Pilot Archive
Thread: Starfighter PvP--Starsider Style, Part Deuce
Page 1 of 3
Halyn
Sat Aug 13, 2005 6:44 pm
#1
Well, the last event in the "Arms Race" story arc is finished. Here's what happened during the event, as I saw them as the Alliance's commander for the evening.
The mission called for control of two stations--the Solar Phoenix 2 station in the Karthakk system, which was the Imperials' research facility, and the Station-Star 1 platform in the Tatooine system, which was the Rebels' research facility. We were running the mission in our usual 50-10 style. Fifty minutes of free battle, while there were no returns from dying in the last ten minutes.
We started out and pretty much consistently had twenty-four pilots on the Alliance side. A couple of pilots came late and tagged along, including the smuggler correspondent. (Giz, you need to get into space more. 
) About half of those were fielded by my guild, the RS, from both Sabre and Resurrection Squadrons; the others came from a variety of sources, including quite a few from Bendo's Grey Ghost Squadron out of the Rebel Outpost on Rori.
) About half of those were fielded by my guild, the RS, from both Sabre and Resurrection Squadrons; the others came from a variety of sources, including quite a few from Bendo's Grey Ghost Squadron out of the Rebel Outpost on Rori.We divided up into three units--an assault unit, led by Joken; a defense unit, led by Bendo; and a swing unit led by myself. The assault unit was tasked with taking and holding Solar Phoenix 2, while Grey Ghost held Station-Star 1. The swing group, entirely RS pilots, was tasked with supporting whatever side needed assistance.
Grey Ghost moved into position immediately to defend the Alliance's station. Meanwhile, the assault and swing groups moved to Rebellion's Blaze. The assault wing led the charge into the Solar Phoenix 2 POI, while the swing group held back about two kilometers until the engagement began. The first battle ended with the Alliance in control of Solar Phoenix 2 with some losses.
We quickly regrouped all of the assault wing and half of the swing wing. In hindsight, I made a mistake by sending half the swing group to Tatooine to reinforce Grey-Ghost. I thought the Imperials might try striking there, and I figured if they divided their forces for an attack we'd better be split as well.
The Imperials counterattacked Solar Phoenix 2. I summonned the swing group back to Lok, but they arrived too late to turn the tide of the battle, and the Empire reclaimed Solar Phoenix 2.
We regrouped again after repairs at Rebellion's Blaze, declared, and headed into Solar Phoenix 2. In a fierce battle, we reclaimed the station once more. For those of you keeping count, that was the third engagement. Usually, we only have time for three engagements, but both sides were moving with discipline that is oftentimes lacking and I was faced with the dilemna of a fourth battle.
Deciding to take another chance, I led the swing group to Tatooine. We barely met up with Grey Ghost before the Imperials attacked. (On a side note, that was the only time I saw Tomo during the battle--I think he signed on just in time to join them for the last attack.) Knowing we were in the no-return time, I called for Joken to bring most of his group to Tatooine to reinforce us, but to leave a few pilots at Solar Phoenix 2 to keep it secure.
The last battle was probably the fiercest, as well as the laggiest. Our reinforcements came in scattershot, so I doubt we ever exceeded fifteen pilots on the Alliance side at the station. In the end, we drove back the Imp attack and the event was over. Afterwards, the Imp coordinator told me the Imps fielded around sixteen fighters, all said and done. I believe they had a higher percentage of completely green rookies--as the coordinator said, the "How do I declare?" type. They did field a couple of their best pilots, too, though.
Our reinforcements came in scattershot, so I doubt we ever exceeded fifteen pilots on the Alliance side at the station. In the end, we drove back the Imp attack and the event was over. Afterwards, the Imp coordinator told me the Imps fielded around sixteen fighters, all said and done. I believe they had a higher percentage of completely green rookies--as the coordinator said, the "How do I declare?" type. They did field a couple of their best pilots, too, though.In hindsight, there are two things I'd have done differently: I wouldn't have sent that first group to Tatooine, and I wouldn't have kept Grey Ghost on station there the entire time. They saw the least action, and I still feel bad about it. As Bendo told me, though, it showed the discipline and seasoning most of our pilots are showing--nobody left. Everyone stayed on station. And for that, I'm proud of them.
Aside from the mission, we had some thoughts afterwards on TeamSpeak. I don't think the Imperials are using it, but the Alliance uses TS for all missions. The pilots I talked to afterwards loved hearing the chatter during battles--it's very movie-like sometimes. "I'm after Resha." "I'm right behind you." "This is Hal, I need some help here." "I just scraped a TIE off that was sneaking up on you, Josh." And so forth. During the off-time between fights, it actually seems to get nosier than while we're engaged. Odd, I know, but we don't really try to enforce comm discipline. Maybe I should, but I don't bother. I think while we're engaged we try to save it for important stuff--calling targets, calling for help, calling out kills, and, in this case, coordinating between two very distant positions that we needed to hold.
We also talked about rivalries. We decided there are a few distinct rivalries between specific Imperial and Rebel pillots. Naithan and Luucas always had a rivalry, and I have a rivalry of sorts with Tomo; and I'm not the only one. But all the rivalries seem to be of the friendly sort. After the event tonight, we threw a spontaneous party in the RS Bar and Grill on Rori at New Horizon. A couple of Imp pilots showed up, and there was absolutely no hostility between the Imp pilots and the gathered Rebels. Instead, there was some friendly discussion on ship loadouts, tactics, maneuvers, and specific parts of furballs. Compliments went to pilots on both sides. Hell, even right after the last battle, Haro sent me a friendly tell with a "good shot. I couldn't seem to tag you" and we exchanged /salutes.
A lot of my guildmates know I was pretty stressed out over this event--I was pouring everything I could into it, hoping to make it a big battle with good participation on both sides. In that, I think I succeeded, and we largely managed to keep it friendly. The Imperials showed graciousness in defeat (which was by no means certain, and can swing either way any event), and my pilots weren't rude, as far as I could tell.
I'm sure a few other pilots that flew tonight will post, too--I know Leaph really enjoyed himself tonight (other than dying to a RGI that had a crafted engine ), as did the rest of my pilots.
), as did the rest of my pilots.To all Rebels who flew tonight, well done! To all Imps, I /salute you for a battle hard-fought.
EDIT: I forgot one important thing--thanks, Leaph, for helping me come up with the Alliance's battle plan for the evening. Without your suggestions, things would've lacked a lot of the finesse. Thanks.
Message Edited by Halyn on 08-13-2005 06:47 PM
Jawa-Sith-Lord
Sat Aug 13, 2005 7:19 pm
#2
I was one of the "How do you declare" Imps and I have to say I enjoyed the event immensely. Well done to the coordinators and thanks. It helps me feel really good about my moving servers. I just have to get used to the large numbers of RPers. But, that is also kind of fun. I just need to get into it some.
I just looked at my FRAPS footage and it doesn't look good. The only one that doesn't end in an exploding TIE Fighter is where I did a pan of our briefing.
I just looked at my FRAPS footage and it doesn't look good. The only one that doesn't end in an exploding TIE Fighter is where I did a pan of our briefing.
Halyn
Sat Aug 13, 2005 7:27 pm
#3
Good to know you enjoyed yourself. 
Wish someone would've frapsed our Thursday briefing...I got compliments from the attendees.
Addy wasn't able to attend, so we won't have an awesome video like last time, but I know at least one pilot on the Alliance side frapsed some, though he said it wasn't great.
AideonOfAesir
Sat Aug 13, 2005 7:58 pm
#4
Yes, the briefing was fantastic Halyn. Especially our shoddy holoprojector in Sabre HQ.
The event was so much fun, especially chasing after that RGI for like, ten minutes. But, it's a risk we all take.
An especially good job to Adonis for coming out in his Firespray, and being uber in it.
LeaphChausew
Sat Aug 13, 2005 8:20 pm
#5
Yes..I died to a crafted engine /cries.
But! It was a mk III proton missile. I did try to chaff it but it didn't work. I was busy killing a Heavy TIE at the time.
Yeh it was such a cool event, I'm hooked on SS now. It's made me question a lot of things about my own flying. I thought I'd gotten over the "wow im excited and twichy stage" but the first round I don't know how I survived...I dropped my mouse at one point I was shaking so much I found it hard to manouver at times[less sugar for me tommorow].
I -got- to squeeze in that lvl 8 tri into my A-wing again too along with still keep my lvl 8 engineand nym shield though. The lvl 7 I found tonight on some of the better Imp pilots I was taking 4direct hitsin a row to even disable. I don't know how many kills I got. Not many to be honest. Due to my weapon power < engine and manouverability, I took the route of tapping what I could and then moving onto the next target. I know I made a few assists with Li' who kindly finished off some Imps for me.
Also...group events and so many missiles. Woah...That adds a totally different element to pvp. This event has given me so much to consider. Flying solo even against a few enemy pvp'ers is way different to a big group vs a big group situation. died twice [once to the RG TIE and once to Haro..I didn't even register his shot until I died but must have been a pretty shot] I got a couple of taggers on Haro but the 3rd round where he was last Imp standing, I kind of sat back and smirked as my friends missiled him to death Sorry Haro..but it was quite comical as well as pretty 
.
but must have been a pretty shot] I got a couple of taggers on Haro but the 3rd round where he was last Imp standing, I kind of sat back and smirked as my friends missiled him to death Sorry Haro..but it was quite comical as well as pretty .Anyway, yeh ..what can I say apart from, I am overly impressed with the level of piloting skill on SS as well as the careful planning of the events. The only part I really lagged out at was when I went back to Tatooine station at the end by that nebula..Haro got me at that point but otherwise managed to keep the game and TS runnning so all is cool. TS banter is fun. Thanks guys for appreciating my dodgy English accent . Anyway, as tempting as jumping into my nearest JSF would be, I'll still be sticking to the A-wing. I know full well it's nothing compared to a 'maxed out jsf' and similar pilot but I'm stubborn and morbidly curious as to how far I can take the ship before tapping out and jumping on the band wagon. Tonight brought home a few realisations on what I should be doing in future and even a few theories on how that lvl 8 gun might go back on...[stripping me of missiles would be one contributer to getting it on anyway].
. Anyway, as tempting as jumping into my nearest JSF would be, I'll still be sticking to the A-wing. I know full well it's nothing compared to a 'maxed out jsf' and similar pilot but I'm stubborn and morbidly curious as to how far I can take the ship before tapping out and jumping on the band wagon. Tonight brought home a few realisations on what I should be doing in future and even a few theories on how that lvl 8 gun might go back on...[stripping me of missiles would be one contributer to getting it on anyway].I'll add more to my random A-wing post tommorow...or should I say A-wing novel.
Thanks guys for being awesome. I want more
-Leaph
S-1-l2-H-C
Sat Aug 13, 2005 8:59 pm
#6
this was the best battle ive been in so far. it was INCREDIBLE. most combat ive seen in one of these events. most ofthe time Tomo and gang dont leave me too much for meto shoot at, but this time it felt like i constantly had a whole wing of restored relics gunning for me! bought it three times tonight, and loved every minute of it.
cheers to the xwing that nailed me at the start, talk about humbling. i made it a point to tear up the x's first after that one!
Message Edited by S-1-l2-H-C on 08-13-2005 09:12 PM
DarthGorilla
Sat Aug 13, 2005 9:27 pm
#7
I've got to say I'm very proud of the pilots who flew under my command at Station Star One in the Tatoo system. Despite having nothing to do but blow up the ocassional valarain bomber who strayed to close to the ruined station every single one of them stayed at their post and followed my orders while we were waiting. And we waited......and waited.....and waited. They were aware of the action near Lok and every one of them including myself wanted to jump right in there but they all stayed. In the past I've seen pilots go all hotdog and take things into their own hands but not tonight. It's a good thing too because the Imps had a scout in the system most of the night. If we had let our guard down I'm sure we would have payed for it. When they did come the came fast and fought hard but in the end the defense held.
I want to salute my pilots:
Dashka
Izossk
Saprykin
Jimmi
Seraphy (thanks Pro)
(From various squadrons and guilds)
Risian
Vexer
Aam
(From my Grey Ghost Squadron)
It was a pleasure flying with you all. We didn't have the fun duty but we did our part. Thank you. Thanks also to the Imperials for fighting hard. Salute!
I want to salute my pilots:
Dashka
Izossk
Saprykin
Jimmi
Seraphy (thanks Pro)
(From various squadrons and guilds)
Risian
Vexer
Aam
(From my Grey Ghost Squadron)
It was a pleasure flying with you all. We didn't have the fun duty but we did our part. Thank you. Thanks also to the Imperials for fighting hard. Salute!
Message Edited by DarthGorilla on 08-14-2005 11:33 AM
Halyn
Sat Aug 13, 2005 9:38 pm
#8
DarthGorilla wrote:
It was a pleasure flying with you all. We didn't have the fun duty but we did our part. Thank you. Thanks also to the Imperials for fighting hard. Salute!
Again, I apologize for leaving you guys back to listen to all the chatter on TS while we fought and you sat on your hands. I should've rotated groups between attacks. In the future, if we run a similar scenario, I'll make sure I do so.
DarthGorilla
Sat Aug 13, 2005 9:41 pm
#9
Halyn wrote:
DarthGorilla wrote:
It was a pleasure flying with you all. We didn't have the fun duty but we did our part. Thank you. Thanks also to the Imperials for fighting hard. Salute!
Again, I apologize for leaving you guys back to listen to all the chatter on TS while we fought and you sat on your hands. I should've rotated groups between attacks. In the future, if we run a similar scenario, I'll make sure I do so.
Honestly that would have caused more confusion had you done that. Certainly I would have enjoyed the action but I think you guys played it right.
Kryxal
Sat Aug 13, 2005 9:48 pm
#10
It's too bad I wasn't able to see anything ... I was up there, but never managed to spot anybody except maybe when I decided to land! Reading the announcement, it didn't seem clear to me just where the point to defend for the Rebel was, so I was up there in a Dunelizard hoping to spot somebody any figure things out...
S-1-l2-H-C
Sat Aug 13, 2005 10:00 pm
#11
Kryxal wrote:
It's too bad I wasn't able to see anything ... I was up there, but never managed to spot anybody except maybe when I decided to land! Reading the announcement, it didn't seem clear to me just where the point to defend for the Rebel was, so I was up there in a Dunelizard hoping to spot somebody any figure things out...
next time contact one of the leaders and get in a group.
Kryxal
Sat Aug 13, 2005 10:38 pm
#12
Next time, maybe I'll have something approaching useable parts for this sort of thing, and maybe be factioned.
ViperWolf
Sat Aug 13, 2005 11:39 pm
#13
That engagement was definitely one for the Starsider record books (right up therewith the second event ever when 100+ pilots showed ... talk about an awe inspiring site ) Like everyone said, it was a very intense, but very fun battle. Its a shame that Stark and I have to keep showing the doubters what a Heavy X can really do ....
) Like everyone said, it was a very intense, but very fun battle. Its a shame that Stark and I have to keep showing the doubters what a Heavy X can really do ....
Page 1 of 3