Combat School for new players

[Tiavals]

I'm thinking of establishing a tradition for a combat school that will teach new players in the art of war.

My plan would be that there are some 4 teachers and 12 pupils for each "season". 3 pupils are assigned to each teacher.

For the first month or few weeks, the teachers will teach the pupils the secrets of the game.
A list of suggestions will be offered for the themes, and each pupil can choose a handful of them to concentrate on.

1. Attacking uphill.
2. How to defeat lancers
3. Dealing with Elephants
4. Pikemen, why are they so tough!?
5. Hordes of rabble
6. Horse archers
7. Impact foot
8. Roman scum
9. A cloud of arrows blocked out the sun.
10. Trapping skirmishers.

After the month is up, the pupils will form a three-man team(basically each teacher's pupils form a team), each team fighting against each other team, so that each player fights just once(so the team decides who fights who). A win nets 1 point.
After the battles are done, the team with the most points will be declared winners and their teacher will gain the adoration of the masses.
The participants will be considered graduated and can't join the School again, except as teachers. A little later, a second season(or semester if you will) will start with different teachers and pupils.


I fear posting this in the Leagues&Tournaments&Seeking opponents sub-forum yet, since I first wanted to hear the thoughts of others regarding it(plus I'm notorious for rarely going through with what I plan). Would there be a demand for such a system? Would there be enough teacher volunteers with enough time on their hands? Is there some reason why it wouldn't work? Could the setup do with some modifications?

[stockwellpete]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCyJRXvPNRo

[Old_Warrior]

Great idea! I would join as a pupil just to learn some of the above items. Attacking uphill for instance demands that you have several +s in order to win.

[TJD]

The idea of teaching by means of actual games played between students and instructors is fine, but I'd also like to see, and would propose as an alternative, a thread containing illustrated combat examples on the topics you mentioned, e.g., dealing with lancers. That way the lessons might be made more permanent and available to everyone, not just those students immediately enrolled.

Best,

Tim

[Tiavals]

The wiki is somewhat like that already. There are many examples and tips. I was thinking more about hands-on-experience myself. But I don't see why we couldn't make a thread like that as well.

[Sharkall]

Haha, I always knew you're the right man for the job ! you make a very good master for young padawans
All in all I think it's a good idea, and I'd like to say:
- the competition part is nice, you get to apply what you've been learning. Against people hopefully same level as yours, so balanced.
- what would you do if someone (student S) wants out or doensn't respond, etc ? if you make the number of matches between teams fixed, but picking the players flexible, should deal with that. Good idea.
- I also propose to have a handful of scenarios for every lesson. Like for defeating/winning with pikes : Swiss vs SHNC, or some thought-of-before matchup. Maybe one or two in every pack.
- like in real life, every student would get some number of credits and invest it in lessons however they want. First game of something should be cheap, second more expensive (encourage to get the basics).
- talking on the system/forum rather than in game. So they can have the text somewhere safe, not fading away. Also easier for teachers to re-use tips/text. Some of which may get into the wiki, too.
- maybe a problem would be with the teachers. 3 students could be too much for someone that is available for 2-3-4 games per week. Either be careful with the period (1 month for 3 students with around 4-5games each), or think of something so that teachers with less time available can get in, too. Maybe a joint class with two masters one for some lessons (his speciality), one for others.

That's what I can think of, on the spot. Will give it more thought

[gazxtrix]

Less students i think, and post lessons learnt on the forum ?

[davouthojo]

I will volunteer to teach 1 student as an experiment to see how it works

[Tiavals]

You are probably right gazxtrix. It may be best to have just 1 student per teacher, since it'll eat less time from the teachers. And as we can post screenshots and the like on the forum, others will learn too. Now all we need is a couple of students. Perhaps it would be time to post this at the Leagues & Tournaments & Seeking Opponents forum? We can start small and expand if everyone enjoys it.

[cromlechi]

I'd like to be a student!

[Triarii]

I have been playing for a considerable time and wouldn't,t mind giving the mentoring a go

[Rosseau]

I would also like to be a student. Not sure if I am competitive enough to participate in the final face-off you mentioned, though. Thanks.

[Tiavals]

Well, it's meant to make people understand the game better. The competition is just for fun and for demonstrating the newly learned skills in practice.

I probably should make it official in the other forum soon.

[Raver508]

Another one interested in being a student here.

[Terrement]

Please pardon the mixed reference, but I am "Grasshopper", Obi Wan. You're my only hope.

Love to be a student.

JJ

[Tiavals]

I forgot all about this. I suppose I'll have to push it forward soon, if I have the will.