For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

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1590 days, 22 hours, 57 minutes ago

slash

For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate races for the mentor to play? Which races should NOT be used? Why or why not? Should some races not be allowed for the mentees due to their difficulty?

It might be worth it at some point to have a tip sheet for potential mentors which discusses this, reminders of which things need to be discussed with the players, a rough time line in the early game for building up for best examples to the players, etc. It would be useful for those considering becoming a mentor.

Not thinking about becoming a mentor myself quite yet (not even out of my MvM game yet), but it might help encourage people to act as mentor, thereby reducing the number of computer mentors out there.

1590 days, 21 hours, 18 minutes ago

RE: For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

Mentors Needed: I would say play what you are comfortable with. The advantages, so far, are all to the mentors. The hardest part will be keeping the midshipmen interested and in the game. Best of all it wont be too long before you are a LtCol. Oh wait you are ready! Good Luck ssscaletail

1590 days, 20 hours, 31 minutes ago

RE: For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

I am mentoring a game, so far almost all have dropped no communication. There are plenty of spots to jump in on the Alpha Star Sector, the more the merrier!

1590 days, 20 hours, 29 minutes ago

RE: For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

http://play.planets.nu/#/sector/137540

1590 days, 20 hours, 27 minutes ago

RE: For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

Mentor race selection can and should be any Race. The MvM game is the one and only instance a player should begin the game with the mentality they should not win. Sure - the Mentor should play the best he/she can. But more importantly, the Mentor should be helping everyone else in the game play the best they can.

What is most important is for the Mentor to actively engage everyone in the game to help them discover how they can play the game better. Oftentimes it will be basics that need to be enhanced. Sometimes the Mentor can throw out an advanced concept. But everyone can learn from others, especially those new to the game. And the more the Mentor can help in this, then the better off our community.

I have looked at the Activity Feed for most of the MvM games. Some Mentors inspire me on how well they communicate and give advice. Others have been quite disappointing. I have considered starting a thread to recognize those Mentors that truly have made Nu Planets a better community based on the constant guidance and advice they have offered throughout their games.

1590 days, 20 hours, 1 minutes ago

olegboleg

RE: For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

@slash i like the idea. Basics topics to cover, and when to cover them seems like a good guide for a new Mentor.

@bondservant
i don't think that's true about free race choosing. imagine a mentor takes over a privateer. He would be stealing "from babies".
Id recommend playing a fair and simple race. You don't need the whole handbook of tricks (and due to visibility you cant anyway)
i don't think spamming the queue or Merlin build queue tactic should either be used or part of the training.

@bondservant Part 2:
could you post the MvM games you found inspiring? that could help me and save me and others the trouble of finding them.

-------
i have just began my first game as a mentor, and i have the same problem. half the people didint put in their 2nd turn.

so i had some ideas (@Big+Beefer are you listening?:D):

-> possible improvements of the current system:
i) lets make those MvM games shorter and closer together. if it takes 30+ turns for some action, that might be counterproductive

ii) running start system for MvM games but they join with 1 planet only. no increasing of that.

iii) replacement Midshipmen - if a players drops out, lets give a new player the chance to join either a new game or run replacement of a current MvM game.

iv) have a Computerplayer take over empty slots in MvM Games.

-> possible major changes / new methods
i) if a players registers, he gets a Mentor assigned to him. This Mentor can then start communication invite him to a game.

ii) more tomorrow, kid is crying. :)

1590 days, 19 hours, 48 minutes ago

RE: For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

Improvements Advice, per @OlegBoleg 's post:

i) No. This is a good format; don't screw with that aspect.

ii) Running start is an excellent idea. I think it should be instituted for all live-Mentor games, starting with (let's say) the seventh or eighth Mid. Agreed only one planet.

iii) Replacement Mids: Great idea. Mentors and Mids alike should split up the job of advertising in the Activity Feeds of unmanned (computer) MvM games. It worked great for us in two successive games, and it's how I filled out the Master Class game.

Do it automatically, though, and you'll just have the same problem recur in four or five turns when half of the replacements drop.

iv) NO computer player.

Look, drops are gonna be a part of the lives of these guys. Just encourage them to move into the vacant space. That way, there's no impersonal neighbor, not subject to diplomacy or reason, who'll push their boundaries.

The game is seriously imbalanced against the Mentor. This is by design. If you have a small number of volunteer replacements, that should be all you'll need to make this an interesting and fun experience.

1590 days, 19 hours, 42 minutes ago

RE: For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

With regard to the original post:

I'd personally advise against any player taking Privateer in a MvM game. Bird Men likewise are at a serious disadvantage, but they do have a great deal of firepower to show for it.

I'd suggest that any Mentor who plays Crystals (knowing the web-mine bypass ability of other Crystals) is either supremely arrogant or quite insane.

The Federation, Lizards, Fascists, and Colonies are ideal Mentor races. Each has a limited cloaker defense; none is tremendously overpowered; none is obscenely weak.

Lizards, Colonies, Evil Empire, Birds, and Federation all make for excellent Mid races. They're fairly easy to run and they cooperate nicely.

1590 days, 18 hours, 52 minutes ago

RE: For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

@Gnerphk,

> I'd suggest that any Mentor who plays Crystals (knowing the web-mine bypass ability of other Crystals) is either supremely arrogant or quite insane.

Actually, I believe Glyn qualifies on both counts ;)

1590 days, 18 hours, 0 minutes ago

RE: For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

@W: Hee hee hee. :o)

No; my arrogance is better than his arrogance. So he's not SUPREMELY arrogant.

1590 days, 17 hours, 50 minutes ago

RE: For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

My thought on grabbing the Crystals was that they are a good race for defense, with the web mines and I did *hope* that no mentee would grab the crystals, and phew- no one did- I don't think that there are many people that realize that Crystals pass through other crystal fields, and would imagine that beginners don't realize that advantage.

1590 days, 17 hours, 0 minutes ago

slash

RE: For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

What about Robots as a mentor race?

I like the idea of doing something to recognize good mentors. Being a mentor can be a tough, time-consuming, and often thankless task, yet good mentors are incredibly valuable to both the individual mentee and the community at large. As such, they should be encouraged by having their work recognized and encouraged.

1590 days, 12 hours, 31 minutes ago

RE: For MvM games, what are people's opinions on appropriate...

> What about Robots as a mentor race?

Robots are a bit strong, but so are some of the others. I think Robots are just fine, but I think Fascists and Rebels are OK too.

> have a Computerplayer take over empty slots in MvM Games

The AI is just barely smart enough to play turns by itself, There's no way it could become a useful partner.