1. Yeah but as I recall it's very expensive, something like 5k/5 charm in the beginning for sluts, then it goes up. You need charm most in the beginning before you have any respect built and you have very little money. There's an opportunity cost here and that early charm might be worth it, even if in the long run you might be able to buy it. By the time you can buy it you may not need it so much.
2. I've been posting on strat boards since the old ARPANET in the Eighties where we discussed strategies for 'Risk' and 'Axis and Allies' and other board games you probably never heard of.
The mercs have changed, the targets haven't. I'll probably have to be a little more merciless this run, previously I let Headkiller's crew live, let the Pei's go and never attacked the Waltons or the Cult Monks, I might not leave that money on the board this time. I could really use that 'Power Katana' the Pei's have early, if it drops.
3. Yes, I saw that, I was doing something else at the time. I paid for the privilege of playing a 'Magnate' and 'Silver Tongue' and I was going to enjoy that. I've played the Grimdark start before with normal characters, it doesn't make it that much more difficult. You can still save and I found not being able to see the numbers more irritating than challenging. This time is Grimdark, obviously.
I am fully aware that any number of factors will force you to change your stategies. I started playing wargames as a little kid when I bought War at Sea circa 1978. When I sold my collection of wargames in 1999 I had more than 100, which included most of Avalon Hill's wargame library as well as SPI's and other publishers like the ones who did the Europa series.
4. Most of the problems I see you posting about would appear to come about by not being able to charm slaves (and others) early on. Just an observation.
5. I take weapons off the dead, but I do agree that it's a good game design to make important things expensive. My point there was that it may turn out that you really set yourself back buying that charm and not having it at the beginning. I don't know for sure but I do think it a possibility.
6. This clown I'm playing now starts with 35 WP, I'll see if I notice the difference training.
7. When I give advice or answer questions I take into account most of the players on the board are playing the public version, which I've played much more than I did my last two runs as 'Magnate' and 'Silver-Tongue'.
8. Frankly I like the character creation process which is why I've played the public version so much more than the enhanced one. I did pay for it so I was going to try it though.
9. Luck yields to good strategy the longer you play. I try not to piss my sluts off and don't get into any holes I can't dig myself out of.
1---Part of my point (prev posts) is *MOST* helpful options (Space M/CB armor/etc) R expensive! $
Rem that "90 charm still failed" post? [current new run =55 charm BTW, *NOT* that low!] If there's an "always succeed" #, (Silver Tongue?) I don't see how it's achievable in 100 days (assuming no cheats!) --whether you push it @ start, or not. [Considering hi WP---Reb/Aria, pretty sure you need MAX charm possible!]
2--Damn! (thought I was old! [oh, BTW, current master "older" (harder?) ] Safe 2 say we had VASTLY diff childhoods....
(kinda liked Risk...)
4--As mentioned prev, "failed rolls" (charm/manip) [NOT "Crimin" this time] But actually, 55 charm is not *THAT* low... so part is LUCK. (ran #'s?) I must confess, have done the "save c" thingy b4, easy 2 do when BAD LUCK/lots fails! Harder to stick w "bad rolls"
6--wow! thought 40 WP was bad! (another thing try 2 push @ start)
We'll see how you do for $$; What's *YOUR* starting charm? [D<20] Hunters do have that combat bonus, so not worst choice...
7--"7. When I give advice or answer questions I take into account most of the players on the board are playing the public version, which I've played much more than I did my last two runs as 'Magnate' and 'Silver-Tongue'."----
I normally try to limit my Q's/post to those also; Try 2 include everybody if possible. [played public most myself!
8--" Frankly I like the character creation process"---me too!
KUDOS DEV!
9---Some of my frustration, "strat" used to use (not perfect, but done enough 2B not bad either) simply didn't work anymore----$ changes, MERCs, etc 811+; [again, tested from NEW GAMES, not already old/hi stat/RICH/etch] Cost *UP*, income DOWN; (or didn't change) so yes, exactly what works (& HOW!) seems to change.
10---CHARM is actually (again, *CURRENT* 811+) SECONDARY. (even if you FAIL & PISS THEM OFF!)
Just like IRL----$$$$'s *VITAL* (they still work at least even if pissed!) CHARM won't make you any more $$$, (most also have "threaten" aka, Manip choice) but in the end---even what you're doing NOW----most comes down to *COMBAT* , & *$$$*
Other post covered ImP of $; Most Imp 1st ~100 days, $ & combat (or if WIN/LOOSE/avoid?)
