{JAMMERS! -GOOD- ONLY!} Ooh, jammers. Haven't gotten to play with these here yet. Alright, so, here're my thoughts on strategy. I'm sure they'll expect us to rush to capture as many regions as possible (and rightly so), but I'm guessing that they be looking for much more than that. That said, I propose that we not only capture regions, but that we also start besieging as many sub-HQs as we can as soon as possible. At the very least, we need to contest their most-desired regions, and set up defensive positions in key locations. My first move is to be to rush the Forodwaith, Celduin, and ultimately Gundabad. I'll be sending a steady stream of troops (as soon as they're generated) straight from the Iron Hills to get to the Forodwaith before Tuvok/Gundabad, while a few troops from Erebor secure Celduin. All generated troops (besides minimal defending forces) will be moving to secure those two regions until things are under control, then all additional forces will march on Gundabad. My goal is to restore Gundabad to the Dwarves before Tuvok has time to fortify it too heavily. As for other HQs, I have a few suggestions. First, someone, probably Rivendell, needs to contest the High Pass. MM's made it clear that Goblin-town is going to be swarming the High Pass right off the bat. The more we make him fight for the region, the more troops it will cost him, and the more time. If the Beornings could reinforce them, it's possible that the High Pass could actually be secured, which would greatly frustrate MM's plans. He'll be spending all of his resources on it, and I don't expect him to rest until he has it within his grasp (which would make it a drain for our troops too, but less so than for him). Some troops should also be sent to Hollin so as to delay Moria and buy time for Bree to expand. Bree, on the other hand, should make all haste for Tharbad and Angmar to intercept advancing Wildmen and Orcs. If they do that, and I can get the Forodwaith, than that leaves Evil cut off from most of Eriador, which Bree can take control with just a few troops without too much worry. If all goes well, Bree should become a powerhouse in just a few days, with perhaps as many as fourteen regions. Mirkwood is obviously going to need to be holding back Dol Guldur. Actually, I think that that's what they should spend most of their resources on. If Mirkwood can pin down Dol Guldur, that will give the rest of the Northeast some breathing room to focus on border control with Rhun, Gundabad, Isengard, and Moria/Goblin-town. On the whole, they should advance southwards, primarily Mirkwood and the regions between it and the Misty Mountains. Lothlorien, on the other hand, should immediately blockade the Dimrill Dale with all possible troops in order to hold back the tides of Moria for a time. Next, Dale should move south, staying on the east side of Mirkwood. They'll be directly facing Rhun, and perhaps Mordor soon after. The Beornings, on the other hand, should be much different. If a few of them could initiate the Siege of Gundabad, that would make my job with the Forodwaith a little bit easier, and I'd be able to take over the siege much sooner. Besides that, they should assist our nearby allies, reinforcing the High Pass, and whatever Mirkwood ends up having to face. If things go well, they can move south and reinforce Lorien at the Dimrill Dale. And lastly (sorry Gondor, you're on your own ), Rohan's first priority should be to fortify the West Emnet. I don't see much hope in us capturing the Gap of Rohan early on (or at least not hold it). If they can hold the West Emnet, the Isengard will be kept to the west side of the Misty Mountains, further contained by Bree at Tharbad along with Rivendell at Hollin. As soon as the West Emnet is deemed secure enough, Fangorn can move north and assist with the Dimrill Dale (and perhaps Dol Guldur), while Edoras should move east to secure as much land as possible and also check on Mordor. They'll probably need to assist with the Ithilien area, too.
How does this sound to everyone? If all goes well, we'll keep Moria and Isengard from expanding any significant amount, we'll cripple Dol Guldur by frustrating its plans and capturing Gundabad, while keeping check on Rhun and Mordor. If things go fast enough, we might even be able to secure the North so that further troops could move southwards. It'll require a lot of cooperation and communication though (and each of us keeping an eye on each other's backs), as we'll have to act fast in order to stay one step ahead of Evil as it reacts to our movements.
{JAMMERS! -GOOD- ONLY!} Ooh, jammers. Haven't gotten to play with these here yet. Alright, so, here're my thoughts on strategy. I'm sure they'll expect us to rush to capture as many regions as possible (and rightly so), but I'm guessing that they be looking for much more than that. That said, I propose that we not only capture regions, but that we also start besieging as many sub-HQs as we can as soon as possible. At the very least, we need to contest their most-desired regions, and set up defensive positions in key locations. My first move is to be to rush the Forodwaith, Celduin, and ultimately Gundabad. I'll be sending a steady stream of troops (as soon as they're generated) straight from the Iron Hills to get to the Forodwaith before Tuvok/Gundabad, while a few troops from Erebor secure Celduin. All generated troops (besides minimal defending forces) will be moving to secure those two regions until things are under control, then all additional forces will march on Gundabad. My goal is to restore Gundabad to the Dwarves before Tuvok has time to fortify it too heavily. As for other HQs, I have a few suggestions. First, someone, probably Rivendell, needs to contest the High Pass. MM's made it clear that Goblin-town is going to be swarming the High Pass right off the bat. The more we make him fight for the region, the more troops it will cost him, and the more time. If the Beornings could reinforce them, it's possible that the High Pass could actually be secured, which would greatly frustrate MM's plans. He'll be spending all of his resources on it, and I don't expect him to rest until he has it within his grasp (which would make it a drain for our troops too, but less so than for him). Some troops should also be sent to Hollin so as to delay Moria and buy time for Bree to expand. Bree, on the other hand, should make all haste for Tharbad and Angmar to intercept advancing Wildmen and Orcs. If they do that, and I can get the Forodwaith, than that leaves Evil cut off from most of Eriador, which Bree can take control with just a few troops without too much worry. If all goes well, Bree should become a powerhouse in just a few days, with perhaps as many as fourteen regions. Mirkwood is obviously going to need to be holding back Dol Guldur. Actually, I think that that's what they should spend most of their resources on. If Mirkwood can pin down Dol Guldur, that will give the rest of the Northeast some breathing room to focus on border control with Rhun, Gundabad, Isengard, and Moria/Goblin-town. On the whole, they should advance southwards, primarily Mirkwood and the regions between it and the Misty Mountains. Lothlorien, on the other hand, should immediately blockade the Dimrill Dale with all possible troops in order to hold back the tides of Moria for a time. Next, Dale should move south, staying on the east side of Mirkwood. They'll be directly facing Rhun, and perhaps Mordor soon after. The Beornings, on the other hand, should be much different. If a few of them could initiate the Siege of Gundabad, that would make my job with the Forodwaith a little bit easier, and I'd be able to take over the siege much sooner. Besides that, they should assist our nearby allies, reinforcing the High Pass, and whatever Mirkwood ends up having to face. If things go well, they can move south and reinforce Lorien at the Dimrill Dale. And lastly (sorry Gondor, you're on your own ), Rohan's first priority should be to fortify the West Emnet. I don't see much hope in us capturing the Gap of Rohan early on (or at least not hold it). If they can hold the West Emnet, the Isengard will be kept to the west side of the Misty Mountains, further contained by Bree at Tharbad along with Rivendell at Hollin. As soon as the West Emnet is deemed secure enough, Fangorn can move north and assist with the Dimrill Dale (and perhaps Dol Guldur), while Edoras should move east to secure as much land as possible and also check on Mordor. They'll probably need to assist with the Ithilien area, too.
How does this sound to everyone? If all goes well, we'll keep Moria and Isengard from expanding any significant amount, we'll cripple Dol Guldur by frustrating its plans and capturing Gundabad, while keeping check on Rhun and Mordor. If things go fast enough, we might even be able to secure the North so that further troops could move southwards. It'll require a lot of cooperation and communication though (and each of us keeping an eye on each other's backs), as we'll have to act fast in order to stay one step ahead of Evil as it reacts to our movements.
{JAMMERS! -GOOD- ONLY!!!!!} Sound great! The men of Dale and The Adunin will follow the comands of the Lord KitKat of Erebor.
So do you want Dale to focus on Rhun? Since I don't think, unless they get a good leader for rhun, that it will be much of a threat. At least for a little bit. And Dale should be able to withstand the hordes of easterlings. While pressuring Dol Guldor or maybe somewhere else.
