Musings of unaccomplished player

[Telrandir]

I quite enjoy Alamaze - there is no question. It is, however, an absolutely harsh mistress.

Playing against other veterans without the benefit of experience is ruinous. Despite my best efforts (so far), they often destroy your position with incredible speed and make it quite difficult to withstand. While there is satisfaction in relentlessly resisting - I will never quit - it does little to overcome significant setbacks, particularly when relative inexperience is adding to the gap between players.

In one game, for example, I got off to the best start I've had. I was so excited about these successes - I imagined I could parlay this into a podium game! Then, in a breath - 2 turns [mostly 1] - an opponent was able to use some strange mechanics to revolt half of my holdings. They did so despite being at the lowest reaction level while I remained at the highest; and despite - in one case - my using a governor to 310 the revolted PC. (and not being disrupted/slept/etc). I don't understand how they did it.

In another - well, I discovered the absolute power of high level magics. Holy cow, does it ruin armies!

I enjoy the anonymous format as a device to learn mechanics. There is little solace, however, when being stomped by choices made in the absence of experience. I recognize I'm responsible but wanted to share perspective of a less mechanically-oriented player.

Rant over - had to get that off my chest. I'll do my best to pick up the pieces... but in three of my four current games, I'm on the ropes and have no idea how to fight back!

[HeadHoncho]

Send me the turns, and I'll be happy to offer some feedback on what may have happened.

Sometimes it's just bad luck, which can happen to anyone.

But you're absolutely right, it's an unforgiving game.

[IMPERIAL_TARK]

Get a copy of every Kingdom set-up (know what each kingdom's special abilities are)
Get a copy of a 9th level spell list from one or more of the magic kingdoms so you know what kind of spells can be cast against you (pay attention to battle spells that can hurt you without even going into actual combat)
Get a copy of an artifacts list (what abilities they give the owner)
Get in a team game with a veteran/podium winner and swap turns (pay attention to their orders/strategy/tactics).

Just knowing what another kingdom can and can't do within the realm of the game is huge. The more you utter the dreaded "I didn't know you could do that", the longer a podium win will elude one.

Unforgiving is dead-on accurate!

[mafmiller]

I've played 11 games and have only "podiumed" twice. One might think I'd be frustrated, but I've played every game to the end and have thoroughly enjoyed (almost) every one of them. I probably have about two percent of the information listed in the last post and although it would be fun to have it, I think it is also fun to explore the game and learn as you go. Please contact me if we are ever in a game together. I'd love to work with you ... probably not the best mentor, but a good friend. 

[Lord Diamond]

I went many years between playing Alamaze with Pegasus and again when Rick reassumed command. The best I ever achieved back in the old days was a 2nd place as the Ancient Ones. I then won Game 100, the first game to start, and felt pretty good about my skills. My next win was 2.5 years later! Alamaze is harsh to just about everyone.

[Hawk_]

I recommend you send the turns to Head Honcho and allow him to explain the game mechanics that produced the results you ran in to.

If your opponent was playing the DE then regional reaction was better than normal for the princes.

Your governor has only 30% of your king's influence so the 320 order may not overpower a higher ranked opposing emmy.  HH can walk you through the exact numbers.

The more you know, the further you go....

[Telrandir]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I appreciate the perspective!

In this case, I did share my turns with Head Hohncho. We were both surprised to learn some new rules around the Demon Prince actions. Since that time, I've continued to lose my region to what seems to be an inevitable decline. I'm now down to a handful of PC's.

The overall experience of being attacked by the Demon Princes has deflated my enthusiasm for my games. Even a military response to the assault has been difficult to muster, since they wisely moved in through sea centers before beginning their political assault. I saw it coming and responded - from max regional reaction, I maintained status quo with a dozen emissaries in the region. I used a sleep spell or two, deployed agents to gather more intel, and made sure to keep them hated within the region using my consuls - while also keeping gmyself at max reaction. I am playing Ancient Ones in this case, so I thought that - being natural enemies - that might help too.

Within 2 turns, I was down to 5 centers no matter that I spent every action and resource fighting the attack. Despite being among the early leaders and having the best start by far that I could imagine - PC by T3/4, my first warlord ever, 4 dukes, sword of elan and 5 other incredible artifacts by turn 8/9 - I am in ruins.

I suppose I can go practice scorched earth, but the overall experience has been very negative. I won't quit, of course - I'll try to take my pound of flesh from the DP - but it seems impossible, since their attack is strictly political and even in conditions as outlined above, I have been unable to resist it.

I have zero idea how to fight back. I have an amazing army and political power but am dismantled by their special rules, with no direct recourse.

[unclemike]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I appreciate the perspective!

In this case, I did share my turns with Head Hohncho. We were both surprised to learn some new rules around the Demon Prince actions. Since that time, I've continued to lose my region to what seems to be an inevitable decline. I'm now down to a handful of PC's.

The overall experience of being attacked by the Demon Princes has deflated my enthusiasm for my games. Even a military response to the assault has been difficult to muster, since they wisely moved in through sea centers before beginning their political assault. I saw it coming and responded - from max regional reaction, I maintained status quo with a dozen emissaries in the region. I used a sleep spell or two, deployed agents to gather more intel, and made sure to keep them hated within the region using my consuls - while also keeping gmyself at max reaction. I am playing Ancient Ones in this case, so I thought that - being natural enemies - that might help too.

Within 2 turns, I was down to 5 centers no matter that I spent every action and resource fighting the attack. Despite being among the early leaders and having the best start by far that I could imagine - PC by T3/4, my first warlord ever, 4 dukes, sword of elan and 5 other incredible artifacts by turn 8/9 - I am in ruins.

I suppose I can go practice scorched earth, but the overall experience has been very negative. I won't quit, of course - I'll try to take my pound of flesh from the DP - but it seems impossible, since their attack is strictly political and even in conditions as outlined above, I have been unable to resist it.

I have zero idea how to fight back. I have an amazing army and political power but am dismantled by their special rules, with no direct recourse.

The best way of defeating a political-oriented kingdom is to always conquer their capital. Rulers will be captured resulting in loss of influence plus absorbing another emissary to become regent. Against the Demon Princes, this strategy is even more important since if no human princes exist, those valuable demon princes get absorbed to become regent. So attack his pc's with your groups, hit his capital every turn if you can, and the Demon Princes will be no more.

[HeadHoncho]

Way easier said than done, Mike.

[Hawk_]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I appreciate the perspective!

In this case, I did share my turns with Head Hohncho. We were both surprised to learn some new rules around the Demon Prince actions. Since that time, I've continued to lose my region to what seems to be an inevitable decline. I'm now down to a handful of PC's.

The overall experience of being attacked by the Demon Princes has deflated my enthusiasm for my games. Even a military response to the assault has been difficult to muster, since they wisely moved in through sea centers before beginning their political assault. I saw it coming and responded - from max regional reaction, I maintained status quo with a dozen emissaries in the region. I used a sleep spell or two, deployed agents to gather more intel, and made sure to keep them hated within the region using my consuls - while also keeping gmyself at max reaction. I am playing Ancient Ones in this case, so I thought that - being natural enemies - that might help too.

Within 2 turns, I was down to 5 centers no matter that I spent every action and resource fighting the attack. Despite being among the early leaders and having the best start by far that I could imagine - PC by T3/4, my first warlord ever, 4 dukes, sword of elan and 5 other incredible artifacts by turn 8/9 - I am in ruins.

I suppose I can go practice scorched earth, but the overall experience has been very negative. I won't quit, of course - I'll try to take my pound of flesh from the DP - but it seems impossible, since their attack is strictly political and even in conditions as outlined above, I have been unable to resist it.

I have zero idea how to fight back. I have an amazing army and political power but am dismantled by their special rules, with no direct recourse.

Being the target of a well planned invasion is difficult to defend against even against normal kingdoms.  It is much harder against a DE player who is doing well.

My best advice would be to move to attack pop centers the turn you know the enemy Emmy has arrived.  Have an agent guard prisoners and a standing order to execute prisoners.  You need to reduce the DE princes to defeat the DE.  Try and locate the DE princes and hit those locations.