Stupid question: can I join? ;)

[Master Zen]

Now THIS is getting exciting!

Gimme a while so I can sort things out... I actually find all teams rather interesting.

Darekill: I started learning German about 4 years ago, but since I know no germans I have not practiced it and alas, habe ich alles vergessen (is that how you say it?)

[Master Zen]

Oh, and I haven't asked, if its not classified info or anything, which Civ is each team playing?

[UnOrthOdOx]

GoW is playing as China,
Roleplay is playing as Spain,
GS is playing as Egypt,
Vox is playing as Persia,
ND is playing as Arabia,
and Legoland is playing as Carthage, I believe.

FYI,
GoW is not simply about warmongering, however. We are also Mercenaries who are willing to do anything for adequate compensation.

[Darekill]

It was correct Master Zen. You have a pm.....

[Master Zen]

Now these civs make it even more interesting...

China is defenitely "the" warmonger civ par excellance but I also like Egypt (my overall fave) and Carthage...

Choices, choices...

Can't think correctly on an empty stomach so I'll come back to this later today.

Thank you all for the info

-MZ

[Togas]

In my mostly unbiased opinion, the best teams for you to join would be: Gow, Vox, RP.

GoW is right in the thick of things, and have some of the most cunning trade and diplomacy tactics around. They might suit your interests very well.

Vox is the smallest team and would be thrilled to have someone with your skill on their team to give them a fighting chance against Gathering Storm ... if they ever decide to do anything exciting.

Roleplay is perhaps one of the most entertaining forums in the game, with a lot of casual roleplaying, good humor, and side discussions that helps keep things interesting when the turns go long and we are between major conflicts. We have very few military strategy types, so you would be admired and respected the same as with Vox. We have a few more active team members than most (and a lot of inactives) so we don't NEED new members and I don't want to try to steal you away from teams that might need you.

Themewise, GoW is more militaristic and machiavellian, with a mean streak of pride and honor.

Vox attempts to speak with one voice and act as a Unity/Collective government. Very Socialist.

RP attempts to mimic history and abide by our actual form of government as well as level of technology. Thus far Despotism has made Spain my own personal kingdom with clan leaders, nobles, wisemen, and generals to advice me. I appoint a lot of individuals to run the nation as governors and generals and tend to issue edicts and proclaimations from my palace in Madrid while my minions tend to the business of running the nation for me. When we switch to Monarchy, all of my minions will receive noble status, fiefdoms, dukedoms, etc, and I will (hopefully) remain King. Should we ever go Republic or Democracy all hell will break loose, as we'll have to devise a Democractic system and I might have to start running for election or something.

As a sidenote, Legoland actually is a Democracy and Gathering Storm is some sort of a mix with schools and groups ... maybe akin to a secret society as none of us really know what they do over there or how they operate.

--Togas

[Master Zen]

Togas, you just make things more difficult for me

There's really something about all teams which I like, so in a while I'm going to solve this impasse in a cold calculating mathematical manner as we economists are acustomed to.

[Master Zen]

Ok, here it is... may sound a little ridiculous but, then again, aren't all economists ridiculous??

I have decided to base my decision on a mathematical ranking system (1-5) based on 5 traits:

MEMBERS: how many and how well do I know the members of each team?

TEAM STYLE: from what I've read, is the team warmonger, builder, etc? which style best suits me?

STRATEGIC SITUATION: is the team isolated or in the middle of conflict?

CIVILIZATION: what civ are they playing? which do I like the most?

USEFULNESS: how usefull will I be to the team? one of many or one of few? a lot of strategists where I won't have a voice?

And the results are: (less is better)

Gathering Storm
MEM = 2
STYLE = 2
STRAT = 4
CIV = 1
USE = 5
TOTAL = 14

Glory of War
MEM = 3
STYLE = 1
STRAT = 1
CIV = 3
USE = 2
TOTAL = 10

Legoland
MEM = 4
STYLE = 5
STRAT = 5
CIV = 2
USE = 3
TOTAL = 19

Roleplay
MEM = 1
STYLE = 3
STRAT = 4
CIV = 5
USE = 4
TOTAL = 16

Vox Controli
MEM = 5
STYLE = 4
STRAT = 2
CIV = 4
USE = 1
TOTAL = 16


BTW, I ruled out ND because my German ain't that good

so, in this unbiased ranking, I guess Glory of War is the team for me

Thanks again to everyone who gave me such valuable insight, and I wish all the teams the best of luck.

Any closing arguments before I formally ask to join GoW?

-MZ

[UnOrthOdOx]

Originally posted by Togas
GoW is right in the thick of things, and have some of the most cunning trade and diplomacy tactics around. They might suit your interests very well.

Themewise, GoW is more militaristic and machiavellian, with a mean streak of pride and honor.

/me is trying to decide it this was meant as an insult, compliment, or both...

He sure does have us pegged with the Pride and Honor, though.

[Beta]

Originally posted by Master Zen

so, in this unbiased ranking, I guess Glory of War is the team for me

-MZ

Good thing. Vox was getting kind of large.

[Master Zen]

Originally posted by BetaHound


Good thing. Vox was getting kind of large.

actually, I'm still not 100% convinced, after receiving some very convincing PMs for some of you...



I thought this was going to be a little easier...

Well, let me just put it this way, it's pretty much between GS and GoW.

I'll have to consult with the pillow...

Thanx for showing so much interest in this humble civver...

-MZ

[mrmitchell]

Flip a coin, that's how I picked my team, and so far it's been much better than what the other possibility would have been at the time.

[Panzer32]

Master Zen, unless something really wierd happens, you can join GoW.

[Master Zen]

OK, I'VE MADE MY FINAL DEFINITIVE DECISION

After much though, and trust me, this has been much more difficult than I had thought, I have decided on the following:

So far I have been tempted to join Gathering Storm and Glory of War. I like GS because some their members are people I respect a lot in the strat forum and it would be an honor for me to join their discussions. I like GoW because they seem to be in an interesting strategic situation in the game and their warmongering/machiavellian style suits me rather well.

My first "hunch" (the emotional part) says I should join GS. My second "hunch" (the rational part) says I should join GoW.

I have decided therefore to make a compromise. I will create a double login called Zen Master which will... :

(just kidding)

I WILL JOIN GLORY OF WAR.

buuuuuut....

If there is another PTWDG after this one is over, I will join the strategy guys whether they be in in GS or a new team. You guys can count on me to be part of your team from this moment

I know that whichever of the teams I would have chose, I would have regretted a certain aspect, as I said before, this has not been an easy choice. In any case, I would like to thank all of you who have posted here, and those of you, Togas, Darekill and Theseus who have PMed with with really, REALLY convincing arguments.

Thanx again to all, and I'll see you in the game!

[Arrian]

Have fun, Master Z.

-Arrian