SpielByWeb

[Sightreader]

In the "Enemies" setup system, each player chooses two provinces at a time for each of their ENEMIES. Luck is greatly reduced and there is generally more instability and conflict during the game. The process is quicker - especially online - and is completed in 4 to 5 simultaneous turns.

The system produces games that are self-balancing, very intense, and have extremely diverse strategic and tactical challenges. Since we haven't used the normal setup in years, I didn't realize how much better it was until this site forced me to play the old way.

The following are sample instructions that would implement this system. It's quite simple - especially online - so players shouldn't require explanation beyond the prompts (most of the length of this article is in service of being thorough).

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INITIAL TURN
DISPLAY:
Your "hand" of 10 random provinces, preferably highlighted on the map

PLAYER PROMPT:
"Choose which two provinces you wish to assign to your [FIRST NEIGHBOR] enemy"

NOTE (displayed throughout setup process):
"You will not be able to choose provinces for yourself."

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SUBSEQUENT TURNS
DISPLAY:
Map showing:
1. colored numbers for populated provinces
2. colored question marks for assigned but not yet populated provinces
3. highlights matching the remaining provinces in your "hand"

PROMPT 1:
Choose an army to place in [first province you received]
Choose an army to place in [second province you received]

PROMPT 2:
Choose two provinces to assign to your [NEXT NEIGHBOR] enemy

The process continues, rotating from neighbor to neighbor, until all pools of armies have been deployed. Remaining cards in your "hand" are then returned to the "deck", unassigned.

Thoughts? Ideas?

[Rime92]

I think it is really great info!
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honestly discussed

[Sightreader]

Yay thanks! I hope they implement it: the setup is fun and challenging in its own right and leads to a nearly infinite variety of starting setups that are virtually guaranteed to be fair.

They could, if they want, add a tunable amount of luck by allowing players to keep “x” cards before distributing them.