two v. two v. two v. two v. two (full)

[Zooko]

Another idea: I could set it up so that players could participate *either* via e-mail or via TCP, at their choice. Would that be cool?

[The Panther]

Actually, Zooko, you have been a good host. The limitations lie in the TCP/IP method. As I see it, there are but 2 options:
1. Forced hosting. No matter the host schedule, there will always be stales. This is true of every single TCP/IP game I have ever played.
2. No QH option. The problem with this method is that the game can easily die when people drop out or leave on vacation or their computer dies or just plain whatever. Eventually, such games must move to QH option if they ever intend to finish.

On the ther hand, PBEM gives the host complete control over the schedule. If somebody is gone for the weekend, the host knows this and can delay a day or so. If somebody is out for a week or more, a sub can be arranged instead of automatically forcing stales. The host always has the option to force stales for non-responsive players, so the game never has to completely die.

If I had unlimited time (retired) and I was waiting every day just to play Dominions, I would prefer TCP/IP. But few people have this kind of time in RL (I don't). It seems that something always is happenning in RL, and often unexpectedly to boot.

I have not staled as yet in any of my PBEM games, even when I went on vacation to France in June and then my computer died in early August. These kind of things will happen.

The Song of the Blade game went into haitus for weeks while Alneyan was fixing his system. We had many a message to determine how the remaining players wanted to handle this before deciding to wait. PBEM allows for this. TCP/IP does also, but the impersonal nature of that hosting method makes it far harder to actually make things like this happen.

As for our 2v2v2v2v2 game, my spy has left the TC homeland and perhaps that nation has since recovered. If TC is not near death, then there is still more game to play. If TC dies, then Ulm will have big trouble (actually I really mean no hope) in the eventual 2 on 1. My comments were based on the assumption that TC cannot recover from the extensive invasion of his homeland.

[Zooko]

I see. Thanks for the explanation about the hosting issues.

Also, thanks for the compliment about my hosting.

[Zooko]

Ah, well, if Tien Chi can recover from the insult to our sovereignty is still in question. It will help plenty if Machaka will put up a stiff fight against Pangaea. :-)

[Zooko]

It's T-6 hours and those busy busy real life Tauren and Panther haven't committed their turns. I'm planning to reset the clock for them if it gets down to 1 hour or so and no signs of life.

[Zooko]

Well, the great Tien Chi resurgence to dislodge the Pangaean oppressor is going well, but our sister Ulm is being invaded by not one but two masses of nasty undead. One army has a Saurolich and about ten Marshmasters summoning hordes of skeletons. The other army has almsot 600 Ermorian undead.

Does anyone have any advice on how to resist such an onslaught?

[quantum_mechani]

Zooko said:
Well, the great Tien Chi resurgence to dislodge the Pangaean oppressor is going well, but our sister Ulm is being invaded by not one but two masses of nasty undead. One army has a Saurolich and about ten Marshmasters summoning hordes of skeletons. The other army has almsot 600 Ermorian undead.

Does anyone have any advice on how to resist such an onslaught?

Counts with skull staffs casting wither bones would work well if you have the research (and the casters and items). Solar rays from members of the third tier and astral random fortune tellers. Dust to dust from revenants and death random fortune tellers. And of course plain old priests.