Question: 2950 or 1650 for newbies

mepbmlist
#1

Which scenario should I put new players into?

In response to Ben's thoughts (mostly agree btw) The only problem I have for
2950 is that there is a bigger drop out rate in the game as it stands.
Hence putting in Newbies to the game would make the situation worse.

It's the scenario that I have most problems with as concerns drop outs and
then knock on effects (more drop outs etc).

Also as players think that 1650 (by player numbers I would guess this) think
that 1650 is the best game - then we put them in there. (I think there is a
bigger drop out rate of new players in 2950/1000 as well proportionate to
the number of players that set-up in 1650).

But please convince me otherwise - basically I can put newbies into either
2950 or 1650 (not 1000 for reasons stated by players which I concur with) so
which is it?

Clint

···

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#2

I guess my response is which game is the most forgiving?
I think 2950 is. You can make even SEVERE screw ups and still recover.
That's why I think 2950 is more newbie friendly. Just my thoughts....

···

-----Original Message-----
From: Middle Earth PBM Games [mailto:me@MiddleEarthGames.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2001 9:49 AM
To: mepbmlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [mepbmlist] Question: 2950 or 1650 for newbies

Which scenario should I put new players into?

In response to Ben's thoughts (mostly agree btw) The only problem
I have for
2950 is that there is a bigger drop out rate in the game as it stands.
Hence putting in Newbies to the game would make the situation worse.

It's the scenario that I have most problems with as concerns drop outs and
then knock on effects (more drop outs etc).

Also as players think that 1650 (by player numbers I would guess
this) think
that 1650 is the best game - then we put them in there. (I think
there is a
bigger drop out rate of new players in 2950/1000 as well proportionate to
the number of players that set-up in 1650).

But please convince me otherwise - basically I can put newbies into either
2950 or 1650 (not 1000 for reasons stated by players which I
concur with) so
which is it?

Clint
****************************************************************
      Harlequin Games Middle Earth Games
pbm@harlequingames.com me@middleearthgames.com
www.harlequingames.com www.middleearthgames.com

               340 North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BP
           Tel 029 2062 5665 12-6.30 Weekdays
                  Fax 029 2062 5532 24 hours
****************************************************************
        Middle Earth - Legends - Serim Ral
            CTF 2187 - Starquest - Crack of Doom
                   Battle of the Planets - Exile

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#3

It's the only game I have blown up a nation in! :slight_smile:

Seriously take your point though - any other player thoughts.

Clint (player)

···

I guess my response is which game is the most forgiving?
I think 2950 is. You can make even SEVERE screw ups and still recover.
That's why I think 2950 is more newbie friendly. Just my thoughts....

#4

--- In mepbmlist@y..., "Middle Earth PBM Games" <me@M...> wrote:
<snip>

But please convince me otherwise - basically I can put newbies into

either

2950 or 1650 (not 1000 for reasons stated by players which I concur

with) so

which is it?

Clint

<snip>

My own view is that (if possible) its better to put newbies into a
1650 game specifically for beginners with an experienced player or
two on each side in critical positions (e.g. North Gondor; Witch
King) to act as a "mentor" (perhaps offer free turns or reduced turn
rate to get them to take on this role?). They can then (as I did -
with Allsorts at the time) feel free to make mistakes & pick up all
the little hints & tips which are not obvious from the rule book
while still having a reasonable chance of "winning". I think 1650 is
generally more forgiving economically than 2950 & more action occurs
earlier which makes dropping from boredom less likely. 1000 suffers
from not having much Tolkein to it & is not suitable for beginners
anyway.

In a beginners 1650 - probably better to fill the neutral positions
with experienced players or have them pre-aligned since a newbie
might struggle without guidance.

Other alternative would be to start them in a beginners 2950 WOTR
variant - this would have the benefits of the 1650 scenario plus
resembling the Books more closely for those attracted to the game by
the films. Might also make it easier to attract mentors to play!

Ian Harris

#5

I think 1650 is
generally more forgiving economically than 2950

Its true that i've found suffering money problem
without being attacked is pretty common in 2950. But
since they are new, its unlikely they will buy mithril
(for mithril armour like bilbo had), or crank out 4
dual characters on T1 (more characters means more
orders the characters can do in the future).

Being new implies lacking experience, ie not knowing
what to do. A normal person generally does nothing, or
asks for help, when in doubt.

& more action occurs
earlier which makes dropping from boredom less
likely.

Its not boredom that I worry about. It the fact that
its action from T1 in 1650 games. If you know nothing
about the game, its possible that you will have lost
your position before your mentor tells them how useful
it is to recruit, or name certain characters classes.

Having a (soon to die) position is a real bummer.
Especially when you think you had no hope to save your
position. We should allow the newbies to enjoy the
game, and to think they made a difference.

In a beginners 1650 - probably better to fill the
neutral positions
with experienced players or have them pre-aligned
since a newbie
might struggle without guidance.

I think if a newbie has no mate joining up with them,
then neutral is the only way to go. And I also think
its difficult to work out what to do if you know
nothing.

But pre-aligned neutrals in 1650 are not that crash
hot for beginners. The harad are 'completely stuffed'
against incoming free. And the Rhu will think they
were dumped into the deep end. Only the corsairs are
duns could afford some time to try to understand what
is going on.

I reckon neutral positions in 2950. Less change of
them getting attacked early on. BOTH side should
contact them. And since both side are grovelling to
them (it is 2950 after all), its more likely they will
get more advice than if only one side was talking to
them.

thanks
din

···

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#6

Which scenario should I put new players into?

In response to Ben's thoughts (mostly agree btw) The only problem I have

for

2950 is that there is a bigger drop out rate in the game as it stands.
Hence putting in Newbies to the game would make the situation worse.

It's the scenario that I have most problems with as concerns drop outs and
then knock on effects (more drop outs etc).

RD: In one way, this makes 2950 a better intro for newbies, because, the
more dropouts there are, the more potential for survival and expansion is
left for the remaining players!

Of course you don't want to hear that. I wonder why you have such a high
dropout in 2950. I can tell you why so many 1650 players dropped it like a
hot potato, because it is less game for your money than 1650 (the arguments
have been well rehearsed so I won't repeat them).

So why do newbies drop 2950? I don't know but I suggest some possibilities:
1) they think, this is a feeble position, I've got no chance.
2) they see more experienced players drop, so follow suit.

Richard.

Also as players think that 1650 (by player numbers I would guess this)

think

that 1650 is the best game - then we put them in there. (I think there is

a

bigger drop out rate of new players in 2950/1000 as well proportionate to
the number of players that set-up in 1650).

But please convince me otherwise - basically I can put newbies into either
2950 or 1650 (not 1000 for reasons stated by players which I concur with)

so

···

----- Original Message -----
From: "Middle Earth PBM Games" <me@MiddleEarthGames.com>
To: <mepbmlist@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2001 3:48 PM
Subject: [mepbmlist] Question: 2950 or 1650 for newbies

which is it?

Clint
****************************************************************
      Harlequin Games Middle Earth Games
pbm@harlequingames.com me@middleearthgames.com
www.harlequingames.com www.middleearthgames.com

               340 North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BP
           Tel 029 2062 5665 12-6.30 Weekdays
                  Fax 029 2062 5532 24 hours
****************************************************************
        Middle Earth - Legends - Serim Ral
            CTF 2187 - Starquest - Crack of Doom
                   Battle of the Planets - Exile

Middle Earth PBM List - Middle Earth and Harlequin Games
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