"Capture the Flag" VC

[sparrowhawk]

A lot of discussion in the past has mentioned a capture the flag victory condition.

I would be grateful if the proponents of this victory condition could expand on it and how they see it working in M/MU. Please consider the fact that this is multiplayer and that there can be more than 2 flags. Can flags be moved? Must they be in a stronghold. If so how do you determine which one at the start of the game?

Thanks

[Ringthane]

I'd see it more like The Ice Crown victory thing, only we don't know where the ice crown is. A randomly placed flag, guidance-obtainable (or luck) and defended by a powerful garrison (possibly NPC xenos, even). What do you think?

[Old Shendemiar]

I've mentioned it just as an example of various possibilities in the VC context. I dont have the time to think now, but i will consider it tomorrow at work ;D

[Perun]

Let's say that the victory condition is called "Capture the Ice Crown", not flag. It makes more sense considering history.

I agree with Fernando - IC should be placed randomly. But not in every possible place on a map. Originally it was tower, so I would stick to that. There are plenty towers in Midnight anyway. Other possibility are citadels, but they are too few.

Guidances should be the only means of finding the position of the IC, and possibility of getting the right one should be very, very small, no more than 5%. If we're talking about uniform distribution, that's 20 seeks. Usually three seeks per character, and you can find it in a few days.

Garrison guarding it? Interesting, but demands some changes in recruiting routine, since that garrison isn't just neutral, but neutral AND hostile towards anyone. And it shouldn't be too powerful, no more than, say, 5000 - 8000 defenders.

IC should be placed inside some special place in order to win. Capturing itself doesn't sound very "midnighty". In original it was lake Mirrow.

Another thing that comes to mind: when player is carrying IC, he should be slowed down considerably, burdened with ice fear. Something like old Skulkrin. That way other players could have enough time to try to recapture it.

And of course, only kings should be able to take it.

[Old Shendemiar]

Thats all fine, but one thing doesnt make sense (but can be easily made to make) It's the WHY, Why different lords race to get IC and then try to destroy it.

Why wont we make it a Moonring, an artifact granting powers to holder, and victory if "homed".

It also could slow king, and others would know it's whereabouts if carried.

[Ringthane]

So capture the flag is indeed a quest to get the four pieces of the moonring. Which could be distributed around Midnight... and only kings and wise could pick them up? And Doomy of course ;D

[Perun]

Shendemiar said:

Thats all fine, but one thing doesnt make sense (but can be easily made to make) It's the WHY, Why different lords race to get IC and then try to destroy it.

Why wont we make it a Moonring, an artifact granting powers to holder, and victory if "homed".

It also could slow king, and others would know it's whereabouts if carried.

Moonring sounds good. I thought players could try to destroy the Ice Crown. But, Moonring sounds better.

[Perun]

Now that I think of it, it's Ice Crown that sounds better. Or something else, maybe Andrea can think of something convincing?

What is "homing" in terms of M/MU when you start with no citadels?

I still believe that the artefact should be placed somewhere, not citadel. And that place should be near the center of the map, so other players can catch current owner easily.

[Old Shendemiar]

Homing would be "Declare the ownership of the ring at the forge of mount Xajorkith" etc ;D

The idea and mechanics is same behind IC or MR, it's just the explanation that needs polishing. Anything convincing goes by me.

As i said, why differend lords would race and kill others to be first to destroy evil item... But as Perun said, maybe they all are not trying to Destroy the ice crown, but declare it their own!

Slowing effect would be because even thou it grants great advantage in battle, it would also drain lot of strenght of the user.... (Until declared own.... MUAHAHAHAHAA!!!!)

[alidriel]

Shendemiar said:

Homing would be "Declare the ownership of the ring at the forge of mount Xajorkith" etc ;D

Xajorkith, Gard, Fadrath or Gloom...

[Ringthane]

hmmmm

[queex]

Anyone played the board game Strange Synergy? The 'capture the flag' in that works as follows: each team has a flag of their colour, and to win must possess the flag of their colour and one other (decided at the beginning of the game). Each player starts with a random flag. That might be possible in this situation without too much bother. Plus, you can describe your 'flag' yourself- be it Moonring, Ice Crown, or Spear of the Targ.

[sparrowhawk]

So the "flags" are randomly distributed?

I already have a table in the system to hold items (such as ice crown, etc) against a lord. The code to handle it is not written yet though.

Would the king himself have to hold the flags. If so , that would give other players a chance to intercept flagholders on their way to rendez-vous with the king.

[queex]

Presumably they have to get the flags back to the commander. Makes it more epic. Should they be able to transfer flags from lord to lord?

There could be guidance for flags- or guidance on who wishes to claim any flags you hold.

[Matija]

For a Moonring to gain its power, it might be necessary that an allied lord is present, at the time of the full moon, at every one of the four lakes: Mirrow, Elenil, Lorgrim, and Dregrim.