And then we see the news.

Four different provinces, all from the same kingdom (the same kingdom of that province we hit before), all broke through your defenses, and grabbed you.

Welcome to the club - you have just been gangbanged.

The first reaction after such a devestating loss is to hit back whoever hit you. "I gotta get my backs" is the thought rushing through your head as you wildly go to the offenders' kingdom page. But reflection will conclude that this is not necessarily the best course of action. If the actions of these provinces show something, it has to be that they are not just oppurtunistic, they are unified and work together. Their retaliatory actions show that their kingdom is solid (if not in land, power, or fame, at least in team spirit). They stick together, and look out for their kingdom-mates. No one attacks their kingdom and gets away with it. In short, they are worthy opponents in this crazy world we call Utopia.

Of course, incidents such as this are what make Utopia interesting and fun. Dealing with these gangbangers and the miscreant kingdom is where the challenge and fun of Utopia lie. I have found myself enjoying Utopia all the more when presented with problems such as these to solve.

Note: This does not pertain to gangbanging by a multi. That is just cheating, and is an utterly reprehensible act.

But gangbangers cannot (and should not) be able to get away with their gangbanging ways unscathed. Most probably your teammates have noticed this untoward action, and are willing to help. The victim of a gangbang should receive as much aid as possible. The most important form of aid one can receive, in my opinion, is food (unless the province is undead). Since built lands can be taken in conquests, it is a good possibility that you have lost some farms; if you were low on food to begin with, your people could start starving in the streets, and in the most drastic cases, your army could begin to desert. After food, soldiers and gc should be sent (the urgency of these two commodites is different from province to province).

Obviously, a retaliatory effort must be made against the gangbangers, whether in landgrabs or in the form of theivery/magic. Any monarch worth his salt should be enraged at one of his provinces being gangbanged; an organized retaliation effort should be underway within 24 hours. There should be communication between monarchs about this (or even between the victims and perpretrators). Some monarchs are happy with an even number of retaliations; others prefer a short war to clear the air. A good war is enough to clean the slate and leave everyone with a sense of closure (except if you're the type who holds grudges). As long as the war doesn't become destructive, this is often a fitting end to the issue. The problem arises when things turn ugly and a bitter feud erupts. This, like an extended war, can be destructive for both kingdoms. Both kingdoms could be caught in a vicious cycle of attack/counterattack that will eventually become stagnant.

Remember, Utopia is a game, meant for enjoyment. Every situation should be seen as a challenge that you and your kingdom-mates should work through. Hopefully, you have a supportive, unified kingdom that will help you and that you can contribute to. Having a unified strategy makes your kingdom more than the sum of its provinces. That is the spirit of the game: interacting with your teammates and other players and teams. Happy gaming, and good luck against the gangbangers!

- FBI Paco (16-Oct-2000)