High Ranked Players, What is your strategy for...

[friendjonny]

What is important to you when choosing what countries to place your armies in the first 2-3 rounds? Having observed some of the really high ranked games, I know you almost never attack the first round, but instead place your armies in different countries and then end the turn (and I understand that strategy). I'm just wondering what makes one country a better choice than another country.

[Risktaker17]

You wanna be alive on all parts of the map for instance, deploy one on Africa, Asia, and N America.

[Killer619]

i was a high ranking so ill jus post. i place it because i mainly play assassin games so ill deploy and the area closer to the assassin. that is my reason.

[friendjonny]

being alive on all parts of the maps makes a ton of sense, I have noticed, in escalating games, it is the best way, aside from being strong, to avoid being taken over by another player for my cards.

[jcalebmoore]

That's a really circumstantial question. (Also I'm not sure if you consider me high ranking enough to answer.) In a cards game, I try and attack every turn to make sure I get a card. In escalating, I like to be spread out so I'm tougher to finish. In non-escalating, it just depends on the placement. If I think there's a continent I'm set up to take. I heavy deploy there, and try to work my other armies there. If it seems like everyone else is entrenched and I'm bound for homelessness, say most of my countries in Asia, I try to get my armies together, and stay out of the way while the others take their continents, and try and let them go at each other.

Really, you should be giving more details about game type and number of players to get an answer here.

[graeme89]

I'm not high ranking either but if it's escalating cards then it makes sense to make yourself difficult to wipe out. I've won many esc games without ever owning a continent.

[David_Wain]

Hey... Which style of game are u referring to? because so much depends upon this strategy... it varies in all different types of games.

[RobinJ]

Hey... Which style of game are u referring to? because so much depends upon this strategy... it varies in all different types of games.

Aye. With escalating, which I play most, you spread yourself generally where no-one will want to kill you and where it will be good for a takeout or difficult for others to take you out. Don't really know about the better players in flat and no cards - I'd probably just stick to my old strategy of grab a small continent quick if you can. Otherwise, be patient

[peanutsdad]

i'm not sure what you consider high ranking, but if my opinion counts then here you go.
I'm not a fan of deploying and not attack in the first round unless it's a no cards game. as long as there are cards available, you should take advantage of it, especially if your not the first player and someone has left a simple single army at your feet. if it's unlimited forts and you have a chance to move into stronger position, always take that rout, even if you leave an area less defended, if in the long run your stronger for it, then go for it.....But like everyone else said, you want to stay as strong as possible, so disbursing your armies over different areas is never a bad idea either...

[friendjonny]

I'm talking of escalating games. By high ranking, I mean anybody on the first page... especially majors and above.

Thanks, your answers have been helpful... more answers are always appreciated!

[comic boy]

I'm talking of escalating games. By high ranking, I mean anybody on the first page... especially majors and above.

Thanks, your answers have been helpful... more answers are always appreciated!

In the early/middle rounds of escalating the absolute priority is to stay strong all over the map. You should never allow yourself to fall more than one card behind but otherwise always refrain from attacking large forces, target singles is the key.

[codeblue1018]

I'm talking of escalating games. By high ranking, I mean anybody on the first page... especially majors and above.

Thanks, your answers have been helpful... more answers are always appreciated!

In the early/middle rounds of escalating the absolute priority is to stay strong all over the map. You should never allow yourself to fall more than one card behind but otherwise always refrain from attacking large forces, target singles is the key.

As always Comic, nicely said. Follow these simple instructions Friendjonny and you are sure to win. If not, Comic would gladly share some of his points, lol!

[DAZMCFC]

i very rarely attack first round in escalating and hardly ever go for a continent as it is not worth it most of the time unless it falls into your lap.

[friendjonny]

ooo! very helpful comic boy. Thanks! (I've been reaching these conclusions on my own but I wanted to know the thoughts behind the strategy)

[khazalid]

In the early/middle rounds of escalating the absolute priority is to stay strong all over the map. You should never allow yourself to fall more than one card behind but otherwise always refrain from attacking large forces, target singles is the key.

addendum!

unless you fall 2 cards behind, in which case its effectively the same as being level so long as redemp values are low. that works out for me sometimes, especially on public esc games, which are a different kettle of fish entirely

[Genghis Khan CA]

addendum!

unless you fall 2 cards behind, in which case its effectively the same as being level so long as redemp values are low. that works out for me sometimes, especially on public esc games, which are a different kettle of fish entirely

Good point, in a public escalating game I would give up on any territories in the small continents (aus and SA) because some private is bound to come along with the first cash-in and kill 15 troops for a 2 troop bonus which they will only hold for 1-2 rounds anyway. If you basically make yourself not look threatening in those games your chances of winning increase.

In high ranked games I agree with comic's assessment, as players are less likely to make the type of mistake I described.

[khazalid]

addendum!

unless you fall 2 cards behind, in which case its effectively the same as being level so long as redemp values are low. that works out for me sometimes, especially on public esc games, which are a different kettle of fish entirely

Good point, in a public escalating game I would give up on any territories in the small continents (aus and SA) because some private is bound to come along with the first cash-in and kill 15 troops for a 2 troop bonus which they will only hold for 1-2 rounds anyway. If you basically make yourself not look threatening in those games your chances of winning increase.

In high ranked games I agree with comic's assessment, as players are less likely to make the type of mistake I described.

remins me of my very first RT game when i hung good ol' poet out to dry :lol: i reckon he mustve had about 24 perched on siam..

[friendjonny]

My strategy up until now was to attempt taking a small continent (unless SA, Africa, and Australia all had obvious other owners) and use the bonus for power. If the beginning set up made one continent look good for both me and someone else, then I always attacked them first to make the continent look worse for them.

[graeme89]

Anyway fj, Sgt 1st after 60 games is pretty good. Looks to me like you don't need too much advice. GL