The Carthage Challenge thread!

[Zim]

So settlements without governors can't be set on auto-run?

[Xtiaan72]

Very few people do that anyway cause the computer will spend all your money and not very well. But yes, the idea is that you can't build or recruit in a city unless an actual person is there; forcing players to manage governors like resources and slowing down developement. I think it's a good rule for an ironman
game. You don't think so?

[Numahr]

Dear Xtiaan72,

I have developed a Carthage-specific set of house rules to represent the political system of Carthage that resulted in the metropolis not to support adequately military campaigns because of the oligarchy being more involved in commercial affairs.

How does it work? Every 2 years a great Council is held in the capital. In practice I enter all data about influential FM (influence>0) in a speadsheet, a few data about the international situation, and my spreadsheet gives me:
- the general stance of the Republic, which limits me in % of the military budget, the level of MICs I can build, the size of stacks I can manage, and gives me hint for RP;
- the individual initiative ability of each general for operations against Euleutheroi or factions, in Europe or Africa.

So far it works great, with many fruitful events and political changes. The current situation is that I have a war going on in Southern Italy, led by Hamlcar Barca and a few puno-Iberian and puno-Celt generals, while the anti-Barcid still dominates the debates. As a result my MICs are outdated and my recruitment abilities limited, and Hamalcar has to win heroic victory with his limited light infantry/light cavalry+mercs against all odds. This, in return, gradually increases his influence and the Barcid faction. I should soon be able to overrun the anti-barcids thanks to his charisma and glory...

I am at work now but I will toonight (Paris time) the spreadsheet with all the house rules that come with it, for the case that you may want to give it a try.

[Tiberius Nero]

Try general's camera too, it makes the game a bit more challenging, realistic and fun, to actually be the general.

[Ower]

Dear Xtiaan72,

I have developed a Carthage-specific set of house rules to represent the political system of Carthage that resulted in the metropolis not to support adequately military campaigns because of the oligarchy being more involved in commercial affairs.

How does it work? Every 2 years a great Council is held in the capital. In practice I enter all data about influential FM (influence>0) in a speadsheet, a few data about the international situation, and my spreadsheet gives me:
- the general stance of the Republic, which limits me in % of the military budget, the level of MICs I can build, the size of stacks I can manage, and gives me hint for RP;
- the individual initiative ability of each general for operations against Euleutheroi or factions, in Europe or Africa.

So far it works great, with many fruitful events and political changes. The current situation is that I have a war going on in Southern Italy, led by Hamlcar Barca and a few puno-Iberian and puno-Celt generals, while the anti-Barcid still dominates the debates. As a result my MICs are outdated and my recruitment abilities limited, and Hamalcar has to win heroic victory with his limited light infantry/light cavalry+mercs against all odds. This, in return, gradually increases his influence and the Barcid faction. I should soon be able to overrun the anti-barcids thanks to his charisma and glory...

I am at work now but I will toonight (Paris time) the spreadsheet with all the house rules that come with it, for the case that you may want to give it a try.

what rules, and what data do you use, I would like to do similar

[Warlord 11]

Numahr, if you don't mind, I would also like your spreedsheet. It sould like it would make the game much more fun.

[Xtiaan72]

Numahr,


Is it an Excel document?

[Basileus Seleukeia]

I would also like to use your spreadsheet, as it sounds very interesting and promising.

[Zim]

Very few people do that anyway cause the computer will spend all your money and not very well. But yes, the idea is that you can't build or recruit in a city unless an actual person is there; forcing players to manage governors like resources and slowing down developement. I think it's a good rule for an ironman
game. You don't think so?

Sounds good to me. I just wanted to make sure I understood the rule so I don't inadvertently cheat.

[Intranetusa]

or you can write a program in the script that gives the AI +30,000 denrii when you (the player) become their enemeis and give them +5000 per turn as long as you remain their enemies.

[Xtiaan72]

I'm going to compile some house rules at the top of the page after we have a few more ideas together. Then we can make some modifications to the rules before we begin.


Who wants to take part in the challenge? I'm assuming you do Zim. Anybody else?

I could use some advice on recruitment rules vs time frame.

I'd rather not take it so far as to change the existing scripts for 8.1a. I'm want to see how the game is actually performing vs carthage with some stringent Ironman rules. I want it to be challenging but not too much work so it's fun. That will encourage more participants which will maximize the fun and we can see who the real Carthage "gods" are!