by Onefistjel on Tue Dec 21, 2010 4:30 am
Not a lot of people have mentioned how to play the map you mentioned (most just urged you to play different maps), but I really like World 2.1. In an 8-player map, it is important, as some people have said, to gain a small bonus.
Here's what I've noticed a lot of inexperienced players doing that I would consider reckless or irrational:
- a lot of players tend to get pick fights in the beginning with anyone who may happen to be nearby, simply trying to expand instead of trying to play the balance of powers (and balance of powers is mostly what that kind of game is about). So try and find some place out of the way, take a little bonus or two and start to build up. Don't fight back against another player who's going for the same bonus as you if there are other options - really, only do that if you are stronger than they are.
- some players worry about the balance of powers too much and take it as their personal mission to make sure that the other players don't rise too far above the surface. On the one hand, it is okay for someone to be a little bit ahead, as long as it is not too far. On the other hand, it is not always your job to take them down a notch. If you are not the next strongest player on the board, then wait for one of the others to do something about it. That doesn't mean keep fighting other players, but if you're one of the weaker powers, it is not your job to take on the top dog. When the leader gets too strong, the other strong powers will get nervous and take him down. If you are one of the stronger players, then do your part, but make sure the others are on board. Some people snap earlier, get really nervous before it's really time, and they throw themselves at the lead player, while the others look on. It always changes the dynamic of the game for the rest of the players, but it is usually disaster for the nervous player.
- That's another point about inexperienced players: nervousness. Some players just get jumpy. If you are nervous about another player coming after you, make sure you watch for the signs first. I played 2.1 game, where I had taken Europe, and the player who was in the us and canada stacked all his troops right up against my border. He was nervous about me coming against him, but what he ended up doing was provoking me. I was forced to do something about it because he would have attacked me otherwise. Sometimes you can match troops at someone's borders, maybe tell them you're not planning on attacking, but usually just matching without making a move, and send the message that you wish for neutrality. Usually this takes one or more other players on that player's other borders, but that's where the balance of powers come in. Of course, I did this with one player, and he attacked me anyway, but that was an example of someone being jumpy. He ended up weakening both of us, and neither of us ever recovered, because other players were too far ahead already. I got swallowed up, and he never did anything significant.
So anyway, those are just a few things. You can't always help it if another player thinks you're in his way.
Don't forget, sometimes, the smart move is to retreat. As long as you're expending your resources against an aggressive player, other players might think they don't have to. You don't always have to retaliate or fight back. Just pay more attention to the dynamic of the game. Sometimes it works. Sometimes not. Those are my thoughts.
