jeirhart, on 23 March 2015 - 05:05 AM, said:
Okay so quick summary of that situation (CGB leadership feel free to correct)
-CGB active permanent contract population in CW was never that large to begin with. A good chunk was CGBI, but then you had both -MS- and CI calling them 'home' or at least their summer salmon grounds.
-So whenever those two mercenary units join CGB, the faction surged South (and occasionally East/West).Again this is active 'boots on the ground' not simply total population size.
-However when those two units left, the remaining active population was significantly reduced and (occasionally) had angry neighbors who were all too happy to take back the planets lost.
-CGB ended up losing planets to all three other Clan factions eventually, in addition to losing planets to FRR, Steiner and Kurita. Losing planets like that caused some of their loyalist to... retire.
-Additionally some loyalist joined up with -MS- full time on their tour around the IS.
-Recently, both -MS- and CI have shunned CGB, joining Clan Wolf instead so even the 50% of the time factor disappeared
-Other mercenary units appear to be avoiding contracts with CGB. I may be mistaken as I do not track them, but it certainly appears that way.
Meanwhile;
CJF has a number of active units who (while not massive) play often and are quite skilled. We also occasionally host some of the smaller merc groups. I would list you all here but I do not want to slight anyone by forgetting your names. Our major issue continues to be one of population disparity (especially when we had multiple active borders) but the GBs generally have it worse.
CSJ has maintained an active loyal core of players ever since the initial dry period at the beginning of CW and has been bolstered by 228th and other 'merc groups as well. They have been forged by the fire that is Kurita's own loyal population. With a begrudging respect with Kurita and no additional active borders, their focus is clear.
CW has (if nothing else) sheer numbers on their side but they too have an organized core of loyal units and have benefited recently by the assistance of -MS- and CI. Whether that moment continues when those units leave is the question. I, for one, certainly hope it does.
MS went wolf cause they were getting wrekt by NVKA and MS you know wants easy wins, easy fights . So they go Steiner and fight jade falcon and then they go wolf and attacked the same faction they just got done helping house Steiner!!!! Why ??? To avoid fighting Draconis combine units of course. I would call MS's strategy the "dog chasing his tail" strategy