 1 turn should be for 1 week game time lol

[stiff python]

yeah the scale doesnt really fit when you consider spaceships that should be able to lap the planet in hours, but otherwise I feel it fits. At the least its my headcanon for the mechanic

[flat tapir]

Oh wait you are logi truck in Flying Shovels, right?
A welcome from me too!

[outer crest]

Don't mind me, just silently dreading that we have 5 cargo bays across all of our TFs, this is sure to not go horribly wrong in a war of attrition

[flat tapir]

Oh there is a little bit more. We have quite a few large hulls that come with CBs

I think Atlas is counting 10 LS right now and Victorium has 18 accounted for

At least those were the numbers thrown around yesterday

[outer crest]

Actually given that I did fight against Yos do I have access to any extra stuff stick on me trucks?

[flat tapir]

hm when did you make your company?

Tuesday is payday for past campaigns and that you can use in the shop

Small supply trailer and Logistic supply point could be interesting for you

[outer crest]

Today lol

I wasn’t here for the gazillion of small campaigns

[strange shoal]

morning folk

[devout bolt]

They are

[flat tapir]

Just a heads up we are very close to our transport capacity. Depending how we transport everyone and how we plan to get the LS to the construction site we either have 3 HAT slots open or just one. Keep that in mind if people want to join

[glossy flower]

we got 25 people I would say we’re pretty well rounded out now

But I understand what you mean

[flat tapir]

We are and other BG are still looking for combat, NCO and transport units

[strange shoal]

another HAT would be really nice xD

[flat tapir]

Another HAT should really go to a BG more in need 😅

[glossy flower]

I got questions now that I think about it does each and a engi squad count as one or do they like kind of joint together like if you have 5 engi squad it make 20 fs

[flat tapir]

Well a HAT can transport 30 FS so 3x 4FS support units only take up 2 HAT slots

I need to see if it that was confirmed in the FAQ or is put into the clarif doc. Still we should be able to pull this off with the units we have

[glossy flower]

Definitely but it would help if that the case

[flat tapir]

We have 2 IFVs and one logi truck so our lowest BG strat movement should be 2 and our highest could be 5

Both more than enough to get to Cross Roads

[valid violet]

6FS Infantry as 1 filled Slot.
1 Vehicle counts as 2 filled slots.
5 small supplies count as 1 Slot.
Medium Supply uses up 2 Slots
Large Supply uses up 5 Cargo Slots.

Is what it says

5 slots total for the basic HAT

[strange shoal]

yes

[agile olive]

You can mix and match FS from different units into cargo slots on HATs/Logi Trucks. You need special permission if you want to do that between FS carrying units.
For example, you can put 3 Medics/Engineers in two cargo slots on the same HAT/Logi Truck, but you need explicit GM (Shack in this case) permission if you want to put 3 Medics/Engineers into two VTOLs or two IFVs

[flat tapir]

thank you

[lucid cypress]

Speed = strategic move. However, you can be ambushed while moving, so you shouldn't run ahead of your support.

[lucid cypress]

this

[ocean onyx]

From my understanding, sorties are a TF only strategic action, airfields are very underwhelming in this campaign

[lucid cypress]

Then we'd have a minimal advantage over INF other than air-only routes.

[lucid cypress]

We had to personally sign a waiver from Shack himself acknowledging the risks of the operation and the expected-to-be high casualty rates.

[flat tapir]

@ocean onyx

[lucid cypress]

No further Intel is expected.

[lucid cypress]

this

Also, we have self repair and self heal capability when not in combat.

[ocean onyx]

How would that work?

[lucid cypress]

The 3 Airways will have to be covered by STORM.

And we might need to deal with clearing the space station...
Yeah, we are kinda overtasked right now.

[strange shoal]

I'm yet to understand what a sortie is

[lucid cypress]

Ambush is on strategic points, not between them.

[ocean onyx]

It lets aerospace units in a TF go into other strategic areas without the rest of the TF

[lucid cypress]

100%, unless they are high enough to be geostationary orbit.

[flat tapir]

Define it as the starting point and have a LS in the depot I guess

[ocean onyx]

Would the TF have to enter lower orbit?

[flat tapir]

Well not the whole TF but I assume the aerospace units need to

[ocean onyx]

Are lower and higher orbit the same strategic area?

I swear this system is very confusing

[strange shoal]

Low orbit Is that your on the maps no?

[ocean onyx]

I believe so

[stray violet]

Hello! May I ask if are you planning to drop pre-starport securement? For my mapping stuff

[strange shoal]

Still in the air

[stray violet]

k

[strange shoal]

Speaking of that. Do we wanna help secure down in elim city or wait?

Or just wait deploy when rabbit has arrived at crossroads?

[ocean onyx]

Not really

[lucid cypress]

Low orbit = Atmosphere. On tactical map.

High orbit = Actual orbit. On strategic map.

[flat tapir]

Probably gonna go with the bulk of the forces heading for Ziyal and then stop at Cross Roads.
No reason to go ahead and build an airfield that no one needs to use 😅

[ocean onyx]

And can a TF split in between low orbit and high orbit?

[lucid cypress]

How much combat capability do you guys have to offer? How much support capability?

If you deploy, can you retrieve all your units?

[lucid cypress]

Yes.

[ocean onyx]

Okay, perfect

[strange shoal]

Is there a travel cost for Heading up and down between orbits? Haven't read anything about it

[lucid cypress]

Nope - however, for every round you remain in low orbit, each ship burns 1 Atmo-fuel.

[strange shoal]

2 fighters,2lm 2ifv and 4 inf(6engi for defenses) and yes we can transfer everything ourselves

[strange shoal]

That I knew

[flat tapir]

We have enough transport that we can either travel 2 speed on ground o 5 speed with all aerospace units.
Combat units we have 4 infantry, 2 IFV, 2 Light Mechs and 2 fighters

[lucid cypress]

Clarify: are you guys in HATs? I don't think there's enough VTOLs to go around after Storm recruited most of them.

[flat tapir]

We can go at the same speed as you

[lucid cypress]

Are you in HATs?

[flat tapir]

Yes we have 4 HATs, 1 VTOl and 1 HVTOL

[lucid cypress]

Ah. Just to be aware, you can only deploy inf-type units and LVs from HATs without landing.
And you need to land HATs to retrieve units.

How much can you actually deploy?

[flat tapir]

EverClear I know that stuff and plan around it. I did para drop and immediately started building a FOB on Lussan.
Right now we have 4 infantry, 7 engineers and 1 medic that could para drop/exit the VTOL

• one vehicles that could be transported by HVTOL

[lucid cypress]

I can only see you deploying 1 of the vehicles, though? You have 1 HVTOL. Unless your Mechs have Jump Jets?

[ocean onyx]

VTOL has rappelling equipment

[flat tapir]

Yeah but if we deploy from a secured starport there is an argument to be made that we unload part of the BG and go at wheel speed.
Elim is 2 strat points distant from Cross Roads

[lucid cypress]

Remember, no guarantees of a starport at ELIM.

My concern is that you don't actually have 2LM + 2IFV combat capability until an airfield is secured - I don't see how you are deploying all 4.

[flat tapir]

Well build an airfield

[lucid cypress]

That doesn't help while we don't have one and are struggling to secure one - I'm asking for your instant deployment combat strength without friendly structures.

Basically, if you were landing in hostile territory without any support, what ground units could you deploy?

[flat tapir]

Well this + one Vic of our choice that gets transported by the HVTOL

[lucid cypress]

... okay, clearly I'm tired, I missed that entire message somehow-

Sorry!

[flat tapir]

All good!

[tribal arrow]

hey, guys
with only airfield being placed by you in crossroads, the idea of flying with some of Z-city Bgs seems grim

is there vacant slot for a fighter?

[flat tapir]

Yeah we have room for fighters. Probably can also move towards Ziyal or maybe even organise a Sortie with the help of Atlas
Welcome!

Though I need to point out if the expansion of the flight decks gets approved there might also be some more space in the TF!
So you have all information

[tribal arrow]

Yeah, that's an option - however, I would prefer to keep closer to the ground
ty for heads-up

[flat tapir]

Sure 👍
As long as it is clear that not everything might work out perfectly with the teaming!

[finite glacier]

Lot's of planning! love to see it

[dreamy kayak]

We’re planning????

Jk

[flat tapir]

Planning = Speculating 😅

[dreamy kayak]

My days have been so busy, I still haven’t read the rules yet

[flat tapir]

Strat Layer and Large Supply is the only major thing that is important to us

[dreamy kayak]

Yeah, I figured, and air interception

[flat tapir]

oh yeah true

[livid lake]

If the new hanger retrofits goes thru, there will be multiple available fighter spots in TF 2, but it comes down to your choice.

[tribal arrow]

Yeah, I'll still have time to decide and will keep your proposal in mind

[safe scaffold]

I heard you need only one more engi for a ine turn airfield

[bitter root]

That is true. I’m not part of BG9 but I bet they would like to have you

[strange shoal]

We are reaching our capacity soon but I think we can get you on if you'd like

[ocean onyx]

You are more than welcome

[strange shoal]

Soon we can start a engineering union xD

[tribal arrow]

What do you all think of trying to bring in Flying Shovels additional fighters and bombers - to bring the amount to 10, allowing us to organise massive sorties, bringing support to any location on planet
(If we can find enough interested players, ofcourse)

[ocean onyx]

I like the idea, as long as we can actually get the supplies to do so

[finite glacier]

I think having a whole air wing stationed at the Airfield would be ideal, but I think it would be better if they were in a different battlegroup for flexibility. Having an air wing pinned to the Engineer's location would limit it's effectiveness on the grander scale while improving air defense locally. If the battlegroups are seperate then the air wing can redeploy to a TF or another port if needed. I definitely think having some fighters always on standby is good though

[twilit ledge]

I think there was something about not having air-only battlegroups. So that might pose a problem.

[tribal arrow]

the problem with spreading air units is the fact, that (if i understood rules correctly) they're tied to they BG in strategic map - therefore, they're unable to effectively resupply and keep themself active

[strange shoal]

Well, they can create a sortie to temporarily move separate from the ground forces. The problem is that it costs 1 LS for each 10 units per round

Which becomes quite expensive if done to long or often

[tribal arrow]

yeah, and providing LS to frontlines is difficult
because of that, I am thinking of basing sortie missions around this BG
our engies building airfield AND crossroads have access to every point at the map

that way, airforce can provide cover to any zone if needed - while we have LS, of course

[strange shoal]

How many LS do we have overall for this campaign?

[astral heron]

around 25 at last guess

TF 1 & 2 have about 10-12 each, though it's getting used fast

[tribal arrow]

okay, I re-read rules on supplies and, I suppose, we can't really stockpile LS planetside to provide consistent air support

that's difficult

[astral heron]

There's a plan to build and supply an airfield at Crossroads, though its dependent on how many hostile orbitals there are

[tribal arrow]

I am not sure about mechanical side of it

As rules state, LS carried only by Orbitals.

Therefore, only way for us to supply airfield is by landing ships on the ground?

[remote breach]

Also HATS can carry LS

[strange shoal]

Your talking in the BG that's gonna do it... XD

[astral heron]

They're also doing a supply depot I believe, and airfields remain "supplied" for multiple turns as they receive LS

this is BG9's plan, TF2 wants to support it if possible

[tribal arrow]

that is true
however, sortie require 1 LS per round of operating up to 10 aircrafts in other zone

[astral heron]

derp, that's what I get for talking to multiple BGs

[strange shoal]

Hhaahah

[tribal arrow]

So, if I understood everything, only way to make full use of our airfield is by stocking LS at crossroads, providing airsupport in other zones

[astral heron]

ah, so if they can't land at airfields, Sorties are limited to TFs only? yea, that's worded weird

[strange shoal]

With the current system. Unfortunately yes

But it's also creating a safe space for easier convoys in-between areas

[tribal arrow]

if that is RAI, there's almost no reason of keeping aircrafts in BGs

with our only airfield placed in crossroads, fighters can ensure it's safety from enemy air assets, but that's mostly it
fighters, that tied to frontline BG, will spend they ammo during first round of combat and would just chill out until their BG retreats to crossroads

[strange shoal]

Wait, they can't land?

[tribal arrow]

They are bound to strategic zone with their BG, no?

[strange shoal]

Dude this system is actively against us xD

[astral heron]

We do have room on our TF for more Air units, but I don't want to poach from your BG

[tribal arrow]

Coherency: Battlegroups and Task Force groups must always stay in the same strategic area with their groups. You can’t split a taskforce or battlegroup mid campaign. This is to help facilitate GM-ing such a large game. The exception to this is a Sortie Action seen below.\

[strange shoal]

Read the sortie action. Costs LS and doesn't allow landings

[tribal arrow]

sortie requires 1 LS

[devout bolt]

oh dear

[tribal arrow]

oh yeah

[devout bolt]

we need to ask Capt

[strange shoal]

Ie other bgs can't utilize our airport

[devout bolt]

cause that means whether its just me or all of our HATs and fighters it costs 1LS for a supply run

[tribal arrow]

that's true

[strange shoal]

Iguess.....

[tribal arrow]

so 3 ways of making it work

1. stocking every non-TF fighter, bomber and HAT to us and landing some LS
2. putting airfield in zone where fighting goes
3. maybe capturing pre-existing planetside airfields and operationg from them?

[strange shoal]

@finite glacier @flat tapir

Check convo

[devout bolt]

i am asking in meta

[strange shoal]

I'm heading to bed, byeeee

[tribal arrow]

good night

[devout bolt]

most substantial ive gotten so far

problem solved

[finite glacier]

So we'll need a TF over the Airbase to pull LS from

[devout bolt]

TF can be in Orbit over Crossroads and still be in the same map, thus not needing a sortie to get to

[devout bolt]

yee

[finite glacier]

Sweet, one of the HATs (or 2 on a cycle) can pull the LS to the Airbase, which then the rest can sortie from to drop supplies/engage

am I understanding your thought correctly?

[tribal arrow]

yeah

probably even without use of HAT, LS from TF counts as being in the same node by default

[devout bolt]

idk about that second part. LS for each sortie is a steep cost, since we only have like 20ish for the whole campaign

[finite glacier]

I mean that on an "As needed" basis

I don't expect we'll be sortie-ing every round

[tribal arrow]

which is the reason, why we would need more air units, then 3 fighters

if we gonna use LS for that, we need to make it count

[remote breach]

Also, a large supply is like 4(?) rounds of airfield operation due to the depot upgrade IIRC?

[finite glacier]

yes

so the Ideal case is other BGs pop onto our map, our HAT's drop a bunch of supply to them and then return. We have unlimited Small and Medium supply for those 4 turns, so long as folks come to us

[tribal arrow]

yeah

[devout bolt]

4 for initial construction and 3 for subsequent ones

[finite glacier]

I don't think that's the case? Large supply depot just adds 1 turn to Airfield/HQ building operations, and the LS supplies it for three.

so It'll be 4 turns per LS with the Depot, no?

[tribal arrow]

alright, with all this clarification about mechanics of aircraft I will sleep on it and, maybe, will try to join TF to atleast try to be actually useful to campaign

[devout bolt]

seems like there is talk of roaming logi BG that just move back and forth to avoid sorties

[flat tapir]

Ok I am back what was discussed?

[flat tapir]

3-4 turns. While it is still 3 turns unmodified it might be an oversight since it was discussed in #meta-comm to reduce it to 2 turns to be in line when TF use up LS to be supply points

[finite glacier]

So I've just read through again, and in the Orbital: Cargo Bay section it says that 1 LS is only 1 Round of HQ operations

that must be deprecated then

[flat tapir]

I think that is the old one? The -1 Hit was removed cloe to a week agao

The 1 turn HQ is still accurate

[finite glacier]

Ah, it's listed in two places, one for the logi truck and one for orbital crew

so the Depot is a doubling of supply duration then

[devout bolt]

and separate for starting AF

[finite glacier]

yeah. That was my misunderstanding

IDK why it's so different. If anything I'd think it should be the other way around

[flat tapir]

Probably just missed it

Now Regarding a Flying Shovels Airwing.
We are BG with ground units and different objectives compared to a reactive Airwing.
So it would be slow in some regard and can also be unnecessary dangerous for the loaded units.
A TF is just better at the job of bringing fighters to the place they are needed and either resupplying themselves or taking them to the airfield.

On the other side we have pretty good conditions for ground bound air operations:

• We are pretty mobile when we load in the HATs with 5 strat speed
• If our base of operations is Cross roads then we are also in the prime position to help out in neighboring tiles and then return and resupply
• Our support and transport units can also help out the other BG and even resupply them without them actually leaving the front line
• Should we be able to store LS on the airfield we can then even send aerospace units on sorties

TF can do most of these things to with less risk but it might be worth considering

Just my piece of mind on the topic. At the end of the day fighters and bombers are welcome as long as they know the restrictions

[sweet gale]

I want to say that 3 is probably enough.

[flat tapir]

Should be for the HAT safety when we deploy

Besides we won't be alone. Multiple BGs have the same route

[glossy flower]

Wait people don’t need the airfield : (

[flat tapir]

Well if besides us only storm is there. Then yes it was to early to build the AF

[glossy flower]

We still going to crossroads right

[flat tapir]

My guess is that Cross roads will be a high traffic or highly contested point so yeah the Airfield will see use

I might have written it that came off wrong. My comment was regarding going head first to Cross roads and build an airfield even though no other BG is close to us.
We are pretty fast but so is not everyone

[glossy flower]

Oh ok I personally for getting the fast and setting up defences stop possible bots from trying to pass through unless it already a bot hotspot

[flat tapir]

We really are not a BG to contest a point against the bots 😅

Without backup that can go sideways very fast

[glossy flower]

True

[flat tapir]

Luckily quite a few BG go that way

[glossy flower]

So what all the othe bg speed since apparently were one of the fastest

[flat tapir]

I am not that well versed with the transport capabilities of everyone but BG 2, 5, 7, 8 are one I believe, BG 4, 6 are two, BG 1 is four and BG 3 and 9 are five speed

[finite glacier]

With our HATs we are quick. I'd say it'd be best to ride the fleet to Elim, then continue along too Crossroads with the rest of the forces. I'm really uncomfortable with being on the front line; historically we've had really high casualty rates, and with this concentration of support personell we can't afford that

[flat tapir]

Also not needed

Defenses that have no one to man them are basically just free fortifications for the enemy when they kick us out

[outer crest]

What's the transport within transport rule for V5? Are we allowed to have clown cars or you can't have "intermediate" transport layers (sth like Inf in Logi in HAT)

[flat tapir]

No russian nesting

Also we are very much fine. We either have 3 HAT slots or just one depending on if we want to fly with one LS to build the airfield or let a light freighter from Atlas land to unload the LS

[outer crest]

You can never have too much supply

[remote breach]

Russian dolls are never allowed in player-controlled assets as far as I’m aware.

[flat tapir]

Jup since V1

[remote breach]

The only time you can pre-load units is on GM controlled transportation, e.g. the “landing craft” insertion in the Yos campaign allowed pre-mounted IFVs and Logi trucks

[valid violet]

I’m happy to run supply

[valid violet]

Three, the airfield starts off with three but a large supply only gives two extra. Three with the depot upgrade

Let me clarify. The airfield when built has 3 turns of being active without resuply

The depot adds one turn to a HQ level base’s active timer.

Large supply adds two turns to the active timer

[valid violet]

So the depot if built quickly enough will let the initial build active time last for four turns and make large supply increase the timer by three turns

[gentle flame]

(So do we have to have orders ready for tomorrow?)

Nvm we have a week left till that’s a problem

[leaden stone]

Do we have any semblance of a plan for what to do after the airfield is built? 7-8 engineers is a lot, and do we really need everyone to build defenses, possibly for several turns? There might be battlegroups who need engineers and are willing to drop them in turn 1, so that we can still build the airfield.

[strange shoal]

We dig in

Like alot

Like alot alot

[bitter root]

Ideally we are meeting quite heavy resistance at crossroads but managing to hold a perimeter so you guys can set up defenses and they can feel really effective

[strange shoal]

Since we dont know the exact map we have to wing it a bit, but with 7-8 engineers+ 4 inf we can get slot of things done really quick

[flat tapir]

Well now it is definitely a one turn Airfield. We got our 8th engineer!

[kindred tinsel]

there you are! you're the most difficult senior to find ever!

[sweet gale]

Okay...?

It... doesn't seem too hard to me to find myself?

That aside, though, did you need me for anything? Looking for my 🌟Amazing Tactical Insights🌟?

[golden orbit]

Wait a minute that was one of ours 😭 we were just trying to make accommodations for them too

[strange shoal]

I mean, they are just choosing the more supreme BG 💪🏼

[kindred tinsel]

yes indeed! this is my first official sortie after flight school. it's an honour to be your wingman!

[sweet gale]

From an RP perspective, my fighter will (this time) be being flown by a trained ex-military pilot (albeit from an authoritarian military that deliberately didn't see combat). So buckle up because you're gonna get shouted at or... something. I dunno. I'm not military myself.
From an IRL sense, though, it'll definitely be hit or miss. And also I may or may not attempt to redshirt myself for RP purposes if the opportunity arises.

So, uhh...

[sweet gale]

"Well well well... let's hope for your sake that it'll also be an honour on my end to have you as my Wingman... Wingwoman? Winggirl?"

-# "Note to self: Ask the rookie who blew up the last one of our fighters if this is at all related to his 'Mango'... 'Mangy?' 'Mangé?' hobby."

[kindred tinsel]

what's 'redshirting'?

[sweet gale]

In this instance, dying early.

[kindred tinsel]

Whichever you please, Sir!

[kindred tinsel]

https://tenor.com/view/clueless-aware-twitch-forsen-emote-gif-25354609

oh

is there an update on the status of our potential 3rd fighter already? cause I was also wondering if 3 wasn't too many for purely self-defense purposes

[sweet gale]

I got shot down in FE102 and I might try and make it a running gag.
There's no ulterior motive here except "I think it might be funny".

[golden orbit]

I mean we're all going the same place anyways 🤗 rabbit is just down to 2 engineers now, hopefully we'll be okay with utilizing small supplies inside of our light vehicles though. Everyone bring one repair kit lol

[flat tapir]

I think they switched to one of the TF

Ah yeah Atlas so we will see them at one point

[strange shoal]

As long as you folk stay at crossroads you'll get extra footmassages from our engineers with every repair xD.

I'm just excited to see how much work 8 engis can do

[golden orbit]

I don't think we're going to be staying at crossroads that long, but in the battle for crossroads I may have to bug you guys for repairs

And any qrfs we should be going through crossroads pretty often

Are you guys able to repair someone when they're in transit through a map?

[strange shoal]

I'd presume yes. But maybe put that question in shack qna for confirmation

[golden orbit]

I have a couple questions actually so good idea

[kindred tinsel]

ahh oki, they found a spot they're happy with, that's good then ^^

[golden orbit]

66 questions 💀

[kindred tinsel]

sounds like a great first day on the job for my girl xP

[sweet gale]

Well, we'll see.

[flat tapir]

You mean if no hostiles are there and you end your strat movement tun there?

Then I assume yes

[kindred tinsel]

Did someone say Foot massages?

[strange shoal]

EYOOOOO

[kindred tinsel]

our BG in a nutshell

[golden orbit]

I mean in transit

[flat tapir]

hm good question. On one side on a tactical map you could stop for repairs and then move back.
But I am not sure if the same would apply for strat movement

[flat tapir]

Hey! @sweet gale @finite glacier
Just a reminder to report in #1382781756989767692 that you are secondary TCOs for Flying Shovels!

[nimble sundial]

hello im back]

[flat tapir]

Hey Bison

[flat tapir]

Seems like the two SpecOps are being sent ahead for more intel
#1382040199797801031 message
#1382040199797801031 message

So maybe we get even an idea what lies ahead in Cross Roads

[finite glacier]

Howdy folks! We're closing in on the start of the campaign next week. Syntax and I were chatting, and there's a pretty major thing we're still missing: a battlegroup patch! If yalld like, we can take a few days to come up with fun designs, then post the here and vote on who's we all like best? Syntax knows a guy who can run the design through a program and make it into an actual patch, then we can have a fun souvenir from this campaign.

[flat tapir]

J.Jordan is an absolute legend for his BG patches last campaign!
I don't have a direct contact but I am sure if we ask nicely he will help us out

[stiff python]

I mean we are the flying shovels, I just imagine a shovel with wings on it, perhaps horizontal as if in flight

[flat tapir]

Funnily enough that is a design Morpheus and I did for the C2 request hub 😅

The sister emblem of logi was this made by minimastermind. Right now it is the patch for TF Atlas

[brisk junco]

Yo, I am looking to play either a Battle Tank or Heavy Transport.
Would you guys have any need for either?

[flat tapir]

For ground units we no longer have the transport capacity. For air units we are still open.
Otherwise Pathfinder and Iron Hammer are still looking for units to get over the minimum requirement for a BG

[lucid cypress]

HAT, TF3 may want you.

[brisk junco]

👍 I will check, thanks for the info

[bitter root]

Phalanx would gladly have you if you wanted to play Main Battle Tank as well. Just to give you some options😄

[astral heron]

TF2 Atlas has room for another HAT if that peaks your interest

[leaden stone]

Will we be able to use all of our transports when landing from orbit?

[latent sluice]

Hey flying shovel, I was wondering, can infantry transport supply or have I smoked crack ?

I was wondering so, I thought asking the Supply BG might be a good idea 👀

[leaden stone]

Sorry, we aren't really supply, but I assume not as engineers and medics specify the abilllity to carry supplies

[latent sluice]

aight thanks

[strange shoal]

we got our choice then xD

[flat tapir]

What do you mean? We are pretty much on our carry capacity of the signed up logi players if that answers the question

[leaden stone]

I was mostly asking about wheter or not all transport could be used in our initial attack, or if there were some that had to already be transported for them to be available. I assume we can use all our transports to go from orbit to the tactical maps.

[flat tapir]

Well we do need a starport for deploying. So we should be fine when we deploy from there

[leaden stone]

Thanks, now I get it

[flat tapir]

We just need to keep in mind the movement modifiers should we go 2 speed with unloaded vics

[leaden stone]

I just ran the numbers, and we seem to have space for another infantry unit?

[flat tapir]

Yeah should be possible. With my calculations we should have 3 HAT slots open that we can fill with more units or Small supplies

[leaden stone]

Have you counted a large supply?

[flat tapir]

Nope

Since we should move with the bulk of the other BGs and Atlas will support us I don’t see the necessity. Also Atlas has one light freighter that could just land for the supply

[leaden stone]

Nice

[orchid nacelle]

We do plan on providing the supply yes. Without an airfield, bringing the large supply on the ground might a tad complex? Do you have a HVTOL? Or can it be para dropped from a hat?

I'm not sure we can unload the large supply from the freighter since it doesn't have vehicle bays or something like that.

[flat tapir]

We have a HVTOL in case it is needed

[orchid nacelle]

Then that settles the issue. We have a VTOL bay. Perfect.

[ocean onyx]

What's the initial deployment plan then? how many and which units are going in first?

[leaden stone]

We have enough space for everyone (and a bit more)

[flat tapir]

In short we wait for the starport to be secure enough that Armco can deploy.
Then go with the Cross Roads and Ziyal forces and build the airfield when we arrive.
No idea how fast that could go

[astral heron]

It'll come down to two major things:
If the Starport is fallen, we have to do that first, and the airfield could be delayed 1-2 turns.
If there are significant Orbital enemies above Elim, that will also cause a delay.

If both are clear, we can get you hitting ground by turn 2.

[flat tapir]

We are also not yet in the clear how fast BGs can deploy via the npc orbitals. While it is not unreasonable to assume it will be one turn it hasn’t been confirmed yet

[proper sun]

I can say that BG2 - Venator's max speed is 2.

Sorry if I missed it, but do y'all have plans of defensive building around the airfield itself?

[remote breach]

Thats what all the OTHER engineers are for XD

We’re up 8 engies at this point with plenty of access for trench lines and such

[flat tapir]

Haven’t discussed it yet. I only had the idea that Morpheus and me can probably block some of the mountain passes with the walls

[remote breach]

The rest of us don’t have walls, but we have access to defensive trenches, razor wire, tank traps, and even a few minefields

[proper sun]

If I end up bringing my Bunker in, I was considering dropping it off near the airfield as well. Just still waffling on if I bring it or not.

[strange shoal]

but the walls dont really do any defenses? it just blocks LOS bsically

[flat tapir]

It’s a question of least resistance. Would you rather go the open path or punch through several layers of wall that funnel you even more

[ocean onyx]

Blocking LOS is way better than any defensive buffs, you can't get hit

[ocean onyx]

Do we have enough air transports to go through the air route? or we will have to cross through L-H?

Assuming we land on Elim

[flat tapir]

We have enough. If we load everyone up we are at the same speed as Storm blessed

[strange shoal]

i agree LOS blocking is good. problem is that its 2 way and hinders proactive target shooting incase they push

[ocean onyx]

true, I think it's mostly used to hold reserves for surprise counterattacks or to shield vulnerable units, like medics

or ambushes

[finite glacier]

I think the LOS blocking can be a good component of a larger defensive system. Put support units and indirect fires behind them, and funnel the enemy into other prepared positions.

[strange shoal]

isnt walls 1 hitpoint?

[flat tapir]

Path of least resistance

[ocean onyx]

Target wise, I don't think they are a high priority for enemies

[strange shoal]

but thats a big assumption no?

[flat tapir]

Otherwise it is delaying them

Also good

[ocean onyx]

like, if they are assaulting a trench network and they see the wall, I think they would shoot the troops firing against them, rather than the wall, and even then, it's like a shield, the unit firing at the wall would only damage the wall and not the unit behind it

better than nothing

[strange shoal]

so your thinking the wall behind the defenses?

[ocean onyx]

Or along them

I think if we put a wall in between trenches, and put medics behind the wall, the medics can heal the infantry inside the trenches

[strange shoal]

can you paint up an example? hard for me to visualize xD

[ocean onyx]

gimme a sec

[remote breach]

Would that not block LOS for the medics to the trench?

[strange shoal]

was thinking so. thats why i asked for a visual

[remote breach]

Remember- if it seems cheesy, shack always says no

[strange shoal]

cuz rn im thinking best way to use walls i just ahead by a bit to deteer enemies

[remote breach]

Whereas my thought on walls was using them to hide critical assets like artillery parks, supply depots, and medical facilities from enemy LOS

[strange shoal]

fair, more of an utility then actual defense

[remote breach]

The only thing they specifically do is block LOS

[ocean onyx]

something like this

[proper sun]

A lot of the maps look urban, so I'm basically gonna use y'all's plans to help me decide if I leave the structure behind or deploy with it.

[remote breach]

Basically castle crenellations

[strange shoal]

nevermore that we are not building in gridcorners no more

[ocean onyx]

we aren't?

[strange shoal]

wasnt that disbanded since c2?

c3 didnt have it

[flat tapir]

We have hexes again but they are just as a reference for distances not a hard limit where you can be

If you want to sit between two lines that is also fine

[remote breach]

The grid is just for player reference, not mechanical

[strange shoal]

problem with this system is the tenchline are then divided up to 2 parts and you cant walk through?

[ocean onyx]

I don't understand, could you elaborate?

[strange shoal]

what your proposing is to have 2 trenchlines connected with a wall inbetween. and also have a medic behind the wall to heal a unit on the other side no?

[ocean onyx]

Yeah pretty much, although you would have to have two medics in that case, cause medics can only heal one unit at a time

[remote breach]

There ya go

[ocean onyx]

As far as I'm aware only two units can enter in the trench

[strange shoal]

i see 3 problems with it.
how can a medic heal behind across the wall
will the trenchline be divided?
how will this benefit us?

[remote breach]

I'm thinking in terms of a trench LINE across a long grid section

But yes each trench is 2 units

[ocean onyx]

As long as the unit the medic is healing is besides it, then it has LOS, so it can heal, even if it is in another hex. Preferably yes, I don't know how long a trenchline is, hex wise, so I think we might have to divide it. We can put medics in the defensive network without making them a target, I was in Scrimshaw and we lost A LOT of medics because they were able to be targeted, in theory, they wouldn't be damaged as long as there are equal or more combat units in the same hex, but we are very limited on combat units, so this is a good alternative to save our medics from becoming targets

I believe this is the LOS the wall blocks, so it should be able to heal

and even if it's 180°, you can put the trench further back and it will have LOS

[flat tapir]

Sth we need to discuss in detail when we actually have a map of the cross roads. Though brainstorming right now is great!

[ocean onyx]

This trench network is going to be set up near the airfield, the houses and buildings in the near village already provide great amount of defensive value, we just need to set up trenches in the southwestern plain

since there aren't any structures to take up defensive positions

[remote breach]

Hey! Surprise of all surprises- we’re still waiting on intel!

[flat tapir]

About that Finley and Math reported back in BG3: #1382040199797801031 message

[remote breach]

Ok- so 1 ship over Elim City, and some assorted space forces around the jumpgate

Enemies present IN Elim city

[flat tapir]

Artillery fire from the east too

[remote breach]

I’m almost certain the bots have at LEAST recon bases at both mines then- that’s what I was originally worried about. We got bot factory problems

[proper sun]

*Strategic Level Missile System

[flat tapir]

There is more intel discussed in detail. For example potential civilians in the hill mine

[outer crest]

Logi truck can also take an supply drop from HAT if we need extra bandwidth

[flat tapir]

Not the large supply sadly

[outer crest]

Aw

[finite glacier]

oo we've got some new inel

[strange shoal]

is there a interest to stay in elim and secure some areas aswell?

specifically around the starport

then head over to crossroads?

[outer crest]

I mean since we'll have to fight our way over from Elim anyways might as well drop down to help out a bit

We (shouldn't) be attrited from this since we're more like support so I doubt we'd lose anything barring some paint scratch

[ocean onyx]

I wouldn't risk our numbers, crossroads might be more contested than we initally thought, it might even be used as a bot supply depot

[flat tapir]

We will see there is more intel to come regarding Elim City and the spaceport

[ocean onyx]

most we should do is secure the spaceport then head out on the air transports

[strange shoal]

it seems so. thought we might have had atleast elim untouched

[ocean onyx]

If we deploy on a tf

[strange shoal]

which we wont. we are not the priority atm

[outer crest]

That would only mean we'd be stuck at Elim for longer since we are not an offensive force

[remote breach]

Hmm…. I think I said something early on about it being optimistic that the bots didn’t already have the mines….

[ocean onyx]

we have the numbers to secure the southwest of crossroads and build the airfield, pushing into the villages alone is suicide

[remote breach]

Crossroads IS an urban map though

[outer crest]

Someone has to create that space tho, we're defo not the force to clear it out

[remote breach]

Without significant support from other BGs it’ll be hell

[flat tapir]

Which we should get just by the nature of stated objectives

[strange shoal]

question now is more what should we focus on when we hit the ground at elim

[ocean onyx]

there's space, check the last map of crossroads we have

[astral heron]

It looks like our perfect conditions aren't gonna be there, and TF2 is gonna have to contest Elim Spaceport instead of Crossroads. We're down to cover you as the ARMCO moves the front forwards, but it'll be a few rounds at least

[flat tapir]

Now it gets interesting for us

[strange shoal]

that photo was 3 years old which he also stated that they have been heavily developing. dont expect the same area

[finite glacier]

I think there's a distinction between "bot presence" at a location and them controlling it. They likely spread themselves thin to maximize their coverage with the expectation that the Lumar had no reinforcements

[outer crest]

I mean the hostiles, that map is definitely not including how bot infested it'll be

[ocean onyx]

considering we will be deploying on the space port, there isn't much we could do, since most of the city will be somewhat secured by the point we deploy

[outer crest]

Inshallah it's a quick jog in the park but if not well we'll have to wait

[finite glacier]

"anywhere on the surface" seems to be quite the important detail

[strange shoal]

doesnt necessarily have to be secured. still, dont think some defenses wouldnt help as we are waiting

[outer crest]

So ATP but better? Nice

[ocean onyx]

True, but I don't expect to see a huge city, it's not stated to be a major city

[ocean onyx]

the immediate area of the spaceport will surely be, but I agree we could set up some defences in case the bots react to our deployment

[outer crest]

Tbf I have questions about what we will be able to actually load on them - quite the difference between a transport ship vs a cargo ship, and not sure how much space do they have to shove folks in

[finite glacier]

Hopefully we get some more data soon

[strange shoal]

we got it

[flat tapir]

Actually it is stated in the FAQ sheet

[remote breach]

Low ceilings though!

[ocean onyx]

where's the faq sheet?

[flat tapir]

So a total of 72 units can land with them

[strange shoal]

per wave

[flat tapir]

Pinned in #meta-comm

[strange shoal]

but im confused on this. we are entirely self sustained with the transport. do we need them?

[outer crest]

I mean the rest is probably coming in with the automated ships

[strange shoal]

im assuming those are the npc automatic ships

[flat tapir]

I was under the same impression. If we get more good otherwise this the number

[outer crest]

Yea, as the force to carry whoever's left onto starports

[strange shoal]

still confused on this part

[outer crest]

So we have the self-sufficient folks like us, folks who have slots on the TFs, folks who are gonna be able to hitch a ride on the Mules that can drop anywhere, and the rest drops in from the automated ships at starports, that's our current strategic lift situation right?

[strange shoal]

we dont have slots on a tf no`?

[outer crest]

Yea we're aerospace capable somehow haha

We'll still be close to a TF since they'd be feeding us supply but we don't need them to move

[ocean onyx]

I might be blind, but I can't find it

[strange shoal]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UyHLFdwwWsqUwSUh0g_sQvBIUu-JjPyXSP8ZKogBgLA/edit?gid=0#gid=0

@ocean onyx

[ocean onyx]

I mean the exact line that says crossroad is a major city

[outer crest]

So it's a good thing for the Company, we don't have to care personally (unless Shack allows us to load on more LS)

[strange shoal]

we are stuck with the auto transport anyhow

[flat tapir]

Ahhh it sounded for me like you meant Elim 😅

[ocean onyx]

aaaaaah

yeah, we were speaking about crossroads

[outer crest]

Shack allowed another BG to run ahead with their own aerospace at their own risk lol

[astral heron]

that'd be Storm

They're also talking about having all 17 of their d2 VTOLs take a shot at the enemy frigate. It's a 60% chance they'd kill it in one round.

[outer crest]

The beeeeees

[flat tapir]

@outer crest So we have more capacity

But they need to be secured by a BG

[outer crest]

Wut do you mean?

[flat tapir]

We have also the npc armco freighters + those lumaran transports the SpecOps team made contact with

[outer crest]

What's the BG thing then? I thought they were basically other stuff to support us dragging more guys down on the ground earlier, is there sth I'm missing?

[flat tapir]

No I don't think

We have the allied TF, our npc freighters and TF Fluffle is planning to deploy Rabbit

[rich crystal]

Howdy Shovels, in light of Case Red, are yall still set on going stright to Crossroads for your airfield construction?

[ocean onyx]

We need further intel before committing to anything

[rich crystal]

Yeah, that's very fair.

[ocean onyx]

It really depends on how contested the planet is, but looking at how we will be deploying in the spaceport, we might help build some quick defences there whilst we wait for other BGs to movilize and head towards crossroads

We will build the airfield in crossroads, the only thing in question is how fast we will do it

as in, how much it will take us to reach crossroads

[flat tapir]

My guesstimate is roughly Turn 4 or 5

3 if we are really lucky with that push

[stiff python]

depending on how long it takes to secure Elim, would a repair point where our engineers can hang out and repair anything that comes in make any sort of sense?

[rich crystal]

Yeah, that all sounds good, assuming we can take the Crossroads. If not, we'll figure it out in situ. My concern is that we see the strategic value of Crossroads its likely the bots have as well.

[flat tapir]

Probably it is our secondary objectives

[ocean onyx]

Only makes sense as long as we stay there, BGs can't separate unfortunately, so we have to commit to something and stick with it

[flat tapir]

oh yeah it will probably be a brutal fight. One more reason for supply flowing directly into the front line

[ocean onyx]

Completely agree, worst case scenario, we make the airfield in Elim or L-H for an offensive towards Crossroads

[stiff python]

I only mean that once the first few groups are on the ground, and its our turn as a BG that we have a little spot in the back where our engineers can repair any vehicles/build defenses etc. until one or more BGs/TFs are ready to push to crossroads

[rich crystal]

ideally we can help with some of that.

[ocean onyx]

Then yes

otherwise the engies would be kicking dust doing nothing

[remote breach]

Even if we aren’t immediately on-site with Airfields, we are 8 engineers amongst a LOT of groups with mechanized units.

[ocean onyx]

or snow rather

[flat tapir]

I hope so. We have some security forces but nowhere near the firepower the rest of the BGs are packing 😄

[flat tapir]

Lots and lots of engineer angels around Elim

[ocean onyx]

We can fend for ourselves on the defensive, as intended, in any case, we, the combat capable units, can act as reservists in case things get nasty

[rich crystal]

As far as I'm concerned, Flying Shovels is Mission Fucking Critical. So if you guys come under heavy fire, and Atlas hasn't disgorged its Marine Drop assets yet, I'll be pulling for the TF to come your way.

[ocean onyx]

Appreciated

[flat tapir]

Lets hope for the best and prepare for the worst

[ocean onyx]

ARMCO's unofficial motto

[rich crystal]

Thank you kindly, Shovels, I'm sure I'll be back to ask you something or other sooner or later

[ocean onyx]

You are more than welcome to do so

[flat tapir]

In the meantime we can figure out if we want to have a motto and design some BG patches!

#1382191881873653833 message

[ocean onyx]

ooooooo, that would be nice, if anyone is skilled enough to do so

or dedicated, it doesn't have to be a masterpiece

[flat tapir]

Morpheus and I designed one way back during C2 as sth for the Request hub back then. Should be a few messages under the linked one #1382191881873653833 message

[ocean onyx]

I see it, looks good to me, maybe change the bridge for something else and it would fit this BG more than well

[remote breach]

I'd probably swap the bridge for a towered wall, which is a traditional symbol for military engineering

[ocean onyx]

good idea

[remote breach]

One of the simple ones, like Row 2 Column 2

The Lodge already is similar XD

[stiff python]

I kinda like row 4 column 3

[ocean onyx]

make it like the row 2 column 2, but add the winged shovel in front of the wall in between the towers

[remote breach]

I was just thinking something like the original patch, but castle instead of bridge

[proper sun]

Last I knew, Venator was planning on not only pushing to Crossroads but a couple MBTs have bulldozers too.

[ocean onyx]

I wish I had a mouse right now

[remote breach]

Try shovel horizontal

[ocean onyx]

looking left or right?

[remote breach]

Not sure which direction, but I was thinking something like this

[flat tapir]

Well the background is from the Haven campaign. Firstly Wesmas and me rushed the airfield and made it operational and secondly Morpheus and other engineers build a bridge to connect two operations with one another. A little bit of storytelling what was done during Haven

[ocean onyx]

This is the best I can do with my laptop 😭

[remote breach]

Yep I remember the original

[ocean onyx]

I'll let someone else take care of the badge

[remote breach]

My friend- the shovel is WINGED it can go in the air over the castle XD

[ocean onyx]

It being winged but being stuck on the ground would actually be a good use of symbolism

[remote breach]

With our air compliment we really are the engineering version of air-cav or airborne

[flat tapir]

@remote breach I assume you meant sth like thiss

very very rough sketch

[ocean onyx]

The shovel could fly away, but it doesn't, it will stay put, dug in, in front of the walls it erected, no one and nothing will get it to yield, we are unshakable, we are undeterred, we are the flying shovels

or something like that

[remote breach]

Yeah that’s the idea- horizontal or angled both work depending on the rest of what’s going on

[flat tapir]

I might sit down this week and brainstorm sth but for now I really need to sleep. I have long day ahead of me 😄

[ocean onyx]

This came out better than I expected

[remote breach]

How dare you show me up with your AI

[ocean onyx]

Forgive me for not having the time to draw something rn

[remote breach]

Crennelated heraldry is a thing, thought it might look good too

Lol I just used my phone notepad

[kindred tinsel]

is that the status report that came back from the spec ops?

[inland vigil]

Is it possible to get a holding force to take the city over from storm blessed once the port is secured
we have essentially no heavy assets, and we are likely to take heavy casualties while the main forces land

[nimble sundial]

ARGH