MEPBM - Re: a bit of advice please?

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

Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 00:00:00 +0000

I added MEPBM to your title.  You'll get more response to Middle Earth
questions with that title.  I almost missed your posting as I usually
don't read past the title of most posting in this group unless there
is a clue that it is about Middle Earth.

In article <58o8i2$a6t@excalibur.avalon.net>,
Eric R. Johnson <foolkiller@avalon.net> wrote:
>
>  Ok, I'm the Eothraim in a grudge game.  And the whole team is in a
> bit of a pickle.
>
>Here's the situation:
>
>It's turn 16, and the DS have just rebuilt the Osgialith bridge and
>took Minas Anor.  Agents are in the process of assassinating all
>of the commanders and backups.  The force that hit Anor has split
>the majority (10000 troopss) are at Minas Arthor(2926) and 2000 troops went
>to the northern front to join up with another army.  The 2000 are at Imdorad
>(2622) and the other army (est. 1500) are at Onodrith(2520).
>
>In the Rhovanion, I've lost Buhr Algiria (3112) and more recently Buhr
>Waldleas(3113).  I show 8 DS icons on my map.  My main army is on the move
>with the aid of Throkmaw (I didn't want to keep him at my capital).  Three
>of these
>armies are within striking distance of my capital.  My loyalties are
>such that loosing it would be catastrophic (in my opinion).
>
>Basically, it is the opinion of NG and myself that this area of the map is
>hosed beyond belief.  I"m not one to give up easily, but I also know when
>it's a lost cause.
>
>Can some one confirm this for me, so that our supposed team leader
>will get the hint.
>
>Oh and on the average which positions are dropped the most on
>the free side of things in 1650?
>
>Thanks
>
>Eric
>(one angry Eothraim player)
>

You don't mention how the rest of the map is going, or whether your
teammates are willing to provide backup MTowns for a strategic retreat and
recovery.  But cracking North Gondor often triggers a collapse of the
Freeps.

We were a Freep Grudge team in a similar situation, except it was turn 26.
The Eothraim had been almost eliminated by turn 8, but we gave him a backup
capitol in Arthedain territory (created by the Noldo) and he had recovered
to become a viable position.  The Witch King had been pushed out of all his
original popcenters, but had migrated east and had a strong presence in
northern Mirkwood.  The Dragon Lord was almost smashed early, but recovered
to have a strong character position.  The Ice King was hurting.  North
Gondor was down to one MTown, and things were looking bad.  All the neutrals
had been eliminated.  Emissary power was about equal, and we had the edge in
economic power.  But they had at least 4 curse squads, while we had just
lost our only curse squad.  In addition, they had lots of killer agents,
while we had only a handful.  Our judgement was that with equal play, we had
a lost position, in spite of having a 2-1 edge in popcenters.  Their agent
power would simply be too much for us.

A small number of us (including me) were in favor of sticking it out and
hope that they would made some critical errors or we could get lucky finding
the One Ring.  After all, the victory would be all the sweeter if we could
pull it off.  A majority took the position that it would be a drag and would
rather spend their time and money on a fresh game.  So we conceded defeat.

Your team may have a different mix of personalities and styles.  IMO, team
play is critical to coming back from a losing position.  Teammates have to
be willing to provide backup capitols and serious gold to those who are
getting hammered.  Those who are being hammered have to put aside hopes of
victory and strive to cause as much trouble for the other side as possible,
hanging on in any way possible.  Even if a nation is reduced to a single
MTown, if it is then thought to be eliminated, with team support, it can
recover and play the character game.  In ten turns or less, new characters
can be named and trained to the point of having a significant influence.
But all these efforts are a waste of time if a few of your teammates are not
willing to play for the team victory.  Get your team together and decide if
you have the heart to play on in a losing position, or just want to fold.
Whichever you chose, think about what kinds of teammates you want in the
next game.

Another piece of the decision is a judgement call.  Are you losing because
of a few bad breaks or errors, or is it that their team is fundamentally
better than your team.  If the former, there is some hope in playing on.
If the latter, perhaps conceding is merely acknowledging the inevitable.

- Patrick McGehearty
(on the winning side twice and losing side once in grudge games)
patrick@convex.hp.com

References

a bit of advice please?
foolkiller@avalon.net (Eric R. Johnson)
Thu, 12 Dec 1996 00:00:00 +0000