Hi, Charles.
I, too, am a returnee to Middle Earth PBM after many
years of absence, and I'm sure happy I'm back.
The service provided by ME-PBM is much better than
that of GSI, and the new scenarios are fun.
Your observation that BoFA is a "scaled down" version
of the game is correct -- there are no emmys and
orders are streamlined, yet it's still quite fun. It
would make a nice reintroduction to the game, with
more of a military balance than the others.
2950 begins more slowly, since starting economies are
smaller. 1650 veterans refer to it as "ME-PBM on
valium," but I'm in a game now with half a dozen
teammates who play 2950 exclusively; it's a good
scenario for people who like nation-building. There's
also a fast-start variant, called the War of the
Rings, but I'd begin with one of the others.
You know the 1650 version: solid game, tends to
attract more vets, and in an experienced game, the
opening moves have been worked out a thousand times.
The Fourth Age setup is the most varied: mix of vets
and newcomers, and since the startups are new each
time, no one begins with a full knowledge about other
nations. I love this scenario, but if you don't plan
your nation well, you can have a tough start, and
since it's less common than the other scenarios, it
can take longer for a new game to start.
Hope the game captures your interest!
Cheers,
Dan
...I have decided to try my hand at the game once
more, after a
lengthy
absence from it....I am curious as to what those who
participate in
this forum think would be the best scenario for us
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