EXODE Federal Database Challenge: Keeper slabakbg's Results

Preliminaries

Note: As you'll observe below and throughout, per the pre-written rubrics, I am attempting to give every advantage to the grabber wherever possible (particularly where capabilities are unclear or under-specified). Despite this, there is still at least one unbeatable keeper strategy that I am aware of. If there are any unbeatable grabber selections/tactics (Akhen Cannon?), they will be squelched in a similar fashion.

Matches against Captain slabakbg's keeper

Captain slabakg opted to go with a fairly standard "turtle" defense with the fallback option of bribing potential victors with Diplomatic Gifts. He selected the same "Rhino" Heavy Attack Frigate that Captain digital-wisdom did, but chose to land it rather than being able to use it for counter-attacks. Unfortunately, as well, he didn't bring any AA/AT Automatic Turrets, Vanguards, Velvet Storms or KB-119 Kilbots.

balticbadger

Captain balticbadger's grabber has the unique strategy of trying to sucker the keeper into accepting a visit from a friendly civilian party -- including a Programmed Transactor suicide bomber. His Amarasia hails slabakbg's base and does their spiel. slabakbg's crew is, of course, not interested in the Brooklyn Bridge or snipe hunts. They warn the Amarasia off, stating that a close landing or any attempt to approach the base will be regarded as a hostile act and will be met with extreme prejudice.

The Amarasia lands close to slabakbg's base but just far enough balticbadger's crew believes that they are safe from interference while assembling their prefabs. slabakbg's crew radio their displeasure to the Amarasia and warn that not only will they not tolerate anyone or anything even headed in the direction of their base but that they will attack if they see any offensive prefabs being assembled (but they have no Velvet Storms to keep a close eye on the Amarasia's landing site).

The Amarasia sends out the Nuclear Family to start assembling shelters from native materials and apparently a number of crew members to start assembling the computer room. In reality, however, they successfully use the hastily expanded shell of the computer room to shield the assembly of two Velvet Storms. slabakbg's crew is exceptionally unhappy and irate with the appearance of the Velvet Storms; however, with the Storms and a Kilbot spotted walking around, they decide that it would be foolish to attack.

On the other hand, once the Storms look over the defenses and ascertain that slabakbg has seemingly fortified only one location with nothing but a Defensive Bunker, balticbadger's crew is shocked to realize that their pathetic forces nonetheless possibly could be able to overwhelm the defense -- unless there is some trickery afoot. The Amarasia's Mysterious AI has an ECM disadvantage against slabakbg's Mysterious AI and Secret Agent, but there is really nothing that a lone Defensive Bunker can do against two Velvet Storms. The Storms stand off at maximum distance, drop chaff and use missiles to destroy the Bunker's Neutron Gun. They chew up the Defensive Bunker pretty badly but opt to quit before they potentially damage the Federal Database.

Balticbadger's crew then demands that the keeper surrender as their position is hopeless. Slabakbg's crew is unhappy and offers the Diplomatic Gifts instead. The grabber crew, elated by and cocky from their success, asks why they should accept only the Diplomatic Gifts when they can attack and get both the Gifts and the Database.

The assault begins with the Storms landing next to the Bunker on the side where it has been most damaged. Ayumi, the KB-119 Kilbot, the Programmed Transactor suicide bomber and The Kumicho sprint from the Storms to the Defensive Bunker. The Transactor gives up its existence to blow a hole through the wall where missiles have heavily damaged it. The Kilbot charges through, quickly followed by The Kumicho and Ayumi.

They are greeted by heavy fire from the fully upgraded SD Rifle and Party Ammo-equipped and perfectly placed Tactical Officer, Shen, Defense Specialist, Space Federal Marshal and a pair of each of Federal Agents and Federal Marines. Less than a quarter of the damage from each shot penetrates the Kilbot's armor but eight shooters is a lot of damage -- especially when they all pause at the same time for Alana's Powershock Gloves, applied from the side as the Kilbot comes through the breach, to successfully fry the Kilbot's internal wiring (it's amazing what a Tactical Officer and a Defense Specialist can come up with together).

The Kumicho and Ayumi aren't suicidal and surrender at this point. After slabakbg's crew tells them that they will only be held until the Federal Database is accessed, The Kumicho is willing to get on the radio with the Amarasia and tell them to stand down. The Elected Leader's Syndicate Chip (and the Syndicate Hacker) ensures that they do exactly that. Slabakbg's crew has control and all the time in the world to use the Federal Database to access the Secret Core. Balticbadger's crew really should have accepted the Diplomatic Gifts and moved on (particularly since Kilbots are expensive).

Score: Slabakbg 100%; Balticbadger 0%

blockmonster

Captain blockmonster opted for a flexible but fairly standard assault strategy with a fully packed Drachian Mantis. It is quickly ascertained that slabakbg's crew has seemingly fortified only one location with nothing but a Defensive Bunker. Knowing the Rhino's general specifications, blockmonster's crew knows that they probably have the same number of personnel but nearly twice the cargo space.

Expecting Vanguards, Velvet Storms and Kilbots from the seemingly innocuous defenses, the grabber lands at a sufficient distance not to be interrupted while he assembles his prefabs. An AA/AT Automatic turret is rapidly assembled, quickly followed by a pair of Velvet Storms. Two Vanguards are next, followed a number of scouting and transport vehicles.

The grabber moves in to test the defenses. Both sides have a Secret Agent and a Mysterious AI so neither has an electronic edge. Blockmonster's orders included extensive instructions about constant patrolling and seeking "secret lairs". As a result, his crew becomes more and more convinced that the defenses are just as they appear. Their two Velvet Storms, two Vanguards, four Kilbots and half a dozen personnel should easily prevail against a single lone Defensive Bunker even if it is packed with KB-119s.

Captain blockmonster's crew arrays their forces just out of range and demands slabakbk's crew's surrender. Slabak's crew very briefly considers attempting to bribe them but realizes that that will just result in the loss of the Gifts as well as the database. There is really nothing that slabakbk's crew can do except turn over the Federal DB. The only ray of sunshine is that they keep the Diplomatic Gifts.

Score: Slabakbg 0%; Blockmonster 100%

digital-wisdom

Captain digital-wisdom has the strategy of keeping the defender moving wherever possible. He also has a fully packed Drachian Mantis. It is quickly ascertained that slabakbg's crew has seemingly fortified only one location with nothing but a Defensive Bunker. Knowing the Rhino's general specifications, digital-wisdom's crew knows that they probably have the same number of personnel but nearly twice the cargo space.

Expecting Vanguards, Velvet Storms and Kilbots from the seemingly innocuous defenses and showing an overabundance of caution, digital-wisdom uses two Exploration Dropships to land 3 Velvet Storms in two different locations on the opposite side of the planet from slabakbg's base. Once the Velvet Storms are assembled, they are used to cover a second landing site reasonably close to blockmonster's base but at a sufficient distance not to be interrupted while the rest of the prefabs are assembled. In the second wave are 3 Vanguards, 3 Kilbots, an AA/AT turret, 600 energy and all personnel except for Admiral Valro and Tyron who remain upon the orbiting Mantis.

As digital-wisdom stupidly left his Mysterious AI at home, he will be operating at a substantial SRT disadvantage. On the other hand, as the Velvet Storms continue to scan Captain slabakbg's defense, the grabber's crew become more and more confident that there is nothing other than the Defensive Bunker to combat their three Velvet Storms, three Vanguards, three Kilbots and half a dozen personnel (including red-shirted Clone Troopers) and that they should easily prevail even if the Bunker is packed with KB-119s.

Captain digital-wisdom's crew arrays their forces just out of range and demands slabakbk's crew's surrender. Slabak's crew very briefly considers attempting to bribe them but realizes that that will just result in the loss of the Gifts as well as the database. There is really nothing that slabakbk's crew can do except turn over the Federal DB. The only ray of sunshine is that they keep the Diplomatic Gifts.

Score: Slabakbg 0%; Digital-Wisdom 100%

slabakbg

Captain slabakbg's grabber's strategy is pretty straight-forward relying upon synergies to advance a Stealthy and/or Hacker-y approach as appropriate. It is quickly ascertained that the keeper's crew has seemingly fortified only one location with nothing but a Defensive Bunker. Knowing the Rhino's general specifications, the grabber's crew knows that they are evenly matched in personnel and cargo space.

Expecting nasty surprises like Vanguards, Velvet Storms and Kilbots, the grabber watches the keeper's defenses for quite some time. Eventually, however, he convinces himself that there are no Vanguards and Velvet Storms -- and likely no more than one Kilbot, if that. Unfortunately, the Defensive Bunker is a huge problem as he has no real way to deal with it.

Even landing his Quantum on top of the defenses with guns blazing is unlikely to be successful -- and is definitely suicidal. The Repentant Pirate decides that discretion is the better part of valor, orders more fuel from the interstellar market and heads on to greener pastures.

Without being harassed, the keeper's crew has all the time in the world to use the Federal Database to access the Secret Core.

Score: Slabakbg keeper 100%; Slabakbg grabber 0%

hooiyewlim

Captain hooiyewlim's strategy is straight-forward all-out attack scenario. Like the two most successful grabbers, he too is using a fully-upgraded Drachian Mantis. Unfortunately, his crew was so eager to ensure that they were the first group to attempt to grab the Federal Database from Captain slabakbg that they left the station with no cargo whatsoever. It is quickly ascertained that slabakbg's crew has seemingly fortified only one location with nothing but a Defensive Bunker. Knowing the Rhino's general specifications, hooiyewlim's crew knows that they probably have the same number of personnel but nearly twice the cargo space.

Expecting nasty surprises like Vanguards, Velvet Storms and Kilbots, hooiyewlim's crew watches the keeper's defenses for quite some time. Eventually, however, he convinces himself that there are no Vanguards and Velvet Storms -- and likely no more than one Kilbot, if that. Unfortunately, the Defensive Bunker is a huge problem as he has no real way to deal with it with no cargo.

Even landing his Mantis on top of the defenses with guns blazing is unlikely to be successful -- and is definitely suicidal. The grabber's crew decides that discretion is the better part of valor, orders more fuel from the interstellar market and heads on to greener pastures.

Without being harassed, the keeper's crew has all the time in the world to use the Federal Database to access the Secret Core.

Score: Slabakbk 100%; Hooiyewlim 0%

Recap

Captain slabkbg lands solidly in the middle of the pack tied with Captain raudell with three wins and two losses. Despite a fairly weak defense, he only lost when his forces were totally overwhelmed by 2+ Velvet Storms, 2+ Vanguards and 3+ Kilbots.

On the offensive side, Captain blockmonster's win gives him an insurmountable lead. He is, therefore, hereby declared the winner of the Grabber competition. Captain slabakbg's grabber loses again and he is counting on the two new keepers to save him from the embarrassment of being shut out (as is our newest entrant, Captain hooiyewlim).

Stay tuned for the final post tomorrow to see how that works out for him/them (and to see the final rankings and prizes).

	balticbadger	blockmonster	digital-wisdom	slabakbg	hooiyewlim	KEEPER TOTAL
apshamilton	100/0	100/0	0/100	100/0	100/0	80%
balticbadger	100/0	-50/40	-50/50	100/0	100/0	40%
blockmonster 1	100/0	0/100	50/50	100/0	100/0	70%
blockmonster 2	100/0	100/0	0/100	100/0	100/0	80%
digital-wisdom	100/0	100/0	0/100	100/0	100/0	80%
proto26	0/100	0/100	0/100	100/0	100/0	40%
raudell	100/0	0/100	0/100	100/0	100/0	60%
slabakbg	100/0	0/100	0/100	100/0	100/0	60%
hooiyewlim 1						0%
hooiyewlim 2						0%
GRABBER TOTAL	10%	44%	70 %	0%	0%