Power Gunboat

[Pearly]

Fresh from a whoopin' received at the hands of the DS in the last PoWeR game, I still have enthusiasm for a "pure" PoWeR game, or a one week turn around. Specifically, I would like to give it a try in a GunBoat format.

Is anyone else interested in PoWeR Gunboat-1650? Clint told me that this needs to be customer driven, and I see that the number of players committed of the currently filling 1650-GB is at 2. In particular are the 2 players who have committed to the 1650-GB that is filling, willing to "jump ship" to a PoWeR 1650-Gunboat?


Come on former foes and teammates from PoWeR 2 and 16, I encourage anyone to once again try and steamroll me in this format!

[DaveHolt]

John,
are you proposing a 1-week turn-around GB?
Or a 2-turn/week PoWeR GB?

If I might add one note of caution for you to ponder: I've played in and am playing in GB games. I think they're FANTASTIC. Caveat: if/when people drop, it's a big problem. This would be hugely exacerbated in a more rapid turn-around format. First, the detection of the "drop", and then the scramble to fill the position(s) dropped would all have to occur on an accelerated pace.

As such, I would urge you *not* to go for a 2-turn/week PoWeR GB as I can see that any drop would likely miss 2 turns, not just one. Clint/Rob can probably comment more accurately, but even in the "no-drop" GBs, there has been one drop... But I think that's only one out of the three "no-drop" games, so that's a vast improvement over normal GB, where I haven't been in a game without drops.

Anyway, my $0.02... Personally, I'm already in 2 "no-drop" GBs and can't commit to a third GB at this time.

cheers,
Dave

[Pearly]

I concur that 2 turn/week game would not be the best PoWeR format. I had in mind either a 1 week format, or the format of the original game. The original game ran the turn when everyone had submitted orders, capped by a one week time limit.

The risk of dropped nations in gunboat will exist in any format/scenario. So much so, that it motivates my GB strategy to a degree. I did note in an offhand sort of way, there seemed to be fewer dropped nations in both PoWeR games than normal. Albeit 2 games do not provide great statistical relevance.

I have played in a few GB games, and I think the PoWeR format willl compliment GunBoat quite well.

[DaveHolt]

John,
I agree that GB could be a 1-week turnaround easily.

I also would be willing to place a side bet that a true PoWeR format with a one week cap would be *exactly* the same result as a 1-week game if it was GB. Chances of at least one of the twelve people taking the full week seem to be 100%... even with all the nagging both teams did in PoWeR 2, we almost never beat the one-week turnaround...

But, it's not up to me. It's up to the 12 people that sign up. I think GB could easily be a one-week turnaround and that would make it even more fun. So you certainly are on the right track!

Dave

[Clint]

I'd suggest that a 1wk GB game would be ideal as a test format. PoWeR would only really work with the chivying and in normal games that's difficult enough.

As for it being a No-drop game - well I've got some interest in that format so it's upto you guys.

Clint

[Pearly]

Two guboats have finished in the week that I posted this. So back to the top, to try and get the attention of that pool of 24 players.:o

[thuiatt]

Gunboat 70 was down to only a pool of six players unfortunately.

tim

[Pearly]

Back to the top again. 1650-GB (possibly no-drop and 1 week turn around), needs 6 or 7 more players.

[happymadcat]

I'll give it a shot..:-) Just don't tell my other half! Lol

happymadcat@yahoo.co.uk

[Pearly]

Note to self. HMC's spouse is off my mailing list. Looks like we need 4 or 5 players now.

Maybe we can get some of those players from the recently concluded 2950-GB? Y'know, a Power GB format may conceivably start and end before the next 2950-GB begins. Why not play a 1650-PWR-GB style game while you wait...

Back to the top.

[Overworked1977]

John, you are really trying to sell this one, aren't you? *grin*

If I wasn't going to be on the road for the next week yet, I might be tempted. PWR GB...That's going to be a lot of fun as well.

Wade

[happymadcat]

C'mon guys sign up! Yet another chance to kick my butt! Lol

[Pearly]

John, you are really trying to sell this one, aren't you? *grin*

If I wasn't going to be on the road for the next week yet, I might be tempted. PWR GB...That's going to be a lot of fun as well.

Wade

You know it! Who needs two weeks to figure out there nations' orders in this scenario? No one. Seriously though, a one week turn around GB seems ideal for GB enthusiasts.

[drummerdude]

Is this a one nation per player game or duos?

[Clint]

GB is duos but if you can find a friend to play the second nation that's fine. (You two wil be able to chat and share turns etc but not with others).

We get a few players play like this.

Clint

[happymadcat]

What are the choices of nation pairing's Clint? Yep, never played gunboat
before..

Guy

[Clint]

That info is in the main body of each email with the turns... :)

I've not got it here I'm afraid.

Clint

[Diehard]

1650 GB Duos:

FP:
1/4 Woodmen/Arthedain
2/8 Northmen/Dwarves
3/7 Eothraim/South Gondor
5/9 Cardolan/Sindar
6/23 North Gondor/Dunlendings
10/22 Noldo/Harad

DS:
11/20 Witch King/Dark Lieutenants
12/21 Dragon Lord/Corsairs
13/15 Dog Lord/Blind Sorcerer
14/24 Cloud Lord/Rhudaur (CL town @3428 goes to village, CL town @3629 goes to MT)
16/19 Ice King/Long Rider
17/18 Quiet Avenger/Fire King

[DaveHolt]

Note: lots of different GB pairings have been tried in experiments to determine what is the best for game balance. Some of us feel that the DS are at a disadvantage in GB due to the dependence on information exchange to mount a credible "character war", which the DS depend on so heavily.

In GB 94 & GB 96 (maybe 97?), which are "no-drop" GB games, we beefed up Rhu/WK positions to experiment with game balance. For 94 & 96, the following were the original pairings and pop center improvements:

Pairings: DS:
WK/DkL (1804 city)
Rhu/LR (1910 city/castle; 1908 fort; 2208 MT/fort)
FK/CL
Cor/DrgL
IK/QA
DogL/BS

FP:
NG/Duns
Northmen/DW (4217 fort)
Arth/Wood
Noldo/Harad
Sinda/Card
SG/EO

By the way, even with the character war disadvantage, I had a blast playing DS in GB 14 in 2004-2005 (though the FP, notably Tim/Tony Huiatt, finally swarmed into Mordor and that was all she wrote for the DS).

[Diehard]

WK/DkL (1804 city)


This pairing doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me - a ridiculous wealth of characters combined with very dubious economics.

I can certainly see why you'd want the city upgrade...

- Keith

[DaveHolt]

Keith, it's the same pairing that you posted for WK/DkL...

but yes, we felt that the "traditional" pairings were tough for the DS, and tried to beef up the northwest DS.

Neither 94 or 96 have finished so there's no comment available from anyone in the game as to how the experiment is progressing. That said, both games have received results from turn 19...

[Diehard]

Keith, it's the same pairing that you posted for WK/DkL...

Absolutely. I just posted what Clint sent out in the turn email. Definitely doesn't mean I agree with it...

but yes, we felt that the "traditional" pairings were tough for the DS, and tried to beef up the northwest DS.

Makes sense to me.

Perhaps the desire was to avoid pairing the DarkL with any other Mordor DS. Too bad, making the DS pairs a little more closely aligned might help mitigate some of the "character war" issues.

- Keith

[VEO]

Yes, but the minute you give the Cloud Lord any ally with either an artifact or double scouting, people start to scream. Now, if the Woodmen were given the +20 k/a and a starting 40 agent to "balance" things out, then no more problem.. ;)

[BaaBaaRox]

Guys.... the changes in the NW should make it more interesting.... I'd say that the FP should also have some benefit though.

How about giving 2 of the rubbish Harad characters command skill, and making osgiliath a keep.

Cheers
Mike

[Clint]

Note the new pairings and changes are not designed by us. At the request of the players we changed it. Personally I slightly prefer the older groupings (but as I'm not playing it's not pertinent):

FP: 1/4 Woodmen/Arthedain, 2/8 Northmen/Dwarves (4017 Fort), 3/7 Eothraim/South Gondor, 5/9 Cardolan/Sindar, 6/23 North Gondor/Dunlendings, 10/22 Noldo/Harad

DS: 11/20 Witch King/Dark Lieutenants, 12/21 Dragon Lord/Corsairs, 13/15 Dog Lord/Blind Sorcerer, 14/24 Cloud Lord/Rhudaur (CL town @3428 goes to village, CL town @3629 goes to MT, 1910 Fort), 16/19 Ice King/Long Rider, 17/18 Quiet Avenger/Fire King

New version: DS: WK/DkL (1804 city), Rhu/LR (1910 city/castle; 1908 fort; 2208 MT/fort), FK/CL, Cor/DrgL, IK/QA, DogL/BS

FP: NG/Duns, Northmen/DW (4217 fort), Arth/Wood, Noldo/Harad, Sinda/Card, SG/EO

I'm happy to have us support either. I can't really feedback about the games as they are presently running. What we're intending to do this time is run a 1wk game - I'll go with the new format for nations (like I said I'm pretty easy about either) and I'll collate that info later today to see who's up for playing (got around 4 positions left)

From before though (mostly as a player so feel free to disagree/agree): I don't see any need to improve the FPs - if any I'd do the NM/Dwarf combo. Noldo has a massive character strength to make up for the deficit in the Harad (and from a military perspective the Cor/Har is winnable by either side in my experience).

Clint

[BaaBaaRox]

Noldo has a massive character strength to make up for the deficit in the Harad (and from a military perspective the Cor/Har is winnable by either side in my experience).

Clint


Hey Clint - I'd agree with both your comments. But the WK DKLts and Rhu LR both are great combos individually - their problem is that the Wk and Rhu are isolated and their destinies are not in their own hands. Noldo / Harad really has the same pluses and issues, I think. My suggestions were really to just ever-so-slightly improve Harad's standalone survivability. Having just played Harad / Noldo and really committed the Noldo to supporting the Harad, I know it is v v tough unless SG steps in....

Cheers
Mike

[lionatus]

How many guys you got signed up Clint. Might be interested mate. Alan J.

[Clint]

9 so far

Clint

[DaveHolt]

Having just played Harad / Noldo and really committed the Noldo to supporting the Harad, I know it is v v tough unless SG steps in....

Cheers
Mike

bingo. In GB, SG really really needs to stay in the south an let NG deal with Mordor (whether HA is DS or FP, though I personally think a DS CO is a much better "balanced" situation, as DS HA is hugely tough for the DS if the FP have a clue). All that said, I really don't think an FP HA should be beefed up at all. SG is a huge and powerful ally. It just needs to be played well.

re: pairings

whatever the 12 people that sign up for want is what you guys should go for. The experiment currently running in 94, 96 & 97 is "in progress"...
I can say that it was motivated by results in prior GBs where the Rhu/WK were normal (other than 1910 fort), and both nations get waxed earlier than they do in team 1650... But, Clint (as he just said) and some others, think that we beefed them up too much... Personally, as I was a part of the group that suggested the experiment, I would like to see the data (admittedly small sample set) from 94, 96, & 97 to decide whether we beefed them up too much or not... Then, the data can speak for itself.

Dave

[Pearly]

Posted only 5 days ago. 9 (maybe 10) players signed up. This one's going fast. Yessiree, only 2 more players, and then we can all look at our T0 pdf's tomorrow!

Who's going to be the last 2 players to get in before this first in your lifetime opportunity slips away forever? Sign up now, and I promise, to get Clint to promise, a chicken in every pot. Also, once again I guarantee you the opportunity to pound me into rubble! Perhaps not the most difficult of tasks, but an invitation to those who have an opinion of my capacity and wit.

[Clint]

FYI... Pearly not sure who you are so not sure if you're in the game or not.

:)

Clint

[Pearly]

FYI... Pearly not sure who you are so not sure if you're in the game or not.
:)
Clint

I am uncertain if:
1) My secret identity is secure after all these years, or
2) This is yet another plot from that do-gooder Clint "Guardian of all Chickens" Oldridge.

Nonetheless, no one shall thwart my plan to put a chicken into everyone's pot.

No one.

Bwahahahahahahahahaaaaaa...

Oh, wait. My medicine is kicking in now. Ah, that's better. However, as I appear to have a pseudonym, I shall endeavor to maintain it. I add that Clint has emailed me my reservation/questionaire for this game.

Only 2 or 3 more players needed, so back to the top with this thread!

[seejaie]

Who is Pearly? It was scrawled all over in alleys, abandoned cars, box car trains in those last years before the Socialists finally dragged America down. It was men like Henry Rearden who kept Our Nation crawling that last mile.

[VEO]

Always wanted some of those cigarettes...

[Clint]

Ta Pearly - done.

Note I get a lot of requests for games and formats. I also get a lot of players say that they 1) will sign up for a game, 2) have signed up for a game. In most cases this is the case, but sometimes it's not. I just want to make sure that I don't miss anyone out if they want to play.

Clint (da Guardian of Chickens and all that is Middle Earth).:rolleyes:

[happymadcat]

Clint (da Guardian of Chickens and all that is Middle Earth).:rolleyes:

Except in Game 12.. :p

[lionatus]

Clint why not pair NG and the Eothraim. please...............

[lionatus]

pretty please..............

[lionatus]

How do the pairings work? Do I get a choice or am I stuck with a random selection?

[Clint]

As the email I sent to you says. If you want I can re-send it to you. Below is the list but if you've not played GB before then you need to read the rules as they are somewhat different to normal games.

DS: WK/DkL (1804 city), Rhu/LR (1910 city/castle; 1908 fort; 2208 MT/fort), FK/CL, Cor/DrgL, IK/QA, DogL/BS

FP: NG/Duns, Northmen/DW (4217 fort), Arth/Wood, Noldo/Harad, Sinda/Card, SG/EO

There's 2 duos left. (1 duo or a Kingdom in the 1000 GB game)

Clint

[Clint]

Now filled - we'll get the set-ups out soon. (...before you ask - the answer is soon... ) ;) :D

Clint

[DaveHolt]

awesome! good luck to all. Have a great time. Wish I were there...

Clint, can you post the conditions of the game? i.e. pairings, pop center upgrades & fortification level upgrades? I presume it's 1week. Is it no-drop?

cheers,
Dave

[Clint]

Yes and with the upgraded WK/Rh and pairings from the last GB games.

Clint

[seejaie]

Well, I better get my trash talk in while I can. *ahem* The Hijuelos/Ganier combo is legendary in gunboat and the silence cheers our name. You will know us when you see our armies overrun your capital, but you won't hear us just before the assassin or curses take the pride of your nation. I would be ashamed to have your pride. Eat it!

[lionatus]

Great. Clint Im assuming its a one week turnaround, yes?

[lionatus]

I am in this one yes?

[happymadcat]

Alan,

I would contact Clint directly at ME if I was you... :)

Guy

[lionatus]

Ouch wasn't quick enough. Thought Id sent the email and I didn't. The Eothraim SG player fancy letting me takeover?

[happymadcat]

Clint,

When are setup being sent out?

Guy the impatient _/o"o\_

[Clint]

Now filled - we'll get the set-ups out soon. (...before you ask - the answer is soon... )

Clint

[happymadcat]

Soon: In or after a short time.. The problem is time calculation, if you
were following Entish time my sons will be dead before they were sent and
if you were following Elephant Shrew time I would already have got them
before I asked.

Time is time. Lalalala