Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Running
 

Yet Another Newbie Game

It seems as though there is considerable interest by players such as myself transitioning from SP to MP who want to play, but given the depth of the game, are a little intimidated by the potential skill difference of the veterans. It is one thing to read a guide by Baalz and an entirely different thing to think of playing against him. Here is a game for newbies to give it a whirl against other newbies. I am currently [doing poorly] in my first MP game 'Rothfuss' as MA Pangaea.

I'm open to different mods/settings if the majority are also into them, but in SP I started with EA and played many games on Cradle of Dominions (great map) using default settings. My guess is there are other newbies out there who maybe had a similar path and would like to try MP in familiar surroundings.

Early Era
Map: Cradle of Dominions - (11 land starts)
Mods: CBM 1.41
Settings: default + renaming + magic sites 55

1. pyg - Fomoria
2. Alpine Joe - Marverni
3. Redeyes - Mictlan
4. P3D - Sauromatia
5. qio - Vanheim
6. Tolkien - Helheim
7. statttis - Pangaea
8. licker - Tir na n'Og
9. Trumanator - Arcoscephale
10. Quell - Caelum
11. Juffos - Yomi

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

I was just eliminated from my first multiplayer game (nightfall) so I would like to join this one. Are we picking nations yet?

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

Yup, Kailasa for you? Or no monkeys today?

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

Hey, I haven't finished any games yet though I just kicked Alpine Joe out of Nightfall :^)

As a game I subbed in abruptly ended due to crashing issues I would like to try something new, can I get in as EA Mictlan?

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

Hm, I'm in. Sauromatia if possible.

BTW It would be my first MP game.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

Put me down for marverni

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

EA Vanheim

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

I'll sign up as EA Helheim.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

Lol, if I wasn't already so overloaded I would be interested, especially since it seems like all my games except Rothfuss are in the LA.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

Good thinking.

If you still need players in another couple of days, then I'll join. My preference is not to use the full CBM, but I'm amenable to WH and CB Gods.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

The only thing I would like to see is a slightly higher rate of Magic Sites.

I have been on the end of finding nothing at all which isn't very fun and screws you pretty bad a couple of turns into the game, I have also been lucky, but with a higher ratio (55-60) there is a much greater chance that everyone gets lucky than just some people :)

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

The way Nightfall is heading it should be over soon and I'll have time for another game. Congrats Redeyes, you're stronger than the rest of the world combined :)

Put me down as Pangaea.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

How is diplomacy going to go: a Machevallian dystopia or a "honor thy treaties" deal?

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

If you can get enough support for it from other players, sure. I was hoping for this to be a *default* game in order to give people, such as myself, some familiar surroundings. I just got used to CBM sort of.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

I'd like to second this. Bumping up the magic site chance a little bit gives everyone the gems they need to use some real magic, even if they get unlucky.


I don't think that higher magic site chance will make the game seem unfamiliar. EA default is 45, so moving it to 50 or 55 won't make a huge difference.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

Well if no one other than myself wishes for the default then I propose magic sites - 55. If anyone cares strongly one way or the other please say so.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

If you want gems make a rainbow pretender that can site search, or research site search spells. If you make an overtly heavy scale build and super SC, enjoy the barren desert without your gem mines. If we're gonna start toying with the setting, I vote for 200% to income.

Don't open the can.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

The default EA magic site setting is 45. Increasing it to 50 or 55 is hardly the same as doubling income.

Players who take a rainbow pretender and do a lot of site searching will still have the same gem advantage over players who don't. What changes is the base level of gems that players tend to have. In my opinion, the game is more fun when there's more magic being used. But if it's a big deal to you I don't mind playing default settings.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

It's a matter of distribution for me.
With a low ratio a few people are likely to have many sites,
With a high ratio a few people are likely to have a few sites.

Having no sites screws you over quite a bit, which is why I would like a higher ratio:)

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

I've been playing tir quite a bit so if you'll have me I'd be happy to join.

I'd slightly prefer to use the full CBM, but it's not a really killer one way or the other.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

I never claimed such, nor made any such comparison. Simply stated my preference for modifying the settings. My suggestion is not less valid. If you want I can even pitch quite a few arguments for why my idea is spectacular.

I would prefer the default settings, but the game host or a majority decision will no doubt settle the issue.

If you increase the base level of gems, you do undermine other people that play specific nations or have a specific pretender design. It's not directly a question of comparing the amount of gems that players A and B have, but rather whether player A has enough for his needs. Yes, luck does play a factor in this. Equally, you could argue random events should be disabled.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

I don't understand why one players strategy would be undermined by more gems. If player A needs X gems for something to work, X+10% means it works even better. More gems opens up more strategies, not less. I'm not that concerned about the luck factor, I just think that more gems gives the game more variety, in a way that is lacking with normal settings.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

If you do not incorporate "site searching" into your design; a larger abundance of gems means that with a bit of luck you can find enough lvl 0 sites by just rapid expansion. The percentages are tilted in that direction. That means you can forge those few items you need to make your SC or thugs viable in the mid and late game. The benefit of good path diversity is less.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

So change your strategy...

It's not as though the game settings wont be known before the start.

No one has Niefel yet anyway ;)

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

Well I've dropped from consideration from a team game, and I am about to be double teamed in Rothfuss, so I'd like to get in this as Atlantis if you're allowing water nations, or Arco if you want all land nations.

As far as settings go, I'm personally more in favor of ~60 magic sites, but whatever the host decides.
I know you want to keep stuff simple, but know that you can use specific sections of CBM rather than the whole package. Just using the pretenders and scales can really help diversity without making it too confusing.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

You have an actual point you are trying to make?

Changing the settings affects the game. If it didn't, there wouldn't be any settings.

If you do not care what the settings are, you could be mute on the issue. If you are in favor of some modifications, you could justify the reason for making those; or simply just say what your preference would be. I see neither.

I can give you random advice that has no relevance to the issue. You should eat a lot of fiber. This is pretty much on par with your statement above.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

Sorry Trumanator, nothing personal. I had the worst starting location possible. Hopefully we won't be neighbors this game.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

Sign me up as Caelum please

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

qio speaks my mind here. I happen to like (and am used to) rainbow pretenders and I think cranking the magic sites setting nullifies some of their advantages.

My thinking in playing with game defaults is that it is the lowest common denominator and something everyone has probably played with.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

From other earlier discussions people have expressed that diversity is better with more sites as then there is simply more sites to find.

Luck is still always the most significant factor. At a higher ratio you'll see more players who got "lucky" with a good gem economy. I like when there's many contenders for the throne, a higher ratio helps ensure that.

What about random events? Yeah, I think they are a bit problematic too but only in the impact they can have on the early game. They aren't nearly as big a deal as not having found any of the (permanent unlike most minor one-time events) sites that support your nation's magic and they are a great part of the scale economy...

Perhaps we should simply vote?
We are a couple who have expressed a preference for higher site ratio and Just Qio who is strongly against it (on principal reasons?)

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

My my...

A tad touchy about this?

My advice is crystal clear. This game is about more than just determining what you are good with, or what your favorite strategy is. If the game is to be played with certain settings, then you should be able to adapt to those settings.

Others have said they feel more sites makes it more fun. You have said more sites disadvantages your strategy.

I wonder which is more likely to be chosen based solely on the above?

Though it should be noted, that your strategy is only disadvantaged in a relative sense, and perhaps not at all, as you seem to think that a rainbow pretender will find 'fewer' sites than the level 0 sites you appear to feel disadvantaged by, or the 'extra' sites a nation lacking diversity will miss.

Of course the above presupposes that more gems is always an advantage. Though I'm not sure who is going to disagree with that.

I'm not sure how you gathered from my post that I was neutral on this issue anyway, but no matter, until the host asks for some kind of tally I don't see that it will matter much.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

I would like to join as Yomi.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

Ok, the game is full (sorry analytic_kernel). What nobody picked Ulm? I'll take Fomoria.

It seems like everyone is down with all game settings and mods except Magic Sites - 55. Currently we have Trumanator, Redeyes, and statttis for it -vs- qio and myself against. Majority rules (not consensus), so speak up if you care.

I'll give a bit more time for people to weigh in and then start the game on LlamaServer probably around 2400 GMT.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

EA Ulm isn't as fun or as good as MA or LA Ulm, in my opinion.

Plus I wanted to try out Helheim.

As for the magic sites: either way is fine for me.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

Technical difficulties, please stand by.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/50/13...118171.jpg?v=0

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - New Game
 

Your talking more garbage.

Go back to school. That's my advice. You did not ask for it. I did not ask for yours. Understand? It is irrelevant to the issue at hand. The issue is "should we increase the frequency for magic sites".

Yes. If it comes down to a majority decision, I have pointed out why increasing magic site frequency is a bad thing. Some will agree with me, some will not. A few like you will probably not understand.

I want to make this VERY clear, as your reading ability is clearly compromised. I have NOT SAID that this DISADVANTAGES my strategy. Please quote exactly where you think I say this. Why are you assuming I am playing a certain strategy? I am pointing out that by making modification X, you are directly harming certain builds. I am playing Vanheim. Increased magic site frequency is advantageous for me.

You also clearly misunderstand what I said. A rainbow pretender will NOT find LESS sites. However, ANY player that takes over provinces has a HIGHER chance of finding lvl0 sites. This is VERY advantageous for nation/pretender builds that have poor site search capabilities (for example Vanheim - my nation).

I don't know why I made that assumption. Maybe, because you DID not say you were in FAVOR or AGAINST having the magic site frequency increased - you know, the ISSUE. I am against this, you got that much.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

So we are using cbm 1.41 complete correct? This is important for creating a 'legal' pretender.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

qio, I think you are stepping a little over the line. It's just a game. I see a lot of miscommunication going on here and I don't think this is going anywhere positive. Let's all just chill.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

Yes. No one objected and several posts were positive.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

qio, that counts as flaming.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

Juffos, licker, both of you are still welcome to play in this game, but are you sure you're newbies? Your names show up in Tyrant's Hall of Honor thread. Something you'd like to share? ;-)

Anyway everybody better pay attention because among the newbies in this game some of us are *less new* than others. Expect great things from Yomi and Tir na n'Og

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

qio
Be more careful with your comments.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

At least theres going to be an obvious outlet for their disagreement ;)

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

Well I suppose it matters what you call a noobie.

I am not a total noob, but this would be my 6th MP game. Only 3 of which I have finished, and as you say, won one (though it was another noob game) and lost the other two in the first 10-15 turns...

If you think I have too much experience I am happy to bow out. I would also point out though, that Tir na n'Og is hardly considered a super powerful nation...

Now if I were playing Niefel on the other hand... ;)

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

I've thought a little bit about the magic site issue and came up with a couple arguments against increasing it:

1. It decreases the value of a luck scale. More gems from sites means that the gems from random events make up a smaller proportion of your gem income.

2. It makes blood nations more powerful. The trade off for blood hunting is the gold cost from unrest + upkeep of blood hunters. With increased magic sites you get more blood slaves for the same gold cost.

I'm playing a blood nation that likes luck scales so it's hard to decide which magic site setting I prefer ;). Just put me down as "neutral" if you're keeping track of player preferences.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

Nah. You should see me when I really am flaming someone.

I'll admit. I don't do cute, cuddly and loveable. It might be a medical condition.

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

No, we want you. I was just making sure everyone else knew as much as I did. Actually Niefel is still open. Don't hold back if you would prefer. Giants are so cool!

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

Well I don't quite follow statttis completely, but it now seems that 2 of us are for and 2 of us against changing to Magic Sites - 55, a tie, in which case I would chose default settings. Anybody else?

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

I don't think statttis was taking a side, and I don't see how it makes blood nations more powerful for the reason he gave...

Though it potentially makes blood nations more powerful, but it also makes nations who rely on conjuration/enchantment/construction more powerful.

Basically it makes everyone more powerful, some more than others perhaps, but in the end it's going to come down to if you are lucky enough to find a mega site or not.

Remember it also helps non diverse magic nations in that they are more likely to find a site where they can recruit some different mages.

I slightly prefer upping it, so if you are getting mixed results between 45 and 55 why not pick the middle?

Re: Yang: Newbie game EA CoD defaults - Full (starting soon)
 

OK, Yang on! Err, lets all get yanging. The game name ended up being Yanging because it needs 5 whole characters, what? Anyway, the LlamaServer awaits your carefully prepared pretenders.

Status page for reference.