[PB64] naufragar's bingo parlor for assassins

[naufragar]

Yeah, no way I'm living up to the thread title.

Edit for password:

cip

[naufragar]

Commodore - Lincoln (Phi/Cha) of the Celts
Amicalola - Mao (Exp/Pro) of Persia
Nowfrogger - Darius (Fin/Org) of Sumeria
Ginger - Charlemagne (Imp/Pro) of Greece
Superdeath - Victoria (Imp/Fin) of Carthage
Gavagai - Shaka (Agr/Exp) of Ethiopia

Well hot damn, these are some fun rolls. Thanks for the picks and map, Mjmd.

Let’s get into it. I have written analyses of the players, leaders, and civs. But! In keeping with the theme of this wild and random game setup, I have randomized the order of my comments and pictures, so my comments on Superdeath might be under Commodore. My comments for Shaka might be under Victoria. This way no one can be offended if I say anything mean. (Apologies to anyone who doesn’t know Civ4 inside and out. This will be unintelligible.) Edit: Analysis unscrambled two posts later by popular request.

Commodore:
Lincoln of the Celts


Wow. Easily my favorite combo of the set. It’s the standard “fast thing, late-game thing,” but it’s better to think of this as the combo that gets to expand without limits. If I can be a little blunt, the economic help will be useful to prevent this player from dooming his economy. [Unique Unit] is just the sexiest unique unit in the game. People here have argued that it’s not as good as it looks. Who cares?! Sexy! Glamorous! The unique building is also very good, but nothing looks cool next to [awesome, amazing Unique Unit].

What’s left to say about [Player]? I like him as a person and…can’t stand his playstyle. Sorry, buddy! Maybe this is hypocritical, since some people seem to think that I also have a penchant for berserk aggression. He’s a factor in every game he plays and is impossible to ignore. The memes about playstyle might disguise the fact that [Player] is indeed quite good; he knows when to bend his entire civ to a strategic goal, whether domestic or foreign.

Amicalola
Mao of Persia


This is an excellent combo that (I think) goes very well with its player. Want to try something pretty off the wall that might work beautifully or get you accused of throwing your own game? Here you go. The most straightforward thing that you can do with [LEADER] is to just race to Astro and own the seas. But there are more delicate, more interesting things you can do by exploiting terrain promos. The techs are hot garbage, and to be honest, I bet they’re gonna hurt like hell on this random map. People forget how often truly random Civ4 maps can just straight up screw a player.

This player is very skilled and also very bloodthirsty. Every game I’ve read with [Player] has involved him crushing someone out of nowhere or being slighted (or perceiving himself to have been slighted) and waging eternal vendetta until the stars burn out. I like stepping on people’s toes, but I would hesitate before stepping on his. On the other hand, he can get demoralized when things look unbalanced, which this game will be.

Ginger
Charlemagne of Greece


This combo is decidedly “meh.” The leader is fine. Enough early to middle game help. The commerce bonus will likely help on a random map. Doesn’t light my fire. The civ has great techs and…? That’s about it. I’m not a fan of [Unique Unit]. I could see it having some use if neighbors don’t have copper, but in that case, you’re probably winning an ancient war anyway. The [Unique Building] is a null entity, unless I misunderstand.

I’ve fallen behind on my lurking duties, so I’m not so familiar with this player’s debut. From a cursory glance, they seem really good, which means we don’t really have any newbies in this game. He comes from the fast and furious world of ladder Civ4, where the game is practically an RTS. Well, I’m pretty convinced that his brain his just has fast as his clicking finger. I look forward to playing with him. I like it when the community grows.

Superdeath
Victoria of Carthage


Solid combo on a tenacious, skilled player. I can’t remember the last game he played. I think it’s been a while, so maybe his skills are rusty? The most recent game I remember, I subbed for a no-show player and this guy kicked the stuffing out of me. (Actually, that doesn’t narrow it down. Every player in this game that I’ve played with has punched my teeth in… Um, I’m suddenly scared.) The civ is nothing extraordinary but it gets points for “Unique Unit that will actually get use,” which is pretty rare, you know. The leader, on the other hand, is very, very good, especially on a random (read: “food poor”) map.

Ah, my old archnemesis [Player]. He’s newish, but dedicated, micro-obsessed, tough. All the good things. Despite his relative youth, nobody’s going to be underestimating him after his last outing. He’s also a darn good reporter, which should boost your player rating, regardless of skill level. He does like to go the builder route, although with a few more games under his belt, maybe he’ll have abandoned that. We want people to stay in their borders and build. Who knows.

Gavagai
Shaka of Ethiopia


Hmm. I think I like this combo. The leader is sporting a combination of my most favorite and least favorite traits, but [Least Favorite Trait] is probably pretty good, especially in a game with fewer players, and I’m just being prejudiced. [Civilization] has pretty weak techs, but a very nice unique building that is situationally awesome. The unique unit got a massive, massive buff in CtH that, um, it probably didn’t need. I think Krill and Pindicator have talked about how busted this unit is. We’ll see if [Player] puts it to good use.

[Player] is everybody’s favorite reporter, right? Like, I signed up specifically to be in a game with him. My opponent analysis gimmick was originally going to be ranking people based on grit. If I had, this player would be at the top of the list. Just ruthless, grinding, tough. Admirable traits in a warlord. I wouldn’t put him at the tippy top of steersman to ever embark on Civilized waters, but I’m pretty confident that he’s the best player in this game. I’ll end my hagiography with this: I learned from this player that you need to *attack*. The key to winning is finding the window, whether making it through a development advantage or surprise. I know, therefore, that if I neighbor this person, I should try to not be the slowest camper.

So, my current thread title is “naufragar’s bingo parlor for assassins.” Every player in the game has the potential to be a killer. There are no minnows for the sharks to snack on. If I absolutely had to rank the players by skills, my list would probably be [Player]-> [Player]-> me/[Player]->[Player]-> [Player]. Yeah, that’s maybe a little egotistical, but hopefully I can prove it this game.

I want to make a prediction here before the game starts, though: people are going to bitch when they realize what a random map actually means. I suspect people have signed up for zany antics and then will whine like babies when they realize that the script generated the Garden of Eden for their opponents and Detroit for themselves. I’m pretty confident in my bet because I will be the first to complain. It’s my brand.

Ah! I forgot! My own analysis:
Naufragar
Darius of Sumeria


I would never have picked Darius in a million years. My entire soul is about speed and directness. It is probably good, therefore, than Mjmd has handed me an opportunity to leave my comfort zone. I have no idea how to play a combo like this and will have to really think about it. We’re on Monarch difficulty, which is not Org’s favorite, but the combination of traits should still make our economy potent. I really hate Sumeria. I don’t like the Vulture, and I as a player don’t like the frills of wonders or religious techs, which is the path that Ziggurats try to tempt you down. Give me Imperialistic and then an offensive unique unit every day. As with Darius, I’m glad of the opportunity to try something outside my comfort zone.

Myself as a player? I play for fun! Fun for me is doing stuff: weird tech beelines, surprise attacks, etc. Once upon a time, a player named MagicScience (whom I think we’ve lost) noticed that when given the choice between the passive or active course, I choose the active one, even when the passive is likely better. Reading his analysis after that particular game was…instructive. My temperament can lead me to do unorthodox things just to be unorthodox. I’d say I’ll try to tune it down, but I know myself too well to promise the impossible.

[Mjmd]

I would kindly request that the above be unrandomized to save the brains of many.

[naufragar]

Harumph. Analysis unscrambled for those who hate Christmas. I've left out the pictures, though. You'll still need to decipher those. 

Commodore:
Lincoln of the Celts
This is an excellent combo that (I think) goes very well with its player. Want to try something pretty off the wall that might work beautifully or get you accused of throwing your own game? Here you go. The most straightforward thing that you can do with [LEADER] is to just race to Astro and own the seas. But there are more delicate, more interesting things you can do by exploiting terrain promos. The techs are hot garbage, and to be honest, I bet they’re gonna hurt like hell on this random map. People forget how often truly random Civ4 maps can just straight up screw a player.

[Player] is everybody’s favorite reporter, right? Like, I signed up specifically to be in a game with him. My opponent analysis gimmick was originally going to be ranking people based on grit. If I had, this player would be at the top of the list. Just ruthless, grinding, tough. Admirable traits in a warlord. I wouldn’t put him at the tippy top of steersman to ever embark on Civilized waters, but I’m pretty confident that he’s the best player in this game. I’ll end my hagiography with this: I learned from this player that you need to *attack*. The key to winning is finding the window, whether making it through a development advantage or surprise. I know, therefore, that if I neighbor this person, I should try to not be the slowest camper.

Amicalola
Mao of Persia
This combo is decidedly “meh.” The leader is fine. Enough early to middle game help. The commerce bonus will likely help on a random map. Doesn’t light my fire. The civ has great techs and…? That’s about it. I’m not a fan of [Unique Unit]. I could see it having some use if neighbors don’t have copper, but in that case, you’re probably winning an ancient war anyway. The [Unique Building] is a null entity, unless I misunderstand.

Ah, my old archnemesis [Player]. He’s newish, but dedicated, micro-obsessed, tough. All the good things. Despite his relative youth, nobody’s going to be underestimating him after his last outing. He’s also a darn good reporter, which should boost your player rating, regardless of skill level. He does like to go the builder route, although with a few more games under his belt, maybe he’ll have abandoned that. We want people to stay in their borders and build. Who knows.

Ginger
Charlemagne of Greece
Hmm. I think I like this combo. The leader is sporting a combination of my most favorite and least favorite traits, but [Least Favorite Trait] is probably pretty good, especially in a game with fewer players, and I’m just being prejudiced. [Civilization] has pretty weak techs, but a very nice unique building that is situationally awesome. The unique unit got a massive, massive buff in CtH that, um, it probably didn’t need. I think Krill and Pindicator have talked about how busted this unit is. We’ll see if [Player] puts it to good use.

I’ve fallen behind on my lurking duties, so I’m not so familiar with this player’s debut. From a cursory glance, they seem really good, which means we don’t really have any newbies in this game. He comes from the fast and furious world of ladder Civ4, where the game is practically an RTS. Well, I’m pretty convinced that his brain his just has fast as his clicking finger. I look forward to playing with him. I like it when the community grows.

Superdeath
Victoria of Carthage
Wow. Easily my favorite combo of the set. It’s the standard “fast thing, late-game thing,” but it’s better to think of this as the combo that gets to expand without limits. If I can be a little blunt, the economic help will be useful to prevent this player from dooming his economy. [Unique Unit] is just the sexiest unique unit in the game. People here have argued that it’s not as good as it looks. Who cares?! Sexy! Glamorous! The unique building is also very good, but nothing looks cool next to [awesome, amazing Unique Unit].

What’s left to say about [Player]? I like him as a person and…can’t stand his playstyle. Sorry, buddy! Maybe this is hypocritical, since some people seem to think that I also have a penchant for berserk aggression. He’s a factor in every game he plays and is impossible to ignore. The memes about playstyle might disguise the fact that [Player] is indeed quite good; he knows when to bend his entire civ to a strategic goal, whether domestic or foreign.

Gavagai
Shaka of Ethiopia
Solid combo on a tenacious, skilled player. I can’t remember the last game he played. I think it’s been a while, so maybe his skills are rusty? The most recent game I remember, I subbed for a no-show player and this guy kicked the stuffing out of me. (Actually, that doesn’t narrow it down. Every player in this game that I’ve played with has punched my teeth in… Um, I’m suddenly scared.) The civ is nothing extraordinary but it gets points for “Unique Unit that will actually get use,” which is pretty rare, you know. The leader, on the other hand, is very, very good, especially on a random (read: “food poor”) map.

This player is very skilled and also very bloodthirsty. Every game I’ve read with [Player] has involved him crushing someone out of nowhere or being slighted (or perceiving himself to have been slighted) and waging eternal vendetta until the stars burn out. I like stepping on people’s toes, but I would hesitate before stepping on his. On the other hand, he can get demoralized when things look unbalanced, which this game will be.

[El Grillo]

I enjoyed the scramble, I was able to identify all the players but whiffed a couple of the civ/leader analyses. Good luck and have fun!

[civac2]

I misunderstood that you scrambled players and civs individually and was very confused for a moment. Much better like this. Thinking hurts.

[Mjmd]

Not sure when Ramk will load and realized there hasn't been any screenshots to randomly discuss.

[naufragar]

Oh man. An honest to goodness random map, complete with tribal villages. Thanks, Mjmd. I'm imagining the fun already!

[Miguelito]

How many didI get right?

Commodore:
Lincoln of the Celts



Amicalola
Mao of Persia



Ginger
Charlemagne of Greece



Superdeath
Victoria of Carthage



Gavagai
Shaka of Ethiopia



Naufragar
Darius of Sumeria



3/6 are unchanged from the random result

If I absolutely had to rank the players by skills, my list would probably be [Player]-> [Player]-> me/[Player]->[Player]-> [Player]. Yeah, that’s maybe a little egotistical, but hopefully I can prove it this game.

Or maybe even swap with [Player]? Rooting for you in this game!

[Mjmd]

This has to be SD right?