Did Parson win?

Brewdude · 05-20-2009, 11:45 PM

Wanda says he lost.
Parson says he won.
Who is right? Why? Show examples.

The only reason I can see where Parson might be wrong is if she's saying that putting the pliers in her hands equals him losing. He destroyed the opposing army, converted them to his units, replenished the gem supply, and it was HIS command and idea to uncroak the volcano. That's a pretty solid win to me.

Felius · 05-20-2009, 11:55 PM

He also completely leveled (the same way a bulldozer do to things...) his city...

bluewind95 · 05-21-2009, 12:08 AM

I personally think he won the battle... but only technically and he lost what he really cared about: the city, Bogroll, his allies...

It was a win only because the other sides lost... well... more.

Brewdude · 05-21-2009, 12:09 AM

I didn't say he didn't take losses... :)
Perhaps it was a Pyrrhic victory, but a victory nonetheless. And, regarding the city, it was reduced to level 1, but not destroyed, as is proven by the dragon popping.

LurkerInPlayground · 05-21-2009, 01:16 AM

Wanda was referring to a psychological loss, not military victory that Parson is thinking of.

Seriously guys. Don't make me post an obvious reply on such easy semantical stuff.

bluewind95 · 05-21-2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LurkerInPlayground

Wanda was referring to a psychological loss, not military victory that Parson is thinking of.

Yep! That's kind of what I was trying to say. Except you worded it a lot better and more understandably.

HandofShadows · 05-21-2009, 07:10 AM

There are no winners in war. Just people who loose less than others.

ImmortalAer · 05-21-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HandofShadows

There are no winners in war. Just people who loose less than others.

War doesn't decide who is right, only who is left.

Where's M*A*S*H? We need some of Hawkeye's grim war-comedy, already.

SteveMB · 05-21-2009, 08:48 AM

The interesting thing is that Wanda is making this observation. She saw when she summoned Parson that he wanted to command a real battle. Hoever, judging from her "I see" comment, his qualms about the cost were not something that she'd seen when summoning him.

multilis · 05-21-2009, 09:43 AM

Parson lost some friends, eg: Bogroll, Misty. He didn't get to go home yet.

He helped Wanda get pliers, he probably is not sure that is "good" thing overall, eg Einstein wasn't happy about nuclear arms race based on what he "discovered", despite fame and fortune.

A win involves getting what you want, Parson didn't "wish" for this.

Dr.Desastro · 05-21-2009, 10:14 AM

I guess he is on the way of understanding that everybody has an inner beast that strives for survival at any costs - he too lost his innocence - and the way of the general/warrior requires you not only to accept this fact, but also not to let it control your feelings fully.

He has taken an aspect the "buddy" Parson does not like (and in that case he reacts like a true Hippymancer) but the aspect of "ruthless" Parson was required by the situation. He just has to cope with that. I think he goes through the same feelings like our loved dirtamancer. Inside of him he questions his deeds.

the_tick_rules · 05-21-2009, 10:19 AM

He survived, I suppose that's as close to winning as it gets in this situation.

DevilDan · 05-21-2009, 10:45 AM

I thought that Parson's loss had something to do with the discussion of fighting fate, as in: You can't win so don't try.

Brewdude · 05-21-2009, 09:29 PM

Bah, on rereading, it IS semantics. She would have been clearer saying "you will take losses," but then Parson wouldn't have had the opportunity to misunderstand like I did.

"You will take losses, and you will continue to take losses," honestly, isn't really all that brilliant an insight to tell an army leader, and is kind of rude. It's like telling a soldier "you're going to kill someone, and it will most likely suck for you, mentally." or telling a plumber "you have a crappy job."

Ave · 05-23-2009, 07:15 PM

I wasn't sure if he won before, but now with that loud *boop* you he definitely gained levels ;)

Arkaim · 05-23-2009, 08:41 PM

Can he really gain levels as a player, though? In the literal, Erfworld sense of the word.

The Dark Fiddler · 05-23-2009, 08:44 PM

I'd say he won; he finally got his Christmas Wish.

Too bad f-bombs don't deal area damage, or they'd be good warfare techniques.

Sethram · 05-24-2009, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImmortalAer

War doesn't decide who is right, only who is left.

Where's M*A*S*H? We need some of Hawkeye's grim war-comedy, already.

Now you've given me hope for a Alan Alda healomancer.

galdon · 06-10-2009, 01:53 PM

He lost because wanda is not on his side. Look at the units, they don't bear the hamster symbol anymore they have wanda's skulls. I think what she's trying to say is, she could leave right now with the pliers and he couldn't stop her.

the_tick_rules · 06-27-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkaim

Can he really gain levels as a player, though? In the literal, Erfworld sense of the word.

he is a level 2 erworld unit currently. It can't be definitevely comfirmed or denied either way but I find it likely he can level.

Rayzin · 08-26-2009, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galdon

He lost because wanda is not on his side. Look at the units, they don't bear the hamster symbol anymore they have wanda's skulls. I think what she's trying to say is, she could leave right now with the pliers and he couldn't stop her.

I don't think thats the implication at all. Wanda said that shes loyal to fate and Paron has quite the large slice in Erfworlds fate.

averagejoe · 08-26-2009, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImmortalAer

War doesn't decide who is right, only who is left.

Where's M*A*S*H? We need some of Hawkeye's grim war-comedy, already.

It's not a war, it's a moider.

EndlessWrath · 08-26-2009, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felius

He also completely leveled (the same way a bulldozer do to things...) his city...

if you keep up with the new posts of turns since tBfGK. Parson might of destroyed his city.. but now a lava lake surrounds his castle and the city defense went up even higher than before. I'm pretty sure that counts as a win.

Also, He beat the opposing army versus all odds. Took some losses, but that's how war works.

averagejoe · 08-26-2009, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EndlessWrath

Also, He beat the opposing army versus all odds. Took some losses, but that's how war works.

Well, really, any losses that are better than "all" are preferable to what would have happened to the forces of any warlord who didn't think to use the volcano like that. Which is to say, not being completely wiped out pretty much does what his opponents don't want to happen, which makes it a win, I think.

LurkerInPlayground · 08-26-2009, 02:54 AM

This thread was old.

But Wanda and Parson were talking about entirely different things and assessing them according to different perspectives. Which isn't to say that they don't understand both perspectives. Parson just happened to be feeling badly for being a mass murderer.

Parson is concerned for his spirit and sense of decency. Wanda *does* pick up on this after she realizes that he's not talking about strict military objective, but she gives him the whole "what do you know of it?" speech by claiming to have destroyed more.

It's basically a pity party.

The OP question is flawed and misses the point by a fair mile. Wanda isn't trying to be "right."
She was giving him a straight assessment of military victory.
But people die. Parson doesn't like it.
Wanda mocks him.

adibobo · 09-07-2009, 02:35 PM

He won the battle.
But he lost to Erfworld.
This page: http://www.giantitp.com/comics/erf0162.html sais it all.