Join the new world

Supporting the Small (There's Pills for That)

...it was necessary. But what is this about? The SHIELD contest, of course! The constant gripe with the game is that as most contests are simply pure damage contests, the larger countries get periodic boosts to continue whipping the small countries at will. However, the SHIELD contest actually benefited some of the smaller nations a bit. As it was based on a percentage of damage rather than purely a number, smaller, more controlled nations racked up large bonuses, while usually powerful countries such as Serbia, which only got the Level 1 shield, struggled to get the massive and old population organized. Many younger players were able to rise up to the top of their respective nations, inspiring babies to keep playing. Well, played, Plato! At least this is better than simply damage contests, right?

Though the damage will obviously not last months like some nations may hope, it will still give a nice boost in a few short term battles, and may help some countries ward off attack for awhile, such as first place winner Estonia, carefully sitting idle with former rival Finland sitting to its north. As the shields factor into resistance wars as well, large empires such as Serbia and Hungary won't see much benefit, but it may turn out to be helpful for those countries with a few meager regions and worried about holding any come congress time. Whatever short and long term benefits there may be, it was still sorta fun. TOP 50 COME AT MEEEE 😛

The Hungarian Collapse

Since when can CoT fight? Apparently, they can. With limited success in kicking Serbia out of USA, and the Serbian empire rebuilt for the most part, CoT Headquarters shifted its focus to the more fragile Hungarian empire, and the results were astounding. Starting with timed resistance wars in America, Russia, Mexico, and Ukraine, a very successful series of campaigns resulted in Hungary being broken, losing their fragile bridge to the American-Russian resistance, while CoT forces are on the verge of sealing Hungary prime from its empire. Americans have already freed up the West Coast, moving in on Nevada, while also holding Far Eastern Russia, where the first attack was launched almost an eternity ago. In Mexico, the capital has been liberated, with the Yucatan Peninsula selectively left in Hungarian control to prevent Colombian interference.

Hungary still holds a sizable chunk of America, still holds a path between Hungary and the empire, and generally still is quite a force to reckoned with. But like its Serbian brother to the south a month ago, the empire is quickly crumbling. Serbia, with its experience and proximity to its holdings, is able to recover relatively quickly. But whether relatively new powerhouse Hungary can manage its empire that includes American regions remains to be seen.

The Serbian Revival

Speaking of the Serbians, most active and aware players knew of the banning of Hanibal LA, at the time the Serbian president, along with Plato seizing millions of stolen CC and hundreds of gold that originally belonged to the country. Weakened, the Croat-let resistance struck into Serbia, famously taking Belgrade at its greatest extent, with wishes of a Serbian wipe. However, the credit cards and superior numbers that Serbia possesses ensured that defeat was temporary but dashing. Croatia wisely accepted defeat and retreated back to India with pride and glory over 'Crograde', while Bosnia and Albania attempted to make the most of their limited options with a resurgent Serbia, wiping Montenegro in an easy affair, though Bosnia has since been defeated. Serbia has also rebuilt their landbridge to Tuscany, and Poland is preparing a path into Aquitaine for their ally. It appears that the Serbian empire is soon rebuilt, but it gives hope for the resistance that defeating Serbia can be done. But can Croatia and its allies defeat Serbia without such serendipity? (By the way, Serbia's capital is Pristina...heh)

Woe of the Underdogs

Though obviously there is a great appeal for holding original regions in the Balkans (and *insert KOSOVO IS * here), Croatia, Albania, and Bosnia still hold regions in the safezone of India, where they are limited in military opportunities but have safe congress. The other two occupied countries, Italy and France, however, are not so lucky.

Both nations have bravely and stubbornly refused peace deals from their occupiers, citing insufficient regions (France wanted saltpeter or rubber, for instance), humiliating offers, and simply being unwilling to work with the enemy. Noble, perhaps, but it's rendered both nations unable to do much in their current status, divided amongst powerful occupiers. However, Italy has saved up an airstrike, and France is on its way to funding its own. Perhaps such moves will be a future possibility?

Armistice

Argentina and Chile have been feuding for years. Back in the day when Argentina was in EDEN and Chile was in Terra, disputes and lack of trust caused Chile to leave. Ever since, the two have been fighting like a divorced couple. As Argentina has been the perennial power in the south, Chile mostly was wiped. Of course, with the recent skyrocket in population and time to grow, Chile has been able to fight on par with the Argentinians, wiping them as much as getting wiped. However, with Argentina nearly wiped, Peru fully liberated, and Brazil nearly rebuilt as well, the Argentinians and Chileans have signed a cease fire.

The treaty (in Spanish, you sad sacks, so grab your Paraguayan friend) can be found here, essentially stating that the two sides would stop their NEs and not fight until at least early October, with 1000 gold at stake. With the interesting dynamic of Argentina being blocked since they fight Chile, one of Spain's friends, this is certainly an intriguing development. Though obviously either side could decide to be dishonorable and break the truce, the obvious desire is to have peace at least momentarily. If it holds, it's very possible that the two sides in the conflict will finally make peace, or that it'll simply force the two nations to fight other countries that they didn't sign treaties with. It's a bit too early to tell, but certainly noteworthy. C'mon Turkey and Bulgaria, your turn now 😑

Indian Conflict

India and Croatia have an interesting history. Frustrated with Serbia's might and the infeasibility with fighting for congress every month, the Croats rented Indian regions back in the days of EDEN, when India was a member of the trial alliance, GEA (Garden of EDEN Alliance). During a war with Thailand, communication breakdowns and insults thrown on both sides turned India from a supportive meatshield blocking Thais to a rebel trying to kick the Croats out. Obviously, as seen by today, it wasn't successful for the Indians, who have for the most part been occupied by Croatia and, later, their pals.

With the SHIELD competition, India and Croatia started a training war in an attempt to support getting higher ranks in the competition. However, once again, issues in the RWs have Croatia wiping India for the time being. Perhaps India wouldn't be as much of a hot topic (no offense Hamturk 😉), but the monkey wrench is India's relations with CoT. After the initial calamity with Croatia, India attempted to join CoT, then one of the rival alliances. However, their low damage and awkward positioning didn't make a great case for acceptance. Despite this, India has still made friends with Bulgaria, Macedonia, and the like, signing MPPs. Besides old conflicts such as Bulgaria kicking Croatia out of Mexico, Croatia's occupation of India is undoubtedly one of the issues separating two potentially great tagteam duos from each other. Perhaps peace will be made, or perhaps not, but India remains occupied.

War for Scotttyland

I'll be biased here and say that I love Aussies (hiii Molly \o/), so I tend to favor them and stay in the know. Australia stayed without an alliance for the longest time, and dabbled in forming its own alliance with NaN, a group of small nations that can't fend for themselves on their own that unfortunately has fallen to shambles after both founders' departure. They have since come mostly to terms with New Zealand and joined TWO as an ACT member. Using their newfound damage, they went to war to push the Indos out of their territory.

Of course, Indonesia has far greater damage, so for better or for worse, the Indos have been set. However, with TWO hegemony looking feasible, support flooded for the Aussies, taking Java, charmingly christened Scotttyland for the great warrior of eons (re: months) past. However, the Aussies have struggled as of late due to damaged being siphoned elsewhere to keep the empires alive. With little help coming and a wipe imminent, it's Australia's next move. FLATTY YOU SUCK

Little Filipinos

Did you notice? Philippines is back on the map! The Asian nation long wiped by China and Indonesia has reportedly made a deal to get Philippines regions and most likely congress. For the small nation struggling to keep its remaining numbers, this is a great step for them. Not sure what the terms are, but whatever the case, Philippines has congress~



If there's anything else I should write about, lemme know 🙂

Until next time, take care!

---

Archives here