I am ok with the Iconians feeling like they do magic more than use technology for the above reasons. That is, as long as they do not make the Iconians wusses. When they introduced the Voth I also felt the same way, and now I see them as a joke.
When it comes to the Iconians, the things I do not really understand is, why are they not using an Omega Bomb? They do not need warp travel to go through the universe, but all the other races do. A few well placed Omega Bombs would make warp travel nearly impossible for the races of the Milky Way, and thus ends the threat of them joining forces against the Iconians. You send shock troops to overwelm each planet in turn, and you win the entire galaxy.
But that's just what I would do...
In retort to an "Omega Bomb campaign", I would give reference to Sun Tzu The Art of War:
"[B]Generally, in war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this.[/B] To capture the enemy's entire army is better than to destroy it; to take intact a regiment, a company, or a squad is better than to destroy them. For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence.
Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy. Next best is to disrupt his alliances by diplomacy. The next best is to attack his army. And the worst policy is to attack cities(inre to this, Planets/Star systems would take the place for Cities).Attack cities only when there is no alternative because to prepare big shields and wagons and make ready the necessary arms and equipment require at least three months, and to pile up earthen ramps against the walls requires an additional three months. The general, unable to control his impatience, will order his troops to swarm up the wall like ants, with the result that one-third of them will be killed without taking the city. Such is the calamity of attacking cities.
Thus, those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle. They capture the enemy's cities without assaulting them and overthrow his state without protracted operations. Their aim is to take all under heaven intact by strategic considerations. Thus, their troops are not worn out and their gains will be complete. This is the art of offensive strategy.
Comments
Not "White-knighting" here, but in Cryptic's defense, I give you Arthur C. Clarke's Third Law to ponder over:
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
Edit: looks like verith beat me to the Clarke's Law reference -
In retort to an "Omega Bomb campaign", I would give reference to Sun Tzu The Art of War:
"[B]Generally, in war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this.[/B] To capture the enemy's entire army is better than to destroy it; to take intact a regiment, a company, or a squad is better than to destroy them. For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence.
Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy. Next best is to disrupt his alliances by diplomacy. The next best is to attack his army. And the worst policy is to attack cities (inre to this, Planets/Star systems would take the place for Cities).Attack cities only when there is no alternative because to prepare big shields and wagons and make ready the necessary arms and equipment require at least three months, and to pile up earthen ramps against the walls requires an additional three months. The general, unable to control his impatience, will order his troops to swarm up the wall like ants, with the result that one-third of them will be killed without taking the city. Such is the calamity of attacking cities.
Thus, those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle. They capture the enemy's cities without assaulting them and overthrow his state without protracted operations. Their aim is to take all under heaven intact by strategic considerations. Thus, their troops are not worn out and their gains will be complete. This is the art of offensive strategy.