The Use of Contact Cards in ME-PBM.

There is a valuable resource available to all ME-PBM players that is often overlooked in the heat of battle. I am referring to contact cards; those little 3' x 5" index cards that we all send to one another along with our turn sheets. Most players use these cards to exchange name, address and phone number information with other players in the game; usually players of the same alignment. This is great! Gather information on as many players as you can in your game. Check zip codes and addresses; you may find players who appear to be working together. You will gain an edge when dealing with these players if you are able to consider the best interests of their particular alliance. Using your network of contacts, you may also be able to gather enough information to determine if your game has any unfilled positions. If you find that a nearby enemy position is unfilled, you can turn your attention to more pressing confrontations elsewhere. Also, population centers of unfilled positions, regardless of their alignment, are ripe for the picking-there is no one to offend.

Contact cards can also be used to spread rumors. Rumors, both true and false, can be useful in a lot of ways. Send notice to a population center that your army is on the way; then strike somewhere else. Do this a couple of times, then follow through and arrive where you said you would. Keep them guessing. Give false information to neutral players and see if it winds up in your enemy's hands. You may be able to find out which way some of your neutrals are leaning. Send false information to an enemy-make it look as if you sent it to the wrong player by "mistake." Send a false message to an enemy commander boasting of a victory over one of his allies. Rumors will cast a doubt in the mind of your opponent, and cause him to spend time chasing around for verification.

Contact cards have another very important function in ME-PBM. They can be used to carry on communications between characters of different nations. This is my favorite part of the whole game - this is the role playing part. Just remember, these are not real people. These are characters talking to characters. Never let them get into personality conflicts with other players; this will lessen everyone's enjoyment of the game. Remember, this is just a game, no matter how wonderful it may be. Address your cards to characters by name and title; everyone likes to see their name in print. Inflate your title and importance. Don't just be Captain Flash of Gondor, be Captain Flash, Commander of the Royal Horse Guard of Minas Anor; Grand Army of North Gondor! Same guy, more irritating.

I find that sending a personal barb to an enemy commander just before battle may cause him to act irrationally and perhaps choose a more aggressive battle posture that he normally should. This can only work to your advantage. After the battle, let the character know what your army commander thought of his performance in combat. Praise him if he deserves it-a little well aimed respect can go a long way. Be sure to chastise him if you can. He may throw himself at you again before he has properly regrouped- once again, advantage to you.

Be careful not to divulge vital information. I once had an enemy agent tell his exact location while bragging about his successful pilfering my treasury. He was so proud of himself that he tried it again on the following turn and nearly paid with his life.

Another character, whom I had been communicating with, was so irritated with my commander by the time we met in battle that he issued a personal challenge unwisely, died gloriously, and lost the battle (and an army) unnecessarily.

I don't know if the good people at GSI have taken precautions to prevent one player from sending a card in another player's name, so be careful-guard against it by using passwords when communicating with allies to ensure the authenticity of your message. When communicating with characters, take care to keep it light hearted and fun; don't just call names. Be humorous when you can, sarcastic when you can't. Act pompous, overbearing, obnoxious;l make him angry. Act incompetent; he'll become overconfident. Do whatever you want-just have fun with it. But remember, these are only characters, not real people!

Contact cards can add a lot to a game. Give it a try- I think you'll like it!!