Welcome to Cove

The old idea's thread has died down a fair amount, and I feel that it's time for a clean thread to work on!

There are a few changes in the works for the Dragoons, but I'd like to know from everyone what they feel would improve/entice them to the Dragoons. ;)

Currently being discussed:

• More Dragoons (Seem a few current aspirants!)
• More Dragoon Events (Jousts/Races/Etc)
• More Dragoon Specific Roles (Expeditionary forces etc)

Hmm.... More Dragoons to start with.
I only know of Hoagie, Flina and Nich'.
Richard is heading that way but could take a while

We're working on the new dragoons part. This is what the thread will do, tell us what you want to see so it generally becomes more appealing. Anyone can discuss in this thread, but keep it civil.

More dragoon based events is what I want to see...Horse races, joust..etc..

Dragoon headquarters needs updating, make it more user friendly

you know me Thomas.... The only reason I haven't been in UO is because I can't get on. 

Don't think there should be too many Dragoons, that just shows that those who are dragoons are the best in combat, and only few are priviledged to be one.  One thing I'd like to see is that the Dragoons should be the "Discplinary force" to be elite in combat the Dragoons must be disciplined.  It should be partly the Dragoons responsibility to help spread that through the army. 

Also the Dragoons could be expeditionary as well.

Examples of Roles:

The Normal Army is the main force that comes after the other squads do their jobs.  A reason why most don't stay in is because they're one dimensional.

The Scouts: Assassinate, scouts, and infiltrate the enemy fortress's.

The Grenadiers: Protect the Baron, Elite fighting force, and Sappers.

Dragoons: First in the battle, most people don't think they'll last long in the Dragoons because they charge first and they don't want to be the only Dragoon that dies.

Roles Dragoons Should Have:

Dragoons: Should be the first to explore lands, Act as scouts when none are present, First in too battle. 

By exploring I mean that Dragoons should land by boat on enemy, contested, or other lands should stay in those lands, and live off supplies, build a settlement, explore the lands, raid enemy areas.  It doesn't only have to be the Dragoons but they would be the leaders in operations such as that.  When it's all complete the Dragoons and whatever force they brought with them take a ship back home, and that's the only time they can leave.  It would be kind of interesting as no other guild has attempted something like this.

Though there's the decay problem, you can just have the people stay on the boat, in the native village, or camp outside, and every morning the people would be tasked with patrolling, hunting, reinforcing defenses.  Pretty much the same stuff they did back in Cove just living in different conditions.  Reinforcements come after a day and a battle can take place, a raid can take place, gathering supplies, trading.  There's so much you could do with something like that.

At least 10 people should be involved to prevent people from getting bored.

I ain't seen you in ages, why can't you get online?

I agree with what  you said, it would be great fun to do a 24 hour raiding/scout party before a battle.
And as far as haveing more people, i agree that we should not have so many that it just becomes a common thing, but we still need more to make events run smothely.

Here's what I think The Dragoons can be besides the destroy enemy force.

Should Be The Best On All Types Of Terrain:

The Dragoons should learn and train on all types of terrain.  Like Mountainous, Plains, Forest, Urban, Beach Landings, Desert, or Naval.  Since The Dragoons are always the first in they should be the ones best trained too adapt to all terrain.

Like in closed spaces the dragoons can't run much so they have to rely on staying with a partner or close to the main block.  Running to finish an enemy off then comming back for a heal.

Dragoons Should Be The Expeditionary Force:

Once in a while The Dragoons should set out from Cove, and set up a settlement for multiple reasons.  To scan the field of combat, and suggesting strangle points on the enemy.  Like a bottleneck or high terrain wear melee can't reach archers.  Maybe to set up a place of trade.  Once your character has been knocked in combat your char will be considered wounded and sent back to cove, and you won't be able to return until The Baron decides to reinforce the settlement or the battle takes place.  After being at the landing point for an hour,there will be an(OOC: Cease Fire until a raid or defense is agreed upon by Cove and the opposing guild.)  During this time the expeditionaries will relax, do patrols or what have you.  While on patrol being the rules of ceasefire doesn't exist.  So if you run into another group on patrol you might be sent home sooner than you thought.

Here's an example

The Dragoons have been ordered to take a landing point for a campaign against the enemy.  Three Dragoons, and 11 Guardsmen land on the beach.  A battle takes place on the beach or landing point, and Cove wins.  Cove loses 4 Guardsmen, and 1 Dragoon.  Those five are sent back too Cove along with a request for 5 replacements.  While this goes on Cove contructs defenses, and defends against further attacks losing 3 more guardsmen.  Leaving 2 Dragoons, and 4 Guardsmen.  Once Baron Octy sees the notice he sends in reinforcements, and some supplies for defenses and food.  Then another battle takes place.

Outcomes:

Cove successfuly raids the supplies and return to the base with minimum casualties.

Cove takes a tole and retreats to the base with a devastating loss of guardsmen.

Cove's attempt was failure and the Covians was sent back home to a very unhappy baron.



I think this would make people look forward to being a dragoon, because you don't have to lead but you are an important part of this.  As each Dragoon will be in charge of something.  Whether it be Raids, Defense, Supplying, or Patrolling.  Really think we should give this a try.  The Dragoons will be the top priority to keep alive as they will be the only ones that have been briefed on when and where to do stuff.

Hope you guys don't mind a little Grenadier input.

I think the Dragoons need to start by being more visible, thus creating some interest in the squad which can then lead to the sort of ideas Kurt is talking about.

I agree with Mela/Flina that maybe a jousting competition or horse races in and around Cove with other guardsmen and civilians as spectators.

Maybe a Dragoon open day/introductory training session along with specialised Dragoon trainings like the Scouts and Grenadiers do?

Mentoring too! How many aspiring Dragoons are there?

You gotta get the squads core ideals across and let people know what you guys are about - we need you top class skirmishers!

Good luck!

Well im bringing an old face back and hes either gona be a Dragoon or a scout most likely a dragoon if i pass the trials.
But yeah need to show faces more.

I remeber a training session Nich did like in June when i first came back.
Was when members were low but we still got a  decent income of troops,more events advertises recruits fer certain sqauds

There's a differance between Dragoon Honor and Samurai Honor Dem.  The Samurai's during battle would look to die.  That way they wouldn't hesitate to kill the enemy or run into swords.

As i said a better understanding, never sai it was the same a samurai if they lost there honour would commit rtual sucuide with an oiled dagger (Hiri-kiri) Basically ritual sucide

Eh adding my 2 Baht. hmm so thats what Dragoons are eh?? or the idea behind em. This idea of Dragoons going in and leading groups from the army sounds kewl. makes me think liek they are non-com officers.

Well Dragoon's act as several thing's first into battle was actually a Grenadier saying, and some idea's been taken not to fussed,Dragoons are skirmisher's really and they work well more of the recruitment and trainign Session's needed to raises activity,alot of people come to the Grenadier's again cause of how active we are, there's only two dragoon' active at the moment so really need some moe to boost the rank's more Spamming events and taking on more apprentices

I still consider myself active on the boards, but it takes a while to get in game.

What's that? you'de like to see more Joey?

That's right, im back baby so get logging in Dragoons and lets get something going.

As Dragoons are meant to be at the Peak of Physical Fitness i think we should do...

Personal Physical Training!!

Once a week or when ever you are bored, Do a few laps of covianshire, some circuit training the grand arena.
No need to make it into a training session, just do some rp.
Grab any Dragoons or other lowly personal and do some training once a week and post your progress on a special thread on the Dragoon Boards.

Just some fun, what you all think?

Sounds like a plan, pick a day and get everyone there

Well... i know ive been away for a while... money not allowing etc. etc..

well ladies and gents, the funds have returned and I, Anari am here to pwwwwn you all... ready? xD

GO!

(that is... if you'll have me back? :o)

oh yeah ! and a new comp + 8 meg BB means no more lag for me... so i can be a non-sucky dragoon now... what say you?!

I'm all for it as long as you never say "pwwwwwn" again :p

Welcome back!

"What do you want to see in the Dragoons?"

ANARI!

Alot more of you!

Thats the spirit hoagie! xD

Well I am back... but... well.. half back.

I downloaded Mondains Legacy cause i lost my CD, took 4 and a half hours... and the f'ing installer didnt work... so i dotta download it again.. on 8% atm.. estimated 6 hrs and 24 mins left >.<

Ill be back...!

[eventually]

The idea of the squad was to be able to work as a small unit of elite guardsmen in pairs instead of large groups. The original squad was to be locked at 8 members MAXIMUM, 4 pairs of 4, and trained to work with their partner or with the other members of the squad, that's why recruitment was strict, It's a squad, not an army on a recruitment drive.

I say we focus on getting the squad back to how it was meant to be, though the jousting sounds fun  ;)

While I agree that we shouldn't recruit any old fool, and should work towards being the elite of the elite, I don't think that locking the squad at a particular number is a good idea. We're only a small part of a much larger guild, and I don't think "Sorry, we're full" is going to encourage anyone to join, even if a spot does open up.

What if someone goes away, someone takes their spot, and the other person comes back to find their place taken by Joe Bloggs? All I can really see it doing is creating bad blood.

Edit: And to be more productive, rather than me just stopping at "I don't like that", we should talk on ICQ about how to train/improve tactics in the Squad. I'm always willing to admit that you could kick my butt in the arena 98/100 times.

Just thinking about the whole paired combat thing. Could establish who's paired to who and add it to the Dragoons info in the Contacts and members thread? We could then start working with partners when their on in trainings and stuff. Would be a nice bit of rp as well. Could even start tournies between pairs, bit of combatision.

When was the last Dragoon training session, if I may ask ?

I would like to see the Dragoon's, as skirmisher's again away from the central block, or able to break away from it .

Hoagie and I are still in the process of discussing the Dragoons as a whole, and seeing if parts of it need reinventing or updating. Once we decide on a clear focus for the squad, then you can be sure there will be lots of Dragoon themed events. :)

I'de like to see more use of our fabulous new tower that our esteemed founder paid alot of money for  ;D

*Plants traps around the goon tower*