I have played in three of the first four games of 3 Nation Gunboat. So far, the results have been:
Game 1: DS victory
Game 2: FP victory
Game 3: still being played
Game 4: DS victory
I can’t wait to see if the third game (in which I am not a player) is an equalizer or whether the DS are having a larger advantage in this format.
I have played two player gunboat, and I have played grudge. I am also playing in the first 4 nation gunboat game that is currently in process.
I, however, think that 3 player gunboat has something slightly different, unique, and a lot of fun. I find the fog of war to be just right, only knowing 1/4 of one’s own team’s data. I have split my trio each game with the same 2 good friends. This 3 person mini-team is a nice amount of kibitzing about the game, but without all of the headache associated with coordinating 12 people in a grudge match.
On the whole, I’d recommend this format to anyone who will listen.
I am signed up for the fifth scheduled game. It looks like 5 out of the 8 trios are already signed-up with only 3 more to go before we start. If this format grabs your interest, please sign up for Game 78, and don’t forget to send a turn 1 diplo.
One other thing, is that these new games has starting turns around changes from autum to winter, which strikes DS nations very hard.
Many DS don’t calculate this in their economy drafts, and so go bankrupt the turn it happens, or the following.
A DS starts with gold calculated around his deficit, so a startup in winter will be beneficial to DS, while one in summer will hurt them.
Later turns change of season is not as important as most have made camps in Easterling area, which boosts their economy.
When game 52 finishes, which could be sooner rather than later based on nations eliminated, in will contact u about a new gunboat game. It would be fun to play together.
I have my three person team for game 78 (Chad G and Darrel S). We have played all 3 of them together so far. However, I am open to any possibilities for games running at the same time as Game 78.
[QUOTE=Spivo;65367]One other thing, is that these new games has starting turns around changes from autum to winter, which strikes DS nations very hard.
Many DS don’t calculate this in their economy drafts, and so go bankrupt the turn it happens, or the following.
A DS starts with gold calculated around his deficit, so a startup in winter will be beneficial to DS, while one in summer will hurt them.
QUOTE]
Spivo-
There might be some general accuracy to the trends you state; but in fact, that is not what occured in these gunboats.
It looks like the first two games had an October (fall start), with a change to winter at turn 6 (Game 16) and turn 4 (Game 39). The DS won the first of them (without losing a nation) and lost the other.
Whereas, Game 56 started mid-winter in February.
My DS trio (QA/LR/COR) had its best economy in Game 16, and were never really hurting for gold. Also, we did a few successful buy-outs which helped the enitre DS’ economy.
I have no idea of what’s going on in Game 52, but it is by far the most lopsided results that I am seeing in any of these games so far. (I realize that the Game 52 players are not permitted to comment at present).
On the whole, I agree with Tim H. on why the outcomes are as is thus far. As Tim’s trio and mine went head-to-head for the battle of Mirkwood in Game 56, I can state that although my side came out on the winning end of the game, Tim was giving us fits in Mirkwood. My trio was having more financial pains with Game 56 (where we started in winter) than in the other games.
Well, while not proving anything, I’d say it does explain a little?
GB 16 had 6 turns before it became winter, which helps a lot, and you were playing southern combo, which sometimes even benefits from winter (hot becoming mild).
But GB 39 only had 4 turns, and I lost DogLord nation due to seasons coming as a total surprise (poor economy management I agree), and also sounds like Clint went bankrupt around the same turn.
GB 56 was fairly easy on us, regarding economy.
And your trouble is reflected in the respect that you fought harsh in Mirkwood, and also likely meant you put a large focus on camps in misties (to get dragons).
But while I know it proves nothing, it does seem likely that going from summer/fall to winter hurts DS more than going from winter/spring to summer.
I would dare say, that 90% of early DS deaths are due to going bankrupt (often due to poor economy management), with seasons having some effect.
So, if it has even the slightest effect, it would seem that DS wins more winter games, and loses more summer games, even if it’s by a small margin.
I do though agree, that by far skills (both strategic and communication) of the opposing teams means a lot more than luck and seasons.
I do not disagree that the general trend of it is a factor, but in these games it was not by any means insurmountable or a game changer.
As to the Corsair going Bankrupt (game 39)…I think it was Turn 6 - the third full turn after winter started. Alhough I have not seen the Corair trio’s turns, my trio (Harad/Dun/SG), counted almost 6000 Corsair and QA troops on the ground (many which were HC), and where we kept the expensive starting LR cav (who traveled from East Mordor to Harad) alive for more turns than we are sure the QA/LR/Corsair anticipated. We went with a soft, fall-back military instead of a push ahead, while torching the QA capital and back-up. Thus, the vast number of QA/LR/Corsair troops as against our strategy was, in my opinion, the cause for the double bankruptcy in conjunction with Cor/LR providing financial support to QA, who survived.
However, if there was no bankruptcy, he likely would have forced my Harad to move north of the river within the next 3 turns.
Tony Bankrupted his Corsair Dragon lord nations with the same strategy of heavy recruiting and then not getting his troops into battle soon enough. He actually had to disband troops to keep from going bankrupt, then the free nations moved in with heavy military might. Dark servants have a lot more trouble balancing economies in the early going than the free do.
