Are you tough enough to be the "King of the Hill"? [Archive] - Page 5

Slynky

May 24th, 2003, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by Mark the Merciful:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Slynky:
I know what you mean. I think he's the best player I have played against. He's like a machine. But a machine with the neural ability to go against its programming and whip out surprises.

I think I'm getting ready to feel a bit of Asmala in Mark the (un)Merciful.Oh come off it, I haven't shot at you once yet!

Just remarking on the little worries your Escorts have caused me...and that you were in 1st place for so long. Since I posted, I have been in 1st place (which feels better....but).

BTW - if you're Online, so am I; let's play! And I'm likely to be here - barring TV breaks - for the rest of the evening (and some of the morning if necessary).<hr /></blockquote>

Asmala

May 24th, 2003, 11:44 PM

You have to compose yourself, Cheeze http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Pretty soon you'll see my main fleet. I can give you a hint: my fleet will come along the same route that the previous attack fleet. I could have attaked earlier but I don't have hurry with this game because I have to wait long to get a new opponent after this match is over.

Grandpa Kim

May 25th, 2003, 12:49 AM

Grandpa Kim vs. Gozguy approx. turn 54

I guess you would say we are in the deployment phase. The map is about as evenly split as you can make it and we are both building for the inevitable show down. Oddly enough, we both seem to have chosen the same basic strategy so it will be interesting to see who handles it better. After feeling out each others positions, we have settled down to dispute one system. I took one planet, then he mined my fleet, the touchy b*****d!

On a side note, I'm trying a tactic I haven't used since I played in tactical mode. We'll see how Goz like it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Mathias_Ice

May 26th, 2003, 08:51 AM

Krsqk Vs Mathias Ice : at about turn 118 or so the Green Meanies of Mathias Ice admitted defeat. Move my formidable opponent to the next level of the hill, and feed me to the next shark at the bottom.

Krsqk

May 26th, 2003, 08:57 AM

Mathias put up a nice game. He did jump into first place for a while, and also fielded some nice fleets with PPB IV against my DUC V fleets. I can't take too much credit for this win; I profited hugely by reading this thread, as well as Stone Mill's strategy articles--hopefully, next game I can put them all into practice with a little more finesse. Surrender came not a turn too soon for me; my three attack fleets were about to run out of supply just as I discovered his home system. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[edit] Yay. I get to move up to the bottom of the hill. That sounds like such a major accomplishment--"Congratulations! You finally made it up to the bottom!" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif I'm not sure how up to date the site is, but it looks like I'm going against Gandalph next.

[ May 26, 2003, 08:02: Message edited by: Krsqk ]

Phoenix-D

May 26th, 2003, 09:19 AM

Well, that game went to BBegemott on turn 62. Was about to send in my attack force when his fleet comes through the same warp point. After his fleet blew mine away without a single loss, and checking the conditions around, I surrendered. Nothing I could do at that point. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

BBegemott

May 26th, 2003, 09:54 AM

Yeah, ECM-3 + Maximum Training against ECM-1... You had to be extremely lucky to win that battle. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Thanks for the game, Phoenix-D.

Up the hill I go again. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Slynky

May 26th, 2003, 03:45 PM

Trithian Empire (Slynky) -vs- Kif Hegemony (Mark the Merciful): 2405.5

(standard KOTH game: 1 medium starting homeworld)

Expansion and exploring as usual in the usual "circular" sort of galaxy. Ran into each other in the northeastern part of the map and established some boundaries there. Then, later, found each other in the southwestern part of the map.

Mark was in first place from the beginning and stayed there for the first 15 or 20 turns. Got me worried a bit. Then, I popped into 1st. Stayed there till very recently when he saw 1st place again for one turn. THAT got me plenty scared since I fell to 2nd place on the turn I had 7 cruisers come out of the shipyards!

But on to the action, such as it is for the moment. Mark has played mostly a defensive game up till now (though I am on the lookout for a change). I made the first advance (small one) into a "tentacle" in the Northeast. All I did was pave the way for a colony ship into a system where he had a few colonies. Plopped it down. He attacked my 4 carriers with 4 or 5 ships and lost all of them while taking down about 25 fighters. I launched all the rest of my fighters to move and sit at the warphole so the tentacle would be cut off from the rest of his empire.

In the Southwest, we shared a system. I put together a fleet near there and rushed into the attack hoping a sweeper capability of 80 mines would be enough. Wrong! Swept 80 mines and lost 5 ships to the remainder. Glassed the planet leaving the system to me at the loss of those ships. A few colony ships of his have encountered fighters here and there but no real advances till I moved 26 ships into a system I had never been in (in the Northeast). That's when I discovered he already had gained another colony type. Now he has gas and rock ability. There were no defenses to speak of and I popped the first colony of his and there is one left. Holding this system further cuts off the tentacle I mentioned before. Still no signs of a major fleet of his though to have gotten into 1st place for a turn, there must be one somewhere.

Strangely (or perhaps NOT so), he seems to have skipped fighter ability (not sure if it's OK to say stuff like that as I don't like to give away other people's ways of playing...but I mention it because he could easily change that approach in his next game). The only weapons we have seen of each others are DUCs and PDs.

(OK, OK, I'll quit running off at the mouth)

DavidG

May 26th, 2003, 04:36 PM

Update from the Top of the Hill - The Beer Wars

After meeting on turn 4 the evil Viking empire quickly realized that the Dundas Rednecks society was, like their own, driven by the production and consumption of Beer. In a mocking gesture they transmitted a picture of themselves holding a large mug of Beer. Meanwhile their beer named ships began pouring into the Rednecks home system while their scouts began to wander the Rednecks territory in a drunken stuppor seeking the Rednecks brewing facilities.
The Vikings were soon evicted from the Rednecks system but came back a month later in a typical drunken Berzerkar Viking Rage.
To date the Vikings have eliminated the Rednecks 3 home systems but much to their dissapointment I'm sure discovered that the Rednecks had relocated all their brewing facilities to the rear.
Things look grim for the Rednecks. The current plan is to attempt to consume all the remaining Beer to keep it out of Viking hands.....

Slynky

May 26th, 2003, 04:43 PM

Two empires after my own heart! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Rollo

May 26th, 2003, 05:11 PM

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif LOL, nice summary DavidG http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

It is true. Much to the dismay of the Vikings, we could not take any of the breweries intact so far.
Even though we use massive tankers able to hold several MegaGallons, the range of the Viking fleets is severely reduced as the beer supplies are almost gone after a few months and the crews refuse to venture any further. In order to prevent mutiny, we have to resupply the beer reserves too often.

We have now established forward front-line breweries and with the latest technological breakthough, Zero-G transportable breweries, we are hopeful to have solved the logistical nightmare of keeping our crews in good supply.

Fully loaded Viking fleets are setting out to locate and take the Last secret hidden Redneck brewing facilities in uncharted territory.

edit: seeing the evil scheme of the Rednecks to consume all the remaining reserves puts the Viking captains under extreme time pressure...

Sk�l,
Rollo

[ May 26, 2003, 16:15: Message edited by: Rollo ]

Asmala

May 26th, 2003, 08:56 PM

Originally posted by Krsqk:
[edit] Yay. I get to move up to the bottom of the hill. That sounds like such a major accomplishment--"Congratulations! You finally made it up to the bottom!" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif I'm not sure how up to date the site is, but it looks like I'm going against Gandalph next.Well, I admit that the name of the hill parts aren't best possible. Perhaps that crest-top combination would be better... I have to think about it.

Yep, Gandalph is your next opponent because the site is always up to date http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

tesco samoa

May 26th, 2003, 09:04 PM

Crest - Top.

Watch out the Cavity Creeps have begun their attack on Toothopolis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark the Merciful

May 27th, 2003, 01:12 AM

Originally posted by Slynky:
[QB]Trithian Empire (Slynky) -vs- Kif Hegemony (Mark the Merciful): 2405.5

(standard KOTH game: 1 medium starting homeworld)

*snip*

Mark was in first place from the beginning and stayed there for the first 15 or 20 turns. Got me worried a bit. Then, I popped into 1st. Stayed there till very recently when he saw 1st place again for one turn. THAT got me plenty scared since I fell to 2nd place on the turn I had 7 cruisers come out of the shipyards!I still maintain that the scores are a misleading indicator of player position. I don't think I'm giving anything important away by saying the reason for my sudden jump back to 1st was the re-activation of a mothballed fleet. But I'm really not convinced that mothballed ships shouldn't be scored.

But on to the action, such as it is for the moment. Mark has played mostly a defensive game up till now (though I am on the lookout for a change).You got mines and fighters very quickly, and I didn't see a realistic way of breaking through such defenses quickly. So I didn't try.

*snip*

Still no signs of a major fleet of his though to have gotten into 1st place for a turn, there must be one somewhere.Ah-ha! It's lurking. We Kif are experts are lurking. One day when you least expect it, we'll turn up in your rear screens, laughing evilly.

Alternatively; we'll intercept your fleet in the Cewandi system and get vapourised. Oh well...

Strangely (or perhaps NOT so), he seems to have skipped fighter ability (not sure if it's OK to say stuff like that as I don't like to give away other people's ways of playing...but I mention it because he could easily change that approach in his next game). The only weapons we have seen of each others are DUCs and PDs.I think it's fine to make this sort of comment. I very much doubt I'll have done anything new or innovative that needs to be kept secret.

As for fighters; well, I decided to spend those Research Points on something else instead.

[ May 27, 2003, 00:14: Message edited by: Mark the Merciful ]

DavidG

May 27th, 2003, 04:41 AM

Originally posted by Slynky:
Strangely (or perhaps NOT so), he seems to have skipped fighter ability Sounds like a wise decision to spend 100000 research points on something more usefull to me. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Baron Grazic

May 27th, 2003, 06:13 AM

I've gotta admit, that spending 100K resource points on fighters was wasted for the Grazic Rock Empire. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif
Tesco just handed us 3 fully ladden Light Carriers,
after he destroyed our retreating fleet, he thought that the next Warp Point was unprotected, which was being guarded by Boarding & Point-defense ships. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
Won't Tesco's population be surprused when they see their carriers return and open fire of them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Edit - Oops, Turn 62 by the way.

[ May 27, 2003, 05:14: Message edited by: Baron Grazic ]

Slynky

May 27th, 2003, 02:45 PM

Fighters in KOTH? Perhaps an expensive investment. So far in my games, they have served me well in the early/middle game. When your empire needs to be guarded at multiple points, they are kind of nice. Easier than laying mines everywhere or posting ships to guard entry points.

They whipped my *** in my first game of KOTH with Primitive and served me well in my next 2 games. Then, again, I'm not a superior player...just adequate.

geoschmo

May 28th, 2003, 04:51 AM

Asmala, I'm done. Move Gecko up. Take me off the hill for the time being. I don't want to start another game right away.

Geoschmo

Geckomlis

May 28th, 2003, 05:08 AM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Asmala, I'm done. Move Gecko up. Take me off the hill for the time being. I don't want to start another game right away.

GeoschmoThanks for a good game Geoschmo. You tripped me up time and time again. I hope your departure from the Hill is both temporary and not a result of my fumbling game play. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Gecko

Slynky

May 28th, 2003, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
No, just in a few too many games right now. Don't want to start any new ones.Yeah, I know the feeling, too. Things seem slow, so you start another game. Then there don't seem to be enough turns to sate you, so you start another one. Then one evening, you come home, see 4 turns waiting and 2 nags! And then again. And so forth.

Stone Mill

May 28th, 2003, 05:40 PM

Kingly Defense Update: StoneMill vs. RexTorres
Turn 44?

RexTorres has mustered a strategic forward operating bases on each front. Each base has about 14 ships or so. These make me very uneasy.

Lemme tellya baby... there's probably gunna be some fightin soon. And good fightin' I don't foresee too many lopsided blowouts. From the way Rex is playing, I'd say we are going to rule out a training advantage on either side- we'll be even. So what we'll see is the impact of numbers, designs, and strategies. On this, we have not been tested... yet.

Anyone have a knife to cut through the tension?
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

tesco samoa

May 28th, 2003, 05:57 PM

Stone Mill at least you will not have to divide the fleets up to destroy them piecemeal

Slynky

May 28th, 2003, 06:13 PM

Heading into "uncharted waters" (read: untested designs and design matchups) would make me uneasy, too.

Hate those (possibly) make-or-break battles!

Stone Mill

May 28th, 2003, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by tesco samoa:
Stone Mill at least you will not have to divide the fleets up to destroy them piecemealMay be true... But Those are the only fleets he is blatantly showing. Always anticipate the "second punch." http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Originally posted by Slynky:
Heading into "uncharted waters" (read: untested designs and design matchups) would make me uneasy, too.

Hate those (possibly) make-or-break battles!Unless, of course, I happen to guess right and do well... I'm not sure how long the stalemate will Last. He can make a move any turn now...

[ May 28, 2003, 17:25: Message edited by: Stone Mill ]

Asmala

May 28th, 2003, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Asmala, I'm done. Move Gecko up. Take me off the hill for the time being. I don't want to start another game right away.

GeoschmoGecko is moved up and the KOTH page is updated. That game was extremely fast: 108 turns in eight days http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

geoschmo

May 28th, 2003, 09:31 PM

Originally posted by Asmala:
Gecko is moved up and the KOTH page is updated. That game was extremely fast: 108 turns in eight days http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif Yes, and we didn't play all that often on the weekends either. That was mostly done during the week. It was quite refreshing. Only thing would have made it better is if I had won. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Geoschmo

Geckomlis

May 28th, 2003, 10:19 PM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Asmala:
Gecko is moved up and the KOTH page is updated. That game was extremely fast: 108 turns in eight days http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif Yes, and we didn't play all that often on the weekends either. That was mostly done during the week. It was quite refreshing. Only thing would have made it better is if I had won. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Geoschmo[/QUOTE

The start of KOTH Geoschmo vs Gecko coincided with the end of my employment. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif Except for the Memorial Day weekend (US holiday) and a weekend trip to Pittsburgh, PA for graduate school, I have been home – looking for a new job, taking classes, and doing the hausfrau thing. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Gecko

Slynky

May 28th, 2003, 11:10 PM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Asmala:
Gecko is moved up and the KOTH page is updated. That game was extremely fast: 108 turns in eight days http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif Yes, and we didn't play all that often on the weekends either. That was mostly done during the week. It was quite refreshing. Only thing would have made it better is if I had won. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Geoschmo<hr /></blockquote>It's something that I said about Geo when we had a "test KOTH" game. He plays regularly, let's you know when he has to go (and it's the Last turn for him for the night), and plays quickly.

Not to downplay Gecko, 'cause I assume he spends time on turns, too... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif .

Also goes along with one of the polls I ran...about people liking fast turnaround and playing with people that they know will commit to doing turns.

(PS: If I suck up enough, he MIGHT take it easy on me in the "infamous" challenge match...yeah, like that's gonna happen... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif )

geoschmo

May 29th, 2003, 01:19 AM

No, just in a few too many games right now. Don't want to start any new ones.

DavidG

May 29th, 2003, 01:19 AM

Well you can move Rollo up the hill and me back to the bottom http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

tbontob

May 29th, 2003, 01:22 AM

108 turns in 8 days!

That is 13.5 turns a day! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Did you guys sleep?

And I thought I was doing great when I could manage the occasional 3 turns a day.

Slynky

May 29th, 2003, 07:59 PM

Trithian Empire (Slynky) -vs- Kif Hegemony (Mark the Merciful): 2406.9

(standard KOTH game: 1 medium starting homeworld)

More battles and surprises.

Back to the "tentacle". Remember? I cut it off form the rest of his empire. But, with a fleet of around 30-35 LCs, he ran me out of the system, connected his "arm" back and also wiped my planet like a raw booger! Now, what was he going to do with that fleet?

So, I bolstered the wormhole to the south of his fleet as best as I could and sure enough, there he went. Took some damage (about 30% of his fleet) and then had his choice of 2 nearby planets. All I had was 3 BCs to throw at him. Untrained at that! So, he chose the "mineral" planet and wiped it like snot from his sleeve. A round or 2 later, my 3 BCs caught them and returned the favor, much to my surprise! Killed about 18 ships and no damage to me.

But, one shouldn't sit around thinking their ships are boss. A few turns later, I found out that he had gone from LC fleets to a fleet comprised of about half battleships. Skipped cruisers and BCs completely. Another brutal battle resulting in all my warships croaking. Thankfully, I did enough damage that the battleships couldn't chase down my 5 sweepers! The battleships were left at damages ranging from 80-90% damage. I'll try to pop through the hole and get what I can before they can move to be repaired.

It seems this area is the likely area for battle as each of us (I assume) know other points of our borders are defended to the hilt.

With over 100 ships, I am still in 2nd place. He must have some awesome fleets moving up! Seems like a powerful game to have started from only 1 medium homeworld.

[ May 29, 2003, 19:00: Message edited by: Slynky ]

Stone Mill

May 29th, 2003, 10:49 PM

Slynky, that's what I call a knock-down drag out bareknuckle brawl. How is it that your 3 untrained BC's took out that fleet of 18?

Slynky

May 30th, 2003, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by Stone Mill:
Slynky, that's what I call a knock-down drag out bareknuckle brawl. How is it that your 3 untrained BC's took out that fleet of 18?Just the difference between some more modern equipment on my ships (weapons, sensors, ECM, shields) than on his. I don't think his fleet was trained either. Otherwise, there is a small difference (to his disadvantage) in racial attributes. Finally, he had several ships there heaped with PDs (used to get through those fighters we discussed earlier) so they weren't much good in regular combat.

(EDIT: And if not mentioned, his fleet was mostly LCs with some destroyers. I can't remember at the moment if 18 ships included some of the sweepers or not)

[ May 30, 2003, 17:57: Message edited by: Slynky ]

Slynky

June 1st, 2003, 12:22 AM

Trithian Empire (Slynky) -vs- Kif Hegemony (Mark the Merciful): 2408.0 (I think)

(standard KOTH game: 1 medium starting homeworld)

Speaking of brutal...

Again, on the northeast side (below the arm/tentacle), Mark moved toward one of my perimeter systems. He popped through the wormhole. Mark: 17 battleships, 2 LCs -vs- Me: 76 small sats, 18 BCs, 110 ftrs. Obviously trained, they were hard to hit! I would have to say his position coming in was bad. He chose "wall" and it ran perpendicular to my "V", so I had one end of him with my fleet and the 76 sats were at the other end of his line. My sats only screwed up 2 Bats but several of them clustered around it to blow the stack away. This worked to my advantage as my fleet had fewer ships to contend with on the other end of his wall. Results: Mark's fleet destroyed (support ships, too) while I ended with 0 sats, 70 ftrs, and 12 BCs.

Meanwhile, we were both making plans in the southwestern part of the map. I thought I may have the surprise, but when I moved into his area and glassed a planet, I see a fleet that is borderline victory problem. After adding a few more ships 'cause it looked like a problem, we met over his planet. Mark: 7 Bats, 7 LCs, and 2 small WPs -vs- Me: 8 BCs, 8 CRs, 5 LCs, and 3 DEs. Though all trained, several of the smaller ships were old designs. Results: Mark's planet and fleet destroyed, Me: 3 BCs and my support ships left (whew!).

So, we've both gone through a few ships, Mark more than me. Yet, I still languish in 2nd place. God (and Mark http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ) only knows what is coming next!

(sorry to bore ya guys...but for the people [like me] who like details...)

Mark the Merciful

June 1st, 2003, 08:19 AM

Trithian Empire (Slynky) -vs- Kif Hegemony (Mark the Merciful): 2409.0)

(standard KOTH game: 1 medium starting homeworld)

More death and destruction.

We pushed on through another ten turns tonight, which was great.

In the Southwest (in a system separated from the rest of my empire by two nebulae systems), re-inforcements already on the way arrived just as Slynky's second wave appeared. He temporarily fled the system (and even abandoned the colony he'd placed there), but returned in heavier numbers within a couple of turns. My force was mostly obsolete LCs, but were defending a planet with about 10 small WPs with large mount APB Xs and XIIs. Unfortunately, the random deployment put Slynky's fleet in a V around the planet, with my fleet off to one side and unable to screen it. So I benefitted very little from the firepower of the planet, and he won the battle with light casualties. Soon, every planet in the system had been glassed (some twice over), and a couple of Slynky's colonies were started up. Boo! Hiss!

The next few turns were taken up with preparatory maneuvers (and claims from Slynky that I'd exposed a huge gap in his defences - though I never spotted it - methinks he's been indulging in a bit of gentle disinformation every now and then).

In the Last action packed turn, I sent another fleet through the same Northeastern wormhole as before; and as before, it was totally destroyed while inflicting heavy but not fatal damage on the defenders. And my second wave of reinforcements arrived too late in the Southwest. Thirsting for revenge, they're heading for Slynky's seemingly undefended colonies.

Tune in for tomorrow's exciting episode of "over the top"; World War I in space...

Slynky

June 1st, 2003, 05:00 PM

Trithian Empire (Slynky) -vs- Kif Hegemony (Mark the Merciful): 2409.0

(standard KOTH game: 1 medium starting homeworld)

Well, not sure what to say. The game has been awesome. No matter how many ships I kill, he has more! For the standard game KOTH game (instead of the "quick start" some people choose with 3 good planets), the fleets and ship count is awesome! At one time, I had 138 ships. Then Mark "trimmed" it some http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif .

The battle he talks of involved about 30 ships each. I won it but with lots of casulties. I thought I was safe, then he sent another 30 ships through the hole the turn after! Mind you, these were mostly battleships. No way I could hold under those conditions.

Of course, the "assisted" reduction in maintenance cost has allowed me to load up more yards.

I've been "porked", "chicken'd", "onion'd", and "cheese'd" till I think I've lost my taste for Pizza! If you have ever encountered his ships, you know what I mean.

Mark the Merciful

June 1st, 2003, 08:48 PM

I've been "porked", "chicken'd", "onion'd", and "cheese'd" till I think I've lost my taste for Pizza! If you have ever encountered his ships, you know what I mean.Nobody knows what you'r talking about Slynky. I change my ship naming scheme for every game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Thermodyne

June 2nd, 2003, 01:57 AM

Move Lord Chain up a step, he is the victor in our game. Well played.

As for me, I think I will sit it out for a while.

Krsqk

June 3rd, 2003, 07:42 AM

Krsqk v. Gandalph, 2400.5--First Contact

My games seem to be flip-flopping back and forth. After a quick meeting with tesco, I had a nice leisurely, balanced start with Mathias_Ice. Now it's back for a quick start with Gandalph. We'll see how this one plays out; it should be over quickly one way or the other... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Phoenix-D

June 3rd, 2003, 07:53 AM

Phoenix-D vs Kazarp (David G):

This has the makings of a very short game. We picked a max-tech no mines 10 planet start, and started right next to each other.

I had a bunch of breathables in my home systems, so I went for colonizers and BSYs. He went for scouts and BBs. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Fortunately his BBs don't have all that much supply..one ran out of gas attacking my worlds. I have one very unhappy system minus two planets though.

EDIT: Two turns later, one planet less, I've discovered something very interesting about my opponents ships. They have NO shields. They aren't really BBs at all; they aren't completely filled, they're just quick-build half filled designs. So my weapon platforms are tearing into them- a single WP smashes the BB down to 60% in a single round. At least two of his BBs are cripples, and my fully armed full battleships are now off the line.

What's better is he assumed I'd go religious, so his defensiveness is nil. Who -needs- the taliasman under those circumstances? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ June 03, 2003, 07:03: Message edited by: Phoenix-D ]

Cheeze

June 3rd, 2003, 08:10 AM

Most likely the final update: Cheeze vs Asmala

I started this game in 2nd place, and it just got worse from there. It would not be true to say that Asmala was one step ahead of me the entire game....it was more like 3 or 4 miles (that's about 5-7 kilometers for you metric types http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif )

Barring some truly bizarre turn of events, like some 3rd empire entering the game and plowing into Asmala's exposed systems (if there are any), this game is over. Perhaps I can be toyed with a while, to pass the time until another unfortunate player faces this excellent opposition.

I have not had a chance to play my style of game because Asmala never gave me the opportunity. As I saw it, I had one real weakness to exploit to achieve victory, but I never came even slightly close to being able to take advantage of it.

Thanks for the beating...although I was so out-played I don't think I'll be learning anything from it...beyond fearing to play Asmala in KOTH another time!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif Very nicely done!!

DavidG

June 3rd, 2003, 12:44 PM

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
Phoenix-D vs Kazarp (David G):
What's better is he assumed I'd go religious, so his defensiveness is nil. Who -needs- the taliasman under those circumstances? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif hehe Kind of like giving you a free 0k cost and size talisman on every ship.

Wow I never knew a ship could run out of supplies so fast. Luckily that problem is fixed.

Bah shields, we don't need no stinking shields. Just takes up space we could use for weapons. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Phoenix-D

June 3rd, 2003, 06:08 PM

You'd be thinking different if my ships had linked up.

Except you picked the same turn to come through that WP, so they didn't have time. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif That and some of my orders are being ignored..I designed a troop Last turn, and the next turn it was gone.

Stone Mill

June 3rd, 2003, 06:17 PM

KOTH Title Defense: Stone Mill vs. RexTorres (turn 55)

Indeed this has turned into a fun game, with lots of sparring on 3 fronts:

Northern: At first, this was wealky contested. But he pulled back his central fleet and re-emerged in the north to harass me. He broke my warp defense of 5 ships with a fleet of 15 or so. But I did some damage and I have some available ships to slow his progress. As they stand, that fleet should not go far, as they don't have minesweepers.

Central: I outstacked him in the center, and he pulled his fleet (to the north) back while abandoning his planets. I pushed forward with a strike to his central systems with a fleet of 26 or so. Many of these ships have obselete technology, and I do not expect them to do too well, but I want to give him something to worry about.

Southern: He is obviously concentrating forces in this setup system that neither one of us can claim. His initial attack with superior numbers failed over my planet's due to weapon's platforms, which sniped his ships nicely as my ships tied them up. He eventually killed the planet, and I won the battle (but my ships refused to kill his minesweepers), so most got away to fight again http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif ) He followed up again with superior numbers and finished that fleet, just as reinforcements arrived. My reinforcements bested his heavily damaged ships, but I was unable to save my minesweepers http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif . Now once again I have a handfull of defenders facing a pile of ships at his staging point. I have the slight edge in tech... but it's not yet broad enough to ensure me victory against those numbers.

To be continued...

Slynky

June 3rd, 2003, 07:23 PM

Yeah, Stone, tough choice, sometimes. More ships (with less tech) or less ships (with more tech)?

Phoenix-D

June 4th, 2003, 01:54 AM

Phoenix-D vs Kazarp (David G):

If I had mustered the numbers (and remebered Multiplex), I could have butchered his cheap ships. As it stands I did neither and surrendered rather than delay the inevitable. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Geckomlis

June 4th, 2003, 02:42 AM

DavidG

June 4th, 2003, 02:45 AM

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
Phoenix-D vs Kazarp (David G):

If I had mustered the numbers (and remebered Multiplex), I could have butchered his cheap ships. As it stands I did neither and surrendered rather than delay the inevitable. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Hehe that was a laugh. Who said all KOTH games are the same. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Of course those ships were really not that cheap. I just went nuts on construction (+149%, Engineers, and Hardy Industrialist) so I could build with something like 6260 per turn or 9400 on Emergency. (True the early ships did only use about 600k of the 800k space) Sure makes for a different game when you have 44 ship (mostly battleships) by turn 12. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

DavidG

June 4th, 2003, 02:46 AM

Originally posted by geckomlis:
I thought multiplex did not work in PBW...I've never had a problem with them.

[ June 04, 2003, 01:47: Message edited by: DavidG ]

Geckomlis

June 4th, 2003, 02:52 AM

Originally posted by DavidG:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by geckomlis:
I thought multiplex did not work in PBW...I've never had a problem with them.<hr /></blockquote>My bad. An old bug that is now fixed.

Stone Mill

June 4th, 2003, 08:37 PM

Originally posted by DavidG:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
Phoenix-D vs Kazarp (David G):

If I had mustered the numbers (and remebered Multiplex), I could have butchered his cheap ships. As it stands I did neither and surrendered rather than delay the inevitable. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Hehe that was a laugh. Who said all KOTH games are the same. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Of course those ships were really not that cheap. I just went nuts on construction (+149%, Engineers, and Hardy Industrialist) so I could build with something like 6260 per turn or 9400 on Emergency. (True the early ships did only use about 600k of the 800k space) Sure makes for a different game when you have 44 ship (mostly battleships) by turn 12. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif <hr /></blockquote>DavidG, that is just awesome! I always wondered about doing that. You have put that concept into reality. Really nice strat. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Phoenix-D

June 4th, 2003, 10:13 PM

Note that he DID have 10 planets to make those ships from. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Slynky

June 4th, 2003, 10:26 PM

You gotta understand how "alien" a start like that would be to me! (who prefers standard KOTH setup). I'd get bLasted for sure. Not to mention becoming a ball of nerves.

DavidG

June 5th, 2003, 12:33 AM

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
Note that he DID have 10 planets to make those ships from. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif And it was a max tech with SY III. It's not really a big a big accomplishement (or even a minor one). I just thought it was funny compared to a normal game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

The main reason I was successfull was due to my desicion to skip all the colonizing stuff and go straight for the warships (and with a race totally maxed on shipyard rate). This happened to work well due to starting adjacent to the enemy. Could have been a whole different story if we started far apart.

[ June 04, 2003, 23:43: Message edited by: DavidG ]

Mathias_Ice

June 5th, 2003, 03:20 AM

Grrr, Sparhawk vs. Mathias Ice. I played a worthless game, we must have started very close to each other, because there I was quietly sending out my colonizers when WHAM! He takes out a couple of them, then he is on my homeworld before I have a chance to mount any defence. Blockaded with out another producing colony I am forced to concede. Heads WILL roll in the Greanie Meanie empire. Move Sparhawk up and set me up for the next match. Grrrrr.

Slynky

June 5th, 2003, 03:26 AM

Trithian Empire (Slynky) -vs- Kif Hegemony (Mark the Merciful): 2410.5

(standard KOTH game: 1 medium starting homeworld)

Well, 105 turns into the game and again, I think (since I haven't read it before in other games, especially in standard 1-planet KOTH games, some different tactics:

Seemed like I was battling against a wall with Mark. Fleet after fleet thrown against each other. Mostly battleships for the Last 20-30 turns! I thought I was building well enough to keep ahead of him but he came back with large fleets and, latest of all, phased shield IVs! Put a real halt to my PPBs.

So, stellar manipulation was put in priority and I began closing holes that I was worried about. Five of them altogether, so I built 2 "closers". Behind them, 2 "openers".

This turn began my "wormhole" tactics.

Resource production is over 600,000 (to keep me in builds and my fleet of over 150 ships in space)!

This has turned into one WILD game...and all from one medium homeworld! Mark is a damn good player!

sparhawk

June 5th, 2003, 02:52 PM

Sparhawk vs.Mathias Ice. We started with just one system between us. Luckly for me I discovered Mathias ice first with an escort.
At that moment I was pumping out escort to scout ahead. He was pumping out colony ships, so when we meet the col was no match..btw a tip: use ram strategy for your colony ships..IT WORKS.
So when I was heading to his homeplanet, I totally switch from building col. to escort ships.
Wave after wave succeeded in the end to blockad his homeworld (turn 1.6).
So up one for me.
And hopefully we meet again Mathias Ice for a real game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif , because this one was just pure luck

Sparhawk

Stone Mill

June 5th, 2003, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by Slynky:
Trithian Empire (Slynky) -vs- Kif Hegemony (Mark the Merciful): 2410.5

(standard KOTH game: 1 medium starting homeworld)

Well, 105 turns into the game and again, I think (since I haven't read it before in other games, especially in standard 1-planet KOTH games, some different tactics:

Seemed like I was battling against a wall with Mark. Fleet after fleet thrown against each other. Mostly battleships for the Last 20-30 turns! I thought I was building well enough to keep ahead of him but he came back with large fleets and, latest of all, phased shield IVs! Put a real halt to my PPBs.

So, stellar manipulation was put in priority and I began closing holes that I was worried about. Five of them altogether, so I built 2 "closers". Behind them, 2 "openers".

This turn began my "wormhole" tactics.

Resource production is over 600,000 (to keep me in builds and my fleet of over 150 ships in space)!

This has turned into one WILD game...and all from one medium homeworld! Mark is a damn good player!This is the most progressive match I can remember from a default start! Nothing like a match where you get to hand out lote of post-mortem medals to your fleet commanders. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Stone Mill

June 5th, 2003, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by sparhawk:
Sparhawk vs.Mathias Ice. We started with just one system between us. Luckly for me I discovered Mathias ice first with an escort.
At that moment I was pumping out escort to scout ahead. He was pumping out colony ships, so when we meet the col was no match..btw a tip: use ram strategy for your colony ships..IT WORKS.
So when I was heading to his homeplanet, I totally switch from building col. to escort ships.
Wave after wave succeeded in the end to blockad his homeworld (turn 1.6).
So up one for me.
And hopefully we meet again Mathias Ice for a real game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif , because this one was just pure luck

SparhawkSparhawk, Mathias... OOF! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

That is my worst nightmare. I've had a close start happen several times and luckily I found out quickly and compensated. I was able to hold off opponents with satellite layers and ramming until mines were available, which gave me a little relaxation.

Also I have to say this is a gutsy move by Sparhawk; I can't seem to bring myself to pull off "An early Kill." Guess I'm just too conservative.

sparhawk

June 5th, 2003, 04:10 PM

True, but what fun is it to play a game, where both homeworlds are just one system away...split up the map, build up and then kill each other??

I think the fun thing of this kind of game is to explore where your enemy is and use different strategys to harm your enemy.
Finding out what he is going to do, plan attacks etc.
Then the best thing to do is: have a rematch...Mathias Ice, what do you think of that? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif ?
Just forget this one and asmala can make a new game for us.

Sparhawk

"gone"

[ June 05, 2003, 15:43: Message edited by: sparhawk ]

Mathias_Ice

June 5th, 2003, 04:34 PM

Originally posted by sparhawk:
Then the best thing to do is: have a rematch...Mathias Ice, what do you think of that? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif ?
Just forget this one and asmala can make a new game for us.
The way I see it you won fair and square, Sparhawk. Opening setup is luck-of-the-draw, I COULD have set my colony ships to ram (I'm making a note of that,) I COULD have switched to building defences as soon as I saw that first escort, but instead I assumed it was a fluke and waited several turns before deciding we were that close. I'm still very much learning KOTH strategies. To the victor go the spoils! I'm sure we will meet again.

[ June 05, 2003, 15:49: Message edited by: Mathias_Ice ]

Slynky

June 5th, 2003, 04:35 PM

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif too bad you think of me like this, also to bad to write something like that about a person http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Not following you, Sparhawk. Did Stone's remark offend you http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif ?

sparhawk

June 5th, 2003, 04:39 PM

well ok maybe my english is not that good: so I could be mistaken. And if I'm mistaken Then here are my apologies for stone mill.

Edit: My english is poor, sorry about that.
working on it

[ June 05, 2003, 15:40: Message edited by: sparhawk ]

Stone Mill

June 5th, 2003, 04:39 PM

Spar-

No, please understand... that was meant as a compliment! Please don't take offense. "Gutsy" loosely means brave, willing to take the risk.

To be more clear: it means you are willing to forego using defenses to apply pressure to an opponent early in the game. It is a good strategy to be able to use, because the threat of an early attack keeps your opponent off balance and guessing.

I hope you did not misinterpret my words. Sorry about that. I certainly respect you.

sparhawk

June 5th, 2003, 04:40 PM

edit my email, see two below http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ June 05, 2003, 15:41: Message edited by: sparhawk ]

Stone Mill

June 5th, 2003, 04:47 PM

Thanks, Sparhawk http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Well... I certainly should be aware of using slang terms. It was a poor choice of a word on my part.

It is sometimes difficult to convey meaning on a message board with so many different audiences. One thing I constantly admire is that we have friends here from all over the world... who don't mind at all blowing up each other's empires... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Stone Mill

June 5th, 2003, 05:06 PM

King Title Defense: Stone Mill vs. RexTorres, Turn 59?

The pot is boiling. Update on three fronts:

North: A sizable fleet of enemy ships boldly contested the Mercator outpost, using a credible strategy of breaking apart into smaller task forces to commence raids behind my lines. Mercator commanders were ready and scrambled together elite forces to extinguish the threat, without many losses.

Center: The main Mercator assault force successfully raided a deep enemy system, planets were either abondoned or destroyed. Rex's defenses pulled back, most likely to get first shot at the warp point. Raid still at large.

South: The pileup continues on the enemy outpost, 30+ ships. I have since recolonized my outpost, and protected it with a medium fleet, slowly reinforced to about 15 ships. The enemy has just detached a medium (12) sized raid force and is coming my way.

Also, I think I am getting plucked with infrequent ship bomb intel attacks, but they are easily shaken off without consequence.

[ June 05, 2003, 16:07: Message edited by: Stone Mill ]

Slynky

June 5th, 2003, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by sparhawk:
well ok maybe my english is not that good: so I could be mistaken. And if I'm mistaken Then here are my apologies for stone mill.

Edit: My english is poor, sorry about that.
working on itI don't think there is any need to apologize for misunderstanding in another language. And now that you have learned a new word (gutsy), I always think it's gutsy for a person to hop into forums and "speak" in a language they are not used to. I've been to the Netherlands (Holland) plenty of times and I am amazed at [edit] the number of people who speak English and how well they speak it. It's another of my favorite countries!

[ June 05, 2003, 16:12: Message edited by: Slynky ]

Slynky

June 5th, 2003, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by sparhawk:
True, but what fun is it to play a game, where both homeworlds are just one system away...split up the map, build up and then kill each other??

I think the fun thing of this kind of game is to explore where your enemy is and use different strategys to harm your enemy.
Finding out what he is going to do, plan attacks etc.
Then the best thing to do is: have a rematch...Mathias Ice, what do you think of that? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif ?
Just forget this one and asmala can make a new game for us.

Sparhawk

"gone"This kind of honorable sportsmanship is what makes me prompts me to give out a "5" rating. It's good to see this kind of play. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

tesco samoa

June 5th, 2003, 05:43 PM

i have had the one system away start in 2 games now.

One I lost on turn 33... the other one I lost the homeworld but carried on and won it.

sparhawk

June 5th, 2003, 06:21 PM

Yes, thanks.
I think I'm just having a bad hair day http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Slynky

June 5th, 2003, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by sparhawk:
Yes, thanks.
I think I'm just having a bad hair day http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif Yes, I can see that from your avatar on the left... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Asmala

June 5th, 2003, 07:29 PM

OK, KOTH page are now updated. We get new competitor again http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Welcome Roanon!

Slynky

June 5th, 2003, 07:33 PM

Welcome to a fierce and fun contest, Roanon! You'll need to look at the one-on-one contest a bit differently than usual games.

Have fun!

rextorres

June 5th, 2003, 08:34 PM

Hey Mathias do you have room down there?

Slynky

June 5th, 2003, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by rextorres:
Hey Mathias do you have room down there?Hey, Rex, are you trying to "tell" us something?

Geckomlis

June 5th, 2003, 10:01 PM

K.O.T.H. Gecko vs Lord Chane
3 Homeworld Start
No Intelligence

Turn number: 2401.1

My warhsips send back First Contact reports from two different systems simultaneously. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

More news as it breaks...

Gecko

rextorres

June 5th, 2003, 10:01 PM

Yeah - If someone else doesn't beat StoneMill soon we'll have to start referring to it as a dynasty.

Mathias_Ice

June 5th, 2003, 10:08 PM

Originally posted by rextorres:
Hey Mathias do you have room down there?Heh, yep gotta place with your name on it!
Good Luck.

Stone Mill

June 5th, 2003, 11:43 PM

Thanks to rextorres for a good game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

I think this one came down to economics. He made me work hard, especially in the beginning... I had to fall back quite a bit. He did many things surprisingly well, which I mentioned to him an email.

Follow-up note: he never got to use my breathers on the capured colony ship damaged at 97%... looks like they were destroyed with the colony component.

Again, I felt really tested. Being the King is exhausting... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif yet gratifying. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

DavidG

June 6th, 2003, 01:38 AM

Originally posted by Stone Mill:
Being the King is exhausting... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif Aw what a shame. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif Ah well you'll be down at the bottome in no time. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Just check out the players your next 4 and 0 opponent has beat to get to the top. (3 of the 4 players at the top of the standings http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif )

Stone Mill

June 6th, 2003, 03:11 PM

Ahhh yes, I should know better than to expect sympathy. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I don't see myself Lasting too much longer... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

What is worse is that Rollo handed me a loss already a while back. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

You are correct; I'm facing the cream of the crop... but the Last 3 opponents I faced were undefeated before they stepped into my quadrant. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif I'm still fightin' !!!

Bring it! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Mark the Merciful

June 7th, 2003, 02:12 AM

Trithian Empire (Slynky) -vs- Kif Hegemony (Mark the Merciful): 2410.9

(standard KOTH game: 1 medium starting homeworld)

Warp point opening technology has ushered in the era of galactic genocide. Last player with a planet left unglassed wins...

In amongst the mass glassings, there've been a few more space battles. As usual, Slynky's won most of them. But the Kif are still in there fighting, and are pleased to announce the ceremonial nuking of the Trithium home planet Last turn. If only there weren't so many of the little buggers.

To be honest, we've got to the point where I'll procrastinate for at least half an hour before opening my turn file. I know I'm going to be losing at least half a dozen planets, and am wondering how disasterous this turn's battles will turn out. Much better to think happy thoughts and pretend it's not happening...

Gandalph

June 7th, 2003, 03:03 AM

Gandalph vs Krsqk Stardate 2402.0

Gandalph surrenders.

Well, what can I say. We met on turn 5 when his escort came into my home system only 3 spaces from my homeworld. I had decided to go the massive colonization route and had no defenses ready. I put defensive WP's into the queue, but it was too late. The first attack took out my only spaceyard and put my people into an angry state. I tried to recover, but Krsqk obviously sensed my weakness and began pouring his escorts and frigates into my system. I decided this would be a futile attempt and surrended.

Move Krsqk up a notch and throw me to the bottom... errr Sewer... errr whatever we call the Last rung these days.

DavidG

June 7th, 2003, 05:02 AM

My appologies in advance to the non monty pyton fans but this thread always makes me think of this: (and is why I love to raze the king)

ARTHUR: I am your king!

WOMAN: Well, I didn't vote for you.

ARTHUR: You don't vote for kings.

WOMAN: Well, how did you become king then?

ARTHUR: The Lady of the Lake,...
[angels sing]
...her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water signifying by Divine Providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur.

[singing stops]

That is why I am your king!

DENNIS: Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.

Roanon

June 7th, 2003, 05:09 AM

Hello all and thanks for the welcomes http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Have been too busy doing the first turns in my first KotH game, no time to check this forum earlier. Now its roughly 4 hours after starting the game and already turn 12. Nice. I'm slowly expanding and still no contact. Exciting, especially as in my paranoia every turn I expect to see a well armed fleed doing a rush towards my home system http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif
Time now for me to go to bed before I make too many mistakes due to already being asleep... So far, I like not only the type of challenge (without that tedious diplomacy aka who-can-lie-better) but also the speed of the game. Thanks to Phoenix for submitting as fast or even faster than me! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Phoenix-D

June 7th, 2003, 07:02 AM

Two more turns after I got back aaaand..first contact. Just a little piddling colony though. Very small map; I'm surprised it took this long.

Mark the Merciful

June 7th, 2003, 07:23 AM

Trithian Empire (Slynky) -vs- Kif Hegemony (Mark the Merciful): 2412.3

(standard KOTH game: 1 medium starting homeworld)

Phew! It's all over.

Slynky's Trithians surrendered after a vicious fight. Once the warp points were opening all over the place, it came down to a question of who could destroy the other guy's economy fastest. I came out ahead here because I had defenses of some kind (mines at least) around all my planets, whereas a lot of Slynky's were completely open.

At the end, we essentially had one fleet each of similar sizes, but I had managed to protect enough territory that my economy was recovering to about half the pre-cataclysm level of production, while the heart of Slynky's had been wrecked. I was producing around 180,000 blue and rising, while Slynky looked to be around the 60,000 mark.

But to get to this point I've had to accept the loss of about half my planets, and had to cannibilise most of the remaining facilities for minerals. Skin by teeth of my the - please re-arrange these words to make the appropriate phrase.

It's hard to express just how much fun, and how tense this game has been since the very beginning. It built up to an incredible climax during the ten turns from 2411 to 2412, to the point that I was finding it too tough to play two turns in a row.

Thanks to Slynky, and congratulations for playing a very good game.

Move me up, please.

Mark

[ June 07, 2003, 06:24: Message edited by: Mark the Merciful ]

Slynky

June 7th, 2003, 07:24 AM

Trithian Empire (Slynky) -vs- Kif Hegemony (Mark the Merciful): 2412.2 (I think...all our empire clocks were destroyed... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif )

(standard KOTH game: 1 medium starting homeworld)

Well, I gotta say this game has to have been the bloodiest game in KOTH. Between all the warpholes opening and closing, billions of people were slaughtered! The warphole map looks like a spider web.

Kt after Kt's of ships were left as litter in space. Over half the systems were showered with debris.

Mark slaughtered my planets faster than I could return the "favor". And though I issued drugs to the population and even forced repetitive showings of the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life", they rioted.

Seriously, though, Mark played a good game! I think our planets were fairly split up. I certainly had some good ones in my area. He must have managed his empire better, though, 'cause he had ship after ship after ship. And he never even used all three colony types!

I made a few mistakes at the end that may have made a difference, but I kinda doubt it. No matter what I planned, he either planned the same thing or anticipated it. Even when I thought I had embarked on the winning strategy, "openers" and "closers", he was doing nearly the same. And 2 turns after I entered his empire, he did the same to me.

He showed up with phased shield 4's and to counter it, I built about 20 battleships with 3 heavy depleters on them...enough to blow away his shields if I hit 2 out of 3 times. But I forgot to put engines on the darn things! What's worse, refitting at a yard without resupply. They never really got to see battle.

Another mistake...I meant to refit a "planet builder" to an "opener" but chose the wrong ship for retrofit and built a 3rd "closer". That put me back lots of minerals and 2 turns to fix it. Maybe those 2 turns could have made a difference.

But he's a great player! So, I don't want to take anything away from him. Besides, maybe he made mistakes that evened it out.

He is a dedicated player and submits turns with good speed and regularity. A good member of the PBW community to have around.

SO, Mark, go whup up on Elvis (that way, I won't feel so bad about losing to you... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif )

Just kidding! It was one of my most exciting games in the past year!

Slynky

June 7th, 2003, 07:27 AM

And for his playing ability, dedication to turn submittal, tongue-in-cheek attitude, and good sportsmanship, I give him a 5 for the forum.

Slynky

June 7th, 2003, 07:35 AM

Oh, and I'm ready to try again, Asmala... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/blush.gif .

As you might know, I prefer the standard KOTH startup @ 48-hour turnaround.

When you get a chance of course... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Krsqk

June 7th, 2003, 08:30 AM

Gandalph surrenders.

Well, what can I say. We met on turn 5 when his escort came into my home system only 3 spaces from my homeworld. I had decided to go the massive colonization route and had no defenses ready. I put defensive WP's into the queue, but it was too late. The first attack took out my only spaceyard and put my people into an angry state. I tried to recover, but Krsqk obviously sensed my weakness and began pouring his escorts and frigates into my system. I decided this would be a futile attempt and surrended.

Move Krsqk up a notch and throw me to the bottom... errr Sewer... errr whatever we call the Last rung these days.Arrrrgh. Another one of those two-system away starts. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif I really don't think I deserve this win, given the pure luck that came my way. Like hitting his SY on the first attack, right before six missiles slammed into my scout. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif And his missile frigate dying reasonably quickly to my two frigates, despite simulations showing at least a 50% chance of both my ships dying. I decided to e-build one scout before doing a few colony ships (for those five breathable planets in my home system and the in-between system). It just so happened that I had three functional SYs when I attacked his HW.

Gandalph, I'll gladly replay this farce of a game in the hopes of a more balanced start. Things could have just as easily gone the other way (as tesco showed me in my first KOTH game). http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[edit]Umm, 1100. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Or 1101, I guess, since it's reply 1100. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ June 07, 2003, 07:38: Message edited by: Krsqk ]

Slynky

June 7th, 2003, 03:48 PM

Well, one thing is for sure, DavidG, the KOTH site doesn't seem to reflect the standard deviations (no pun intended).

DavidG

June 7th, 2003, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by Slynky:
Well, one thing is for sure, DavidG, the KOTH site doesn't seem to reflect the standard deviations (no pun intended).You mean how all the previous games are shown as being 'default'? Seems both Geo and Asmala do not really use this setting.

Slynky

June 7th, 2003, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by DavidG:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Slynky:
Well, one thing is for sure, DavidG, the KOTH site doesn't seem to reflect the standard deviations (no pun intended).You mean how all the previous games are shown as being 'default'? Seems both Geo and Asmala do not really use this setting.<hr /></blockquote>I started to say the program that generates the code for the site might not allow for it (easily) but then I remembered YOU wrote the code http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif .

While the information may be interesting, I surely won't worry much about it since it's a volunteer job. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Gandalph

June 7th, 2003, 05:52 PM

Krsqk - I appreciate the gentlemanly offer, but a win is a win. If I had built planetary defenses earlier, it would not have gone the way it did. It was my mistake and I will learn from it. Move on up the hill and we will meet again.

Slynky

June 7th, 2003, 06:28 PM

Originally posted by Gandalph:
Krsqk - I appreciate the gentlemanly offer, but a win is a win. If I had built planetary defenses earlier, it would not have gone the way it did. It was my mistake and I will learn from it. Move on up the hill and we will meet again.Hehe, you probably looked in the queue and figured you'd draw me and start back up the hill soon anyway... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif .

(J/K)

Asmala

June 7th, 2003, 08:18 PM

KOTH page updated. Because Gandalph vs Krsqk finished first (or at least the message to the forum was posted first) Krsqk plays against BBegemott and Mark have to wait for the next opponent.

There have been lately many games where starting positions have been very near to each other. Perhaps we should think again that Tesco's map pack...

All games are shown as "default" for that simple reason it'll need too much work to remember and add all special game settings, it's not the fault of DavidG's program.

rextorres

June 7th, 2003, 08:49 PM

If we could get games where we would get roughly equal starts I think that would be great.

Slynky

June 7th, 2003, 09:01 PM

BBegemott

June 7th, 2003, 09:38 PM

There is a little bug in KOTH site. When I press 'Back To Top' or 'League Rules', the page displays old standings. The same result if I check Pre-Gold League and return to Gold. Refreshing doesn't help.

Oh well, i can live with that. Only have to remember: don't press 'Back To Top'. And don't wonder if you accidently find yourself a level down. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Stone Mill

June 7th, 2003, 09:56 PM

Originally posted by DavidG:
My appologies in advance to the non monty pyton fans but this thread always makes me think of this: (and is why I love to raze the king)

ARTHUR: I am your king!

WOMAN: Well, I didn't vote for you.

ARTHUR: You don't vote for kings.

WOMAN: Well, how did you become king then?

ARTHUR: The Lady of the Lake,...
[angels sing]
...her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water signifying by Divine Providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur.

[singing stops]

That is why I am your king!

DENNIS: Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.Consider me razed... LOL! I LOVE Monty Python!

Or how about...

"I'm the King of the Britans!"
"Who?"

"How do we know he's the King?"
"He hasn't got sh*t all over him!"

Hee hee...

[ June 07, 2003, 20:56: Message edited by: Stone Mill ]

Stone Mill

June 7th, 2003, 10:13 PM

Congrats to Mark and Slinky for a riveting game... I really enjoy your accounts.

I'm also just darn impressed by the sportsmanship in this league. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

As far as settings, I usually ask for:

3 starting planets (Good)
High starting bonus
Small Spiral map - usually works well, but I'm open to what anyone wishes

This gets the game moving pretty fast. As your current King, I know players at the top want a crack as fast as possible, so I try and accomodate that. But I'll consider most suggestions. Oh, but I do like mines in the game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Slynky

June 7th, 2003, 10:28 PM

Originally posted by Stone Mill:
Congrats to Mark and Slinky for a riveting game... I really enjoy your accounts.
Tks, Stone. Not sure people care much about the bottom/base of the hill, but the game seemed a bit extroadinary. I suspect the game you had with Asmala was more of a nail-biter but I submit ours was the bloodiest (and for a standard start, very high tech).

Mark is now 2-0. Is he the new "surprise" upstart?

Asmala

June 7th, 2003, 11:08 PM

Originally posted by BBegemott:
There is a little bug in KOTH site. When I press 'Back To Top' or 'League Rules', the page displays old standings. The same result if I check Pre-Gold League and return to Gold. Refreshing doesn't help.

Oh well, i can live with that. Only have to remember: don't press 'Back To Top'. And don't wonder if you accidently find yourself a level down. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif It's fixed now. It was an uppercase/lowercase typo. I have index.htm and koth.htm in my server but when I updated the page I uploaded index.htm and KOTH.htm http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif And yes, I'm not using Linux but Windows http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Stone Mill

June 7th, 2003, 11:16 PM

King Title Defense IV: Stone Mill vs. Rollo

::: In the antechamber of the command center Graceland, The King finishes up his comm call. "Thass right momma- next outfit needs to be let out a little around the waist. I popped off some sequins. Bye."

The colonel enters again.

"Sir, this is far worse than anything we've ever seen. I... I... can't..." http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Elvis swings around with a stunning hip shake. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif "Shake it out Colonel!"

"Rollo has entered the quadrant, and has sent an ambassador."

"That's mighty-nice o' him!"

"King, he's dressed in skins and mail, has apparently never washed himself, flatulates constantly, and wreaks of grog! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/blush.gif He urinated in your favorite plant, and carried off two waitresses from the kitchen staff!" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

"Now juss hold on a minute, Colonel--- That's where I draw the line... That's high crime. We need to play Rollo a litte Jailhouse Rock! " ::: http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

[ June 07, 2003, 22:16: Message edited by: Stone Mill ]

Slynky

June 7th, 2003, 11:20 PM

LOL @ Stone!

DavidG

June 8th, 2003, 01:51 AM

I'm curious how many have chosen non standard game settings for their KOTH games and how the went?

Such as:

- a medium size map? (would this help avoid the starting adjacent problem)

- 10 planet starts

- banning certain tech?

I've played a couple now were we Banned mines. This makes for a faster paced game since there is no waiting around for those sweepers. I'd also like to try a game were all weapons except the special racial ones (like organic) are Banned. (edit Hmm seems the game wont let you do that so I guess it would have to be a gentlemans agreement) Just thought of another that might me fun. 1 planet no warp points (with either cheap tech or high tech)

[ June 07, 2003, 12:57: Message edited by: DavidG ]

geoschmo

June 8th, 2003, 04:11 AM

Originally posted by Asmala:
All games are shown as "default" for that simple reason it'll need too much work to remember and add all special game settings, it's not the fault of DavidG's program.Yes, that was one of those "features" that I originally intended to keep up with and turned out to be way more work then it was worth. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Hey, David you cut out the best part of the scene!
Arthur: Be quiet!

Dennis: Oh but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you!

Arthur: SHUT UP!

Dennis: Oh but if I went 'round sayin' I was Emperor, just because some moistened bink lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away!

Arthur: SHUT UP! WILL YOU SHUT UP! [Grabs Dennis]

Dennis: Ah! Now we see the violence inherent in the system!

Arthur: SHUT UP!

Dennis: Oh, come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help! Help! I'm being repressed!

Arthur: (muttering) Bloody peasant!

Dennis: Oh, what a giveaway! Did you hear that? Did you hear that, eh? That's what I'm on about! Did you see him repressin' me? You saw it, didn't you?Hehehe, I never get tired of that movie. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Geoschmo

Grandpa Kim

June 8th, 2003, 04:24 AM

Grandpakim/Gozguy

I think you guys are jivin' me. I don't know what the 'H' is going on in my game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif Either I will grind Goz down with my juggernaut or he's laid down the nastiest surprise of all time and will be handing me a "canowhoopass".

However, I have relieved him of the burden of managing the Bardron system. Now I must decide where to go next. Which of the two exit warps is least heavily defended? How shall I decide? Hmm...

Inty minty diggety fig... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

DavidG

June 8th, 2003, 02:00 PM

Originally posted by sparhawk:
Well that only holds true if you enemy isn't two systems away.
Asmala cann't you do something about this, its the second game in which I am two systems away from my opponent. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Kazark, as a gentlemen http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif I have to ask you if you want a rematch and forget this game.

SparhawkNo reason this game should not count. My loss here had more to do with my decission to build SY bases than my start position. Had I followed my usual tactic of pumping out colony ships I would have met you in time to get some defenses built up. Building even one attack ship in the first 10 turns would have been smart too. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Slynky

June 8th, 2003, 02:04 PM

I think Tesco made some small maps for the KOTH game that spread the starting positions out. Though never officially adopted, I don't think using one of those maps would be much different than making other modifications to the game start.

Personally, I prefer the standard way where you need to make a decision early in the game to build defenses because you never know just where the enemy is. It's bitten me once but I've made adjustments.

But others may like the idea of some safety (distance) between starts.

tesco samoa

June 8th, 2003, 02:45 PM

game should count. It was an official koth game.

The maps are up on the pbw site... free for use

Asmala

June 8th, 2003, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by sparhawk:
Asmala cann't you do something about this, its the second game in which I am two systems away from my opponent. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif I see only two solutions in this matter. Firstly, as many times mentioned, you can use Tesco's map pack. Secondly if both players give their passwords to me I'd be able to check starting positions before uploading the game file.

sparhawk

June 8th, 2003, 03:21 PM

ok, if my next opponent agrees on that, we can do that.
Who's is he??

sparhawk

Asmala

June 8th, 2003, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by sparhawk:
ok, if my next opponent agrees on that, we can do that.
Who's is he??

sparhawkYou're next opponent is Mark, discuss about that with him.

Mark the Merciful

June 8th, 2003, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by sparhawk:
ok, if my next opponent agrees on that, we can do that.
Who's is he??

sparhawkSparhawk. I much prefer playing with the standard settings without any special maps, but if you feel very strongly about this I'm willing to negotiate.

Mark

[ June 08, 2003, 15:12: Message edited by: Mark the Merciful ]

primitive

June 8th, 2003, 07:13 PM

Asmala.
RL have given me some more time. I'm ready for a new attack on the hill http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Slynky

June 8th, 2003, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by primitive:
Asmala.
RL have given me some more time. I'm ready for a new attack on the hill http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Kewl beans, "P"!

Glad to see your "alternate" life has allowed you an opportunity to come back to "real" life.

(just kidding...welcome back)

Asmala

June 8th, 2003, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by primitive:
Asmala.
RL have given me some more time. I'm ready for a new attack on the hill http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif OK. I remember you were in the top of the hill when you took a break, but there is a new level now so you're in the middle of the hill. No opponent yet so you'll have to wait.

tesco samoa

June 8th, 2003, 09:26 PM

hehe he has to join at the base as per the rules http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

DavidG

June 8th, 2003, 09:34 PM

Originally posted by tesco samoa:
hehe he has to join at the base as per the rules http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif Good. I was afraid I was going to have a long boring wait at the bottom. sorry Base. got to work my way up to the bottom. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Slynky

June 8th, 2003, 09:36 PM

Originally posted by tesco samoa:
hehe he has to join at the base as per the rules http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif Not sure that I see that anywhere. I see the part where if you forfeit a game or have to be replaced you move to the bottom of the hill, but to take a break? I can't see anything. Of course, I only skimmed the rules... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

tesco samoa

June 8th, 2003, 09:37 PM

did anyone notice that the bottom of the hill is smaller than the middle http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Nodachi

June 8th, 2003, 11:43 PM

Speak nicely about the bottom of the hill guys, it is my home after all! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

primitive

June 9th, 2003, 01:08 AM

Originally posted by tesco samoa:
hehe he has to join at the base as per the rules http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif Please Tesco, let Asmala be the judge. He is the boss after all. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Does not really matter for me what he deceides. If I join at the nethermost level, it will just be longer for you all to wait before the bad Elvis impersonator are replaced by a proper barbarian king.

That is of course if Rollo don't win. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

DavidG

June 9th, 2003, 01:41 AM

Kazarp vs Sparhawk

Turn 15 and the once mighty Dundas Redneck empire has been annialated by a single frigite with one lousy missle launcher. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/blush.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/blush.gif

PS All those vets who kept telling me how good it is to build Shipyard bases at first... You're all wrong wrong wrong. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

[ June 08, 2003, 13:06: Message edited by: DavidG ]

sparhawk

June 9th, 2003, 01:49 AM

Well that only holds true if you enemy isn't two systems away.
Asmala cann't you do something about this, its the second game in which I am two systems away from my opponent. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Kazark, as a gentlemen http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif I have to ask you if you want a rematch and forget this game.

Sparhawk

DavidG

June 9th, 2003, 01:53 AM

Originally posted by Nodachi:
Speak nicely about the bottom of the hill guys, it is my home after all! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif Don't forget that now that the lowest part of the hill is the Base you gotta work your way up to the Bottom. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Slynky

June 9th, 2003, 01:57 AM

Originally posted by DavidG:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Nodachi:
Speak nicely about the bottom of the hill guys, it is my home after all! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif Don't forget that now that the lowest part of the hill is the Base you gotta work your way up to the Bottom. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif <hr /></blockquote>Bottom? Base? I thought that's all there was. There's more beyond THAT?

Mark the Merciful

June 9th, 2003, 01:59 AM

Originally posted by Slynky:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Stone Mill:
Congrats to Mark and Slinky for a riveting game... I really enjoy your accounts.
Tks, Stone. Not sure people care much about the bottom/base of the hill, but the game seemed a bit extroadinary. I suspect the game you had with Asmala was more of a nail-biter but I submit ours was the bloodiest (and for a standard start, very high tech).
<hr /></blockquote>Thanks Stone. I'm glad at least you enjoyed our updates. I did worry at one point that it seemed like we were spamming this forum, and I wasn't sure if anyone else was interested. But I think both Slynky and I were very enthusiastic about this game. In my experience of SEIV, it really did seem unique.

I learned SEIV by playing a series of two-player games against one of the friends I share a house with, and have played in several multiplayer games on PBW. In general, they've tended to follow a progression that goes something like this;

1. Two empires meet and skirmish until a border is defined.

2. Border defenses harden; both empires concentrate on research and economic buildup.

3. Empire A attacks, and in a handful of decisive battles, defeats Empire B's border defenses.

4. Empire B counterrattacks, but loses again because the rush to get ships in place means they are scattered and often untrained.

5. Player B may carry on, but from this point it's all over. Resistance is weak and unco-ordinated and Empire A's main problems are dealing with the logistics of supply and troop transport.

I think one of the reasons for the collapses that seem to happen may have more to do with player psychology than a built in game dynamic, but mostly that's been my experience of SEIV so far. Not that I haven't enjoyed it, mind http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

But what was so different with this game was that the serious fighting started around turn 60, and went on until turn 120. Although there were heavy defeats for both sides during these 60 turns, it only became clear at the very end who was going to come out on top. So we got a rare chance to learn an opponent's style and tactics, try to adapt to them, and watch his own adaptation to ours at the same time. It felt much more chess-like - in the sense of strategic complexity - than my average SEIV game.

Did we mention that we really enjoyed this game?

OK, shutting up now...

Mark is now 2-0. Is he the new "surprise" upstart?Thanks a lot, Slynky! I was hoping to sneak up the Hill unnoticed until you shouted that out. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Seriously; two games does not a valid sample make.

Mark

[ June 08, 2003, 13:02: Message edited by: Mark the Merciful ]

tesco samoa

June 9th, 2003, 02:58 AM

Players can leave and rejoin the league at their convenience, but they always join at the base.

To me it does not matter where our friend Primative goes.... But here is the rule as asked....

Slynky

June 9th, 2003, 03:32 AM

Originally posted by tesco samoa:
Players can leave and rejoin the league at their convenience, but they always join at the base.

To me it does not matter where our friend Primative goes.... But here is the rule as asked....Ahhh, I see it now. Gotta work a bit harder on my "skimming"... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/blush.gif

Cheeze

June 9th, 2003, 05:43 AM

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US!!!

HA! HA! HA! HA!

Stone Mill

June 9th, 2003, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by primitive:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by tesco samoa:
hehe he has to join at the base as per the rules http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif Please Tesco, let Asmala be the judge. He is the boss after all. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Does not really matter for me what he deceides. If I join at the nethermost level, it will just be longer for you all to wait before the bad Elvis impersonator are replaced by a proper barbarian king.

That is of course if Rollo don't win. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif <hr /></blockquote>Well, that is very likely at this point. This is the worst start I can remember in a while. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif And Rollo is very good, despite the bits of food in his beard and beers stains on his clothes. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

geoschmo

June 9th, 2003, 02:50 PM

I know it was my idea to call the new level the base, but in retrospect it maybe wasn't so good. It's kind of confusing with the bottom of the hill not actually being the bottom of the hill. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Geoschmo

Erax

June 9th, 2003, 07:00 PM

How about calling it the Underground ? No, wait - the Underhill !! (I'm a non-Koth'er. Please excuse my intrusion here).

Edit : Gecko's Last idea is nice. Should get a vote from all those Doom fans out there.

[ June 09, 2003, 20:08: Message edited by: Chief Engineer Erax ]

primitive

June 9th, 2003, 07:08 PM

The Abyss ?
The Nadir ?

Geckomlis

June 9th, 2003, 07:20 PM

The Basement
The Wine Cellar

How about:
The Recycler http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Stone Mill

June 9th, 2003, 07:43 PM

The Nether region.

Hades.

Limbo.

tesco samoa

June 9th, 2003, 08:15 PM

loser loco

geoschmo

June 9th, 2003, 08:54 PM

The level for people who suck

Loser

June 9th, 2003, 08:59 PM

[non-KotH intrusion] Originally posted by tesco samoa:
loser locoAm not.
[/non-KotH intrusion]

[ June 09, 2003, 20:02: Message edited by: Loser ]

Asmala

June 9th, 2003, 09:49 PM

What, didn't you saw this http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif If a player wants he can take a break and when returning he continues from the level where he was before the break. Perhaps you have seen this: These rules are subject to change at any time. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

But seriously speaking I think it's fair that player can take a break and after that continue playing without starting from the bottom. Thus Primitive doesn't have to start from the bottom again.

I changed the Hill names again. It's truly confusing that the bottom of the hill isn't the lowest level. Now it is. I added the crest of the hill before the top. If I recall right it was Slynky who proposed that so thanks to him.

And those names aren't nailed down so if someone has a better name ideas post it here.

tesco samoa

June 10th, 2003, 12:48 AM

sounds good.

Just hope someone does not complain about it down the road.

Which could happen

Ragnarok

June 10th, 2003, 01:37 AM

I think the only way this could cause a problem is if the current king (whoever it may be at that time) should have to pause play due to RL issues and step away from the game for a bit until things calm down. In which case I think if the King came back after everything is fine then he should be put, not back at the King position - as I'm sure that would cause some fuss with the King - but at the next open contender spot; wheter that is #1, or #3 would depend on the openings at the time. This (with any revisions anyone can think of) I think should be written into the rules before this happens so as to avoid any problems in te future.
What say you Asmala? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

tesco samoa

June 10th, 2003, 01:39 AM

cheese.

Your Sig. is very funny.

I like that.

I think i am going to add it to my work sig.

primitive

June 10th, 2003, 04:04 PM

Asmala:
Thanx, looking forward to start again.

Tesco:
Why are you so reluctant to let me in on the hill again above you ?
Afraid ? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

It is wise to fear the wrath of the Primitive one, cause he comes well prepared (and carries a big stick). http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

tesco samoa

June 10th, 2003, 06:02 PM

i am not reluctent at all .. how is the view from up there http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Asmala

June 10th, 2003, 07:05 PM

Originally posted by Ragnarok:
I think the only way this could cause a problem is if the current king (whoever it may be at that time) should have to pause play due to RL issues and step away from the game for a bit until things calm down. In which case I think if the King came back after everything is fine then he should be put, not back at the King position - as I'm sure that would cause some fuss with the King - but at the next open contender spot; wheter that is #1, or #3 would depend on the openings at the time. This (with any revisions anyone can think of) I think should be written into the rules before this happens so as to avoid any problems in te future.
What say you Asmala? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I say I have already noticed that possibility http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif However if The King takes a break he drops one level down. And I added that yesterday, not now http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif Perhaps I should clarify it and change that the King becomes a contender when he came back.

Roanon

June 10th, 2003, 11:36 PM

Despite the graphics suggesting otherwise, there are more slots at the crest of the hill than in the middle. Shouldn't this be more like 8-6-4-2-1 instead of 8-3-4-2-1 ?
Not that I want to be picky, but I dare to look up from the bottom trying to find a nice open space ahead http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

geoschmo

June 11th, 2003, 01:56 AM

Except for the top all the levels can be expanded or shrunk to fit as many players as are available. So the only reason the crest is bigger then the middle right now is that there are more players on the crest then in the middle. That will even out as more players move up from the bottom to the middle and more of the current crest games end.

Geoschmo

[ June 11, 2003, 00:58: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

Phoenix-D

June 11th, 2003, 11:45 PM

Phoenix-D v Roanon:

Game's over. I went for mines for once, to try and box him in and then use my superior research to overwhelm..he boxed me in with mines instead. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif It was all downhill from there, and after loosing 90% of my defense fleet I surrendered.

Roanon

June 12th, 2003, 12:04 AM

Thanks for the game, Phoenix-D.
It was a very good one (at least for a newb like me), I have learned a lot. For instance that Minesweepers techlevel 1 suck http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif
I was a bit surprised that you were content with defending - I lost some time organizing paranoiac defenses. But with 5 systems vs. 15 systems you cannot outresearch me unless you have 300% bonus http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Took me a long time to breach his defenses though, he was dug in nicely. But thanks to my paranoia I was prepared for the worst and exactly that was what I got http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Phoenix-D

June 12th, 2003, 12:19 AM

"But with 5 systems vs. 15 systems you cannot outresearch me unless you have 300% bonus"

And you didn't notice yet that the three systems behind me were planetless. Useles.

Like I said, I just didn't move -quite- fast enough.

EDIT: Also wish I knew why most of the times you swept my mines I got no message. Very odd, that.

[ June 11, 2003, 23:22: Message edited by: Phoenix-D ]

Roanon

June 12th, 2003, 12:39 AM

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
Also wish I knew why most of the times you swept my mines I got no message. Very odd, that.Strange that. But I didn't sweep often, after that initial "sweeping by running ships into" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif I was too scared... I just stood nearby waiting for my sweepers to be retrofitted from this useless level 1 tech. As far as I remember the first (but very complete) sweeping happend when I entered your system in the upper right corner, I didn't do anything before.

Phoenix-D

June 12th, 2003, 01:03 AM

Yup. No message there, or any sweeping for that matter til the Last turn.

DavidG

June 12th, 2003, 01:06 AM

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:

EDIT: Also wish I knew why most of the times you swept my mines I got no message. Very odd, that.After review some of my Last turns in a multi game I think you only get this message if your mines do some dammage. If 100% are swept you get no message.

Phoenix-D

June 12th, 2003, 01:35 AM

They did no damage the Last turn either..

Roanon

June 12th, 2003, 03:07 AM

Small wonder with my fleets sweep capacity of 98 mines http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Stone Mill

June 12th, 2003, 03:58 AM

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
Yup. No message there, or any sweeping for that matter til the Last turn.This happens to me quite often; I just blow it off...

Ragnarok

June 12th, 2003, 04:02 AM

Raging Ragnarok Empire (Ragnarok) -vs- Rambie's Empire (Rambie) 2411.9

"Fleet commanders log - Over the past few turns we have found many empty star systems beyond our borders in Rambie space. This is highly unexpected as the Rambie Empire has had plenty of time to colonize and develop these planets but have neglected to not do so.

We are still in search of the home planet of the Rambie Empire but we feel we are getting closer as now we know which general direction to go in. We were called back close to the system in which we shared with the Rambie Empire for many years to deal with a threat that popped up. Out of the unexplored jump gate in the southern region of that space came out a fleet of 15 ships. It stopped breifly on the planet that the Rambie Empire still had control of and the next month it proceeded to attack our planet there. The results were lopsided indeed. They lost all ships while we sustained no damage to the planet. They didn't even have a chance to fire on our planet as our mine field took out the whole fleet with many mines left over for possible future incursions.

We were not able to make it back in time to stop that fleet but as was mentioned we had no need to be there. We are currently taking out a planet of the Rambie Empire and from there we will continue south in search of the home planet of the Rambie Empire. Another fleet is being built up as we speak and should be ready for reployment withen the next 3 months. End log."

I feel that Rambies choice to not colonize all of those fine looking planets in the northern systems have led to his downfall. He would've been able to support a very large fleet of ships if he would've colonized them but as it is he is all but done for. I'm sure losing that fleet of 15 ships hurt him badly and possibly that was his Last few ships. More information will come as it becomes available.

geoschmo

June 12th, 2003, 02:07 PM

Asmala, I am ready to play again if you want to put be back on the hill. I lost my Last game so it's to the bottom for me.

Geoschmo

Asmala

June 12th, 2003, 07:43 PM

The United Floral Empire surrendered to Black Hole Riders Empire at 2406.3! Too bad I have to wait pretty long for the next opponent http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Welcome back Geoschmo! I'm not sure if Cheeze continues playing but if he does so he's your next opponent. Btw you can delete the Cheeze vs Asmala game.

Cheeze

June 13th, 2003, 08:03 AM

I may lose once again, but I am NOT going to be the nightmare of an opponent (slow turn submission-wise) that I was with Asmala. Really, that game would probably have been over in early May if I could have maintained a reasonable pace.

I get to play Geo..WOW!! I feel like I am facing the great wise zen master of SEIV!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

geoschmo

June 13th, 2003, 12:45 PM

Well, one look at my KOTH record should disabuse you of that notion. 5 wins and 5 losses only demonstrates that I play a lot of games. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Roanon

June 13th, 2003, 05:23 PM

Originally posted by Cheeze:
I may lose once again, but I am NOT going to be the nightmare of an opponent (slow turn submission-wise)Well if you will loose regardless of submission habits thats a nice attitude http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
But on the other hand, you might even win with less time to think... Has happend often to me that NOT following the first impulse has, after long and careful thinking, lead to a totally wrong decision http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Stone Mill

June 13th, 2003, 09:35 PM

King Title Defense IV: Stone Mill vs. Rollo
Turn 16

Encountered the Vikings around turn 10. Initial border scirmishes were totally in his favor. Some of that due to my bad risk taking.

I am utterly behind the 8-ball in this match, and will have to count on Rollo making mistakes in order to win. That is a poor hope for the Mercators.

With my poorest start to-date, most of the systems on my half of the map are plain useless. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif Rollo will chisel out an economic win by just hanging around. We'll see... I'll fight it out!

cybersol

June 13th, 2003, 09:58 PM

[non-KOTH member with future aspirations]

Wow, I wish there was a way to watch pbw games. Watching the title game between the strategy article master and the AI design master sounds really appealing.

[Back to lurking in this thread. But I like all the play by play updates. Thanks guys]

Asmala

June 13th, 2003, 10:13 PM

Originally posted by cybersol:
[non-KOTH member with future aspirations]This is an open tournament so if you want to participate just send a message to me.

Mathias_Ice

June 13th, 2003, 11:31 PM

Mathias Ice vs. RexTorres: The Green Meanies of Mathias Ice have resigned in hopes the empire of RexTorres spares my people from slaughter. Set me up for my next victim. Or is that my next whooping. I AM learning though. Soon the Green Meanies will be a name to be feared... Hopefully... someday... eventually... maybe...

Roanon

June 14th, 2003, 12:32 AM

Originally posted by Mathias_Ice:
No poor bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making other bastards die for their country.
George S. PattonNice footer http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif
Reminds me of: "Its always useful to face an enemy who is prepared to die for his country. This means that both you and he have exactly the same aim in mind." Terry Pratchett

Gandalph

June 14th, 2003, 03:19 AM

Gandalph vs. Slynky Stardate 2402.5

We met around 2401. Neither of us appear to have many warships this early. He has just shown me that he has fighters as he launched some on a planet in a system we share. That leads me to believe that he is behind in other techs. We will see where that leads. I also know he has built many transports, and he uses transports as colony ships. His ship naming convention leads me to believe that he also has mines and is mining and stocking satellites at every warp point. I don't see a real problem there, except the 3 more turns it takes to reach mine sweeping capabilities.
So far, some interesting choices being made on both sides. More to follow.
Slynky, your take on things thus far???

Slynky

June 14th, 2003, 03:28 AM

Well, Gandalph, first of all, I think we met a bit later than the second turn ( http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif ).

[edit] Oh, 2401. NOT 2400.1. (sheepish grin)

Otherwise, my take? I'm kinda stumped. Not sure what to do. 'Course, my research is NOT running as high as I would like it to (but that's always the case, right? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ).

As far as tech goes, I figure fighters and mines make you have to research stuff to get around them...only way I know how to play.

And I think I've gotten used to being in 2nd place...LOL!

[ June 14, 2003, 03:08: Message edited by: Slynky ]

Geckomlis

June 14th, 2003, 08:12 PM

K.O.T.H. Gecko vs Lord Chane

2403.8
The borders have settled down, and we look about even on the number of systems occupied. The initial sparring is over, with L. Chane picking off my scout ships with fighter squadrons. He used a fleet to pick off one planet in the Nizzarum system and I promptly returned the favor. He has gone in heavy for carriers/fighters; I am missile/drone heavy so far. I believe L. Chane has the tech edge at this time.

2403.9
Our 20+ ship fleets met head on in the Nizzarum system. I chewed up an insignificant number of hundreds(!) of L. Chane’s fighters and lost my entire fleet without damaging a single L. Chane ship. This was the probable outcome anyway, but my fleet broke in half around the warp point, effectively letting him “divide and conquer”. His fleet continued into the Ishantrissti system, wiped out my forward fleet base, and captured the 4 colony ships that were mothballed there. Oh joy. Effectively, I have lost the war in a single turn.
A. He now has my gas colony tech.
B. He can immediately colonize my former fleet’s resupply base.
C. He has a 30-ship fleet in my territory, enough minesweeping capability to clear any sector, and no viable opposition for the foreseeable future.

Truly, I am an idiot.

Asmala, please move Lord Chane up a level, and return me to the recycler in the KOTH basement where I belong. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Ragnarok

June 14th, 2003, 08:31 PM

Ragnarok vs. Rambie

Turn 121 - I open the turn thinking that I'll have found his home system by now and should be doing good. Only to find that I haven't found it yet and he now has a fleet of 18 ships heading towards the same planet he lost his other fleet at by my mines. Same turn I continue on my path to wipe out a few colonys in search of his home system.

Turn 122 - I open this turn anxious to find out what happened over my planet with his fleet charging. He managed to sweep the field of 90 mines and battle took place. His 18 battleships against my fleet of 15-19 ships and plus my planet with one WP. Battle was indeed lopsided my fleet took his out with only minimal damage and no loses while taking 1 of his mine sweeping ships. Which should prove useful as it is lvl 3 and I only have lvl 1. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif My other fleet is still insearch of his home system and it takes out a field of 20 mines and glasses one of his colonies. The fleet will glass a couple more in the system and then move on into the next unexplored system. He is close as 3 systems remain unexplored. I figure that was his Last fleet and shall soon be gone with. But I thought that Last time too so who knows. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Zarix

June 14th, 2003, 08:39 PM

Georgig has won our game. I don't have anymore enough time for the league so I guess this was my Last game. At least for some time.

Lord Chane

June 14th, 2003, 09:57 PM

Originally posted by geckomlis:
K.O.T.H. Gecko vs Lord Chane

Truly, I am an idiot.

First, I want to thank Gecko for the game. He was the fastest opponent I've played against. Sometimes we'd get 6 - 8 turns done in a day. Games are much more interesting when they move along. Second, Gecko's not an idiot. He played well. Fortunately for me he gambled on an approach that didn't pan out this time. It could just as well have gone the other way. A couple of games ago Asmala hammered me in 36 or so turns because I gambled on something that didn't work out either. The bottom line is that sometimes gambles pay off and other times they don't. But it doesn't make us idiots for trying.

Good game, Gecko. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

primitive

June 14th, 2003, 10:00 PM

The Primitive one has been waiting a long time on the crest of the hill. That's no good for for his temper, no good at all.

A skinny little guy calling himself Lord Chane steps up to the crest and calls out a challenge. Sounds like the poor bastard belives the Primitive one will fight an honorable battle.

- Not so young lord, cause no Lords or Lordly manners are alowed in the realm of Primitive.
You I will hunted for sport alone. Your planets I will be glassed and your people captured to serve as slaves for my barbarian hordes. For you Lord Chane, only the ball and chain awaits.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Slynky

June 14th, 2003, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by primitive:
The Primitive one has been waiting a long time on the crest of the hill. That's no good for for his temper, no good at all.

A skinny little guy calling himself Lord Chane steps up to the crest and calls out a challenge. Sounds like the poor bastard belives the Primitive one will fight an honorable battle.

- Not so young lord, cause no Lords or Lordly manners are alowed in the realm of Primitive.
You I will hunted for sport alone. Your planets I will be glassed and your people captured to serve as slaves for my barbarian hordes. For you Lord Chane, only the ball and chain awaits.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif NOT so skinny, Primitive...LOL...an ex-MP from the US Army and current LAN manager for our southeastern network in the US.

He is about 6 feet 8 inches. And don't EVEN try him in basketball !

Hope you two have a good game!

Geckomlis

June 14th, 2003, 10:22 PM

Originally posted by Lord Chane:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by geckomlis:
K.O.T.H. Gecko vs Lord Chane

Truly, I am an idiot.

First, I want to thank Gecko for the game. He was the fastest opponent I've played against. Sometimes we'd get 6 - 8 turns done in a day. Games are much more interesting when they move along. Second, Gecko's not an idiot. He played well. Fortunately for me he gambled on an approach that didn't pan out this time. It could just as well have gone the other way. A couple of games ago Asmala hammered me in 36 or so turns because I gambled on something that didn't work out either. The bottom line is that sometimes gambles pay off and other times they don't. But it doesn't make us idiots for trying.

Good game, Gecko. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif <hr /></blockquote>Thanks Lord Chane. Guess I prefer thinking and playing...
"outside the box". http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Slynky

June 14th, 2003, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by Ragnarok:
Ragnarok vs. Rambie

Turn 121 - I open the turn thinking that I'll have found his home system by now and should be doing good. Only to find that I haven't found it yet and he now has a fleet of 18 ships heading towards the same planet he lost his other fleet at by my mines. Same turn I continue on my path to wipe out a few colonys in search of his home system.

Turn 122 - I open this turn anxious to find out what happened over my planet with his fleet charging. He managed to sweep the field of 90 mines and battle took place. His 18 battleships against my fleet of 15-19 ships and plus my planet with one WP. Battle was indeed lopsided my fleet took his out with only minimal damage and no loses while taking 1 of his mine sweeping ships. Which should prove useful as it is lvl 3 and I only have lvl 1. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif My other fleet is still insearch of his home system and it takes out a field of 20 mines and glasses one of his colonies. The fleet will glass a couple more in the system and then move on into the next unexplored system. He is close as 3 systems remain unexplored. I figure that was his Last fleet and shall soon be gone with. But I thought that Last time too so who knows. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif It's been a long game, Rags! Over 100 turns and you still don't have sweepers above sweeper ONE? Makes me wonder what other stuff you have... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Ragnarok

June 15th, 2003, 12:24 AM

Originally posted by Slynky:
It's been a long game, Rags! Over 100 turns and you still don't have sweepers above sweeper ONE? Makes me wonder what other stuff you have... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif I've been trying different things this game. I got plenty of other tech to make up for not having sweepers 1. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif You've got to test things every now and then. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif I thought I'd take a gamble and not go for a high level of mines since I got enough sweepers with this tech to sweep over 100 mines so why use the research points on it? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif
But still, it's typically not me to not go for high mines.

[ June 14, 2003, 23:24: Message edited by: Ragnarok ]

Slick

June 15th, 2003, 12:40 AM

I would like to say that I follow this thread as if it were the "SE4 Sports Page" and I want you all to know that I think the sportsmanship shown repeatedly by all of you in the K.O.T.H. league is remarkable. I have played computer games on-line since the early '80s and I can't think of a more mature group who truly play to have fun without any of the childish antics seen elsewhere. Any disagreements here are certainly handled in an adult manner and I salute you all!

Slick.

[ June 14, 2003, 23:48: Message edited by: Slick ]

Geckomlis

June 15th, 2003, 01:38 AM

Originally posted by Slick:
I would like to say that I follow this thread as if it were the "SE4 Sports Page" and I want you all to know that I think the sportsmanship shown repeatedly by all of you in the K.O.T.H. league is remarkable. I have played computer games on-line since the early '80s and I can't think of a more mature group who truly play to have fun without any of the childish antics seen elsewhere. Any disagreements here are certainly handled in an adult manner and I salute you all!

Slick.I have been wargaming for 20 years, mostly face-to-face strategy games or campaigns built on tactical/operational games where you see definite continuity between scenarios. Generally, the level of sportsmanship and courtesy was very high. Any one that has ever played to the finish Third Reich, World in Flames, one of Columbia’s block games, or a Star Fleet Battles campaign understands the enormous time commitment and the enormous complexity of these games. They require dedication, camaraderie, tolerance, and a sense of humor, often at one’s own expense.

SEIV PBW is my first venture into Online gaming. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that an Online game can exhibit that same sense of community, in the best sense of the word. I am not sure if this type of game attracts certain types of players or simply requires certain types of players to function, probably a little of both.

Slynky

June 15th, 2003, 01:44 AM

Originally posted by Slick:
I would like to say that I follow this thread as if it were the "SE4 Sports Page" and I want you all to know that I think the sportsmanship shown repeatedly by all of you in the K.O.T.H. league is remarkable. I have played computer games on-line since the early '80s and I can't think of a more mature group who truly play to have fun without any of the childish antics seen elsewhere. Any disagreements here are certainly handled in an adult manner and I salute you all!

Slick.Yes, it's a nice breath of fresh air. I know that most anyone who has the "balls" to join in KOTH has to be of a competitive nature...and sometimes, that can show some ugly sides of people. But, as you said, and others, it's great to join in a game (with someone from ANYWHERE in the world), give it your best shot, and laugh when you fail and be humble when you succeed.

Of all the games I play, I enjoy this one the most and all the people who read and refrain from joining in on the fun should take the plunge and see how much fun it can be, win or lose.

You said it best, Slick!

Stone Mill

June 15th, 2003, 12:44 PM

Originally posted by Slynky:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Slick:
Yes, it's a nice breath of fresh air. I know that most anyone who has the "balls" to join in KOTH has to be of a competitive nature...<hr /></blockquote>Be careful, Slynk-meister... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
That word usage almost got me in trouble... so here are a few more synonyms, for everyone's reference:

balls
guts
nerve
chutspa
internal fortitude
moxy
bravery
daring

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Slynky

June 15th, 2003, 02:47 PM

Slynky -vs- Gandalph - 2404.4 (I think)

Another one of those big battles and weird twists of fate: Two big fleets sitting opposite each other at warp holes. Both decide to move in against the other. And like two ships passing in the night, we missed each other and had combat in each other's system. I swept mines (and no other resistance) and he swept mines and fought against fighters and satellites...losing nearly half his attack ships.

Had I stayed at the warp hole one more turn, I would have wiped the entire fleet of his (I think) and had he stayed at HIS warp hole, he'd had first shot on my fleet (who knows what would have happened).

Thankful that I have my latest designs (a small fleet of 5 destroyers) one sector away from his invading fleet (and more on the way). Now, with my other fleet (that passed his by), do I move toward his home system (one system away) or do I double back?

For the first time in about 40 turns, the loss of his ships in my sector moved me to first place. Our scores and ship-count must be very close.

As always in KOTH, waiting for the next turn and results wreak with anxiety! Win or lose, it's another nail-biter which makes this competition great!

Ragnarok

June 15th, 2003, 03:27 PM

Ragnarok vs. Rambie

Turn 124 - I open the turn eager to find out what happened. I then find that Rambie accepted the demand for surrendering and the game is finally over. I want to thank Rambie for a great game and I wasn't sure if I would pull it off for along time. He kept coming back with fleets of ships when I thought I had taken the Last one out. But it was my superior colonization efforts that won the game I think. He left too many open planets in his half of the map and that hurt him alot. I made a few mistakes in this game but I was able to recover fast enough that he wasn't able to exploit them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif But all in all a great game and Rambie is a good player.

Move me up Asmala. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Slynky

June 15th, 2003, 03:38 PM

A long game, Rags! And like a good book, you hate it when it's finished. But still, you look forward to the next book.

Congrats to both on a good game...to have Lasted for over a hundred turns, it must have been a nice contest!

Mathias_Ice

June 15th, 2003, 04:56 PM

Originally posted by geckomlis:
I have been wargaming for 20 years, mostly face-to-face strategy games or campaigns built on tactical/operational games where you see definite continuity between scenarios. Generally, the level of sportsmanship and courtesy was very high. Any one that has ever played to the finish Third Reich, World in Flames, one of Columbia’s block games, or a Star Fleet Battles campaign understands the enormous time commitment and the enormous complexity of these games. They require dedication, camaraderie, tolerance, and a sense of humor, often at one’s own expense.

SEIV PBW is my first venture into Online gaming. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that an Online game can exhibit that same sense of community, in the best sense of the word. I am not sure if this type of game attracts certain types of players or simply requires certain types of players to function, probably a little of both. Originally posted by Slick:
I would like to say that I follow this thread as if it were the "SE4 Sports Page" and I want you all to know that I think the sportsmanship shown repeatedly by all of you in the K.O.T.H. league is remarkable. I have played computer games on-line since the early '80s and I can't think of a more mature group who truly play to have fun without any of the childish antics seen elsewhere. Any disagreements here are certainly handled in an adult manner and I salute you all!

Slick.I have been wanting to comment along these lines for a while now, but I couldn't decide whether to start a new thread or plug my comments in on some existing thread. Thanks to Slick for breaking the ice! I too have been a wargamer for some 20 years now, cutting my teeth on Avalon Hill's Tactics II (after consistently besting my dad at chess.) Finishing a game of Third Reich or Blitzkrieg is a major accomplishment and one I can only claim to have done a handful of times, against another opponent at least. (BTW there are PBEM systems out there set up for Blitzkrieg, Third Reich, Ogre, GEV and many other board games that I don't own. If anyone would be interested in something along those lines send me an email.) My thinking is that these types of games require a certain passion tied with a certain personality type. The passion is obvious; we wargamers are a breed of our own! The personality is somewhat ambiguous, but from my own lurking in these threads, both on and off topic, I have found one of the common themes to be that we all seem to be "deeper" than average thinkers. I am constantly amazed at the level of thought on such topics as politics, world events, religion, theoretical science, etc. And very notable and commendable is that despite the wide range of opinions on such "touchy" topics, for the most part, civility is the rule of the day.

This is my second serious Online gaming experience. I played Everquest for several years. I quit for two reasons; 1. the constant drain of money for the expansions and monthly fees, and 2. most (but not all) of the people in that community seemed to have the personality of a spoiled eight year old boy. My three year old son has better manners than most of the Everquest community. The maturity of this (SEIV) community is extremely refreshing. Recently there was a thread posted by one of our younger members who was depressed and seeking advice. I was stunned by the level of compassion displayed by this community! I consider it to be an honor to be a part of this community and look forward to many hours enjoying your company.

Mathias Ice

Roanon

June 15th, 2003, 05:39 PM

Ahh - those were the days. Playing World in Flames, Empires in Arms and similar every second weekend with half a dozen people, and enjoying games that Lasted a few months but were tremendous fun. Someone had room enough to reserve a table for the game map where it could rest and wasn't touched in between. Really great.
Unfortunately, to marry seems to ruin a true gamers life http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ June 15, 2003, 16:40: Message edited by: Roanon ]

Mathias_Ice

June 15th, 2003, 06:00 PM

Originally posted by Roanon:
Unfortunately, to marry seems to ruin a true gamers life http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif and a true drinker's life, and a true camper's life, etc., etc. But, ah, the rewards...(?)

Mathias

Geckomlis

June 15th, 2003, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by Roanon:
Unfortunately, to marry seems to ruin a true gamers life http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ?! You must have married the "wrong kind" of women... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif My wife actually likes that I game. Of course, she is somewhat of a geek in her own right.

Slick

June 15th, 2003, 06:33 PM

Just remind your wife that there are a lot of worse vices that a husband could have. That works for me.

Slick.

Slynky

June 15th, 2003, 06:49 PM

Yeah, Mathis, Tactics II by Avalon Hill. Then Blitzkrieg. Ahhh, those were the days of square gaming on Boards. Later came the hexes.

BUT, this IS a KOTH thread...LOL.

And sportsmanship is relevant. Besides seeing the good attitudes displayed, it's nice to see those attitudes noticed and appreciated.

(I usually rate a player with a 5 when I see them post a message of that nature)

Rambie

June 15th, 2003, 06:58 PM

Originally posted by Ragnarok:
Ragnarok vs. Rambie

... I want to thank Rambie for a great game and I wasn't sure if I would pull it off for along time... Ragnarok, I'd like to thank you for a great game too. You are also a very good player and I too made some mistakes in this game. I learned allot and will hopefully not make them again.

Hopefully, we'll meet again on the battlefield sometime.

tesco samoa

June 15th, 2003, 07:46 PM

Slick I never thought of that one.

Perhaps you should let gryphin know. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Geckomlis

June 15th, 2003, 08:43 PM

K.O.T.H. Mathias_Ice vs Gecko
KOTH Defaults
No Intelligence
2401.6
First Contact. Looks like our home systems are reasonably remote from one another.
2401.7+
Mathias_Ice is in first place.
Dual colonial occupation in the Marjoram system.
Minor skirmishes between my deep-range explorer/spoiler ships and his colonizers, satellites, and satellite layers. On the hop, burned out one of his huge breathables and took out a colony ship in transit.

Ragnarok

June 15th, 2003, 09:03 PM

Originally posted by Slynky:
A long game, Rags! ...

Congrats to both on a good game...to have Lasted for over a hundred turns, it must have been a nice contest!Yes, it was a long game. I guess I'm starting to be known for that. All my KOTH games so far have been over 100 turns. The shortest one I believe was with Pheonix-D that went 101 turns. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I don't know if that means me and the people I play like to build up slowly or if it means me and the other person are more defensive then offensive.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

But either way, I would like to get away from such long games. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Rambie: Thanks for the kind words. I too would love to meet you once again on the hill and perhaps we will someday. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Asmala, who is my next opponet? From the looks of the page I think I have to wait on someone, is that correct? Edit: Nevermind. I didn't see you had updated it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[ June 15, 2003, 20:06: Message edited by: Ragnarok ]

Geckomlis

June 15th, 2003, 10:27 PM

K.O.T.H. Mathias_Ice vs Gecko
KOTH Defaults
No Intelligence
2402.9+
Gecko is in first place.
My forward-deployed ships are increasingly getting whacked by satellites on the far side of warp points. Otherwise, I am increasingly painting little Greenie Meanie flags and planets on my hulls. It is mostly a DUC/Missile duel at this point. You know, I kinda really miss the kill/loss stats from Empire Deluxe…
Oh, ok, NOW he is chasing down my front-line ships with determination – it was fun while it Lasted. *boom* there goes another one, but I am sure they already earned a spot in Valhalla.
2403.4
I hate mines – my imploding fleet must have tilted the kill/loss ratio towards Mathias_Ice, as well as putting him in first place.

Slick

June 15th, 2003, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by geckomlis:
You know, I kinda really miss the kill/loss stats from Empire Deluxe…
Look in your Designs (F3) menu and click on "Stats/Strategy". It doesn't show you your entire empire stats, but you can view successes on a ship basis. Works for units too - check out how many kt your mines have "sunk".

Slick.

Geckomlis

June 15th, 2003, 10:53 PM

Originally posted by Slick:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by geckomlis:
You know, I kinda really miss the kill/loss stats from Empire Deluxe…
Look in your Designs (F3) menu and click on "Stats/Strategy". It doesn't show you your entire empire stats, but you can view successes on a ship basis. Works for units too - check out how many kt your mines have "sunk".

Slick.<hr /></blockquote>Thanks Slick, knew that one. I really liked the spreadsheet in Empire Deluxe though - especailly the totals, overall and by unit type.

Lord Chane

June 15th, 2003, 11:14 PM

Originally posted by primitive:
The Primitive one has been waiting a long time on the crest of the hill. That's no good for for his temper, no good at all.

A skinny little guy calling himself Lord Chane steps up to the crest and calls out a challenge. Sounds like the poor bastard belives the Primitive one will fight an honorable battle.

- Not so young lord, cause no Lords or Lordly manners are alowed in the realm of Primitive.
You I will hunted for sport alone. Your planets I will be glassed and your people captured to serve as slaves for my barbarian hordes. For you Lord Chane, only the ball and chain awaits.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Ahh, the mind of the Primitive. Were your race further up the evolutionary ladder you would know that your place is at the bottom of the hill. But no matter. When we are finished with you your race will be even more primitive than it is now. Sticks and stones will seem like advanced tools. Prepare yourself, Primitive, for we are the true masters.

Slick

June 15th, 2003, 11:27 PM

Gecko, you are going to make me play a game of ED today and I don't have the time! Please stop. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Slick.

Mark the Merciful

June 16th, 2003, 12:36 AM

Sparhawk's Empire (Sparhawk) -vs- Kif Hegemony (Mark the Merciful): 2403.7

(standard KOTH game: 1 medium starting homeworld)

First contact was around turn 21, when one of Sparhawk's armed scouts turned up from a direction I wasn't at all expecting (it turns out there's a warp-line across the middle of the spiral galaxy). As a result, he managed to glass a high value breathable planet before running into a hastily deployed minefield.

In the next few turns, we met all along the front. Sparhawk had clearly sent off armed scouts in all directions, while I was pushing forward agressively with Colony ships. In one direction my lead colony ship was able to ram his scout out of the way and continue the mission. In another his scout managed to kill off three colony ships before I finally got the bugger.

It's a complex map. There are no real bottlenecks, and never less than four warp-points connecting our two halves of the galaxy. There are also cross-connections and dead systems (nebulae etc) to further complicate the issue.

At first Sparhawk's wave of armed ships slowed down my aggressive colonisation efforts. However, minefields mostly prevented him advancing into my space, and some hastily-built ramming frigates have enabled me to get rid of his scouts and push forward again. There are now two systems which are jointly colonised, and possibly another to follow.

It's a very fluid situation.

Mark

DavidG

June 16th, 2003, 01:03 AM

Originally posted by geckomlis:
... and captured the 4 colony ships that were mothballed there. What happens when you do this? does he get 4 mothballed ships or do they become un-mothballed when he gets them?

Slynky

June 16th, 2003, 01:26 AM

Originally posted by Stone Mill:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Slynky:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Slick:
Yes, it's a nice breath of fresh air. I know that most anyone who has the "balls" to join in KOTH has to be of a competitive nature...<hr /></blockquote>Be careful, Slynk-meister... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif <hr /></blockquote>Now, THAT'S funny, Stone! Funny because you chose to say Slynk-meister. Slynky is the name I use when I play NTN Trivia (found in sports bars) all over North America) and Lord Chane, a friend I work with, started calling me Slynk-meister when we played. Of course, I rarely beat him there either!

Mathias_Ice

June 16th, 2003, 08:00 AM

KOTH Mathias Ice vs Geckomlis:

We cranked out 70 turns today! Is this a record? After a little squabling here and there around two choke points the fronts are busting open. Gecko first glassed my colony that had been sitting on "his" side of the line (allowing me to watch in dread as he built a fleet,) then tore through my mine field at one choke point and glassed my lone colony on "my" side of that line. At about turn 65 I sent my first fleet through the other choke point. Two major battles insued simultaneously. My invasion fleet of about 10 LC gunboats and 10 mine sweepers met a fleet of about 10 of his ships over one of his colonies. The result was a glassed planet and no more enemy fleet while I suffered barely a scratch. On the other end of the galaxy, Gecko sent his invasion fleet warping through into another system of mine only to meet an opposing force on the other side. Despite being outnumbered at what seemed about 20 to 10, I got first shot and the battle resulted in what seemed like a serious upset, the dust of his 20 or so ships littering the warp point while I only lost a few of my ships. I have since warped a severly crippled ship through that warp point and have observed he still has many ships in that system. Meanwhile my invasion fleet glassed the two remaing planets in the system they have been tromping in. What a day. It's either close to being over or it will be a long and bloody fight.

Mathias Ice

Slynky

June 16th, 2003, 03:51 PM

Originally posted by Mathias_Ice:
KOTH Mathias Ice vs Geckomlis:

We cranked out 70 turns today! Is this a record?Well, if it's not, I'd like to see the score that did win the title http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif .

geoschmo

June 16th, 2003, 04:55 PM

Geoschmo vs Cheeze 2401.8

You must be mistaken Minister. I am by no means as expert in the scientific fields as you are, but intelligent plants? How can this be possible? How could plants have evolved the ability to use tools and construct space ships?

Your Emminence, they appear to grow their ships. From what we have been able to determine from the debris of the ship we destroyed it appears the hull is a species of plant life itself. Not the same species as the Floral ones, it appears to be non-sentient itself. But the intelligent plants appear to be able to manipulate other organisms telepathically. At least that is our best guess. We will need more time to research it. Perhaps if we can collect some live specimens next time Emminence?

That may prove difficult minister. The Defense minister tells me the ship we encountered was an unarmed colony ship. But rather then avoid conflict as our colony ship captains are instructed the UF ship attacked and rammed our vessel. Obviously they have little regard for individual life. If their unarmed colony ships behave in such a manner we can only assume that any armed ships they send our way will be quite determined in battle. Their will be time for botany experiments later. Right now we will need to accelerate our weapons research programs.

Yes your Emminence.

Slynky

June 16th, 2003, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Geoschmo vs Cheeze 2401.8

You must be mistaken Minister. I am by no means as expert in the scientific fields as you are, but intelligent plants? How can this be possible? How could plants have evolved the ability to use tools and construct space ships?
LOL @ Geo.

Hey, Geo, you live TOO far north to have the proper respect for KUDZU! That single word will answer the above question.

geoschmo

June 16th, 2003, 05:25 PM

I have heard of it. I heard you don't have to actually build houses in some places down there. Just lash some poles together for a frame and come back in a few days and cut holes for the windows. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Geoschmo

Slynky

June 16th, 2003, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
I have heard of it. I heard you don't have to actually build houses in some places down there. Just lash some poles together for a frame and come back in a few days and cut holes for the windows. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

GeoschmoI think you have a good grasp of the situation... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

In all seriousness, I read somewhere that Kudzu in optimal conditions can grow nearly a foot a day.

And back to "space plants"...now you know how intelligent plant life evolved... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Slynky

June 16th, 2003, 06:49 PM

Gandalph -vs- Slynky 2405.1

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newuploads/1055779814.jpg

(I figured a map might make it more interesting, so...)

Orange is Slynky and green is Gandalph.

Starting fairly close to each other, I tried to cut his exploration and colonizing off down through points 1 and 2. This was unsuccessful as shared points 1 and 2 early in the game.

With significant events ocurring around turn 40 (or so), I took control of point 1 while he took control of point 2.

But not without harmful effects. Gandalph lost a significant part of his fleet in his bid to take control (and glass planets) at point 1. I was able to take good control of that system by doubling back my fleet and killing the rest of his fleet.

Meanwhile, he wiped me like a raw booger at point 2. I had to scramble to prevent any further incursions northward from that point.

While all this was going on, I kept up my exploration/colonizing efforts. This gave me a good share of the galaxy (you can see by the map).

Not sure Gandalph's frame of mine but he seemed to let the areas we fought in stay the way they were and make an effort to expand to the west (toward point 3). We shared some systems there (2) and he had a fleet with several warships and "full mine-sweeping" capabilities moving with his MANY colony ships. But I was already entrenched enough to defend the first planet he attacked (point 3). His warships were killed attacking a planet with 5 platforms. (I think he had bad luck in movement as his ships moved into range of MY platforms but not in range of his weapons AND, I hit 100%). This left about 8 colony ships and 5 sweepers without a guard...so they are huddling over a planet of his (that I assume have mines).

In another area, I captured a colony ship of his and moved his breathers to a juicy planet of mine that was converted from 6 facs to 30 facs (142% minerals!).

In the most recent turns, I have begun an assualt on his planets into point 2.

For the first time in the game, I have become more relaxed and feel more confident. With over 100k research and 70 (superior, I think) ships, I think a victory might be waiting for me. Of course, ANY good player should be wary of a "killer" fleet that could show up at any turn.

The whole game, BTW, has only had DUCs (and a few missiles) for ship weapons. In fact, I just now upgraded to DUC 5s! (A much different game than I played with Mark the Merciful).

geoschmo

June 16th, 2003, 08:37 PM

Geoschmo vs Cheeze 2402.5

No maps yet. Too early in the game and don't want to give away too much information. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

A little bit of action the Last couple turns. Cheeze got to meet my Herbacide class fighters. They do a nice job "mowing down" his ships. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Got a couple more colony ships, and a couple of escorts.

I was not thinking much about the escorts until I saw the design. Boarding parties. Aha! Trying to get some easy colony tech are we? Hehe. Might have worked too if I hadn't had my fighters and missle frigates around. Now that I know what's going on I'll have to make sure my colony ships have an escort.

Speaking of my missle frigates. One took out a UF colony ship, but took heavy damage to his ramming tactics. I guess my captains are too stupid to stay out of ramming range even though their missles would easily allow them to do so. Ah well.

Lost one fighter squadron to a UF minefield. Not unexpected, but I had to try it anyway to see if he had mines yet.

Geoschmo

primitive

June 16th, 2003, 10:52 PM

"Pulsating music, lots of horns and drums. The camera flies low over a barren landscape, strange animals roam the plains, small volcanos and tarpits are everywhere. Music rises to a crescendo, heavy chanting are added, as the camera takes a spin around a mud village where brute half-men dances around a bloodstained altar. Camera moves on to a half built (or half demolished) stone castle and flies in through an open hole in the wall, and comes to rest at a huge barbarian pacing the floor. Music toned down and fading to the sound of his steps."

For 11 months an impatient Primitive have paced the floor of his palace. A number of aides are running around taking care of more menial tasks, like research and colonizing the many available planets in the near vicinity. Scouts had been sent out in all directions, but as yet there is no sign of the upstart Lordling who challenged Primitives ambition to become the King.

"The sound of another set of steps can be heard, faster and lighter"

A messager have arrived:
- Primordial one, I bear good news. The enemy have been spotted at Last. The scout sent South and East have found two small enemy colonies in the Galgamis system.

With a mighty roar, Primitive calls for an assembly of the warriors at the Great Hall.

"Camera moves from warrior to warrior, each more brutish and dirtylooking than the previous one. Before it comes to rest on Primitive sitting on a throne."

- Make my warships ready, we leave at once.
"The hall goes suddenly silent, everybody looks embarrassedly away or down. Only a wizened little man with frizzy gray hair have the audacity to meet Primitves eyes."
- Councellor Grafenfelt, what causes this strange silence ?
- O magnificently unwashed one, may I complement you on your extra pungent body odor today.
- No sucking up you little weasel, answer my question.
- There are no warships. Greatest savage.
- NO SHIPS !!! And why is that so ?
- There has simply not been time, Rancid one. We have had all our shipyards building colonizers.
- Then build me some warships FAST, or I will cut your head off and display it on the tip of my rusty (yet pointy) spear. And make them big, with big guns.
- Ehh, Those new stains on your loincloth are very becoming�
- No stalling Grafenfelt. I want my ships NOW !!!!!
- Ahh, you see stutters the little man. We do not know how to build any warships yet. Our research have all been on other stuff, like mines and theoretical sciences.
- WHAT !!! MINES !!! That�s a cowards weapon, I�ll have your head�.

Luckily for the poor councillor the exchange are disturbed by another messenger.
- The enemy are spotted in the west (turn 13).

Primitive VS Lord Chane. Turn 20
We had a 3 planet start. Started probably as far apart as possible, as we met on both sides of the galaxy at approximately the same time. Divided the universe equally between us, and we are now both laying mines to protect our holdings. Luckily I remembered to do the ritual sacrifice of a goat before the game, so I got an uncanny number of large breathables in my half of the universe. Hopefully Lord Chane doesn't know that trick as it have not reached the FAQ yet http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Slynky

June 17th, 2003, 12:51 AM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Geoschmo vs Cheeze 2402.5

No maps yet. Too early in the game and don't want to give away too much information. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

A little bit of action the Last couple turns. Cheeze got to meet my Herbacide class fighters. They do a nice job "mowing down" his ships. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Got a couple more colony ships, and a couple of escorts.

I was not thinking much about the escorts until I saw the design. Boarding parties. Aha! Trying to get some easy colony tech are we? Hehe. Might have worked too if I hadn't had my fighters and missle frigates around. Now that I know what's going on I'll have to make sure my colony ships have an escort.

Speaking of my missle frigates. One took out a UF colony ship, but took heavy damage to his ramming tactics. I guess my captains are too stupid to stay out of ramming range even though their missles would easily allow them to do so. Ah well.

Lost one fighter squadron to a UF minefield. Not unexpected, but I had to try it anyway to see if he had mines yet.

GeoschmoCouple of good puns in there, Geo!

Boarding parties at turn 25? Wow! I bet you have some work cut out for you.

Slynky

June 17th, 2003, 01:05 AM

Primitive -vs- Lord Chane

I could have quoted you, Primitive, but, your book was deemed TOO lengthy... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif .

What I wanted to say was that THIS was the cool kind of game play that makes reading the KOTH thread fun.

I've played both of you before and, without divulging tactics, I can say without too much worry that both of you aproach the game alike. BOTH of you are warriors!

I look forward to more narrative and, the inevitable blood!

DavidG

June 17th, 2003, 02:31 AM

LOL Nice review Primitive. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Ragnarok

June 17th, 2003, 02:35 AM

Interesting way of putting it Primitive. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I liked it alot.

Oh, and would someone care to join me on the middle of the hill? I am starting to get lonely up here and plus I have nothing to do right now. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Who is close to being up here?

Cheeze

June 17th, 2003, 07:47 AM

The Green Ones are positively mobile in the anger and frustration. Not only have they suffered needless loss after loss, but the impudent scaly ones hurl taunts at them with very fighters that annihilate the hard-grown fruits of the garden. Oh, the indignity of it all!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Nevertheless, the Last bunch of animals that used 'herbicide' and the like served as rich fertilizer, and their gaping maws were used for potting young sprouts. May it be so once again!!

geoschmo

June 17th, 2003, 07:32 PM

Originally posted by Slynky:
Boarding parties at turn 25? Wow! I bet you have some work cut out for you.Well, I need to keep my colony ships away from him or escort them, that's for sure. So far I've been lucky. The only thing he has managed to "capture" is depleted uranium shells and capital ship missles. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Geoschmo vs Cheeze 2403.1

The borders have more or less gelled now. My estimate is we both have about half the quadrant under our control. We both appear to asscribe to the "scout by colony ship" strategy, so we have ended up with shared ownership of several system along the border. Changing that will likely be a priority for both of us I am sure.

I have pretty much held first place the entire game so far, but that really means nothing at this point. I have no way of knowing how far behind me he is. All of the early battles have gone my way. He's lost several escorts and several colony ships. I lost one squadron of fighters to a minefield and had one frigate damaged by a crazy colony ship captain. Mines went up early so neither of us has lost any planets IIRC.

Now comes the phase where we fill in the colonies we skipped to get deep border penatration, and the build up to the first serious battles.

Geoschmo

cybersol

June 17th, 2003, 09:36 PM

Originally posted by Asmala:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by cybersol:
[non-KOTH member with future aspirations]This is an open tournament so if you want to participate just send a message to me.<hr /></blockquote>Thanks for the open invitation. I will wait a bit to join so I can finish the AI's I have been working on recently. There is enough to learn on that front to keep me busy right now.

Stone Mill

June 17th, 2003, 09:50 PM

Great reviews. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Keep 'em coming.

Ragnarok

June 17th, 2003, 11:27 PM

Hello down there...(echo..echo..) I'm still sitting up here alone. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif Any longer and I might fall asleep and ya'll catch me off guard and knock me to the bottom again. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Geckomlis

June 18th, 2003, 04:49 AM

K.O.T.H. Mathias_Ice vs Gecko
KOTH Defaults
No Intelligence

2407.9
Southern Cross Army
The deep-range colony in Xillantha system has fallen. Millions killed. A handful of defsats and fighters made a Last ditch stand. They confirmed one kill and one probable cripple before we lost contact with planetary defense command. That leaves at least 25 ships remaining in the enemy fleet. We do not have anything to stop the Green Meanie’s Empire fleet’s advance short of our core worlds. Our people are have lost faith and soon will lose hope. All remaining fleet units are being diverted to the Wurtuy system for a forlorn hope warp point defense. Even at maximum speed, most ships will not arrive in time. We have no choice.
2408.0
Xillantha system has fallen. The Last Southern Cross ship refused orders to abandon the system and flee – they were overrun without mercy. They only had time to report the warp transit of the Green Meanie fleet before the explosion that marked their demise – a warrior’s death, at least. Their defiance will earn them a place in Valhalla. The Green Meanies are here… drums in the deep…
A reverent silence has fallen over all of our worlds. For the first time in the war, we have won a major fleet action. 17 ships held the line at the Wurtuy/Xillantha warp point. The only Green Meanie units that survived the engagement are now our fleet’s prizes, their crews craven before the might of our marines. To our horror, they are bipedal and green like us, a twisted, nightmarish parody of our own people. Their physical presence stirs in us a primal, sickening, response – we feel their EVIL on a gut level that is unfettered by any rational control. The prizes and their crews will be displayed at the homeworld so that our people will know our enemies are not gods, not giants, but just men. Then they will be studied…some of the engineers have been quietly discussing “destructive testing”…
A fleet detachment is being dispatched to Xillantha VII to look for survivors, bury the dead, and say the rites.
Fleet Command is feverishly analyzing the battle logs. How, against all hope, have we been victorious? There is elation, but also fear.

Baron Grazic

June 18th, 2003, 07:13 AM

Grazic's Rock Empire Vs Tesco Empire (Standard KOTH game, both using exact same Empire Design)

Year 2409.8 and we are both still going strong.
About a dozen battles have taking place between the our Rock LC Fleets and Tesco's LX/LC Fleets, victory going both ways.
Rock Fleets have destroyed a dozen of Tesco's colonies and cleared 3 systems but have only been able to retain 1 system.
It could be a long game because after realising an early victory was out of the question, I've been planning a long haul to victory.
Rock Intelligence Centers are now Online and commencing attacks.
So far Tesco has refused to take the offensive, but I'm sure that is not going to Last much longer.
Game continues...

Mathias_Ice

June 18th, 2003, 08:58 AM

K.O.T.H. Mathias_Ice vs Gecko
KOTH Defaults
No Intelligence

Date 2409.5

King Meanie accepts the surrender of the Southern Cross Army. While your living war machine will be promptly dismantled, your people will be treated fairly and justly.

My adrenal glands were pumping from first contact, when I saw his race setup. Totally not what I expected. And now I'm extra excited as this is my first KOTH victory after suffering three brutal defeats. Thanks for a great game, Gecko!

Shshshshs, don't wake Ragnarok, jumping him in his sleep will most likely be my only hope.

Please move me up, Asmala.

Ragnarok

June 18th, 2003, 03:41 PM

*Ragnarok is sleeping heavy still waiting on someone to take on when he hears footsteps. But they aren't as loud as normal footsteps, almost like tip toe steps. Ragnarok peeks with one eye to find Mathias_Ice getting ready to pounce on him. Ragnarok jumps up just before Mathias_Ice jumps on him and Mathias_Ice then hits the hard hill surface.*

"Ha! That'll teach you to try and sneak up on me! Let the games begin!"

Asmala

June 18th, 2003, 09:58 PM

Mathias_Ice vs Gecko, 95 turns and four days! Wow http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

The KOTH page is updated. We got new players again, welcome Rojero and Katchoo!

Ragnarok

June 18th, 2003, 10:25 PM

Originally posted by Asmala:
Mathias_Ice vs Gecko, 95 turns and four days! Wow http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

The KOTH page is updated. We got new players again, welcome Rojero and Katchoo!Wow, we really are attracking new prey...I mean uhh new ones to have a nice friendly game of SEIV with. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

As for the 95 turns in 4 days...That is alot! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif Wonder if me and Mathias can tie or break that record. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Geckomlis

June 18th, 2003, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by Ragnarok:

As for the 95 turns in 4 days...That is alot! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif Wonder if me and Mathias can tie or break that record. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif Sure you can! The hard part is playing 70 turns in one day...dawn to dusk, so to speak. Sort of brutal and "happy as a clam" at the same time. Speed chess, anyone?

Roanon

June 18th, 2003, 11:28 PM

K.O.T.H. Roanon vs RexTorres (Default settings)
Game is over, I surrendered.
Set me up at to bottom again, I'll try again to run uphill!

We met very early, around turn 5 or 6 as far as I remember. I wasn't prepared and he was too near already, so my homeworld was blockaded on the very next turn before I could react. Even though I was able to break blockade next turn and even advance for a short time, RexTorres kept sending warship after warship and he managed to push me back, reinvade and glass several of my planets - only a few turns before I finally finished researching mines - too late for me. Even though I was cornered I tried to keep up colonization in the vain hope that if he has more than double the warships than my whole fleet he didn't have that much colonizers. Unfortunately, I was wrong, plus of the 5 systems behind my home system that I had hoped to be able to colonize I encountered 1 nebula, 1 passing gas giant and 1 black hole sucking in one of my precious early colony ships. I doubt that I could have won, but maybe with less bad luck I may have Lasted longer.
I surrendered turn 34, when I had to notice that, in addition to frigates and all this fancy ship and combat stuff, RexTorres had researched mines too a few turns ago and was already busy laying them. Unable to leave the few systems that I was confined to, I had to give up.

I'm hoping for the next game and a few breathable planets larger than tiny...