Okie, first off, how are winner certificates given out? TO the top 2-3
nations on thew winning side?
Under the old system, only First Place got the actual "Game Winner
Certificate".
If so, I would very much be against them. There are, as we've seen
statistically, one or two FP nations who always finish on top, same
goes for the DS. If you start giving special ability to those players
who have won, you'll end up with an endless loop of some players who
always finish out on top because of this. And only newbies would end
up with the shitty nations, because the good players would pick the
winning nations.
I don't know if that is true or not. It is an interesting theory.
Personally, I would not mind playing the Rhun or the Woodmen in 2950. I
thoroughly enjoy the dwarves in 2950 (Who, if I recall correctly, have never
finished first, or very seldom do). I don't think I would ever want to play
a Gondor. Mebbe thats the rarity, but I don't think so. I think people have
their own personalities on this and pick nations that suit them.
Second Point: No player control over what the second special ability is. We
each get one when we start a game. If you have a certificate, you'd get two.
Like I said, you will typically get the ever useful stealth on your starting
army commander, Bonus to challenge rank on your emissary or my personal
favorite: x2 healing rate on a non-spell caster. Blech. I think the bonus
granted is typically diminimus.
Also, even if it's not a coordinated team game, the winning side
still wins because of the sacrifice of the smaller nations in that
side. Like the Woodmen, Northmen and Eothraim of the FP. Without these
nations holding back and bleeding the Dark Servants dry for a while,
where would the rest of the FP be?
I agree with everything you've said. Even so, when -I- get those victory
point results each turn, they let me know how I'm stacking up against my
team mates and the dreaded foes. It makes me say: What can I do better?
Again, that may not be the norm, but thats the way I play. I think that if
you play, you will meet a fair selection of people that represent the
selection of people you would meet in real life 75% are just nice folks who
want to play and have fun. Another 15% are nice guys who are extremely
cutthroat. Win at all costs, but still not backstabbers. That leaves 10%
jerks. 'nuff said about them.
Only way I could even consider playing in a game where some winner
certificates gives special powers, is if those powers are only
applicable if you pick one of the underdog positions, ie those nations
who has never, or always never, ended up in the top 3 or winning.
I think the amount of bonus you believe these certificates would give a
nation is less than that...
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�ystein
