1) Yes, knowledge of terrain and enemy movements, accurate analysis of enemy weaknesses, deception and covert operations, a clandestine network across half a country, all so easy to achieve. That's why every spy network and every guerilla army in history ever has succeeded
Your attributing all that to Lanius even though Vulpes is head Frumentarii. Interesting gambit, or at least a humorous one.
2 is your headcanon
3 does not indicate what it's a response to
4) "Why doesn't any soldier change a strategy they don't agree with?"
I suppose I didn't overtly state that Lanius doesn't change the plan when he's in charge of the entire Legion, so I apologize for the confuson. I keep forgetting that people even gloss over things that I do specifically mention repeatedly.
"He cancelled the plan at the last second, fearing any fallout."
I just want to leave this here so you can't say 'but Lanius didn't have enough time to change things'.
"Oh, and I know you're probably one of THOSE people"
I take it you mean people who ask for sources. Kind of a weird thing to be preemptively upset about but whatever.
"5) Legatus Lanius beats his men into shape, sometimes enforcing decimata. He's probably the most brutal drill instructor in the history of the Fallout world, and his men see him as someone to be respected, revered, and emulated. That's not just the work of fear alone."
I honestly don't think you understand what you just did there. 'He assaults his men, has them kill each other if they fail, and is the most brutal instructor ever...therefore it's not about the fear he inflicts, it's about his charismatic personality.' What is it with people and sinking their own arguments on here?
"Put it this way; Cannibal Johnson remembers Arch Dornan fondly."
Nope.
"He was a drill instructor I knew. He was also the meanest bastard I've ever known. Once, he caught this private out of uniform and old Dornan went off on the most ear-blistering rant known to man. It was inspiring."
Fondness is about affection or an affection for someone, aka liking them. IE not calling them the meanest bastard you've ever known. At most he felt that one rant was inspiring. He never indicates a fondness for the man, or even for the rant itself. It's basically the same as saying it was impressive or amazing. It's also obviously just a fucking reference to one of the funniest parts of Fo2...
"6) I will concede this point, to an extent; but Silus is also quoted as saying that he doesn't care whether he lives or dies, because in his eyes the Legion is finished. Naysayers like Silus are what turn great armies into something less; instead of being prepared to pull through, he gives up. Someone like Silus is not what you wanna base a faction on."
Except for the part where he has every reason to feel that way, after being completely loyal short of having killed himself because Caesar failed to lead repeatedly. Expecting suicide is not the mark of a great military, let alone a great society. So people like Silus don't ruin the Legion. The Legion ruins people.
Common sense about how armies work.
Common sense is not a actual thing or a valid argument.
"If you're going to make the (foolish) point that successful guerilla warfare is easy, make it. Don't beat around the bush with nonsense like this."
I don't have to beat around the bush to not build it up necessarily being some grand endeavor. Easy is your word. I said it has the lowest entry requirement. That's just it's nature. The concept is very specifically about mobile irregular forces vs regular forces, small groups or a small scale relative to enemy forces. Success only requires the element of surprise. No coordination is required, let alone on multiple levels.
Equipment, training, doctrine, and 'how terror will be used' was mentioned. I pointed out that "They run around in old sports equipment with machetes, and attack any enemy that is close to them." Their actions simply do not indicate what was suggested when it comes to the application of guerrilla warfare. The best example of their supposed prowess I can come up with is Camp Searchlight, but all they really did was sneak in, release waste, and leave. Ta-da...so much coordination and planning, because they stole uniforms, and watched patrol routes, and happened upon toxic waste that was just sitting there being neglected as a potential hazard.
"A fair question, but it doesn't detract from the point I was making. The fact that Lanius recognizes that a second Hoover Dam might be a strategic mistake stands. There could be numerous reasons why he still chooses to go ahead with it."
Talk is cheap. He can criticize other leaders all he wants, but if he doesn't actually do better then he's just taking potshots. As for these "numerous reasons": they're hypothetical, and you didn't even give one.
"If they wished to desert they would and could, so I don't think your suggestion holds any merit."
You didn't even try to address my point here...
"Silus is also under threat of death and torture, so what exactly does he prove?"
A Legionary with resentment. Specifically the thing you said didn't exist. Also that Legion deserters happen, literally the only time we see a Legion deserter he tells us his only other option was suicide. Kind of hammers home the fact that it's either obey or die. Unless they manage to get captured. In which case they better hope their captors will not only keep them alive but also prevent their assassination by the Legion.
"You're being selective."
That's rich.
"When Silus reflects negatively on the Legion or Caesar under threat of death, you choose to believe it. When legionaries reflect positively on the Legion or Caesar, supposedly also under threat of death (questionable, but that is not the point), you choose to discredit it."
I never questioned their positivity. I merely disagreed with your 100% acceptance of it over anything else despite the fact that logically if people have to be threatened with torture or death then they aren't all 100% happy about their situation. We also get told numerous times about how anyone who didn't fall in line was executed on the spot or tortured...and how no one simply joins the Legion voluntarily. Even when a tribe says yes, and even when it all seems like they're in (Twisted Hairs), they're still going to see their own people slaughtered. There is no way to suggest that everyone has only pride and conviction, without fear or resentment, when it's functionally impossible for that to be the case...yet here you are.
It's easy to forget, but a large amount of content was planned to have the player travel to Arizona and visit the Legion capital city, Flagstaff. They have a large number of free citizens living under them, and tolerate traders and other independent settlements. Legionaries themselves are indoctrinated under Caesar, but they're not the main population of the Legion. Remember that what we see in the Mojave is, literally, an invasion force. They have an economy, cities, a government, and citizens beyond that. Even as far as Lanius goes, Caesar has other Legates. The Legion is much larger and more expansive than just their war camp near Hoover Dam.
Allegedly, and according to unofficial statements made by devs. I'll stick to canon.
