The Complete Newbies Guide to PBeM
From TI3Wiki.org
About This Guide
I have more PBeM questions, where can I get answers?
Post your questions in the TI3 Wiki Forum or the FFG TI3 Forum, there are many experienced players that can answer questions, and there are those that can help with hosting methods.
I know something that should be a part of this guide!
Feel free to edit this document and add your links or advice.
Online Tutorials
Introduction
What is PBeM?
PBeM stands for play-by-email. This term has become a bit of a misnomer though, as no one actually plays exclusively over email anymore. When referred to today it means playing a game over the internet with players posting their moves in a message in a forum, usually with some sort of GM (who does not play in the game) rolling dice, drawing cards for players, interpreting rules and updating the game map and stats periodically.
How do players make moves?
TI3 PBeM communciation is usually handled by having players post their moves in the free Fantasy Flight Games forum [1] in a thread dedicated to that game. Because pbem threads get spammy, they should only be created in the forum designated for pbem play. [2]. Note that usually no one monitors the pbem forum, so any questions posted will go unanswered. Instead, post your pbem questions in the main TI3 forum. [3]
How do players monitor the game map and stats?
There are three major ways this is done:
- Web site based
- GM hosts custom web site, usually utilizing a web site kit to display game stats. If a graphical map is utilized, it may be generated by VASSAL or by hand using a graphics editor, such as Photoshop or GIMP, or by a homemade program. Requires the most technical knowledge, but allows the GM the most flexibility in variants and layout.
- Examples:
- Excel based
- GM creates Microsoft Excel file from a TI3 game template. The Excel file contains all game stats and a text version of the map. Since most players have a copy of MS Excel already, it is possible to have players perform updates, with the GM only needing to step in for rolling dice and drawing cards. The Excel file is usually provided to players by way of a file sharing service, such as esnips. Requires the least technical knowledge and allows for any variants, but has no graphical map.
- Examples:
- Wiki based
- GM creates a wiki page that is equivalent to a web site page by using ti3wiki.org templates. The templates generate the html code automatically, but this restricts the layout and variants that can be played. Hosting a wiki game requires no special software, as the wiki can be edited from any browser. Also, like the Excel method, it is possible to have players perform updates since the wiki can be edited by anyone from just a browser. Requires only moderate technical knowledge but requires learning wiki editing and templates and limits the layout and variant options.
- Examples
How long does it take to finish a PBeM?
Well this is the downside to pbem. Most pbems last from 3 months to 1 year+. TI3 is a game that really isn't designed for pbem play. Two significant contributors to delay are strategy secondaries and the sabotage card. Both require game play to be paused until there is a response from all players. Many GMs have pioneered some interesting ideas for reducing these and other delays, but pbems will still always require at least a few months to finish. Because of the time requirement, it is very important that players monitor the game thread daily and not disappear for days at a time without informing the GM and the other players.
How do I join a TI3 PBeM?
Generally, GMs who create new games will start a recruitment thread in the TI3 Wiki Forum or the FFG TI3 Forum announcing their game, how many slots for players, et ceteras. If you want to join a game, you will need to monitor those forums for a short time until a new game is started. If you don't like to wait, hosting your own game is a great way to get a reserved slot from another GM who joins your game.
Being a Player
Posting "in character"
Usually it's a player's choice if they want to post things "in character" or post flavorful text.
When doing so, the flavor/in-character text is in italics to visually distinguish it from the game mechanics.
Can I communicate privately with the other players?
Of course! This is one area where PBeM had an advantage over face-to-face. In a face-to-face game usually it's difficult to share secrets, make alliances and plans, and scheme with others.
In PBeM you can send private messages back and forth with players to discuss pretty much anything: politics, alliances, timing of certain cards, etc.
There is no need to copy the GM on any of these private communication.
Let it also be known that what you send is indeed in *writing* and the other player may indeed share it, post it, or otherwise air it publicly.
Certain things that would be public around the table in a face-to-face game are required to be publicized on the forum for all players to see:
- Exchange of Trade Goods
- Knowledge that ACs traded hands (Hacan's special ability)
- Knowledge that someone peeks at another players cards (Yssaril's special ability)
Sending private messages to GM or Players
GMs and Players generally prefer to communicate via the Forum's private message (PM) feature.
GMs and Players often play in more than one PBeM at a time. It's common courtesy to preface each PM with a short acronym that identifies the game.
You can set up your personal preferences to forward these PM messages to your personal email account.
Where do I get my tiles, Action Cards, Political Cards or other secret information?
Cards and secret aspects of the game are given to the player by the GM. The exact method is usually chosen by the GM. Here are some of the techniques:
- Simply mail the data
- GM sends your cards via PM and you're responsible for keeping track of them
- Web site based game
- The GM might put a password protected web page for you or will give you a hyperlink with a strange name that no one would guess
- Excel based game
- Spreadsheet games might post a password-protected zip file or document for you in the same area where the game spreadsheets are posted
- Wiki based game
- Each player has a secret "cards" page, accessible only by them by their username/password login on the ti3wiki. The "cards" links are found just above the 25% 50% 100% links above the map
What should I include in a post?
When you post to the forum, you're usually stating some kind of activity.
There are four important parts. Utilize the ones that are appropriate:
- Who you are
- What you do
- Your updated status information
- Who should go next
Examples:
- Selecting a strategy card
- "Hacan select the Leadership SC"
- Declaring if you utilize a Strategy Card's secondary
- Jol-Nar decline the Leadership secondary
- Letnev exhaust Meer (4 influence) and Arinam (2 influence) for a total of 3 CC and allocate them as 1/0/2.
- Xxcha spend 1 SA to utilize the Bureaucracy secondary.
- Making your action for a turn - more on this below
- Providing battle instructions - more on this below
- Declaring activities during status phase
- Playing an AC or PC
- Voting on an agenda
How should I describe my action?
In PBeM you do not physically move units around on the map as in a face to face game. You are giving instructions the GM to make the move. That means it's important to be thorough. If the game uses action numbers, include that as well.
Here are a couple of examples:
2.11 Hacan Tactical Action Activates Arinam/Meer From my home system, move 1 cruiser, 1 carrier with 2 ground forces and 2 fighters From Mirage, move 2 destroyers Land 1 GF on Arinam and 1 GF on Meer Norr next.
Action 3.15 Jol-Nar activates Mirage and Jol/Nar for transfer action. Move 1 carrier from Mirage to Jol/Nar Move 1 cruiser and 1 GF and 1 scientist from Jol/Nar to Mirage, land 1 GF and scientist on Mirage Build 2 fighters (1), 1 cruiser (2), 1 destroyer (1) at Jol Exhaust Capha (3) with sarween. Build 1 dreadnaught at Nar spend 2 TG, exhaust Lisis (2) and sarween Norr next!
Your Status information and who goes next
Finding and fixing errors early is the key to a smooth game. Thus at the end of each post, most GMs and players like you to include the following information:
- Status information for your race in the form of SA/FS/CC #TG, #AC, #PC
- Strategy Allocation (SA)
- Fleet Supply (FS)
- Command Pool (CC)
- # Trade Goods (TG)
- # Action Cards (AC)
- # Political Cards (PC)
- Who has the next action to take
- At the end of each post in which you took an action, please say who is next. This simple thing does miracles for speeding the game along. If, after every post, every player has to go check the site to see who is next, the game slugs along.
Example:
Hacan: 0/6/3, 4tg, 3ac, 2pc Next is Jol-Nar
What does the GM need when there is a battle?
As soon as you know you're going to be in a battle, post or PM (if you have private information) your battles instructions to the GM. This includes:
- Retreat orders
- Action cards you want to play along with any special conditions
- CASUALTY ORDERS
Usually a GM will need specific casualty orders. Casualty orders are important because of the kinds of units that are involved in the battle, which ships carry units or leaders, pre-combat and technology effects, and Action Cards like Direct Hit!
Here is a very detailed/complex example:
"Play Morale Boost for the first round. Casualty order: Kill 3 fighters, then a destroyer, then the cruiser without the admiral, then damage the warsun, then the cruiser with the admiral, and finally kill the warsun."
What should I do if I spot a mistake?
TI3 is a complex game with lots of record-keeping maintained/published on the web page. Mistakes can certainly happen. GM’s might have their own requests for how to communicate a possible error.
Usually, if you find a mistake in your game, it is best to first send a private message to the GM. Communicating privately with the GM on a possible mistake serves a number of purposes:
- Sometimes the GM will remind you of something that you forgot
- It does not clutter the game’s forum with lots of corrections
- It keeps the GM from being embarrassed
The GM will respond and fix the mistake. If it’s important enough the GM may choose to post the correction to the forum for all players to see. If the mistake affects other players, the GM will use his judgment or seek out alternatives for solutions.
Being a GM
Can GMs play in the game they host?
This is possible, but not recommended. This becomes an issue for public games since you don't know the GM, you would never be able to tell if he was cheating (even if he lost).
Hosting a game sounds like a lot of work. Do GMs get anything in return?
Generally, no. You should host a game only if you enjoy the technical challenge or to learn from the TI3 game play. Don't expect to get into a game just because you GM one, it sometimes takes weeks for a new game to start.
Why should I GM a game then?
Hosting a game can help you join other games. As a GM, reserve a few of your player slots for other GMs. They may not be able to give you a player slot as soon as they join your game, but once they start a new game, they will most likely reserve a slot for you. This arrangement is ideal for pbem since it provides many players with an opportunity to play and gives both GMs a game to play in.
Also, if you have very specific tastes or want to make sure you get to see how certain house rules get played by a larger, more experienced audience, GM'ing can be the only way to meet that need.
As the GM, you have access to all the secret information, a viewpoint unlike that in a face-to-face game. You learn, based on players' success (or failure) what are the best tactics in a variety of situations. Learn by watching and analyzing your players moves. If you ask questions, some players will discuss their rationale with you in private messages.
GM Guides
Web Site Method
If you know of a guide or feel writing one, feel free to post it here!
Wiki Hosting Method
How-to Host a Wiki PBeM How-to Host a WikiMap
Excel Method
If you know of a guide or feel writing one, feel free to post it here!
Reference Materials
Standard Unit Abbreviations
Basic Units
- CA = Cruiser (sometimes mistakenly used for Carrier)
- CR = (sometimes mistakenly used for Cruiser)
- CV = Carrier
- DD = Destroyer
- DN = Dreadnought
- FT = Fighter
- GF = Ground Force
- PDS = Planetary Defense System
- SD = Space Dock
- ST = Shock Troop
- WS = War Sun
New Units
- BS = Battle Station
- FA = Fighter Ace
- SB = Star Base
- SC = Scout
- TT = Troop Transport
Frequently Used Game Abbreviations
AC = Action Card CP = Command Pool (one of the three CC placement choices) CC = Command Counters FS = Fleet Supply (one of the three CC placement choices) GM = Game Master HS = Home System infl = Influence ISC = Imperial Strategy Card MR = Mecatol Rex PBEM (or PBeM) = Play By E-Mail although technically we're doing a: PBF = Play By Forum PC = Political Card PO = Public Objective res = Resources SA = Strategy Allocation (one of the three CC placement choices) SC = Strategy Card SO = Secret Objective TA = Trade Agreements TG = Trade Goods TI = Twilight Imperium TI3 = Twilight Imperium third edition (the one we play with) VP = Victory Points
Frequently Used Tech Abbreviations
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