well, steve, we never had a period of no flagging, but I think whatever flagging system we have, someone will get screwed. I don't think it's good to get rid of flagging whatsoever.


I don't understand the point of delaying the ability to flag. I flag if I want to get out of the game, not have to pre-empt where I should flag, in case I want to get out. We need to keep the spontaneity

Ryan's 1 round delay seems like a good idea to fix things a bit.

Something I would add is a check for dice size after the 1 round delay. If someone flags for position X, he/she hsould at least have Xth largest dice total or Xth most lands total. I would add this since there are also situations were a clear 2nd flags 2nd but attacks by surrendering or annoying small players take 1 or 2 small stacks and get him 3rd in land mass but still clearly 2nd in dice total.

In fact checking dice total will also be effective in preventing ninja flaggers from being able to put up their ninja flag. If a ninja flags for Xth position, it should be prevented if he/she has less dice than (X+1)th or (X+2)th.

Example: player1 has 5 lands with 8 stacks +1 reserve -> 41 dice. player 2 ninja's to 2nd with 8 lands with an 8 stack and 4,3,3,2,2,2,1's -> 25 dice. Now if they border each other player1 would easily be able to take on player2. If they don't or the player in 1st takes the safe choice of respecting that flag, all other players are screwed.

Agreed JDizz, any flag system is better than none.

I remember there was a discussion a while back where someone proposed that the flag position shouldn't be based on number of territories but instead on the number of dice. I also remember that the idea was turned down for some reason. Anyone knows why?

oh yeah i forgot about those games. those were bad. so thats why instadeath flags were phased out. i was about to suggest a combo of flag-for-place and instadeath flags, but then i read jurgens post. this might be the clever idea that keeps spread out ninjas from getting the opportunity to flag, since they will still have less dice than a consolidated stacked player. cheers, jurgen.

p.s. jurgen, stop pgaing with bsn. :P

i dont think the ammount of dice is a good measure for flags. but what the hell, its worth a try.

flagging changes play for sure but it doesnt make the game less fun.
knowing when to flag becomes an important skill and someone who flags to early does effect the game. but someone who plays badly without the flags does the same.

Flagging is just another factor in the game.

Flagging is only possible right at the beginning of your turn...

Would make a difference.

I tested the change last night on the dev server and it seemed good. It's a small change but I think it will help the problem:

- At the start of your turn your placement is recorded and it becomes your flaggable place until your next turn. You can flag at that place at any time. (ie if you flaggable place is 4th and you attack up to 2nd, you can still flag 4th).
- This flagging doesn't start until round 5. Before round five you can always flag the lowest flag (ie 7th if there are 7 players left). This means you can jump out of the game within the first 5 rounds (instadeath comprimise?)

Sounds good Ryan, thanks.

you are wayyyyyy too nice to this point whore.

thanks, ryan.