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Yet again the European talent at FBG has come to the great, rolling expanses of the US. VR has consistently dominated America time and time again- tailoring a set of tactics perfectly suited to different playing style that the US requires.

The latest nightly installments of treachery and broken dreams kicked off today- displaying some interesting trends to the previous US battles. Toeing the fine line between insanity and brilliance, VIA were the only clan who opted to spawn near the centre of the map. Whether this was by choice or as a result of every other clan hogging the coastline is unknown. Starting next to LW, VIA are a little further from their allies iK than anticipated. Having chosen to sit out Battle 4, this is the chance for VIA to test the waters with iK- can they except the same level of support that they got pre-Battle 3? Scraping into 4th place with 63 territories (just 2 ahead of #5 and #6), VIA are in a slightly awkward position.

Judging from the positioning of iK and LW, it looks like the two clans sought mastery of the East Coast tonight- SKINNY however has ended up sandwiched between the two of them. With considerable less spending power than our Mediterranean friends, can SKINNY buy their friendship? Or even broker for their survival? With DJR to the south of LW and RUSH to the North of iK, both clans have enough to chew on as it is. IK are perilously close to completing the Pacific Ring as it is- DJR are clutching at the last piece of the puzzle- with 10,000 troops up for grabs, this last territory is worth at least 100,000 plinks- if iK are willing to “purchase” it.

Up in Canada, we have a formidable assortment of clans who all have one, and only one thing in common; A long and difficult relationship with VIA. Aero seemed to have fallen in with the big boys, confined to Alaska, having some very powerful neighbours such as RUSH and NiF. Not to be outdone, by Canada Greenland is being occupied by SF, who are vying for control of the East Coast. With some solid borders, were these guys to work en masse they could create a slow machine that could grind the opposition up as it rolls south.

Nestled up to SF's 10k+ troops, END are building up a force of ~16,000 troops. The biggest dilemma they now face is whether or not to push forward, or wait for the other clans to wear each other out. With neighbours of questionable morals [specifically VR and DoG!], the best policy might be: “Shoot first, ask questions later”. DoG made a small impression just North of END- 23 territories and few enough territories makes them (on paper!) an all-too tempting target. Who will succumb this time to temptation? Be wary of the poisoned apple! Hand-in-hand as always, DoG are never seen without their long term lovers, Impact. Rumour had it that Mark (Impact CL) whipped his clan into a frenzy- decreeing a “plinks drive” as mandatory to all members who value their testicles. How successful was it? With 75,000 spent, 700,000 on in the clan's bank and 600,000 on Mark's profile, were they prepared to spend them all, they'd be in the lofty realms of clans much larger than them.

Completing our circle, there are some fresh new faces down South- here's a big shout out to the lads (or ladies [unlikely, but you know where the PM button is :p ..]) from Eternal Vengeance. With only one territory, these guys looked ready to become a casualty of VR and VIA. As I type, they are taking measures to prevent this- 16,000 troops. I had a chance to ask DJR's lovable fool, Dougle, about the situation:

Coffee Ninja: How do you feel about EV's 16,000 troops on your border?

Dougle: well ev ws started by ex djr- Treeeo

Coffee Ninja: Would it safe to assume you guys are allied then?

Dougle: i beleave so anyway :p

Upon realising that FBG's premier reporter (by virture of being FBG's only reporter) had entered interview mode, we saw DJR's political spin machine come into action. Doing a U-turn and whipping out his beloved dictionary, Dougle's media-savvy instincts churned out an “offical press release”:



Dougle was also quick to reassure me that they were on good terms with iK- open to letting them get their secondary objective- certainly open to the idea of an extra 100,000 plinks. RoF seem to giving DoG and Impact a wide berth this battle- choosing the far end of the map to set up camp- even establishing diplomatic relations with DJR before the battle.

In other news, one of FBG's most prominent personalities has decided to go public with a screenshot that must have been burning a hold in his Hard Drive- it's that sensational. Whether or not it is an elaborate fabrication to discredit Kaiser's waning political credibility is hard to discern; the “leaked” screenshot shows a callous disregard for the other clans (some of them major players). All I'll say on the matter is that there is no smoke without fire..

The screenshot and its contents can be dissected here:

Scandal!
I couldn't give a flying llama.

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