by robbart on Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:39 pm
New players typically seem to do one of two things: suicide all their armies until they have 1's everywhere, or stack up their armies, being very passive until they learn the ropes.
Of those two strategies, I'd say strategy #2 is a good strategy, #1 is a bad, bad strategy.
I believe it's experience which imparts strategy. If you've played the real Risk game, you may already understand the benefits of forting when necessary, or making a feint to draw a player into a fire fight between them and two other players (or just to weaken them).
There is no one strategy to win. Every game needs a new strategy. Every map, the same: a new strategy.
Case in point: The Seige! map.
That map is very different due to the way bonuses are handed out. So, the first time you play it, you're getting your feet wet, and learning what YOU like to do on that map, but in the context of THAT game and THOSE players. Of course, the next time, your opening placement may be crap, and you get screwed 'cuz you go last, and 3 other players hit you, leaving you the weakest player on the board... You get the idea.
Each game is different. If you played the classic map 5 times simultaneously, you may find that you need 5 different strategies to beat the other players. And their experience level has a lot to do with YOUR strategy too. Like for example, how easy are they to manipulate into doing something you want them to do?
In a lot of ways, CC/Risk is a lot like Chess, minus the luck of the dice. You need to think many moves ahead.
In the end, you still need strategy. It's a necessary evil. But, you should remember that there is ALWAYS the luck (curse?) of the dice.
And even a 17-5 attacker advantage doesn't guarantee a victory.