New Anonymous Steel

[Bash Grimtooth]

I have seen this only once, but Rick assigned kingdoms to each player. While that may not sound like fun, I would rather send Rick a selection of three or four kingdoms that we would like to play, and then go with that. I think LD has some sort of scheme for this.

[Beatific]

I have seen this only once, but Rick assigned kingdoms to each player. While that may not sound like fun, I would rather send Rick a selection of three or four kingdoms that we would like to play, and then go with that. I think LD has some sort of scheme for this.

It sounds fine.  Rick is independent so I don't expect that there is any bias.  As I said, I was just wondering how kingdom selection works.

[Ry Vor]

It depends on format.  Lately, when I assign on preference rather than Lord Diamond conducting a draft, I have given the new players (no more than 3 games entered) first choice, then the experienced players in order of when they sign up.

[Lord Thanatos]

It depends on format.  Lately, when I assign on preference rather than Lord Diamond conducting a draft, I have given the new players (no more than 3 games entered) first choice, then the experienced players in order of when they sign up.

I suggest the order goes from the earliest account # to the most recent so that longevity is rewarded.  Ry Vor has all this information so kingdom selection will never be a problem ever again.

I do NOT like the first-come, first-served approach as there is a huge disincentive to join a game later in the process.

I suggest we each submit four kingdom selections in our order of preference to the Support email (do not post in the Forum). The order of selection should then be randomized by Ry Vor or Lord Diamond or Cipher or Uncle Mike or . . . me . . . and then the kingdoms are assigned.

[Beatific]

It depends on format.  Lately, when I assign on preference rather than Lord Diamond conducting a draft, I have given the new players (no more than 3 games entered) first choice, then the experienced players in order of when they sign up.

I suggest the order goes from the earliest account # to the most recent so that longevity is rewarded.  Ry Vor has all this information so kingdom selection will never be a problem ever again.

I do NOT like the first-come, first-served approach as there is a huge disincentive to join a game later in the process.

I suggest we each submit four kingdom selections in our order of preference to the Support email (do not post in the Forum). The order of selection should then be randomized by Ry Vor or Lord Diamond or Cipher or Uncle Mike or . . . me . . . and then the kingdoms are assigned.

(drumming fingers.....waiting for two more to join........)

[twhitewolf10]

To bad I am broke or I would sign up and raise my lvl (max out on games) but if it still open on Thurs. you got one more.

[Kellenved]

I don't remember a Steel game sign-up being this complicated

What is the format? Is it Rex or SVC

What is the process of kingdom selection? In order of sign-up, order of account number, randomized draft by LD?

What has been decided about HPs? Are they not allowed (Pagan)?

[Ry Vor]

This will be Rex Only.

Pagan variant meaning no High Priestess through the entire game, and the AN will not be active.  So that means the DE will not be active either.

Chivalrous.  New players get first choice of kingdoms in order of signup, then experienced players get choice of kingdoms in order of signup.

Yes, this was fairly complicated and will be one of the last like this as we move to standardize and automate processing.

This may be the first official game on the new platform.

[Lord Thanatos]

This will be Rex Only.

Pagan variant meaning no High Priestess through the entire game, and the AN will not be active.  So that means the DE will not be active either.

Chivalrous.  New players get first choice of kingdoms in order of signup, then experienced players get choice of kingdoms in order of signup.

Yes, this was fairly complicated and will be one of the last like this as we move to standardize and automate processing.

This may be the first official game on the new platform.

We just need two more to get started!

My last post was mostly in jest because I believe all the kingdoms can perform well. I think I have played all of them in a Steel game except for SO and RA.  Must be Synisvania that gives me the creeps.

But now we need two more players who do not mind having the last two kingdom selections.  Any takers?  There is absolutely no reason to delay so that you get one of the first two selections in the next game to start . . .

[unclemike]

The new game engine is available for this game if Ry Vor wishes. Players will receive HTML versions of their turn 0 kingdom setup files when the game begins.

For Pagan mode, the code does the following:
1) No high priestess may be hired at any time in the game (order 510 or other, in case ESO grants a priestess as a reward someday)
2) Consuls may not issue divination orders (750, 755, 765, 770, 790, 795, 857) but may still issue heal (793) and convert agent to fanatic (780) orders
3) Ancient Ones kingdom is not given anything as compensation to make up for their consuls losing their divination powers
4) Wizard spells that mimic priestess functions are still permitted (e.g., unveil group locations - spell 761)
5) Artifact named Oracle of the Old Gods is removed from play (won't be placed on the map)
6) Ranger kingdom still receives the location of the Sword of Alvinitar on his turn 0 kingdom report
7) Dwarf kingdom still receives the location of the Axe of Farin on his turn 0 kingdom report
8) Game limit is 50 turns

With the relevant changes above, it is not necessary to disqualify the Ancient Ones kingdom in this variant if someone really wants to play them. The consuls will still have their strongest abilities IMO (e.g., issue any king order like enamor/denigrate, cannot be slept, ...etc.).

Also, if Ry Vor decides to use the new software, there will be 1 random city in each region (so no predefined cities are on the map). You'll have to discover the cities as you would for the towns/villages.

There are some new orders/spells in this game in case it impacts your kingdom selection. Here's a recap:

New orders:
118 Evasion
121 Entrenchment
566 Summon Phoenix (Black Dragon only)
650 Druid's Grove (Druid only)
630 Seapower Enhancements (c.f. http://kingdomsofarcania.net/forum/showt...1#pid20621)

New spells:
 97 Cry of the Banshee
112 Ice Torrent
113 Acid Rain
114 Prismatic Rays
115 Disintegrate
866 Summon Woodland Creatures (Druid only)
871 Lich-form

New artifact effects:
Flying artifacts (Pegasi, Red Bats) grants a division-sized group immunity to wall of fire, earthquake, ...etc. just like a naturally flying kingdom

New effects:
- Automated game processing (with alert email notices if you forgot to submit your orders)
- Game starts with a random season
- Dragon combat uses terms like Fire Breath rather than dragon archers
- No double Hostile regional reactions
- Palantirs and Rings of Protection will not be initially located in neutral/human controlled pc's - the code has the functionality to allow artifact placement in pc's but it is currently disabled so have fun hunting

There's probably a bunch of effects that I'm forgetting but the above is the gist of it. Just keep in mind that I'm still in the process of incorporating the official algorithms/values into the game so take that in consideration. So if you're interested in having this game run under the new system then let Ry Vor know. I can activate a new game with the automated system this weekend if needed but Monday Feb 9 or later would be better for me.