Strategy guide for newbies like me who really suck?

[enjoycocacola]

It seems like I'm always losing:

1. If I play defensively, my opponents just wipe out my armies because attackers have the statistical edge.
2. If I go on the attack, then I just die in the counterattack or else some other person wipes me out because I weakened myself in the attack.
3. If I get too strong in a game, then everyone else just gangs up on me.
4. If I try to slowly build and try not to attract attention, then someone else wins.

So it seems like nothing I can do gets me the win! Is there some "newbie strategy guide" somewhere that anyone can recommend? I did a search and couldn't find anything.

Thanks in advance!

[Endgame422]

http://www.conquerclub.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=341
SoC helps teach the basics

[enjoycocacola]

Thanks Endgame422, exactly what I needed!

[AyeTrain]

Alternatively, find a mentor. There's a thread around somewhere, though it may be defunct. Or just find a player who seems to know what they're doing (like maybe one of those guys who beat you) and ask them for advice. PM me if you want.

[Mr Changsha]

It seems like I'm always losing:

1. If I play defensively, my opponents just wipe out my armies because attackers have the statistical edge.
2. If I go on the attack, then I just die in the counterattack or else some other person wipes me out because I weakened myself in the attack.
3. If I get too strong in a game, then everyone else just gangs up on me.
4. If I try to slowly build and try not to attract attention, then someone else wins.

So it seems like nothing I can do gets me the win! Is there some "newbie strategy guide" somewhere that anyone can recommend? I did a search and couldn't find anything.

Thanks in advance!

Looking at your games you are trying to 'run before you can walk'. Drop all of those city mogul games and play or join some simple 3/4 player games on basic maps.

[jefjef]

I recommend you play lots of 1 vs 1 stuff - Learn some maps and get your rank up. Find the maps you have success and fun at..

You are also playing a lot of card games against experienced card players. Play more no spoil stuff too.

In large multi player games the lowest ranked players will invariably be targeted for quick elimination because the other players want to reduce their possible point loss.

[enjoycocacola]

I recommend you play lots of 1 vs 1 stuff - Learn some maps and get your rank up. Find the maps you have success and fun at..

You are also playing a lot of card games against experienced card players. Play more no spoil stuff too.

In large multi player games the lowest ranked players will invariably be targeted for quick elimination because the other players want to reduce their possible point loss.

Ah, makes sense now!

And I'll do the 1v1/no spoils stuff as you suggest.

Thanks for the tips.

[macbone]

And definitely sign up for SoC training, if you haven't yet. You'll learn strategy for large-player Escalating games.

[Arama86n]

8 player standard games on Battle For Iraq, Conquer Rome and Kings Court II... one on escalating, one on flat rate and one on No spoils?? If I was in those three games with you I'd be happy if I managed a win in one of them.

Looking at your games you are trying to 'run before you can walk'.

Mr.C has it right, like usual

As you may have realized, escalating is very different than No spoils. If I were you I'd start out with NS or FR and try and master one of those disciplines before attempting escalating. Or at least, picking one, even if it is escalating. Not trying every setting under the sun on some of the hardest maps on CC.
But again, if you like the difficult maps, good for you; but pick one or two and play them repeatedly for a while.

Being new on the site it must be damn hard to win a game on a complex map you don't know, on settings you don't comprehend.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is pick a set of settings, for example: Standard, Automatic, Sequential, No Spoils, Chained, NO fog or trench. Then pick 1-3 maps you want to learn and play a series of games on them on the same settings and keep your eyes open. Soon you should see the patterns, and realize your mistakes.

Good luck!

[Donald Fung]

Yeah, what everyone above has said is correct.

1) Don't play any hard maps like Conquer Rome, City Mogul, Hive, etc. Play simple maps with 36-48 territories such as Classic, USA, Japan, etc.
2) Avoid any special gameplay like fog, trench, freestyle, etc.
3) Focus on a single setting (as long as no special gameplay) and keep practicing at that setting until you understand how to win. Also, there is really nothing wrong with escalating if that is the setting you are used to since a lot of people on this site have played Risk before, most of which are escalating.
4) Play smaller games (2-4 players) against players with similar ranks. If you try playing 8 player games and your points are half of everyone else, people will naturally want to get rid of you just so they don't lose 40-50 points in one game.
5) If you really want a point boost, play 1v1 Doodle Earth or Luxembourg against higher ranked players. Those games usually have a 50-50 win rate and those maps are fairly simple. All you need is luck but if you are playing people with higher ranks, you should increase in points really quick.

If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.