It seems like there will be another WoTR game (see separate thread) - more than 50% of players have signed up already…
I hope that all will agree to this being a prealigned game (I dont think that the WoTR ‘base scenario’ is - but please correct me if I am wrong & stop reading here)
If it is to be a pre-aligned game, how do we split the neutrals? Clearly White Wizard should go dark, but apart from that?
I’d be especially keen to hear views from people who have played in the other WoTR games, & from Richard Deveraux who (from memory) did the creative on part on the scenario
Well, going by the book Corsairs should be Dark and so should the Easterlings. Duns n Rhun by default should go Free. Know this makes for a 13 vs 12 but that’d fill all the slots. To make 12 vs 12 suggest letting the DS team choose which of their 3 neutrals to drop, normally the Rhun. Not going for this game however but thought I’d put my tuppence in for what its worth.
Have played in ME29(Free-Rohan) and ME228(DS-DarkLieut). tHE scenario is pretty well-balanced but DS economy in Winter is very low with high chance of bankruptcy(nothing new). Presents a greater challenge to players, re more troops and targets. If the Freeps allow DS to get too far away from Mordor then there’s havoc. Same when Agents get productive as well as curse companies. A fun game no matter what side you’re on, just be sure and get organised early.
The WotR base scenario is not pre-aligned, but it’s interesting that you mention it, since Richard Devereux and I have recently been discussing wether or not it should be so.
Some of the neutrals seem especially vulnerable if they are pre-aligned in certain ways, and it may be that if they are to be routinely pre-aligned, as seems to be the prevailing trend, that they need to be strengthened somewhat.
Laurence it was originally so, yes. The 2nd game we played was pre-aligned though. I believe I mad this concern known when we labelled it a ‘rematch’.
Neutrals that are pre-aligned are vulnerable yes but then the player at least knows what they are in for. Changing the scenario in such a way would put more emphasis on those nations.
I think more play will determine whether or not there are any major tweaks need to be made but as it is its fine.
I believe the current incarnation will be 12 v 12 with WW and duns going good and the Khand EA and Corsair going evil.
Since I don’t know much about 2950 it doesn’t make me much difference…and since the scenario is a variant and the levels are different, I have no frame of reverence.
I can only assume that recruiting neuts is valuable…and taxing at times.
I am in a game where had it not been for recruiting 4 of the 5 neuts the game would have been over several turns earlier.
I have also never played a 12 v 12 grudge game so this is alllllllll new ground for me as a player…
I am hoping for a good experience and am also hopeful that other players will have some good ideas as I am all ears…
Unaligned neutrals are a pain really. Some have preconceived avourite aims and go that way no matter what. If too many declare for one side then the game can descend into a rout very quickly.
The trouble with a 12 v 13 is how to split the neutrals.
Who gets the extra one.
The easy nations are Cor and Kha as DS and Dun as FP.
It get slightly harder with WW and Rhu as they are both entrenched in FP areas. It makes sense for both to be FP.
Does this mean we go 13 FP vs 12 DS? or 12 v 12 and kill off either WW or Rhu. In this situation I think I favour killing off the WW, as in the WoTR he is DS, plus keeping him as FP puts a massive FP power block in the gap of Rohan - Dun, WW and Rid.
my belief is that the Rhun Easterlings will be nixed…WW and Duns will be prealigned free and the khand easterlings and corsairs will be prealigned ds.
as for neuts having preconceived notions going in…don’t we all have a heart of hearts? I have talked neuts out of their original plans…i have seen neuts go in with the hope of one plan only to be driven into opposite or slanted directions based on the game and or the players in the game.
I think the neuts add to the game and for better or worse should be left in to make up their own minds…but i confess that i have had the urge to remove the neutrality for them on occasion…
Yes diplomacy can prevail but sometimes messages are forgotten about. Sending more is not always the answer and generally the choices are made early on with the usual safe period to grow before ultimately taking their place in a side.
the other point was to eliminate the WW. Why not Rhun. The WotR scenario seens as the Lord of the Rings would suggest this. The Easterlings are there but these would be assumed to be the Khand and not the Rhun. Why not then eliminate Khand and make it a Rhun/Cor and WW/Duns split. Inthis way the East is plugged against the FP and the West againsta the DS. Rhovanion yet again, as in 1650, would at least have a lot of aggresive opening moves.
Remember the thunder of the Eothraim cavalry, we of the Mark in Rohan do…
