Random Battle Balance

[Ravindau]

Originally Posted by wulfir

In your initial post you were talking about human vs AI play?

As for PBEM it's basically the same story - some players are good, some are veterans and some are demons..., set your own battle points to compensate. Seems to me this is a very simple solution for your gaming balance problems?

(I have actually never seen anybody using XXX battle points in a PBEM game anyway.)

And that´s the problem. This is because they know intuitively it´s not equally balanced.

I used play against the AI as an example. Near 3:1 for the attacker is not balanced, period, no matter if playing against Humans, AI, the Cylons,...

[wulfir]

Originally Posted by Ravindau

And that´s the problem. This is because they know intuitively it´s not equally balanced.

Never encountered anyone who gave this much thought - I haven't. My experience has been that in PBEM meeting engagements with equal battle points for both sides are the most popular games played.

Originally Posted by Ravindau

I used play against the AI as an example. Near 3:1 for the attacker is not balanced, period, no matter if playing against Humans, AI, the Cylons,...

3:1 seems fine to me? It's what they say you need to ensure success in an attack, isn't it...

If you think it is too easy for the attacker adjust the points yourself - there is no way you will find any "universal balance" that fits all players anyway.

[Ravindau]

Originally Posted by wulfir

3:1 seems fine to me? It's what they say you need to ensure success in an attack, isn't it?

I do hope I got this right and you are joking.

Yes, 3:1 should ensure success. Actually the game guide quotes historic Brit sources to that effect. But to ensure attacker success hardly makes for great balance.

Yes, perfect balance isn´t possible. Even in Chess, White has a slight advantage +0.3 Pawn Values, to be precise.

But you can try to get as close to balance as possible, rather than give White 44 pieces, SPWW2 style...

[wulfir]

Originally Posted by Ravindau

I do hope I got this right...

Yup, you got it right! - - > The game lets you adjust the points for both sides in random battles making it possible for you to achive whatever you think is your personal "great balance". As you play more and gain experience you will be able to modify the ratios you are using.

You can even build your own maps and adjust the terrain to balance out any unfairness. Maybe give each side identical terrain - a sort of chessboard map.