So MC and Tri Disband

[Sharkith]

Mercenary Coalition disbanding was not a great shock. However the event poses so may questions about the viability of Mercenary Forces in 0.0 that the mind numbs. Was the super capital fleet the right path to choose for a mercenary force?

Sure there can be no doubt that the Mercenary Coalition conducted one of the most memorable and devastating attacks ever seen in Eve on D2 but how sustainable was that strategy for the long term?

I really am not sure what to make of it. The problem is where does a Merc force go in eve now? How viable is the profession if you cannot bring capitals to the table?

It seems CCP has erected a very large wall around 0.0 in the form of big ships.

As for Tri - that was also quite a sad thing to see. When good Alliances fold it leaves you wondering what is the point...

[LordjOX]

I've not been active in EVE for the last few months, but what the hell? MC and TRI have been those alliances that caused alot of noise in and around EVE.

Yeah, MC I could see disbanding since 0.0 warfare now needs so many numbers. But TRI where pretty big, although their philosophy was to not have any friends...

Does this show that a small elite mercenary alliance in 0.0, just isn't viable ?

[taB]

MC roller coastered the North when they were ahead of the curve with cap ships. The problem is that now even the small alliances can field large numbers of these. This means that MC would still work as a merc force but not as a solo operation. They shot themselves in the foot by trying to take space and claiming they were still mercs. If they had remained unbiased, they would still be viable as whoever hires them needs to know that they have no agenda of their own. A good neutral merc force still has a role I believe. MC appeared to be universally well regarded while it's neutrality in the reasons behind conflicts was maintained.

Tri had a bust up between the carebears and the PvPers. PvPers left and the whole thing imploded. Stuff could probably have been reconciled but one corp blew up another's mothership and that kind of prevented it . Lots of whinging about moons going on too.

Just realised my sub has lapsed and my skill has finished training. Damn.

[Sharkith]

Originally Posted by taB

A good neutral merc force still has a role I believe.

I suspect this means Mercs need to see themselves as support rather than the spearhead which is what MC aimed to achieve?

[taB]

If the client wants them to be the spear-head it's not a problem. Being a Merc is about achieving someone else's goals, not your own. Once you create your own goals outside of a contract there is the potential for conflict. At that point are you working for yourself or a client? In essence; are you really a mercenary?

A sign of a good merc force is someone you have been hired against in the past considering hiring you for a job of their own. This will only happen if they see you both as an effective force and as an impartial entity.

[Sharkith]

yup thats a good point Tab - for some reason MC thought they needed the logistics and resources that 0.0 gave them to maintain their operation. I read this in some of their posts a while ago whilst they were trying to justify the move to 0.0. I have to say it wasn't that convincing.

Mind you sometimes figuring out what the other person wants can be tricky.

[LordjOX]

Originally Posted by taB

If the client wants them to be the spear-head it's not a problem. Being a Merc is about achieving someone else's goals, not your own. Once you create your own goals outside of a contract there is the potential for conflict. At that point are you working for yourself or a client? In essence; are you really a mercenary?

A sign of a good merc force is someone you have been hired against in the past considering hiring you for a job of their own. This will only happen if they see you both as an effective force and as an impartial entity.

Spot on- Mercenaries should do whatever the highest bidder wants them to do.
No doubt 0.0 has made MC more viable economically though.