124 - Steel with Twists - 31 Turns - Longest Ever?

[Lord Diamond]

Iron Willed - I nominate Lord Thanatos the Warlock. Despite getting spanked down hard by the Troll, and nearly losing everything, he stuck it out till the end.

Chancellor - I nominate Acererak the Black Dragon. His diplomacy kept us as organized as possible considering how antisocial I am

Infamous - Wynand the Dastardly Underworld. He player masterfully and set the bar for all future Underworld players. Never have I seen such devastating assassins and kidnappers this side of Pakistan.

My special thanks to Jumpingfist the Ranger. His huge generosity kept my Giants fed for many months when they would have deserted otherwise.

[paway]

The Dark Elves of the Eastern Steppes are a mere footnote in this game, but I will give a brief timeline of their unusual game:

Turn 1 - DA forges a secret non-aggression pact with the DW. DA and RD armies arrive at the city at KU. (What?!?)

Turn 3 - DA gains control of Eastern Steppes. RD begins assaults on DA PCs.

Turn 5 - Multiple PCs revolt and join the AN (What?!?)

Turn 10 - Things have settled down. RD managed to pick a fight with both the RA and myself and were eventually defeated. AN similarly got the attention of the UN and GN while overextending into the Eastern Steppes. For one precious turn, the Eastern Steppes are at peace and the Dark Elven people rejoice!

Turn 11 - WI emissaries and armies invade the Eastern Steppes. The Dark Elven people lament! Having previously shared information with the RA about the RD threat, the DA turns to the RA for help. He provides intel and a few key Wards and Sleeps to help stymie the initial WI assault. In exchange, the DA clear the seas for the RA to get at a sighting and retrieve an artifact.

The battle rages. At some point, the DA requests and receives intel on the WI from the DW and returns the favor by instituting a standing order to trade Gold to the DW, as he had been reduced to a mere PC or two after his war with the RA/BL/SO team. It was a delicate balancing act, having a secret friendship with both the DW and the RA, as I knew they were at odds with each other. But I did my best to do right by each of them.

Turn 25 - DA loses control of the Eastern Steppes.

Turn 30 - WI gains control of the Eastern Steppes.

Turn 31 - Two WI armies, one DA army face off outside the DA's last remaining PC: the city at KU. Thank the gods someone finally won!

[kevindusi]

Turn 11 - WI emissaries and armies invade the Eastern Steppes. The Dark Elven people lament! Having previously shared information with the RA about the RD threat, the DA turns to the RA for help. He provides intel and a few key Wards and Sleeps to help stymie the initial WI assault. In exchange, the DA clear the seas for the RA to get at a sighting and retrieve an artifact.

The battle rages. At some point, the DA requests and receives intel on the WI from the DW and returns the favor by instituting a standing order to trade Gold to the DW, as he had been reduced to a mere PC or two after his war with the RA/BL/SO team. It was a delicate balancing act, having a secret friendship with both the DW and the RA, as I knew they were at odds with each other. But I did my best to do right by each of them.

This is awesome. Paway, hats off to you for the best defensive work I've seen to date. I was wondering where those sleeps and wards were all coming from! Now I know who the culprit is. Good on ya.

As WI, I spent most of my time trying to crack the Eastern Steppes against very solid opposition. Likely the best thing I did for this cause was turn two power-5 wizards into wraiths for use against DA pop centers, as they could then cast spells without fear of death.

At the outset of the game, I focused on picking up my region, and shortly after getting it was attacked by the dastardly DW (DuPont, my forevernemesis). I sued for peace immediately and was effectively told to pound sand, so sent out the SOS to the BL and SO. They apparently involved the RA as well. After a couple of turns with minimal gains in the Mists, the DW was willing to settle for peace in exchange for his keeping a couple of pop centers. I accepted and let the BL know this, though not as timely as he would have surely liked due to work being crazy (though before the next turn was due).

Short version of the events, I ended up in the Steppes where, as mentioned above, Paway did an excellent job on defense and kept me bottled up to the point that it became an issue of pride that I finish the job there before I did anything else, effectively taking me out of contention for the podium (but teaching me a fair bit about how to play defense and what combat looks like for various types of summoned monsters).

I would certainly nominate Paway (DA) for Iron-Willed. I learned a ton from his defensive play that I've already put to use in other games, to great benefit.
For infamous, I would have to go with Wynand (UN) as it seemed that he had half the board up in arms over disappearing emissaries. I'm glad I wasn't on the receiving end of that, though it was scary to see the various groups coming in and out of the Mists - ostensibly after his capital.

Good game all!

[Destitute Noble]

Turn 11 - WI emissaries and armies invade the Eastern Steppes. The Dark Elven people lament! Having previously shared information with the RA about the RD threat, the DA turns to the RA for help. He provides intel and a few key Wards and Sleeps to help stymie the initial WI assault. In exchange, the DA clear the seas for the RA to get at a sighting and retrieve an artifact.

The battle rages. At some point, the DA requests and receives intel on the WI from the DW and returns the favor by instituting a standing order to trade Gold to the DW, as he had been reduced to a mere PC or two after his war with the RA/BL/SO team. It was a delicate balancing act, having a secret friendship with both the DW and the RA, as I knew they were at odds with each other. But I did my best to do right by each of them.

This is awesome. Paway, hats off to you for the best defensive work I've seen to date. I was wondering where those sleeps and wards were all coming from! Now I know who the culprit is. Good on ya.

As WI, I spent most of my time trying to crack the Eastern Steppes against very solid opposition. Likely the best thing I did for this cause was turn two power-5 wizards into wraiths for use against DA pop centers, as they could then cast spells without fear of death.

At the outset of the game, I focused on picking up my region, and shortly after getting it was attacked by the dastardly DW (DuPont, my forevernemesis). I sued for peace immediately and was effectively told to pound sand, so sent out the SOS to the BL and SO. They apparently involved the RA as well. After a couple of turns with minimal gains in the Mists, the DW was willing to settle for peace in exchange for his keeping a couple of pop centers. I accepted and let the BL know this, though not as timely as he would have surely liked due to work being crazy (though before the next turn was due).

Short version of the events, I ended up in the Steppes where, as mentioned above, Paway did an excellent job on defense and kept me bottled up to the point that it became an issue of pride that I finish the job there before I did anything else, effectively taking me out of contention for the podium (but teaching me a fair bit about how to play defense and what combat looks like for various types of summoned monsters).

I would certainly nominate Paway (DA) for Iron-Willed. I learned a ton from his defensive play that I've already put to use in other games, to great benefit.
For infamous, I would have to go with Wynand (UN) as it seemed that he had half the board up in arms over disappearing emissaries. I'm glad I wasn't on the receiving end of that, though it was scary to see the various groups coming in and out of the Mists - ostensibly after his capital.

Good game all!

Again?? In 110, it was this same guy who stymied my Black Dragon horde's designs on the Eastern Steppes with his tiny Dwarves. You're gonna get a rep if you're not careful...

BTW for those of you not in the know (which is many of you since you don't play), Paway better known as One Armed Bandit is the proverbial Shit right now in Duel 2, making him a formidable figure in both games. He better hope I'm unable to come to the upcoming face to face tournament in Chicago (these tournaments happen every January and July, Tempe in January, and an alternating city in the Midwest or further East in July) - 'cause I'm gunnin' for him.

Not that I'm into spammin' on other boards...just sayin'...

[kevindusi]

Again?? In 110, it was this same guy who stymied my Black Dragon horde's designs on the Eastern Steppes with his tiny Dwarves. You're gonna get a rep if you're not careful...

BTW for those of you not in the know (which is many of you since you don't play), Paway better known as One Armed Bandit is the proverbial Shit right now in Duel 2, making him a formidable figure in both games. He better hope I'm unable to come to the upcoming face to face tournament in Chicago (these tournaments happen every January and July, Tempe in January, and an alternating city in the Midwest or further East in July) - 'cause I'm gunnin' for him.

Not that I'm into spammin' on other boards...just sayin'...

Well, I did beat him down... it just took much longer than anticipated, and apparently he had friends giving him info and magic support...

[paway]

Its true, the Witchlord was triumphant in their battle against the Dark Elves.

It took 15 turns to loosen the Dark Elf grip on the Eastern Steppes and another 5 turns to gain control of the region, but the victory was unequivocal.

----------

Thanks for the kind words, Destitute Noble. Unfortunately, my skill at Duel2 and Hyborian War does not translate well into Alamaze, as I'm solidly mediocre at this game. I suspect I will be forever handicapped by my desire to go it alone and avoid large alliances that prey on the weak.

[Wynand]

Ok folks....

I really enjoying leading the Underworld in this one.
At the outset of this contest, I negotiated an arrangement with Mauler (GN) to obtain my first substantial. He also ceded me the city (I required 3 for my SVC).

So, with some solid holdings in region 7 secured, I selected my first target... the AN. Mauler (GN) was more than willing to assist with my assault and we moved in concert against the AN holdings in 4 and 5, after securing peace with Yellowbeard (TR).

Our battle against the AN was progressing well when Helix (DE - who the GN and I had both secured peace with in exchange for moving against her natural enemy) was savaged by Lord Diamond (GI) in region 8. Since we were already present in 5 cleaning up the AN holdings, we pivoted easily against the Giant aggressors. In a series of daring missions, I assassinating the Giant King and kidnapped the majority of his high ranknig emmisaries in the same turn, leaving a baron to assume the duties of regent. This neutralized the Giant for the most part and curtailed his assault on 8....although he persisted taking towns in that region until the very end of the game, as I understand it.

What happened next was interesting. Over the next few turns Lord Diamond (GI) seems to have pulled the RA, SO, BL, WA and TR into a loose alliance in an effort to punish us for our onslaught against the peoples of Amberland. Helix (DE) spent the balance of game fending off attacks from an assortment of kingdoms while I shifted my attention to region 10 to try and help relieve the pressure. It was my hope and intention to obtain my third substantial and push for a victory. Alas, it was not to be as pressure from Yellowbeard (TR), LD (GI), LT (WA) and Jumping Fist (RA) mounted in 5 and 7....knocking me out of substantial in 7 the turn I obtained substantial in 10....and preventing my claim.

I was hunkering down for a slog to my third substantial (I was teetering in 7 and was bordering on control in 5 for a dozen turns) when Yellowbeard (TR) dropped after a failed claim. This opened up 1 and 4 for the GN and I....we moved quickly to organize ourselves, with the GN leaving room for me in 4 for substantial and my third city (QC).

I ended the game with a dozen or so prisoners (the Demon Princess had the rest of my 40+ captives, which she reclaimed from the Giant)...3 artifacts (including Demon Bane and the Ring of Invisibility) and an Agent 23, 5 agent 19s, an agent 17 and an agent 15...I was actually strapped for targets by mid-game because I had taken out most of the politicals who had been moving against us.

Highlights for me included:

1) Barely saving my capital from either the SO or WA (I warded it after it was blown up four times....and with 857 defenses left, I moved it to AP in the Mists...I actually hired a governor to release a WA skeleton two turns later....I named him "NiceTryLT"...
2) Losing my capital to LD (GI)....nice move!
3) Kidnapping the TR King, 3 AN Consuls, the WA King, the BL King and killing the GI King and finally....
4) Obtaining my ESO prince and finding out his name was Shivian DUSI

Great game folks, my favourite so far...lots of good opposition and a roller coaster ride to the finish line.

Cheers,
Wynand

[Destitute Noble]

Ok folks....

I ended the game with a dozen or so prisoners (the Demon Princess had the rest of my 40+ captives, which she reclaimed from the Giant)...3 artifacts (including Demon Bane and the Ring of Invisibility) and an Agent 23, 5 agent 19s, an agent 17 and an agent 15...I was actually strapped for targets by mid-game because I had taken out most of the politicals who had been moving against us.

Highlights for me included:

1) Barely saving my capital from either the SO or WA (I warded it after it was blown up four times....and with 857 defenses left, I moved it to AP in the Mists...I actually hired a governor to release a WA skeleton two turns later....I named him "NiceTryLT"...
2) Losing my capital to LD (GI)....nice move!
3) Kidnapping the TR King, 3 AN Consuls, the WA King, the BL King and killing the GI King and finally....
4) Obtaining my ESO prince and finding out his name was Shivian DUSI

Great game folks, my favourite so far...lots of good opposition and a roller coaster ride to the finish line.

Cheers,
Wynand

Wow - you had a whole Thieves' Guild going there!! I'm sure you had a great time agonizing over what to do!! That begs the question (if you don't mind answering it) how many "seek information" orders were you using average per turn (i.e. 888/978/976/etc.)? Also, what percentage of the map had you canvassed (don't feel obligated to count up the squares)?

Thanks for a great write-up on this game to all!

D. Noble (Still yet to claim his first King pelt...)

[Lord Diamond]

(GI) I should mention that the WI and I came to a 'Gentleman's Peace' on turn 1. Essentially, we just agreed not to mess with one another without giving 24 hours notice. In other words, no surprise attacks. It worked out very well and we never had another communication therest of the game. It was nice not having to wordsmith a NAP or get a lawyer involved.

I don't know that I used any major diplomacy to get the loose alliance to gang up on the Evil. Triumvirate. I remember it as a lot of crying "they are murdering me"! Shockingly, that gained me some sympathetc ears.

[Ry Vor]

Just a word - I really enjoy when it seems an Alamaze game has delivered all it might. When we play, all players matter and impact the final fabric.

This game is nothing like World of Warcraft, and I am pretty sure we attract those in the top 5% of global IQ's. New players: many players play for years and never win a game in Alamaze and know they never will, and are perfectly fine with it. That, I think, is the finest compliment to the game. To win is a major commitment and not really necessary to enjoy the game, although it can be spectacular. We lose some players because of the level of concentration required, and I struggle with that from time to time from a business and design perspective.