Newbie PBEM wanted 4-1-2006

[Senethro]

Originally posted by Humphrey
When you say 2 scouts for suggested starting units, for spartans I assume that is 1 scout + 1 rover?

I've not played non-expansion for ages, be nice to have no fungal towers for once!

Are you going to begrudge a weak faction a single scout?

(For weak, read more difficult to use well and reliant on the random number generator for the pods.)

[Chaunk]

As Humphrey is the Spartan player...

I'd also suggest that 1 rover and 1 scout would be ideal for the Spartans. The other modifications you suggested don't make too much sence to me either.

The Gaians will automatically capture the first mind worm they attack.

The Spartans have an advantage in having the rover in the first place, making it a 3 move rover is too much IMHO.

The believers aren't in the game, but they're balanced enough as it is. They just need to be played to their strengths, which they rarely are.

I'd agree with map size large, not huge though.

[Senethro]

Just on a tangent, would you seriously compare the Spartans, Gaians or Believers against any of the Hive/Drones/Uni triad of doom? Or a Morgan player that has had a good start?

[Chaunk]

The Spartans don't fit my play style so I can't really comment about them too much, but the gaians and believers, very much so. Sure, the play needs to be much more careful, but by carefully emphasising the positives of the factions (I'd say growth is a big positive for both factions, due to their ease of running demo/planned) it's easy to gain comperable strength.

[mmontgomery]

My email is michael AT montgo DOT us.

What new features does the Hive have, other than immunity to Eff?

I agree with large map size. Native life should be normal since we have a Gaian faction.

I think the Gaians are a good faction on a large map, and don't see the need to enhance them. Perhaps swap one scout with a mindworm if one really feels they need a bump, but I don't think they need it.

Spartans are a little weak on a large map in my opinion, but I think an elite rover is a bit much. If we want a bump there, make both starting units to be regular rovers.

For Believers, I believe they are weak on a large map, but nobody is playing them. Probe unit for the computer is fine. Or perhaps we just don't have the AI factions, since they are typically easy prey for whichever human finds them first.

As for starting base, I am not used to having any kind of starting base at all. But I don't care either way, as long as everyone has the same thing. If you are going to load it up, that is fine, just make sure that everyone has access to enough starting energy to pay the maintanance cost for any facilities.

[Chaunk]

I hadn't noticed the size 3 HQ base. I'd rather start with 4 colony pods, which is what that would be equivelent to. Certainly I'd push some colony pods out first thing (And sell the rec commons too).

[mmontgomery]

Originally posted by Chaunk
Grampa Troll and Lobo, may I suggest you choose your factions? I'm happy with any of the original seven, so I'll choose after you guys.

With regard to settings, how about these?

Preference..	|	Settings

Map size	|	Large
Ocean		|	50-70%
Erosion		|	Average
Life		|	Average
Clouds		|	Dense
Difficulty	|	Transcend

Transcend	|	On
Diplomatic	|	On
Economic	|	On
Cooperative	|	On
Do or Die	|	On
Flexible start	|	On
Tech stag	|	Off
Spoils of war	|	On
Blind research	|	Off
Intense riv	|	Off
No survey	|	On
No scatter	|	Off
No rnd events	|	On
Time Warp	|	Off
Iron man	|	Off
Rand person	|	Off
Rand social	|	Off

I think those are mostly standard, with a few possible exceptions about map selections, which the CMN will likely modify anyway.

There is a rules list in the first post of this thread at CGN which I'd suggest we follow.

As far as I know, I think we can all live with these settings just as initially suggested. This is my preference.

As for starting situation, I would be happy enough starting with no base, two colony pods and a scout, which I think is the normal start. The proposed start with a base is fine with me, too. I don't like the idea of starting with 4 colony pods.

I think the starting position is all that we have left to resolve. Does anyone else want to chime in on this?

[Lobo7922]

I have never started whit 4 colony pods is way too much, but is ok if you think so, also i dont like the idea of starting whit a big base.
when are we starting?

[Chaunk]

Standard start is fine. Be aware though that there will be nothing to do for the first 10 years or so at least

when are we starting?

Patience...

[Humphrey]

I'd rather not standard start, it's very very boring for first 10 turns or so with standard start, but if everyone else wants that I'll go along with it.

[Lobo7922]

well the true is that this is my first game of AC multiplayer so i should leave the decisions to you, if you want to do it whit 4 coloni pods fine by me

[mmontgomery]

Originally posted by Chaunk
Standard start is fine. Be aware though that there will be nothing to do for the first 10 years or so at least

My only experience is with TCP/IP, where this is not a problem. I can see that PBEM would be a lot slower.

But I am not sure of starting with 4 colony pods. You have to find 4 decent city spots before you have had time to explore around at all. An early mindwork attack on a colony pod could set you back quite a bit.

I think I would prefer the original suggestion of Senethro of a size 3 city with recycling tanks and rec commons. Then you would have more options. You could use it to generate more colony pods if you wanted, or otherwise, grow the city, use it to push out more scouts, build a serious army, or whatever else you wanted.

[Lobo7922]

Ok last post was in 07, what its going on? do we have any news? what else do we need to start? how is going this? please im very interested

[Senethro]

Map created for 4 players, no AIs. Style is linked continents. I've used excessive rivers to moisten some continental interiors and starting positions.

I've got all your faction choices, just tell me what starting units you want.

[Chaunk]

4 players? I thought there were 5 of us playing?

Grampa Troll: Gaians
Lobo7922: University
Humphrey: Spartans
mmontgomery: Hive
Chaunk: Morgan

Right?

My vote for starting units would be 3 colony pods and 3 scouts (2 rovers and a scout for Sparta). Slightly faster than a standard start, but not overly fast.