Teaching Game Wanted

[MPHopcroft1]

I'm looking for someone who can teach me EiA. A year after the purchase, I still have not been able to play a full turn -- partly because I'm so busy and partly because I'm not sure how to do things. So I need someone with hands-on experience to show me the ropes in a non-pressure situation.

If it could be done locally that would eb great, but e-mail should be fine. I don't need pressure to win or lose; what I need is some training.

Anyone interested in helpinng out a noob?

[guzzoid]

Is it a question of learning the interface or the game itself?

[MPHopcroft1]

ORIGINAL: guzzoid

Is it a question of learning the interface or the game itself?

The interface and a little about the game. One of the things I haven't figured out is how to move units; I also haven't figured out declarations of war and the like.

I also have a question: what happens if Austria, Prussia and Russia refuse to go to war with France (on the valid assumption that Napoleon would kick them around)? How does France achieve any of their aims then?

[ndrose]

You can't refuse to go to war. You can offer an immediate and unconditional surrender, but that hurts too! And you'll be doing it again in 18 months, and again 18 months after that....

[MPHopcroft1]

I don't think I was quite clear. Historically, all these powers declared war on France in early 1805 in reaction to Napoleon declaring himself Emperor of the French. They were thinking they needed to punish him for his audacity in making himself a monarch when in their system monarchs were "born to the purple" universally. Napoleon then proceeded to invade Germany and knock out the Austrians at Austerlitz.

Now, if Austria doesn't declare war on France, France would have to do it themselves if they want to gain anything. Correct?

[Skanvak]

Yes, this is correct. France will have to declare war.

I am too far from your place to explain the game to you (unless you want a chat by msn with a french guy but I guess they are american that know the game as much as I do).

I suggest you read the rules then try (the AI is abysmally weak so don't be afraid).

The game is about staying high on the politcal chart (ie gaining political point to gain VP) unless you are England (whose goal is to make every one lose)

[guzzoid]

One thing you have to be aware of is that the game moves in cycles. You can't move your troops unless it is the land phase. The game is quirky. To activate a unit sometimes you left click, sometimes you have to right click. Sometimes you have to right click then left click. [&:]

As far as France declaring war, the beginning of the game starts with the eating up of minor countries. You might have a coalition start against France because everyone is afraid of France picking them off one by one. Or France may overextend herself being too greedy and the other countries see an opportunity. In that way history may repeat itself. But like you said the game can go in many different directions and that is the beauty of this game. Other games force the players into a certain direction where this one allows the players decide the events of the game. At times it feels like Risk or Diplomacy because it can be wide open.

To learn with I would start out as Prussia. They have no navy, they are small and there a lot of minor countries nearby to gobble up and practice land fighting.
Then I would play a little bit as the Spanish because they fight on land and sea and shouldn't be noticed by the big boys for a while. If you do get noticed, don't fret because your guerrillas will save you.

Once you get the hang of anphib operations you should know enough to play a full game.

[Jimmer]

I'll play a game with you. I'll send you an invitation tonight. It will be no-pressure. In fact, I consider it unlikely we'll even try to finish it. But, it should help you learn the ropes. I'll also describe the mistakes the computer players make, so you can see.

[MPHopcroft1]

Thanks very much for the offer! I appreciate this and am looking forward to getting kicked around in the name of personal education.... [:)]

[Jimmer]

By the way, if anybody else wants in, this could prove to be a good learning experience. Just remember: It's a friendly game, not a "no holds barred" game.

[guzzoid]

I would like to be in.

[Jimmer]

I've been really sick the past few days. I'll get to this when I come out from under this cold I have.

Sorry for the delay.

[Jimmer]

I'm still getting my head above water from when I was sick, but I anticipate starting this tomorrow (Wednesday) night. Everybody who is interested should send me their email address via PM (or, post here if you are brave).

The game I have envisioned will be one where all of the humans are allies against the remaining computer opponents. It will be very easy to "win" that way, but I can use the actions of the computer opponents to point out better choices they could have made. Which nations we play will depend mostly on how many people are interested in stomping the AI to death.