FTA Part 3: Symmetry and Terrain
Creator: Ninja_Weasel || First Published: 11/04/2013 || Players: 2 || Size: 10x10
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Comments:
Ninja_Weasel (10/31/2013 02:23pm | Edited: 09/02/2014 09:27am):
This is the third in a series of maps for an illustrative guide to FTA for new Players.

Explanation of FTA Part 3:

Okay, this is partly an FTA symmetry demo, but also partly a general map-making
symmetry/terrain demo since it was easy to do both in one. I'll talk about the FTA first.

Okay, so on this map, you'll see that, unlike my other demo maps, there is no real
symmetry. Generally speaking, I made the important things the same number of spaces from
each player, but that doesn't make it balanced or FTA free. Lets look first at the silo in
the middle. This space is 6 spaces from the Blue base and 6 from Orange's base. That means
its fair right? Wrong! This just means that since Orange moves first, they will get there
first every time. In fact, any amount of silos that isn't clearly going to be divided into
equal numbers between either players or teams will present some sort of unfair advantage.
No matter what you do, the first person to get there can fire it right away and there's no
way to counter that. No matter what Blue does, Orange will always get this silo.

Similarly, lets look at the neutral base. You'll notice that it is the same number of
squares away from each player's starting base. It also happens to be the same number of
moves from each location as well, even though it looks like Blue has much smoother
sailing. Ignoring the impact of the silo on gameplay, if both players headed straight for
the base, Orange would get there first because they move first. Additionally, even if Blue
attacks their capturing infantry immediately, they are stuck on 0 star or 1 star terrain
vs the defending 3 star terrain. The result is that Orange will more than likely be the
victor and capture the base. Even if they don't, they certainly have an easier job of it
than Blue would.

We ignored the silo, however, so lets take a look at that. Now assume Orange goes for the
silo, (remember, they change their mind and go for the base and still expect to reach it
before Blue because of the terrain) If they take the silo, not the base they can use their
shot to save themselves. If Blue's first infantry goes for the base and Orange's goes for
the silo, Orange can launch at the beginning of Day 3 and hit both of Blue's first 2
infantry. Meanwhile Orange's second infantry can head for the base. Now Blue can attempt to
capture the base with a 7 HP infantry, but Orange can then counter by attacking on Day 4
with their first infantry and Day 5 with their second infantry. That means Blue captures
once with 7 HP, once after getting attacked (maybe 3 HP) and then will be more than likely
killed. Blue's second infantry can help, but will only have 9 HP and will probably lose to
Orange's full health infantry. This means that even if Orange goes for the silo first and
Blue goes for the base, Orange will more than likely get both. No matter what Blue does,
Orange gains a major advantage by going first.

Its important to note that, again, giving Blue a pre-deployed infantry on their base just
reverses the problem.

As you noticed, the terrain plays a big role here and this is especially exaggerated by
the fact that the map is asymmetrical. It doesn't take much to see that Orange can get to
the tower first as well because of terrain- the number of spaces from base to tower is the
same for both teams. Even with all of the above scenarios described, Blue cannot get the
tower before Orange because of the terrain. If Blue sends their second (9 HP) infantry to
the tower and Orange sends their 3rd infantry, they would arrive the same day, but Orange
captures because they move first. If Blue sends their first infantry, Orange can send
their second with the same result. Either move lets Orange capture the base as well which
shows that FTA would give Orange all 3 important properties on this map regardless of what
Blue does. (This assumes players using optimal strategies- Orange can counter Blue's
actions in any scenario and get the properties)

See Also:

Smacky's Guide- http://amarriner.com/awbw_forum/viewtopic.php?t=8518
Secondary Location: http://isndev.omgforum.net/t680-fta-extended-by-smackcakes

Wiki Page Links- http://awbw.wikia.com/wiki/Design_Maps





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