That is cerrainly true... I presume a closer analogue would be some kind of combination game mixing elements of stratego (for the random element factor) and chess (long range and varied abilities).Arioch wrote: ↑Sun Jul 24, 2022 9:37 pmMemorizing chess moves doesn't make someone a good tactician. The movement of chess pieces is 100% deterministic; one piece captures another 100% of the time, and so for any given board state, there is a mathematically "best" move. Real battles don't work like that, which is why most wargames include a random element in combat resolution. On any given Sunday, any unit can defeat any other unit, and so tactics is about what you do after the strategic plan fails to survive contact with the enemy, and how you balance risk vs. reward. "Tactics mean doing what you can with what you have."
Of course the Loroi are like a living entire race of random probabilities and superior firepower, which is why they have been holding out for so long.
While it is obvious the Umiak can out produce any of their current enemies in war, I think defeating them or ending the war can only be done a few ways.
1. Go nuclear. Difficult and.... both in practice and polutically, since doing this puts all of them on the extinction list not just the Loroi. In theory maybe a stealth Loroi fleet could fly in and AM bomb all their bases and then the the largest armada the Union can field (including all members) would attempt to mop up the remaining fleets despite being outnumbered.
2. Somehow broker a ceasefire because Umiak and Loroi by finding a more pressing concern or they find a compromise preferable to killing each other until either dies.
3. The Loroi kick their butts outright Does not seem likely though due to sheer numbers. At most I can see the Loroi disabling their Lotai and the Umiak sueing for peace after finally tiring of setbacks they have not had with other aliens they have conquered.