EVE Online - war comes to my home!

[Calistas]

(I thought the old thread was getting.. well.. old. So here's an all-new one. This time in War flavour! If you're not interested in EVE, or in big wars in MMOs, do yourself a favour and quit reading now :)

Well, a massive war has just started in EVE Online. By some estimates it will involve around 9,000 players. Not bad! Two of the largest alliances in the game; Band of Brothers (BOB) and Ascendant Frontier (ASCN) are going at it.

As the corporation I'm in is a recent joinee of ASCN this war promised to be interesting, and disruptive. It is definitely both so far!

Well, after some of the usual bluster from BOB, it was confirmed mid-last week that we should expect war soon. There was no particular reason for it other than BOB like a good fight, and ASCN typically fight honourably and well. I figure it's a game, and that's as good as reason as anyone needs!

Friday night very late my time the war kicked off with a BOB invasion of the home system for my corp - GQ2. Around 30 or 40 battleships invaded and the ASCN defenders, who had dwindled from about 100 to about 40 (it being very early Friday morning US time) fought hard to keep BOB out.

However, BOB has a lot of experienced and rich players and their tech2 equiped long-range battleships outmatched out fleet. There were losses on both sides, but with most of our heavier ships gone (mine included!) we were reduced to fighting quick skirmishes, unable to clinch a 'final engagement'. Even so, seeing 80-odd ships going at each other was a lot of fun!

From there a bit of a stalemate evolved where BOB secured the entry points to the gates, only to have relief forces jump through, forcing them to leave, before the relief and in-system forces hid at a 'deathstar' player owned station (a big forcefild surrounded by big guns, sitting near a moon).

The next day the war continued with some ASCN fights in the north, while in the south the GQ2 fleet tried to work out what to do. It was pretty clear when I logged in on Saturday that BOB had thoroughly infiltrated our team speak server, as BOB fleets quickly jumped away from ambushes and avioded any less than favourable fight.

Our excellent fleet commander, Ore Monkey, managed to beat the spies by ordering people in one direction, giving a countdown, and then at the last minute changing the fleet's direction. The scrappy fleet of cruisers, frigates and what was left of the battleships, managed to get 9 kills for zero losses using this technique. But, with the gates still firmly in BOB hands there was little chance for reinforcement, and BOB were able to supply fresh pilots constantly.

With my main ship gone and two more frigates dispatched by BOB I jumped back to empire to tool around in my advance frigate. I was pleased to kill 3 enemy war targets with a couple of mates, and chased another off who bit off more than he could chew. ASCN have some small corporations, mostly of alts, who like to declare war on big alliances and chase their newer members around in empire space. It's good to bite back and make them work for their kills.

War continued all weekend with neither side making much progress. BOB dominates the EVE Online forums with flames and abuse and ASCN members quietly soldier on. Although the alliance is 5,000 strong, I don't see the strength on the battlefield or in the supply lines. BOB on the other hand have many very keen PVP pilots and experienced FCs and seem to be able to resupply their forces very cheeply. It's rather frustrating to fight them as I could easily spend the next week saving cash for a battleship and lose it in one ill-advised fleet attack or battle - like a mate of mine who was on a raid into BOB space that was completely bollocksed up by a bad FC.

Last I heard BOB hadn't made any moves to capture the system (by placing their own player owned stations), nor had existing ASCN POSs come under siege. So no one really knows what to expect next. No one knows where the ASCN titan - the first in the game - is either. We all hope it will get to fire a couple of shots in anger! Even so, I expect the first response of any BOB (hell, any sane) fleet seeing Cyvok (titan pilot) appear in system will be to ctrl+q and hope to log out before the super weapon goes off.

Really, the titan is a waste of time if you ask me. Looks good, but 100 BSs kitted out for PVP and ready to hand to players would have been a far smarter use of alliance assets if you ask me. Instead, we're going to have to fund this all personally.

Still, it's interesting to be part of EVE 'history', even with the threat of frustrating and underhanded tactics from some of BOBs members, a lack of funds and ships and the frustration of corp spies!

[Rollory]

I expect the first response of any BOB (hell, any sane) fleet seeing Cyvok (titan pilot) appear in system will be to ctrl+q and hope to log out before the super weapon goes off.

Really, the titan is a waste of time if you ask me.

Eve's first doomsday weapon fired off at 22:38 Eve time today.

http://myeve.eve-online.com/ingameboard.asp?a=topic&threadID=403301


Numbers and e-peen aside (as one BoBbit said it best - wait for the killboard, it will reveal it all) --- it was damn fun to be there, suddenly be in a gang warp, and half a second later my entire screen goes blinding white.

Just before the blinding white everything slowed down a lot - not like a jerky lag slow down, more like slow motion (it was probably lag, but it was fun none the less).


Don't be so proud of this technological terror you've created, Cyvok. The ability to destroy an entire fleet is insignificant next to the power of a node crash.

[Calistas]

Yes, BOB are extensive forum warriors. Gets quite annoying the ammount of poop they throw around like so many angry monkeys. Still, sounds like it was a real 'blast'. Youtube has some videos of the doomsday weapon from the test server - looks like a lot of fun!

Realistically, this will be the best way to clear BOB out of any system they camp as we don't seem to have the logistic tail to bring in fleet after fleet of BSs. A little disapointed it doesn't seem to be as doomy as previously indicated.

Good to see there wasn't a massive logoffski.

[JamesL]

Fit Cyvok up with a shuttle and just put him in every system you want to clear out.

[JM]

Mmmm, sounds like fun. Good luck dude :)

I saw the first killmail from the war - painful. About 20 BoB BSes and HACs, all T2 guns except for a single BS (he must've felt like a right newbie). They don't half have some good pilots...

[Calistas]

Check out Father Calistas - that's me, got in on some big ass kills before my BS died :)

Anways, BOB pretty much abandoned GQ2 after the weekend. I'm not sure why, perhaps they couldn't hold it. In response, ASCN has been probing BOB space heavily - and a few corps who were perhaps not so into PVP now have the taste of blood! Of course, BOB still sends in small raiding parties, but in the time I flew too and from GQ2 they were mostly an annoyance and didn't seem to do much.

I don't know if they're bored already, not able to hold GQ2 outside of the weekend, or moving on to a new plan, but in any case, this is hardly the wtfomgbbqpwn that some BOBits on the forums seem to think it is.

[Tide]

"friendly fire"?

everytime I see this I'm reminded of a Harvard vs. Yale game. Hooray for them.

[Rollory]

this is hardly the wtfomgbbqpwn that some BOBits on the forums seem to think it is.

That doesn't surprise me at all.

My impression of BOB is that at least half of their effectiveness is the drop in enemy morale at fighting them. Against an enemy who keeps fighting anyway, and has the numbers and organization to absorb unequal losses, a lot of BOB's strengths are nullified.

Also: even if the doomsday usage wasn't that effective, it DOES have one huge effect: BOB has to take it into account, strategically, from now on, because it's been proven that ASCN is willing to put the titan on the battlefield. Any move BOB makes in ASCN space, they know that they definitely are running the doomsday risk, as opposed to just potentially. Mahan's "fleet in being" effect.

[Brendan]

My kingdom for broadband. DAMN YOU TELKOM!

This sounds like something I'd love to be a part of.

[Hanacker]

Heh, if only my sponsor for my application to Reikoku hadn't been kicked out due to inactivity I could have been a part of this...

[Calistas]

Reikoku are bobbits tho huh?

I've heard some pretty sad ASCN members saying BOB isnt' what it used to be - they've been disapointed with the fights, the smack and the attitude. The theory is that DICE corporation plays a big part in this war as they have wanted Paragon Soul for a long time and are generally a bunch of nobs.

Well, they're better to fight than the cheating, exploiting russians in RA I guess!

[Rollory]

RA does not cheat. It is Coalition forum warriors who argue otherwise, because some in the Coalition are suffering from battle fatigue and would like to do something else now.

They DO push the limits in everything they do. They fight HARD. They WANT to win.

They get things done, too. The fact that they have successfully recaptured as much territory as they have speaks for itself. They aren't doing anything anybody else can't do - they just try harder.

[JM]

Sadly the lag makes accusations of cheating fairly commonplace. We've been on the end of it where we've lost dreads to POS guns when our pilots simply.cant.move. or even activate modules, for a good 10-15 minutes. I do hope they get it sorted...

[Calistas]

Ok so cheat might not be the correct term. Exploit definitely is. If you'd like a list I'd be happy to provide one.

But anyway, I'm very much looking forward to seeing how this war plays out. The first weekend was a bit of a shock to ASCN as it all happened rather quickly and we didn't have a lot of time to prepare. That being said, a lot of ASCN corporations are ratchetting up their support and building and fighting arms and I expect to see near constant raiding of BOB from now on. Heck, I guess BOB will do the same, although I know less about their angle on the war. Not sure how much the less combat-focused BOB legions will enjoy being raided tho. We'll see.

Someone collated the ship losses over the weekend and BOB lost around 140 ships, 33 of which were battleships. ASCN lost at least as many ships, although on average they would have been lighter (folks not as prepared as BOB). By any accounts, some might battles have been fought and the Titan fired its weapon in anger. Pretty damn choice :)

[quatoria]

I've just joined ISS, and we're involved in this as well, to the extent that BoB war groups are constantly coming through Pure Blind and near ISS Borealis, and we're getting assosciated mercenary scum looking for easy prey all day long. I expect we're going to 'explain' to them that despite the fact that we welcome business minded neutrals, our space is not an open fucking door. I expect that the explaining will be done with high energy weapons.

Also, on a more personal note, holy fuck is living in 0.0 awesome. This is the real game, and empire was just practice.

[Aeon221]

Other than the lag, this sounds like the coolest thing I've ever heard of, besides an orgy.

Maybe besides an orgy.

Okay, this is cooler than an orgy.

Can we get some screenshots from the front line? Screens > Links to 14+ pages of spam.

[Unicorn McGriddle]

Also, on a more personal note, holy fuck is living in 0.0 awesome. This is the real game, and empire was just practice.

This has consistently been the impression I get. I can't wait 'til I'm that cool.

Still training vital skills, though. My long-term plan is to be able to make my own ships from scratch. Not only will this be an enduring source of revenue, it will make the inevitable losses feel much more forgiving.

[Calistas]

http://www.tinypirate.com has some links to my flickr images which include a couple from the war so far. So have a look :)

[Hanacker]

I've just joined ISS, and we're involved in this as well, to the extent that BoB war groups are constantly coming through Pure Blind and near ISS Borealis, and we're getting assosciated mercenary scum looking for easy prey all day long.

I've actually had an app sitting in ISSN's inbox for almost a week now (and I accidentally had it in ISS-Providence's for a week before that...). If there's anything you can do to get them to speed up the process for "Yossar" I'd appreciate it :)

[Calistas]

ISS are a good bunch. Oh, I made some war posters :)
http://www.tinypirate.com/images/minevictory.jpg
http://www.tinypirate.com/images/warlewt.jpg

Pretty rubbish, but what else is there to do in downtime? :)

[foogla]

ISS are a good bunch. Oh, I made some war posters :)
http://www.tinypirate.com/images/minevictory.jpg
http://www.tinypirate.com/images/warlewt.jpg

Pretty rubbish, but what else is there to do in downtime? :)

Hahha, awesome. Where do you post these?

[Calistas]

I haven't posted them anywhere.. they're not quite good enough for that. My blog had a few which were better (easier images to work with). I just post them for my corp/alliance to have a giggle at.

[Sean Tudor]

Thanks for the writeup Calistas. Eve is an awesome game when fleet actions like this happen.

I wish I had time to play it more but I recently had to cancel my account. Eve requires a huge time investment and it doesn't help that the daily maintenance is smack in the middle of my prime evening playtime.

[Calistas]

Sean, thanks for your comments.

As a kiwi I feel your downtime pain - that's why the ANZAC corporation have a bunch of people who all play the free FEAR multiplayer during downtime. It's a lot of fun!

As for time investment.. mmm I don't really feel it. Partly because I put a lot of time in, partly because I multi-task when I play, and partly because I do play a lot.

Earning money is the only timesink really - and in a good corp that's less of a problem. ANZACs have some dedicated hard-core miners who promise tens of millions for a few hours (or part thereof) mining/hauling in 0.0. For our corp it's just a matter of getting involved, and they're a great bunch.

If you change your mind, hit me up for an invite into ANZACs!

[Backov]

I am really missing Eve. I've been working full+ time for the last couple months, so I really haven't had any time to play at all, but I'm really missing my corp.

Ah well, only another 44 days til Tech 2 large rails. :)

[Calistas]

Yeah, it's nice that you can still progress, even when not playing! I bet that's one of the reasons people don't seem to cancel accounts (at least their account growth has been pretty straight-line).

[Jasper Phillips]

How much of a time sink is it to get anywhere in EVE?

[Calistas]

Log in, change skill, log out. Repeat many times :) - doing 'stuff' in game does nothing to advance your skills, only time does.

If you need cash as well, that takes a little more work, but with a good corp, not that much.

[rhinohelix]

Nice work, man. I cut my play time way down to beta another MMO <cough> but with Evemon running I have gained a few million skill spoints on my two accounts in stuff that I would have never had the patience for if I were looking at it every day. When I get back to playing it will take some time to get used to all the new toys I will be able to play with. Earning money and faction are really the only time sinks. I will need to find a new corp when I come back, as I think my RL friends are done with the game at this point, and that was all my little corp had in it really.

It really kind of is an UO in space. Also, I think they have the best true- player run economy as people have to replace whole ships with all their systems when they die. If you had to replace all of your equipment and weapons in a fantasy MMO, the people might revolt as item-peen is the reason for the season but it would help establish and maintain crafting and harvesting as viable career paths.

[Calistas]

Bang on Rhino! It is UO in space, but you need to 'get it', and the game won't give you that feeling until you're working with people on loftier goals.

It will be great fun when you get back in. I was away for 6 weeks and had all my learning trained up to advanced 4 and had some support skills to 5. Was quite a thrill!

And yeah, I love fitting out ships, totally changes how you play. In WOW, you get stuck in one character class and that's that. I love how in EVE I can be a small part of a fleet battle one day (sitting off and trading shots at 200k with another fleet, praying I don't get called primary) and I can be in an interceptor zipping around, raid enemy in an advanced frigate, or fit out for hunting NPCs. It's a real joy. And I like how if I lose ships, it tends to be because of my own stupidity. The risks in the game are well advertised, and managing them is a skill in its own right.

[Rollory]

In EVERY case where I've lost a ship to PVP, I had thought to myself a minute or so earlier: "no, wait just a little bit longer"

Note to self: RUN. NOW.

[JM]

Yeah, every PVP loss I've had can be attributed to either poor awareness or dumb choices. Even the gatecamps (hello, intel!)

[Calistas]

Dunno why I never feel 'ganked' like I could do in traditional MMOs. Maybe because EVE is covered in prickles already I expect it to hurt? :D

Maybe I like the pain?

I know I like the fact that if the enemy (say, BOB) fight hard enough they can hurt and crush me and my cashflow. And we can do the same to them. I can never hope to do that in most other MMOs... so it's not as exciting?

[Calistas]

NERD, I mean, NEWS UPDATE!

ASCN has dozens of pilots camping the TPAR system - one of BOB's in Period Basis. Operations are underway to claim it for ASCN.

Let the fun continue!

[JM]

Oooh. Excellent.

I've avoided the forums for this one because, well, BoB vs ASCN is the ultimate forumwar ever. I don't really know what's going on - have MC joined the fight? Have BoB made any gains at all?

[Calistas]

MC just have said they'll shoot anyone who comes near 'em. -V- have joined in on a chance to bash BOB, and I've made some new posters!

Right now we're sitting hidding because our numbers dropped and BOB boxed us in. GRRR! Where are our players? Too many damn losers in our 5,000 members it seems.

http://static.flickr.com/112/262100670_9d42c5d3a0_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/113/262100643_48503568e8_o.jpg

[foogla]

MC just have said they'll shoot anyone who comes near 'em. -V- have joined in on a chance to bash BOB, and I've made some new posters!

Right now we're sitting hidding because our numbers dropped and BOB boxed us in. GRRR! Where are our players? Too many damn losers in our 5,000 members it seems.

http://static.flickr.com/112/262100670_9d42c5d3a0_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/113/262100643_48503568e8_o.jpg

Actually MC set AXE and ASCN to -10. Huge forumwar ensued yadda yadda. As an MC fanboy this makes me glad, more bigger booms = more fraps = *\o/*.

Oops slipped into "character" there.

[Calistas]

hehe yeah o well :)

MC should be ready to pick up some BOB pieces I reckon! ..That's unlikely, both share a lot of the same members (alts etc).

[Gordon Cameron]

In A.D. 2006, war was beginning.

[Soapyfrog]

How are you gentlemen?

[Rollory]

Somebody set ASCN up the bomb.

[quatoria]

I've actually had an app sitting in ISSN's inbox for almost a week now (and I accidentally had it in ISS-Providence's for a week before that...). If there's anything you can do to get them to speed up the process for "Yossar" I'd appreciate it :)

Dude, I can give it a shot, but I've been in KRIN a total of 7 days, and KRIN has been in ISS something like two months. I'll check the ISS forums, see if something is holding up the application, but it could just be that they're backlogged. We're just coming off fighting (and winning) three wars at once, with a major battle against Tri last night, so things are a bit hectic right now. (In the Pure Blind region, at least - I can't speak to what's up at Providence.)

[Soapyfrog]

The Triumvurate fight was a total disaster. We lost 3 dreads and dozens of other ships... I wasnt there but I would have loved to have been. Anyway something tells me that despite the loss, it aint over yet. I probably be moving some assets to Pure Blind in the next couple of days.

Providence has been nice and quiet lately though since the pirates packed their bags and moved out of 9UY.

[Hanacker]

Dude, I can give it a shot, but I've been in KRIN a total of 7 days, and KRIN has been in ISS something like two months. I'll check the ISS forums, see if something is holding up the application, but it could just be that they're backlogged. We're just coming off fighting (and winning) three wars at once, with a major battle against Tri last night, so things are a bit hectic right now. (In the Pure Blind region, at least - I can't speak to what's up at Providence.)

Yeah, don't worry about it. I'lll try talking to one of their HR people next time I'm on.

[mk56]

Man, I would love to be a part of such an epic fight.

My corp (a medium sized mainly industry corp just starting to look into 0.0) was recently war dec'ed by a random pvp corp, apparently just so they had someone to fight. Many of us lack pvp experience, but we have held our own quite nicely. No idea when the war will end, because the other corp isn't trying to accomplish anything besides shooting stuff. Still, it is nothing compared to these alliance wars. Maybe someday I guess.

[Calistas]

Mail Cyvok and apply to join ASCN :)

[Aeon221]

^ Recruiting much?

It sounds like the whole "fleet battles will crash the server <insert sad panda picture here>" thing is over. Or are those numbers considered small...?

Sounds really cool, but also sounds like it takes a real long time to get good* enough to join in on that kind of killfrenzy.

More pictures! Death, destruction! This is way more interesting than RL war reports, and it's also guilt free!

*evil?

[Soapyfrog]

The Triumverate fight was about half the size of the battles that were crashing the 9UY node, I think.

[Jape]

Checked ASCN killboard, and looks like war isnt going too well atm: http://ascn.eve-killboard.net/?a=cc_detail&ctr_id=626

[quatoria]

Checked ASCN killboard, and looks like war isnt going too well atm: http://ascn.eve-killboard.net/?a=cc_detail&ctr_id=626

Christ, they're getting demolished. That's bad news for everyone that isn't BoB.

[JM]

Yeah, looks like they lost some fleet fights (hence the disparity in BS losses and carriers) but have hammered the HAC gangs.

[quatoria]

Yeah, looks like they lost some fleet fights (hence the disparity in BS losses and carriers) but have hammered the HAC gangs.

Aaahhh, good eye. I missed that. Okay, that gives me a slightly more optimistic interpretation, since those are the bread and butter of the inevitable pk gangs. Sounds like they've taken some losses to gate camps and bubbles (and maybe a fleet engagement of small size) but are doing decent at fucking up and taking down pirates and mercs. I hope. This is really not a fight I want to see BoB win.

[quatoria]

Hey, Soapy - What's your in-eve name? You can contact me at Ainslaye.

[Soapyfrog]

I play the sultry minmatar freedom fighter, Megas Alkaia... currently I am in ISSL as hired muscle for freighter runs. I also have Soapyfrog as an imperious Amarr empire hauling alt but he's never on ;)

When I am not in 0.0 I am in Hedaleolfarber (thats in Molden Heath) running level 4 missions for Republic Fleet to generate cash and hopefully someday score a Fleet tempest or Fleet Stabber to complement my Republic Firetail ;)

[Backov]

Aaahhh, good eye. I missed that. Okay, that gives me a slightly more optimistic interpretation, since those are the bread and butter of the inevitable pk gangs. Sounds like they've taken some losses to gate camps and bubbles (and maybe a fleet engagement of small size) but are doing decent at fucking up and taking down pirates and mercs. I hope. This is really not a fight I want to see BoB win.

I personally am glad they're in ASCN territory. Before our TCF war they were in OUR space just because they were bored. They were literally there on holiday, fighting whoever would fight them.

[Rollory]

Interesting thread on this situation:

http://myeve.eve-online.com/ingameboard.asp?a=topic&threadID=405678

ASCN apparently has invaded BOB and laid seige to a system, though they've been rebuffed for now. There is some talk around page 10 that 75 or so BS's might have been lost as part of a piecemeal login after a crash or some such thing.

I think that puts the losses in a different light. Taking high casualties while invading enemy territory is entirely different from taking high casualties while being invaded.

[Calistas]

Unfortunately, ASCN bosses have asked us not to comment on EVE-O corp forums because BOB just flame to hell and back. Heck, look at the thread, mostly it's BOB patting each other on the back...

Actually, a mate there at the fight in which 70 BSs were lost said they jumped in system and then most people crashed infront of the BOB defenders. Thereupon, at login, they all warped back and were picked off one by one. Pretty tragic!

This has happened a few times to our players. When BOB arrive in system the camping fleet of ASCN have had massive lag and been picked off, or when we jump in we've had massive lag and BOB pick us off.

This isn't to insinuate that BOB have some haX0r advantage - just seems to have turned out that. Most of those who lost ships that way will be petitioning them, and knowing CCPs fairly generous customer support, they wil get them back.

Also, in this war, ships don't matter. We already have POSs in BOB space and we have started destroying theres. This is a war of attrition and our industry is only just coming on line to support it. Heavy Advanced Cruisers for cost? No problem! Tech II fitouts for half empire cost? Here you go!

It's going to end badly for BOB.

I don't know if ASCN is recruiting - can't hurt to ask tho!

[Backov]

Many many alliances have said similar things.

BoB has one huge advantage: They have a lot of very very good pvpers with no life who show up consistently. It's a nearly unbeatable advantage when you combine it with the size of their resource base and the skill of their players.

[Aeon221]

Well... if your lot has all that dough... why not buy off their nutty pvpers?

Yeesh, that is a ton of dough. Good luck, and kill them evil empire types.

[quatoria]

Frankly, I've been kind of surprised that nobody has extended a hand of support to ASCN here. I know everyone is afraid of BoB, but what do they think is going to happen to the universe if the BlOB manades to take down ASCN and take over their territory? It's not as if bob will suddenly say "I think I'll stop conquering now. I have enough space." This alliance is the fucking definition of a bad neighbor, people.

[Calistas]

Well, so far, BOB haven't taken any land. Anyway, up in Fountain there's some group of rats or something which is making life annoying for BOB. They're even trying to offer bits of Fountain to other corps!

We'll see how it plays out. This is a big, expensive war, but.. it should be a laugh.

[JM]

quatoria: I think the reason why is because ASCN is strong enough already. Size-wise I think they're the biggest alliance in the game, they have their shiny titan, and they're hardly the underdog in this fight.

The lag shit sounds just like our experiences vs TCF and vs the goons - occasionally you'll warp for a fight and hey presto, you can't do shit for 30 minutes. We lost a fleet of dreads like that in one battle (because POS guns arent affected by lag).

[Jim Hoffman]

I just joined EO (still on trial).. are there any qt3 corps out there?

[Unicorn McGriddle]

Not really, but several Qt3ers are in corps they're very happy with. Ask around.

[Jape]

After reading EVE forums, I had sudden urge to activate eve and kick some BoB ass.

No, i dont basically give a crap about ASCN, but Ive always hated forum trolls, and after checking couple threads on EVE forums i instantly hated every single BoB goon :p

That BoB forum spam is just insane.

[foogla]

After reading EVE forums, I had sudden urge to activate eve and kick some BoB ass.

No, i dont basically give a crap about ASCN, but Ive always hated forum trolls, and after checking couple threads on EVE forums i instantly hated every single BoB goon :p

That BoB forum spam is just insane.

Yup.

They can make a thread unreadable. And since this war is so big they practically take over every thread.

Also the TS recording thing really sealed the deal, they are scum.

[Unicorn McGriddle]

What TS recording thing?

[foogla]

http://www.reikoku.net/ascn.wav

Reikoku is a BoB corp.

[Sean Tudor]

http://www.reikoku.net/ascn.wav

Reikoku is a BoB corp.

Explain ? They infiltrated an ASCN TS server ?

[foogla]

Explain ? They infiltrated an ASCN TS server ?

Yes.

ASCN claimed here (http://www.eve-search.com/index.dxd?thread=405678) (note: very long thread with very low signal to noise ratio) that BoB uses TS spies to get an advantage.

BoB denies and accuses ASCN of logging off in the face of danger. ASCN denies that.

BoB then posts that .wav as proof, and as ammunition for more forum drama. Mods swoop in after 3 pages worth of flaming (with a lone, sane voice of reason calling the posting of the .wav as ethically questionable and the rest of BoB piling the spin and flames on him).

[Hanacker]

Well, I'm finally a member of ISSN. Had to reapply about 5 times because I'm dumb but I finially figured it out...

[JM]

http://ascn.eve-killboard.net/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=215983

According to that, the Titan is toast.

Edit: Ah, a fake. Seems stupid but hey, too many people with access to the ASCN killboard I guess.

[Brendan]

Yes.

ASCN claimed here (http://www.eve-search.com/index.dxd?thread=405678) (note: very long thread with very low signal to noise ratio) that BoB uses TS spies to get an advantage.

BoB denies and accuses ASCN of logging off in the face of danger. ASCN denies that.

BoB then posts that .wav as proof, and as ammunition for more forum drama. Mods swoop in after 3 pages worth of flaming (with a lone, sane voice of reason calling the posting of the .wav as ethically questionable and the rest of BoB piling the spin and flames on him).

Sounds awfully like they were logging off in the face of danger to me.

It's war. In war intercepting enemy communications is one of the keys to victory. I don't see much wrong with that. Find new, more secure ways to discuss tactics.

[foogla]

Sounds awfully like they were logging off in the face of danger to me.

Yup. Well also not logging on after a node crash.



It's war. In war intercepting enemy communications is one of the keys to victory. I don't see much wrong with that. Find new, more secure ways to discuss tactics.

Sure, that's debatable. Recording it and posting that on public forums? Not in my opinion.

Also if you condone that you should also consider logging viable.

[Calistas]

I wasn't there at the fight, but ASCN has every right to be scared of logging in. Most fights have been about the node crash and innevitable slow logon of ASCN players while fleets of BOB wait for the one-by-one arrival of ASCN Battleships.

It's very disheartening to lose a fleet this way! And when I say fleet, I mean FLEET! We've lost over 200 Battleships over the past week or so just to node crashes.

Some think BOB cheat. I have no opinion. Some think they are all just very good at getting their systems nicely tuned for PVP. BOB claim they are just more patient at login and all log in together.

I don't know what the answer is, but we're all well aware they have an advantage at/after node crashes.

But.. ASCN is learning. Our kill boards reveal more raids into their slave corps and more attacks on a wider range of systems. We are adapting and learning and we've not given up. BOB, the biggest PVP alliance are turning ASCN, the biggest Industrial alliance into the biggest industrial alliance who also knows how to fight. This can't be good for them in the long run.

Their usual forum antics aren't really working either. There aren't enough ASCN to flame on the boards, so 20 or 30 BOB all posting 'we roxx0r' posts with no one else posting makes them look quite silly.

...that and I'm able to travel a few jumps into BOB space and see nothing but ASCN around me.... And we've not really got started yet!

[Dave47]

It's war. In war intercepting enemy communications is one of the keys to victory. I don't see much wrong with that. Find new, more secure ways to discuss tactics.
This logic would justify hacking the EVE servers to gain a military advantage over your enemies, or stealing passwords and deleting the accounts of your foes. Actually, this logic would also justify dropping smart-bombs on the real-world homes of prominent ASCN leaders and organizers. The reason you don't see that sort of thing happening is because this isn't war. It's a war game.

If CCP wants Ventrillo "spying" to be part of the game, then there's nothing wrong with what BoB is doing. If CCP is silent on the issue because they realize there's no way they could possibly police Ventrillo, then BoB is abusing the rules of the simulation, even if there are no hard consequences to their abuse.

This isn't Vietnam. There are rules here.

[Kalle]

But.. ASCN is learning. Our kill boards reveal more raids into their slave corps and more attacks on a wider range of systems. We are adapting and learning and we've not given up. BOB, the biggest PVP alliance are turning ASCN, the biggest Industrial alliance into the biggest industrial alliance who also knows how to fight. This can't be good for them in the long run.

So what you are saying is that by fighting your enemy you are forced to become him. ;)

[TriggerHappy]

So what you are saying is that by fighting your enemy you are forced to become him. ;)

In a way, yes. But a lot of what sets BoB appart is their aggressiveness, in game and on the boards. Unless ASCN starts picking fights with people and/or having a forum propoganda push, they aren't really becoming like their enemy.

[Sebmolo]

But.. ASCN is learning. Our kill boards reveal more raids into their slave corps and more attacks on a wider range of systems. We are adapting and learning and we've not given up. BOB, the biggest PVP alliance are turning ASCN, the biggest Industrial alliance into the biggest industrial alliance who also knows how to fight. This can't be good for them in the long run.

So, sort of Idirans vs Culture? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiran-Culture_War)

[JM]

Bagsy the T2 knife missiles.

[Rollory]

So, sort of Idirans vs Culture? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiran-Culture_War)

I hope so.

It _could_ be possible for BOB to be just so disciplined, so hardcore, so catass, that they just go right through all of ASCN's stockpiles and get to the point where they're blowing it up faster than ASCN can build it, after which they could start in on stations and POSes and so on. Or, if they can't manage that, to still blow up ships so fast that ASCN corps get really discouraged and just give up.

But if ASCN is as strong as I think they are - as strong as they should be - they'll have the industrial leeway to absorb losses of the sort that have been seen so far and still have plenty of warmaking capability left over to attack wherever the BOB fleets aren't.

That's how the Europeans took down Napoleon in the end. In the 1814 campaign in France, he was arguably at the top of his game, pulling off some of the most brilliant victories in his career. But the Allies just kept moving forward everywhere that he wasn't.

BOB can win in any one system, sure. But they have lots of systems to lose. That's the problem with making your force a numerically limited elite.

(Actually we're already seeing signs of this, with that group that announced anybody was welcome to come rat in Fountain with them. That thread had assorted BOB threats along the lines of "just wait till we come back". Well, yes, but how long will that be?)

[Calistas]

I really don't know how strong ASCN is industrially. Our corp is in a phase of rebirth and is new to ASCN as well, so we're not in a good position to judge.

That being said, I read a post the other day with a guy shipping down TWENTY BATTLESHIPS worth of minerals and inviting people to get in line for a BS. Others are offering BSs at about cost, (say, 55m for a tier 1 bs. Insurance pays you back more). Others have long lists of cheap T2 items available.

What's more, every corp in ASCN has big stockpiles, especially every corp (other than newbies like us) has stockpiles of POSs and fuel. I expect we'll see a lot of stuff happen this weekend with roaming ASCN gangs starting to siege Period Basis with POSs and larger fleets locking BOB down or engaging.

I heard yesterday that we're holding our own in fights now. The FCs are getting great experience and so are the players. Hopefully the guy who 'accidently' gang-warped 30 battleships to their deaths won't be arond either ;)

[XPav]

This sounds cool. Is there an "unbiased" news source? Is it really true that CCP didn't plan for battles on this scale? What does the ASCN Titan do? What would it take to destroy it?

[balut]

This sounds cool. Is there an "unbiased" news source? Is it really true that CCP didn't plan for battles on this scale? What does the ASCN Titan do? What would it take to destroy it?

A small, frigate-class ship has to fly into the Titan's ductworks and, dodging a hail of defensive turret fire, launch missiles precisely into the small exhaust port of its generator.

[bago]

I hope they start researching Grate® technology.

[quatoria]

You could probably take it own with enough dreadnaughts in siege mode, and a host of support ships to keep them tanked and armed. Alternately, wave upon wave of battleships attacking in tight coordination, since any one fleet would be decimated by the superweapon. I know that CCP brought those bad boys out for testing on the test server - were any of them killed there?

[Calistas]

Yeah, word is the Motherships tank harder..

Well, www.eve-tribune.com is a pretty good spot to check out for news. There's a couple of pieces on the war and titan IIRC.

Yeah, I'm sorta amazed how addictive I find it. I think it's because everything matters. If we lose the war, ASCN could lose its ground, much like the horde losing Barrens in WOW or something...

Every MMO developer could learn from this sort of thing :)

[JM]

That being said, I read a post the other day with a guy shipping down TWENTY BATTLESHIPS worth of minerals and inviting people to get in line for a BS. Others are offering BSs at about cost, (say, 55m for a tier 1 bs. Insurance pays you back more). Others have long lists of cheap T2 items available.

That's actually quite common. My corp does the same thing with regards to BS, and as an alliance we get a discount with certain T2 providers and also can build a fair few T2 items/ships ourselves. We're not big, so I would expect ASCN and BoB to have both the main T2 BPOs and the industry to produce them - the difference being that BoB builds to make profit and replace losses, whereas ASCN does the same thing on an entirely different scale. BoB can fly cheap HACs all they like but they'll run out of resources a lot quicker than ASCN.

[Calistas]

Well, BOB do ok - they have slave corps and individual members in at least 'Evolution' corp own no assets at all - it's all owned by the corp. If they are found with private property they are booted. Certainly builds loyalty!

Their slave corps are required to pay money to BOB or to build ships etc for BOB. Not sure if that's sustainable, but it's working, they do have good gear.

[Hanacker]

My connection in Evolution was supposed to try to get me a Vagabond for 50 or 60 mil isk. Unfortunately that never came through...

[Brendan]

Yup. Well also not logging on after a node crash.



Sure, that's debatable. Recording it and posting that on public forums? Not in my opinion.

Also if you condone that you should also consider logging viable.

What is required to listen in on ASCN's communications?

If ASCN denies logging off in the face of danger and you can prove they are, I'd say go for it, but I'm odd that way.

If ASCN were smart they would use the fact that BOB are listening in and plan some nasty ambushes. After a while BOB would stop listening in simply because the misinformation becomes too damaging to them.

Then again, maybe I'm just a sneaky, conniving, cunt.

[quatoria]

Maybe?

[quatoria]

Well, BOB do ok - they have slave corps and individual members in at least 'Evolution' corp own no assets at all - it's all owned by the corp. If they are found with private property they are booted. Certainly builds loyalty!

Their slave corps are required to pay money to BOB or to build ships etc for BOB. Not sure if that's sustainable, but it's working, they do have good gear.

Why in the world would you want to join a corp like that?

[JM]

Guarenteed protection and 0.0 goodies.

[nutsak]

Why in the world would you want to join a corp like that?

Because people are stupid.

[quatoria]

Guarenteed protection and 0.0 goodies.

Man, what the fuck is the point of being in 0.0 if the only way you get there is by agreeing to be a 'slave'? And how is it that you get 'goodies' if you're forbidden to own anything?

[Hanacker]

Man, what the fuck is the point of being in 0.0 if the only way you get there is by agreeing to be a 'slave'? And how is it that you get 'goodies' if you're forbidden to own anything?

Evolution is the only corp in BoB that's forbidden to own anything. The other corps all can. And the situation with "slave" corps doesn't sound different from any other alliance - the industrial corps make sure the PvP corps are well stocked with toys to help protect the Alliance's assets.

[Jape]

Looks like ASCN isnt doing that badly afterall:

http://i10.tinypic.com/34guic6.png

[Calistas]

Hanacker is more knowledgeable than me on this.. but with ASCN, we don't have strictly PVP and strictly industrial corps. Really, a wide mix in each corp.. that's our strenth and our weakness ;)

[deccan]

Guarenteed protection and 0.0 goodies.

Wow, just like real life!

[foogla]

The Indirans vs Culture analogy made me smile. Man 2008 can't come soon enough.

[JM]

Man, what the fuck is the point of being in 0.0 if the only way you get there is by agreeing to be a 'slave'? And how is it that you get 'goodies' if you're forbidden to own anything?

If you're not big enough to carve out a chunk of 0.0 yourself, then submitting to an otherwise hostile force is the way to go. Some people don't want the hassle of fighting for something themselves.

[Rollory]

Looks like ASCN isnt doing that badly afterall:

http://i10.tinypic.com/34guic6.png

Per the E-O thread, it's a medium tower in an otherwise empty system. Easy to get that kind of sovereignty. It's the systems with stations that count.

[XPav]

So I signed up a trial account. I started playing through the tutorial.

Yawn. How long until the game is fun?

[JM]

Not during the tutorial.

After several years I'm still learning things. You need to absorb the info given.

The trick to EVE is not doing the things you find boring. Courier missions pissing you off? Don't do them. Want to shoot people? Grab a ship, head to lowsec/0.0, and get on it. Want to join a band of pirates? Go contact them.

The game wont guide you in that direction, though.

[nutsak]

JM is right, I love mining... I don't know why but making absolute assloads for doing nothing appeals to me. Of course, I'm hunted like a bitch. Try some things out, find what you like and do it.

[Johan O]

At what point does it become viable to try piracy? Is a cruiser sufficent?

[JM]

Frigates can do it quite nicely, especially if you're up against PvE'ing types or miners.

[JM]

To expand on that:

Piracy mostly occurs in low-security sectors (0.4 - 0.1), and not 0.0. This is because your main target is the "carebear", which I'm told to believe looks and acts something like a manatee. Basically 0.0 scares the shit out of people, but low-sec seems like a risk worth taking - there's better asteroids and there's better agents and ratting. Of course, 0.0 is actually miles safer than lowsec purely because of all the pirates being in lowsec...

Now, your average lowsec person is going to be either attempting to mine, attempting to pick up a delivery, or trying to rat/do missions. Very few of the non-pirates will be kitted for PvP - at the most, they'll have some WCS fitted. A fast frigate designed for preying on these guys will cause endless hassle and won't cost a lot to replace. Rifters are excellent for the task, and the Incursus isn't to be sniffed at - both these can put some hurt on poorly configured cruisers and can rattle along at a fair old pace.

Fire up quickfit, and start putting things together - then go give it a try and see how you come out :)

[Backov]

I tried to say exactly that to my two RL friends who like to solo gank in other PVP MMOs.. Neither of them would accept it. They both PVE ground until they were bored silly and quit. Silly gits.

[JM]

Yeah, it's strange how that happens. So many of my friends have done the same - the ones who took the advice (or did it even before I did) have had a blast and are horribly addicted :)

[TreadingLeitly]

The PvE to PVP shift in EVE is different from other MMO's so the folks who buggered off after getting bored with PvE were probably stuck in that rut. In other MMO's the way to 'power' PvP is to PvE until you have endgame content (max out levels with 1337 items and what not) and THEN try to PvP because you'll just get your ass handed to you otherwise. If you try that in EVE you'll just end up thinking that the grind is too long (as far as I know NO ONE in EVE is 'maxxed' in terms of having the most badass equipment and full skills to boot). You can 'grind' 24/7 for months in EVE and not approach the combat effectiveness of established players due to the time based skill system. The switch to PVP is done when you have the skills and awareness to be able to pick your fights so they're won before you even engage. No one can swagger about invunerable with their ship/skills of uberness because gangs of less uberized players will blob onto them like ants on an ice cream cone. That's different from the way I've seen PVP work in most other MMO's.

[Calistas]

Excellent point - player skill is 50% of the fight. More if you're the one dictating it since you'll have selected the battleground etc already..

[Hanacker]

If you try that in EVE you'll just end up thinking that the grind is too long (as far as I know NO ONE in EVE is 'maxxed' in terms of having the most badass equipment and full skills to boot).

It's not terribly hard to max out for any Tech 1 ship type, especially anything Cruiser size or smaller. But nobody really thinks they've made it if they have a really badass Rifter, so I guess that's ok. Having a maxed out Carrier is going to take a while.

[Calistas]

I think most folks want to be maxed out for cruiser/battleship fights. Getting to a tech2 fitted BS is ... some time. More fun is a T2 fitted Interceptor probably, cheapish, and easy enough to get to :)

[Calistas]

...beepbeep beep beepy beep bloody beep....

This in from the front lines! Nothing much has changed in a week. We still hold TCAG system on the doorstep of BOB space, they are still claiming to be 'teh ubz0r!'.

In other news, our leadership inform us that BOB have told them that this war is their big last gasp before they all bugger off and play Pirates of the Burning Sea (!?).

Is POTBS that amazing and cool? I mean, it looks nice.. but... I've not heard of any actual proper reports of how it plays, beta or otherwise.

[Troy S Goodfellow]

In other news, our leadership inform us that BOB have told them that this war is their big last gasp before they all bugger off and play Pirates of the Burning Sea (!?).

It's a trap!

Troy

[JM]

WAR!

Tenal is about to become 'interesting'. Just in time as I've shipped my shiny PVP ships up :)

[Hanacker]

A few months ago I bought a Vagabond for just under 200 mil and a Gistii A-type Shield Booster for about 90 mil. Those prices are insane, but as long as I don't lose the ship, I should be able to sell these back for a decent price in the future, I thought to myself. Now it looks like Vagas are going for about 280 mil and Gistii A-types are about 140 mil. I've had a lot of fun with the Vagabond, but now I think it's time to switch to the much cheaper Sleipnir command ship.

[JM]

If you can fly the command ships and fit them properly, go for it. The prices are slightly more sane than HACs and they're great all-rounders.

I think the Gistii A-type is so expensive now because it's basically the only way you can properly tank a Hulk mining boat. Fear the carebear-driven economy! ;)

[Waltzer]

A few months ago I bought a Vagabond for just under 200 mil and a Gistii A-type Shield Booster for about 90 mil. Those prices are insane, but as long as I don't lose the ship, I should be able to sell these back for a decent price in the future, I thought to myself. Now it looks like Vagas are going for about 280 mil and Gistii A-types are about 140 mil. I've had a lot of fun with the Vagabond, but now I think it's time to switch to the much cheaper Sleipnir command ship.

What do you use a Vaga and an A-Type for, if not PVP? Is it for high level missions? Complexes? I'm ashamed to admit that I have never seen a Vaga outside the context of pwnage.

[Calistas]

Wow, so much for one mod! Never ever see myself doing that. Mostly cos I'm broke.

Just founded 'ePeen Investments Inc.' a corp for me and a mate's alt. We've taken 1.6b in investment from corpies in ANZAC and we're using the cash to buy and sell ships and do other cunning money making ventures.

Even tho we have a good chunk of the shares, me and my mate will hardly get rich off it. Have to go and grind rats, and that's hard to do in wartime!

[JM]

The Vaga is possibly the best ship for grinding Level 3 (not L4) missions - very lucrative at the speed the ship can do them at.

[Soapyfrog]

Yeah although my Cyclone can sleepwalk through level 3s, and I think a Ferox is even more disgusting due to the additinal resists...

I think you could probably do most level 4s in a HAC. Someday if I actually GET one, I'll sure try it out!

[Hanacker]

What do you use a Vaga and an A-Type for, if not PVP? Is it for high level missions? Complexes? I'm ashamed to admit that I have never seen a Vaga outside the context of pwnage.

I was using it to grind through level 2-4 missions so I could start using Research and Development agents. It blows through level 2s and 3s like nothing, but 4s can be pretty tough. The Gistii A-type is an absolute necessity for Level 4 missions. No way I'd fly a ship that expensive in PvP, but apparently a lot of people do. It's supposed to be really hard to kill if you know what you're doing (5 Warp Core Stabs ftw).

[JM]

Soapy - sure, it CAN do L4s, but there are better HACs for that, and it's slow in comparison to racing through the L3s.

[Hanacker]

I don't think there's anything better for level 4s than a trusty old Raven (Or Navy Raven/Rattlesnake if you've got that kind of money). But that gets so boring after a while. No need to ever move; just point and shoot.

[Soapyfrog]

I use a Typhoon myself...

[JM]

Raven or Apoc are the sweet spots for L4 missions - Command Ships and the like are probably overkill even. I hear the Cosmos missions are an absolute bitch though :)

[Calistas]

If you get bored, go read www.eve-tribune.com

There's another article on the war, although I must say it's got some wild innacuracies in it. Which is a shame. It seems as tho BOB has the ear of the reporter as some of the facts are clearly BOB's take on the war.

For example, someone must be claiming BOB blew up our POSs in TCAG - not true. They were due to come out of reinforced a cpl of days ago, but a server crash had them put off coming out for another 48 hours. Annoying.

There is the claim that morale and supplies are low - yet as one of the smallest poorest corps in the alliance our morale is growing and we have more ships to fight with now than we did at the start of the war!

We're also starting to win battles. Each night I'm hearing of battles of about the same numbers where ASCN is holding its own or winning. Meanwhile, some of our corps have been tasked with rampaging around BOB's rear areas and are finding them deserted. Barges and haulers are being popped every day, yet only a dozen jumps from the main war we in ANZACS have mined pretty uninterupted.

The same raiders report getting tells from BOB slaves asking to just let them go as they are leaving the area for empire and not coming back. We're also hearing that BOB slave corps are refusing to pay their rent/protection money to BOB.

Further, we're no longer facing BOB T2 Battleship fleets. They've turned up with lighter, smaller fleets and their numbers continue to drop off. Meanwhile, ASCN fleet commanders were asking for more smaller support ships the other night because they had too many battleships!

Anyway, vent vent. It annoys me how much BOB pilots spin and spin and spin. Doesn't matter. The war is a draw right now (other than we hold a crappy system on their doorstep) and the longer it goes the better it will be for ASCN. We've also just freed up 1b isk to hire mercenaries. BOB will no doubt blame this for their eventual loss, but I don't think ASCN cares any more. We want to carve up BOB and invite anyone keen to help to join in!

//ramble off.

(you know.. you just can't get this in 90% of MMOs out there...I've never been so interested in an MMO. WOW feels like a kids playground compared.. crazy!)

[JM]

Hey, cool update. Apologies in advance if any of our boys (Razor, or D2 etc) come and cause havoc, we've been trying to persuade the powers that be that our own region needs looking after first:)

[Calistas]

No problem at all. We're having fun - I mean, this has everyone fired up and excited! And D2 and Razor are expected to cause a bit of chaos, right?

You guys should go and pwn some bob region tho. It will all be up for the taking soon.

[XPav]

Can't these reporter guys jump in and get the straight scoop?

Or would it be too much... "It's an ugly planet; a bug planet. A planet hostile to life as we know it...... AIIIIIIEEEE"

[Calistas]

The NBSI (not blue - shoot it) policy makes it hard - and the hours of waiting and/or tactical jostling before a fight makes for a bored reporter!

[foogla]

So this tribune guy is like an embedded reporter? Smart PR from BoB, as always.

[Calistas]

No, I am not sure his angle. But BOB whore on the forums, ASCN just sits there quitely fighting. So maybe he just picks his gossip mostly off the forum.

[TriggerHappy]

No, I am not sure his angle. But BOB whore on the forums, ASCN just sits there quitely fighting. So maybe he just picks his gossip mostly off the forum.

Considering both week 1 and week 2 he made mention of the "forum warfare" that's not too far fetched. Anyone can check the E-O forums and see BoB is outposting ASCN 20 to 1. Everyone should also be able to see that's meaningless.

The BoB killboard is really hard for me to use, but the ASCN killboard is showing a swing in ASCN's favor. It was looking pretty brutal for ASCN in the first week or so.

[JM]

http://allislost.net/stuff/nyx.jpg

Pretty ship go bang!

Dusk and Dawn managed to bubble The Establishment's Nyx mothership with a small fleet, and called in the carriers and support. A nice little battle later, with D2's support jumping in and The Establishment reinforcing with carriers (which tried to remote rep the mothership), and the Nyx finally went boom.

Not sure if it's the first mothership kill...

Edit: Arse. This could be an elaborate hoax by some people on IRC... hope not :(

[Soapyfrog]

Impressive. We have been discussing for over a week now how to deal with this menace, sounds like D2 got it right!

[JM]

No sign of it on the killboards yet :( Bah. This is annoying.

[Calistas]

Hi folks. I got a little bored and thought I'd make some sigs for ASCN members to match those funny star wars sigs the BOB use. Mostly inside jokes, but thought some of you would like 'em. For the record, ASCN are generally called 'hobbits' by BOB, so that explains the theme a little!

The first one only makes sense if you know about the TCAG siege, where our POS has re-reinforced itself 3 times, much to everyone's annoyance..

http://www.tinypirate.com/images/tcag-helm-sig.gif
http://www.tinypirate.com/images/tcag-helm-sig.gif

http://www.tinypirate.com/images/sirmolle-plans.gif
http://www.tinypirate.com/images/sirmolle-plans.gif

http://www.tinypirate.com/images/sam-cyvok-bistot.gif
http://www.tinypirate.com/images/sam-cyvok-bistot.gif

http://www.tinypirate.com/images/travel-sig.jpg
http://www.tinypirate.com/images/travel-sig.gif

[Calistas]

...and the last two.

http://www.tinypirate.com/images/node-death.gif
http://www.tinypirate.com/images/node-death.gif

http://www.tinypirate.com/images/forum-warrior.gif
http://www.tinypirate.com/images/forum-warrior.gif

http://www.tinypirate.com/images/one-week.gif
http://www.tinypirate.com/images/one-week.gif

[Soapyfrog]

Aww the Nyx kill was indeed a hoax. Pity.