Newbies ----> Flame On

[waltero]

Conquer club has it set up that way. You can Choose your battles.

Many Players get frustrated when they come across a player that does something totally unexpected.
And that is OK.
Anger and frustration is part of the game, it is how you deal with your Anger and frustration that Makes the game UN-enjoyable to some.

I get a kick out of a guy who gets so mad that he starts with the name calling and the like (even going so far as to yell and call the dice names) How Childish.
What the hell is that all about?

Let me ask, would you rather play with bad dice or a noob?

This game is addictive. Foe everybody who has ever beaten you...foe the noobs if you play for points.
No need to get mad just because a newbie has bested you in a game. maybe he is just better than you...not the Dice as you would suggest.

Picking and choosing the players in a game might give you a false sense of Mastery over the game.

If it is fun for you to play under those conditions by all means go with it.
Just STOP crying when you find yourself in a Game (tournament...you have to play with those you do not normally play with) with players that do not play the same game as you!

Just laugh have fun and Enjoy.

I have been playing games for many years now.
I recall a guy who when playing risk would only roll one die oppose to two on defense...he did not want to lose two guys in one roll.
What you gonna do

I must say, I never found so many angry player as I do in this game alone.
Not sure it is your opponent. The Dice factor strikes again.

[clowncar]

Hi gang,
I am a newbie and certainly have a lot to learn as far as strategies of the game is concerned. I apologize in advance for any dumb gameplay. But I do want to help you understand that some of the boneheaded "risks" that newbies take are often not the worst strategy for them.

In a protracted game ( whether it be risk or most other games ) where I am thoroughly outmatched, I find that I am often better off taking a higher risk approach. To put it into context, imagine you are an out of shape boxer fighting a prize fighter. The longer the fight goes the less chance you have to win. You are going to tire or make a mistake that the prize fighter is not and you are more likely to lose. In order to have a decent chance of winning, I would be going all out for an early round knockout. Or imagine playing roullette. The more spins, the more likely you are to lose because you have the disadvantage and the power of multiple trials will draw you nearer and nearer to expected results.

Therefore, I may watch my more skilled opponents and learn from them but I am also going to try my hardest to give myself the best chance ( As I know it ... I am a newbie with a lot to learn as I said ) to win.

Let me explain it another way .... If you are more skilled than me it may be in my best interest to take a gamble at a bad % play this turn because the likelihood is that with each passing turn, my chances of defeating you will likely decrease. I think that sometimes this very basic concept in game theory is forgotten. One of the reasons underdogs in sporting events like to eat clock and limit possessions is because as you increase the number of plays/possessions in a game where you are outmatched, the more likely you are to lose.

So just a little perspective about why a newbie may take a gamble now that he may not take several months down the line. It doesn't mean he is an idiot or even lacking in the knowledge that it is a negative EV maneuver in a vacuum.... it may well be his best chance to win.

Happy hunting and please don't foe me.

clowncar

[jsnyder748]

im going to foe you. You said something smart and your new! It was a scary thing to witness

(Im not really in case you did not see the sarcasm)

While I agree that you feel that you should be more aggressive so that if you happen to get lucky you are able to win. You probably don't want to follow that strategy for more than a few games. It helps to get used to the game mechanics and different settings while being very non-aggressive.

You are in the game longer (usually) and can learn from others if you are less aggressive and more receptive. You can use the chat to persuade others in your favor or to ask questions. People who have been around for a long time like newbies who take incentive in learning proper strategy. It may seem so simple to long time members how to play escalating games properly and even to those of us who played the board game when we were younger (like many new member) but there is always something to be learned and so many different ways to play because of the variety the website provides.

[waltero]

You will find that many players play with Bob, and never make an Assault with low Odds.

This is a game with little strategy and big on the dice.
A good way to keep yourself from getting frustrated at the (bad) dice...do not think of them as dice (outside the game it is OK to refer to them as dice).
Your men are starving. Opponent is dug in. Bad weather, anything but dice.

Many a pro that play this game, play with Bob.
Some do not like to make an Assault going against the odds...even if it means the game.
I am not sure if playing with Bob is a good thing. Don't think I want the odds staring me in the face every time I make an Assault.
This is a game of dice...got to play the dice.
If you are rolling shite go defense cause you know you will not win any attacks. If that does not work...give it a rest for a day or two.
The only constant in all my games...I will generally lose when I pit four men against one, 87% of the time. Only if I start out with three units I can win against one unit 93% of the time.
Man do people (mainly the higher rank) get pissed off in this game when somebody assaults with negative odds.
battles are not always fought with 1to1 odds.

If you have a overwhelming feeling about an attack...go with it!
If going Against overwhelming odds (in one or two battles) will put you on top, go for it.

Bob is not a part of my game and When I go against a pro and Kick his arse he can not understand how it is possible. He will call it luck of the dice (even though the dice stats favor him). After I point out the dice stats to him he will say it is because I went first.
I simply do not see a problem playing Against Newbies.
Not even sure what a noob is.
Many newbies on this forum, does not mean they have never played the game.
Idiotic move (play ) does not constitute a Newbie.
This Post is just another way for players to blame the loss of the game on another player.
You will find that many players play for rank. When they lose against a lower rank they can not admit defeat!
It is anything but there fault. Then of course they give you a bad rating.
One Star...they are so foolish to realize that when people look at a rating with one star across the board that it is a farce (not a honest rating).
Many good players in here...many a poor sport as well.

The object of this game is to Achieve High rank. then you can act like an ass to all the other players.
Never mind everything else.
If your game play lacks...and you rarely get promoted. Try playing Newbies or low rank players only.
Do not worry about improving your game play.
Just make rank and you will never be accused of being a newb (just a dumb ass).

Tis much the same...many High rank players Play the same as da newbs do.

NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR GAME PLAY!!!

Every game is Different.
IF you ever see a Movie called TIN CUP you will know what I am Talking About.
More importantly Is to get a feel for the game.

If you have a feeling go with it!
Makes for one hell of a game sometimes.

[ZeekLTK]

Hi gang,
I am a newbie and certainly have a lot to learn as far as strategies of the game is concerned. I apologize in advance for any dumb gameplay. But I do want to help you understand that some of the boneheaded "risks" that newbies take are often not the worst strategy for them.

In a protracted game ( whether it be risk or most other games ) where I am thoroughly outmatched, I find that I am often better off taking a higher risk approach. To put it into context, imagine you are an out of shape boxer fighting a prize fighter. The longer the fight goes the less chance you have to win. You are going to tire or make a mistake that the prize fighter is not and you are more likely to lose. In order to have a decent chance of winning, I would be going all out for an early round knockout. Or imagine playing roullette. The more spins, the more likely you are to lose because you have the disadvantage and the power of multiple trials will draw you nearer and nearer to expected results.

Therefore, I may watch my more skilled opponents and learn from them but I am also going to try my hardest to give myself the best chance ( As I know it ... I am a newbie with a lot to learn as I said ) to win.

Let me explain it another way .... If you are more skilled than me it may be in my best interest to take a gamble at a bad % play this turn because the likelihood is that with each passing turn, my chances of defeating you will likely decrease. I think that sometimes this very basic concept in game theory is forgotten. One of the reasons underdogs in sporting events like to eat clock and limit possessions is because as you increase the number of plays/possessions in a game where you are outmatched, the more likely you are to lose.

So just a little perspective about why a newbie may take a gamble now that he may not take several months down the line. It doesn't mean he is an idiot or even lacking in the knowledge that it is a negative EV maneuver in a vacuum.... it may well be his best chance to win.

Happy hunting and please don't foe me.

clowncar

I would say the one thing about that is, though, that you never learn to get better by doing it.

For example, sure Buster Douglas was able to knock out Mike Tyson, but overall who had the better career and won the most? It was Tyson, because he learned to box whereas Buster Douglas only "gambled".

I feel like it's the same on here. Sure, if you are in a tournament game and are playing a much higher player and will be eliminated if you lose, take out all the stops. But if you are just playing some random game, why gamble instead of try to learn how to play?

Basically, if you go for the long shot every time, you never get good enough to learn how to play without that. And it's called a "long shot" for a reason. Sure, it might win you a game here and there, but overall it's not a good strategy because it will backfire more than it will work.

That's how you end up as a cook - you try to throw the hay-maker every game in the first round and when it only works twice in the span of 20 games, you come out with a 2-18 record and are no better off than where you started. However, if you actually try to play the game and learn good strategy, maybe you come out 7-13 or something. Not the greatest, but not terrible either. And since you generally get more points for a win than you lose for a loss (especially as a new player), you can actually start moving up in the ranks, etc.

[waltero]

Just want to point out that it is not Cooks alone that Skew a game.

It's just easier to put the blame on them...you got to blame it on something.
I play against whom ever.
I know that Vets can (and do) Skew a game much more than newbs do!
It works both ways...no play with newbs, how you going to learn (learn how to play against them)?

A Newb is anybody who has not played on a particular board.
You can have 1000 or more games under your belt and still be considered a newb, When you enter into a game board that you have never played on before.

Example: I entered A freestyle Doodle Earth game.
At that time I was a sarge.
After my first game I had many posts on my wall, telling me that a was a F**cking Noob!
And that I was foed (oh no not that).

Who the hell knew that there are rules, considered dishonorable to attack big stacks, leaving more than one unit on terit that you do not have a big stack already in place...and having to ask somebody if you can attack their terit!
What in the Hell is that all about!
Who has time for all that on a speed game (1 min) freestyle?

My connection was sooo slow that I could not even play that way, if I wanted too.
Thing Is I did very well in the game.
My Supper Slow connection lost the game for me. I am convinced that I could win using Basic Strategy (same strat as Original game...and rules).
I understand now. That is what they like. They set the game up with those rules to make it enjoyable to them. No matter if there is a winning strategy.
I continued to be a newb on that map for three more games. It was the most fun I have had in any game I have played on this sight.

Not because I befuddled many vets (that was fun too).
Finally a fellow player explained to me what was going on and why others were getting pissed at me (not simply because I eliminated them or Skewed their game play).
Stopped playing being that I could not handle such Speed.

Would Like to play if I had better Connection.

Anybody and everybody can be considered a newb!

Yes even you who have High rank and consider yourself A pro.
This is not the only sight that a person can engage in a game of Risk!

[ZeekLTK]

I don't really think that's what people are talking about. Instead, when I picture a "noob" doing something risky/stupid that people might get mad about is something like if you play a 1v1 and your (noob) opponent tries to attack you with lots of 3v3s on his first turn. If he gets lucky and wins, then it basically sets him up to win the whole game because he has decimated your troops before you even got a chance to play. But what are the odds that will work? Not very high. Instead, most of the time he will try that and decimate his own troops, allowing you to win easily. So then other players get pissed about this because either way he has ruined the game, and they are especially mad when it's his lucky day and he ends up winning too.

That's an example of what I said in my previous post. Sure, you can try something ridiculous that is a huge risk and could potentially gave you a win if it works in that one game, but how does that help you overall? Overall you are going to lose way more often than you win doing stuff like that, AND no one is going to want to play against you either, because what fun is it to either lose because someone did something really stupid yet hit the jackpot, or to win because someone destroyed themselves going for a huge gamble? It's not fun.

[Trevor33]

Who hasn't lost the plot in a game at some point and crashed into an opponent ruining both your chances?

We've all done it, especially those who use the chat function.

[waltero]

Who hasn't lost the plot in a game at some point and crashed into an opponent ruining both your chances?

We've all done it, especially those who use the chat function.

True Dat...I have often Provoke somebody into attacking me.
I am big on chat.
I Just recently engaged in a game where I purposely made myself the target...I had no real position to speak of. Everybody was placing there units and not attacking. Drop and end the turn. I notice a player building big stacks next to my terits. So I Started to attack large armies along my Borders...just the guy who had place a large formation next to my puny Terits (every one of mine...he was setting up to take me out). Soon everybody had something to say about that.
I was attacking him at not so good odds and beating him down.
This was at the beginning of the game.

Soon everybody wanted a piece of me! I Wanted to see how easy it is to divert other players from there strategy. The Higher rank players would have none of it. I made a statement; Anybody who places a huge amount of units next to my border will be Attacked.

Soon everybody was placing units next to my Border. Lowest rank (Private) Player won the game.
More than one way to skew a game.
Sometimes the best players are so Predictable.

[waltero]

Very little Strategy to be learned in this game.

This is a game of dice. As it stands now it is a game of luck!
Luck on cards luck on placement luck on Internet conctn luck on defense luck on attack.

If players wish to play their game based on luck so be it!

Game play is limited. Implement Card play and weather along with many other variables.
Probably the only way to reduce the dice factor (luck).

oops sorry

[Barney Rubble]

Very little Strategy to be learned in this game.

This is a game of dice. As it stands now it is a game of luck!
Luck on cards luck on placement luck on Internet conctn luck on defense luck on attack.

If players wish to play their game based on luck so be it!

Game play is limited. Implement Card play and weather along with many other variables.
Probably the only way to reduce the dice factor (luck).

Try a game called Imperial! Risk with no dice. If you want more info post on my wall. Online and many games to chose from. All free

Spamming Definitely a No No on this site
BR

[slsfong]

Maybe I just have more patience than some people, but the unhinged players (or players whose strategy doesn't make sense to me) don't bother me. It's probably from playing with a guy who suicides at the drop of a hat for years.

You don't know why another player is making some of those calls -- maybe they have a strategy that's sound and works well for them, but you just don't see it.

Personally, I'm one of those bonus monkeys mentioned previously:D I like to make my moves early on and get momentum. And I find I have more flexibility when I cluster my people together rather than less. Now, when it fails, it does so spectacularly, but I don't like the waiting around for spoils. Besides, part of my motivation for conquering the globe is to bring order, and you can hardly bring order out of chaos by running around willy-nilly.

I'm sure, however, that probably annoys some of the players I've played with. Just like I know some are annoyed by truces, while I find them expedient and polite.

I'd probably foe the guy anyway, just because he got rude in chat.

[Armandolas]

Waltero, You asked what is actually a noob. Well in my opinion is a player with low experience in the game, with few games played.Normal thing for people who starts playing a game.
Or for example if you go play Stalingrad for the 1st time.Then you are are a noob in the map for sure.
Now, there is a big difference between a noob and a bad player with more than 1000 games played.
I must agree with you in one thing, Risk is also a game of luck.You play dices so you are dependant on that.But saying it does not involve any strat is absolutely nonsense.
Because there are many styles of playing to choose, is obvious that players will start to find where they are better at. Some just excell in Freestyle for example and gain really good amount of points on that.
Some others prefer and gain points on other game styles(ex.In athletics u can excell at 100m , u can be very good in the 10000m or some are great because they are allrounders and perform good in many different styles)

Looking at your stats i would be favoured to say u dont perform good at any style.
Looking at your games, this was the first i bumped into Game 12467054, u actually admit that u suck and you even admit that u dont understand the map after playing in it a few times. But final saying comes actually from your own words that dont make sense at all. You talk about bob , assault odds and high ranked players getting pissed off or rating you as a bad player.
A lot of bullsihit excusing yourself to be a poor player.
My self lost many many games against lower ranked people and won against high ranked players. When you play 1vs1 its normal that you have 50% chances of winning.
So there is not because of 1vs1 players complain, but actually because of multiplayer games where often low ranked players that play bad and ruins other players games.
I will give u a good example:
You are playing an 8 people classic escalating game.Next cash is 15 troops. Yellow has 2 territs in Oz, blue 1 with 5 troops and green also 1 with 10 troops, but outside Oz, green only have 2 regions.
Now you are yellow, and im absolutelly sure that you will cash your 15 troops and take Oz for the bonus.
What will happen next?

Cheers

[waltero]

@Armandolas, you are in error: QUOTE ''But saying it does not involve any strat is absolutely nonsense''

I believe I said Very litle Strategy.

My point with Bob and High rank players...If you go against the odds (Bob) the high rank players frown upon you.
If you look at my ratings few (less than few) high rank players give me bad rating.

Lookimng at my few games and my Stats I would say I fair well at anystyle?
I have played Many a game of risk. I know I am as good as the rest and better than the best!

No matter good or bad, Risk is not a true War game. It is a game of dice.

[waltero]

No such thing as a ''BAD'' Player when it comes to Risk!

Unlucky players, Yes.

[iAmCaffeine]

No such thing as a ''BAD'' Player when it comes to Risk!

Of course there is. For an extreme example, someone who attacks with all their regions at 3v3 for the first around is not a good player, assuming they do it regularly as some kind of strategy.

[waltero]

True dat...A game can be won using that strategy.
Bad at risk good at playing the dice. Children like this game because they can suck at it and still come out ahead. Thinking that they are not that bad of a player at all.
A guy who consistantly attacks at a 1 to 2 odds and wins every now and then...would think he OK player.
Having fun is the name of the Game. Only the players who get pissed off while playing risk are the ''bad'' players!

Pissed off because a silly player can Kick their Arse!!!

[Lord_Bremen]

I wish we could put point minimums on games. I have to wade through 1-2 suiciders a game, it's really annoying. I'd estimate half my losses are from them.

[Jippd]

I wish we could put point minimums on games. I have to wade through 1-2 suiciders a game, it's really annoying. I'd estimate half my losses are from them.

Try joining games in the 2000+ or 1800+ section in the callouts forum. You will generally find higher caliber players that know how to play games better than just open games.

[corrupteddrake]

I can think of a number of reasons why a player would attack you like that, none of them assuming that they are bad.

If there are three players left, a strong player, you, and a weak player, the weak player may be convinced by himself or the strong player that he will lose no matter what happens and that getting second is better than getting third. So, he will attack you and leave the strong player alone hoping that the strong player will attack the bigger threat first, namely you, and leave him for last.

The way to stop this from happening is to make the weak player believe that it is possible for him to win the entire game if only he would attack the strong player.

Another reason is that a player may believe that you have broken an alliance with him in the past and that if they make one with you now you will backstab them. Therefore, they should attack you to teach you that if you threaten them this way they will try to weaken you as much a possible before they get kicked out of the game.

The way to stop this is to not break alliances without either totally destroying them or to not break any alliances without good cause.

A third reason I can see why this would happen is if the weaker play thinks that he could win the game if only he had a little more territory to do so. He has only two choices on where to get this territory the strongest player on the map or you. Of course, he would attack you. He thinks that you are the weaker player and less like to be able to strike back at him.

The way to stop this is to strike back at him with everything you have saying that if he attacks you, you will totally destroy him no matter what.

These are just a few of the best reasons why someone would attack you like that and how to counter them.

[Lord_Bremen]

Try joining games in the 2000+ or 1800+ section in the callouts forum. You will generally find higher caliber players that know how to play games better than just open games.

If they would do non-escalating (escalating is even more luck-based than wading through noobs, one retard with cards gets killed and game ends), I would.

[Lord_Bremen]

If there are three players left, a strong player, you, and a weak player, the weak player may be convinced by himself or the strong player that he will lose no matter what happens and that getting second is better than getting third. So, he will attack you and leave the strong player alone hoping that the strong player will attack the bigger threat first, namely you, and leave him for last.

There is absolutely zero benefit to coming in second. So doing this would actually indicate a clear lack of skill.

[KawawangCowboy]

Judging by my recent experience, assassin games are a bad place for new players like me.

Now I admit, I got assassinated, so I can't defend the way I played too much.

However otherwise it wasn't a very welcoming experience. Green called me out for turtling before the 2nd turn ended (I wasn't planning on it!) A few turns later everyone starts congratulating blue (who had taken a big part of the map and was well on his way to taking out green) and then because I expanded too much too quickly (newb move on my part, sure), Red sweeps in and kills me off.

I got lessons to learn from there, but they tell me to stay out until I know better. Not very enjoyable from the start anyway so I'm not eager to join another.

[AyeTrain]

Sorry you had a bad experience: assassin games are hard to grasp at first. Gameplay is a lot different from the other types, because gaining power and territory is much less important (because it becomes important to protect everyone but your target). And, you might've had some less-than-patient players.

Don't let it stop you...experience is the best teacher. Look around in this forum: there's surely some threads discussing Assassin strategy.

[Colemanus]

True dat...A game can be won using that strategy.
Bad at risk good at playing the dice. Children like this game because they can suck at it and still come out ahead. Thinking that they are not that bad of a player at all.
A guy who consistantly attacks at a 1 to 2 odds and wins every now and then...would think he OK player.
Having fun is the name of the Game. Only the players who get pissed off while playing risk are the ''bad'' players!

Pissed off because a silly player can Kick their Arse!!!

This is why I have fun. Dont mind being called the grand newbie