#146 Exploration Steel REX

[Drogo]

so far it's both me (WA) and GI that wanted to go above and beyond... it's an issue to be fixed, certainly.

And the TR

The other part which I did not consider until just this second is that now unless there is a change everyone in the game knows what all our ESO's are (the default)...

[Hamlet]

Oh well, I also tried to pick 2 majors and a minor and ended up with a default ESO that I cannot practically reach since I made a couple of deals based on my planned ESO path. Does it seem like enough of us made that same tactical play where the rules did not say to only pick one major that they will let us fix that?
Rick? Cypher? Grasshopper?
What do you think? Should we resubmit the 991 order?

[kevindusi]

I resubmitted my T1 input sheet with a revised 991 order. When over 25% (that we know of) read something a certain way, it is safe to say that it needs to be addressed, I would think.

I'm happy waiting a day or two on getting a revised R1 back, though. I know the team is still processing games and this doesn't really impact turn 2 plans for any of us, I would guess.

[Hamlet]

Good point. Ok, I will resubmit T1 and cross fingers.

[Ry Vor]

The Gray Mouser too, was a double-major, as were another one or two not posting yet.

Cipher and I need to hook up and discuss how to resolve. Obviously we have time to fix it and it didn't effect T1 resolution.

I would like to check what selections were made. I am guessing one or two were quite popular and may need to be adjusted to minor status or have the difficulty increased.

The 2 point minor is a mistake - all the minors are 1 point.

So, assume (as always is the case) everything will be made right. Then give honest feedback (DuPont already did) on what you think of it in general, and if you would always pick any given objective(s). Don't worry - everyone can use this existing table, except all minors are 1 point, but what about how the change in this ESO model affects your initial outlook on the specific game, perhaps even prior to T1, do you enjoy the freedom to choose a path or like the random assignment instead, is there improved balance in this method as opposed to random assignment, and then speak to the issue most of the previous comments were about: should two majors be allowed, or should going for the Greater ESO mean you have one major and one minor from the other three categories. I believe that makes it harder, but perhaps that is what it should be. I'm sort of leaning that way.

[Drogo]

I LOVE the personalized ESO's but as I said once in some thread the rewards seemed a little skimpy to me for the challenges.

When I was filling out mine I was concerned that some of the ESO choices would require so much focus that it might take me out of a direction I want to go in the overall game. But on balance I think everything about the idea and execution was very strong.

It had to be explained to me that choosing 4 points worth objectives did not give me 4 points of rewards and that you either get the lesser at 3 points or the greater at 5 points and that if you chose 4 points of objectives it really just gives you more flexibility to complete the 3pt ESO because you can miss on either of of the minors and still reach the LSO. But after re-reading the document that was spelled out, it just didn't click for me and I wouldn't be surprised if others had the same problem. But maybe I'm underestimating my own density (often the case).

[Ry Vor]

Hey, its brand new stuff and we can adjust to what makes the most sense.
I think the default ESO selection is maybe almost too strong, and so was concerned that players might deliberately save the order and accept that. So I wanted players choosing to issue 991 to have some alternatives and advantages over those that don't. So the somewhat confusing Minor condition of you can pick 4 but only need 3 went in that direction - a thoughtful player might hedge his bets a bit.

Anyone else is invited to opine about the Rewards as well. There is/was huge variability in the current/previous assignments, so some of a player's perspective might be based on what they have gotten with their ESO's. In general, I want the Rewards to be meaningful for the Minor, and important for the Major.

[unclemike]

Hey, its brand new stuff and we can adjust to what makes the most sense.
I think the default ESO selection is maybe almost too strong, and so was concerned that players might deliberately save the order and accept that. So I wanted players choosing to issue 991 to have some alternatives and advantages over those that don't. So the somewhat confusing Minor condition of you can pick 4 but only need 3 went in that direction - a thoughtful player might hedge his bets a bit.

Anyone else is invited to opine about the Rewards as well. There is/was huge variability in the current/previous assignments, so some of a player's perspective might be based on what they have gotten with their ESO's. In general, I want the Rewards to be meaningful for the Minor, and important for the Major.

I would like to see more options for players to choose in both the objectives and rewards sections.

Territorial category selections are just about achievable for any kingdom so you did a decent job with that one. Political is rough except for P4. Adventure is rough for some kingdoms (no magic goals?) to achieve by turn 10 so I wonder if it was geared for turn 15 in mind. Development is the most varied but would like to see more options if possible. D5 is rough though, can we have a lowered version of that since order 600 is now limited to only once per turn.

So if you want my opinion, keep the new ESO but I would like to see more options under each category. Also, I would like to see the default ESO (if no choice was made) being the old kingdom-specific and random ESO rather than every kingdom inheriting the exact same default ESO.

[Bash Grimtooth]

What happens if you make an error on your custom ESO? Is it possible to fix? Or am I stuck with it?

[unclemike]

Forgot to mention a few suggestions on what I meant for additional ESO objectives:

Territorial:
- minor in 4 regions for 1 point

Political:
- 5 others declaring you as ally/enemy for 1 point
- tolerant in 5 regions for 1 point
- 6 barons (or 4 barons and influence of 14) for 1 point

Adventure:
- group 135% morale (minor), 145% (major)
- group plunder 4 towns/6 villages for 1 point
- wizard destroy 2 towns/4 villages for 1 point
- wizard regional spell destroying food/gold/census in region for 1 point
- wizard summon 6 skeletons for 1 point
- wizard summon 4 ghouls for 1 point
- wizard summon 2 wights for 1 point
- wizard wraithform for 1 point (gotta include this, love this spell)

Development:
- break up D5 with separate entries for city, town, village so players have more choices available for them
- seapower quality rating of 14.0+ in any sea for 1 point
- group combat value of 50,000 for 1 point
- group with 8 VE/RE brigades for 1 point

For ESO rewards, is it possible to include an artifact as a reward? Something minor like a ring of protection or palantir.