Let me preface by saying this; This is not a discussion on Empire or NPC space, this is (for all intents and purposes) a discussion on the current affairs of 0.0 warfare. I may also note that I am heavily biased to Goonswarm/Goonfleet and get most updates through them or COAD. Without further ado...
To explain the current affairs of 0.0 warfare, I should first explain some things. For one, what is 0.0? 0.0, simply, refers to the section of EvE space that has a security level of 0 or less. Therefore, no NPC good guys to save you if big mean griefer in his Cruiser decides he wants an easy Frigate kill. 0.0 warfare is simply a land grab. Where enemies fight collectively to gain control of systems by anchoring their POSs (Player Owned Starbases) onto the system's moons. When they have more POSs than the other guy, they gain control of the system and it's Station. I think that's as simple as I can make it all out to be, so let's move on.
What are the current affairs of 0.0?, you may ask. Well to put it simply: the largest PvP war ever. Current estimates put the number of players involved somewhere near 30,000-40,000 individual players (not counting alt accounts). Trillions of in game money are being destroyed in an endless torrent of skirmishes and front line shifts. Forum chest beating is at an all time high and the underlying means of the war are becoming clear. I'll be breaking this post into parts to help create a timeline of events.
Band of Developers
This brought a calvacade of response from the community, those on BoB's side saying that the leadership didn't know, and those against them pointing to the blatant evidence they did! Accusations were thrown about, torches were lit and pitchforks raised. The whole community waited for a response from CCP (creators of EvE), as to what would happen from all of this. As BoB and Co. had been given substantial help and aid in tactics, exploits, and spawned items. So, CCP, being a business run for by subscription fees of it's members, went and...
Shoved it all under the rug.
People were banned, threads deleted, anything to get rid of any evidence of the incident. To summarize, those who were neck deep in BoB's ass were a little ticked. And so, instead of quitting a game they had come so far in, they banded together, some 3 dozen alliances, 20,000 people, billions in ships and POSs, and launched a campaign that melted severs against these dirty cheaters. If they could beat cheaters by playing the game fair, then they would have proven themselves and made a statement. And thus, it was, the war was on!
The Battle At FT
Initial reasoning for the fight are a bit unclear. But the general consensus is: A small gang of Goonfleet guys got spotted by a Lotka Velta (LV) Covert Operations (CovOps) ship. And LV, being the geniuses they are, decided to drop a sizable (~20) Dreadnought fleet on top of them. Despite the initial fighting and massacre of Goonfleet frigates, hope soon came.
A cyno opened, and from the bleak light came the Red Alliance (RA), hardened ally of the goons. They came in with a Dreadnought fleet matching, if not beating, that of LVs. The battle raged, primaries were called, and much drunken fun was had by all.
When the smoked cleared 3 hours later, 15 dead LV Dreadnoughts lay on the battlefield. Allied losses were netted at 0. This was the biggest loss in EvE history, and almost symbolic of things to come for LV.
JV1V: The Pornographic Fallout Of A Titanic Abortion
Up until this point in time, LV had only one Titan (Chowdown). But, due to spies in the orginisation (they are everywhere), it came to light that they were in the process of creating another one in their home system. There was much haste in getting together a force to strike down the baby Titan, as many have voiced their opinion on their distaste for these overpowered vessels.
LVs first mistake, was the timing. To destroy a POS (which may hold a capital array, which are used to build Titans), one must first attack it and put it in reinforced. While in reinforced, all production stops and the POS is unattackable. When it comes out of reinforced, it is weak and needs to be stocked up on strontium to keep it alive and put it's shields back up. LV, timed it to come out of reinforced out of their prime time. This was fatal
Their second mistake, was logging. When the battle began and enemy forces began to log into the system, they were booted from lag. When trying to log back in, they restarted several times. But since logging in is a queued, they kept pushing themselves to the back of the line.
Eventually, RA took dominance of the system, facing almost no resistance, and destroyed the array with few losses. This brought many calls of exploits, lagsploits, and many harsh words from LV. Even on their Teamspeak they spoke against their enemy, pathetically at that.
This marked the downfall of LV, showing that the Southern Coalition (their enemies, RA, Goonfleet, TCF, IAC, AAA, etc.) Could strike anywhere, even their home system, and LV could do nothing to stop. In the following weeks they never met the enemy on the field of battle, and soon, LV disbanded, their higher ranking members joining BoB as vassals, taking their Titan with them. Thus marked the end of one of the weakest powerhouses in EvE.
The Germans Failure at Communication
While the Southern Coalition was steamrolling BoB's pets in the south, the Northern Coalition faced hard times. The first piece was that of YouWhat's (YW) desertion of the Northern Coalition. At the time, the small alliance held ground in a pissant system in Cloud Ring. Dusk and Dawn (D2), the largest alliance in the north, and second in the game (by territory), decided off handily to kick them out of their space. Sending a fleet of some 30+ men, in small ships to the region, they watched as YouWhat fled to BoB space with their tails between their legs and no resistance. D2 then established another vassal alliance there. And all seemed to be good.
In the mean time, D2 launched an offensive on Fountain, not the largest offensive, but sizable, capturing one region from BoB with little resistance. But repercussion was swift, and BoB threw large fleets at D2, knocking out Dreadnoughts like flies. Taking back their lost region and many of D2s.
Then, YW, aided by Mercenary Coalition (MC), made for Cloud Ring. It may be noted, that when MC moves, they do so with four motherships (ultra large carriers) and dreadnoughts and battle cruisers galore. The vassal alliance was quickly swept off the map, and D2 had lost substantial territory and ships.
Many say this swift defeat of D2, who now hides in their POSs when MC flies around, is due to the lack of communication between alliances. CEOs of Alliances never talk, and never seek to help each other. Many say, if this is not fixed, than the North will fall by mid summer.
9-9; Operation Coat Hanger 2: Electric Boogalo
Word came over the channels, BoB was making another Titan in the dead end system of 9-9. Preparations were made, and the right people were called. Forces would clash in the largest and most powerful PvP battle ever, with near 3,000 people duking it out.. Over a capital ship array.
Two titans, five+ motherships, unaccountable dreadnoughts and many NOS ships waited in the system, when the POS came out of reinforced. Cyno drivers were activated, and dread fleets were sent in system. Doomsday devices killed off most of the support fleet, and the Dreadnoughts began duking it out.
Eventually, the Capital Array, and the POS were dead, and the allied fleet began their retreat. Many losses were occured in the retreat, but it seemed as if the Southern Coalition had made a great blow.
Loses were around ~50 Dreadnoughts, spread over near 5 alliances. A small price to pay for the safety of support fleets, then, the spies let the word out. There was no Titan. The array had been empty. The battle was marked a total loss.
Three days later, in a capital array systems away, a Mothership was created.
Bees in Dreadnoughts
The war has come to a stale mate, BoB makes slow progress gaining back territory. Using two titans closly grouped to destroy any chance Goonfleet frigates and cruisers have at taking a shot at BoB. It seems locked that BoB will make slow but steady progess, because Goons can't field a capital fleet.
Yet, when BoB began seiging a small system on the fringes of Goonfleet space, Goonfleet decided to strike back. The enemies POSs were lined up to come out of reinforced. BoB anticipated an easy victory, a few Doomsdays to destroy the frig fleets against them.
Then the Cyno fields opened.
A fleet of 80+ Dreadnoughts, all Goonfleet, came pouring out. Making their way for war. Support fleets were knocked out by Doomsdays but carriers launched fighters to help. It seemed an even match of forces, though BoB's dread better equipped. Goonfleet seemed that they might hold the field. Until their stront ran out.
In the retreat, due to loss of Siege Mode, they lost substantial forces. It seemed a loss of ~15 Dreads on the allied side, and ~10 on the enemy side with no clear winner. Goonfleet might have lost in numbers, but BoB lost in value. Though they held the field, so it seemed a loss to Goonfleet.
But the message was clear, Goonfleet was growing in power, and the slower BoB went, the bigger a battle they faced. Thus, it seemed, Goonfleet would soon turn the tide. And the pendulum will fall against BoB.
God speed you bees in space!
-Rei-Sama
