Comments on: The number of incoming drones made a bigger difference to the outcome https://www.isegoria.net/2024/04/the-number-of-incoming-drones-made-a-bigger-difference-to-the-outcome/ From the ancient Greek for equality in freedom of speech; an eclectic mix of thoughts, large and small Sun, 21 Jun 2026 12:42:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6.1 By: Phileas Frogg https://www.isegoria.net/2024/04/the-number-of-incoming-drones-made-a-bigger-difference-to-the-outcome/comment-page-1/#comment-3680234 Phileas Frogg Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:10:46 +0000 https://www.isegoria.net/?p=51058#comment-3680234 As advances in weapon’s have improved the range and effectiveness of the individual soldier’s impact on the battlefield, the number of soldiers has increased in importance relative to the quality of any individual soldier.

It’s the Thermopylae Principle in reverse because of weapons advancements.

Reminds me of RTS balancing, where to effectively implement melee units developers need to give them either unrealistic speed or durability relative to the ranged capabilities of units in the game. In essence, every RTS with Melee units is just shellacking various sci-fi/fantasy paintjobs over an medieval car, and your melee units are just Knights and Men at Arms marching on javelins and bowmen.

Few RTS’s have managed a genuine modern formula of war effectively, and don’t seem particularly popular relative to their medieval counterparts, with notable exception (Supreme Commander, Planetary Annihilation Titans, Men of War Assault Squad…)

I think we’re naturally inclined to think on medieval/classical tactical principles. Modern War meanwhile is something of an inversion.

]]> By: Bob Sykes https://www.isegoria.net/2024/04/the-number-of-incoming-drones-made-a-bigger-difference-to-the-outcome/comment-page-1/#comment-3680223 Bob Sykes Thu, 18 Apr 2024 12:43:00 +0000 https://www.isegoria.net/?p=51058#comment-3680223 Calling Mohamed Farrah Aidid’s militia a mob is a bit much, but they were lightly armed and poorly trained. However, they defeated the US/UN mission to Somalia, or at least fought it to a draw.

We’re still fighting Aidid’s grandchildren, and we still haven’t won. The war is now in its 4th decade, with no end in sight. Settling aside our Indian Wars (1607 to 1918). Somalia is the longest US war.

]]> By: McChuck https://www.isegoria.net/2024/04/the-number-of-incoming-drones-made-a-bigger-difference-to-the-outcome/comment-page-1/#comment-3680209 McChuck Thu, 18 Apr 2024 10:11:52 +0000 https://www.isegoria.net/?p=51058#comment-3680209 Anybody who has ever played a wargame can tell you that your defenses can handle a certain amount of opposition, but when enemy numbers, regardless of quality, exceed that number, you get overrun.

The mobs in Mogadishu back in 1993 weren’t well organized, weren’t well equipped, weren’t well trained, and weren’t well led. But there sure were a whole lot of them shooting at the Rangers.

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