• Registered: 2007-12-17
  • Posts: 331

Topic: Vassal and PBEM Tournament

I'm working on a few changes to the Vassal mod for Starmada and have begun thinking about how to set up a PBEM/Online tournament once it is completed.

As I began to contemplate it, I realized that I will have to choose which optional rules will be in effect, as well as scenarios, available ships, etc. I'd like player reactions to a some initial thoughts on the matter. The first decision is the most crucial one, I think, as it may determine which optional rules to use.

First, my philosophy on tournament #1 -- for beginning players but hopefully fun for the experienced players. For this reason, some optional rules will be in effect but probably not many.

Okay, the first decision is about ships -- should this be open to player-built ships? Right now, as this is for beginners as well as for old hands, I think the answer should be no. Assuming the first is a moderate success, I think a later tournament should certainly allow for player-built ships. But initially, I would like to see a level-playing field where beginners just have to master the rules of play but not master the complexities of design and anticipating their opponents' designs.

My thought is to use the ships provided with the main rulebook (there are 8 in the "stuff" download). Or, I might work with someone to design a set of generic ships to make available.

Decision two is whether to assign set scenarios or allow players to build their fleets based on whatever ships are available for the tournament. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

  • Registered: 2022-11-15
  • Posts: 1,286

Re: Vassal and PBEM Tournament

A veteran of the Estrell Academy tournaments put on by Jon Davis (FT), I'd say your best bet is to supply all the ships.  Each person should have the exact same force to be absolutely fair if this is a tournament. 

If this is an open game, then set a point limit with which rules options are in effect. 

Saves headaches down the road. smile

  • Registered: 2005-03-28
  • Posts: 137

Re: Vassal and PBEM Tournament

I agree -- use pre-built ships for the first campaign. The ships in SAE would be a good choice.

Tightening the optional rules way down is good, too. Could you use those ships with no optional rules?

Declaring all fire simultaneously, rather than ship-by-ship, would be a reasonable speedup for PBEM.

  • Registered: 2007-12-17
  • Posts: 331

Re: Vassal and PBEM Tournament

mundungus wrote:

Declaring all fire simultaneously, rather than ship-by-ship, would be a reasonable speedup for PBEM.

Oh, I had thought of that earlier. I think that is an excellent way to go.

Yes, I think the same ships available but I thought of giving some leeway for choosing fleets. Maybe mirrored forces is better, though.

  • Registered: 2008-01-08
  • Posts: 52

Re: Vassal and PBEM Tournament

Taking a look at the ships in the "stuff" file, they seem to fall into 2 fleets (based off of size and weapon names) - the ships in "Ships1" and "ships2" seem to go together, as do those in 3 and 4. This gives us 2 4-class fleets, which don't seem to need any special rules at all to play.

That ought to do - it keeps things simple, but does add a little variation, which wouldn't be seen if every player were to pick thier fleet from the same list.