[Morgoth]

Khell, having looked at the map obsessively since this morning, I would very much like to find a deal that will allow us to exchange SftT. There can be no surprise that I very interested to keep the inevitable Saar fur balls away from me, and from what I remember of your last Saar game, I think you also discovered the value of keeping the systems of your slice safe once you roll on. We will grind up against each other all over, and I'd rather we found a good way to make that a benefit for us both, rather than a perpetual thorn in both our sides.

I'd be happy to lend you the use of my agent for one additional explore action as an incentive, and to offer to be a reliable trade partner.

[Morgoth]

Blend, on 08 January 2021 - 02:03 PM, said:

Morgoth, on 08 January 2021 - 10:53 AM, said:

Though the Vuil'Raith also look like fun. All my ships are just giant space monsters.

I honestly would have gone Vuil'Raith if I had your slice, given the Gravity Rift right there and the relatively rich slice. They're also near the top of my list of factions I want to try!

Yeah, but I figured my faction gives me the best use of the new exploration system. I might as well use our first game to get thoroughly familiar with how it works.

[Blend]

Morgoth, on 08 January 2021 - 02:01 PM, said:

Blend, on 08 January 2021 - 01:56 PM, said:

Morgoth - thoughts on Quann? You've got a good number of planets in the systems in your slice whereas I only have 2 systems that are not equidistant between myself and my neighbours. I'm hoping you won't mind if I go for Quann. Thoughts?

Alternatively - Twelve, thoughts on Lisis/Velnor?

Maybe we can work something out, since you can allow others to move through your systems, correct? My issue with losing Quann are twofold: it locks me out of the wormhole network, and it's a planet with easy access to my other territories. We would have to work out a robust deal for me to concede to that, but I am willing to find a solution of some sort. I don't understand why you would be willing to lose Lisis Velnor though, independent of what you and I agree to. It's a much stronger system by all metrics I think.

I want access to the wormholes - the strength of my faction is to spread myself out all over the place, and I have to neighbour everyone to unlock my Commander ability.

As the Empyrean, I can allow anyone to move through my systems. I'd definitely agree to a deal where I will always allow you to move through Quann when you need/want to use the wormhole. I could also throw my Dark Pact PN to you if you'd be interested in being trade partners most of the game:

Quote

+ DARK PACT | ACTION: Place this card face up in your play area. When you give a number of commodities to the Empyrean player equal to your maximum commodity value, you each gain 1 trade good. If you activate a system that contains 1 or more of the Empyrean player's units, return this card to the Empyrean player.

Heck, I'd even be willing to consider an Alliance PN swap if that interests you at all. I think that would be beneficial to both of us.

[Blend]

Khellendros, on 08 January 2021 - 10:29 AM, said:

How are we dealing with the Argent’s ‘always votes first in agendas’ ability?

Probably ignoring that part of the ability.

[Blend]

Morgoth, on 08 January 2021 - 08:27 AM, said:

I've never started as speaker before, it's a tricky choice indeed. I'll go for Warfare

LoL. Everyone always chooses Warfare first. It's the most useful Round 1 strategy for expansion.

My choice is TECHNOLOGY.

[Khellendros]

Blend, on 08 January 2021 - 02:13 PM, said:

Khellendros, on 08 January 2021 - 10:29 AM, said:

How are we dealing with the Argent’s ‘always votes first in agendas’ ability?

Probably ignoring that part of the ability.

I'm not sure that's wise - I think it's supposed to be a balance for how strong the rest of that ability is. Making them go first is a disadvantage to them, and by ignoring it we're making it stronger.

[D'rek]

Morgoth, on 08 January 2021 - 12:39 PM, said:

Imperial Historian, on 08 January 2021 - 12:20 PM, said:

What does a readied strategy card mean? Morgoth's hero ability lets him play 2 unchosen or readied strategy cards, but I'm not sure what this means!

I assumed it meant that the primary ability have yet to be played.

Yes, that.

[Khellendros]

Morgoth, on 08 January 2021 - 02:06 PM, said:

Khell, having looked at the map obsessively since this morning, I would very much like to find a deal that will allow us to exchange SftT. There can be no surprise that I very interested to keep the inevitable Saar fur balls away from me, and from what I remember of your last Saar game, I think you also discovered the value of keeping the systems of your slice safe once you roll on. We will grind up against each other all over, and I'd rather we found a good way to make that a benefit for us both, rather than a perpetual thorn in both our sides.

I'd be happy to lend you the use of my agent for one additional explore action as an incentive, and to offer to be a reliable trade partner.

I'll be honest, your side of the map initially looks way more attractive to me considering I have the PDS and Destroyer boys on my other side. That having been said, I'm not looking for conflict or to gobble up anyone's systems. And your offer does sound mighty attractive, especially once you threw in that agent use and steady trading partner offer as well. I'm definitely leaning toward working out a deal with you.

[Blend]

Imperial Historian, on 08 January 2021 - 11:29 AM, said:

Khellendros, on 08 January 2021 - 10:29 AM, said:

How are we dealing with the Argent's 'always votes first in agendas' ability?

I assumed I'd just have to post my votes first, then everyone else votes.

Blend your blood pact and my zeal ability sound like they'd work well together.

If we both vote in the same direction that's 12 votes for the price of 2!

Also aetherstream is perfect for this map, I think there are only a couple of hexes not next to an anomaly.

Perhaps something to think about once we are neighbours!

[Khellendros]

Morgoth, on 08 January 2021 - 02:07 PM, said:

Blend, on 08 January 2021 - 02:03 PM, said:

Morgoth, on 08 January 2021 - 10:53 AM, said:

Though the Vuil'Raith also look like fun. All my ships are just giant space monsters.

I honestly would have gone Vuil'Raith if I had your slice, given the Gravity Rift right there and the relatively rich slice. They're also near the top of my list of factions I want to try!

Yeah, but I figured my faction gives me the best use of the new exploration system. I might as well use our first game to get thoroughly familiar with how it works.

That's exactly why the NRA (can we call them the NRA? ) were one of my top picks as well, but in the end I figured I should ease myself back into the game again with a faction I was somewhat familiar with. Will definitely go for one of the new races next game though.

[D'rek]

Khellendros, on 08 January 2021 - 02:16 PM, said:

Blend, on 08 January 2021 - 02:13 PM, said:

Khellendros, on 08 January 2021 - 10:29 AM, said:

How are we dealing with the Argent’s ‘always votes first in agendas’ ability?

Probably ignoring that part of the ability.

I'm not sure that's wise - I think it's supposed to be a balance for how strong the rest of that ability is. Making them go first is a disadvantage to them, and by ignoring it we're making it stronger.

Yeah, while I do think they get some advantage from voting first in a real game (easier to sell your votes if you're first and less likely to get an AC played on you as you're not the deciding vote) I see it mostly as a disadvantage 'cause you have to tip your hand early. They get a TON of extra votes which is a huge advantage, so I want to keep the disadvantage element of the going first in the game somehow.

We'll try it out with the forum agenda phase being:

1. People can make deals et al
2. Argent Flight cast their votes, which are then revealed.
3. More deals can happen.
4. Everyone else casts their votes.


And see how it works. If it's too slow or otherwise problematic, we can refine for next game.

[Imperial Historian]

Tattersail_, on 08 January 2021 - 02:07 PM, said:

Imperial Historian, on 07 January 2021 - 11:24 PM, said:

Any thoughts on Atlas Tatts?

You are also a strong PDS faction so would benefit a lot from my alliance card and the use of my hero (you'd get an extra PDS shot/bombard/AFB), and you are sure to have many PDS on the board.

I think a mutual deal regarding PDS (we don't fire on each others ships but if someone else attacks our PDS defends the other) and alliance swap could be beneficial for us both.

You'd be free to expand into any vacated saar territory and I'd be able to build the little fortress of my dreams.


I'd be willing to do this if you cede atlas to me.

I know we had a stormy relationship last game, but I hope we can have a better one this game.

This sounds quite a deal. How do the alliance cards work?

I'll have to go look that up. Knowing you are on the beta wormhole and me on the alpha it'll block intrusions from afar.

Basically same as support for the throne, but instead of a VP they let you use the other persons commander ability as well if it is unlocked.

[Imperial Historian]

D, on 08 January 2021 - 02:22 PM, said:

Khellendros, on 08 January 2021 - 02:16 PM, said:

Blend, on 08 January 2021 - 02:13 PM, said:

Khellendros, on 08 January 2021 - 10:29 AM, said:

How are we dealing with the Argent's 'always votes first in agendas' ability?

Probably ignoring that part of the ability.

I'm not sure that's wise - I think it's supposed to be a balance for how strong the rest of that ability is. Making them go first is a disadvantage to them, and by ignoring it we're making it stronger.

Yeah, while I do think they get some advantage from voting first in a real game (easier to sell your votes if you're first and less likely to get an AC played on you as you're not the deciding vote) I see it mostly as a disadvantage 'cause you have to tip your hand early. They get a TON of extra votes which is a huge advantage, so I want to keep the disadvantage element of the going first in the game somehow.

We'll try it out with the forum agenda phase being:

1. People can make deals et al
2. Argent Flight cast their votes, which are then revealed.
3. More deals can happen.
4. Everyone else casts their votes.


And see how it works. If it's too slow or otherwise problematic, we can refine for next game.

I assumed that's how it would work. I think it's more of a disadvntage in the forum game so should balance out.

[Khellendros]

The battle calculator doesn't include the new races yet boo!!

[Imperial Historian]

Khellendros, on 08 January 2021 - 02:38 PM, said:

The battle calculator doesn't include the new races yet boo!!

No one can predict how deadly the Argent are!

[D'rek]

Khellendros, on 08 January 2021 - 02:38 PM, said:

The battle calculator doesn't include the new races yet boo!!

[twelve]

Blend, on 08 January 2021 - 01:56 PM, said:

Morgoth - thoughts on Quann? You've got a good number of planets in the systems in your slice whereas I only have 2 systems that are not equidistant between myself and my neighbours. I'm hoping you won't mind if I go for Quann. Thoughts?

Alternatively - Twelve, thoughts on Lisis/Velnor?

I suggest we share it. The last couple of games we were neighbors you hogged them and used them as aggressive bases towards me. Not interested in that happening 3 times in a row.

[D'rek]

PMs have gone out and the starting public objectives are picked and put in the game thread.

[Imperial Historian]

D, on 08 January 2021 - 03:37 PM, said:

PMs have gone out and the starting public objectives are picked and put in the game thread.

So have we started? Or are we waiting for everyone to choose there SO

[D'rek]

Imperial Historian, on 08 January 2021 - 03:57 PM, said:

D, on 08 January 2021 - 03:37 PM, said:

PMs have gone out and the starting public objectives are picked and put in the game thread.

So have we started? Or are we waiting for everyone to choose there SO

The map isn't ready yet, but I'll open the game thread and you can start posting strategy picks / taking turns if you want to.

Not everyone has discarded their SO yet, so up to you if you want to wait for that or not.