Let's talk Titan

San Il Defanso wrote: I'm also really enjoying the game, even as I'm close to elimination. There's a lot of really nuanced stuff that I'm just amazed at.

I agree. From the advantages for attackers and defending seemingly on par (though a nod to promote attacking), to the stats of the creatures, to the lay-out of the battleboards, this game seems _very_ well thought out and balanced.

Amazing they got it this right with so few revisions. Particularly in an age where there were no 'living rules' for developers to rely on.

Jeff White wrote: First, I want to thank Dair again for leading up the current F:ATtie learning game. I can't believe I've been passing this game up for the past 30 years...

At any rate, I just want a little clarification on the order of engagements. Are these the steps to follow:

pre-battle
1) defender may opt to flee (1/2 points to the attacker)
2) negotiation (still, not super clear on this)

1) Yes also attacker can concede before a battle but for full points to the defender. This happens when you have a legion that's forced to move (a split legion)
2) Negotiation is essentially a way of forgoing the battle where the two players decide the outcome. For example Att. has 2 cens & an ogr and attacks 2 ogrs in a Brush. The defender can say I'll give you full points if you kill off your ogr. Attacker agrees.

battle ensues
3) 4th round, defender may reinforce if possible
4) attacker can summon existing angel in the mvmt phase after slaying a creature
5) anytime during battle, either side may concede (full points to the victor)
6) 8th round attacker is eliminated, no points to the defender

3) Yes
4) only if there is room in the legion. If he has all 7 creatures on the board he cannot bring the angel in
5) Yes
6) Yes

post-battle
7) if victorious, defender may reinforce if didn't in round 4
8) victorious legion that goes over a multiple of 100 gets an angel in that legion
9) if attacker is victorious and moved, may muster

7) Yes
8) Yes
9) You can only move to be the attacker but yes you're correct

Dair taught you well.

Thanks for confirming everything Doc.

As for negotiation, I would say that I haven't seen it much in my Acts games, but in person it has played a bigger role. With experienced players, negotiation can be a way to shorten the game time (an important consideration in a long game like Titan). I will often try to negotiate unimportant battles. Big battles are often fun to fight, so I don't negotiate, but many of the throw-away, small-stack battles I do.

I also think Acts makes it difficult to negotiate, because you can't secretly negotiate without going outside of Acts (unless I missed something). The ability to keep a winning legion relatively unrevealed can be a good reason to take a few losses and negotiate.

Yeah, that's so true about negotiations Dair.

In terms of ACTS, you could always just email the person.

Well, Simon just defeated me.

I had a blast guys, thanks a lot for playing.

Also, who wants to play again? This Padawan wants to become a Jedi.

We could start a losers bracket

MattDP wrote:

Jeff White wrote: A few have said they wouldn't play with more than three. Is that simply due to the time? Can a 4 player game be done in 3-5 hours?

Only if all four players are experienced and favour an aggressive play style. Under those conditions it seems plausible but personally I've never seen a 4-player game wrap in less than 6 hours.

I don't want to seem shallow and jeopardize my standing in the community but I'm never playing this game. I say that having played it once at a convention in Salt Lake City in the 80s when a rep from Avalon Hill introduced it to us and I was quickly eliminated.

Alright, I'm down to only two Titan games on Acts. That means it is time to recruit fresh meat. Dr. Mabuse and Brewmiester were part of the last game and are in for another. Anybody else want to join us?

I'm going to teach a friend the ACTS interface tonight. He's never played Titan before, but I'm hoping we get through most of a game.

Don't reserve spots for us, but let me gauge his interest in jumping in with the sharks in a few days.

Dair wrote: Alright, I'm down to only two Titan games on Acts. That means it is time to recruit fresh meat. Dr. Mabuse and Brewmiester were part of the last game and are in for another. Anybody else want to join us?

Count me in.