MEPBM2950

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

Date: Wed, 28 Sep 1994 14:09:23 +0000

Ok, I have received my initial position and heard from several others in
game 5.  I won't go into details in respect for those brave souls who
really want to try the new game "blind".  However, in broad outline,
all the new positions have much smaller initial armies, and many fewer
pop centers.  While it may be more difficult to get the forces together
to take a major town, for some positions, if you do it, you might eliminate
the position.  Without having done a careful comparison, character
strength does not seem much different from the 1650 game.

Included in one's first setup is an article by Michael Powell giving
a short summary of each position, based on the play-test games along with a
disclaimer that GSI has tinkered with the positions and introduced some
random changes from game to game.  Here is my one-line summary of each
position, based on that article.  Of course, who you play with can make
as much or more difference as the specifics of a position.

Names of positions, and my comments:
1. Woodmen - still have a weak start, can be a character power later
2. Northmen - Economic power, but starts isolated
3. Riders of Rohan - Have fun with the Cav, very exposed position
4. Dunadan Rangers - a potential combat power, good artifacts
5. Silvan Elves - hidden/stealth, need to work with 1,2,8 on Dragon Lord
6. Northern Gondor - Powerful, but tough to hold against the might of Mordor
7. Southern Gondor - Need to help 6 and deal with 21,23,24
8. Dwarves - Spread out, dragon troubles in the mountains
9. Sinda Elves - Great Chars, hidden pops
10. Noldo Elves - Best Chars, Artifacts, weak armies

11. Witch King - Good Command,Emissaries, artifacts, tough position
12. Dragon Lord - Great Mages, good command,emissary - tough position
13. Dog Lord - Solid combat position
14. Cloud Lord - still agent power, little military power
15. Blind Sorcerer - Terrific mages & artifacts, secure base
16. Ice King - Command/agent/mages - strategic power
17. Quiet Avenger - Command/Emissaries - very tough without neutral support
18. Fire King - Command/mage - military oriented
19. Long Rider - Command/agent - strong military, but scattered
20. Dark Lieutenants - Command/agent/mage/artifacts - best Dark military

21. Corsairs of Umbar - Excellent commanders - navy - position
22. Rhun Easterlings - Command - Good base, wide open area
23. Dunlendings - Command/agent - diplomacy important
24. White Wizard - Middle of Action - chose sides or get swallowed up?
25. Khand Easterlings - Command/Mage - Difficult position

The base rules appear to be the same as in 1650, with only the initial
positions and characters having changed.  Don't know about dragons
or other random encounters.

References

Re: New MEPBM
adam@ns1.unicomp.net (Adam Adkins)
Tue, 20 Sep 1994 14:50:26 +0000
Re: New MEPBM
kazandar <kazandar@delphi.com>
Sun, 25 Sep 1994 22:42:46 +0000
Re: New MEPBM
kazandar <kazandar@delphi.com>
Tue, 27 Sep 1994 03:37:53 +0000