|
| Rebel Defiance Campaign 2: Round 5 Results |
|
|
| Greetings Troopers!
The head Imperial starfighter test pilot slid open his locker and placed his shiny jet black helmet onto the shelf within, then proceeded to unbuckle his armoured life support chest plate and harness. the day's trials had gone well. With the weapons load out finalized for the standard model the research station had outfitted an entire wing of the new craft to his specifications. These ships were ready to go out in the field and see real combat. He appreciated the unparalleled array of firepower and defensive systems these new TIE Fighters afforded them, making them much more survivable assets than a standard Imperial TIE Fighter, but he couldn't help but feel that something had been lost. As a veteran of countless TIE Fighter missions he knew that a key part of what made a great TIE pilot was an all too clear awareness of the vulnerability you feel in that tiny unshielded duralsteel sphere whizzing at breakneck speed through the vastness of space. It gives you an edge, that knowledge that you are a hair's breadth from oblivion. By comparison flying one of these new TIEs would feel almost as comfy as a desk job. As a result would that edge be lost? As he tugs off his flight gloves a piercing alarm goes off and the standard cabin lighting switches to an emergency crimson. The station was under attack? The pilot quickly retrieves his gear from the locker and turns for the exit. Looks like the new TIE Defenders are going to see real combat a little earlier than planned. As for that edge? Only one way to find out.
With the fifth round of battles for the campaign completed, lets see how goes the war this week.
ROUND 1: ENDOR STRIKE TEAM
This week saw a return to the Sanctuary Moon. Defeated in their last attempt, the Rebels seemed to have deemed the Imperial Bunker on the Moon of Endor just too high value a target to give up, and have sent a second commando unit to the location to knock out Imperial operations there. Weakened by the previous attack, the Imperial forces stationed there were slow to react to the renewed Rebel assault, losing a lot of ground including key installations before they managed to put up a more effective defence. This was however too little too late, and this time the Rebel forces were victorious in capturing the Shield Generator complex.
ROUND 2: ENDOR CLEARING
Having lost their main installation on the Forest Moon, a platoon of Imperial Stormtroopers are making plans to evacuate, but encounter a scouting party of Rebel Commandos investigating a downed Rebel Transport nearby. Needing to salvage components from the wreckage vital for their escape, not to mention itching for a little payback for their recent defeat at the Shield Generator Complex, the Imperial forces engage the Rebels taking them by surprise. The firefight is fierce as the Imperials methodically advance through the forest taking down the Rebel troops and forcing them back away from the downed Transport and all the way back to the ship they had deployed from before managing to successfully wipe out the Rebel presence in at least this particular region of the forest.
ROUND 3: STRIKE AT PARMEL
Receiving word of the development of experimental advanced TIE Fighters at an orbital installation in the Parmel system, a massive Rebel starfighter based strike force was dispatched to attack and capture, or if necessary destroy the Imperial operation before the new TIE Fighters go into full mass production. Unfortunately the Rebel forces find when they jump into the system that they might already be too late as they find themselves faced with an entire wing of the new TIE Defenders as they launch to protect the station. The space battle is intense and lengthy as massive numbers of fighters swarm in a brutal engagement around the station. At the end of the fierce space battle the new TIE Defenders proved their worth by seeing off the Rebel forces and protecting the station, ensuring another victory for the Empire.
With the fifth round of battles over we have had some interesting games. A lengthy and intense space battle over Parmel, and an Endor based scrap across that world's two maps resulting in a sector victory for the Empire, and a few fresh faces. So some good games and fun had all in all, with a fair few playing further games into the night, but still the numbers could be better, come on you Rebels, where are ya?
With one victory for the Rebels, and two for the Empire we have a score this week of 20 for the Rebs, minus 2.5 for unregistered players. And the Empire gains a score of 25, minus 0.5 for an unregistered player for one round. So adding that to the overall scores we now have:
Imperials - 129.5
Rebels - 86.5
This leaves the Empire in their strongest position yet with two sectors under their control they are free to attack Yavin and go for the endgame if they so choose. Once again the Rebel faction is suffering from a lack of registered players and the penalties that come with having to fall back on unregistered players to bolster their numbers. If you have signed up as a Rebel please turn up and support your chosen faction.
Next week, due to the sector victory the numbers of maps left to fight over are dwindling fast. However as a result of some swift sector victories earlier in the campaign, some maps never got the chance to be played. So that our players are not denied the chance to experience these maps we shall make an executive decision to play these maps, call them border skirmishes or uprisings in these already controlled sectors. So these battles won't effect the sector shape of the galaxy, but factions will be able to gain valuable points from these battles, so gaining victory here is still important. The full list of battlefields for next week are as follows:
Tatooine: Bestine
Lok Wastelands
Space Map?
For the space map either of the two space maps from the taken sectors can be played, and will be put to a vote on the night. So that will result in either:
Escape from Hoth
or:
Strike at Parmel
With two sectors under their control and a commanding score for the Empire, these are desperate times for the Rebellion. Who will help them in their darkest hour?
If you feel you have the skills to help out either faction in its quest to rule the galaxy, head on over to:
Rebel Defiance Campaign Registration
To register for the campaign and restore order/freedom to the galaxy.
Until next time...
See you on the Battlefield Troopers! | |
|
|
|
|
| BlackIntel & Global Conflict First Strike Event |
|
|
| Greetings Troopers!
Here's a message from BlackIntel's Gwynzer regarding an upcoming First Strike gaming event that will be taking place this weekend.
Hi All,
Long time no see. I just wanted to alert the FS community that BlackIntel and Global Conflict, will be running a public First Strike event this Saturday on the BlackIntel server which will be set up in time for the event. We also invite all participants to join the Global Conflict Teamspeak server at the details below. The event is open to all and we're hoping for a decent turnout. We hope to start around 6PM UK time (1PM US East, 7PM Central Europe) and will hopefully play for quite a while.
Teamspeak IP: ts.global-conflict.org
Teamspeak Pass: gcfun
What is BlackIntel?
For those who are unaware/forgot, BlackIntel/BI are a community who were a long time supporter for FS for many years. We had a Farewell Event in June last year which marked the community officially dropping First Strike as a supported game and removal of our server. We want to get some of the old crew back together to play the game that brought us together, and also get back in contact with some of our old friends who did not stick with us.
What is Global Conflict?
Global Conflict is a group of players of various skill levels all around the world who get together to play some organised Battlefield 3 tournaments where the teams take turns attacking various tiles on a RISK style map. The group have been together for over 10 years, and have played since BF1942 through to Battlefield 3. Their latest campaign ended recently and they have been looking for things to do before Battlefield 4 is released. I've suggested a First Strike day and quite a few people seem interested. For anyone who played in the old Nations in Conflict campaigns, these guys run a similar set up but it is so much better organised and a lot more fun.
Personally, I'm hoping as many people from this community can come along as possible. I recognise it is very much short notice (For here, and for BI/GC) so that may impact on participation, but hopefully we still get a old faces turning up.
Things like maplist and such are still to be decided. We'll certainly have the classics in though, and some of the guys are eager for some space combat too.
On behalf of the First Strike team I'd like to thank Gwynzer, BI & GC for hosting this event, and hope a lot of people will make the effort to turn up. In additional news, don't forget the Campaign continues this Sunday, so don't forget to make an appearance there, and of course if you enjoy yourself playing First Strike during this event on Saturday feel free to jump in on the Campaign for more First Strike action.
Until next time...
See you on the Battlefield Troopers!
| |
|
|
|
|
| Rebel Defiance Campaign 2: Round 4 Results |
|
|
| Greetings Troopers!
As another unseen member of the local wildlife let out a shrill call from the depths of the branches above, the Rebel Alliance Commando squad leader had to stop himself for a moment and remind himself that despite their lush green sun dappled verdant surroundings, they were here to do a job. He then caught a hand signal from his right hand man. He'd spotted something up ahead. The squad leader relayed the signal to the others and they all lowered to a crouch in the underbrush. Tentatively he raised his head above the fern before him and brought his macrobinoculars up to look in the direction his squad mate was indicating. Two Imperial Scout Troopers were in their path in a clearing ahead tending to their campsite and preparing to leave, a pair of Speederbikes sat on the far side of the clearing from them. They'd have to be eliminated, quickly and quietly. If one of those troopers escaped and raised the alarm it would be all over before it had even begun. The squad leader signaled to another of his men behind him who nodded and headed up to some higher ground pulling a wicked looking disruptor sniper rifle from his shoulder. He got in position and taking aim awaited the order from his superior. the squad leader remained facing forward gazing intently through his binoculars and then performed a sharp short hand signal. Two shots rang out like a clap of thunder through the forest resulting in a full symphony of shrieking animal calls from the branches above.
So with the fourth round of the campaign completed, lets see how things went this week.
ROUND 1: ENDOR STRIKE TEAM
This week the conflict shifted from the arid deserts and wastelands of the less hospitable worlds of the Outer Rim to the lush forests of the moon of Endor. Here a top secret Imperial operation found itself under attack by a small Rebel infantry unit intent on disabling the shield generator complex situated there. Caught by surprise the Imperial forces found themselves pushed back out of the forest into one of their outposts, and after putting up a strong defense here, even this ground was lost to superior forces. Finally setting up a perimeter around the bunker entrance to the massive Imperial underground complex they made a final stand. Consolidating their position with good sensor coverage and co-ordination, the Imperial Stormtroopers finally managed to turn it around with a solid defense which vanquished the Rebel invaders.
ROUND 2: RHEN VAR: RESEARCH FACILITY
Rebel forces had decided to strike at a valuable Imperial weapons research facility on the remote ice world of Rhen Var. Detecting the Galofree Transport which deployed the Rebel strike force gave the Imperial troops ample time to set up a secure defensive perimeter directed on the enemy's projected attack vector. Sure enough Rebel forces emerged from the swirling blizzard on foot and swooping in on armoured Speederbikes, but with well placed mines and positions covering the passes they'd be attacking through the Imperial troopers made short work of them. That said, the Rebel troops were resilient and tenacious finally making some ground and capturing a guard tower, but by then it was too little too late, and on moving forward towards the main facility they found themselves running into Imperial reinforcements which finally put an end to the Rebel's assault plans.
ROUND 3: BATTLE OF TALORAAN
Hoping to secure vital resources from the world of Taloraan, two strike groups of Imperial and Rebel cruisers happen upon each other in near orbit and were faced with no choice but to annihilate the other fleet to ensure they get access to the valuable resource. Foolhardily one of the cruisers of the Imperial fleet pushed forward right into the middle of the Rebel ships hoping to punch a hole through the Rebel fleet's lines. This was ill advised as Rebel starfighters being generally heavier in nature than their Imperial counterparts tended to carry heavier weaponry which could very effectively be brought to bear on enemy capital ships as well as in fighter to fighter combat. And sure enough once the Imperial Lancer Frigate got into weapons range the Rebel's heavier fighters such as the lethally heavily armed B-Wing did deal out some serious punishment upon the Imperial capital ship, but not before it had taken out the Rebel's Gallofree Transport, and had softened up the transport's Corellian Corvette escort. At this point the Lancer succumbed to enemy fire, and the battle shifted pace as both Rebel and Imperial starfighters raced to engage the remaining enemy capital ships to finish off the enemy fleet. Imperial TIE Bombers strafed the advancing Rebel Corvette as TIE Interceptors did their job of preventing the dangerous B-Wings from getting within weapons range of their last remaining Bulk Freighter. The tactic paid off and the last Rebel ship burst into a ball of superheated gas as the remainder of the victorious Imperial fleet continued on to Taloraan.
So for the fourth round of battles this campaign we have another clean sweep for the Empire with 30 points for the Imperials and 15 minus 1.5 points for non registered players for the Rebels. That added to the scores so far leaves us with:
Imperials 105
Rebels 69
This leaves the Empire in a very strong position. The Rebels are still suffering a bit from low numbers of registered players turning up, so they really need to turn that around in order to put up a stronger front line to the enemy and stop gaining penalty points each week.
Next week we have some interesting results due to the way the matches turned out this week. It looks like the battle for supremacy of the Galaxy shall remain in the dense forests of the Sanctuary Moon, as both Endor Strike Team and Endor Clearing shall be played, the latter a sector victory deciding map, so make sure you're around for that one. For the last map we've made an executive decision since the result calls for a return to Kessel which we have played twice already. So instead we have chosen Strike at Parmel for next week's space map as that has yet to be played. So the full list of battlefields for next week are as follows:
Endor Strike Team
Endor Clearing
Strike at Parmel
With the Empire starting to stretch away with a strong lead, and the promise of a critical sector victory deciding map next week, it is really vital that all players try and attend as we start to approach the end game. Every point will matter, especially for the Rebels if they hope to pull victory from the jaws of defeat.
If you feel you have the skills to help out either faction in its quest to rule the galaxy, head on over to:
Rebel Defiance Campaign Registration
To register for the campaign and restore order/freedom to the galaxy.
Until next time...
See you on the Battlefield Troopers!
| |
|
|
|
|
| Rebel Defiance Campaign 2: Round 3 Results |
|
|
| Greetings Troopers!
Dust clouds roll in from the desert across the backwater settlement of Anchorhead on the wind. Causing the dark figure standing on the roof of one of the adobe structures to raise his hand to shield his eyes. Turning out of the wind he drags a pair of goggles down from his helmet and then turns back to survey the dune ridden horizon he was gazing at before. He and his merry band of mercenaries were not truly affiliated with the Alliance to restore the Republic. Heck they didn't really buy into the crazy they were peddling. Defeat the entire Galactic Empire? Right. They were far more comfortable running little dirty errands for Jabba the Hutt, but the Rebel agent who had contacted them had the right amount of credits to peak their interest. There was also an admittedly satisfying attraction in getting to stick it to the boys in white. That could not be denied. Add to that the tales of some brutal acts that these guys had inflicted on the locals, that even his boys would take issue with, and this was a done deal. So his mercenary crew were going to get the chance to go toe to toe with some Bucketheads. Focusing his gaze he saw dust columns rising from amongst the distant dunes. Raising his macrobinoculars to his eyes he saw the cause. Imperial AT-PT Walkers advancing on their position. Yeah, this was going to be fun.
With the end of the 3rd round of the 2nd Rebel Defiance First Strike Campaign the shape of the Galaxy is changing, with key maps played and pivotal victories achieved. Lets see how things went.
ROUND 1: IMPERIAL CONVOY RAID (KESSEL)
After a critical defeat at Hoth, Rebel space forces regrouped and planned another raid on Imperial shipping to weaken their position in the sector. The battle started off well for the Rebels with several Imperial Bulk Freighters going down in quick succession under the intense punishment of Rebel Y-Wing starfighter strafing runs, but once the Imperial TIE Defender starfighters got a bead on the invading enemy spacecraft, things started to go more the Empire's way with the Rebel fighters falling foul of the heavy starfighters' wide array of offensive weaponry. When the battle was done one Imperial Freighter remained intact resulting in a victory by the skin of their teeth for the Empire.
ROUND 2: BATTLE OF RYLOTH
On receiving reports from Imperial Intelligence of a Rebel base hidden in the arid wastelands of Ryloth, an Imperial Star Destroyer was dispatched to the world to deal with the outlaws. Bombarding the area from orbit they followed this up by deploying a column of heavy armour to mop up any survivors. Unfortunately the base remained largely unaffected by the bombardment, and when the Imperial armour moved in they met heavy resistance, especially in the bottleneck entrance to the tank hangar cave. The battle was fierce, but the Empire never did really manage to get a serious foothold in the Rebel underground base complex and were finally defeated.
ROUND 3: JUNDLAND WASTES
After their defeat at Mos Espa, Rebel forces chose to regroup in the backwater settlement of Anchorhead, Securing the services of some local mercenaries they decided to make a last stand here. They'd either defeat their enemy here, or be forced off the planet. This wasn't as foolhardy a decision as it at first seemed. With some good advanced equipment in the form of T-16 Airspeeders and MLC-3 mini-tanks, this was as good a spot for a last stand as any other. Securing their perimeter the Rebels saw a T-16 Airspeeder approach from the desert, figuring it had been commandeered by Imperial forces it was swiftly shot down to rob the advancing Imperials of any close air support. The first probing scouts were also quickly eliminated meaning that the Empire had to rely on the slower advancing AT-PT Walkers to engage the enemy, by which point the defensive perimeter centered around the Tosche Station on the outskirts of Anchorhead was secured. Once more the Imperial forces found themselves outmatched and never really managed to gain any ground. With the earsplitting boom of the last Imperial Walker going up in smoke, the Rebellion had managed to secure and liberate its first sector in this conflict.
With the third round of battles completed with one victory to the Empire and two to the Rebellion, we find that the unadjusted scores are 20 to 25. The Rebels had one non-registered player on their side this week for the first 2 rounds and two for the third, giving them a penalty of 2 points. So with these results added to the scores we have so far, we're left with:
Imperials 75
Rebels 55.5
This means that the Rebellion have taken an opportunity to close in on the Empire's lead. Additionally with the win on Jundland Wastes the Rebellion scored a critical victory and secured a sector. It should be noted though that this was with a great deal of help from mercenary factions who offered their support to the Rebels during these recent battles. If they truly wish to be on the path to victory they're really going to have to bring their 'A' Game and greater numbers to future conflicts.
Next week since Jundland Wastes completed the path to another sector victory, for the ground maps to be played we have selected Endor Strike Team and Rhen Var: Research Facility to be played, so get some practice in on those maps in time for the next round of battles. The full list of battlefields for next week are as follows:
Battle of Taloraan
Endor Strike Team
Rhen Var: Research Facility
With each faction holding one sector of the galaxy and not a great deal in it as far as points are concerned it is very much all still to play for and could go either way.
If you feel you have the skills to help out either faction in its quest to rule the galaxy, head on over to:
Rebel Defiance Campaign Registration
To register for the campaign and restore order/freedom to the galaxy.
Until next time...
See you on the Battlefield Troopers! | |
|
|
|
|
| Rebel Defiance Campaign 2: Round 2 Results |
|
|
| Greetings Troopers!
The Imperial Commander reviewed the transit logs from the communications officer again. There was definitely a discrepancy. One of the day's personnel shuttle's access codes was not up to date, and had not logged in as arriving at the facility's landing pad. Sensors had been tracking the vessel's descent in line with standard Imperial approach protocols, but had lost it in the mountains to the north. Another officer approached him with a report of another minor lapse in protocol. The northern perimeter guard post had not checked in as scheduled. That was certainly enough to raise the Commander's suspicions. Especially with the valuable ore they were refining into weapons grade assets for the Empire here. He then gave the order for the garrison's platoon of Stormtroopers to head north to investigate and looked out of his command center's view port across the expansive installation towards the northern perimeter. A flash of yellow streaked across the low buildings' rooftops to strike a sentry guard from a gantry leading him to fall screaming to his death. Disruptor fire? Snipers eh? He orders his officer to sound the general alarm. It would seem the game is afoot.
After a short break it is back to business with some critical battles occurring this week. How did it go? Read on.
ROUND 1: ESCAPE FROM HOTH
Following a brutal conflict on the surface of the ice planet, a flotilla of Rebel ships make good their escape, but with a deadly Imperial Star Destroyer lying in wait in orbit the battle isn't over yet for these Rebels. With the assistance of their base's planetary defense ion cannon the primary systems on the mighty war cruiser are disabled, but it's compliment of TIE Fighters and Bombers are dispatched to eliminate the Rebel forces attempting escape. The Rebel pilots make the most of their advantage and send in their fighter escort to destroy the Star Destroyer's heavier weapons while the ship is disabled, but the first wave of Imperial TIE Bombers quickly destroys the first transport, while TIE Fighters engage the Y-Wings targeting the capital ship's weapons. The second Rebel transport gets closer to the hyperspace jump point, but is destroyed just above the Star Destroyer scattering glowing debris across the Imperial cruiser's dorsal hull.
ROUND 2: TATOOINE: MOS ESPA
Imperial forces engaged a renegade band of Rebel freedom fighters in the remote Tatooine settlement of Mos Espa. Moving up from the south they first met major resistance in grounds of a crimelord's abandoned town house. The first wave of troops to move in was taken by surprise by Rebel soldiers dug in within the installation, but the second wave managed to rout them with the aid of thermal grenades to flush them out. Falling back to the north of the town the Rebels were pursued by Imperial Sandtroopers resulting in a fierce firefight through the streets. On the northern outskirts they made a stand, but were caught in a classic pincer manoeuvre as Imperial troops flanked them via side alleys while the main force kept them occupied in the main street. So after a seriously hard fought battle, victory was the Empire's that day.
ROUND 3: BANDOMEER: REFINERY ASSAULT
Failing to destroy a tactically damaging Imperial sensor station listening post elsewhere in the sector, a Rebel strike team hoped to deal the Imperial forces here a blow of a different kind by disabling the Imperial refinery installation on Bandomeer in an attempt to cripple their new advanced ordnance production. The small Rebel team advanced through the installation and then engaged Imperial Stormtrooper forces guarding the valuable operation. A pitched battle then ensued involving nail biting sniper stand offs and thrilling close quarters combat. The Rebels successfully got a foothold in the installation and pushed forward to the central workers barracks, but were flushed out by Imperial troops and had to fall back under the cover of sniper fire. Smoke was also used to great effect to aid the Imperial forces in their efforts to advance on the Rebel positions. In the end the Rebel forces were once again defeated. With this and the sensor station on Null successfully defended, the Imperial grip on this sector was secured.
So for this second round of battles the Empire has achieved a clean sweep resulting in victories on all three maps. The unadjusted scores are 30 to 15. The Rebels had one non-registered player on their side this week for all 3 rounds giving them a penalty of 1.5 points, so with these results added to the first week's scores we have:
Imperials 55
Rebels 30.5
This allows the Empire to stretch ahead with their lead. Additionally with the win on Bandomeer the Empire have taken control of the first sector of the conflict. The Rebels once again suffered through not having enough players, and having one unregistered player on their side. They really need pull out all the stops next week as Jundland Wastes (a First Strike fan favourite) is another crucial sector controlling map which could give the Empire two sectors under their control and the opportunity to strike at Yavin and put an end to the war before it has really begun. If there are any budding freedom fighters out there the Rebel Alliance desperately needs you. You may be their only hope.
Next week since Bandomeer completed the path to a sector victory, for the third map we have chosen Ryloth to be played, so look into strategies for that map to ensure victory troopers. The full list of battlefields for next week are as follows:
Imperial Convoy Raid (Kessel)
Jundland Wastes
Battle of Ryloth
So now that the galactic conflict is fully underway with the Empire striking their first deadly blows against the Rebellion's efforts by taking control of an entire sector, can the Alliance hope to turn it around and gain some victories of their own?
If you feel you have the skills to help out either faction in its quest to rule the galaxy, head on over to:
Rebel Defiance Campaign Registration
To register for the campaign and restore order/freedom to the galaxy.
Until next time...
See you on the Battlefield Troopers! | |
|
|
|
|
| |
Closed Alpha Test & Deth..
