Darrell, you are in for a treat! GB is truly a blast. It’s unlike any other variant in that you are all on your own. But . . . not exactly alone.
As Rommel88 said above, you spend alot of time trying to anticipate your enemies moves and a fair amount of time anticipating your allies’ moves.
You’re not completely isolated because you play two nations. And that makes much more of a difference than I originally thought it would. GB wouldn’t work without that.
But you also have allies, namely, the other DS or Free players. Often one of these will provide aid (unsolicited, of course, since communication of any kind with other players is not allowed) of an unexpected kind: a gold shipment or a very fortunate appearance of a friendly army icon at just the right spot.
I hope you end up loving your GB expereince as much as the rest of us. Let us know how you like it.
Clint, it’s not entirely accurate to say that GB has a lack of teamwork or support. It does have both; they’re just much more subtle. See my response to Darrell immediately above. Often your fellow allegiance players provide support. Also, you have to think smaller in GB, in my opinion. Incremental gains, small victories, steady progress – in short, a scale that befits an alliance confined to two natiions.
I look forward to the opportunity to whip you or to provide my generous and unsloicited aid to you in the upcoming 2950 GB game.
Wow, a 2950 Gunboat game goes from “taking set-ups” to “filled” in one week!
It looks as though the Gunboat variant is growing steadily (and perhaps dramatically) in popularity.
Thanks, Clint, for accomodating all of us GB game lovers AND for accomodating all the other variants and preferences enjoyed by this wonderful and varied community of ME PBM players.
Gunboat is a term used to describe ‘diplomacy’ or rather the lack thereof.
Also, for ANYONE interested I have all of my G237 2950 Gunboat PDF files as the Dog Lord/Long Rider. The game went 27 turns or something before it ended, so if you’re interested drop me a line and I’ll be happy to send along the files, bmin@pixelops.com.
Gunboat is a game designed by Chris Courtiour with minor modifications by us. You play 2 nations (separated on the map usually) and attempt to win the game normally. (Ie vanquishing your opposition). The major difference is NO diplomacy allowed and some specific rules on impacting on your allied nations (basically you’re not allowed to detriment an ally).
It’s an individual game and like all such you are attempting an individual victory but within the team victory as normal. Lots of fun.
A minor point, but I would argue that the Woodmen/Noldor combination is too strong. I’m not sure who I would substitute if it were up to me: maybe Rohan/Woodmen and Noldor/Rhun.
Anyone else agree with me here? Not that we’ll change anything before the new 2950 game, just curious.
Noldo/Woodmen are just fine, in my opinion. You have one wealthy nation with one poor nation. In coordinated games the Woodmen are VERY vulnerable to be knocked out early on. And in an uncoordinated game it’s even easier since the Silvan and Sinda are both controlled by different players and neither will have a clue as to what the Dragon Lord will do and how to best defend the Woodmen.
OK Can anybody out there advise on how much 2950 Gunboat will be different to 1650?
I am very familiar with the 1650 format…Gunboat/Normal/Team games but have only played 2950 once and wasn’t really taken with the slow ponderous build-up and apparent biase that the DS has — still good agents etc without the FP counter-balancing the equation with troop numbers + recruitment potential.
Originally posted by Gildring
[b]A minor point, but I would argue that the Woodmen/Noldor combination is too strong. I’m not sure who I would substitute if it were up to me: maybe Rohan/Woodmen and Noldor/Rhun.
Anyone else agree with me here? Not that we’ll change anything before the new 2950 game, just curious.
– Nick [/b]
I agree that Rohan/Rhun needs some help and that Noldo should not be allowed to have a double scout but it will not change so I dont champion that cause.
… first turn to ponder over Xmas would be great 