So according to this video by Spacedock boarding an enemy ship or station isn't as easy as it looks in Star Wars. Meaning hard docking your main ship to the enemy is usually used as a last resort. The other option is to either have a pre-made or retrofitted transfer ship/shuttle/pod that is designed for boarding other spacecraft. In the event that their target's weapon systems are still active either the transfer vessel or main ship will increase their odds by sending out decoys and missiles to cover the boarding party. The Boarding party will either access the ship by either a) using some fancy flying to access a remote docking port b) soft docking with the ship, meaning cutting your way through the hull, provided you have knowledge of which part of the hull to cut through to avoid rapid decompression, hitting a fuel line, or something just as bad, or c) if you are very lucky go through the hanger bay if the door is left open and undefended.

There is also a good chance that the boarding party will be wearing spacesuits in the event that the enemy tries to cut off life support in whatever deck they are or tries to eject them into space. The spacesuits will be armored as well in the event they will get into a fight with any defenders or defenses that are on the ship or station. That said the video is a little vague on what kinds of weapons would be used for a fight onboard a spaceship/space station.

It mentioned the use of good old carbines and submachine guns, but if watching For All Mankind has taught me anything is that it's a bad idea to use kinetic weapons inside a close-spaced environment made out of metal. The last thing you want to worry about is the ship blowing up because you damaged some systems during a firefight or being hit by ricocheting bullets.

So what kind of weapons are the best for a fight inside a spaceship or space station? Laser rifles/rayguns? Handheld particle beams? Or are kinetics still your best bet? Note: Plasma weapons are out of the question due to being impractical, unless you are thinking of using them to cut your way through doors and wall.

A little while ago I made a post here asking for advice on how to write and talk about medieval warfare, and your advice and link to a Shadversity video explaining it were extremely helpful.

I’ve now designed multiple armies down to the squad by squad command structure. I understand things about this subject that I never did before, and it’s because of this group.

Thanks for helping me out!

I have a piece of mobile heavy artillery (in the modern sense, i.e. nonmagical) that has has the acronym “ATNT” or some variation of that. This is because the gun can reach out and touch someone, like the old motto for AT&T.

The problem is that i cannot think of a good name for it. I am planning for it to be automated and tracked, i.e. not mech or wheeled. I am looking for ideas for the name.

Comissioned by me

A very important aspect of modern warfare is brevity over comms. How can you relay the most information in the shortest way possible?

For example, the "Fox" system for weapon callouts in NATO brevity

Callouts used by tank crews, for example: "Gunner, sabot, PC" = "Gunner, I see an APC, APDS/APFSDS is loaded" or simply "Target, next target" or "target, cease fire" when the target is destroyed.

What are some ways you've incorporated this into your setting? Trying to get some inspiration for my own.

Some examples I've come up with:

RAAT: Rail-accelerated anti-tank. The main round for anti-armor use in tanks by the SSF. One example of it's use: "Gunner, RAAT, tank." "Copy RAAT, rail caps full"

No-safe: Used by naval gunnery crews to override tactical AI safeguards. The commander of the vessel might call "forward accelerators on the lead frigate. Max charge, no safe."

These are just two examples, but it's something that's been on my mind, and I feel like it makes your soldiers feel more trained and professional in a modern or sci-fi setting

The worshippers of Sihan, the Fireweavers, have a unique weapon, which they consider as sacred as it is destructive.

This long weapon’s primary action is a wheel, decorated with runes and magically resonant materials. This wheel spins against a flint, creating sparks which are collected, and fired between a set of parallel arms when the mana-infused mass of flames hit a critical point. The result is a thin, orange beam of thermal magic moving at incredibly high speeds, causing a small explosion on impact. After firing, you have to manually put tension in the disc for it to spin, via crank operation or some other method.

You do not need to be a fireweaver to use one, but you’ll need to hand it to a priest to recharge its disc of mana.

Shorter rails significantly reduce the effective range, but is still just as powerful within that effective range.

Discs with more resonant materials, along with a faster spin add power and reduce the “spool-up” period between pulling the trigger and the weapon firing. It also means the disc can be more fragile, and failure more catastrophic.

The other method of increasing power is using multiple discs in parallel, called an array. Other than single made, extremely rare prototypes, this is commonly seen in artillery pieces.

I'm never wholly satisfied with what extent I want shields to be present in my battles. I don't want old school sci-fi percentage spew, but having them present helps with a lot of sci-fi stuff.

My setting uses something akin to Halo where the shields help maintain a realspace bubble during FTL, but I also like the idea of energy weapons acting as a counter.

Since energy weapons are (mostly) more effective the closer the fight is, it creates a dynamic that I like and can use to write battles. Closing in makes the really deadly weapons (railguns) much more accurate and makes it so enemy missiles have less time to accelerate, but makes you more vulnerable to energy weapons.

So small ships with energy weapons can punch far above their weight with some tactical finesse

Only problem is making hits feel significant and consequential. While the shields can be overloaded or the generators literally melted with concentrated fire, it means fights at extreme long range are unlikely to result in much damage for either side

So how have you written shields for your setting, or have you chosen not to at all?

In my medieval fantasy setting, I have been having trouble coming up for the warrior class of my setting’s dominant empire. The race that basically exclusively holds the title of knight. Although it is a little complicated due to the origins of this race. I haven’t come up with a name for them yet but I will if I can narrow down their design.

Some backstory about these guys, long ago there was an advanced multidimensional civilization. This civilization had conquered many worlds before. Using powerful magic they had the ability to create various races of people for various purposes.

One of them was built specifically for war and to defend the other races. A bunch of races were created for this but one was chosen and the others discarded.

For the sake of simplicity let’s assume their style of warfare was exactly like modern wars in real life. Long distance ranged combat. When they were being created, that was the kind of warfare the makers were preparing for. They never expected things to go to it’s medieval status.

What are some beneficial traits for this soldier race? What kinds of traits would give this race an edge over other enemies? I can imagine they may have trouble with the new reality.

We've reached 5000 members!! Who'd have thunk so many people would be interested in the niche art of military worldbuilding?! A huge thanks to all our members for participating in the community, and a huge aditional thank you specifically to all those that have contributed content to the community; sharing their art, story telling, and world building for everyone else to enjoy!

Here's to 5000!

-The MWB mod team

The army and space navy seem to get most of the attention around here. So how about instead we talk about the other branches?

What are their main purposes?

What types of ships/aircraft do they use?

What is their doctrine/strategy?

Are there any unique or interesting facts about them?

Ketsuojo imperial navy

The KIN is the largest navy in the world. It covers a vast area stretching from the edges of Chaku to the south of Dongfeng. They have a mainly offensive based fleet mainly of fast dreadnought battleships and cruisers designed mainly for long distance hit and run attacks. This is helped by their advanced steam turbine engines which far outclass any other nation. I think it’s worth mentioning the unique construction of their ships, mainly due to kitsune being expert welders and solderers with their fire manipulation this is the technique they use. The large steel beams such as the keel or wall supports are also typically constructed in a way similar to a leaf spring. All of this gives kitsune built ships a unique appearance both inward and outward.

Hussarrian army air defense service

Hussaria was the nation which invented the airplane and would make the most widespread early use of it. Originally meant to detect and hunt dragons the Hussarian air service would soon become one of the nation’s most powerful assets. At the start of the steam war the flimsy, wirey low powered biplanes would quickly become fast, powerful, wood and fabric fighters with synchronized machine guns escorting gigantic zeppelins on bombing raids. By the end of the war Hussarian fighters had retractable landing gear, overcompressed engines and fully enclosed canopies which allowed them to reach altitudes of 10000 cubits (10000 meters)

Hi everyone, I hope this doesn’t get asked too often but I’ll make it quick.

I have a character that has just ordered his armies to march to take down a semi-big military force, and shortly after that he does some political things that result in a lot of rulers dying simultaneously, with him taking his armies and taking power one flailing nation at a time.

And finally, he will be taking a large force into a really not good place with not good creatures and the like, and lots of soldiers are going to die.

I haven’t decided fully, but at the moment it is placeholder medieval with some electricity, and a certain class of people have exclusive access to magical weapons that vary in effect.

My questions are how do I describe these things so I don’t sound like I have no clue what I’m talking about?

How do I division the troops?

What kinds of things should I think about that I’m probably not?

Any help and advice would be very appreciated!

Monland

High regent •commander of all military forces (malven)

Arch hasliarch •commander of the army

Niomlrion •general

Commander of a division

Brigader

Sergent

Liutenant Sergent

Nmok (Captain)

Servious perou-peroinom (Luteniant corpral-corpral)

Militant servivous (Private)

Hey all! I was told to come here from r/writingadvice because I was struggling on figuring out how to set up war strategies for my fantasy world. I am used to writing romance so I have no idea what I'm doing. I was imagining First Generation warfare, like bow and arrow, cannons, etc. Also, I was imagining planned fighting techniques, centralized I think? Again, I have no idea what I'm saying and just repeating things I've googled. I keep seeing things like renaissance to early modern warfare as I'm researching that's close to what I want.

For reference, it is an absolute monarchy and they are fighting against a large group trying to take the monarchy down. Other countries exist that are allies and such.

Also, this is fantasy so I'm not looking to be 100% accurate, I just need some advice on how a monarchy would begin to fight a war, essentially.

Any advice or links on this (for beginners) is appreciated! Thank you!!

The Secattruiis armor was crafted by Archangel Lervineus with the assistance of the Sarcophagus Apothecaries during the catastrophic events of The Cursed Womb. It was during this time that the first Chimerus Obitus-Angelos Indagatus Hunter was created. Only these Hunters possess the capability to wear this armor, as it is infused with powerful elements, including Flecratus, Archangel’s Deoxyribonucleic-Ovumus, Danite-Diamond, Oculupus incantations, and the Madman’s Curse.

Hunters clad in this armor are revered as champions and operate under absolute secrecy within the Plagatus Chapter. When a Chimerus Hunter arrives on your world, your only recourse is to pray, for the Fleshwracks have already consumed 90% of it.

Aesthetic

The armor features intricate golden and silver engravings, medallions, and motifs of skulls and angels, along with the Plagatus Chapter symbol and Lervineus’ Manuscript seals. Its design blends classical knight aesthetics with gothic and angelic influences. The armor is robust, characterized by bulked shoulder and chest plates, while the helm resembles a skull adorned with protruding power cables and thick visor plating.

Combat Enhancement

Enhanced Mobility: The armor is equipped with enhanced joints that provide explosive power and agility.

Self-Repairing Properties: The Flecratus elements grant the armor self-healing and repair capabilities.

Arcane Protection: Engravings featuring arcane symbols offer substantial magical protection.

Psychic Immunity: Lervineus’ Manuscripts are inscribed as prayers and invocations, providing the bearer with psychic immunity.

Advanced Mechanics: Internal pressure and compression mechanisms enhance the wearer’s combat efficiency.

Healing Aura: The Archangel’s Deoxyribonucleic-Ovumus aspect imbues the bearer with a healing aura and glowing silver angelic wings.

Magical Energy Shield: The armor is powered by a core (name redacted), which generates a magical energy shield that incinerates kinetic energy from all forms of attack, manifesting as a greyish electric reaction around the armor. This core also allows the bearer to amplify their healing abilities or extend their effective range.

The Secattruiis Lervineattoo Terminatus represents the pinnacle of the Sarcophagus Apothecaries' design and the limitless knowledge of Archangel Lervineus.

Feel free to share feedback as it's much appreciated.

Context: This armour is a part of the arsenal, group of enhanced super soldiers use in my universe called FleshBlight.

I have a story in the 18th century where the mc lead a rebellion and his now formalizing to let his species have a chance

Any tips on

Ranks

Organization

My world has intelligent Gryphons and Wyverns that can carry about as much weight as a horse. So roughly 150kg for a well fed, reasonably large adult that would serve in any of the navies of this setting.

These flying creatures have been part of naval warfare on my world since antiquity, but I gave them a lot of limitations to make sure stuff like ramming and boarding actions wouldn't be entirely replaced by Gryphon / Wyvern carrier battles.

Most importantly, these flying creatures are very few in number, since the ecosystem can't support large populations of them and they never developed agriculture. The only reason why they have an impact on the human world at all is because they started buying lots of food once humans figured out agriculture. Even then, their populations remained small and their affiliation with flightless species loose at best.

Also, these flyers aren't particularly tough. If they want to drop something on you with any degree of accuracy, they have to fly low, which makes it possible to shoot them down with bows and crossbows. Once gunpowder came around, air defenses improved a lot, but so did the potential effect of aerial bombs. You now have loads of sailors with shotguns, even puckle guns, harmonica guns or organ guns all firing buckshot, flechettes and whatnot, but a large terracotta jar filled with flammable oil and with a burning piece of cloth at one end can set all that gunpowder off quite easily.

As a result, Gryphons and Wyverns very rarely win naval battles all by themselves. They act as scouts, take down enemy scouts, weaken the enemy before battle, force him to attack the carrier group and mop up stragglers.

However, once the industrial revolution starts, all this would change. Now Gatling and Maxim guns can shoot Gryphons and Wyverns down far more effectively and deck armor as well as modern firefighting equipment would make their attacks way less effective. To the point that they'd be limited to scouting.

Unless, of course, you could get an early aerial torpedo down to 150kg while still retaining substantial range. Remember, these flyers are squishy enough for bows and arrows to relegate them to the role of skirmishers. Those early MGs were chambered in very powerful cartridges that could kill a horse at up to a kilometer IIRC. Could a miniaturized 19th century torpedo even go that far?

Hope I'm making sense. Looking up those very early torpedoes has been a bit frustrating.