PBEM v94 n03 (15Jun94)

======================================================================
A Look at Atlantis 1.1                                  Jay Shaffstall
======================================================================

Atlantis 1.1 is an open-ended fantasy game, the direct successor to
Atlantis 1.0, which was written and run by Russell Wallace. I've been
playing faction 109, The Skulking Vermin, in Atlantis 1.1 for about a
dozen turns now. Don't let the name fool you; the Vermin are simply
entertainers. Really.

The GM of Atlantis 1.1 has made some rules changes in the game to try
to provide a better balance of play. You can find a description of
Atlantis 1.0 in issues v93n03 and v93n05 of PBEM.

One common comment about Atlantis 1.0 was that tax income was far too
large. In Atlantis 1.1, the income from taxation has been reduced to
$50, from $200. Horses have become more valuable to non-combatants.
In Atlantis 1.0, horses could add to the sword skill of a skilled
rider. In Atlantis 1.1, non-skilled riders can use horses to move more
than one region per turn. Specifically, if the first region is a
plain, that unit can move into a second region. This can greatly speed
movement and scouting. Ships move at a faster rate in Atlantis 1.1,
two regions per turn rather than one. Buildings can be made of wood
or stone, with appropriate defensive values.

The combat system has several changes in it.  Unarmed units fight at
skill level 0, rather than skill level -2. This makes unarmed units
not quite so easy pickings for armed units. Another combat change is
that crossbows ignore the armor of the defending unit. The final
combat change is that the losing side of the battle can have
survivors, rather than be completely killed.

Do all these changes correct the facets of Atlantis 1.0 that could
have created a runaway game? It's too soon to tell, but I would guess
not.  The mountain resources seem to be as scarce as in Atlantis 1.0,
and the tax base just as huge. Reducing the tax income helps, but you
can still tax and then do another full month action in the same turn.
So an army can tax and move in the same turn, supporting itself as it
goes with no delay. Making taxing a full month action would, in my
opinion, be a much needed addition to the rules.  This would make high
level entertainers a viable alternative to taxing.

The GM of Atlantis 1.1 is Jim Cotugno.  Jim has proven to be dedicated
to running Atlantis 1.1, persevering even through losing the Heffalump
server, and machine changes on his end.  Although Atlantis 1.1 seems
to be simply Atlantis 1.0 with some rules modifications, Jim has
promised that Atlantis 1.1 is not as similar to Atlantis 1.0 as it
seems.  It's hard to tell what surprises are waiting.

If you would like to join the game, ftp the rules from
ftp.erg.sri.com, directory /pub/pbm/atlantis, and then write Jim at
jjc@mpa15c.mv-oc.unisys.com.

See you in there!