Sins of a Solar Spymaster #31 - Lessons from a Failed Invasion

[B. de la Durantaye]

Love 'em or hate 'em, invasions abound in nullsec in EVE Online. Most invasions are failed invasions, but that can be avoided with some careful planning and good judgment calls. Most folk, though, tend to lack that sort of judgment. This week The Mittani recounts a failed Goonswarm invasion, and perhaps for the first time ever, discusses why it failed, and what could have been done to avoid it.

In addition, we had screwed up the diplomatic side of war. When you think about invading a target and you run the idea past your allies and friends and they respond with crushing disinterest, that needs to be carefully weighted. The reaction of our war-buddies and allies to the Esoteria adventure was a resounding 'meh'. We went through with it anyway, and found ourselves fighting nearly alone, save for Zenith Affinity.

Read the full Sins of a Solar Spymaster here at Ten Ton Hammer.

[LexStriker]

Even though I may not always agree with the 'Solar Spymaster', this one I think he hit right. There is a difference between managing a Corp and leading people. Personally, I believe most online Guilds/Corps/whatever's have a ton of managers, but very few leaders. The difference being that managers deal with things and leaders deal with people. These Corp Managers can deal with difficult situations and come up with great plans of conquests, but forget that 'others' are needed to implement what they have come up with. Then these managers get frustrated when they declare a war and no one shows up... or there is a half-heart effort by the 'do'ers'. Then it becomes a matter of blaming the little guy for not supporting the Corp... which really means not supporting the game of a select few managers. This usually ends up with some players being kicked from the Corp for not playing well with the management, to show an example and shock the rest of the membership into line. Thus, management through fear.

When thinking tactics/strategies, one usually comes up with an objective and then sits down and decides how this can be accomplished. The objective is always the key focus... and where any negative thoughts are discounted as treason, and where one ends up using their 'Strong Will' to get to their objective. This usually ends up with the manager(s) believing that they were the only reason the objective was achieved at all (if it was)... thus the idea of 'I did it', rather than 'We did it'... and then the managers run off with the majority of the booty because they were the only one's who really earned it, in their opinion.

I propose a second way. How about looking at what one has and then saying; 'what can we do with what we have?... and where?' I would think this might lower the risk of failure... perhaps. Though, I must admit, that some situations will have to be dealt with straight up and 'willed' through. Never say 'never'.

The problem is that EVE Online is only a game. If EVE Online dies tomorrow, life will go one for all of us. This must be taken into account when coming up with grand strategies to take over the EVE Universe. If 100 players say they will show up and 50 show, be happy... and make sure the plan only calls for 50 players and is adequate to do the job.

Where I also think most managers make mistakes in planning their grand conquests, is that the little guys who carry out these magnificent schemes need to get something out of it as well. Some may want kill-board increases, some ISK's, some just pure excitement and glory, some a new place to go... whatever. When the little guys have a stake in the situation, then they will show up and fight... because it means something for them personally. Supporting an invasion because their management is bored?... well, not something I believe to be very inspiring, in my opinion, and failed before the first shot was fired. When the 'do'ers' loose faith in the 'dreamers', then the situation will turn 'inward' rather than 'outward', where is should be.


I wish All well!

Lex.

[IsilwenNightfall]

Initially we went to Esoteria to help a few dissident corporations in SysK overthrow their leader, who had allegedly been treating them like pets. But once we arrived, that situation had changed and the corporations we hoped to help had backed out of their plan.

You still don't want to admit it, do you? That's understandable, it would really damage your reputation.

I will clear things for everyone else here, despite going a little OT.
There were NEVER any dissident corporations in Sys-K. That was a lie made up in order to draw Goons to us. Actually, we never expected it to really work. It was supposed to be just a "for fun" lie, but Goons took it extremely seriously, it seems.
The situation NEVER "changed", no one "backed out their plan", because in the first place the situation was never like Goons thought it was.
In Sys-K there are no "dissidents", no "revolutions", and will never be. If you don't like the alliance, you are free to leave.

You're right about the lacking of Intelligence, after all. If you knew us, you would have known at least that
Indeed, it seems this was one of your biggest errors.

GF tho.