Just curious if people would be interested in trying the following variation of 1650 (can be 1 or 2 weeks):
6 on 6, 2 nations each
Each player is assigned a pair of picks (e.g. first Freep gets pick 1 and 24, first DS gets 2 and 23, then Free with 3 and 22, etc.). When the pick comes up, it is announced via email and the board - the player has 24 hours to pick a nation.
There are team captains (assigned by Clint to experienced and willing players) who are responsible for picking if the player does not reply. The captains also submit a ranked list of nations which can be used if the captain does not submit a pick.
Something (whatever practical) will be done to limit or remove dragons, as there should be no inherent advantage to either side.
Artifacts can be randomized, depending on player and GM willingness.
When you refer to FP and DS picks do you mean just from a set of 12 nations each or from any nation? [Not clear but suspect you mean from the 24, i.e. the 1st player, despite being on the FP team could pick any of the 24 nations - presumably excluding Easties]?
If so, i,e. say the WK nation could be picked by the FP side. Do you then mean that would be counted as a FP nation in terms of artefact alignment? Could screw up already existing items for some nations.
Sounds like it would be interesting, although I don’t really have the time. Not that that has stopped me in the past:(
You might have the problem that neither side would want to pick heavily in the Mordor nations as with at least some of the opposing alliance present whoever gets NG could make it very insecure.
That is exactly what I am suggesting! The WK could be a Freep (treachery among the Nine!).
That would have a profound impact on the ‘value’ of Mordor DS - it would no longer be Fortress Mordor. Of course, if one team made an effort to get most of the DS nations, they could probably hold it. NG’s ability to invade Mordor could be limited if they had to defend against SG.
To me, the theory behind drafting nations would be very interesting, especially as there could be a lot of unintended consequences. Artifact alignment could make some nations (e.g. LR) more attractive to one side.
As one team picks first, then the other two go - what should be the first pick? Take the NE, for example, and maybe your opponent forsakes character nations and grabs both Gondors. What is the counter?
How good are the EO? The EOplex could be vulnerable but that starting cav army could wreck havoc upon enemies less well dug in than the 1650 DS.
It should be interesting for everyone, though - the person picking 12th also gets to pick 13th, so can pick two very synergistic nations - the player picking 1st gets stuck with last pick.
