Rated Challenges Thread

[primitive]

Grudges:
I was referring to both of you. Great chance to kill two old grudges in one game. It’s of course from the full-tech game Slynky mentioned, but I also have some unfinished business with Mark after a KOTH game. I have some not very fond memories of getting annihilated by ships named after popsicles I don't mind loosing to ships named "Annihilator", "Avenger" or "Scourge of the Gods" or such, but "Chocolate Chip" or "Strawberry Fudge" . The merciless one sure know how to add insult to injury to a poor barbarian

Anti-Ancient:
Ancient is just too good a trait to pass on, but playing it makes the game boring. I like the suspense when you pop into that next system.

Anti-Openers:
You’ll been away for a while Mark
The current “hot” strategy is to go for openers as fast as possible and then do the “riot run” in the more or less undefended backsystems. Makes the game a racing-game instead of a strategy-game. Not much fun at all.

Having thought about it a bit more - thanks to a prompt from Slynky - I think that we should ban Ancient. The reason is that in a team game, one player can of course take Ancient and immediately share the information with his partner. This makes what is already a powerful ability just a bit too cheap.

That leaves us with the question of warp-hole openers. I think that with Ancient unavailable, they are not a game-breaking option. Yes, two players can force the pace to get there much faster, but they've still sunk a large number of research points into one technology option. Their opponents are free to do the same, or to counter with another option.

So, that's my position;

Medium spiral (with teams together on their own side of the map)
3 Good planets
100000 starting resources
Yes to Intel
No to Ancient Race
Yes to Warp openers

But as implied in my previous Posts, I think it's only fair to allow any player to veto one of these if he feels strongly about it. Let me know.

Edit: OK, I've just read Primitive's post below. I'll take that as a veto on openers too. Any more?

[ May 28, 2004, 14:49: Message edited by: Mark the Merciful ]

[Alneyan]

Warp Openers are very, very cheap to research actually. You merely need the second SM level to start building the openers, and it can be done before you can say "Build warships". Since we have a tech cost of only medium with three homeworlds and an ally, I think we would break a record here on "how quickly can you get a worm hole opener up and running?". And obviously, this technology brings more than the Warp Openers.

While speaking of settings, will the Talisman be allowed or not? Or in other words, should we assume that one of the players in each time will go for the religious Trait?

As for this desperation, I meant "if you aren't desperate already after both our KOTH and the Pairs game, where I made an outstanding job at playing poorly". But with Primitive on my side, there is nothing to fear. And as it happens, I have an old debt to repay. *Winks at Slynky*

Originally posted by Alneyan:

While speaking of settings, will the Talisman be allowed or not? Or in other words, should we assume that one of the players in each time will go for the religious Trait?

Well, if it wasn't mentioned, then default game settings apply. So, Yes.

Or are you saying you'd rather it was No?

[primitive]

Talisman or not doesn't matter to me as long as we all agree that its OK (not only legal ) to take it.

The openers however changes the whole flow of the game. I'm definitely against it.

[Slynky]

Originally posted by Alneyan:
*Raises hand* If you aren't already desperate Primitive, I might consider it. Granted, given my latest performance in the Pairs game, it may very well not be the wisest choice for you, but...

If I do play in this game, I would like to make the same additions as Primitive (that is, no warp opener/closer and no Ancient ; as otherwise, we might be breaking a record for the earliest warp opener ever built in a SEIV game).

Desperate? I would think you command a little respect around here...

After all, all my lies about your ability should have fooled someone!

[Slynky]

Originally posted by primitive:
Desperate
It was only 16 minutes between our Posts

Welcome aboard Alneyan.

Should have warned you, Big P, he's gonna talk you to death if you take him as a partner...sure you don't want to reconsider? And then, there's that problem he has about leaving warships on "Do Not Get Hurt".

I'd reconsider if I were you .

[Slynky]

Challenge 2x2: - Mark the Merciful/Slynky -vs- Primitive/Alneyan

Well, since we are outclassed and since I "hi-jacked" Mark's settings (and suggested a lot of my own), I'll bow to the person who posed the challenge to finalize the settings in a way that he is most comfortable. But, in a game of this type, a few settings are a must (IMO):

(1)- Map placement so that teams start with distance between them and so that team members are on the same side of the map;
(2)- Team members must take same colony type and atmosphere;
(3)- All tech/planet/ship gifting/trading allowed;
(4)- 3 GOOD planets;
(5)- 100,000 minerals

PS: You have a PM, Mark

[Slynky]

Originally posted by primitive:
Talisman or not doesn't matter to me as long as we all agree that its OK (not only legal ) to take it.

The openers however changes the whole flow of the game. I'm definitely against it.

I tend to agree with Primitive here ( ). I never ban openers in a KOTH game when there is a one-planet start (and no allies). If you have the chutzpah to research them and get them (in lieu of other things...then more power to you, I say). But in team games...it DOES just become a race.

As to the Talisman? I'm considering it right now and judging the time it takes to get it. Or am I? OK, I'm not. But Alneyan made me this way . You know, misinformation. Or is it? Heck, I don't even know now!

[Slynky]

Originally posted by Alneyan:
And as it happens, I have an old debt to repay. *Winks at Slynky*

Gee, nice to know I have TWO people with a grudge to settle. (and I've been sucking up to both of them soooo nicely... )