Questions tagged [warfare]
Use this tag for questions about engagement in or the activities involved in war or conflict, including about military structure, strategy, and particular battles.
2
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1answer
233 views
Why would Craftworld Eldar fight Craftworld Eldar?
I've been talking with some people about difficult-to-justify 40k mirror matchups. After talking about Tyranids (doable thanks to, say, Hydra) or Tau (where Farsight gives a fine precedent) we got ...
6
votes
1answer
183 views
Sci-Fi short story: Side with the most advanced technology loses [duplicate]
Looking for an old sci-fi short story where the side with the most advanced technology loses because of unexpected side effects of their high tech.
The story is told from the perspective of the ...
6
votes
3answers
569 views
Harkonnen-Sardaukar casualty ratio discrepancy against the Fremen
"The Sardaukar are excellent fighting men, no doubt of it," the Baron
said. "But I think my own legions — "
"A pack of holiday excursionists by comparison!" Hawat snarled. "You
think I don'...
7
votes
1answer
264 views
Book about mages who can harvest magical energy from the environment
I have a vague recollection of a book I devoured while in college; it was from the late 80's or early 90's. I remember that there were two 'classes' of mages, the ones who could harvest magical energy ...
7
votes
1answer
196 views
All the Small Wars at Once
Looking for a SF Short Story I read many years ago. Name (although not exactly sure): "All the Small Wars at Once". I believe it was written by Larry Niven (but not sure). Brief synopsis (as I ...
11
votes
1answer
227 views
Looking for a short story involving robotic proxy warfare on the moon [duplicate]
War was banished from Earth, and instead operated by proxy on the Moon. Belligerent nations would each send robots (not necessarily androids) to the moon to compete for supremacy in the given conflict....
8
votes
2answers
1k views
Humans winning an interstellar war against hive-minded aliens due to human nature [duplicate]
I read this story in the mid/late 90's, and I believe it was in a Sci-Fi anthology or a magazine (such as Asimov), so it's possibly much older.
Unfortunately, the only details I remember are very ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Why did Catelyn side with Renly in the War of Five Kings?
In the episode Garden of Bones (season 2, episode 4), Catelyn sides with Renly instead of Stannis even though Ned supported Stannis.
Extract video here.
Stannis: "It is strange to find you beside ...
3
votes
1answer
996 views
Why did Robert and Rhaegar fight at the Trident instead of down south in the Stormlands?
Since the first book, it's said that Robert Baratheon defeated Rhaegar Targaryen at the Trident.
I can't figure the timeline from when Rhaegar was hiding in Dorne with Lyanna, then went to the ...
10
votes
1answer
360 views
Can't remember short story, post-apocalyptic retaliation
In the story, there has been a war, and 'the other side' has won it decisively. There's some kind of long-term consequence for the losing side, disease or nuclear fallout, and it's implied that the ...
2
votes
1answer
137 views
Intergalactic war Weapons designs Flaws [duplicate]
Very short story about engineering problems with weapons development in an intergalactic space war. Force field, matter shrinking technology. Taught in engineering design programs.
7
votes
1answer
900 views
Why was the Separatist army so weak?
Correct me if I am wrong (please provide evidence that if I am wrong, provide a battle that the Separatists win during the Clone Wars era) but it seems to me that they never win any battles against ...
35
votes
1answer
4k views
Why did Humperdinck want to start a war?
We know that Vizzini was paid by Humperdinck to start a war between Florin and Guilder.
What made Humperdinck want to go to war with Guilder?
22
votes
2answers
5k views
Why did Stannis emerge victorious against Wildling host?
In-universe, why would The King Beyond The Wall only bring barely a thousand men with him?
Out of universe, probably so that Stannis could defeat him and start his war in the north.
Stannis and his ...
10
votes
3answers
562 views
Are there examples of the Empire fighting itself?
Background:
I am trying to find some evidence for a request I would like to make to the developers of the Star Wars Commander game. Currently the only match-ups possible are Rebel versus Empire. ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Elite troops and Single Combat in Westeros
We know personal skills are not that important in a medieval battle. Discipline was one of the two crucial aspects of almost all medieval battles, the other being numbers. In fact, this is something ...
24
votes
2answers
2k views
Where do the regions of Westeros appear to align as of the season 6 finale?
Based on a previous question, my understanding is that there are 9 regions of Westeros subject to the rule of the Iron Throne, from Dorne joining up to Cersei killing Robert.
With whom does [insert ...
3
votes
1answer
120 views
Civilisation battles enemy along time-warped front. May be fighting itself [duplicate]
City is involved in a very long war along a front which is subject to some kind of warping, such that you can never actually get there—just fire through it. At the end, protagonists suggests that the ...
4
votes
2answers
903 views
Why did only a portion of Mance Rayder's army attack The Wall?
When the King beyond the wall attacked the wall why did he only send around a 1000 men if he had a 100,000?
9
votes
2answers
366 views
Trying to find a book about a soldier that ends up fighting forever
Looking for a story about a soldier from around 1990 to the 2000's.
It was about a soldier that came home from a war and didn't fit in. so the army offered him a deal. He was to go into some sort of ...
9
votes
5answers
1k views
Why didn't the Capitol besiege District 13?
This looks like it might be inspired by this question, but in fact it's been on my to-ask list for months.
In the novel Mockingjay and the film adaptation Mockingjay Part 1, the Capitol and the ...
6
votes
1answer
304 views
1960s SF novel with sub war, telepathy, dolphins, recreational drug that makes you sick, then cures you for fun
I've clarified the details and added a few things I've remembered since first asking the question. I hope that helps someone figure this out.
I'm trying to recall a short novel probably from the ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
Why do Hoster and Edmure Tully not rally their forces?
Raiders swoop in from the Westerlands, emboldened by Tywin's promises of sweet, sweet loot. Robb Stark calls his banners. What do the noble lords of Riverrun do? Disband their forces along the entire ...
5
votes
1answer
262 views
What was Herman Munsters' role when he fought in World War II?
I was researching the Munsters as I build a Lego Munsters diorama for Emerald City ComiCon. According to Herman Munster's Wikipedia page, he fought in World War II.
Herman married Lily, and ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
How long did the War of Five Kings last?
The Five Kings are:
Robb Stark - The King of the North
Stannis Baratheon - Robert's younger brother and legitimate heir
Renly Baratheon - The youngest Baratheon who decided to proclaim himself king
...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
Why did the Empire not put their Stormtroopers in camouflage when they were stationed on Endor?
Playing the Star Wars: Battlefront game, there is a level set on the forest moon of Endor. On this map, the Rebel forces have a massive advantage: they are wearing camouflage. Used correctly, this can ...
4
votes
2answers
956 views
Which war did Frank Bryce injure his leg in?
It is said that Frank Bryce, the gardener for the Riddle house, injured his leg during the "war".
Frank Bryce was the Riddles’ gardener. He lived alone in a run-down cottage on the grounds of the ...
11
votes
1answer
577 views
Help find name and author of science fiction story about robots taking over all aspects of war
I read this short story a while ago. It described a futuristic war fought by robots.
It featured a team of some sort of military elite going in an underground train (which broke on the way) to their ...
2
votes
1answer
108 views
Book title about mutant humanoid slugs post apocalyptic vs air force?
I am trying to find a book series from the 80-90s whose main character talked about practicing "yuwinitsu" or you win when it suits you. It was post nuclear with a war between humans and mutant slug ...
7
votes
1answer
595 views
Has the Galactic Empire ever conducted large scale ground battles?
The Galactic Empire was at its prime after the end of the Clone Wars and prior to the Battle of Endor. The Battle of Jakku saw most of the Imperial Navy, Army & Stormtrooper Corps committed and ...
-6
votes
1answer
361 views
Why do clones just run into battles and get shot at and just keep shooting?
Why do they do keep on showing when getting shot at? Why do they also run into battles without taking cover?
12
votes
1answer
1k views
Modern military jet goes back to World War I
Looking for title and author of a short story.
A pilot of an (American?) near-future military jet and his machine find themselves back in time on an airfield near the front line in World War I. The ...
5
votes
0answers
459 views
Which real-life battles did Captain America fight in?
Over the years, due to various retcons, Captain America seems to fought in practically every single battle in World War II. Is there a list of the real-life World War II battles Steve Rogers of the ...
15
votes
5answers
5k views
What was the largest death count in Star Trek?
In Star Trek they face many trials, wars, battles, what was the single worst catastrophe the federation faced, in reported casualties? Was it the battle of Wolf 359, an engagement in the Dominion war, ...
3
votes
1answer
343 views
A short story about a soldier in the future
Looking for a short story about a soldier in the future on a mission. At a certain point he bites down on a banana shaped capsule under his tongue and the drug accelerates his metabolism for the ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
How did the clones land at the battle of Geonosis?
In Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, we see the Cavalry (warning: TVTropes link) arrive in the form of the clone army led by Master Yoda. However, just a few scenes later as Dooku is ...
10
votes
1answer
477 views
Name of short story about soccer-like game
I am looking for the name of a short story by a renowned sf writer where world violence and wars were eradicated by introducing pacific soccer-like competition around the world. But, as time passes, ...
21
votes
3answers
5k views
Why didn't the Alliance destroy The Reavers?
In Serenity, we learn that
So my question is, why didn't the Alliance destroy them? There were less than 30,000 Reavers and the Alliance had a much larger military.
We also learn that
So why did ...
4
votes
2answers
220 views
Characters exiled from Earth return home, fight against an organisation controlling the Government
I don't know many of the details, here's what I do know:
The book was written in 1999 or earlier. I'm thinking probably earlier, like 80's.
From what I remember of the beginning, I think the book is ...
2
votes
1answer
585 views
Earth boy goes to a magical fantasy world when he sleeps
Boy is on Earth but when he sleeps he goes to a different world. Both worlds' stories carry on over the book and they connect at the end. It starts with the boy in a monastery and in a small apartment ...
7
votes
1answer
445 views
Mankind prepares for a war with aliens by warring among itself [duplicate]
I am looking for the title or author of a atory I read back in the 90's, no idea when it was written. The plot goes something like this:
Humanity has gained access to space travel and sends 9 or 12 ...
4
votes
0answers
224 views
Need title of 1980 - 1990 techno thriller about remote sensing technology
I read a military techno thriller in the 1980s - 1990s that I would like to identify by title and author. At the time I was heavily into this genre. The book was about an advanced US technology that ...
10
votes
1answer
431 views
Man drafted for a future war that was all a thought experiment
Military Science Fiction. Short Story found in an anthology. Mid 1990s. Paperback
Title was: _last_name_'s War
The last name was complicated to read/pronounce maybe Polish or Norwegian.
An ...
15
votes
10answers
5k views
Why no automated warfare in Herbert’s Dune?
Frank Herbert created the weaponry in Dune to build a deadlock: If a lasgun is fired upon a Holtzmann shield, both will be destroyed. Unpredictably, there might be even larger damage up until to what ...
5
votes
1answer
902 views
Aliens abduct mathematician, astronomer, woman
Bits I remember about this SF movie which probably originated in late 50s / early 60s:
Humans are flying in a light, general aviation, high winged, single engine aircraft.
An alien in a flying saucer ...
11
votes
1answer
480 views
Story about planet Urth [duplicate]
Looking for title of short story, travelers come to Urth looking for help from an advanced civilization, against aliens, discover Urth inhabited by essentially backward farmers.
At the end of the ...
4
votes
0answers
162 views
Science fiction book in the mid-1980s about medically/drug enhanced soldiers fighting a war
I thought it was called "The Drug War" but I can't find that anywhere. I remember the main character lives in a society where the citizens are well off and drug use is rampant. He decides to join the ...
4
votes
0answers
900 views
30's story about space war: Earth ship destroys enemy planet with weapon, only to return to find Earth destroyed by the enemy with the same weapon
Looking for 1930's short story about space war where Earth ship destroys enemy planet, only to return to find Earth destroyed by the enemy with the same weapon. The gist of the story was the debate on ...
15
votes
1answer
1k views
Short story…probably pre WW2. About a battleship ordered to surrender
I think the short story was in an anthology of stories...something like "best science fiction short stories" or the like. Basically, a battleship (US but country not mentioned) was ordered to ...
10
votes
1answer
457 views
Book series about a group of humans rediscovered by an interstellar empire
I read it when I was young. A group of humans in one system are separated from a powerful human empire for several hundred years. The large empire accidentally finds them and slowly tries to conquer ...
