Re: MEPBM Neutral Allegiance

From: Patrick F. McGehearty <patrick@convex.COM>

Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 00:00:00 +0000

In article <5n77jl$8lo_001@pub.hw.ac.uk>,
Duncan Muir <meccdsm@pp.hw.ac.uk> wrote:
>Can anyone who has played a neutral position tell me
>when the best time to declare your allegiance is?
>
>I'm surrounded by free peoples but my victory conditions
>mean that I have to control three cities owned by two FP's.
>
>Does anyone know how to ally with the FP's in this
>situation to the benefit of both?
>
>Thanks in advance for your help.

I figure the right time to declare depends very much on who you are playing
with.  My personal expectation is that any neutral who has not indicated
that they are supporting my side by turn 12 is likely to either be planning
on joining the other side, or playing the "wait til the end game and then
join the winning side".  I have no qualms about jumping such a late coming
'ally' to reduce their victory points, unless they act to contribute to the
team victory.

I don't think it is unreasonable to expect/request a few turns from both
sides before making up your mind.  I like to see the playing style of each
side, and their willingness to communicate.  If you can get the two sides to
let you wait until Turn 7, then you have a chance to have build a reasonable
position and have enough commanders to do the relations orders you need. In
some games, the positions of the neutrals is forced early by other events,
such as being attacked.  Also, certain positions (such as the Rhudaur in
1650) may need to make an early declaration to be effective.

Another critical issue is what is the attitude of the other neutrals.
An often used tactic is to suggest that an early attack on any neutral
will cause all the neutrals to join the other side.  That does not work if
a couple of the neutrals decide to jump a third neutral.  Be sure to get in
touch with the other neutrals.

- Patrick McGehearty
patrick@convex.hp.com

References

MEPBM Neutral Allegiance
meccdsm@pp.hw.ac.uk (Duncan Muir)
Thu, 05 Jun 1997 00:00:00 +0000