Technology was more advanced, but Thrawn was fighting the people using those machines. I think of Thrawn as a flawless tactician, who had a deep understanding of technology, and how to utilise it in ways that others cannot comprehend, and the best strategist in the galaxy, but not flawless. Keep in mind, outside of their own geniuses, the commanders of the New Republic were trained. in relatively, the same way, likewise with the Imperial commanders. There always was a "standardized military doctrine". This is why I found the introduction of Garm Bel Iblis as a foil for Thrawn appropriate, he was fighting the war his own way, with his methodology, which produced innovations(a-wing slash) that Thrawn couldnt have anticipated, since Bel Iblis operated outside the NR military doctrine. Yes the 10 steps ahead was a bit of a stretch, but you have to admit, Thrawn completely dominated most NR forces utterly. As a story telling mechanic, it stressed that Thrawn wasnt going to be beaten via "by-the-book" commanders. He was probably 5-6 steps ahead in reality, but that doesnt quite have the same ring to it as 10 =3 As for the art thing, well I kind of believe it. There are always over-riding impulses that are ingrained deeply into individuals, fight or flight, the urge to breed(giggity). Individuality is always present, but there is always a unity behind a culture whether it is genetically ingrained or socially trained from birth. Thrawn simply saw those impulses, and manipulated it to his advantage

lol go away carthy =P

I think the X-wing series is an excellent starting point. Again same issue as Heir to the Empire, written pre-prequel, but blast it all if they still ain't entertaining as heck. 9 books in the original series, with an additional book set about 44 years after the Battle of Yavin with flashbacks throughout. Personal favourite is still Starfighters of Adumar, purely for the FTW humour. but read them through chronologically for the storyline arcs. As a Broad Chronology of the books Truce at Bakura [set almost immediately after ROTJ, an ok read] (a LOT of comics) X-Wing Series - Iceheart Arc (4 books) then, Ironfist Arc (3books) Courtship of Princess Leia - title speaks for itself, also, imo, where they started to go off the rail with Luke's Power Level. to put it in DBZ terms: HIS POWER LEVEL IS OVER 20 QUADRILLION INFINITY Heir to the Empire aka The Thrawn Trilogy - damn good series about a damn good character. Thrawn ftw! X-wing Series - Iceheart Arc Book 5 (written a few years after the first 7 books, final resolution to the Iceheart plot) Jedi Academy Trilogy - The founding of the New Jedi Order I Jedi - good first person perspective book from one of the New Jedi Order Jedi X-wing Series - Starfighters of Adumar, a standalone book with characters from the X-wing series, like i said, my personal favourite Black Fleet Crisis Trilogy - meh, read once, didnt particularly care for it Corellian Crisis Trilogy - again meh, read once. not too bad, but still Hand of Thrawn - good 2 books, also Lukes get some. bow chika wow wow that rounds out the first Era of star wars books. start there. Venture into the NJO + Legacy Era at your own risk =) (also kinda helps since you will become attached to some characters before they get GeorgeRMartin-ed), though there is one death in NJO that would cause non-EU star wars fandom to revolt

fk me, they can't be serious about this.... Shall we start a petition about this ****, cause honest to god, they will lose 75% of the population like this... and i don't want to lose our community...

Yerh, I would be the same with regards to Chinese New Year. Hmm Why dont we push the Tournament ot the week after? I dont think peopel would mind the week break. Just call it a "build up" week, maybe talk to ppl who came 3rd and 4th and get em to do a taster tournament =D

Well, the sent/mara one is pretty much angelol smoking me repeatedly >.>

heh why not. Seraphielz - sentinel