Test – Revenge, Brilliance or Stupidity?

2017-07-24

Fly my pretties!

July 22 saw the in game map light up from activity of pilots in space in the system of D-PN, which is the home of Test Alliance. Rumours had already been abound as a post was made on the Test forums advising that they were going to war. For many it was hoped that it would be to free Princess Cymek from the evil clutches of Triumvirate. Princess Cymek was the only good poster in Test alliance as can be seen here. The loss of such a good poster surely could not go unanswered for.

At the start of the Test operation, their target was unknown. Where exactly would Test be going and what would be their motivation to move against someone? INN’s very own Dracos Rhaghar followed the move and speculated on who the intended target of Test would be in this article. Rhagar’s analysis was quite reasonable but ultimately way off point. This is where this story gets a little bit more interesting.

You see, Rhagar’s article covered the people you would have expected Test to have gone after. Triumvirate have been less than diplomatic of late. This was evident from the comments from leaders of NC, PL and XIX. FCON had offered space and assistance to those mistreated by Triumvirate which suggested that FCON could be the target of Triumvirate’s increasing hostility. With the history of FCON and Test working with each other in the taking of space from Stain Wagon in the South it would seem a natural fit. Test have always liked to role play the “good guys” and this would be a chance for them to continue the narrative.

But Test kept going and going and going. The DRF were set blue by Test as can be seen here, so that ruled the DRF out. It is well known that ProGodLegend (Piggles) is known to be a master of wormholes so could this even be an attack on Jovian space?

With Test’s arrival in the system of MTO, which is held by BOSS of all people, Piggles announced the plan in greater detail. Test are going to be attacking GotG which is run by the completely trust worthy and totally not back-stabby Sort Dragon.

A road to nowhere.

The history that Test has with GotG is quite long and mainly involves the alliance Darkness, pronounced Dorkness, which is run by Sort Dragon. So there is plenty of substance to Test’s dislike of Dorkness and such a move would be completely justifiable, well at least on face value. However this move raises more questions when looked at in further detail.

Test are undoubtedly the muscle of The Legacy coalition, despite what Co2 would like to think. So with a full combat deployment to the North the combat strength of The Legacy has been greatly diminished in the South. Co2 probably had to stay behind in order to continue their war against The Imperium as well as to guard their precious moons. With Test on combat deployment, the holdings in the South for The Legacy Coalition have become more vulnerable to hostile actions from PL and NC. Although PL are likely going to be quite busy with the Alliance Tournament which starts this week and NC are likely going to be busy dealing with their latest corp addition Angry Dragons.

Questions surrounding the intentions of Triumvirate are still unanswered and there is still considerable scope as to what they will do next. Although further light on this could be shed when leaders of Triumvirate are scheduled to appear on the up and coming Meta Show on July 29. A show not to be missed.

It has been public knowledge that Test expended great effort in their “Manhattan Project”. A project created with the intention of allowing them the full escalation path to include the use of all capitals for combat operations. Perhaps this was a factor in their choice of target. Using caps against the likes of PL, NC, Tri or The Imperium would be probably a little ambitious. Especially given the inexperience that Test has in the use of such war machines. So it is possible that Dorkness was selected as only being able to field a certain capital escalation of a size that could be handled and offer Test the much-needed experience and training.

Again this is where it all gets a little odd. Dorkness have had pretty good ties with Pandemic Horde. Agreements even exist between the two entities not to attack each other’s miners. Dorkness alone have over 3000 member characters and they are but a single alliance in the GotG coalition. PH have in excess of 12000 members themselves. Test alliance in comparison have a mere 8000 or so. As with any combat deployment, it is also likely that many Test members will simply not head to the intended combat zone.

When you start to add in other elements into this then it gets even weirder. Test are staging very close to the homelands of PL and NC. PL and NC are the main reason why Test had to leave their homelands in Vale of the Silent which was supposed to be their tribute from their participation in The Casino War.

Rumours of deals being struck to ensure that Test’s campaign is not interfered with are hinted at in darker corners of Eve. But in a time starved of “content” one has to wonder how long these deals will hold up for.

The Test deployment is anticipated to only last a month. It has been advertised as a quick “burn” campaign, although by all accounts Dorkness sov is not to be attacked. Given the mechanics of citadels, you would have to wonder how a quick burn campaign is even possible to consider.

A few possibilities spring to mind here as to the rationale behind this move:

  • For Test to prove and develop their capital escalation path against an entity they think they have a chance against.
  • A trick by Triumvirate to enable them an unfettered attack against FCON.
  • A trick by PanFam to massacre the Test capital fleet.

These may seem a little ridiculous. But, consider that TEST are currently moving their combat component almost as far as possible from their homelands. They are doing this to fight, on paper, a comparably sized entity. This is without even taking into account Dorkness bat phone potential. All the while there is an imminent threat brewing closer to home. I guess when you look at it from that angle, anything is plausible.

It will certainly be interesting to see how this strategy of Test’s unfolds. It could lead to yet another moment when they are stabbed in the back or simply be a very uneventful deployment, as happened with their Delve campaign late last year.

As yet, no name seems to have been put forward for this war, if it can be even called that. So if you have a good name for this war, then please add it as a comment and let the voting begin. I would like to throw into the ring the following suggestions:

  • “The totally not a trap war”
  • “The war of over stretching yourself”
  • “The Hold My Beer war”

I look forward to your own suggestions.

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Comments

  • This should be fun 🙂

    July 24, 2017 at 7:18 AM
  • Rolfski

    Referring to Darkness as “Dorkness” just makes you look childish as a commentator, don’t go that way.

    As for TEST, it seems more like some lulz free roam to me, definitely not designed to go after sustainable objectives.

    July 24, 2017 at 12:35 PM
    • Moomin Amatin Rolfski

      Ah bless you dear. Trying to keep me on the straight and narrow still.

      Odd though that you only take exception to the use of “Dorkness”.

      Anyway I look forward to your future advice on how to write about an internet space ship game.

      July 24, 2017 at 4:49 PM
      • Rolfski Moomin Amatin

        Feel free to do with the feedback whatever you want. Not my problem if your credibility as an Eve commentator ends up as a joke.

        July 25, 2017 at 1:13 AM
        • Moomin Amatin Rolfski

          From your comments on my writings I would suggest that you have considered I have had no credibility for ages. Very hard to lose what you do not have.

          Anyway I look forward to these shallow and feeble attempts to have stories written the way you want them. Of course a remedy to this is for you to write your own.

          July 25, 2017 at 9:15 AM
          • Rolfski Moomin Amatin

            The fact that you’re doing a horrible job atm of building any credibility as an Eve commentator doesn’t mean you should keep pursuing this route. That would just qualify as insanity.

            July 25, 2017 at 8:28 PM
          • Moomin Amatin Rolfski

            Well you keep coming back dear. In fact you are probably my biggest fan given the number of comments you have left for me.

            July 26, 2017 at 5:33 AM
          • Rolfski Moomin Amatin

            Don’t flatter yourself, I’ve been checking this site probably longer than you have. In fact, I actually wrote a few articles for it at some point, so it’s not that I’m not aware of what it takes to be a decent commentator.

            July 26, 2017 at 3:27 PM
          • Moomin Amatin Rolfski

            Not sure I am being the delusional one here. I hate to break it to you that you are not the center of the Universe. You are just the center of your Universe. There is quite a big difference in this.

            I would ask you why you stopped writing articles, but your comment history made me considerably less interested in the answer.

            Anyhoo, how about you write what you like to read about and I will do the same for me. Then we have all the bases covered. Like a team yeah? 🙂

            July 28, 2017 at 12:10 AM
          • Rolfski Moomin Amatin

            Who said any thing about being centre of the universe? As a writer you either deal with commenter feedback and use that to your advantage or you don’t, in which case you should ask yourself if this is the job for you.

            Judging from your comments, you have a serious problem dealing with reader feedback, taking every criticism as a personal attack, to which you feel the need to respond as some though smart ass. I suggest you re-evaluate if this is for you.

            July 28, 2017 at 3:29 PM
          • Moomin Amatin Rolfski

            Weird. I write stuff. You then tell me that I should have written it differently. This is all with you apparent mind reading powers that “know” what I want to achieve.

            So I have some other news for you. I write for me and not for you. Also the comments are good fun at times. Especially where people are telling me what I should have done.

            So as much as it may distress you I will keep calling Dorkness Dorkness, Piggles is Piggles and Princess Cymek is of course Princess Cymek.

            July 30, 2017 at 1:29 AM
          • Rolfski Moomin Amatin

            You’re just basically confirming that here you can’t deal with criticism. This narrow-minded attitude of “I’m writing only for myself, so I shouldn’t do anything with feedback” is exactly the reason why you should reconsider writing. Obviously someone never thought you that feedback should actually be considered a gift that can help you to get better. Apparently you can’t be bothered with improving yourself. Instead, you keep seeing this all as a personal attack.

            July 30, 2017 at 5:32 PM
          • Moomin Amatin Rolfski

            You truly are the gift that keeps on giving.

            I can deal with valid criticism. But at this time I have not seen any. Simply stating that you do not like what I write and you think that I should do it differently in order to build up my writing credentials is terribly funny. You then try to swing this as some sort of defensive move on my part.

            So let me give you an example that may help you out here. Say I have dyed my hair ginger. You then say “I do not like ginger hair”. You see in this instance I do not care what you think of my beautiful ginger locks, I did it for me. But you also make your statement as if it is the only “truth” in existence. Whereas there are also others that think my ginger plumage is also lovely.

            I have to say you seem really familiar to me. You state that you can read peoples minds by making absurd claims about what they want or need. This is then followed up by attempts to prove how right you are and that others should do what you tell them to. The bit that would clinch the deal for me was if you were to write about how you were responsible for the death of goons during the Casino War.

            Anyhoo, really looking forward to your next reply in this amazing journey of you “helping” me improve myself.

            July 31, 2017 at 3:22 AM
          • Rolfski Moomin Amatin

            “I can deal with valid criticism. But at this time I have not seen any.” You’ve just proved my point.

            July 31, 2017 at 10:29 AM
          • Moomin Amatin Rolfski

            “Referring to Darkness as “Dorkness” just makes you look childish as a commentator, don’t go that way.”

            This was your initial criticism. So I think you actually just proved my point and then some.

            You see with your remark it is completely subjective. You did not like me using “Dorkness” and that is fine. You then go on to express how you feel it makes me look. Finally you tell me not to do it.

            So let me play out the same approach with your comments.

            Your comments are terrible. They are often poorly formed and lack clarity or evidence. For your own sake stop making comments or people with think you are a poopy head.

            Looking forward to your response as always.

            July 31, 2017 at 12:34 PM
          • Rolfski Moomin Amatin

            It’s not only your initial reaction. If you read back your over-the-top ‘reactions to comments it’s obvious you feel very personally attacked.
            While amusing for sure that’s just not a situation where you want to find yourself in as a regular commentator on the interwebs.

            August 1, 2017 at 8:26 PM
          • Moomin Amatin Rolfski

            My initial reaction being:

            “Ah bless you dear. Trying to keep me on the straight and narrow still.

            Odd though that you only take exception to the use of “Dorkness”.

            Anyway I look forward to your future advice on how to write about an internet space ship game.”

            Your error in this seems that you read that in a way that you wanted me to take it and not in the way I actually wrote it. If you were to re-read this as if it was from a dear long lost friend then your perception would be greatly altered.

            I have to also admit I am somewhat perplexed as to what is so “over-the-top ” about that comment. Care to enlighten me?

            August 2, 2017 at 3:36 AM
          • Rolfski Moomin Amatin

            See? Exactly what I mean. You’re taking it personally and are reacting if you need to proof something, trying somehow to be the smarter ass with borderline trolling comments (“..look forward to your future advice on how to write about an internet space ship game.”). That’s a typical quasi-hostile-disguised-as-sarcasm reaction from some one who feels he needs to counter-attack. You should never go that way imo as writer in respond to reader comments. Makes you look unprofessional and not in control.
            Anyway, you should have gotten my point by now. Do with it whatever you wish. This discussion is over as far as I’m concerned.

            August 3, 2017 at 1:15 AM
          • Moomin Amatin Rolfski

            No I do not see. The only thing I see is that I wrote a piece and you did not like it. In this you are welcome to do so. I then generally see that I have been incredibly patient with you despite you continuing with your initial hostile line. I have tried in very simple terms to explain to you in detail the failure of your logic and also your critique.

            The funniest bit about this is that your initial comment was an “attack”, at least using your definition. Now you seem to be upset about me pointing this out to you. You have failed to communicate in a meaningful manner throughout these comments. Instead you keep insisting that you must be right as I am being so hostile to you – lol.

            Anyway this has been fun. Not sure you can call it a discussion though, as for that to be the case both parties need to listen and I am far from convinced that you have.

            Your point was that you did not like me using Dorkness and that it made me look childish. Great point there. Very objective of you.

            My next piece should be out in a day or two. I continue to call Dorkness Dorkness so I look forward to seeing your fake rage in the comments section of that article.

            August 3, 2017 at 8:49 AM
          • Rolfski Moomin Amatin

            Whatever

            August 3, 2017 at 10:12 AM
          • Moomin Amatin Rolfski

            “This discussion is over as far as I’m concerned.”

            Then you continue to comment. Does this not strike you are a little odd? Almost as if you are desperate to have the last word so that you can claim some sort of victory.

            August 3, 2017 at 3:47 PM
  • Tedric

    The long pointless march war?

    July 24, 2017 at 3:15 PM
  • Tedric

    or just “Pointless”, after the BBC TV mindnummbbmbmbmbinly dull.

    July 24, 2017 at 3:16 PM
  • Marian Ollhoff

    tbh test and co2 are pretty much on par, we might have less pilots but the ones we have are more experienced and got a higher sp level. And we have remove kebab commander gigx.
    Well at least during eutz we are on par or maybe even slightly better, the only thing im worried about is ustz, since we have trouble to get even 100 dudes in fleet there.

    However i dont see a point in tests deployment besides possible content, but with panfams supers one region away its pretty risky. If they just wanted an even enemy to get content and train their pilots vanguard would have been the a better choice imo.

    Whats also pretty strange is that co2 got a conflict brewing up with solar fleet, and i think they are part of drf which test has set blue. Maybe test declaring gotg war is yet another ruse to move capitals and attack drf from two fronts? Co2 from south test from the north?

    On that imperium news talkshow about the moon changes i think aryth said that drf space benefits from these changes, so that could be a possible motivation, but i really doubt that legacy could hold dronespace and the current space…

    July 24, 2017 at 3:54 PM
    • Moomin Amatin Marian Ollhoff

      You have sacked Gigx (aka Giggles)?!? Perhaps you mean that he has stopped pretending to be an FC. Anyhoo I look forward to clarification on that point.

      But yes, this whole thing seems quite odd. We will have to see if it is a successful campaign for Test, or if it just fizzles out.

      July 24, 2017 at 4:54 PM
      • Marian Ollhoff Moomin Amatin

        Ah i meant the meme lol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB9WgR_N4h4 thats why i called gigx remove kebab commander xD

        July 24, 2017 at 5:06 PM
        • Moomin Amatin Marian Ollhoff

          I was worried there for a moment, as I am sure PL were as well. Without Giggles we would not have had self destructing mach fleets.

          July 25, 2017 at 9:16 AM
  • hurf

    I say good for TEST, at least they are doing something while everyone else is sitting on their hands. Hopefully they burn the mining and ratting alts of NCPL between the battles.

    If they have any success at all, lets see how long it takes the usual content leeches to move north.

    July 24, 2017 at 5:47 PM
  • waltari

    suicidal tendencies, but who cares anyway, isn’t it

    July 24, 2017 at 7:55 PM
  • Uncle Dunk

    The Northern War of Sovless Aggression

    July 24, 2017 at 8:52 PM
  • Piroko

    Deklein by August

    July 24, 2017 at 10:07 PM
  • Do ALOD’s have to be big?

    Because this 1600mm plate Chimera is something else: https://zkillboard.com/kill/63674221/

    July 24, 2017 at 10:30 PM
  • Somehow no matter what I do in EVE and no matter what era, I always end up fighting TEST.

    Is it just good luck, or is it fate?

    July 25, 2017 at 3:48 PM
  • Embrace the Krab.

    July 25, 2017 at 4:31 PM
  • Anonymous

    Operation Bad Dragon

    July 25, 2017 at 4:49 PM
  • aaron howell

    my pants are down please fuck me in the ass War

    July 27, 2017 at 3:04 PM
  • Blacko

    “Next stop delve”

    July 27, 2017 at 9:48 PM
  • ThrowingDeep

    Operation Capslock TEST

    July 31, 2017 at 11:16 PM
  • eMtoN

    The Trail of Beers

    ‘Cause whoever thought this was a good idea is drunk

    August 2, 2017 at 5:02 AM