Thinking about playing player-vs-player?

[Gandalf Parker]

There are some half-way options for people who are considering multiplaying (MP) Dom3.

In the MP subforum there are often requests for "substitute needed". People who are in games and have to quit for abit due to real-world reasons. That can have advantages for people who want a taste of MP but arent sure. You are taking someone elses position and their choices in their god-build. If you do well, fantastic. If you dont, you have a ready made excuse. But be sure to check the games thread, usually in the first post of it, to be sure you understand the parameters and everything you will need to play (map, mods, rules, etc)

Also, you can join cooperation games. These can be team games, or ones that stress vets paired with newbies, or games where all human players are going up against allied computer players. Games such as this can provide you some hands-on mentor help from the other players.

Also keep in mind that there are people you can bounce questions off of. Either by PM, email, or in chat rooms such as here or on IRC.

Gandalf Parker
--
I know I said I wouldnt do this anymore

[Sombre]

Be careful when subbing in. Sometimes the reason for subbing out is more complex than just "other time commitments". Certainly people are more likely to drop out and require subs if there's something about their position that they don't enjoy - could be micro, bad start, lack of challenge, frustrating diplomatic situation etc.

Not to say that all or even most sub positions are this way, but they definitely can be.

[Gandalf Parker]

True. But then again, part of the pitch was supposed to be "go ahead and dive in since even if you mess up you have an excuse". This is just a longer list of excuses.

Well other than micro. Some people like micro and might actually prefer to pick up a game that is past the expansion and research stage. Especially if the original player is in good position but only dropped it due to micro.

Of course winning is nice also. But Im thinking of someone who hasnt played any MP games and is curious. These just seem like good ways to get their feet wet without endangering their ego.

[Ink]

also, please come by the IRC channel. this is were virtually all blitzs (short games were all the turns are played in quick succession) are started. Blitzs are very good way to get immediate exposure to what one can expect in an MP game.

[Gandalf Parker]

Virtually all blitzes? Hmm... as opposed to the blitzes on my server?
But yes there is usually at least a blitz a day which plays alot like solo play, but with more people.

[rdonj]

Most blitzes on IRC use your server gandalf. That in and of itself doesn't mean the majority of blitzes start that way, but I think it would be fairly safe to say that most blitzes started by players from this site start in the IRC channel.

[Ink]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Parker

Virtually all blitzes? Hmm... as opposed to the blitzes on my server?
But yes there is usually at least a blitz a day which plays alot like solo play, but with more people.

you'll notice I said "started".

I was actually cognizant of the fact that most blizts are played on your server, and why I chose the word "started on".

-O

[Gandalf Parker]

Ahh I didnt know that. I had the impression that some of the elders usually hosted those.
I was wondering about some that seemed to fill up fast with players but had no thread in the forum.

[rdonj]

Well, occasionally someone who's in the IRC channel but not playing will host a game. But your server is used quite often by the blitz crowd.

[Squirrelloid]

I would estimate half of the blitzes started on IRC are played on Gandalfs server. There's a definite preference to finding someone willing and able to host (participating or not!) because then we can tweak settings (in particular, easy research is preferred to standard for blitzes, since otherwise the typical small maps used in a blitz favor bless rushes). But tis better to play with standard research than not play at all, so...