Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

I did have a PBW game once where I was about to be eradicated by a much stronger opponent and so in desperation I hid a couple colony ships in a storm and hoped that once he killed the last of me he could see then I could start over in a quiet piece of the quadrant while he turned his attention to other foes. Techincally the idea was feasible as long as I had an ally willing to allow my ships to pass unmolested and I could establish the colonies before my resource storage ran out and my ships were abandoned.

I can't imagine it working very well in a two player game though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

El_Phil, people on the WC ladders are a bit..weird. They will intentionally make new accounts if they lose, so they can:
-not have a loss on their record
-get matched up with newbies for easy wins

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Just a heads up for everyone on the Round 2 map...

Unless there are multiple starting points (which there very well could be), the starting locations are fairly close. I ran into Grandpa Kim on turn 15 (2401.4).

Wheee, let the games begin!

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Is the round two map more or less the same size as the round one map?

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

If we go full tech, then I would think we would want 10 homeworlds too. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Well, mostly, I was joking (see the smiley to the right) but I'm always game for an all-tech match.

If you're serious, we just need to decide on other parameters. Ciao!

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

It's quite a bit denser, actually. The first I would describe as "Balanced Midlife", with each system having 12 medium planets of each combination of atmospheres/types (excluding None atmosphere).

This one, from the currently greyed out view of the system map, looks kinda like a flower, with a round central hub expanding out into petals full of systems. Not sure what the connections will be like, but thats what it seems like to me for now. The sytems themselves are still "balanced", but instead have 14 planets (again, combination of every type, including None this time) of varying sizes. So, more variety this time around. You still know exactly how many colonizers to send into an unexplored system, you just won't know how big the colonies will be.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Guys, don't be too specific about the map k? Everybody else in round two will be using it as well and we don't want to give away the secrets. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

It was created using balance mod 2.0.

I had Fyron create it for me since I am still playing in the tourney and didn't want to have a veiw of the starting positions.

My only request was that there be some space between starting positions, but not neccesarily in opposite corners. It sounds like he accomplished that.

I have come to the realization over many koth and tournament games that starting on opposite sides of the quadrant may not be the ideal starting position for a two player game. First of all, if you know the map has manual placement and you are in one corner, you know pretty reliably that your opponent is in the opposite corner. Secondly, people expand at different rates so typically the faster expander can trap his opponent into one third to one quarter of the map and choke them off. And finally it can just take forever to meet you opponent sometimes, which is a little boring in two-player games.

My thought currently is that the positions should be about halfway from the center to the edge of the quadrant map. This still gives you half a quadrants distance between you, but allows you to have a little space "behind" you to colonize once the borders are established. This also allows you to be a little more flexible on exactly where you place the players so it's not so easy to predict where they are. You could be both in the same hemisphere when viewing the map from one perpsective, but still half a quadrant away. That can make a significant difference in the direction to your opponents homeworld.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Round 1 is complete. Nomis defeated Blueoriontiger to move on to round two against Tiberius.

One of the round 2 games is already up to turn 60 or so. The rest of the round two games have yet to start. I will start pushing things along a bit now that everybody is into round 2.

If you haven't got your empire uploaded, please get it done.

Geoschmo

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Ready for round 2 here! See, we're obedient empires http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

We have agreed upon some strange and interesting parameters for our game, so "listen up"...

There will be NO:

PD
Religious Trait
Carrier ships (e-agreement, 'cause there's no setting)
Mines
Stellar Manipulation
Intel
Shields
Armor

All else is as per the tourney. We used 2,000 points for racial traits.

Finally, we agreed upon 3 GOOD homeworlds.

(if I've forgotten anything, I imagine I will be corrected)

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

No armor, shields or PD? You guys are going to go through a lot of ships. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Just so I am clear, when you say no carrier ships, you mean no ships of the carrier hull-types? I assume you are allowed to build say a light-cruiser and put fighter bays on it? Or am I assuming too much?

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Yeah, we can put bays on any kind of ship except carriers. This was to avoid the 800Kt ship after researching fighters.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Yeah, GrandpaKim just hit me pretty hard with an approximately 20 ship fleet of 800kT Light Carriers. Combination of fighters and heavy mounts overwhelmed my fleet of about 30 destroyers and light cruisers. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

I had used that strategy vs. the AI before, but I don't think I ever quite got that big of a fleet of carriers together this soon. Seems to be very effective.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Well, it's a very interesting game!

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

And, we now have the first finished game in the second round. Grandpa Kim has three 20-ish strong fleets of light carriers running around capturing all my planets, and one of them slaughtered what I think would have been my last hope, a fully trained fleet I had guarding a warp point. My colonies are beginning to riot, most of them are either Unhappy or Angry... not a very good situation. I just sent in my surrender.

Good luck to everyone else in their Round 2 games, and good luck to Grandpa Kim for your semi-final game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

This one goes to Slynky. It was over a while ago, but we played on because of the odd setting for the game. The settings really made for a different feel to the game.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Quite scary settings knowing one had NOTHING to stop missiles with or even "pad" their hits (no armor or shields). Even then, fighters weren't to be discounted, either as one could hit them with regular beam weapons but hopping through a hole was a bit tough as beam weapons don't get to fire defensively like PDs do, so you had to withstand that first onslaught of fighters.

Thanks for a good game, prompt turn turnaround, and dialogue on playtimes and availability. Made it a pleasure!

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Round 2 is over. Round 3 games have been setup.

Game 1, Slynky vs Parasite

Game 2, Grandpakim vs Nomis

Let me know when you've decided on settings.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Grandpakim surrenders to Nomis. He got there fustest with the mostest.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Playing with Grandpa Kim was a pleasure. I made many mistakes during this game and learned a lot. I set some dump fleet strategies and after battles realized how dump! I had worse economy and research, but time was working for me. If only Granda Kim attacked me earlier I would surely lose any battle (with my –25% to hit). Thanks to Grandpa Kim for great game.

Well, I'm pretty new PBW player, only half year playing against human opponents. I hope I would be enough good to play against such experienced players like Slynky or Parasite.

Re: The 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

An update on the other game. I have recently dropped from first as Slynky's larger slice of the galaxy is starting to pay off. We have not really had any big battles yet as one of us is either not ready or unwilling to risk the game and tournament chances on one shot attacks. Right now we are in the Phony War stage with only sniping going on. But the lines are drawn.

Congrats Nomis and good luck in the next game!

Re: The 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

It would be fun to hear reports from the players in the final round every dozen turns or so. On an "honor system", of course, with the other player not looking at the posts of his enemy in a separate thread perhaps.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Congratulations, Nomis (Simon?), for winning your side of the tournement bracket! Not bad at all for a person only playing with humans for 6 months.

Maybe you should stop by the KOTH tourney and try your skill.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

ONe step closer to finally getting those five ship sets released. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Err... this is not the same thing. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Dammit! Your right of course.. I am an idiot. I guess it was just hopeful jump the gun lac of thinking on my part. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif I do so wish we could get news about the RTSEV contest.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

I have surrendered to Slynky in our game of the Tournament. I held out for 75 turns, but there is no more light. In the interests of my people and those of his race following my banner he is the winner. Let there be no more death.

I think we both played very well. His empire was set up for more long term play while mine was a little better on the shorter game side. Once I became unable to break through his ships, he could win by attrittion. He also realized that and played it to a tea.

I have reasonably complete game notes. I hope to clean them up a little and post them here. I can't figure out how to make the system names mean anything. I will just have to wing it.

Coming soon, how to not win against Slynky http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Well... I think I know how to <font color="red">not</font> win against Slynky http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif But I'm waiting for your tips http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

It's easy enough to beat Slynky, actually. Just follow these three easy steps:
- Convince Slynky to play in a 2vs2 game, with yourself on his side. You should choose the other players so that they are more or less on your playing field. This step may not be necessary, if Slynky approaches you first.
- Play the game as usual, and defeat the other team. This part is mandatory: you *must* kill the other two players, as otherwise the plan cannot work out. Bonus points if you can impress Slynky in the process.
- You should have played well enough to make Slynky himself recognise your worth; he should concede you the final win, thereby making you the grand victor of the game. This part might be hard to pull off if you didn't play *that* well, but you may still be successful: just be wordy, and it might all work out at the end of the day.

I became leader of the ratings that way myself, so it's a proven strategy. Of course, don't tell Slynky about that... he might get just a wee bit suspicious.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Wow! You're just beside yourself today... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Thanks for the kind words.

It was a good game with a good map and good players. I was always on edge wondering just how far I was in 1st place. Of course, I wasn't in 1st place the whole game, you held it for quite a few turns.

I like the game because it wasn't a "one-battle decided it all" sort of game. We risked some large numbers a few times and had some 10-20 ship fleets a lot of times. I took a system, and you took it, and then I took it back, then you took it back. You captured some breathers and wiped out a system on the outside edge. Then I resettled it and broke through your defenses in the middle and outer edge. So, like I said, it was a fun game with a good turn-around time of game turns with a good sport. *bows*

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Now Slynky, you just have to ask me to play a Pairs game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

And thanks for the ego boost. I agree, it was a fun fun game

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Ok, They are now posted in the After Action Reports section. Just to warn you there is not too much information about playing styles, more on a measuring stick to see where you are in a game and what tech choices one person has made. Since you play him next, I would be fair and pass him just a bit about your setup and race in the last game. Maybe trade info before the start. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Injured.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

No problem. How shall we advertise we are ready to take on a team of two in a game with no mines and no intel (at the least)? Hmmmmm?

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Well, it looks like we need some settings for the final game, Nomis. I'm sure Geo has set us up with a wonderful map (or will http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif ).

What kind of settings do we want? Let's leave intel out of it, what say you? And since this is the last game, what better way to go out in a blast of glory than a full-tech game (grin)? Of course, I'll understand if that's a bit of a wild suggestion.

Anyway, what kind of proposal do you have, sir?

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

"No intel" sounds good. About full-tech, well I don't know... I've never played that way, but I could try.

Standard start settings are pretty fine for me. Perhaps, we could add few other rules. I've played only three 1vs1 online games, so I admit that I don't know how to make a game more fun.

When I watched Final of Champions League, one guy said "final shouldn't be played for show or fun, just should be won". I know that my chances for winning are rather low, so I'm gonna get some fun, at least http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

If you consider yourself the underdog, then I shall do the honorable thing and let you choose any settings beyond these:

No mines;
No intel;
3 good planets;

The rest is up to you--racial points, races, and any other settings you would like to ban.

Looking forward to a fun game like the last one where I was on edge for 3/4 of the game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[edit] - I like the thrill of fulltech but considering your relatively newness to the 1 vs 1 games, it might not be very fair.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Ok. Let's play with pretty standard settings.

No mines.
No intel.
3 good planets.
100k starting resources.
Tech start lev: low.
Tech cost: medium.
Racial points: 2k.
No ruins and events.

Anything else?

Edit: ... and no shutting down power plant in my town. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Agreed. And I'll leave the power plant alone in your town. Errr, where do you live? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

PS: I'll work on my empire in about 2 hours, I have something to do right now.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

My empire done and uploaded.

I live in Krosno - little town (~40k inhabitants) in Poland. Believe me you won't be able to find it on a common map.

And you've asked me about my nickname. No, it isn't a reversed "Simon".

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Just uploaded mine, so whenever Geo has time, we can begin.

Krosno? Poland? Hmmm...got me worried now. Foreign players are often very crafty and skilled.

So...

Good luck and good gaming!
Slynky

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

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<font size=1>-bump-</p>

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Whenever the game gets started, please send me my password. I've already forgotten it... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/redface.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

There is no surprise this time. Slynky has easily defeated me, and he is the winner of 2005 PBW Open Tournament.

I'm proud that I could play against him.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Well, I wouldn't call it easily. It took getting the bigger part of the galaxy, stealing some oxygen breathers, and stellar manipulation to overcome the Talisman.

And the "twist" Geo put in the game (making the map circular) was a surprise that had me in panic mode as I learned my "back yard" was NOT safe from attack.

It was a good game, nomis. You are quite the player for only playing humans for just a few games!

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Hope you both enjoyed it and didn't feel that it gave an advantage to one of you. I tried to setup it up carefully to balance the positions.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

No, I don't think it was unbalancing. Actually, I found the first one on the back top left and had to keep counting the holes. I was like, "Wha tha...?" So, I sent a ship down and was only a turn or two ahead of nomis. THEN, never thinking for a moment the top right would be another one, took my time getting to that one. BOOM, another one! But it was such a long journey for me, I hesitated sending a ship down it. Especially a colony ship (I had already captured one from noomis and didn't want the same thing to happen). So, I had to build another ship to go check. He was already there with a bit more than me, so I just started building and defending the hole like crazy. Never moved across it at all and at the end of the game, nomis was a bit in desparation status and he attacked through it the turn before he surrendered.

So, all-in-all, I think you guessed right at where to put them so no one really got in the back yard of the other player.

Thanks for hosting the game and tourney. It's a lot of effort to do something like that for the enjoyment of others. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif