Werewolves at SLAN Feb 2012

[padkipz]

Having read a couple of GBU posts (and just being at SLAN), it seemed certain parts of werewolves were taken very negatively...

I'm making this post for the new players of werewolves so they don't get scared off, and to work out the problems from the event so we can actually have some decent games next event!

So to start off; to all the new players out there - welcome.. and sorry if you didn't enjoy the game as much as you could have. I think the main problem was the amount of alcohol consumed by people playing and myself modding. When it gets to that stage it really doesn't work well. But to entice you to play again, it really is a fantastic game and 90% of the time, we don't have extremely drunk people accidentally getting things wrong (myself VERY much included ).

As for people who know the game but had some issues, could you jot them down in this post so I can work out what happened and make sure it won't happen again next time?

[Noriko]

I had observed Werewolves for three LANs before finally being convinced to join in myself as I was anxious about screwing up and being the kid no one wanted to play with but after a few games I'd get the hang of it with the odd mistake and panic mode kick in and embaress myself/let the team down but at least make up for it in some I feel so that was ok and felt I was getting better at it too.

The drunken state of many people did effect the game but I didn't feel that was too much of a problem, a little annoying when you can't hear what the mod is saying though but I didn't make other than that as it was funny.

I have one problem but I'm not sure if it was me being too serious or not but in the last game played I had recieved a card I believed was the Elder sign and tried to ask a friend before the game started to confirm what the role did incase I missed anything and my mind was going through a memory blip too.

After settling down I still wasn't sure and after the first night phase I tried to lip read with him to know my role but it didn't work, the second 'night' he said I was a villager. This confused me greatly and having a bad memory made me worried and embaressed I'd read the card wrong as it actually was the villager card.

After the game we'd come to the conclusion my card had been switched and I respect the fact the person was honest enough to say it was him but I was disappointed that I didn't get to play the game in a role I hadn't played before as I was almost always a Werewolf and found it exciting to have different cards to view different aspects of the game from different roles, it also confused me how this person knew the game so well to be almost right with their guesses of peoples roles.

Other than that I enjoyed your modding, your voice was clear and it's easy to make mistakes/forget things when you're under that kind of pressure in the game in my opinion, Harribo also did a good job but your authority was great .

I also very much enjoyed the peado game .

[mish86]

More paedo games next time!!!!

[Thraisenth]

The only problem I had that I can remember was when you forgot I was Elder so I got nommed by accident and there wasn't much that could be done about it, but hey, mistakes do happen and I was glad when you started making notes of the power roles on your phone, helped to avoid that kind of confusion. Other than that I just need more practise at it, like not accusing dux at the start of the village, getting myself lynched, my lover (sorry henners) killed and barely redeeming myself with a shot in the dark taking out a werewolf.

Also the paedo game was quite funny I have to admit, although games like that will have to make sure there aren't any people brand new to werewolves as first time with normal rules is confusing enough.

[EvilGav]

I missed the paedo game. :-(

[Noriko]

Originally Posted by Thraisenth

The only problem I had that I can remember was when you forgot I was Elder so I got nommed by accident and there wasn't much that could be done about it, but hey, mistakes do happen and I was glad when you started making notes of the power roles on your phone, helped to avoid that kind of confusion. Other than that I just need more practise at it, like not accusing dux at the start of the village, getting myself lynched, my lover (sorry henners) killed and barely redeeming myself with a shot in the dark taking out a werewolf.

Also the paedo game was quite funny I have to admit, although games like that will have to make sure there aren't any people brand new to werewolves as first time with normal rules is confusing enough.

OMG Henners was your lover too?! but he's married to emoshun now.. we should elope, we don't need him anyway! Such a ho though I liked being married to Cupid Shez, that was a fun little twist!

Yes I liked it when things were written down, perhaps a pen and paper next time would be of use for larger games at least, as a newbie I found it difficult to remember who were also werewolves xD.

[Toaster]

The game gets a lot worse past about sixteen players as you've no chance of reading people because you can't pay attention to everyone - that and the huge amount going on increases the chance of failure massively, which ruins the game for everyone. Ideally you want about ten. Why you guys always seem to have about thirty in these days I don't know. Buy another set of cards!

[Henners]

Heh there were about 15 sets of cards floating around so thats not the issue - but yeah I agree around 16 people is a good limit and we should think about splitting into two groups perhaps - we did it at i44 to have a normal game and a beginners game and it worked out quite well. The issue though is there isnt much space at stratlan so its hard to run two games concurrently!

[Tardcommander]

Yeh agree there was too many at one point, people then talk in smaller groups coz there is no chance of hearing anyone. Maybe next time split the group? To be fair I think a big game is probably achievable though if people aren't pissed :/

The pedo game woulda been a bit of fun if it hadn't ended so quickly and I do think there were a couple of good games. My main MASSIVE problem is noise (can't mulithear! >_<) So for me I just feel totally out of it sometimes and then I just give up. Is there nowhere we can play that's quieter?

[mish86]

^ I remember when we first played in xmas Slan we were in the kitchen, it was much quieter there but then it doesn't really have the capacity... unless we split and the new players can play in there perhaps?

[Quietus]

We go through this cycle regularly with werewolves. The usual issue is people not being willing to mod because the more experienced mods are somewhat bored of the regular game modes so keep changing things up.

The base game/rules as in the box are good fun - the players will make the game work. So new people, put on your modding hat and wizard cloak and make a splinter game. 8-12 people is an ideal village size, up to 15 is ok. I generally don't play in games larger than 15, I'd prefer to see it split to 2x8 again.

[Dentist]

I'm normally happy enough to mod should people ask.

[Tsung]

Maybe a newbie guide?, the game was simple enough a few years ago when there were only a few roles. But with all these expansions and additional roles a quick guide posted before the lan could help.

Like Doc's guide to Yeeha! except for Werewolves.

I've played the game a few times but like Quietus I think nowadays there are too many players (and possibly roles) in a single game. Large games really can suck if you are picked to be killed early on or draw a villager card which is the most non-active role.

[padkipz]

<3 you all for the responses.

I think the very clear message is TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE BROTH, which I can entirely understand and agree with. I would say around 15/16 player is a perfect number for a game, it opens it up to some of the more advanced roles (piper etc) without being too small or too big.

I'm not sure on the card swapping issue, I don't remember hearing it about it at the event, was I modding the game? If this ever happens during a game, let the mod know instantly and in theory the person who took your card will be mod killed and knocked out the game. Everyone should have the chance to try new cards, and people have to put up with having a villager card every once in a while, it's how the game works.

As for remembering things while modding - I normally don't have a problem with this at all, the amount of alcohol I had inhaled did however. Next SLAN I shall keep myself under control for the Saturday/Sunday night when we play this properly, and make sure I'm sober and can mod without making a bajillllllllllllion mistakes.

So to sum up:

• Smaller games (15/16 per game, split into two if needed)
• Keep an eye on people playing properly, and any issues raise it with the mod ASAP
• Stop pad drinking so much

Anything else people want to air?

[philbert_mcpleb]

A quick tip for anyone wanting to start modding. if you can't remember the turn sequence, no one is going to mind you grabbing a rule book and keeping that page open during the game. It's a simple enough game once you get into the swing of it.

[Henners]

A couple of good tips for modding is always ask "Have I missed anyone, please raise your hand" at the end of the night. Another one to avoid the common killing the elder problem is to ask the elder to raise their hand every night as well!

[Disco_Stu]

If it helps I can mod a few games? I'm a mod veteran and if Pad wants a break etc I can be trusted to mod and help new people EASE themselves in

[padkipz]

Originally Posted by Disco_Stu

If it helps I can mod a few games? I'm a mod veteran and if Pad wants a break etc I can be trusted to mod and help new people EASE themselves in

This.

I've played a couple you've modded and they were awesome <3

[Tardcommander]

I want to be eased in by Disco Stu XD

[mish86]

Originally Posted by Tardcommander

I want to be eased in by Disco Stu XD

I want to watch

[chugglebunny]

Besides the little girl incident I don't recall anything too bad. At the end of the day it's a game and the Mods always do a decent job. It's a hard thing to do. If mistakes are made i'd like to think no one gets too upset really.

I personally love the game. Smaller games definitely sound wise though, makes it easier to keep up with whats going on etc and helps the mods stay on top of everything.

I've never actually mod'ed myself, but I always say alphabetical seems to be the easiest way to do most rounds. Cupid, Defender, Seer, Wolves, Witch. Then call any roles you need to know (Elder, Pyro etc) Makes sense in my head

[utghost]

There was nothing wrong with the 2 hour drunken game of lulz, most of the people complaining about how long it was going on for were the ones dragging out the nights to 10 minutes a piece leading to the constant bio breaks and 'omg omg omg im out of alcohol!'. Nothing like a bit of singing to help pass the time Nominating Geo just to lul at his defence

This weekend was my first time playing werewolves and you've definitely caught my attention and I will be partaking in future games \o