And DAMN IT, Ed, I was right to say what I said. Your play was sloppy - damned sloppy. Those shennanigans cost us alot, and I’ve added you to my “no play” list with megames. You know my terms if you want back in my good graces.
I suspect the DS would have an edge if you compiled the stats. In the right hands, they are deadly. It’s a matter of weathering the initial storm (often a close run thing) after which it becomes increasing difficult for the FP to stay competitive.
That being said, I’m inclined to start favoring FP in open games. The DS are made to be played as a grudge side and you simply can’t count on the required level of of committment / competence from a random draw of players. Too many ways for the DS nations to get themselves (and their allies) eliminated. FP are much more robust in that respect.
Err, CJ I wasn’t talking about you. Have we ever played together on the same side?
That’s an excellent point, one that Brad brought up recently as well. The FP are tempted to build on their strengths (military, economy) because of the potential to deal the DS a crippling blow in the early going. The opportunity costs can be very high, though. Characters take a long time to train, and if you’ve neglected mage/agent/emmy development it is very difficult to catch up later… especially when your DS enemies are pretty much guaranteed to have been diligently improving their stable of thoroughbreds.
Hmm, that wasn’t you… was it? Who was I thinking of? Well, I guess you don’t owe me a box - unopened - of “Three is Company” trading cards after all!
I look forward to playing alongside you some day, Ed, as a frequent poster to the forum and fellow son of Louisiana.
Also, I apologize for being a buffoon.
Should we sticky this or are you going to have to do so every time…? 
That’s it! I remember who it was.
Nope, wasn’t me. When I was Cardolan you were the Long Rider, “Please Hallas! No More!”…
:mad: You lookin’ at me boy?
Yes, I am… and it’s a damn ugly sight. You could’ve at least had the decency to spare me from witnessing the double bankruptcy. I may never be the same again. 
-I have to admit that, as one of the “Newbs” that has been spoken of somewhat derisively, I like the idea of an exchange of ideas. I think that it speaks more towards a flexibility in strategy. I suspect that many get “stuck in a rut” when it comes to the opening moves that precludes a willingness to try something new.
-I’ve played with/against nearly everyone that has posted on this forum, so I’ve put some mileage on my 1.5year career, but by no means know everything. I have to say that, in most cases, by the end of the game I’m left wondering why I did what I did in the beginning.
-What I’m most interested in as a player is, not necessarily the code, but some of the mechanics of the game. Little tricks that most don’t learn about until they’ve been used against them.
-I do sympathize with Herman’s (Team Aussie’s) POV about a one-sided southern declaration of neutrals, but it is by no means a guarantee of success. Just look at how long game 95 has run…
-I also agree with Dave, here. Gunboat is the way to go for trying off the wall ideas. I’m in two, and am loving them both! 
Wade
CJ: Whew. I deliberately choose my enemies and you were not one of them. Thought I might be losing my grip.
While the DS need some aggression they can’t get into a slugfest with competant opposition. (ie. I remember a guy building a 6k Rhuduar army and then marching against the FP only to be repeatedly blocked while their own PC’s burned and they sucked tons of gold from their allies. But hey, they had their personal glory of a “mega army” but even if they had trashed some Cardy PC’s it was moot.)
How does Rhudaur “build” a 6K army…they start with 6500 troops…!
Arfanbrad
Did you cajole your Arthedainian ally into naming Mages…? Did you find a way to convince Saerol to 710 instead of 520…?
The FP have the big stick - and if they use it well they can do some serious damage, serious enough to dissuade the DS from carrying one…early… If the DS decided to carry on, come the mid-game, all those Cardy 40 com’s, no matter how many Gondorian pops he’s recruiting from, are useless as DS assassins breed exponentially, cursers come on line, and all those Misty dragon hunting emissaries start reclaiming any Dragon/WK losses, steal off-map Dwarf towns and hire hoards to threaten away the back-field with com arties, etc. IF the FP don’t plan for “what if the DS don’t quit…?” games, the tables will turn and they will slowly evaporate.
I believe it’s skewed the other way. DS have to work closer together from the start (Mordor at least) allowing the FP to communicate as macho individuals - “I’m sending 4500 HI to the Pass!”…“Yeah, well I’m sending 3000 HC around the back!”…etc. Once these glorious forces are spent, they keep talking about what “I’m doing” etc more often than not…because they’re more robust in that respect and can get away with it… DS more often than not forced into more of a “We” game - share their Agent toys to kill quickly, swap around mage/SM toys to kill early, share the Voice and Pect to get allied nations improved recruiting centres, etc. Breeds more cooperation, familiarity, etc. How many Noldo are courteous enough to send the odd email advising their allies of what they’ve been up to lately? FP are like that, because they can be like that…early, at least…
These strategy are decent for ideas on military strategies just as most of the posts here… But the real key to success is good teamwork and longterm strategy with economics in mind… Most players are decent with military tactics and some with character wars… But most I find lacking in regaurds to supporting those troops and High challenge rank characters. They simply have no economic plans beyond their current treasury and believe someone will ship them gold when they need it… That very thinking is a losing strategy and self defeating.
How many players running -10 deficit already have asked can someone send me 20k so i can name new characters… If your running 10k in hole already and you need gold to name characters that means you cannot afford the ones you have so you don’t need them! Now if you asked for 20k and said I needed it to improve 4 camps to villages that is smart and makes sense. That is a winning strategy. Constant broading of your tax base is every nations key to long term survival and winning…
Unselfish teamwork … Take Dragon lord and Long Riders backups they should swap early… Gives LR the recruit base he needs and can protect and allows Dragonlord to concentrate on surviving after losing his capitol without having to maintain large armies. Never ever let a teamate get knocked out everygame someone has a MT they can transfer to keep even the least skilled players in the game… You do that and those same players later will be asking how can i help the team.
Tactics … simply put keep changing try not to use the same orders over and over… Being unpredictable keeps the other team guessing. Great example is the refuse personal combat order… If they think your always refusing they will stop challenging and give you a chance to take a risk and attack and move…
I just don’t believe there is any perfect strategy or tactic… I think guidelines for each nation and things to consider for ideas would be the best articles for each nation in both 1650 and 2950.
Venger
Don’t remember Saerol’s status. Arthedain did have two 40ish mages. One he had slowly buildt up over 20 turns and then named a second one. These did useful work in the backfield. LA on enemy artifacts and doing economic orders. Every capital needs one or two bureaucrats, why not a mage?
Holy Avenger’s economic insights are right on. I will add there is a subset of players who are, kindly, poor money managers and expect people to support them so that they can remain poor money managers. Sure enough they beat the ‘teamwork’ drum, which is easier than aforethought.
Wow, they start with 6500 troops in the same army? That must be a new variant.
I can’t tell if you’re being childishly argumentative, an awkward wit, or a complete simpleton. I hope it isn’t only me you appear to have issues with, because frankly, that wouldn’t make you special around here…and don’t we all want to be special?
Arf-Arf