xkcd

by **Lorenz** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:33 pm UTC

If I manage to stay close for 3 moves though, I can Ionize you.
Swiss Cottage

by **podbaydoor** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 2:18 am UTC

With NecklaceOfShadow forcing me to emit my three electrons, I retreat to Shepherd's Bush to fortify my defensive capabilities.

by **NecklaceOfShadow** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:15 am UTC

As a precaution, to shake Lorenz off, I move to Warren Street. The nitrogens must remain whole...

by **podbaydoor** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 1:43 pm UTC

Nifty! I can see the beginning of your L-banz Sweep though, you might want to watch your left flank there...

Aldwych.

by **Lorenz** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:46 pm UTC

Thank you for the bridge podbay!
Now I can block NoS's direct route to MC, while keeping to my original strategy.
Euston

Also, I think that YOU are now exposing your left flank podbay, hope NoS doesn't take you with too much force.

by **NecklaceOfShadow** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 9:10 pm UTC

I'll retreat to London Bridge and recover among the rubble. My flank shall be healed soon~!

by **podbaydoor** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 12:41 am UTC

Not if I strike at Brent Cross and draw out the blue partisans.

by **eviloatmeal** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:37 am UTC

podbaydoor wrote:Not if I strike at Brent Cross and draw out the blue partisans.

You can't on the 23rd move, royal horses are creating waves of traffic.

That means I get two moves, so I'll step off at Piccadilly Circus, step back on again, and step back off at Piccadilly Circus.

by **podbaydoor** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:46 pm UTC

Actually, may I remind you that we're playing the heavy isotope version, which allows for partisan strikes on the 23rd, 26th, and 52nd moves, as well as provides for a tiebreaker should the need arise. I'll give you that heavy isotopes is a more obscure ruleset, but I'd encourage you to read up on it.

by **NecklaceOfShadow** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:33 pm UTC

But you're forgetting, pod, the Deuterium addendum to the heavy isotope ruleset. In the case of a retreat, explosions guard the healing party for one turn. It also makes any sort of water you might try to drink heavier for one turn.

by **podbaydoor** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:27 pm UTC

Right, but a strike at Brent Cross is clearly an offensive move.

by **Lorenz** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:48 pm UTC

Yup, it looks like eviloatmeal got their versions confused. This means the double Picadilly Circus move was invalid, but a single one was ok. As a single picadilly move would lead me to MC crescent right now by drinking the heavy water, then I'm treating that post as if there was no move.

Brent Cross to avoid deaths of the healing party.

by **Lorenz** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 6:37 pm UTC

By rule 2.7, on the manual of Fast MC Play - Surprising the Enemy (page 49 on the first edition), I can take a quick return to Piccadilly Circus, gaining an extra turn, which I can immediately use to get to

Mornington Crescent

Took me a month to find that book, but I was quite confident I could take the win.

Dark Souls Challenge · by **Mishrak** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 6:42 pm UTC

Good show Lorenz! How did you find a copy of that? A first edition no less! There has to be less than 250 of those still out there. You can thank the great Tuskany fire for that one. A sad sad day...

Anyway, what should we play next? A bit tiddly winks variation? Or perhaps Colors and Rounds? I still have my cue sitting in my closet actually.

by **Lorenz** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 6:51 pm UTC

I know, can you believe it was sitting in my university's library... and it hadn't been lent a single time!!!!
I'd be happy to scan it and upload it if you can't find a copy.

Colors and Rounds is quite a fine choice, and simple enough for newbies to join. Do you want to add a secondary win condition for the more experienced players? I suggest capturing the red rabbit on an even round.

Dark Souls Challenge · by **Mishrak** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 6:56 pm UTC

As far as I can remember, scanning and uploading is explicitly against the rules and violates proper form and etiquette.

I do appreciate the gesture though. Plus I have the 2nd and 3rd editions of that book, so there's not a huge loss there at least in terms of information. The value though...who knows?

I think anyone with more than 3,000 petals should be able to handle the red rabbit rule. However, as for a secondary win condition...I like a more traditional approach that includes the newbies in everything. Trial by fire if I may.

by **podbaydoor** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:31 pm UTC

Bring it on. I got 2,986 petals at my disposal and I feel like it's a gamblin' kind of day.

Dark Souls Challenge · by **Mishrak** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 12:01 am UTC

Oh man, if PBD is in, I'm in!

I'll bring 3200 petals to the table. Who else?

by **kaimason1** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:31 am UTC

I've been saving up my 6283 petals for just such an occasion. I'll bring half of them to the table.

Also, I have a 1.5 edition of Colors and Rounds, but I know there are some key differences in 1.5 and 2, such as how pinks are allocated when a roundabout turnkey maneuver is used, and also how the special edition fuschia petals affect direction of movement. Which edition will we use? I've personally got 23 1.5 edition tokens and only 3 2nd edition tokens, so it's rather important. Unless we want to use the Cherenkov revision to the 2nd edition, where both 1.5 tokens and 2nd edition tokens are acceptable, with some other compromises between the two? It's been a while since someone challenged me to C&R, so I haven't even heard of 3rd edition. If anyone knows any better solutions to the issue of tokens and special editions, please tell.

Anyway, no matter what we choose I'm in 3141 petals, anyone else? Also, are we considering the color of the (normal edition, special edition always is considered) petals in this round?

Dark Souls Challenge · by **Mishrak** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:39 am UTC

Wow, even Kaimason eh? Long time sir!

Also yes, I think the Cherenkov revision is quite reasonable. Also everyone starts with the same amount of tokens, either 12 or 12 and 3/4th's. Decide with a diceroll and a handshake. At least we will once we get enough people!

by **Lorenz** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 3:10 am UTC

Well, version 1.5 has received a lot of revisions, and is quite hard to abuse of the rules. For example, playing a green ocean wave during a dollis loop would allow me to steal all of your tokens (Infinite loop, stealing the number of tokens of the turn it is from the player each time a stop is re-visited. Version 2 makes it impossible to quit the loop with such play, while version 1.5 wouldn't even allow you to be kept in such a loop).
That's the only game-breaking play I know, but I've seen friends lose hundreds and thousands of tokens with single moves. A total abuse of the game, and it's takes all the fun out, and turns it into a lawyers game.

And yes, Cherenkov revision will make things fun. Either that or the Mandelbrot step-by-step addition would be the most fun imo.

I'm actually a little low on petals though. I have only 1828 petals. However, I have over 10,000 roots, Is there anyone in need of roots and has some extra petals willing to trade? I'll give you a good deal also. 2.7 roots per each petal.
(Do not confuse my lack of petals for lack of experience. I would rather not talk about the event that left me with so little)

by **kaimason1** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 3:42 am UTC

Lorenz wrote:Well, version 1.5 has received a lot of revisions, and is quite hard to abuse of the rules. For example, playing a green ocean wave during a dollis loop would allow me to steal all of your tokens (Infinite loop, stealing the number of tokens of the turn it is from the player each time a stop is re-visited. Version 2 makes it impossible to quit the loop with such play, while version 1.5 wouldn't even allow you to be kept in such a loop).
That's the only game-breaking play I know, but I've seen friends lose hundreds and thousands of tokens with single moves. A total abuse of the game, and it's takes all the fun out, and turns it into a lawyers game.

And yes, Cherenkov revision will make things fun. Either that or the Mandelbrot step-by-step addition would be the most fun imo.

I'm actually a little low on petals though. I have only 1828 petals. However, I have over 10,000 roots, Is there anyone in need of roots and has some extra petals willing to trade? I'll give you a good deal also. 2.7 roots per each petal.
(Do not confuse my lack of petals for lack of experience. I would rather not talk about the event that left me with so little)

Personally, I find it the most fun when it turns into a lawyers game - as long as it isn't a gambling ruleset, as C&R is. Also, I've seen that loop in play - simply take a trip toward Blackfriars and back to Hyde Park, then call a Seaman's Bluff and the loop is escaped. See, always a solution!

Also, how did your friends get hundreds of thousands of tokens? In my experience, tokens are incredibly rare, thus the 3/4s possibility. I personally hate splitting my tokens, though, because while they are designed for splitting and reassembly, the 1.5 tokens were new to this engineering, and as of such are extremely liable to wear and breaking, making them extremely rare. They go for up to 1000 dollars on ebay each in the pristine condition I have kept mine. I know that 2nd edition tokens fixed this issue, but they are still very rare - I don't know how many 3rd edition tokens were made, but I remember there only being about 500,000 tokens produced at the time, and most of those were hoarded by the production company in China after the price of copper shot up humongously right after they were made. Upon release, only about 5,000 tokens were sold among the 1 million people who bought the ruleset, and 300,000 had already been melted back down.

Also, I've got too many yellow petals - I can trade you 1000. I'm really low on roots after a... disastrous bet I made in the Newton's Rails version of the game. I know, it shouldn't be possible to lose over 20000 roots in a single match of that, but we were using a flawed fan revision with a few loopholes, and the bet I made was INCREDIBLY unlikely to lose. I still think the guy cheated. Anyhow, that leaves you with a grand total of 2828 petals and me with 2700 extra roots, right?

by **Lorenz** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 3:59 am UTC

Thank you! 2828 petals should be good enough to enter the bet.

how did your friends get hundreds of thousands of tokens

Umm... you misread my post. Hundreds AND thousands of tokens. Not hundreds OF thousands. about 250, 350, and 3500 for different persons. You are correct in mentioning the second edition tokens, as they are the ones mostly used in pro tournaments today.
You have probably heard the name of some of these people, they are quite elite in the MC community. They are P.P.B Kolmogorov, Jack "the black" smith, and Juan Herrera.

Dark Souls Challenge · by **Mishrak** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 12:54 pm UTC

Lorenz wrote: and turns it into a lawyers game.

It's already a lawyer's game

Anyway, lets start. We'll figure out the version as we go. No Dollis Hill loops allowed, that fixes pretty much everything.

I spend 13 petals to use my first oscillating shunt to capture Heathrow Airport. I also use 26 petals to close internationals.

Current Pot: 39 petals, 1 Round

by **kaimason1** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:07 pm UTC

Lorenz wrote:They are P.P.B Kolmogorov, Jack "the black" smith, and Juan Herrera.

Nice, I think I've played tournaments against a few of these! That would explain how they could have over a thousand. I've actually seen Juan win over 2 million dollars in one tournament. I was the first to play him, so I lost pretty quickly and won nothing. Also, I used to have more tokens, but I traded most of my 2.0 tokens for an unopened first edition Golem's Passage rulebook, the one which came with 20 gold leaves, 4 statue pawns, and 2 rare barks.

Anyway, I'll spend 17 petals to perform a vibrating push to take Silvertown & London City Airport. I will then put another 33 to begin reopening internationals on the white line. Now I'll place one half of a 2.0 token on Highbury and Islington, which opens certain, selected internationals along the blue line.

Tokens in play: .5 on Silvertown & London City Airport
Current Pot: 89 petals, 2 Round

by **Lorenz** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:14 pm UTC

Edit: As NoS Ninja-d me, I am removing this move.

by **NecklaceOfShadow** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:14 pm UTC

Well, I'm insulted. A new tournament-style game and noone thought it fit to call me? Now, I am truly offended.

I bring 2918 petals to the table and I would like to raise the ante even more by offering a meteor fragment to the victor. Any takers?

I decide to spend 21 petals to move to Warren Street. Because of the home-station and vegan-area bonuses, I gain 13 petals. I use those to free up all international stations on the purple and octarine lines.

Tokens in play: .5 on Silvertown & London City Airport
Current Pot: 123 petals, 3 Round

by **kaimason1** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:34 pm UTC

NecklaceOfShadow wrote:Any takers?

I'll take the bet, I have one of my own, but I need three more for a very elite tournament I really want to do. It's not my turn yet, so I'm not going to make a move.

by **podbaydoor** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 6:00 am UTC

Good to see so many players come back to this venerable game on the forums! I admit I didn't expect this kind of vigorous response when I made my offer out of nostalgia.

Anyhow, good show, what ho old chaps and all that. I'll throw in 10 petals to get to the little known Brondesbury. (Never hurts to start out conservatively.) That said, the blue line looks tempting so I'll add another half token to open up two more stations. The payoff should be tidy.

Tokens in play: .5 on Silvertown & London City Airport, .5 on Covent Garden & Leicester Square
Current Pot: 133 petals, 4 Round

by **kaimason1** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:07 pm UTC

OK, nice calm beginning, podbaydoor.

Now that it's my turn again, I'll follow suit and make a calm, strong move:

I play 17 petals on Green Park, an intersection of the blueish lines (I'm colorblind, people, forgive me; is that purple or a darker blue?). Additionally, I'll split up the remaining half a 2.0 token and place it on the two tokened stations. Finally, I'll call a Blinded Hare's Gallop scenario for the next six rounds of play; I sacrifice 25 petals for this purpose.

Tokens in play: .75 on Highbury and Islington (sorry guys, I put the wrong thing down before. Check my move, I actually put the token here), .75 on Covent Garden & Leicester Square
Current Pot: 150 petals, 5 Round
Sacrificed Petals: kaimason1 - 25

by **podbaydoor** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 12:24 am UTC

Savvy move; you haven't advanced much, true, but you've quite fortified your current position. I'll just have to poke around a bit to find any weaknesses.

I'll wait for the other players to take a turn.

by **Lorenz** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 4:28 am UTC

Interesting move, but very risky Kaimason. I roll a 3, a 1 and another 3, costing me 17 petals (50/3, for those who could use a Blinded Hare's Gallop reminder) and forcing me to play the blue lane. The red rabbit moves three spaces in the red lane.

I spend 43 tokens to block kaimason from using tokens one round, I take Hyde Park Corner with 22 tokens and place half a token in the same position.

(Nothing personal Kaimason, but the purple huckleberry maneuver could have really screwed me over.)

Tokens in play: .75 on Highbury and Islington, .75 on Covent Garden & Leicester Square, and .5 on Hyde Park Corner.
Current Pot: 215 petals, 6 Rounds
Sacrificed Petals: kaimason1 - 25
Red Rabbit @ Queensway

by **kaimason1** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:09 pm UTC

*whistles*

That's a lot of tokens, Lorenz. You sure you didn't mean petals?

Also, I congratulate you on recognizing the purple huckleberry. You set me back at least three moves before I could achieve my goal. As always, I have backup, so I'm not offended. You had to protect yourself, which you excelled at doing.

Finally, I see we're racing against time here with that red rabbit. That's a risky move I'll commend you on, such a gamble could easily go either way at this point in the game.

It's not my turn, though Mishrak, podbaydoor, NecklaceofShadow, or a new contender could go now.

by **Lorenz** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:43 am UTC

Yes, I meant petals

The current pot was increased as if I had said petals.

by **Whelan** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:27 pm UTC

I'll change at Finsbury Park to the picadilly line, and claim it as my voucher.

Dark Souls Challenge · by **Mishrak** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:58 pm UTC

Nimple Nomble Billy boop!

Heh. I never thought I'd be able to invoke the NNBB rule so early in a C&R game! Wow.

Rolling 4 dice: 5, 7, 3 and 9. OK

A reverse transcendient shunt to Camden Town. 5 petals on the greens, 5 petals on the browns. That gives me half of the magenta line and half of the orange line.
24(!!!) petals on the BLACK line, haha. Yeah, I did that. And 6 petals on the ninth hole. This lets me declare it to be the Alma Mater round. Domestics are closed btw as I still control the Airport.

Tokens in play: .75 on Highbury and Islington, .75 on Covent Garden & Leicester Square, .5 on Hyde Park Corner, .5 on Camden Town.
Current Pot: 255 petals, 7 Rounds - Alma Mater
Sacrificed Petals: kaimason1 - 25
Red Rabbit @ Elephant and Castle

by **Lorenz** » Sat Oct 01, 2011 1:01 pm UTC

Tokens in play: .75 on Highbury and Islington, .75 on Covent Garden & Leicester Square, .5 on Hyde Park Corner, .5 on Camden Town.
Current Pot: 255 petals, 8 Rounds - Currently Alma Mater
Sacrificed Petals: kaimason1 - 25
Red Rabbit @ Elephant and Castle[/quote]

Just fixed the round number.

by **BurningLed** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:16 am UTC

By article 28, subsection 3 in the first edition of NF Stovold's (which, of course, trumps the later editions' rules in web formats); after four months (plus two days for each day delayed by shunt-blocking via tokens, of course) a new game is to be started, all tokens and style rerulings are cleared, and in-game criminals are pardoned (as well as all analogues to criminals being cleared.) Using the same vanilla rule book, let's start another.

Now, I shall play the first move at Swiss Cottage, and claim the bridge token from there to Finchley Road

by **Whelan** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:40 pm UTC

I'll attend a gig at Kilburn, avoiding the park.

Dark Souls Challenge · by **Mishrak** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:42 pm UTC

Neo-shunt to Heathrow Airport.

Haven't done that in awhile!

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