Yes - we can always do a varient game if that suits players. As for
changing the original balance one way to check is to create a group
of
games whereby teams play against each other so that there are some
sort of
basis. Part of the reason to do the World Champs was for this. I
have
heard a lot about what the preceived balance of the game is - but
due to
the way games are filled and the recent change with Agents - I am
not sure
what is accurate and what is just random factors.
Clint
Here is some 2950 feedback from completed games. I've been in 87
and 109 as a standby; 85, 88, 97, 99, 100, 101, 108 from the start.
The free won 87, 100; the dark won 88, 97, 99, 101, 109. 85 was a tie
(computer disk corrupted, even game at turn 30.) If you can add some
2950 win/loss stats and some 1650 win/loss stats we can see what the
overall balance is. The free wins were early runaways, finished in
about 20 turns against disorganized opposition.
The single thing that stands out the most is that the fate of the free
in 2950 depends a lot on the play of the frontline nations, much as in
1650. The biggest difference, and my single setup change suggestion,
concerns Northern Gondor.
I have never seen Northern Gondor do well in 2950, and I have never
seen NG break through the Ithil pass. The Mordor fortifications are
too tough to take out with the small armies and population base at
game start, and the dark agents inevitably shut NG down between turns
5-8. So - unlike 1650 - Northern Gondor is faced with a CERTAIN
losing opening battle. While they are fighting (first few turns) and
getting slammed by agents (turns 5-10) everyone else is building up
their nations...which results in a crippled NG by turn 10 with no
economy and a few characters staring across a blown bridge at the dark
in Osgilath. This is true *even in games that the free easily win*.
I think this suggests a genuine problem in an important position,
since it has happened even for decent players on solid teams that won
easy victories.
The result is not surprising: those with game experience avoid the
2950 NG like the plague. You don't get the massive 1650
armies/economy, and the position is really even worse than the dragon
lord: you will lose Osgilath no matter what and you will limp along
for most of the game. Believe it or not, the 2950 Woodmen are a
better position with higher scores. At the same time, it is crucial
to the free to put in a good effort. If you make the dark fight you
with lots of troops, send their agents there, etc. then the rest of
the team can build up, conquer the north, and keep the dark servants
broke.
So: give northern gondor a *much* larger economy. With the 12
character limit they can't raise a lot more troops, but this would
keep the nation competitive longer and compensate for the lack of
camps. Once 3024 falls and the bridge goes down, NG could recover
faster. Double the size of the position, putting the new population
centers (villages/towns) far enough west to avoid imbalancing the
Ithil pass fight. This would also encourage the power gamers to give
the position a try, rather than writing it off to some unwary new
fellow.
cheers,
Marc Pinsonneault
···
--- In mepbmlist@egroups.com, Clint Oldridge <allsorts@c...> wrote:
