PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING IN FORUM WARS!!!

Tutorial On Forum Wars

This is a tutorial on how to actually play Forum Wars. With a recent influx of new members who don't know how to play, s-t-n made this so they can find out. It has since been updated and edited by FW Moderator The Nameless Sith Lord. It has been broken down into sections so its easier to read. It's recommended that you read through everything, and then make your initial choices so you know what you're doing.

1) Basics

Tech Level: Your level of technology. All players start with a tech level of 100, and develop at their own pace. If it grows too high to fast, you will be accused of godmodding.

Trading: There is no currency for Forum Wars. Instead, you can trade various assets (IE, tech, ships, planets, ect.) for other people's assets.

Diplomacy: The only way to avoid war is by talking things out. You can make friends and enemies through diplomacy, although sometimes there is no avoiding conflict..... which brings us to:

Battle: Fighting between either a player and AI, or two players. AI battles are more common, as a era of relatively peaceful time has come.

2) Entering
To join Forum Wars, it is recommended you start a topic letting everyone know you want to join. You can jump right in and create your own faction, but it is recommended that you spend at least 3 weeks allied to another faction or within a faction before you do so. (so you can get to grips with how everything is done).

If you create your own faction, jump to number 4.

3) Joining a faction
There are numerous factions within Forum Wars, all with different policies. There are currently 9 Factions and a three-way tie for first.

Here are the Pros and Cons of all of the current factions:

Republic Of Free Systems:-

Pros:-
One of the more advanced factions
Tied for largest faction with VI (7)
Oldest faction

Cons:-
Members can't always do what they want without permission

Confederacy of Independent Systems:-

Pros:-
Defends it's members
Has very good tech
Leader is not aggressive
No chain of command, members are free to do what they want

Cons:-
Doesn't like to be caught up in other faction's wars
Leader has a short temper

Dominor Iunctus:-

Pros:-
Has good tech
Reasonable diplomatic ties

Cons:-
Single member
Single member is not on much anymore

The Vetus Imperium(VI, 6, Imperium):-

Pros:-
Second Largest Territory
Core members are some of the most experienced
Very rarely lets wars get out of its control to stop
Slightly aggressive(both Pro and Con)
Fiercely defends her members
Standardized

Cons:-
Elitist even by it's leader's measure(can be a Pro for some)
Faction Leader likes to declare war a lot
Puts recruits into a subfaction
Tied for 1st largest(at 7 members)

The United Star System(USS, USCM):-

Pros:-
Powerful Navy
HiTech SpecOps
Defends allies and subfactions
Advanced Robotics, in the form of Reploids(Replicated Androids).

Cons:-
Sometimes to busy respond at once
Some military forces can be cumbersome
Fourth largest with the (at 2 members)

Argent Crusade:-

Pros:-
Core member has a lot of experience

Cons:-
Some people distrust this faction
Relatively new
Fresh off a restart

4) Getting Used To It
Firstly, DO NOT ATTACK OTHERS RASHLY. You will end up having to give Q all your babies.

Second, THINK before you ACT. There are a few new players who thought they could beat a main faction by themselves, and they ended up having their worlds plundered.

Third, just watch how the other players play. Most of them have had plenty or experience, so watching them is a good way to learn.

5) Creating Your Faction
If you create your own faction, post a topic about it, along with some information on what it is like; example: An Empire, A Democracy... along with 3 star systems you would like that are not taken. At This Stage In The GAme, It Is Probably Better To Make Up Your Own. It Is Highly Recommended You Have a Capital, A Shipyard And A Military Base As Your Systems. (This Will Make More sence After Leaning About The Map). You Also Get 10 Light Cruisers, 2 Carriers (with 20 Fighters In Each), 4 Destroyers And A Flagship. The Flagship Cant Be Bigger Or More Powerful Than An ISD Mk2. Later On In The Game, You Can Make Better Ships...But For Now, Thats All Your Allowed. By Forum Wars Standards, This Is A Weak Fleet...So Dont Think You Can Attack A Faction With It. It Is only There To Hold Off An AI attack Or To Buy Time For Another Faction To Aid You.

5b) First steps
It is advisable that new players do one of the following:

A) If you do not wish to commit to a faction, apply for protection under the Protected Planets Treaty. See Grand Admiral Chris of the Republic or the thread for specific details.
B) Join a large faction (like those listed above) which can nurture and protect you, at least until you are ready to survive on your own, or so you can stay with them (see step 2)

6) Choosing Your Allies
Now You've Created Your Own Faction, You Have To Choose Your Allies. A Faction Can Refuse To Be Allies, but It Is Very Rare They Will Do So. You Can, Of Course, Try To Go It Alone...But It Is Very Unlikely You Will Make It. If You Are To Ally, It Is Recommended You Choose Either The Republic Or Coalition, As They Can Guarantee Your Safety. At This Stage, You Can Also Choose Enemies...But Doing So Will 99% Sure End Up With You Being Scaped Off The Bow Of A SSD Ploughing Through Your Fleet.

7) The Rules
Rules:
1. If you are wanting to join you must go through the academy first. After you pass, you can post whose side you are going on or create your own seperate faction.
2. You are allowed to switch factions as long as the other will accept you.
3. One post per side at a time, including allies. No multiple post from one side unless attacking an AI faction.
4. No Invincibility.
5. Magic has a limited use, and can only be used like the Force.
6. Super weapons are limited to 1 weapon every 2 days.
7. No over use of uber ships or weapons.
8. Only one faction per character at a time.
9. Rules Can Be amended on the Majority Vote
10. No God Modding (Controlling Other Players and their actions without their permission)
11. Limit to the number of Uber sized Ships per Faction.
12. New comers start off with a single star system with a small navy.

Rules are elaborated on in the "Forum Wars Constitution" sticky topic.