Which is your preferred format of Grudge game?
I like the 12v12, but hate the fact that the Easterlings are removed. I believe I saw something about a “neutral draft” in one of the issues of Bree, which is a very interesting idea.
- K
1 team picks 1st, 2nd team picks 2 and 3, then the 1st team picks 4th. Played Tilley’s team like that once, their DS took Harad, our FP had to balance it with Corsairs than took the likely unforseen Rhudaur. They likely did it in order to get the Easterlings, which we figured out right away. With Rhudaur their WK was toasted that much faster and Wade dove into the details to ensure, including a Corsairs buy of 500 HCav, that we took 5 EA towns on turn 2. Pretty interesting idea for the neuts, but really, there are only 5 - how can either team not take one of the Southern neuts 1st? Otherwise the other team will simply grab them both…
You need some insanely good and bold teamates to play DS without one of the Corsairs or Harad…
Brad you advertising for a player on DS grudge team willing to play QA or Easterlings in such a game… I know one fool willing to play it just to bust a grudge team on such a move! 
Just starting a ‘neutral draft’ grudge game, we (FP) took Harad as first choice, DS then took Cor and Ea so we opted for Duns… should be interesting…
Jon
It’s a tough decision to reject the Dun mages and SNA for sure. We gave it a gamble on eliminating the WK well ahead of any Dragons, and did so (excepting Gundabad - they bought timber and improved the fortifications there to make a last stand - not for very long…!). Corsairs potentially more impactful as a DS if they’re able to sneak their navies out before the house of cards collapses! Have fun!
Another idea is to remove a different nation… Why the Easterlings? Why not the QA? Or give the Easterlings to the Free Peoples and remove Cardolan. MEGames charges double to affect relations and remove nations - there’s no “auto-remove-Easterling” button the the program… Similarly, my previous idea on shuffling the nations - again, they’re adjusting Relations, that’s all that’s necessary, no? Lots of ways to deal with a 12v12 beyond the everyday… 
The program is, let us say, arcane in many ways. We can remove/add bits within a wide range. However, the 12v12 game (no East) has been tested so we know it’s reasonably balanced (win/loss ratios show this).
I think, personally, that the Draft can lead to emphasising imbalances between teams, but is a viable format but that’s my own personal take here. If players want to play it that’s perfectly fine with me and our team might have a pop at it some time.
Other formats we can do as well, the more variety there is though the less players per format there are, ie you won’t get opposition for the game you want. So limiting formats has to be done to keep the game viable. You can have any colour you want as long as it’s black…
Clint
Like the PR aspect of the 5 neuts, adds to the game, more “what ifs”,
Well I chose 10/10/5 becuase of my desire to jump the free nuetrals to win a 15/10 split… Or better yet develope a Grudge team capable and willing to win a 15/10 grudge game… Yes I’m insane about being challenged! I guess that’s why my favorite DS is dragonlord! I gotta try WK real soon again and screw diplomacy! LOL
5 Neutrals, 5 players to destroy your game!
Won’t play a grudge with neutrals again!
Have Fun!
Gixxx