Head-to-Head SMAC/X PBEM Tourney

[Curiosity]

Darsnan, thanks for the info. I've never been to CGN before, but it seems very active. I love the academy section, too.

Perhaps we'll meet in the H2H.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by smhfan86
Static players with static build and tech strats are hurt more in computer generated games. Dynamic players will not assume they can build to their hearts content without any AI or humans nearby, or that they their human counterpart is close enough for an early rush.

I was too static in my game as UofP with Flubber, and thought I could build up, however, if I had explored earlier, I could've found him early and beelined to non-lin.

So part of it was the map, but a lot of it was my mistake.

It's easy to blame the map or the placement of players when you play a static game.

All true but in my game with the drones I was NOT static . .

If I replayed I can't think what I would do different since on the first try I went for centauri ecology first and then doc flex to get off my island. This was a variation from my normal Ind auto beeline but the position demanded it. I am flexible but here even doing the right thing meant that it was far far too long before I had any good productive tiles and even longer to plant my third and 4th bases.

Bottom line is that there are starts you can recover from and situations that favor builders or which favor explorers momentum players. Those you live with . . . but the computer can also give super-horrendous starts which can totally spoil the game.

[Drogue]

Is this tourney still going? If so, anyone want a tourney game?

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by Curiosity
Darsnan, thanks for the info. I've never been to CGN before, but it seems very active. I love the academy section, too.

Perhaps we'll meet in the H2H.

NP on the info - I think you'll find most of the players @ CGN are more than willing to help each other out: better players means more intense, and enjoyable competition!
As far as an H2H is concerned, why you will shortly be able to play an ersatz me, as I will be releasing the July CGN Challenge. The primary Challenge will be SMAX, however because I like as much feedback from players as possible (to make my future Scenarios even that much more fun to play), and with the realization that a lot of people only have SMAC, why I will post a SMAC version as well. Should be out in about a week. FYI.


D

[smhfan86]

Originally posted by Flubber



All true but in my game with the drones I was NOT static . .

If I replayed I can't think what I would do different since on the first try I went for centauri ecology first and then doc flex to get off my island. This was a variation from my normal Ind auto beeline but the position demanded it. I am flexible but here even doing the right thing meant that it was far far too long before I had any good productive tiles and even longer to plant my third and 4th bases.

Bottom line is that there are starts you can recover from and situations that favor builders or which favor explorers momentum players. Those you live with . . . but the computer can also give super-horrendous starts which can totally spoil the game.

You're assuming I had a good start Flubber, which was not the case. I was cut off from expanding by three factions, one of whom was hostile and I had to defend against. You got doc flex and moved to the Jungle probably 50 years ahead of me. Plus, you had the extra energy from the sunny thing.

If you think the drones are only good close to an opponent, then why did you pick them in a randomly generated map?

If you were worried about being left behind in the tech department, you were actually ahead of me in that game, and the only way I got close to catching up to you, was by stealing from you.

In summary:

You got to doc flex ahead of me and colonized the Jungle, with room to expand.
I had no room to expand, because I was trapped by the AI.
You had the extra energy from the sunny thing.
You had a tech lead on me.
I had to battle Santiago, who hated me from the start, expending a lot of resources to hold my position.
I was the Hive with no room to grow for a very long time, and not the UofP.

I didn't get much from Miriam, because she was the Believers. The Gaians hated me because I was planned, and stopped trading with me.

I didn't get energy from my agreements with either, because I was the Hive.

I had a far worse start than you, Flubber.

Your answer to how you could have played differently to win: Protect your bases from foil probes earlier. I stole a ton of techs from you. If they were protected, I would've taken even longer to get to non-lin, and thus, have been unable to conquer your bases in the jungle.

[Mongoose]

What 'sunny thing' gives extra energy? There is no bonus associated with Sunny Mesa. Do you mean Pholus Ridge?

[Flubber]

Originally posted by smhfan86

I had a far worse start than you, Flubber.
.

Wow I thought being stuck on an island with one moist square and one monolith TOTAL was bad. yes I had the uranium flats -- whoopee . . . when it takes forever to grow to size 2 thats little help

Bottom line is that this is the worst starting position I have ever had in about 40 Pbem games and duels and the ONLY time I have EVER mentioned starting position as a reason for a defeat. Its one which I would not expect to recover from against any competent human opposition ( yes assuming they had a halfway reasonable start).
That you recovered from a "far worse start" is a salute to you and i guess I should concede your superior skills

[Curiosity]

Originally posted by Drogue
Is this tourney still going? If so, anyone want a tourney game?

It seems to be, and yes!

I can now play AC or AX, and I'll let you have first pick of the factions. (I want a few hours to check out the crossfire factions anyway... is it me, or do they kinda suck?)

Post your preferences, and I'll start the game. Then we just need an official number.

Darsnan,

I now have the x-pack, so I'll definitely give the challenge a try.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Curiosity

(I want a few hours to check out the crossfire factions anyway... is it me, or do they kinda suck?)

they are ok--- some are considered very weak (cult-) while the drones and aliens are considered very strong-- although some see the drones as weak

Some of the abilities are more exagerated in the new factions and you have to tailor your play to the faction a bit more

[Curiosity]

ttt, before this falls off the edge.

And I'm still looking for a tournament 1v1 here, if anyone's interested?

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by Curiosity
And I'm still looking for a tournament 1v1 here, if anyone's interested?

All right, Curiosity, I'll bite. Whatcha got in mind, anything special?

D

[Curiosity]

Excellent.

Well, I'm just loking for a normal, crossfire PBEM - settings as posted at the start of the thread. I guess this would be game 04 of the series? If you have anything interesting in mind, then I could be swayed...

As we don't need a CMN, if you take first choice of faction and post your e-mail address, then I'll create the game.

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by Curiosity
As we don't need a CMN, if you take first choice of faction and post your e-mail address, then I'll create the game.

What, you don't want my Alphax.txt, with all its little critters I've created, being imprinted upon this game!?!

Anyways, we could do an Alien Duel, in which case I'd take the Guardians. Or if its just a regular SMAX game, why I'll take the Hive.


D

[Curiosity]

Hehe, I have a couple of critters of my own created, but your alphax is a little extreme.
Though, one of these days you should create a mod tournament. That would interesting.

I prefer to play the human factions right now, as I'm playing both the aliens in a game vs Flubber, and I want to get the feel of the new factions. I've elected to be the drones, and set you to go first as Chairman Darnan.

I've sent the game to your dnandal@twcny.rr.com acount, I assume it's still active.

[smhfan86]

haven't checked here in awhile, but i assume darsnan and curiosity have started a smax game, 04, with curiosity as the drones and darsnan as the hive, right?

if you could post whether or not the game has actually begun, or been trashed here, that'd be great, then I could update the games in progress page if it has started.