Suggestions for "The Art of War" and More

[PolarisGL]

All:

The purpose, I have no discovered, for the Art of War is not only for a war forum which I am so fond of. I am now going to be more "into" updating the site's Civ2 tactics, adding new and various sections, and experimenting with layouts (keeping the nice sword graphic, of course ).

I would like to ask Blackclove on layout suggestions...

SLeague's layout is excellent, although for the Art of War I would like to maintain a "classical" look, if you will. Any tips, Blackclove? You may e-mail me as well.

On a very important note though...

We only have THREE tactics:

Red Front - Field Marshal Klesh (only one! come on, my good people!)
Age of Reptiles - Cam Hills
Napoleon - George Lyles (me)

We need MANY more tactics. I know ALL of you at least have 1 tactic! I'd love to hear it!

So far, Klesh is our best contributor. He is now working on a 2194 days of war tactic...for every side! I thank him for this generous contribution.

Soon to come will be the following:

Yet ANOTHER layout.
Several new sections and tactics
Short tips list - the things you should remember in EVERY Civ2 regular game (contributions allowed)
A more organized tactic format that all contributors will have to follow (I will try my best to format already submitted ones, unless the authors are willing to add a few items, not many)
ANYTHING ELSE? I need suggestions...

Also coming soon is The North Star, which is my Civ2 website giving info about my latest scenarios (need suggestions on what to cover).

Thanks for reading all,

George

[Graeme LeSaux]

Polaris, just a humble question:

what does HAC have that makes it a first-rank site?

[PolarisGL]

HAC has original content. Mainly the scenario design contests, awards, and a superb layout.

[klesh]

quote: So far, Klesh is our best contributor. He is now working on a 2194 days of war tactic...for every side! I thank him for this generous contribution.

You are quite welcome



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See you next December in the Kremlin, Komrade, when the first snow falls... if you are still there...

[JPetroski]

I assume by "tactics" that you meen strategies for various scenarios?

I would be more than happy to make one for Red Front, And Also for BlackCloves "Lion" scenario (the design contest one), but you would have to wait a few weeks because I have to get school straightened out right now.

One definate suggestion, you should DEFINATELY put a warning on the site, I meen, if it is basically strategy guides, I would not want to stumble on the secrets of the scenario unless I was pre-warned. Just put in a little warning saying that reading this document might make the scenario less enjoyable as it is not so "new" any more but would be like hearing the ending of a movie before you see it.

Thanks,


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John Petroski
Vudak@aol.com

[PolarisGL]

John, next update I will add an extra cell to each tactic table saying YES or NO to if it will ruin it.

Thanks for the help, and I do hope you will be able to write some tactics.

[PolarisGL]

Guys, I need some suggestions for the layout and the site here...

People don't seem to care much about me, do they?

[Fast_Eddie]

I don't like the red in the little box on the right. Make that yellow or green. The font in that is dumb too. Try Tahoma or something, I like that one

[PolarisGL]

It is Tahoma.

[Fast_Eddie]

I feel REALLY dumb right now...ugh...

[Xin Yu]

Perhaps you can have a 'general tip' for scenarios? Early scenarios usually have neglected some important aspects which the players can abuse. This general tip will help both the players and the designers.

Here's one I got from playing 'Alexander':

Diplomacy: If you can talk to other civs, do not talk to them in the first turn. The setup usually gave them bad attitude towards you. However in the second turn you'll get better results. For example, if your power is 'mighty', you may be able to get tribute in exchange for peace, and even an alliance from other civs against the 'supreme' power. Even if your power is 'inadequate', you may still get an alliance from an AI civ if it is at war with another one. SUCCESSFUL SCENARIOS USUALLY DO NOT ALLOW NEGOTIATION.

[Xin Yu]

Another way to put it is to list the scenario's designing fault and exploit it:

Scenario name: 'Alexander'
Author: Comes with MPE CD
CIV Suggested: Alexander the Great

Designing Fault 1: Alexander's civ is 'powerful', hence it can gain benefit when negotiating with weaker civs.
How to Exploit: On the second turn, talk to the Greece and get tribute (science and money) for signing a peace treaty. Then ask for alliance, give a tech to them and you will get it. The Greece will soon sneak attack the Persian. Ferry a diplo to the Closest Persian city and bribe it. You will get several good units from inside the city since the Persian is defending it from the Greece. Try to get in touch with other civs (prefer before you become 'supreme') and you will get tribute from them, too.

Designing Fault 2: Persian defending units have strong attacking points. They will usually attack you rather than defending the city behind walls.
How to exploit: After you bribed the first Persian city, Persian horses will be moving from other cities towards the city and try to retake it. Rush build a couple of strong, vet defending units and meet them on the hills east to the city (half way to the Persian capital). After they wasted the horses, move the defending units further to the persian cities and put them on good defending terrian. Some of the cities will become empty (all units inside will attack you and lose) and you can walk in. If there's no good terrian for you to use this tactic, you should bribe the city instead.

Designing Fault 3: You can sell some city improvements for instant cash.
How to exploit: Sell libraries, set tax rate high, and build caravans to trade with Rhode. You will get a lot of cash to bribe Persian and Greece cities.

Other Miscellaneous Designing Fault: NA

[PolarisGL]

Xin, this idea has already been issued to me, and it will be in the next version of the site...

Thanks for that, BTW.

[Xin Yu]

PolarisGL: I just bumped up a thread on this forum and a thread on the civ2-general forum. Please check them out. They have my 'tips' on '2194days' and 'Spartacus'.

In 2194 days I (as Hitler) wiped out the Soviet in 4 turns (why am I always repeating it ), and in Spartacus I occupied Rome in part 3 of the scenario, which was not suppose to happen until part 7 (the winning condition is to occupy Rome). They are terrific scenarios, but still, they have loopholes.

[PolarisGL]

Xin, if you could e-mail them to me, it would be easier on myself. Thanks!

polaris@optonline.net

BTW, call me Polaris or George.