Re: FT-Multiplayer Games

>Well, I'm running my first multiplayer game tomorrow.
>
> There should be between three to five players per side.The game should
>last around two and a half hours. (Our normal gaming time is 7-10 p.m.)
>Most players will be learning the rules as we start.

I think maybe perhaps your estimated length of time might be a bit low.
I ran a multi-player game at a convention (Marcon) in Ohio last year,
had 3-4 people per side, about half learning the rules as they went. I
allotted 3 hours to play, and we ended up going over 4 before being
forced
to end the game due to the table space being needed for another game. At
that point the scenario was pretty much over, but could have gone
another
couple turns.

> Do people who have had experience with this think I should assign
every
>player approximately:
>
>A) One Cruiser and two Destroyers  each
>
>B) One Battleship and two Crusers each
>
>C) One Battleship or Dreadnought each
>
>D) Something else (smaller commands, larger commands)?

Why not try a cruiser and destroyer for each person? Or, give the
experienced people 2-3 destroyers/frigates, inexperienced people
a heavy cruiser. Big-@$$ ships like dreadnoughts and battleships
will 'live' longer and cause for a longer game. And if you're
shooting for 2-1/2 hours...

Mk
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I'm not giving in to security under pressure,
I'm not missing out on the promise of adventure,
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams -
Experience to extremes...experience to extremes....
					   Rush - "The Enemy Within"