Ascendant - Game On!
 

We're about to start an EA game for players who are new to Multiplayer. It will be version 3.15 with pure default settings on a medium sized random map. We'll probably get the Llamameister to host a PBEM, or if there's a lot of uproar for an Autohost, we'll see what we can do, but there shouldn't be, because you shouldn't know the difference, because I don't. HA! But really, this scenario will be limited to those who have 0-2 games played or playing please.

Sign-up will be limited to 15 players total; we don't want to lock what should be new players into maybe making some poor design choices in their first game, dragging on into the summer...

Renaming and graphs will be on. I expect to see some hilarious units out there; expectations are high.

Shortlist exploits will be carefully weighed and considered for censure. Probably almost anything on there that doesn't explicitly prevent a valid style of play from any given nation will be frowned upon and more.

Let's just get in there and have a random, wild, and clean first round of Dominions, boys!

Renojustin - Sauromatia (daddy didn't love us)
Kasnavada - Abysia (molten hot lava lamps)
Ossa - Helheim (if you can't beat em, hang yourself)
Darkwind - R'yleh (we're here, we're weird, get used to it)
FrozenFalcon - Tir na n'Og (Pretty hot compared to Fir Bolgs)
Mozkito - C'tis (full nude serpent dancers nightly)
Wrana - Ulm (the height of antler-based fashion)
Frumious - T'ien C'hi (I'm dynamite, and I'll win the fight)
Fickle - Fomoria (how do you like my curse, Cursedy?)
Shigure - Kailasa (we don't need no stinkeeng PD)
Zenzei - Caelum (good raptor, that's a pretty raptor)
charshep (now Carkaton) - Atlantis (de seaweed is always greena in somebody else's lake)
secretperson - Lanka (eep)
deadboi - Marverni (with optional pointy nipple attack in cold domain)
Vellon - Arcoscephale (hemlock shots all around)

Victory Condition: Hold 7 capitals and fortifications for 1 turn.

Map: pre-randomized, amazingly tactical and balanced map, 225 provinces

Hosting period will be 24 hours for the first ten or twenty turns, and then if there's popular support for it, we can move to 48 hours.

***NEW - Download the Ascendant map files, it's the attachment at the top of the post!***

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

I've finished 2 multiplayer games and am currently playing one; If I still qualify, I'll try Tir na n'Og.

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

I'd like to join with Helheim - no games so far.

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Sorry Falcon, I'd really like to keep this one quite strict with respect to the 0-2 rule, even if it takes slightly longer to fill the nation queue.

Thanks for your interest man, we'll be mixing it up soon I'm sure. Appreciate your honesty.

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

I would like to play as well, although I'm not certain if I qualify! :O

I've played 2 PBEM games vs my brother, and I am currently on the 3rd one. (I guess this counts as MP games? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif)

I've played a blitz vs the guys who hang out on mIRC.
And I'm currently subbing for my brother in the Onomancy game.

I doubt I qualify, but it was worth a try http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

No multiplayer games(and currently no Dominions, I need to reinstall it - rewriting sucks). I'll take R'lyeh(Hey, why not? I haven't played as the Aboleths even in singleplayer).

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Well, one on one games are hardly multiplayer imo, unless your brother is uber and you'll be taking lots of advice from him... you qualify Moz, what nation would you like?

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Oh hey, we get little slogans next to our names! Can I pick mine? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

If I can, I'd like "Cthulhu R'lyeh ftaghn". Not original, but I like it better than yours, no offense meant http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Hmmm, you will be the first to fall.

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Well since we made a little exception I guess we're not going to be all THAT strict with the 0-2 rule... ok THREE and that's it!

Falcon is IN.

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Cool, thanks Renojustin! I would like...EA C'tis?

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Why can't someone choose an underwater nation too? It'll be lonely with only giant monsters from the depths of the sea controlling the waves! Someone should take Oceania or Atlantis! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

And now I just have to think up a second EA nation! And with Sauromatia taken, no less! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif
Ulm, possibly, or Tien Chi? And what's the map/mods/other conditions?

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

You will want to make sure that you end up with either zero or 2-3 water nations. 1 doesn't work so well, as Darkwind points out.

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Everything is up there on the original post. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

We'll just see if we get an amphibious nation to join in too.

At worst, with random maps, it's usually not too much water anyway, so even if we recruit no other amphibious or aquatic nations it won't be unbalanced.

R'lyeh could possibly even be at a disadvantage. They're not a mega-dominant EA power so it could even be the boost they need. I'd rather play against Atlantis on land, but Oceania is more powerful than R'yleh on land for sure.

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

By "everything" you mean that no mods are to be in effect, aren't you? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
Also, I don't know how to exploite the fact that Faery Trod doesn't work as desired. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif Do you? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

I might if I knew what was wrong with it, I'm just too lazy to look up and memorize everything that's wrong that I don't use on a regular basis.

With regards to the exploits and shortlist, just bring it to the rest of the game's attention if you think someone is giving you the shaft, so to speak. *shoots arrow*

Pick a nation yet? Maybe Pangaea with all this talk of Faery Trod?

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

A true newbie reporting... (have never played an MP before, but I have played a good bit of SP.)

T'ien C'hi please.

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

And Frumious steals T'ien C'hi from an indecisive Wrana! Ouch!

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Count me in. I'll take Fomoria.

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Well, I'm too lazy to memorise exploites, too.. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif
To Frumious: Good luck! You'll need it (hint)! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif
In this case, I either will take Ulm, or try some monkey tricks... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif (Pangaea I like but not just now, by you leave)

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Absolutely, I like Ulm quite a lot in EA and they might have been tied for second choice for me with Pangaea. You have become Ulm, Maker of Things.

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

I think I would like to join as "Monkey PD can NEVER WIN" Kailasa. What will the hosting schedule for this game be?

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

I was thinking something fast-paced. As we're all young and hungry for action and romance, we'll probably end up playing on a 24 hour timer for the first 20 turns or so before switching to a 48, and leave it there to keep the heat on at least a low simmer.

Sound good to everyone? I'm mostly just going by what I've read in other game threads.

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Sounds great! 3 More people and we can get this rolling! Although having another water player would be nice, we dont wanna leave ryleh all alone!

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Even if it came to that I don't think it'd be that big of a deal, as per the other post I did on the topic. So we'll just have to see!

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

CRRRROOMMM CRRRRRUAGHHH!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/stupid.gif
So be it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
Time to upload? Llamabeast, Ascendant subject, correct?

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Agartha please

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

I'd like to play Lanka http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

I'll play, if there's still room. For a nation let's say something windy, like Caelum.

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

How many games have you played or playing, Mathusalem? This is supposed to be for new players and you've been around since '05. hehe

Re: Ascendant - EA Game For New Players (Sign Ups
 

Any seats left? I've played through the tutorial and read through the manual, so I'm not very experienced with Dominions but I do have a lot of experience with other 4X games and heavy strategy board games.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

I'm pretty sure we still have 12, so yeah, I think you can get in. I just hope you choose a water nation, I'd hate to rule the seas alone from the start.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

Sign me up for whatever nation is available. Like I said, I've only played one single player game so I don't really know the nations yet.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

Well, if we give him Atlantis, he could hold R'lyeh in check for sure... they'd be battling for their lives in there.

Which sounds better Char, Atlantis or Oceania? We do have an Agartha AND Fomoria so there's two amphibious nations that could possibly slow R'yleh's water expansion...

So it's not even totally necessary that he choose a pure water nation. Up to you, Char, any nation you like.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

Is there still room for players for this game?

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

I think he should be allowed to pick whatever nation he wants, but from my understand, Oceania kinda sucks against Atlantis or R'lyeh underwater.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

It should be pretty much sealed up at 13 at this point, we're ready to go I think, secretperson.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

okay, i'll catch you guys another time then http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

I thought EA Oceania was considered overpowered, with a strong bless. On the other hand it might be more fun for char's first game to play a land nation - less weird.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

Hah, to the wolves with him!

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

Char has 24 hours to choose his nation, and then we're bringing in secretperson.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

I'm still in. Sign me up for Atlantis.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

Is it to late to sign up, if it isn't can I be Yomi

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

If nobody is against it, we'll go with 15 players to get in everyone that has posted here, and change the victory conditions to owning 8 of 15 capitals and fortifications for three turns. That way, we have a little bit of leeway for turtles in the endgame and more random mayhem, which is always to be desired!

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

Owning over half the capitals and keeping them for multiple turns means utter domination by one player. You might want to change it so that the players can race for the goal together.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

EDIT: Didn't notice the fourth page.

At any rate, I'm not sure if team victories would be a good idea, at least, not if nations can change teams in-game. If one player has, say, six capitals but he's about to lose one, he could just ally a player with two or three capitals and win.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

I'd like to play as Lanka if I can still be in and if Atlantis is still taken

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

I'll disagree that owning 7 of 13 capitals is a completely dominant victory. There could easily be a few holdouts with huge gem or blood economies that are just coming into their own and could be equal in power to any gold-based empire owning half the map or more. If there are any powers like that left at the end of the game, they can certainly hold their heads high.

But I'd say that owning capitals for ONE turn probably ought to do it. And besides, it should be easier to create.