Outwitters, Analysis, and You - Post #2!

[NathanDetr0it]

Adam (on the blog) Wrote:While you wait, I’d recommend everyone check out this thread from our forums, if you haven’t already. NathanDetr0it, which I like to think is not a psuedonym, does an excellent job breaking down the strategic subtleties behind Outwitters’ simple rules. It might change the way you look at your turns. It might change the way you look at your life.

Wow, thanks!

(08-23-2012 12:00 PM)awpertunity Wrote:  I am confused by the 2nd number associated with "Spawn" though (6 for the example sharkfood map). How is this the maximum distance from the friendly base (and why is it even important)? I could argue that it is 11 if I wanted to go around that little lake in the middle. Or infinite if I'm retarded... lol

So the idea with that second larger number was to show the shortest distance from the spawn to the furthest base-adjacent hex. I know that it is a bit weird; that's because I was trying to do several things with one fast number. If this is confusing everybody, i will break it down into a few metrics.

The things I was trying to do:
- Indicate the kind of units that can reach/block the base from the spawn
- Describe, generally, how easily the base can be defended from the spawn
- Indicate the presence and extent of any backdoors

For example, the number on SFI is 4-6. there's only one number set, because there is only one spawn. The "4" indicates that there are some spaces that soldiers/snipers could reach and attack enemies that are adjacent to the base. It also indicates, correctly, that SFI's base is moderately (deceptively, given the small map size) tough to defend.

The "6" indicates that the shortest distance to the hardest-to-reach hex is 6 spaces. "Six" is a long way— more than any unit can move in one turn— which implies that there might be a backdoor. Of course, there isn't a true 'backdoor' on SFI, but that space (the "*" in my annotated map) is super-tough to defend (only a runner can attack it from the spawn).

Does that make more sense? I can address this in more detail on Monday if this is causing trouble for more people. One thing I do need to do is add is the average distance from the spawn as a middle number (~4.8, for SFI).