Mark Herman - Aug 10, 2006 4:34 pm (#15013 Total: 15058)   
  
Currently designing ACW and additional We The People style games.    
 
FTP Reprint Modifications...

Gene asked me to post this, so I am dutifully doing so. Don, please
bookmark for future reference as this is going to get asked over and
over. 

Before I go into the modifications, no one with an FTP copy need buy
anything. We will post the v3.0 rules for free as soon as I can get the
files from Mark Simonitch. None of the modifications change strategy or
play, just slight improvements. The only real change is the 20 extra
cards. None of the cards are on ACTS at this time and I have no schedule
for when Kurt may get to it, so all online play is as it was. The only
people who will need the 20 additional cards are those who plan on
playing in the WBC tournament (27 people this year although hopefully
more next) and only half of them technically need a new set. So I would
like to state, if you have a copy of the GMT verson of FTP you do not
need to do anything unless you want to, so I would like to see no public
unhappiness, as it is not necessary. 

Rules: The rules incorporate every nuance, errata, clarification that
has been collected since v2.6 some years ago. I included the various
people who were instrumental in the new credits (a modification), but I
would especially like to thank Taylor for his keeping of a very
comprehensive list that I used as the basis for the rules
clarifications. I will say that I got three hard questions during the
tournament and all three had an explicit sentence that answered them, so
they have survived a tough test. 

Having said that, there were only three actual changes to the rules that
actually change not clarify a rule. 

1. The Valley rule has been changed. The Valley acts as a supply source
only during the attrition phase for one force. This simplification ended
what would have been an additional two pages of text to stop James from
abusing my good friend David Dockter with this rule in the future. 

2. There is a rule buried in the RR rules that the South in 1864 can
complete two rail connections. In six years I have only heard of one
occasion when anyone actually did it in a game. The change in the rule
is the rail completion is now automatic for the South and does not
require the play of an OC. 

3. I added the cavalry replacement rule from c3i into the rules, so
folks would know what to do with the counters. The rule is added as an
optional rule, but we are going to use it at WBC. 

4. There is no four that I can remember, so unless I forgot something
that covers all of the rules changes. Actually there is a four, which is
Harrisburg is once again the capital of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia's
special capital location ability remains, but is clarified. 

The hardest thing changed in the rules was ensuring that the
comprehensive example of play was legal. This took an enormous effort,
was checked by multiple experienced players, multiple times, and I am
sure there is still an error in there somewhere. Anyway, I am sure
someone will point out that error shortly, but if you think this is
easy, you have never tried to do it. 

Counters: There are no changes to any of the counters, to include values
etc. I do note that the presentation of the leader p ratings is
different, but the values should all be identical. We added in the c3i
counters by removing some PC markers, so if you were not a subscriber,
you would be missing these if all you had were the original GMT version.

Map: The map is unchanged in content, but we added a few symbols to make
some things a bit clearer. The Valley is highlighted, Union State
capitals are marked with a star, Philadelphia has a unique star for
Capital replacement purposes. There is also an orange vice red blockade
arrow at St. Marks Florida to coordinate with one of the new cards. We
also deleted the blue bar at the top of the Dover space as it was not
necessary. 

Cards: There are 20 new cards...do you need them? That is up to you, but
unless you intend to play at WBC, not having them carries no social
stigma and will not impact internet play via ACTS. I will be publishing
a new cyberboard set shortly that has all of the original artwork and
the new cards included for those who want to use the reprint, but whose
budget cannot support the purchase. Of course the GMT boys are selling
individual decks, so this is the quickest and cheapest way to get the
new stuff. 

I think that covers the lot. I may have missed something, but have no
fear someone will correct me if I did. Gene, mission accomplished. 

Mark