Re: MEPBM The Worst Position?

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

Date: Thu, 04 Jan 1996 00:00:00 +0000

In article <hBGneDc.auril@delphi.com>, Chelsea Wood  <auril@delphi.com> wrote:
>Undeniably, the worst position in either 1650 or 2950 is the
>Dragon Lord.  In 1650, the Dragon Lord can forget about
>military help from Mordor until about Turn 10 or so, while
>taking on the Woodmen, Sinda, Dwarves, perhaps even the Noldo,
>Eothraim and Northmen.
>
>2950's Dragon Lord is in (as if it was possible) even worse
>position.  They basically have the same pop centers, but have
>to face the Silvan ELves, Sinda Elves, Woodmen, possibly the
>Noldo, Northmen, Dwarves, and North  Gondor.  Characters are
>MUCH weaker than in 1650, with Celedhring moving over to DrkLts
>and Lhlachglin removed.  And they have to deal with the likes
>of Galadriel (200+ challenge rank at game start !)

I have to agree with this analysis.  The Dragon Lord can't even hope for
help from the Neutrals.  In 1650, the Witch King can be in almost as bad a
spot, but if either the Duns or Rhudaur can be convinced to join him early,
there is some play in the position.  For the Dragon Lord, his only hope is
for weak play by one or more of his opponents.  Even then, he needs support
from his allies to make a continuing impact.

I can't speak for the Dragon Lord in 2950, as that position dropped on turn
3 in the one 2950 game I played.

As mentioned earlier in this thread, some feel the Woodmen are too weak and
poor to be viable.  The Woodmen can actually be a fun position if you get a
little help from the Dwarfs and Sinda in holding off the initial Dragon Lord
attacks.  Recruit armies to stop the Dragon Lord (and possibly the Witch
King).  Name some emissaries and put lots of camps in rough hexs to the
south, and you can even get a positive economy.  Then, around mid-game, your
agents are good enough to be useful in combination with other Free agents.
Winning can be hard due to the weak starting position, but the position is
viable.  If the Woodmen out-lives the taking of Dol Goldur, there is no
reason why they can't make to the end of the game.

- Patrick McGehearty
  patrick@convex.com

References

MEPBM The Worst Position?
"Laurence G. Tilley" <laurence@lgtilley.demon.co.uk>
Mon, 01 Jan 1996 00:00:00 +0000
Re: MEPBM The Worst Position?
tandmb@sierra.net (Josh Knapp)
Wed, 03 Jan 1996 00:00:00 +0000
Re: MEPBM The Worst Position?
Chelsea Wood <auril@delphi.com>
Wed, 03 Jan 1996 00:00:00 +0000