Twilight Imperium

This page is created so we can more easily discuss this weekends Twilight Imperium game. Heck, we can probably keep it around so we can hopefully learn from it (gasp). Use the discussion page to discuss things relevant to TI itself, while the discussion portions in each section for something relevant only to one section.

Current Game

It is proposed that we play a game this Saturday, May 26. We can use this page to discuss options and make plans. Some options we will use is simulated early turns and custodians of Mecatol Rex.

Variants

Nobody wants to play a vanilla game for 9 hours. We have TI3 as well as Shattered Empire, and both will be utilized. What we need to determine is which variants and house rules we should use. This is where we discuss that. I am considering buying Shards of the Throne. Dieter and Dave have played it, so how is it?

A more comprehensive listing of what each variant encompasses can be found here: Twilight Imperium Variants

Dreadnoughts

The last few times we have played they apply their hits to non-fighter ships first and it seems to work pretty well.

Setup

For this game we should come up with some setup variant, but I am not sure what. Place your thoughts here. The important factors are: Speaker token, first choice of race, starting position.

Distant Suns

This can be quite arbitrary, but also potentially fun.

Leaders

We have used leaders once, I am not sure how much they add to the game.

Other Ideas

JASON: Proposed Strategy Card set: 1 Initiative, 2 Diplomacy II, 3 Political, 4 Logistics, 5 Trade II, 6 Warfare I, 7 Technology II, 8 Bureaucracy.

Artifacts (yes/no)?
--Jason 11:35, 22 May 2012 (MST)My vote is yes.
--Dieter the Bold 05:52, 23 May 2012 (MST) My vote is yes.

Facilities (yes/no)?
--Jason 11:35, 22 May 2012 (MST)My vote is no.
--Dieter the Bold 05:52, 23 May 2012 (MST) My vote is no.

Sabotage Runs (yes/no)?
--Jason 11:35, 22 May 2012 (MST)My vote is no.
--Dieter the Bold 05:52, 23 May 2012 (MST) My vote is yes. There is always a structural weakness in doomsday weapons. It's, like, a rule or something.

Wormhole Nexus (yes/no)?
--Jason 11:35, 22 May 2012 (MST)My vote is yes.
--Dieter the Bold 05:52, 23 May 2012 (MST) My vote is yes.
--Megami 21:28, 23 May 2012 (MST) Yes

Voice of the Council (yes/no)?
--Jason 11:35, 22 May 2012 (MST)My vote is no.

Shock Troops (yes/no)?
--Jason 11:35, 22 May 2012 (MST)My vote is no (and Hopes End produces regular ground troops).
--Dieter the Bold 05:52, 23 May 2012 (MST) My vote is yes.
--Megami 21:28, 23 May 2012 (MST) Yes

Alternate Scoring

There is an alternate scoring variant called 'No Sudden Victory' [1] that I think we should consider. The basic idea is you score every turn for all objectives that you qualify for, and some other scoring is added as well. This makes board position matter and the game is not just decided by which scoring cards come up.

Also, I will separate the Secret Objectives into two piles, the normal ones and the hard ones, so we don't have some completely unfair distribution of those.

--Dieter the Bold 16:10, 23 May 2012 (MST) I like both of these ideas.

Food

What should we have? Who wants to bring what snacks?

Two food proposals for this game are BBQ and La Costa. Current there are two La Costa votes and one BBQ.

Snacks

Who is bringing what?

--Jason 11:35, 22 May 2012 (MST)I have ice cream, warm pretzels with cheese, potato skins and probably some other things around. Plus drinks, but it would be nice if we supplemented the drinks in some way.

--Dieter the Bold 05:54, 23 May 2012 (MST) I'm happy to bring some dessert (it'll be cookies, donuts or brownies or something similar), lemonade and vodka.

12-19

What follows is the discussion from the game which occurred 12-19.

Dreadnoughts

The discussion seems to be going in this direction, so here (unless there are objections) are the changes: Dreadnoughts roll 2 dice instead of 1 AND their first hit must be applied to a non-fighter if possible.

Distant Suns

We will be using Distant Suns. This means exploration and other cool stuff. We have never tried this before.

Other Optional Rules

Do we want any other optional Rules like leaders etc?

• Dave: I vote no leaders. We have enough new variants with distant suns and modifying the Dreadnoughts.

Races

Some people want to choose races before we begin. Here is what I propose. Those of you who want to pick races, they are first come first served. Write your name next to them and somehow taunt Dieter and tell David he is retarded. Choices will not be honored if all steps are not followed.

When we get together to actually play the game, those who did not choose a race (and select randomly) will have first choice of where they want their home system to be located.

Discussion

JASON: I dont really see a fair way to pick races beforehand, unless we do something crazy like let Amir, who has never played, pick everyones race. That could be fun.

JASON: One more thing, the secret objectives are important to play styles, so I was thinking that unless anyone has an objection Rumi can randomly draw secret objectives for us and email them so we know them as well. Maybe she can randomly draw us races too?

Dave: I have no problem with Rumi drawing the secret objectives and races in advance

Food

Dieter is a pussy-ass vegetarian so he is going to Gabes-Mom up our whole meal, but we live with it and instead smear him across the galaxy mercilessly. Here are the choices. Vote or get left in the dust.

Billy McHales BBQ: 1/4 chicken, baby back ribs, beans, carribean veggies, stuffed potatoes for about 7.89pp

Circo Mexican: Build your own taco with beef, chicken, black and re-fried beans, rice, sour cream, guac, salsa, chips 6.69pp

Fortune Chinese: Assorted appetizers, assorted sauteed vegetables, broccoli chicken, gen taos chicken, mongolian beef, shrimp lo mein, steamed rice 6.69pp

Gyro House Greek: Beef, lamb, chicken, hummus, rice, salad, pita, sauces: 7.50pp

Cha Cha Thai: Phad thai with chicken or tofu, red curry with beef, mixed vegetables in garlic, fresh rolls, rice 7.75pp

BJs: Pastas for a half pan are about 30, and salads for about 25. They also have Old fashioned pot roast dinner for 40 that says it serves 8-10 with mashed potato sides, veggies, and gravy.

Discussion

JASON: I think we are safest with pasta or gyros. We could get a full on real man pasta and a wussy vegetarian one so all our bases are covered, or with Gyros we can have falafel and hummus ones for the pacifists. Ben said I should eat less meat but Im probably better off dying next year around May.

• Dave: I can easily ask for falafel to be included in the Greek option. D20 rules!

• Corey: I vote for Greek as well. I think it has the best balance between Vegetarian and Meat options.

• Dave: I need a consensus by 4:45 Friday as I need to give the order to the restaurant by 5pm. Thanks

11/27/10

This Saturday is the next installment of our TI mega whatever we want to call it. We need to determine which optional rules we wish to use.

JASON: I vote for Dreadnoughts take 2 hits, and roll 2 dice, simulated early turns, shock troops, distant suns and maybe leaders.

DIETER: I vote Dreadnoughts roll 2 dice and only hit non-fighters (if able), simulated early turns, exhaustable planets (shock troops, fighters, trade stations), shock troops, distant suns & facilities. I can't remember what all the strategy cards are, but what we used last time at Chris's seemed to work. What's the food plan?

Races

Each person will get to choose their race from two randomly chosen by a neutral guest. Here they are:

Corey: Mentak or Federation of Sol
Rumi: Embers of Muaat or Universities of Jol-Nar
Jason: Lizix Mindnet or Sardakk N'orr
Dave: Naalu Collective or Yin Brotherhood
Dieter: I'll take the Xxcha Kingdom if we're using Diplomacy or we rule that the Special Ability applies to the Political card as well. Otherwise, it's the Barony of Letnev.

If we get more players, they can grab two and choose.