AE Grandmaster

[Canoerebel]

GreyJoy, you may have misunderstood the reasons your name was mentioned more than once.  Not because anybody thinks you are suddenly a master player (though that may well come), but rather because everybody appreciates your cheerful demeanor and willingness to fight against tough odds.  So, the recognition is kind of a "Miss Congeniality" award - people appreciate your attitude.

I am sure that your creative spelling contributes too.  All who gaze upon "Scoodra" do so in awe and wonder.

[jeffk3510]

Each and everyone bring something to the forum/game. I really enjoy the folks that can write an excellent AAR...(people at work think I'm an idiot probably when I read Cap Mandrakes and laugh out loud...its crap your pants funny) The voyage of Hibiki was incredible. Just to mention a few...

Those are just small examples of what everyone contributes.

Nemo explains things in such a way that I say ok, because I have no idea what just happened, but I know it is right on. His AARs are incredible as well, his knowledge of the game, and strategically oriented postings are second to none. It also says a lot to stick up for what you believe in.

I have learned more from Alfred's posts recently than I could just playing the game….and that is no joke. His understanding of the game and his tactics have definitely have improved my game playing.

ADB123 really seems to have the game mechanics down and is very passionate about it as well.

Dan seems to know no stranger and I really enjoy his AAR. Seems to have a very good grasp of how the game is played. I really follow his carrier tactics for some reason... and he gets to play at work…[:-] lucky man

ny59giants has some incredible tips, game play ideas, and just seems to have a good grasp on the game as well...

I tend to follow The Moose and his postings as well. I really enjoy what he brings.

I could also cast my vote for Dixie too. Not just for artwork [:)]

I could always gang up on Linda with AW1Steve [:)]

I think I need to start drinking Mike's rum punch. Then I would be as friendly as him.

Terminus to me also seems to have an excellent grasp of this game as well. Don't see and AE AAR, but that doesn't matter. He is also straight to the point…. my kinda guy.

I love Footsloggers' five worded question discussions.

Chickenboy reminds me that Kansas is indeed boring and flat..

DivePac is one nice gentleman.

John loves dogs.

GreyJoy I love your AAR...but...I will say you have really improved. How about most improved? Your decision making has me spinning in my chair at times, but I look forward to your AAR everyday. Your spelling and geograpical errors will always be remembered.

The thread dudes always cheer me up and remind me to not take myself too seriously, and that in fact, Kansas is boring.. as mentioned above.

Ok...to get to the point of the post.....

I would still cast my vote for Nemo, Dan, and Alfred in terms of game master.

[Cap Mandrake]

This being the 21st Century and all...I think EVERYONE should get an award. Everyone is special, don't ya know.


How about an "Adjusted AE Skill Quotient" (AAESQ)?

That would be some numeric rating of demonstrated skill in AE (perhaps a community vote normalized to a mean of 100) divided by full scale IQ. Players could dig up their 3rd grade IQ scores (if their parents weren't too ashamed to share them with them) and submit them to some trusted forum referee. For older members who might have some cognitive decline they could submit a more recent test from a licensed psychologist.

Then, the referee would publish the results with secret ID numbers emailed to the members so nobody would get their feelings hurt.


Lastly, I would strongly advise against a "Most Improved" award. I once won that two years in a row in football and I am finally just emerging from therapy over that.

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

This being the 21st Century and all...I think EVERYONE should get an award. Everyone is special, don't ya know.

When everyone is special ...... then no one will be

-Skippy/Syndrome, The Incredibles

How about an "Adjusted AE Skill Quotient" (AAESQ)?

That would be some numeric rating of demonstrated skill in AE (perhaps a community vote normalized to a mean of 100) divided by full scale IQ. Players could dig up their 3rd grade IQ scores (if their parents weren't too ashamed to share them with them) and submit them to some trusted forum referee. For older members who might have some cognitive decline they could submit a more recent test from a licensed psychologist.

Then, the referee would publish the results with secret ID numbers emailed to the members so nobody would get their feelings hurt.

Like the NFL QB rating sytem. Would a perfect AAESQ be 158.8?

Lastly, I would strongly advise against a "Most Improved" award. I once won that two years in a row in football and I am finally just emerging from therapy over that.

AAC!!!

[vettim89]

I would have to agree that there truly is more than one type of "Grandmaster". There are the highly skilled players who awe us with their prowess and audacity in game like PZB, John3, Nemo, Admiral Spruance, Canoerebel, and many others. Then there are the WitP/AE mentors who give sage advice and display elite knowledge of the game systems, strategies, and tactics like Alfred, Nemo (again), and numerous others. There are the two groups working on the utilities: Tracker and Combat Reporter (love those guys). How about the Devs and modders like Andrew Brown, Joe W, Dixie, JWE, Don Bowen, Treespider, et al? Then there are those that entertain us like Cuttlefish, Cap'n Mandrake, and 1275PSI (Herbisan)

Maybe what we should do is have an annual awards show like the Oscars? Nominees for each category. Remember, it is an honor to just be nominated

[cantona2]

Id like to renominate Alfred, his advice is always sound and always put forward in a friendly manner.

I would also like to nominate Fletcher, his attention to detail is second to none!!!!! Local Yokel is also one hell of a JFB player.

[SqzMyLemon]

I too feel that Alfred and Nemo are to be high on the list, if not the top. Being a new player myself, I have to say I've learned things about the game from every person here that I've had the pleasure to interact with, but the true understanding of the game mechanics and strategic analysis applied while playing the game have to go to Nemo in my opinion. I'd like to nominate Alfred, but I'd also dearly like to see him in a match first. Not to prove him wrong, but to actually see his brilliant analysis in action. He's like the Wizard of Oz, is he truly omnipotent, or just some charlatan hiding behind a curtain? I want to know [:D].

With that said, and perhaps it's best started in another thread, but I'll throw this out here. I'd be curious to learn from the community who they'd like to see play each other. What's a match up that you'd love to see, one that in your minds eye would answer the question as to who's a grandmaster, or to settle the question of whose a better player among the next lower tier than grandmaster?

[Mynok]

I'd love to see PzB vs Canoe. [:D]

[John 3rd]

It is nice to see a genuinely positive and pleasant Thread running on this topic. Nice work everyone. It is a pleasaure to read.

There is another area that might need some consideration: Modders.

There is a nice-sized group who have come together with differing visions to create their own version of reality. The scholarship, research skills, and Editor knowledge displayed has amazed me time and again. For the last 18 months I have been consumed with Reluctant Admiral and now the Perfect War Mod. Watching the work done on Da Babes and other Mods makes me truly understand and appreciate all that hard work to simply fulfill a vision or dream within the world of AE.

For my votes I would reach far back to my original teacher in UV and WitP: Moses. He taught me a lot and though nothing has been seen of him for years, I do hope him the best. My other votes would go to JWE and Juan who have always been willing to volunteer their time, help, and consideration. FatR fits into that model as well.

Over some very rough years my experience with my former opponent CR (Dan), Economics Minister Michael (NYGiants) and Paul Layne has taught how this Forum can truly develop strong friendships and a support network.

Keep up the Thread and we'll see where it goes!

[Insano]

It's been mentioned before, but in the spirit of community recognition I will be quick to heap praise on floydg and n01487477. Absolutely first rate product and support with Tracker. And as far as I can tell they do it on a volunteer basis. [X(][&o] Many (most?) of us could not even play this game without Tracker. To say well done to these guys doesn't even begin to do it justice.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Insano

It's been mentioned before, but in the spirit of community recognition I will be quick to heap praise on floydg and n01487477. Absolutely first rate product and support with Tracker. And as far as I can tell they do it on a volunteer basis. [X(][&o] Many (most?) of us could not even play this game without Tracker. To say well done to these guys doesn't even begin to do it justice.

+1

[John 3rd]

+2

[Canoerebel]

I'm seeing some names in here I'm not familiar with - Cobra, for instance.  Never heard of him, but I was on the periphery during the UV era, and came to WitP relatively late (2007), so I do not know alot of the players who were the "big guns" of the earlier era.
 
The one game I want to see is Alfred vs. Nemo. 

[Paladin1dcs]

ORIGINAL: vettim89

I would have to agree that there truly is more than one type of "Grandmaster". There are the highly skilled players who awe us with their prowess and audacity in game like PZB, John3, Nemo, Admiral Spruance, Canoerebel, and many others. Then there are the WitP/AE mentors who give sage advice and display elite knowledge of the game systems, strategies, and tactics like Alfred, Nemo (again), and numerous others. There are the two groups working on the utilities: Tracker and Combat Reporter (love those guys). How about the Devs and modders like Andrew Brown, Joe W, Dixie, JWE, Don Bowen, Treespider, et al? Then there are those that entertain us like Cuttlefish, Cap'n Mandrake, and 1275PSI (Herbisan)

Maybe what we should do is have an annual awards show like the Oscars? Nominees for each category. Remember, it is an honor to just be nominated

I'd like to second this idea. As a new player to AE and new to the forums in general, it's great to know who is generally considered to be a Grandmaster at the game, but it's more useful to know who's better at conveying their hard earned experience in a manner which most of us can use. I loved reading about the Hibiki and am really looking forward to seeing how CF handles writing from the Allied PoV, but great creative writing doesn't help a new player improve on the basics of the game.

Perhaps, as vettim89 mentioned, we need separate categories for each specialty with the title of Grandmaster reserved for those who display all of the aspects of a true master, from a refined understanding of the game mechanics to a detailed understanding of grand strategy. Most importantly though, they would need to be willing and able to teach those of us who are just starting out how to analyze a situation and arrive at the correct decision in the same manner that the GM has done.

[Paladin1dcs]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The one game I want to see is Alfred vs. Nemo. 

I think all of us want to see this match, I know I'd just about kill to see it.

[Lomri]

I've lurked since the UV days, and while I have a terrible memory for names, folks who write AARs really do need special recognition. I really enjoyed UV but I remember almost having more fun reading some peoples AARs back in the day. I think it is really inspired me and made WitP more accessible. I sure wish I remember the names of the first AARs I read. Maybe Mogami? Speedy? Maybe it was a match between an Ozzie and a Kiwi?

So while this thread started talking about excellent players, I wanted to second (or fifth or whatever) the sentiment that AARs are a valuable contribution to the community. Plus, without them, how would you even know what constitutes "best" play?

[Cap Mandrake]

And I'd like to be the first to thank my mother for not vacuuming up all the counters from Afrika Korps, though I still never figured out what happened to the Recce Bn of 15th Panzer. [;)]

Oh, and the AE team too. Fantastic effort! And their mothers too!


As for learning how to play the game, one should not underestimate the value of getting your booty kicked a few times...just be careful with the carriers. The game is such an undertaking that the best thing to do, in my opinion, is just to have fun. When you dont know something just ask....then you wont have to read the manual.

[Lomri]

No one tell Cap that the manual also lists codes you can enter that unlocks the secret Japanese vacuum sub. It sneaks up under your ships and creates a giant whirlpool and poof your ship is gone. These messages do not show up in your Ops Report or Combat Report so you may not even know if your opponent is using them.

[Canoerebel]

What would a Cuttlefish vs. CapMandrake game be like?
 
[X(]

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Lomri


No one tell Cap that the manual also lists codes you can enter that unlocks the secret Japanese vacuum sub. It sneaks up under your ships and creates a giant whirlpool and poof your ship is gone. These messages do not show up in your Ops Report or Combat Report so you may not even know if your opponent is using them.

I at first thought young Lomri was having sport with us....but lo! Whirpool.txt I had previously ascribed these types of happenings to time portals or cloaking devices.