Slitherine

Hellenistic Eleian list allows Roman allies. My feeling is to allow the list but without the ally.

Responding to Aristides' point about attackers declaring their army, my feeling is that the defender gets an advantage because they can tailor an army (from a list of armies) purely to counter the attacker. It would be less of an issue if the defender had fewer lists to choose from. All IMHO, obviously!

I agree. Neither should declare. Makes it much more interesting since you can't really tailor your army, and will probably have to make an all-around good one.

well, when u attack, you'd have to take an army that was flexible, given likely defenders, and as defender, you mobilise those troops that would be most useful.
I just thought otherwise the same armies will be played every round; my idea was to encourage use of the less obvious armies in some way - as to advantage, yes of course there would be one for the defender, but we're all defenders roughly as often as attackers...

A simple rule could be that you can only use a list for two consecutive wins, then must use another for the next battle. It would enforce some variety without punishing anyone who has a less optimal selection of armies.

How about we have to use a different army in attack every turn - but defend with anything from one's list?

So, following on from the IC issue in the other thread...

Do we want to continue to have restricted numbers of ICs and penalties for their death, or just accept that you pay more points for them and your opponent gets some extra points if he kills them?

I'd go for flexibility and simplcity here - i.e., just allow players to take em if they want em.

On another issue, how will we choose regions? They vary quite a bit in arse-bustingness... We could maybe have an auction? Or perhaps better players pick last?

Also, teams would be cool, if we can get 2 per region...

I think people have to play the region that they want, otherwise it just ceases to be fun. Teams adds a layer of communication that I really wouldn't advise

As far as the Achaemaenids being a super army, that has not been my experience. I have yet to win a game with them. Then again that may just be me, as I have occasionally lost to them. I find the Greeks or Lydians work far better for me.

I think Keyth's suggested sizes for battles by season looks good.

I'm in the camp who thinks the Early Achaemaenids are a super army, but that's fine by me. I'm not a stickler for super-balance.

Well, before we start, I'll PM a questionnaire to all participants, asking a number of questions including if they think any armies should be restricted. Based on this information (which I will keep confidential), I will put together the final draft of the rules, to be published before we begin play. If there is a question you'd like included, either post here or PM me. If you PM me it's just down to me, so if you want an issue discussed best post it here

I dont know where this idea that the Early Achaemanids are a super army came from they are in fact quite beatable.The army that can cause problems is the Galatians as they can be very tough and roll up an army easily. I wouldnt ban any armies but restrict the amount of times they can be used from lists available. Maybe each season an alternate list could be used.I think banning an army because a few individuals think they are a super army is very petty personally.

The achmaenids get a huge amount of archers that are tough in melee, which they can park in poor terrain and force the enemy to attack them. They also have light spears and the archer bonus when charged. Truly deadly.

I think the Galatians are pretty weak honestly. They don't get any MF, and their army is pretty much always the same, so they're easy to counter.

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=40461478 ... 6F26%21218

The Map v1.0

That is a great map Keyth well done

National Geographic's beta map maker It's pretty cool but if you use it, be warned that the XML save doesn't seem to function correctly. I just did the map in one hit then you can save as .png.

The working title for this is now 'To Forge an Empire' - rules will be similar to TTAL but stripped down (no vassalage for example).

Idea: at the start, when you choose your faction/region, you may nominate one 'foreign' list to use as mercenaries. A win with a mercenary army brings a penalty of -10 points (minimum total 0).

Allowing a mercenary list does balance the weaker choices quite a lot. Plus it makes a difference between two people with the same choice. I approve.

Rules and stuff now at:

viewtopic.php?f=98&t=35710