Star Grunts Point System (another point of view - scenario design)

It is clear from the debate on point systems that there are both advantages
and disadvantages to such a system. Without voting either way, allow me to
make 2 observations.

1. Point systems are commonly used to develop "balanced" scenarios. Why do we
assume balanced games are best? They are good for intro games and balanced
meeting engagements can be interesting, but most combat is not between
carefully balanced forces. Many scenarios I design are unbalanced on purpose.
(Assuming they are for experienced players.)

2. Consider the effect of victory conditions on the scenario. Both sides do
not have to have the same victory conditions, although they often do in
balanced scenarios. Most of the games I run have different victory conditions
for each side. Example: a small recon force is opposed with a larger force.
The orders (defines victory conditions) to the smaller force are locate and
estimate the size of the enemy, then withdraw. The larger force has orders to
take hill 315. It is entirely possible for both sides to "win" such a game.
(Of course, what happens to that larger force on the hill now that the arty
knows where to shoot is an entirely different question. *grin*) In such a game
the bottom line goes back to "Did you have a good time?" That after all is the
reason I, and I hope the rest of you, play.

> On Wed, 4 Jun 1997, Terrance L. Smith wrote:

> 1. Point systems are commonly used to develop "balanced" scenarios.
Why do
> we assume balanced games are best? They are good for intro games and

IMHO, "balanced" means "equal chance to achieve victory conditions", NOT

"equal strength forces".

Points are a tool to evaluate force/unit effectiveness, nothing more.
How you use that information is strictly up to you.

Now, some people *do* abuse point systems, but IMHO they're the people who'd
abuse the system anyway. If they didn't have points, they'd ask for official
army lists or whatever. E.g. Tactica Ancients doesn't have a points system.
But it has strict, unmodifiable army lists and strict, unmodifiable victory
conditions, which is IMHO the worst of both worlds.

Or, as some people seem to hope, they'd leave the game. I personally don't
like to kick people out when differences can be worked out. There are far too
few gamers around here to get elitist.