I would like it see it possible one day to setup up an 'ambush' game mode where the defending territory sends out clones to attack the inbound forces.

While risking clones and a second battle, if the defenders win the attack is repelled if there is insufficent clones to continue. If the defenders lose the attackers will arrive still and would have suffered clone losses on thier own end.

Attacking forces set thier timer per attack on when they can be ambushed and this is publically viewable in attacker infomration but the defender does not have to take advantage of it.

Had a short talk on IRC hammering out the idea a bit more.

Ambuses will take place in the 'outskirts of {Target Disctict} and for all interaction purposes will be basically in the same district when it comes to properties and orbital interactions.

This form of ambush is a bit special, the attackers would have defensive positions and location on the map.

There are more CRUs than normal and they are controlled by the attackers by default.

Basically even if moving though space, they have to pre-stage somewhere to setup to prepare to attack the district this is where it can be explain on why the attacker can setup thier timer of vunerability.

Defenders don't have to ambush but if they choose the clones they send are not going to be comming home.

Defenders only goal is to clone out as many attacker clones as possible.

Timer is arbitary but probably explained on how long they can keep the tac net sattelight overhead.

Defenders will lose all clones sent regardless of win or lose.

If time runs out and attackers still have more than enough clones to finish the attack, its considered a draw.

Number of attacking clones available is equal to the post transportation costs.

Attackers will lose clones of what gets killed.

Additionally any CRU destroyed or captured by end of the match will net additional clone losses. Any CRU held by the attackers will not penalize the attackers. Appox 10 clones lost per CRU captured or destroyed.

If attackers lose more than minimally required to attack a district the attack is then canceled.

If defenders send evereything and not repel the attack the district automatically flips control to attackers.

Normal skill points apply. Salvage may apply nomrally but may not for the defenders. Normal kill rewards apply.

No other penalties or clones raided that will be handeled by the target district's condition.

Okay, i get that.

But let's get back to holding districts. Please do check my previous post #102.

If attacking is profitable. Why hold back and not take the district ? Even if you decide to not hold it in the future, the way attacker regen clones compared to defender will make it quite easy to wear off the defender even when losing as much fight as you win. So that "bonus" district will generate ISK and clones you can use to refill other districts until you lose it. So why, WHY go "meh, not gonna take it". It's not like it costs you money to lose it if you dont want it.

AFAIK, in any conquest game the defender as the advantage on the BF due to defensive positions. In PC, it wont be the case. So fight will be played on a leveled playing field but the result of winning a battle wont be as good for defenders as it will be for attackers :

=> Defending district is locked
=> Defending district cannot get reinforcement from another district between fights
=> Defending district doesnt get clone regen when losing
=> Defending district gets a 50% of the remaining clones above 150 when defeating the attackers. (which will imo never happend)

=> Attacking districts gets 50% of the Clone production when winning (Which production ? the one of the next RT ? The one of the RT during which the battle happens ? A purely virtual clone production ?)
=> Attacking districts gets clone regen no matter the outcome of the battle
=> Attacking district has insta-move of clones when attacking, allowing next RT to refill clone launched in attack. Already preparing the follow up attack.
=> Attacking districts can get clones from friendly districts between two battles
=> Attacking district has dibs hour

Isnt that list explicit enough on how unbalanced both parts of a territorial fight are ? My point is that a successfully defended district gets the perk to..... work as intended. And even that isnt true as it can be locked immediately through the attacker dibs hour... Kind of a bitter victory right ?

Why not add a safe time for defenders so they can refill their district when they win a fight ? Either from genolution or friendly district ?
Why not make the clone stealing based on the the remaining clone even below 150 ? So defenders are guaranteed (unless mass suicide, that can happen) to steal some clones.
Why not offer defenders to turn part of the biomass from the fight into back up clones ?
Why not raise overall clone count, minimal clone movement etc.. to incentive bigger batle, bigger ISK sink, bigger stealing for defenders when winning ? If attacker is GUARANTEED to steal 35 clones when winning, why should it be any different for defenders, worse, why shouldnt defenders get more knowing attacker will get its clone regen when losing ?


Defenders need to be treated better. And that isnt incompatible with giving incentive to attack. I'd even say it's better if you got incentive to attack AND a real challenge in taking a district instead of just pounding it over and over.