The Trail of Tears
Bagehi
Flash forward two years to the next major relocation I remember. It was during the Second Great War. Haargoth had just pressed the button and a massive train of carriers and dreads were moving across the south towards Delve. POSes were slightly broken at the time, so the convoys were repeatedly halted to save random capital ships that were suddenly and unexpectedly attacked by alliance/blue POSes. It was a multi-hour long nightmare fraught with unexpected roadblocks, but also a far sight easier than it had once been. The sheer number of carriers moving ships and equipment to the front was a dramatic shift from move ops during previous years. It was the beginning of 2009 and the suitcase carrier was becoming a phenomenon, however, other broken mechanics were still a constraint.
The following years saw capital ships became increasingly prevalent. Power projection increased, as did the number and capabilities of super capitals, coalitions rose and fell. Suitcase move ops became a near perfect science for some groups, while others struggled.
2012 saw yet another op, commonly referred to as the Trail of Tears, where CFC forces moved from the north to the south, over a period of many hours. It was a trail of tears primarily due to stupidity and drunkenness. However, their constraints were primarily their own, not based in game mechanics. Other groups were making a habit of moving across fairly wide swaths of space in under an hour of time.
Much to the delight of CCP Greyscale, no doubt, this recent move op has shown that there is now a significant risk to move operations. Black Legion slowed Pandemic Legion’s move to a crawl by harrying the fleet the entire 19 gate distance. Significant levels of metagaming were also used to create stragglers that could be pounced upon and killed. What would have taken 30 minutes at most in the past, stretched for four hours and cost half a dozen capitals and much patience.
So, assuming you aren’t in one of the Legions and haven’t had the pleasure/misfortune of a post-Phobe op, the suitcase carrier isn’t dead. It is significantly neutered, but it remains the best way to relocate your assets. Mission successful, CCP Greyscale. You jerk.
About the author
Bagehi
Bagehi is a lazy vet, which is similar to a bitter vet, but without the vitriol.
