Matrix Games Forums

Hey guys:

No doubt the trade rule was an abstract of British sea power! Not my idea as I myself thought this was odd and in fact, on our first engine we wrote, we wrote individual trade into the system BUT had to drop back to the original rules since it was a more proven and balanced system.

We also found that the original game implemented this method to more accurately portray the continental system and its effects (or lack of, rather).

Thank you

I totally agree with the British undisputed control of the seas, in most of Europe and the obviusly in the rest of the world.

But I find it unreal that if you are at war with GB you dont get any trade, of course, if GB is not blocking your port. I think it should be less, of course, like if Spain trades 8 with GB and 6 with US, it should be maybe 5 with FR, 4 with RU, 3 with TU, 1 PR and AU, Venetia, Naples, etc... This can be implemented with the PC game, like each port values for each other port in the map, it is complex, but since the PC can take care of it, it will be a very realistic improvement in the future.

Other great things that this game may upgrade, if MG keeps working in it after is finished, could be:
Morale recalculation, depending of the troops foraging, experience, etc.
New ships fighting rules, morale, experience, maintenance, reparations after a battle, capture of ships, buy ships to other countries (this was tipical from the period),etc....
More precise diplomacy, like invest money in spying other countries....
Events (floods, pestilence, country happiness, etc..)
And many more.

So, I hope MG doesnt stops with this game and developes in the future all of this and more as optional rules, this could be the begining of a GAMES of GAMES.
Because as a boardgamer, I still thing that the EiA boardgame was a great and still in present, after more than 20 years, one of the BEST games EVER.

I felt sorry that the game didnt have expansions or more rules like in the time the General Magazine did.

Well, this are my thoughts, I dont want to bother MG with them right now, I just hope they finish the game soon and that it will become a top selling and well done one (graphics, rules, IA,etc.)

Good luck, I think you are very close to finish something awesome.

Regards,
One future buyer of the game and what ever comes after. [:)]

ORIGINAL: NeverMan

If the other 6 players see that England is trying to win by not allowing anyone else to win, then they should do something about it.

The problem here is that, unlike any other player, England can put himslef in a situation where it is impossible for the other countries to do anything about it. If he's far enough ahead in ships what can everyone else do about it? Build ships for 3 years to catch up?

Clearly the rejoinder is that the Turks, Russians, and especially the Spanish should do everything in their power to conserve their fleets. But this is never entirely obvious, and early in the game it's hard to do so.

As to trade between other countries, I think it's nice, but difficulkt to do right. Land borne trade was much much more expensive than seaborne at this time. So obvsiously there was trade between France and Spain, but it could easily be restricted by the RN. Any income from trade that is not driven by the decisions of the English player needs to be substantially smaller than the trade that is driven by England.

Remeber that the situation will not always be that England has a stronger Navy than everyone else combined and it will thus be harder for her to thumb her nose at everyone simultaneously.

Also, even if England has such naval dominance, she may not have that much political dominance turn after turn such that she can subtract substantial numbers of victory points from every country that might be getting ahead. This is especially true if England has to declare war on everyone so that she will be able to subtract the victory points.

Also, even if England has an unbeatable Navy and significant political status to subtract numerous victory points, she will still have to work throughout the game with a few countries to prevent another country (usually France) from becoming so powerful that it accures VPs so fact such that it doesn't matter how many VPs England subtracts. Put simply, whether using on board strategy, alliances, and/or subtraction of VPs, England will be constantly having to balance who it's trying to keep from winning and that balancing act will rarely be perfect. Thus it's easier than it might seem for a country or several countries to meet their required VP level, despite England's machinations. This is also why playing England is so challenging.

The problem here is that, unlike any other player, England can put himslef in a situation where it is impossible for the other countries to do anything about it. If he's far enough ahead in ships what can everyone else do about it? Build ships for 3 years to catch up?

Impossible? Far from it...

If you have half competant players who know what england is doing, do not be surprised to see a numerous ally of them coming towards you. If this is indeed what britain tends to do, then god help you... you'd better secure the channel asap. Just cause you have more ships than anyone doesnt mean you rule the seas.

France will go and put some nice stack on the border of the channel, just waiting for the chance to walk across. God help the poor british player who loses control just for one turn there! You'll never get it back. Lets see, spain and france taking the everything but the kitchen sink in their fleets and combing them in the channel what are you going to do. Pray before rolling the dice and bite the bullet? Turkey no doubt will also bring her fleet to support..

If you guard the channel with every fleet you can spare, what do you do to prevent the small repreated landings everywhere else? Not to mention, since you are now stuck defending, you wont be getting any extra man-powers from anywhere else. In fact, you'll be in the poor house!

Now, the best thing Britain can do in this situation, is try to stall everyone as much as possible and pray that someone gets backstabbed in the middle of it to take the pressure off...

It may be possible for her to hold out... Guess when this version is released we can build up some definite statistics on this

BTW, one more important point... IIRC once England falls, she is out for GOOD according to the rules....