Newbie Limits

mepbmlist
#1

Bottom line is, I simply want an opportunity to play

Quarterback or
Goalie. Don't tell me that if I do, we will lose.

To follow your analogy, it would be inappropriate for
a first-time (American) footballer to walk up to the
team and demand the Quarterback spot.

When the Witch King is fumbled from the start, it puts
the DS at a big disadvantage. That's happened on my
side mroe than once, with each dropping early on.

The misery ended quickly for them but lasted far
longer for us. Of course, a skilled player could do as
badly, or a newcomer could do better -- but those
results were the msot likely ones.

ME-PBM is a team game, and to shrug off your failures
as personal learning is inconsiderate of those who
have earned their experience.

I'm a consistent advocate of making the game more
accessible to newcomers -- and putting them in the
Quarterback seat is not the way to do it.

Dan

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#2

Certainly MeGames can come up with a list of SUGGESTED positions for new
players, and the reasons why each might be a good starting choice.
(Perhaps even send new players a "starter" pack with starting strategies
for these "novice friendly" positions.) However, the bottom line is
that, new player or not, they're paying the same turn fee as everyone
else, and if they want to play NG, SG, (or the NK/SK in 4th Age), then
they should have the same chance as anyone else of getting it. Their
team will just have to deal with it, offer advice, and try to help them
through it.

Being a "veteran" shouldn't allow someone more say in what nation they
start with than a newer player. (GWCs went away a long time ago, and
good riddance!) If you want to encourage newer players into the hobby,
don't come up with any plan that ends up saying "NO, you can't play
Elrond!" to someone who just watched the LOTR and is excited about
trying the game.

(In fact, if anything, I would think it would be the veteran players who
would be more tolerant of getting a less powerful nation. It makes the
challenge all that much more rewarding.)

Mike Mulka

#3

--- In mepbmlist@y..., "Urzahil" <Urzahil@o...> wrote:

Certainly MeGames can come up with a list of SUGGESTED positions

for new

players, and the reasons why each might be a good starting choice.
(Perhaps even send new players a "starter" pack with starting

strategies

for these "novice friendly" positions.) However, the bottom line is
that, new player or not, they're paying the same turn fee as

everyone

else, and if they want to play NG, SG, (or the NK/SK in 4th Age),

then

they should have the same chance as anyone else of getting it.

Their

team will just have to deal with it, offer advice, and try to help

them

through it.

I hope they do and I also hope the suggested positions, unlike the
Bree article, don't start with Cloud Lord, Noldo, or Gondor! :wink:

Being a "veteran" shouldn't allow someone more say in what nation

they

start with than a newer player. (GWCs went away a long time ago,

and

good riddance!) If you want to encourage newer players into the

hobby,

don't come up with any plan that ends up saying "NO, you can't play
Elrond!" to someone who just watched the LOTR and is excited about
trying the game.

(In fact, if anything, I would think it would be the veteran

players who

would be more tolerant of getting a less powerful nation. It makes

the

challenge all that much more rewarding.)

Powerful or non-powerful I haven't considered. My point has been
that challenging nations should be suggested against and less
challenging promoted.

#4

I hope they do and I also hope the suggested positions, unlike the
Bree article, don't start with Cloud Lord, Noldo, or Gondor! :wink:

*** I've sent a list of nations, and an analysis of each to this list already. I need more help with the 2950 as I have not played that much so don't really know the strengths and weaknesses in depth enough to be able to make an objective comment. Feedback welcome on what I sent out.

Clint

#5

Well, I don't like "official advice" on how to play coming from the referee (as I said in the rulebook discussion) as it undermines their impartiality. But in spite of that, I have to say that Urzahil's suggestion is a breath of fresh air. This is a positive and practical suggestion.

Laurence G. Tilley

http://www.lgtilley.freeserve.co.uk

···

At 20:05 12/11/2002, Urzahil wrote:

Certainly MeGames can come up with a list of SUGGESTED positions for new
players, and the reasons why each might be a good starting choice.

#6

Pehaps you would be so good as to repost then. It will need to be CONCISE if it is going to be read by MEPBM virgins who have also got the rulebook to contend with. I _loved_ btw, the "drinking from a fire hose" analogy.

Laurence G. Tilley

http://www.lgtilley.freeserve.co.uk

···

At 22:16 12/11/2002, Middle Earth PBM Games wrote:

*** I've sent a list of nations, and an analysis of each to this list
already.

#7

Done this - see the article that I wrote and sent to the list.

Clint

···

>Certainly MeGames can come up with a list of SUGGESTED positions for new
>players, and the reasons why each might be a good starting choice.

Well, I don't like "official advice" on how to play coming from the referee
(as I said in the rulebook discussion) as it undermines their
impartiality. But in spite of that, I have to say that Urzahil's
suggestion is a breath of fresh air. This is a positive and practical
suggestion.