http://on-her-korhal.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] on-her-korhal.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2010-10-04 09:48 am
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Macro-tactics, Monday

"Scaling back from the more obviously practical things," Kerrigan said, eyes darting around the class, challenging anyone to even think of the weekend. "We're going to be starting in on resource management. Because it doesn't matter how much firepower you personally have - if you haven't got money, food, or water, you are SOL. The first thing you're going to need to do if you go to war is figure out exactly how much you're going to be out on food and water, blankets and tents. The more men you employ, the more resources you're going to be out on. Sometimes, that's an argument towards keeping on a smaller, cleverer force."

Or you could just go Zerg and acquire an endless supply of dispensible labour, but... "So that's number one." She wrote it up on the blackboard. "Secondly, what guns do you have at your disposal? How much is it going to cost you to manufacture enough for your entire army? If you have specialist units, how much does their equipment cost? Thirdly, transportation costs - are your guys walking, or do you have some form of transportation that's more effective but costs you more? Fourth - communications. One of the most important resources at your disposal. How much cash are you going to lose on making sure you can stay in contact with all your man? And, of course, everyone's favourite fifth: R&D. Are you going to attempt to create new weapons to more quickly overpower the enemy, or will you be pumping all of your money into your standing forces, and hope simple numbers will overwhelm any attempts at creativity from the other side?"

She tapped the blackboard. "All of these things you have to consider before you go to war," she said. "And all of them define the strategy you're going to use. Think long and hard about what you're good at, and how much money or other resources you've got at your disposal. Nobody wins a war with nothing."

"Now, I want you all to pick a partner. Talk about what makes your people strong, what you'd focus on when engaging in a war. What points would you have to spend on, and what points would you cut at? And remember: bad prep can lose a war. Good prep doesn't necessarily win it. Get to it."