YARG - Yet Another RAND Game [Isokron's Midgard wins!]

[WingedDog]

Originally Posted by Black Sun Empire

I just think the difference between playing against an AI and SP is huge.

Currently playing Nief, it has only taken me around 4 hours of game play to be killing them easily. In saying that, I did read a guide from Baalz (sp?) and that helped me a heap of tactics and predator design.
Then again, it was a medium sized map with 6 AI set at the default level.

I don't mind losing quickly, I'm just attempting to join as many games as possible early and learn from the best. If someone better comes along, then let them join, I will be fine either way.

I am not an admin of this game, and personaly I do not mind you joining it if you are willing to play till the end. I just gave you my recomendations, and it is strictly your business to follow them, or not. It is just very common a newbee player joins the game, loses his first battle, gets dissapointed and just disappears.

[Dragar]

If Black Sun ditches the game I know where he lives... abysian style firebombing would ensue

Of course, being a rand game the admin would have to let me know to begin punitive strikes

[Dimaz]

The main problem with new players in ordinary game is that it's a free capital for experienced neighbor. However, with RAND settings this problem seems less critical, at least before vet player discovers that his neighbor makes really strange choices.

[Calahan]

Originally Posted by Black Sun Empire

...... and predator design. ...

A predator design feature would be awesome

[Calahan]

My one concern about the new players in this game is that the Indies 9 setting will really put a halt to their expansion, while at the same time I can't see it putting too big a dent in a vet's expansion rate. Then if after 10 turns a vet, who has about 12-15 provinces, comes across a neighbour who has 3-4 provinces (remember graphs are on), it's going to be good bye neighbour, and secret identities won't mean a thing. This will just lead to some major unbalancing, and probably already game deciding, if a vet starts in the middle of a newbie picnic.

I personally think this game will be a bad choice for new players, since the Indy setting (which I do not want to see changed) and difficult research (which I also do not want to see changed) will both have a far bigger impact on new players than vets. Plus I second WindedDog's concern about new players dropping games more frequently than experienced players do, and my hatred of players who think it's ok to "Stale and Bail" is well known.

So without wishing to offend anyone, I must say my initial excitement for playing in this game is starting to diminish somewhat since I think it looks likely that luck will play a bigger factor than skill in deciding it's outcome.

[Black Sun Empire]

I can wait for a newbie game, if it makes things easier.

EDIT: The only thing I can promise is to keep playing, apart from that, obviously I will not be nearly as good as the vets. If this makes the game unbalanced, then I will sit out.

[WraithLord]

@WingedDog, LA is supposed to be poor in gems. I want to keep it thematic. I want this game to be a bit different. All games start to look the same as of late...
@Black Sun Empire, Since you have 0 MP experience I think this game is not appropriate to start with, not for you as you better start playing a few newb games first, and not for the rest of the players since your neighbors would have an unfair advantage over the rest.

[Calahan]

Originally Posted by WraithLord

.... All games start to look the same as of late...

Considering the above, is the vote still active for the idea of a Tart and/or gem item nerf? Since at last count I make it 2/2 for a gem item nerf, and 3/2 in favour of a Tart nerf.

[ano]

I'll definitely not play in this case.
And actually I don't see the major reason for it. Difficult research will obviously be a natural restriction for tarts/chalice. As for the gem producers, I see no problem at all there.

[Dragar]

I don't see how difficult research is a natural tart restriction, it simply delays it, as it does all mid to late game strategies

The idea behind the nerfs to gem producers is to bring out different end-game strategies. Early and mid game are always interesting but the end game often devolves into who has the most clams or best tart factories -> GoH and race for Chalice and often Well of Misery. The optimal choices are narrow and the micromanagement with the clams in particular is very tedious

Playing in Bloodless without the gem producers or tarts is really interesting and makes you reevaluate your plans for the end game, if you reach it.