First move

[awell007]

Why is it that the first move (round) of a new game, I ALWAYS lose whatever I am trying to attack?
Never fails...
Doesn't matter how many are attacking or defending - just lose.

Is the game rigged or something?
It is getting awfully old!

Should I just never attack on my first turn of a game?!

[maasman]

That is just terrible luck. Sometimes I lose everything I attack the first round, sometimes I plow through, and sometimes its about even. I suggest attacking less in the first round for starters and see how that helps if at all.

[God Emperor Q]

Why is it that the first move (round) of a new game, I ALWAYS lose whatever I am trying to attack?
Never fails...
Doesn't matter how many are attacking or defending - just lose.

Is the game rigged or something?
It is getting awfully old!

Should I just never attack on my first turn of a game?!

It depends on the game settings and the strength of the players arouond you. On escalating, you usually want to refrain from attacking on your first turn (With 4-8 players). Actually, i usually never attack first turn in a 4-8 player game unless i am deploying 5 or more troops (World 2.1, Prison Riot). ALWAYS attack first turn in a 1v1 though, but other than that, i normally use the 1st turn to make myself stronger.

Hope this helps,
GEQ

[admiralnelson]

In a spoils game, isn't it really important to win a territory every turn? Otherwise you'll always be a card behind the other players.

Feel free to correct me!

[mpjh]

The SOC teaches on the classic map using terminator unlimited settings for 6 or more players. We never attack on the first move -- build only.

[TheMissionary]

In a spoils game, isn't it really important to win a territory every turn? Otherwise you'll always be a card behind the other players.

Feel free to correct me!

Is it always the benefit to be the aggressor or the first to make a move? I feel you can still succeed in a battle even when your adversary takes first blood. Also on Escalating the cards increase so being a card behind is benefial to to a point. Am I correct? Also just because you are a card behind doesn't mean they are going to cash in first. They need a set before they can cash. Just use simple logic and I think you'll see my point.

[YoursFalsey]

In a spoils game, isn't it really important to win a territory every turn? Otherwise you'll always be a card behind the other players.

Feel free to correct me!

In an escalating game, when the cards are worth more the later you turn them in, it can actually advantageous to skip getting a card one turn- once you hit 5 spoils, you HAVE to turn them in, whether you would rather wait or not. And as Missionary pointed out, just because you have cards doesn't mean you can cash a set and just because you can doesn't mean you will or should cash them....

To the general topic of attacking on the first turn, it does depend on the map, the drop, and the settings. (Sorry not to have a more specific answer ) Your goal of course is to strengthen your position relative to the other players. Defensive building in territories where you will seek bonus is good. Establishing bulwarks is good. Taking an opponent from 3n to 3n-1 territories is good, particularly in small games. (i.e. if everyone starts the game w/ 12 territories, if you drop someone to 11 territories on turn 1, they will only get 3 armies instead of 4...) I'm probably too agressive, but I generally will attack on turn 1, but give the attack up if I'm spending too many armies. (So classic map, where every territory starts w/ 3, I'll drop 3 for an attack I wish to make, making 6 on the attacking point. If I fall to 4, I'll give up the attack.) I know you always hate to spend armies w/o getting anything for them, but one of my toughest lessons was learning (and I haven't completely) not to overextend myself just to take a territory when the dice aren't cooperating...