This handbook is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the 174th Battle Group, its structure, operations, and guidelines for members. It serves as a reference for both new recruits and seasoned members to ensure consistency and efficiency within the group.
This handbook is organized into sections that cover various aspects of the 174th Battle Group. Each section is designed to provide clear and concise information on specific topics.
Members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the contents of this handbook and refer to it regularly to ensure they are adhering to the standards and expectations of the 174th Battle Group.
Departments govern specific gameplay loops and organisational activities across the group. Unlike divisions, which define a member's operational role, departments cut across divisional boundaries; a member belongs to both a division and a department. For example, an engineer holds a rank within the Auxiliary division but belongs to the Engineering department; a combat medic serves in the Marine division but belongs to the Medical department alongside dedicated medical officers in Auxiliary.
The 174th Battle Group is organised into three distinct divisions: Naval, Marine, and Auxiliary. This structure reflects the fundamentally different operational environments and skill sets required to execute the full spectrum of the group's missions. Divisions define a member's operational role: how and where they do what they do. They are distinct from departments, which govern specific gameplay loops and functions that cut across all divisions.
The Marine division encompasses all personnel whose primary role involves ground combat, boarding actions, facility assault or defence, and close-quarters operations. Marines are the group's primary fighting force on foot, responsible for securing objectives that cannot be taken from orbit alone.
A separate marine structure is necessary because ground and boarding operations require a different tactical doctrine, equipment standard, and leadership model to ship-based roles. Marines must train and operate independently of the fleet while remaining able to integrate seamlessly with Naval assets, a relationship that works best when each division has its own coherent hierarchy and identity.
The Auxiliary division encompasses all personnel whose primary role involves enabling the operational effectiveness of the Naval and Marine divisions. Auxiliary personnel ensure the group can sustain itself independently, maintain its assets, and generate the resources required for prolonged operations.
A dedicated auxiliary structure is necessary because enablement roles require their own doctrine, career progression, and leadership chain. Embedding auxiliary personnel into operational divisions risks subordinating their work to short-term tactical priorities; a separate division ensures that logistics, medical readiness, and resource generation receive sustained command attention and are treated as strategic priorities in their own right.
The 174th Battle Group uses a rank system to denote hierarchy and roles within its divisions. Below is a breakdown of the ranks for each division:
| Description | Naval | Marine | Auxiliary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank 0 | Entry-level | Cadet | Private | Trainee |
| Rank 1 | Proven experience | Ensign | Corporal | Technician |
| Rank 2 | Specialised role | Lieutenant | Sergeant | Specialist |
| Rank 3 | Tactical leadership | Captain | Major | Supervisor |
| Rank 4 | Operational leadership | Commodore | Commander | Chief |
| Rank 5 | Strategic command | Admiral | General | Marshal |
Assigned to all new recruits on joining the group. No prior experience or requirements. Members at this rank are expected to complete their initial training period before advancing.
Requires demonstrated competence and commitment following the initial training period. Members at this rank have shown they can operate reliably within their division.
Requires established expertise in a specific discipline within their department. Rank 2 is the minimum rank required to hold a defined role within a department.
The lowest leadership rank. Requires the demonstrated ability to lead a small team and take responsibility for their performance and welfare. Members at this rank are expected to make tactical decisions independently.
Requires a proven track record of tactical leadership at Rank 3. Members at this rank lead other leaders, coordinating multiple teams or assets toward a broader operational objective.
The highest rank within each division. Reserved for members who have demonstrated sustained operational leadership at the highest level. Responsible for divisional direction, long-term capability, and representing the division in group-wide decisions.
The 174th Battle Group is governed by a council of three: the Admiral (Naval), the General (Marine), and the Marshal (Auxiliary). Each holds Rank 5 within their division and together form the highest decision-making authority in the group. No single individual outranks the others; authority at the top level is collective.
Within each division, authority flows downward by rank. Members follow the orders of the nearest ranking member above them in their own division. Rank 3 is the lowest rank at which a member holds formal leadership responsibility; members below Rank 3 are not expected to direct others.
Department heads hold authority within their domain regardless of divisional rank. A member must follow direction from their department head on matters within that department's scope. However, the council of Rank 5s may override any department head by vote.
Decisions are made at the lowest appropriate level:
The Rules of Engagement define when and how members of the 174th Battle Group are authorised to use force. All members are expected to know and follow these rules at all times. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
Unless a member or the group is under active fire, a warning must be issued before engaging. Members must make a reasonable attempt to communicate intent and allow the target an opportunity to stand down. If the target does not respond or continues to advance, force may be used under the applicable condition above.
Offensive engagements, where the group initiates contact against a target not currently attacking, require explicit authorisation from a Rank 4 or higher officer, or from the council. Individual members may not initiate offensive action on their own authority.
The default stance toward civilians and neutral parties is to avoid interaction entirely. Members must not provoke, threaten, or engage neutral parties without authorisation. If a neutral becomes a direct threat, the escalation process applies before force may be used.
Enemies who surrender or attempt to flee must be pursued and captured where possible. Lethal force against a surrendered or fleeing enemy is a last resort, permitted only when capture is not feasible and the enemy remains an active threat. Rank 3 and above may authorise the release of a captured enemy if operational circumstances require it.
The following actions are prohibited at all times, regardless of orders:
All friendly fire incidents, accidental or otherwise, must be reported to the commanding officer immediately and documented. Members involved must stand down and await instruction before continuing the engagement.
Before engaging any target, members must have visual confirmation of hostile action or recognised hostile markings. Uncertainty is not sufficient grounds to open fire. If a member cannot confirm a target is hostile, they must hold fire and seek clarification from their commanding officer.
The Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all members of the 174th Battle Group. It applies across all group platforms and activities: in-game, on Discord, on any other group tools, and on external platforms when a member is visibly representing the group. Membership is conditional on upholding these standards.
All members are expected to:
Discipline is handled on a case by case basis. There are no fixed tiers; the response is proportionate to the severity and context of the conduct in question.
Members subject to disciplinary action have the right to present their account of events before a decision is reached. Inactivity is not treated as a conduct issue and is governed separately.
The following offences result in immediate removal from the group without prior warning. The council may vote to make the removal permanent.
Any member who has received a formal warning or been removed from the group may appeal the decision to the full Rank 5 council. The council will review the appeal and reach a final decision by majority vote. Appeal decisions are binding.
The fleet composition must adhere to the following design principles:
Though we may have access to a variety of ships, the following are the standard issue ships that we will maintain in our fleet:
A fast and agile fighter designed for space combat, capable of engaging enemy ships and screening for larger vessels.
A heavily armed ship designed to take on larger capital ships, equipped with powerful weapons such as torpedoes and beam weapons able to penetrate heavy armor.
A ship designed to deliver powerful ordnance against ground targets.
A ship designed to deliver powerful ordnance against high-value targets while avoiding detection, equipped with advanced stealth technology and capable of penetrating enemy defenses to strike critical infrastructure or capital ships.
A ship designed to transport troops and equipment to and from the battlefield whilst providing close air support and protection, capable of deploying forces directly into combat zones without the need for an escort or support.
A ship designed to transport troops and equipment to and from the battlefield while avoiding detection, equipped with advanced stealth technology and capable of deploying forces directly into combat zones without the need for an escort or support.
A ship designed to transport boarding parties and equipment for boarding operations, able to quickly and efficiently deploy forces onto enemy vessels or structures.
A heavily armed and armored ship designed to serve as the backbone of our fleet, capable of engaging enemy capital ships and providing support for smaller vessels.
A ship designed to serve as the command center for our fleet, equipped with advanced communication and sensor systems to coordinate fleet operations and provide situational awareness as well as dedicated medical facilities to support our personnel during extended missions.
A ship designed to serve as a mobile staging point for our fleet, capable of launching and recovering smaller vessels and providing support for extended missions.
A ship designed to disrupt enemy communications and sensor systems, capable of jamming or hacking enemy vessels to gain an advantage in combat or reconnaissance.
A ship designed to provide medical support and evacuation for our personnel, equipped with advanced medical facilities and capable of transporting injured personnel to safety.
A ship designed to deploy mines and other area-denial weapons, capable of creating defensive perimeters or disrupting enemy movements.
A small and agile fighter designed for hit-and-run tactics, capable of quickly engaging and disengaging from enemy forces.
A ship designed to engage and destroy smaller aerospace threats such as enemy fighters and ordnance, equipped with multiple rapid-fire weapons and advanced targeting systems to effectively counter many targets in parallel as well as providing overwhelming suppression against ground targets.
A ship designed to extract and process resources from asteroids and other celestial bodies, equipped with advanced mining equipment and storage facilities to support sustained mining operations.
A ship designed to extract and process resources from derelict ships and other space debris, equipped with advanced salvage equipment and storage facilities to support sustained salvage operations.
A large and heavily equipped ship designed to serve as a mobile base of operations for our fleet, capable of supporting extended missions and providing facilities for repair, resupply, and personnel support.
A large cargo ship designed for transporting goods and resources across the galaxy, equipped with extensive storage facilities and advanced navigation systems for long-distance travel.
A ship designed to provide fuel and other resources to other vessels in space, equipped with advanced refueling systems and storage facilities to support extended operations.
A ship designed to transport sensitive data and information across the galaxy, equipped with advanced security systems and storage facilities to ensure the safe delivery of critical information.
A ship designed for deep space exploration, equipped with advanced sensors, long-range communication systems, and living quarters to support extended missions in uncharted regions of the galaxy.
A ship designed for repairing and maintaining other vessels in space, equipped with advanced repair systems, tools, and storage facilities to support extended operations.
The following loadouts are the standard issue equipment for members of the 174th Battle Group, organized by division.