Sophistry - (Finished) Winner DrPraetorious!

[Baalz]

Sensori said:
Now, here we have a big difference in ideology. I don't think that attacking can ever be seen as honorable (especially since the reason seems to always be "I NEED MY EMPIRE TO GROW"), unless the target is something like Ashen Empire Ermor where it's a public service. I see it as the defender's duty to fight the attacker to the bitter end, and do whatever it takes to slow down his demise. The analogy that comes to mind is a mugger expecting the mugged to just, well, be mugged, if the said mugger says, "I'm gonna mug you now!" I see that things are only different if the attacker gets overpowered by the defender. THEN you're just getting what's coming to ya, and it's all your fault.

Well, not to egg on a rant, but I thought I might elaborate on my point about sportsmanship that obviously touched a nerve. Your analogy of a mugging seems a bit out of place, obviously if you're being victimized by a criminal sportsmanship doesn't have any bearing- you fight as dirty as you can. My feeling though, is I'm not being mugged, I'm playing a game whose sole purpose is the mutual enjoyment of all involved. A well fought opponent deserves a congratulations and a (virtual) handshake, not me doing every annoying thing I can think of to make his life more difficult against his *next* opponent after I have no hope of lasting more than a few turns.

Just to be clear I'm not talking about whatever happened in this game (which didn't effect me and I have no particular opinion on), but rather the position that its good policy to do your best to dick over whoever beats you by destroying your buildings, pillaging your own lands, and giving your gems to anyone who seems likely to use them against him. That, as I said, just smacks of poor sportsmanship being justified by weak rational.