Editor’s note: Written in real-time, we’ve left this battle report as it came in, with all the intensity of a first-person present-tense account.
INN already reported on the background for the events about to unfold here. In the simplest of terms, bad guys (Snuff) are attacking good guys (friends of Space Pope – Max Singularity). As you would expect from Snuff shenanigans were already in play with this post on Reddit.
As the timer approached it was apparent that Snuff were serious, as they deployed capital ships. The titans will easily be able to apply enough DPS to stop the Sotiyo from repairing, while the carriers and FAXs will handle the defending sub caps on grid.
22:45 repair was paused at 25m 18s: grid at the time
22:50 – 1260 in local – caps are Snuffs –
By 23:00 the Sotiyo (Basgerin – Children’s Orphanage) is still in pause from the firepower of the Snuff capitals.
The number of pilots in system rising to near 1400 –
23:05 – still over 80% on the hull remaining – timer still paused at 25m 18s
Local is 1391.
Defending forces are trying to coordinate attacks using local chat – the wisdom of which should probably be questioned.
The Snuff caps are simply killing what they like, with fighters, and then applying damage to the Sotiyo with titans. To call this a slaughter would be fair.
Efforts by the defenders are compounded by not being set blue (friendly) to each other, given their history and the simple complexity.
23:25 The Sotiyo remains under assault and is now at around 60% remaining on structure. Defenders are having trouble dealing with the SNUFF capital forces.
23:30 – 1200 in local still but the number of ships on grid had dropped.
The Snuffed capitals are still controlling the field while only losing a few seconds on the Sotiyo repair timer.
The battle relies on the ability of the defenders to negate the fighters from Snuff carriers. Also the ability of Snuff to replace the fighters being key. But as of now, SNUFF look in a strong position. Unless the defenders have a route to escalate, or can deal with the fighters, then the fate of the Sotiyo looks grim.
23:40 – The Sotiyo is nearing 50% remaining on structure. The repair timer slipping only slightly to 25 mins remaining.
23:50 – 1032 now in local –
Grid still very much under Snuff control. The Sotiyo is below 50% structure remaining.
23:55 – local falling to 995 – The Sotiyo grid is pretty clear of active defenders, but not of their wrecks.
00:00 – Like a cat with a dead mouse, Snuffed Out continue to maintain control of the field.
00:05 – Max Singularity (AKA Space Pope) was seen in local chat.
00:10 – Closing on the remaining 10% of the Sotiyo now. The field still remains relatively quiet, given the earlier pace.
Tidi has been a non-issue, given the numbers and the constant deployment of fighters.
At 00:12 The Sotiyo was destroyed.
“Lady Darth Karnage” in a Rorqual seemed to be assisting Snuffed in the looting operation.
At 00:20 local was still at 720 or so.
People trying to loot are being farmed, as that is the nature of Eve. Here is a battle report of sorts. Although I will happily confess I gave up trying to decide who went where.
Yet again proof that N+1 is not applicable in New Eden. The outnumbered Snuffed Out had a plan and stuck to it. With the defenders not being a cohesive entity, their chance of a capital escalation path was remote.
What next for the respective participants? Will SNUFF continue their extortion model in dealing with New Eden’s new economy? We will continue to keep you up to date with events as they happen.