Stalemates

[Matija]

In some 3 and 4 p. games, forces seem to be so equally distributed that it seems impossible for a single player to win. Even if he manages to eliminate a single opponent, he is so weakened that he becomes easy prey for others.

Alternatively, a player might refuse to leave a citadel to be killed in a fair fight, and his opponent is to weak to win at a citadel.

I believe game mechanics should eliminate those situations somehow, enabling a straight win for one of the players. I'm somewhat at a loss as to how to achieve that. Any ideas?

Some were already suggested: experience, and re-recruitement of dead king's lords. Gold, and possibility of makeing better weapons / siege engines would also be one of the possible additions.

But I am still not convinced all the above would be sufficient.

[Natmus]

Matija said:

I believe game mechanics should eliminate those situations somehow, enabling a straight win for one of the players. I'm somewhat at a loss as to how to achieve that. Any ideas?

So far only the Regicide winning condition has been implemented. The other conditions may solve some of this. But you raise some good points, and I'll sort out my thoughts on this and give a longer answer later.

[queex]

I think part of the problem is that the objective is highly mobile and difficult to dispose of.

I think introducing different victory conditions (such as 2/3 of all citadels, or 'capture enemy capital') would help eliminate much of the problem- but in any sort of game a deadlock may be possible. If the two sides are evenly matched enough for it to be impossible to try for a win without equal chnce of losing, maybe we should have honourable draws.

[Ringthane]

I believe the XP solution would be fairest and also bring the most value-added change to gameplay... capitalizing on skirmishes and kill # might prove th decisive tip-off.