[Zen]

bleach168 said:
I've just started playing MP in Dominions. In general, it seems people just play however they feel like. Everybody I've interacted with has been pretty honorable but in different ways. I'd like to know if there are some unwritten rules for how to conduct yourself when playing MP Dominions 2.

Hi Bleach! I'm a newbie too!

Some situations I am unclear about,

1. Emails. As far as I know, it's okay to contact and discuss things through emails even though there is no ingame mechanic to allow it. Is this true for all games?

The only reason that you wouldn't be able to do this is because at the beginning of the game there is a house rule limiting it (Use only in game Messages), as if to impose a sort of "Pony Express" delay. The messaging system is cumbersome and mostly a hinderance so most games that limit this are pure RP style.

2. Non-Aggression Pacts. When someone says "NAP" I know it means a non-aggression pact but does it also imply a 3-turn warning to break? Or does that have to be explicitly stated? Also, what happens if someone breaks the treaty without the 3-turn warning. Does this ever happen?

This is limited by the people you play with and of course crazy "House Rules" or what people feel is fair/how they play. I would never assume there is any delay on any sort of treaty, even if they say one ("I'll give you X turns before after I break this NAP") mostly because Diplomacy is filled with treachery. As for the Last two, if someone breaks it without 3 turn warning, well, I guess they felt the need too, shame on you for not being ready and shame on them for breaking their word (though you will find it common).

3. Alliances. If you ally someone, is it your responsibility to announce it? If you want to prevent yourself or your ally from getting attacked, I would think you would want to announce it as a deterrent.

Thus begin the psychological implications of diplomacy. Everything you ever learned about human action/reaction, read about Machiavelli and Sun-Tzu should help you here. Sometimes it can be good to announce such things, depends on who you are playing and how you want to use your Alliance.

4. War. Is it okay to attack someone without warning if there had been no previous agreements? Or should you give them at least a 1 turn warning?

War is war, everything is okay in war. If you want to lose a part of your advantage in order to portray a certain type of personality/function you could give people a warning, but why would you want to give people a chance to be ready to defend unless you want them to defend places they think you will attack?

5. How common is it to gang up on the "supposed" leader?

Enough, it's not uncommon for people to try to blind others to their own ambitions by giving reasons for 'ganging up' on supposed game dominators.

6. Do people carry grudges over from one game to the next?

The Meta-game. Some do, some don't. Depends on who you play with and how badly you have made their grudge. Hate everyone equally I say!

7. Trading. Is there a universal guide as to how much items and gems are worth in trades? Like how much a gem would cost in gold? Or does this differ in every game?

This differs based on need, if you can convince your trading partner that there is a standard, maybe he won't know how much you need that particular item and how much you'd be willing to pay for it. Cheap as you can get it, would be my suggestion.

8. If two of your neighbors start exchanging blows do you:
a) Help the person losing
b) Help the person winning
c) Don't do anything and let it resolve

Lots of factors to this, but some factors could be:

How much will Player X pay me for help?
How much territory can I take from Player X if I don't help?
How much territory will I lose if I help Player X?
What is the perception of X Players if I help Player X?
What is the perception of X Players if I don't help Player X?
What is the total benefit of helping or not helping Player X?
What will be my current position if I take territory from Player X?
Will I be able to defend newly aqquired territory from Player X within X # of turns?
How will this impact other bordering nations if I withdraw troops to either border?
How sneaky can I be and help both while gaining from both?

Misdirection!

9. At what point, in your opinion, is it okay to go AI.

The point you feel you cannot add to the game and going AI will not serve as a detrement to the game while meeting your RL responsibilities. More often or not this question should be asked after you ask yourself "Can I find a Replacement?"

10. Mutual victories. How common is it for an alliance to just be declared the winner and the game ends like that?

Often, as most players (new mostly) don't know the scope of the end game or plan for it by placing Victory Conditions that will allow for a 'winner' without going through the drudgery of a slugfest ending.