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The 9 General Laws of Combat & Command
1: The smart, strong, and/or brutal will live
Case: The smart have the ability to generally escape a bad situation. Even if they are weaker than their enemy, they can think their way around/out of a situation. The strong can generally muscle their survival. They may not always catch a foe, but they'll live to fight another day. The brutal needs little explanation. They will do whatever it takes to live. They'll get as low-down and dirty as possible if it means achieving their goals.
2: The stupid, weak, and/or lazy will die
Case: The stupid would be outsmarted and killed, falling into whatever traps may be set up. If they don't have the strength to fight out of a bad situation, it means death. The weak will almost always fall to a stronger/smarter man, unless they have the brains to outsmart their predator. The lazy simply don't have the will to put in the effort to live. They just lie down and die.
3: If you can take a better weapon, take it
Case: If I gave you a choice between a Panzer V or an M1 Abrams, which would you choose? What about a mud-ball or an AR-15? The Panzer would lose to the Abrams because the Abrams is more armored, faster, and more powerful in general. An AR-15 would out-range and out gun a ball of wet dirt any day. If you can get stronger, get stronger.
4: If you pay more for a weapon, it should be worth the extra cash
Case: If I had the choice between a Desert Eagle for $7000 and an M9 Beretta for $2000, I'd pick the M9. Why? Because it's cheaper, has more ammo, and is a generally reliable gun. What about a Glock for $1400? Then I'd pick a Glock. You should get the value out of your weapon. If a C-ER-PPC is only a little better than an ER-PPC, but costs 1.5 times as much, I'm gonna use the ER-PPC.
5: Patience is key
Case: At the Battle of Thermopylae, the Spartans didn't move position (until they had to). If you are in a good position, stay their and wait your enemy out (unless another, more important reason to move presents itself). Similarly, If I'm in a place that give me an advantage, why should I move? I have the upper hand. Another case of command, you should save for a better weapon. Instant gratification is not always good (unless it speeds up your progress to your goal). If you can save up for a Timber Wolf, do it.
6: Don't always think with your gun
Case: Sometimes, a boomstick will work. But if you've ever tried the Houdini Project, or the Dead End campaign, or Dark Rain, or Pictures of a Rebellion, you should know that you can sometimes do more with less. Speed can outrank firepower. Smarts can outrank strength. A single ERLL can beat an Atlas with an AC/20, because I just have to stay out of his range (and dodge a few bullets). You can beat an enemy unit with a smaller gun if you use it right.
7. The risk should never outweigh the reward by more than 50%
Case: This is a general rule, and can be tweaked. Let's say Red Team has 200 men, and Blue Team has 200 men. Let's say that Blue Team's men are 1.5x better than Red Team's men. Red Team would have to send in 150 men to combat Blue Team's 100 due to Blue Teams skill. This is a big risk, because if they lose they'll be out-manned 2/1. You should always weigh the risk and reward before making a decision. Otherwise you'll only win a Pyrrhic victory,
8: Molon Labe
Case: You should know this phrase roughly means "Come and take them". This was said by Leonidas to the Persians when the Persians demanded they give up their arms. Regardless of how stupid or inconsiderate your team is, you should never give up without a fight. This may be the saving grace of your team (it has been for me a few times). A battle is only as hopeless as the warrior(s) fighting it.
9: There is never a bad weapon/Mech/map. Only a bad marksman/pilot/commander.
Case: This is a bold statement and one that can get on people's nerves. But it is has truths to it. For example, I sold two of my Mechs today because I couldn't pilot them well (anymore). But my friend said that they were awesome Mechs. Just because you can't operate with something/someone doesn't mean it is bad. It simply means that it isn't good for you. Many people hate Terra Therma for example. I think that it is a fun (and somewhat repetitive) map. It isn't that one of us is right. It is that our opinions/tastes/tactics are different.
Notes:
For laws 1 & 2: You may have someone who is smart and weak. You notice how on the case for weak I mentioned: "unless they have the brains to outsmart their predator." Not all are always true. But they hold generally correct.
For law 3: You may note the choice comparison is a bit extreme. But that holds true for most cases, no mater how small the difference (although the difference in wins/losses will smooth out the less of a difference there is).
For law 4: Yes, I know the prices and qualities may be a bit exaggerated. But that is an example.
For law 7: Another case is Chess. You shouldn't make a bad trade, unless you know it will pay off later on in the game. Also, the "50%" is only a general rule. You can tweak it depending on what's at stake.
For law 9: There are some universally bad things. Say, an Atlas with no armor, no weapons and an Engine 100. The point and case of this law is better stated that "One man's trash is another man's treasure." Just because you do/don't like something does not mean that it is suddenly a universal fact.
Notice about the term 'bad'
In the usage of the adjective 'bad,' 'bad' is a relative term. Meaning a Panzer VI is bad to an Abrams, but good to a Sherman. Similarly an Abrams is bad to an Atlas but good to a T-12.
Constructive feedback is always welcome! No uncalled for rude comments or idiocy though
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Edited by DavidHurricane, 01 August 2014 - 07:29 AM.
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