First Exploratory Steel

[VballMichael]

3 more slots - let's fill 'em up and git 'er goin'

[Jumpingfist]

My question/concern would be how are those kings that start with a HP be balanced now that they don't get a HP. Do they start with an extra 18,000 gold? This would seem fair since you are creating an unbalanced condition by penalizing them. While those kings that never start with a HP see no new penalty at all.

... or they could start with an extra higher level agent?

Let's play it out and see before just giving free gifts out. I think you have to look at what a kingdom gains from the format first anyway before giving extra rewards out. Example the BL with its 2.5 movement could choose to cover all of the southern sand in short time. Do they really need to be compensated? The AN gets three consuls (HPs) at a risk of loosing an important part of the kingdom is it worth using them before turn 4?

[VballMichael]

Oh yeah, forgot about the AN. Would they be barred from 750 orders for the first 3 turns? Or can they do it with the death risk? Hmmm. Seems like too strong an advantage to have that ability on Turn 1.

[Brogan]

My post was just a consideration. I agree we can all hop in and try it or we can look at potential imbalances before the game starts. I think Phil and Rick spent a lot of time over the course of many years tweaking positions to find that happy spot where everyone gets to compete fairly. An 18,000 gp "penalty" to a large amount of the positions crates an edge to those that don't usually start with an HP.
Now if you leave the setups alone and just make it that HPs can't be used until turn 4 restores the game balance back to what it was.

[DuPont]

I do agree that the AN does have a large advantage if they are able to use their Consuls prior to turn 4 - not only could they divine things for themselves, they could make big sums doing it for other people. But as for the other things, I don't think it's a big imbalance. As some have noted, the BL, RD and GI are going to have a nice advantage of being able to move and search fast. But the AN thing is a concern.

[kevindusi]

I do agree that the AN does have a large advantage if they are able to use their Consuls prior to turn 4 - not only could they divine things for themselves, they could make big sums doing it for other people. But as for the other things, I don't think it's a big imbalance. As some have noted, the BL, RD and GI are going to have a nice advantage of being able to move and search fast. But the AN thing is a concern.

Well then it's good that AN is being played by one of the less experienced players.

[Thalion]

I do agree that the AN does have a large advantage if they are able to use their Consuls prior to turn 4 - not only could they divine things for themselves, they could make big sums doing it for other people. But as for the other things, I don't think it's a big imbalance. As some have noted, the BL, RD and GI are going to have a nice advantage of being able to move and search fast. But the AN thing is a concern.

Well then it's good that AN is being played by one of the less experienced players.

Indeed

[Bash Grimtooth]

I would be willing to play the Warlock. I will adjust my service level to do so.

[DuPont]

EL - kevindusi
RD - DuPont
BL - Daredevil
UN - Jumpingfist
DE - VballMichael
GI - gkmetty
WI - mafmiller
RA- Hamlet
AN - Thalion
SO - Lord Thantos
GN - Brogan
DA - kik1661
WA - Bash Grimtooth

Remaining
DW
TR

[Kalrex]

... TR