Yeah I agree with Velusion. The most dominant player does not need to make a real stretch to win. Only get a moderate advantage in VPs and then turtle until thier advantage accumulates to a win.
In my experience, capital-only VPs are probably the most effective victory condition involving victory points. You know that the VP will be protected by a fort. And you know that ever player will defend that fort to the last man.
Checking in on this thread to see what is going on now. I will have my computer back in a week now it seems, though it seems the game was abandoned ? A shame really I belive with my huge gold/gem income it would have been tough to stop me...but anyway, good game to all of you.
Yeah, after bordering LA R'lyeh for most of the game and seeing his work I would have to say he probably would have won this game eventually. It would have taken a while though . Unless we all grouped up on him which was not happening.