Having used both Mapco and Phoenix WarMachine, I can assure you that it is not a copy. It has many of the same functions (functions which Phoenix members suggested Troikos add to MapCo in the first place, IIRC) but they are not the same.
And since I've broken whatever spoken or unspoken PnP ban exists in order to say that, I'm gonna go the full mile and give my professional* opinion on the war so far:
Despite the rumours that BH had gotten fat, sloppy, and inactive... they are proving themselves to still be the fighting Machines that rocked our world several times in the past. The initial launch was well planned, coordinated, and properly overwhelming with the sheer volume of incomings. Perhaps even more telling, it came without warning. No leaks to the enemy about the day, time, or initial targets. Kudos to you on that.
Phoenix got hit hard. Several frontline accounts weren't prepared. Despite the fact that Phoenix says they knew this war was coming, either they didn't believe it would come so soon, or those players weren't following instructions from their Duke to ready their fronts. Either way, it's pretty standard stuff for late world.
Because, really, nobody plays at the top of their game anymore... they think their size and reputations will protect them, and when they get hit, they suddenly realize they have something important to do in Real Life. The prospect of defending - day in, day out - for the next several months is just not that appealing. The game is no longer fun. They quit. Their tribemates can't find the will to play and slowly go inactive. The forums fill with support requests, and the skype chat goes silent.
But one thing I've learned in my time in Phoenix, is that they are not your standard players.
The skype chat is more alive now than it's been for months (and not just with csiz's stories of the good old days on w6 : ). The member list is green and blue, not yellow and red. The support forums are empty (hey - that's not always a good thing guys. It's okay to request some support, ya know!) and the members are grinning and baring their teeth.
It has been proven time and time again, that size doesn't win wars. Points don't win wars. War stats can be twisted to show just about anything you want, and you can expect the agressor to put up some pretty impressive numbers before things turn around. What makes the difference in the long run, is activity levels.
Can Phoenix keep up their activity and enthusiasm in the face of this onslaught? Sorry, I don't have Paj's crystal ball to make those kind of predictions. I can say, that if Phoenix does prevail, they are doing so in the face on incredible odds, against a very good, and very active, enemy. It's gonna take skill, hard work, and stubborn determination.
And if anyone can pull that off, it's Phoenix**.
- RavenJ
*I don't mean "professional" as in "being paid for fighting in this war" of course. That would be against the rules. But as someone who makes a point of being in the thick of things, I believe my opinion counts for something. I don't claim to be the best defender on w30 (and never have) but I'd be comfortable claiming that I've defended more hours, on more sits, in more tribes, than anyone else currently playing w30. Anyone wanting to challenge me on that is welcome to do so.
** After all, Phoenix already has to put up with Paj on a regular basis. What is BH next to our own loud-mouthed, insulting, arguing, and demanding Duke?