Topic: Recommendations for Spring/Summer '05 Season

[GDA-Kel]

As far as timing goes, I would like to complete this season, plus playoffs by the 1st week in April.  That would allow the next big D2 campaign, GW5 Day of the Eagle, to run for its scheduled 2-3 weeks.  My recommendation would be to begin the next season, if there is one, a week or so after GW5 ends. 

I created the schedule randomly, but it has been suggested that each match have different era for each game  if at all possible. 

Also, it has been suggested that the average TBPV be lowered somewhat to create more CA, CL, and DD matches.  The TBPV ranges should not be changed, simply give more weight to lower TBPV when creating the schedule.  I have no idea if this is race neutral or not. 

There has been a suggestion to add asteroid field as a terrain type.  In my opinion, the more variety the better.

Someone suggested have all battles timed.  I think this is worth considering.  Perhaps 30-45 minutes is a decent time.  If there are ships left at the end of the time limit, then the winner is determined by total # of internals scored, or something similar. 

Please post all additional suggestions here.  I will browse prevoious threads and try  to consolidate all  previous suggestions here.   

[762_XC]

Someone suggested have all battles timed.  I think this is worth considering.  Perhaps 30-45 minutes is a decent time.  If there are ships left at the end of the time limit, then the winner is determined by total # of internals scored, or something similar. 

I think this is a horrible idea.

[deadmansix]

 I also think that having matches timed is a bad idea, matches have enough tension in them already and putting a time limit on a match just adds to the mix, we are here to have fun and test our skill not see haw fast we can blow some one up, if some matches take loner than others so be it.

[Dfly]

I concur to the idea of not timing matches.  It would be detrimental to some races.

[Slider]

How about one season with just the Alpha Quadrant ships. Early Mid and Late Era only for a change. PBR Rules Tvb.

Jakle can hatch some canned battles in case we need some quick start games for stragglers.


Would people be apposed to flying different races in Seaon 6 (if there is one) You match up the races against their natural rivals and have each team play each race 2x. Would make for a good change of pace.

Yes/No/Horrid idea I'll never fly Lyran.

Slide

[FPF-Tobin Dax]

Someone suggested have all battles timed.  I think this is worth considering.  Perhaps 30-45 minutes is a decent time.  If there are ships left at the end of the time limit, then the winner is determined by total # of internals scored, or something similar. 

I think this is a horrible idea.

agreed

[Toast]

HI

[FPF-DieHard]

Someone suggested have all battles timed.  I think this is worth considering.  Perhaps 30-45 minutes is a decent time.  If there are ships left at the end of the time limit, then the winner is determined by total # of internals scored, or something similar. 

I think this is a horrible idea.

I agree with t00l, words cannot describe how bad this idea is.

[Kougar_XC]

Also, it has been suggested that the average TBPV be lowered somewhat to create more CA, CL, and DD matches.  The TBPV ranges should not be changed, simply give more weight to lower TBPV when creating the schedule.  I have no idea if this is race neutral or not. 

There has been a suggestion to add asteroid field as a terrain type.  In my opinion, the more variety the better.

Someone suggested have all battles timed.  I think this is worth considering.  Perhaps 30-45 minutes is a decent time.  If there are ships left at the end of the time limit, then the winner is determined by total # of internals scored, or something similar. 

In order:

I like the first idea, smaller engagements would be fun and a nice change. Just a random thought, but what about having a match where a CA, CL, and a DD would have to be picked, or some other ship class combo in adherence to the PBR rules? Constructive criticism welcome, just posting it for thought, I believe some other ladder league attempted this before??  The problem I see with my idea and the above, is that some races do have some extremely overgunned or superfrigs that would make for more balance issues.


I say add the rocks. And whatever else isn't included! I prefer asteroid fields, although granted in a 6 player game with two dialup users (or one really slow one) things sometimes get laggy. Possibly including this, but with some rules to get around multiple dialup users shoul this map type come up? (As if more rules are wanted, I know...)

I really, really, have to agree with the apparent consensus. I would not want to play under a timed match and think it would only add anti-matter to the already often "tense" games.

[KHH Jakle]

GZ (pre-pbr/divisional league) had a Random Terms Generator w/ Variants (the TRBGV).  It would give you all the stuff the RBG would give PLUS tell you what variants to take.

You are right though - you do run into situations where forcing variant selections can benefit one race over another.

You could take a novel twist on this though:  For certain games, make it a 'line' match.  Basically, you can use the PBR matrix to say ALL listed ships are restricted.  You'd then be left with nothing but line ships.  Or, you could use variantions on this theme: Command Only or Support only or Carrier groups only (a little problematic here with the PF races - but you get the idea)

The bottom line is, you can use the existing PBR frame work and apply it in different ways to create games that have a very differnt flavor.

Why the 'line' match?  PBR came out of my desire to ultimately see more vanilla ship matches.  I can remember lining up 3xCA v 3xD7 matches with the boys in old 3rd fleet and they were a blast.  That or the D6 v Mirak CS matches I would sometimes play with Kraven.  In the end, I settled on taking set SFB rules (S8) and converting them.  This largely eliminated rampant cheese and created an environment where new ship line ups became prevalent.

However, over time, I found that - from my perspective - the old cheese fests were replaced by new versions of those cheese fests: almost every PBR match seemed to consist of 1 Command, 1 support (usually the cheese ship) and the one token line ship they were forced to take.  It's still better than the old way (IMO), but still didn't hit the mark on what I wanted.

In my highly romanticized view of things, game that were match ups of pure line ships was simply the ideal: D7/6's, D5's, F5's, E4's v CA's, CL's, NCL's, DD's, FF's - that kind of thing.  Refitt them (B or K's for Klinks, +'s for the Feddies) but leave of the droners, fast ships, carriers, escorts, maulers, ect.  Go ahead and throw in one command ship for flavor if you like.

Anyway, something you can think about.  I don't think applying a 'Line Only' or 'Command + Line' only (all other PBR rules apply) to some games in a match would necessarily create any inherent imbalance....but then I hardly play anymore so what do I know