The Missionary

[CKorfmann]

is it now too weak?

Thanks for your positive comments.  You're right, I've weakened it quite a bit, perhaps too much.  I thought about that, but to counter it, I've not included the element of chance (the suggestion of flipping a tile to see if the follower is converted).  I'd be tempted to give it a two tile radius, but I think it might draw the "too powerful" criticism again.  I guess I'll wait and see if there are more comments.

[JaffaMan11]

is it now too weak?

Thanks for your positive comments.  You're right, I've weakened it quite a bit, perhaps too much.  I thought about that, but to counter it, I've not included the element of chance (the suggestion of flipping a tile to see if the follower is converted).  I'd be tempted to give it a two tile radius, but I think it might draw the "too powerful" criticism again.  I guess I'll wait and see if there are more comments.

I think it'll be one that we'll just have to play a few times and see how it comes out - it might be just fine as is, and its an easy "house" rule to change anyway for those who want it more or less powerful. I think that's what I like about the latest version - simple, in the spirit of the original game, easy to adjust if you want to, and no need for new custom tiles (which is brilliant).

[CKorfmann]

I think it'll be one that we'll just have to play a few times and see how it comes out - it might be just fine as is, and its an easy "house" rule to change anyway for those who want it more or less powerful. I think that's what I like about the latest version - simple, in the spirit of the original game, easy to adjust if you want to, and no need for new custom tiles (which is brilliant).

I agree, it will take a few play tests to really tell the tale.  I wouldn't call it brilliant, but I appreciate the compliment.     There is a whole section of expansions that are just meeples and no tiles (as well as some with new tiles and no meeples) and that was my plan, to figure out something that didn't require new tiles.  This was for two reasons; 1) I can't do the graphics like some of these other guys can.  2) Not everyone can make new tiles, but getting ahold of extra meeples might not be that hard. 

[Novelty]

Here's my proposal, with your ideas, but streamlined and simplified:

Missionary - can be a new meeple, can be a token, can be anything you want it to be.  You don't even need the 6 coloured tokens.

A missionary is gained when:
1. someone completes a cloister (including the abbey)
2. someone completes a shrine
3. someone completes a city with a cathedral

When a player with the missionary draws a cloister/shrine/cathedral and places it, he/she may choose to instead of moving the wood, replace one of the "neighbouring" meeple with another one from their supply and give up control of the missionary (so that it "becomes free" and returns to the side).  That way chance is restricted to tile-drawing (as usual for carcassonne), and there's strategy involved (i.e. when to play the abbey to steal the missionary, etc.)

Feel free to use it if you want to, but I won't be offended if you don't.

[CKorfmann]

Hmmm... at first glance, I'm not sure this makes it simpler.  I think I like my version better, but I'll chew on it for a while.  Maybe you'll change my mind.  Perhaps some others will give some input on which way they prefer as well. 

[CKorfmann]

Sorry I haven't put this (or any) up in completed form yet.  After tomorrow I'll have a lot more time to work on them.   

[Novelty]

No worries, take your time to get it to a level that we at CarcassonneCentral aspire to

[CKorfmann]

Rule change: With the possible increased number of shrines included in all official and fan-made expansions, I've decided that both the Cloisters and Shrines will only permit one convert.  I realized that I failed to define the number of converts for the Missionary in the Cathedral as well, so this will now be 2.

I'm working on the rules document today.  I think I'm going to hang on to the colored discs.  I like the more concrete visual of who is controlling the Missionary at that moment.  Plus, there are a few applications where it could be very helpful.  I'm thinking specifically of use with Joff's medieval expansions. 

I was really hoping to get some more input by other regular posters as well.

Do you know where I might be able to find meeple images to use.  Is there someone who has made them for this site?  There are some very nice images used on several expansions. 

[Novelty]

There's a whole set of images by Oskar Linqvist (sp?) on BGG.  That's what we have been using.  He's OK with us using his image, but we normally name him as being the source of them in the acknowledgements anyways.  Joff can probably provide you with more details.

[CKorfmann]

Great news.  Thanks.

[CKorfmann]

I'm having a terrible time finding those images.  Not sure if I'm doing something wrong, but I can't find them anywhere.  My wife and I are packing for a trip today so I probably won't be able to get this finished for several days.  I'm not giving up!  Sorry it's taking so long.

[Novelty]

I typed in oskar linqvist carcassonne into google and this was the first page:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/filepage/27469

[CKorfmann]

Thanks. I'd been trying to search BGG and was having no luck.

[CKorfmann]

It occured to me that I should address the issue of cloister/shrine challenges where the Missionary is involved.  Here are my initial thoughts...

In the event that a challenge begins between a cloister and a shrine and the Missionary is occupying one of the features in the challenge, the following rules apply:

If the feature with the Missionary wins the challenge, then the rival feature's follower is removed from the board, the winner scores for their feature in the usual way and a convert may be made.  The Missionary may now be retained by the winner of the challenge and moved to the feature that failed the challenge.  It remains there until that feature is complete and then may also make a convert and score for that feature as if no challenge had taken place. 

If the player not controlling the Missionary wins the challenge, than the player's disc (controlling the Missionary) is removed immediately, the feature is scored for the winner of the challenge in the usual way and the player who won the challenge may keep the Missionary on the incomplete feature and place their own disc under it taking over control.  Upon completion of that feature, the player may now make a convert and score the feature as if no challenge had taken place. 

Your thoughts anyone?

I hope to be able to get this done this week.  I've been very busy.  I would definitely welcome any help putting together images for scoring examples. 

[CKorfmann]

Sorry for multiple posts...

I have finally gotten this finished (without illustrations).  It's four pages, a bit long, but that's because I've tried to think of everything so as to avoid the need for questions. 

How do I post it for people to view and comment on?  I assume it must be hosted on another site, is that correct?  Not sure how I could do that, but if you want Novelty, I could email it to you. 

As for illustrations, I might be able to put them together, but it would take me a while to figure it out and I'd have to come up with a H&G and a disc image (at least ideally).  Does anyone know if Lindqvist has those somewhere?  I'm really not good at that stuff so I'd love it if I had some assistance.  I'd even share the royalties with you!