Re: CT2010 - ROUND I
Date: July 03, 2010 06:55PM
Ghost in Normandy vs MrScientist in Bulgaria
This immediately was shaping up to be an epic, fast and hard hitting battle with both starting with a +2 dev to play with. Mrsci has a great start, and offered to restart at turn 4, but Ghost was inclined to play on, and I'm very happy he did. The most active fronts kept changing, with both attempting to break through the others' powerhouse countries, with Ghost taking Macedonia early and Mrsci returning the favor almost getting England a few times. There was also heavy fighting in Scandinavia and Africa, with a AI developed denmark to 110k heavily aiding Ghost. Ghost had the edge in battle skill, whereas Mrsci had the edge in battle management, as Mrsci consistently had 50+ more soldiers than Ghost every turn and 2x the gold through turn 50.
Turn 51 40 vs 34 in Normandy, Ghostie got 1st move to survive. Ghost breathes a sigh of relief, and the battle continues.
Turn 58 is interesting- Ghost has a foothold in Finland and Mrscientist has a foothold in Algiers. However, Ghost's attacks to take the keep and put pressure on Macedonia has their cost- despite equal lands and population, Mrscientist is ahead by nearly 2000 gold. Ghost's skillful attacks and opening of the money bag has turn 61 with the following score:
Mrscientist 35 lands, 248 pop, 442 armies, 2437 gold
Ghost 35 lands , 243 pop, 459 armies, 1098 gold
The game is a contrast in styles, with Ghost darting everywhere attempting to create weakness with whatever armies he has available, while Mrscientist prefers building up his forces and then moving them with the intention of large-scale offense. The first 2 turns in a year are dictated by Ghost generally, but Ghost must abandon his offense to deal with Mrscientist's push.
Interestingly, both around turn 60 begin to build farms in autumn, as I see 70-80k gradually appear near the fronts.
At turn 69 Mrscientist has a huge advantage, with lands and pop being equal, but 178 more armies and 1200 more gold for Mrscientist. His concentrated attacks have more often allowed him to hit Ghost's backlands, and as judge I feel my duty will soon be over. The very next turn the gap widens to nearly 300 armies. Part of his success can be attributed to his capital being 120k around turn 45 or so, allowing him to build up a massive army to be deployed in spring towards the latter end of the game. As I write this I see about 320 ready in brandenburg and Poland for what I believe will be the final push. 260 wind up poised in bohemia for a run at Normandy in spring turn 73. As Ghost scrambles to muster the forces to repel them, Mrscientist calmly pushes forward while taking control in Africa and Scandinavia, and building up another huge army around Poland to take Normandy if his current attempt somehow fails. The concentrated attack protocol shows its benefits, as Ghost must consume multiple turns to deal with Mrscientist's attack. 128 confronts 126 in Normandy in autumn, but Mrscientist decides to disburse his army, taking a huge hit at Ghost's backlands. Ghost shows his spirit by sending a counterattack at Macedonia, with 51 against 51 in winter turn 76, although failing to take it.
Ghost is showing great spirit in defying my expectations of defeat, but as Ghost scrambles 90k lands begin to appear in MrSci's frontlands. Also, at turn 80 Mrscientist has 130 armies in Algiers ready to crush 18 in Tangiers, with Ghost not having any armies in his backlands in Spain. Mrsci finally overextends himself with 70 deserting him in Algiers... but he still has 280 more armies than Ghost.
Turn 83 149 in Burgundy vs 122 in Normandy. Normandy falls, and an epic game ends.
