EB MP campaign

**Ibn-Khaldun** · 01-28-2011, 10:39

What I thought was using a map like the one below and editing for this game.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

All the recruitment/movemen/etc will happen there but all the battles will be played as multiplayer battles using EB.

**Ludens** · 01-28-2011, 12:33

That's the best way of doing it: the EB script does not work for hotseat games. I agree that for the first run a limited theatre is probably best. It's time-consuming to manage twenty factions and drop-outs are going to be a problem. I'd say five to seven factions are probably enough for a diverse game while still being easy to organize.

Two things for you to consider: firstly, will factions be controlled by a team or a single person? The former will prevent drop-outs and will make large factions easier (if, say, the Seleucids get dogpiled it won't be one person that has to fight all the battles). Single-person is easier to organize, though. Secondly, how are you going to balance the factions, both on the strategic level and the battlefield? Obviously, you are not going to achieve a perfect balance, but the weaker factions should have a reasonable chance of winning, or at least holding out.

**Drag0nUL** · 01-28-2011, 12:49

I'm interested in this as a matter of principle, but I'd like to know more details, especially about how strategic map movements and recruitment would be handled, but also regarding MP (what version of the game will be used, what, if anything, would one need to play mp, ways to insure that MP battles comply with what's on the strategic map etc.)

**Poulp'** · 01-28-2011, 14:56

About the stage, I suggest Asia Minor and its surroundings. If you're playing in a limited area, that means you can swap a few unfeatured factions to better match factions in Asia Minor.

Just imagine, pontic, ptolemees, seleucids, greeks, macedons wouldn't be the only ones clashing for control of the land; you can add gauls playing Galatians, epirotes for cilicians pirates, Bythnians, Pergameses... And Hayasdan and Sauromatae would be looming on the sides.

The best would be to fill every provinces with a player faction and let diplomacy do its magic - while others enjoy the alliance bindings and back stabbings.

Plus, such a campaign would be limited in time. A plus in my book.

How unfortunate I won't be able to attend.

...

on an utterly unrelated note, it has been a few months since I last posted or even lurked. Happy to see EB is still doing fine.

**Ibn-Khaldun** · 01-28-2011, 23:57

Originally Posted by Ludens

That's the best way of doing it: the EB script does not work for hotseat games. I agree that for the first run a limited theatre is probably best. It's time-consuming to manage twenty factions and drop-outs are going to be a problem. I'd say five to seven factions are probably enough for a diverse game while still being easy to organize.

Two things for you to consider: firstly, will factions be controlled by a team or a single person? The former will prevent drop-outs and will make large factions easier (if, say, the Seleucids get dogpiled it won't be one person that has to fight all the battles). Single-person is easier to organize, though. Secondly, how are you going to balance the factions, both on the strategic level and the battlefield? Obviously, you are not going to achieve a perfect balance, but the weaker factions should have a reasonable chance of winning, or at least holding out.

1. Factions will be controlled by a team. However, each player will have his own army. Teams will decide the overall strategy on campaign map(whether someone should move/attack another province or just wait and defend the province his in etc).

2. I proposed the First Syrian War and First Punic war because we can limit the number of factions to 2. Why so few? Firstly, I really don't want to start a game with more than 5-6 factions. Secondly, with only two factions it's a great test game. I think if it succeeds then there will be another one with more factions.

3. It's easy to balance a game with just 2 factions.

Originally Posted by Drag0nUL

I'm interested in this as a matter of principle, but I'd like to know more details, especially about how strategic map movements and recruitment would be handled, but also regarding MP (what version of the game will be used, what, if anything, would one need to play mp, ways to insure that MP battles comply with what's on the strategic map etc.)

Each turn is divided into two sections: campaign and battle.
First one, campaign part, will last 2 days. That is the time where people should discuss with their teammates what to do next. Then, orders for movement should be sent. You can move 1 province per turn.

About recruitment.. Each player will start with 8-10 units. Each victory will give the player a chance to recruit another unit(when he uses that option is up to him). If player looses a battle he will loose the right for one unit(you had 10 units but lost then next turn you can have 9 units). Also, you can recruit a unit that is available for your faction in that province. All understrength similar units will be merged. This means you can merge your sphendonetai with toxotai and creat a new toxotai unit. However, you will loose some experience you had in the toxotai unit. But you can not merge prodromoi(cavalry) with thorakitai(heavy infantry).

Since I'm not able to start anything like this before March then we have enough time to set out the correct rules. I'm currently trying to find a good but simple system for economy.

**The Celtic Viking** · 01-29-2011, 00:42

First of all, I'm in. Second of all... I'm in. That's all I have the energy to say right now, so I'll leave it at that. It's good to have a game of this type set in EB again.

**johnhughthom** · 01-29-2011, 01:01

Perhaps another EB PBM might work better, it's been a while since the last one.

**Ibn-Khaldun** · 01-29-2011, 01:28

Well, but then MP battles can not be used. But, you are right, it's been a while since the last EB PBM was hosted.
Anyway, this game will be played in Throne Room. Hopefully, it will promote EB multiplayer capabilities and bring more active people into these parts(Campus Martius and Throne Room) of the Org.

And it's good to see some old faces here!

**Risasi** · 02-01-2011, 23:49

I am interested. Not so much to play, as I am interested to observe and see how this works out.

I believe it would be unfair for me to commit right now as I don't have much time for some sort of campaign. Hopefully you will document this campaign? I shall watch this thread and in the Throne Room.