Baalz' good player pledge

[WraithLord]

Just now noticed this thread in Baalz' signature.

I think the below is testimony of where I stand in the matter:

Originally Posted by Lingchih

I'll pledge, but you have to include the "Artifacts Exception".

As in, the recent Artifacts game, which went on so long and fruitlessly that most players decided it was either go AI or blow their brains out. Although, oddly enough, subs were eventually found for everybody.

Given that I was the only player not willing to concede and miraculously somehow finding subs

I think the criteria to when a player can responsibly quit is when he can no longer influence the course of the game. So, for example, when all your lands are taken by early rush from three opponents and your castles are under siege and you have no army left to speak of - I'd say that qualifies to the criteria.

Speaking of winning by skill - I'm becoming ever more a fan of no diplomacy game. Diplomacy, while an important skill, sometimes tends to eclipse skill (even when the player in advantage is also very skilled). So when a player manages to make his neighbors sign deals with the devil (you'd be my forge whxxx, you'd give all your income to me etc.) diplomacy becomes too much of a deciding factor in the game. Don't get me wrong - I quite like diplomacy but sometimes it's too much.

No diplo games are about brute force (or rather wits) and take half the time to process turns as well.

[GrudgeBringer]

I agree that any treaty of that sort is a poor way to play this game and I personally would do a Kamikaze against a nation that tried to bully me, for no other reason that to slow it down and put it behind the others!!

However, Some nations honestly need a little time to get it together and a few 3 turn naps give you that option.

They will eventually be broken anyway, but they serve their purpose at the start of the game.

I would suppose VERY GOOD players might not need treaties, but us meduim to new players do.

So games with no diplo are fine and those that want to join them know what they get...

Me, the medium to poor player that I am will take all the help I can get!!!

[WraithLord]

A player of any skill should take any advantage he gets. I suppose being a very good player while not taking advantage of treaties is somewhat of a contradiction.

It's the same I guess with gem gens and tarts and what not. if the game rules allow a given tactic, strategy or any other advantage barring an exploit, a player in his right sense would be forced to take it. Not really a choice in the matter

I'm not advocating "death" to diplo games. Just saying I find the RAND game refreshing and, trying to put the finger on why exactly, I came to attribute that to the no diplomacy.

You know, what you're saying made me think back on the player composition in past/present RAND games. Perhaps there is indeed a majority vet players in RAND games.
If so, I wonder why?

Oh and sorry for taking this a bit OT. Back to pledges please