We did run the Bears with Beams variant quite some time ago, but it was on Hard rather than Impossible and we got off to a formidable start, which made the end result pretty much a foregone conclusion, even though the variant rules did give us a temporary setback a time or two.
OSG21 - Big Brother
- Thread starter dathon78
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RefSteel
Pacifistic Technologist
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- Nov 29, 2007
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Agreed that the Sakkra variant I proposed would be too extreme (at least on Impossible). I think a "no bombs on ships" variant would be playable though (those who know the game better than I do can decide if it would be too much for an Impossible Darlok game; we could always go with the Sakkra or the Alkari or something instead). Unlike the "Belligerent Bears with Beams" OSG, we'd at least be allowed to research missiles for defense, and build missile boats to burn bases and harrass enemy fleets.
All that said: In spite of the fun I'm having continuing to dream up variants, as I look over this thread, it looks like there's a kind of consensus for Vanilla Mrrshans or Hostiles-Only 'Coids. I kind of like the idea of following up our last SG by teaching our "ally" Shandra how a real kitty emperor does things, so:
Assuming we play Vanilla Mrrshans, what galaxy size would you prefer? (Or, in light of recent discussion, would you prefer another variant?) I'll cast a "soft" vote for Medium size, but would be happy with anything - even Huge(!), as Alan suggested, if it's preferred by the majority. (@Alan: Did you want to play in such a game, or were you just offering the idea to the team?)
Those who'd like to (and have time to) play another OSG, please weigh in!
All that said: In spite of the fun I'm having continuing to dream up variants, as I look over this thread, it looks like there's a kind of consensus for Vanilla Mrrshans or Hostiles-Only 'Coids. I kind of like the idea of following up our last SG by teaching our "ally" Shandra how a real kitty emperor does things, so:
Assuming we play Vanilla Mrrshans, what galaxy size would you prefer? (Or, in light of recent discussion, would you prefer another variant?) I'll cast a "soft" vote for Medium size, but would be happy with anything - even Huge(!), as Alan suggested, if it's preferred by the majority. (@Alan: Did you want to play in such a game, or were you just offering the idea to the team?)
Those who'd like to (and have time to) play another OSG, please weigh in!
I'd think for no-bombs the Darlocks would be one of the best races, since they have good spying for destroying missile bases, and acquiring tech from espionage rather than invasion. (would bioweapons be allowed?)
Impossible medium Mrrshan sounds good, with any larger galaxy we might run into problems with our bonus being from conflict if we don't encouter any other races for a while.
Mrrshan and Alkari are the hardest races to play I always think, although maybe thats just because of the way I normally play!
I do think if we play Mrrshan we should re-roll starts until we have the Alkari as an opposition race, just for flavour
(And also because our racial is better than theirs in a Cats vs Birds war!)
Impossible medium Mrrshan sounds good, with any larger galaxy we might run into problems with our bonus being from conflict if we don't encouter any other races for a while.
Mrrshan and Alkari are the hardest races to play I always think, although maybe thats just because of the way I normally play!
I do think if we play Mrrshan we should re-roll starts until we have the Alkari as an opposition race, just for flavour
(And also because our racial is better than theirs in a Cats vs Birds war!)I could make time to play, but don't feel obliged to if there's others lusting for it. I mentioned the large/huge idea simply because the game is won as soon as you hit tech parity, and that basicly occurs at fusion bombs + warp 4 on a medium map for this group's economy.
On a large map you need better engines, and as a result probably need better bombs.
On a huge map you, again, need better engines and bombs and actually have a chance at some of the high level stuff as well as having more concern about "well the psilons are in the south, I'm sure we'll be fine"
I think we've seen enough of "how to build a fusion bomber and make glass on medium" and either a larger (or maybe smaller) map would be more interesting.
Vanilla mrrshans are quite difficult on large/medium, but are actually noticably harder on small (bad relations and wars hurt) and at their hardest on huge (where the chance of a runaway AI is highest).
On a large map you need better engines, and as a result probably need better bombs.
On a huge map you, again, need better engines and bombs and actually have a chance at some of the high level stuff as well as having more concern about "well the psilons are in the south, I'm sure we'll be fine"
I think we've seen enough of "how to build a fusion bomber and make glass on medium" and either a larger (or maybe smaller) map would be more interesting.
Vanilla mrrshans are quite difficult on large/medium, but are actually noticably harder on small (bad relations and wars hurt) and at their hardest on huge (where the chance of a runaway AI is highest).
Personally I prefer games on small maps. I find the late game technologies make things vastly easy for humans, and the slogging involved in cleaning up on larger maps tedious... but that's just me, and not everyone shares my predilictions. If people want to start large/huge game, I say go for it!
If people want to start large/huge game, I say go for it!Vanilla Mrrshan sounds good. On map size early OSG's had a few large maps but mostly now it is medium. Small has not been used often and I'd like to see some being tried, although not necessarily this next one. I'd probably edge towards medium or small but I am quite happy with any size provided game is kept moving.
I've started OSG22 - Exemplary cats thread here.
It is Vanilla impossible medium 5 opponent Mrrshans. RefSteel & DOom have expressed definite interest so have reserved places if they confirm but any others are welcome. If we have enough interest we could do 2 teams either mixed veterns & newbies or seperated on experience to see how play differs.
It is Vanilla impossible medium 5 opponent Mrrshans. RefSteel & DOom have expressed definite interest so have reserved places if they confirm but any others are welcome. If we have enough interest we could do 2 teams either mixed veterns & newbies or seperated on experience to see how play differs.
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