Any games going up soon?

halfzware · #1 January 26th, 2006, 01:55 PM

In defense of blitz - I think its absolutely the best way to learn. A long drawn out game spanning weeks where you're getting your *** kicked is no fun. Much better to play a 2 hour game and lose, then go over your lessions.

My big suggestions to anyone learning to play is:

Learn to make a good SC. Learn the useful buffs, and don't handycap yourself with one of the weaker forms (even with balance mods there is a large range). I always made wimpy pretenders in SP cuz it didn't matter, in MP its a diff story.

The acid test for your strategy is: by turn 10 can I have a good force in the field and enough flexability to handle raids?

Learn to be aggressive - in a 1v1 duel on nile the game will likely be decided by turn 20, with some early contact going at turn 7-13. In a ffa on urgana its not uncommon for skirmishes to begin on turn 5.

And finally, play QM - he will crush you so hard and so fast you won't have any option but learn to be decent, quick.

shovah · #2 January 26th, 2006, 05:15 PM

also since in blitzs generally check irc between blitz turns if you die you can ask where you went wrong (they are more than happy to point out gory details)

RonD · #3 January 26th, 2006, 05:30 PM

One non-blitz possibility for new players is to make a game with "advisors". Each player would get one experienced player assigned as a dedicated helper/advice-giver.

shovah · #4 January 26th, 2006, 05:49 PM

or it could be done almost as effectively in a 1v1 duel blitz?

RonD · #5 January 26th, 2006, 05:58 PM

Of course it could - I was just offering up an idea for those (like me, for example) who do not have 2-5 hour blocks of uninterrupted time.

OG_Gleep · #6 January 26th, 2006, 06:40 PM

How common is diplomacy in MP Games? I have only played Ulm so far, and don't really understand the finer points of the magic system.

shovah · #7 January 26th, 2006, 07:12 PM

in non-blitz diplomacy is quite common but in blitz its a bit more frantic (but still possible). if you want a gentle intoduction try abysia who is very similar to ulm but with better priest, mages and no bows (but they have flaming people) and OG, on saturday at around 6gmt id be happy to duel you if you want a gentle mp intro (and with my mp record of about 4 losses and 0 wins a good chance of winning for you)

Morkilus · #8 January 26th, 2006, 07:14 PM

Diplomacy actually plays a pretty good part, though less when it's a blitz. When you first meet, some people ask for a non-aggression pact with 3-turn notification before attacking, unless they think they can rush you or gain a particularly early advantage. Then you can focus on one-front wars without too much of a disadvantage. Everyone seems to start with Ulm... but they're a bit of a handicap in long games. Nifelheim is a nice nation to get used to casters. Just be sure to take Order, they're expensive!