Sillysoft Forums

[soundboy]

I like to play Rome. I bring the fundamentals that I've learned through the years on to the map. Playing for place is never an option.

What I've found is that many Romans lack the concept of a Kill Window, where killing for cards can win them the game... and likely keep the game from turning into a marathon where people's feelings get hurt and skilled play often goes unrewarded.

When Roman games marathon, I see a lot of ill will that comes because players take exception to the popping of income. Suicides, retaliation, etc. tend to ensue. Emotion takes too much of a precedent in these games. I see a lot of players think it's acceptable to call for teaming because they don't like the fact that a solid move took their income. This often results in the KingMaker situation, in which the scorned player gets to throw the game to someone else.

This needs to change - universally in Lux, but particularly in Rome. Once people understand the notion that they were not "targeted" - they were killed for cards as part of a winning strategy, we take the personal aspect out of killing.

The games can be quicker, cleaner, and more enjoyable.
Here are a few strategies that I would suggest players implement in order to be better Romans - and to get more out of what I consider to be one of the greatest maps in Lux.

Defend Your Territories - But With Attack Squads.
-Having a large army as an attack squad can dissuade potential poppers by fear of retaliation alone. In addition, your attack squad can and should used to make kills.
In this case, the best defense is a good offense.
Place Attack Squads at Choke Points.
-Fortifying inward takes away armies that can be better spent killing. What are you, the sheep, or the wolf? Find your choke points and get your armies there.
Keep An Eye on the Info Window Between Turns.
Always be seeing how many cards you have, and how many cards/armies/income others have. This should guide your strike - not the pretty color bar that simply shows a player's size.
Be Aware of How Much Cash Is Worth.
You'll likely get attacker's dice... but you need to decide before a kill if the cash (and possible double cash) will be worth the kill. In other words, will the kill put you in a stronger position than you were before... or will it make you fodder for the players who are following your turn. Can They Cash?
Don't Let The Game Get Personal.
-Solid moves should be received with respect and a cool head... not returned with a suicide.
Recover. Cut Your Losses. Play To Win.

DON"T JUST SIT THERE - ALWAYS BE KILLING.

[WhirlPlaid]

Damn it Sound................keep your advice and my winning strategy to yourself.


All joking aside,
I couldn't agree with you more.

[Shockandawe]

The problem that has yet to have been solved is how exactly you can change the way these players play the map and game. You are preaching to the choir on these forums unfortunately and most of those that are problematic don't come here.

[soundboy]

I am of the opinion that it's a step process...

The first step being Awareness.
Perhaps if certain hosts were to endorse this thread by posting it in their room descriptions, it could direct more players to the forums.

Next step might be Migration.
If more players who understand the game began taking their play to maps like Rome, it could rub off on other players.

After that, Application / Execution.
If more players see that using these tactics can be proven to help them win, they might be inclined to climb on board.

Winning and Playing to Win is fun for me. It's not everybody's cup of tea.
Some players get off on griefing or playing just to get reactions out of others. It's an ideology shared by many that a lot of new players skip Classic (i.e. Lux101) and go straight to other maps without learning basic fundamentals.

Maybe it's up to us to take what we know and bring it to other maps.

That being said... there are a handful of Romans that do "get it". There are plenty more that show promise. It's foolish to rest on an assumption that players don't want to learn in order to get better.The goal is to have players that understand what it takes to win games in the majority so that the minority can learn and improve or simply decide that lux isn't for them.

New and or unskilled players in the minority cannot possibly promote gamesmanship or stick-to-it sentiment. Demolition derbies do nothing but bring out hard feelings that (more often than not) get carried on beyond one game. Keeping players around long enough so that they can thrive seems to be the challenge - which is an issue that can (and has been) be better addressed in another thread.

[Nimrod7]

I think that what you are doing is commendable sonic. Another idea might be to post it in the wiki.

The problem I see with the migration point is the marathon factor. A couple of months ago, I decided that I would play a bunch of Rome games. Unfortunately, most of them took forever so I'd be lucky to get in one game and then have to wait thirty minutes or so for the next game. Needless to say, I didn't get in many Rome2 games. So unless you have a pool of players who know when to kill for cards in games and others waiting to get into the next ones, odds are that this will be a long process. Most of us don't have the desire to sit around waiting for the marathoners to get to gettin'.

[Drifter]

Sounders... I like it for all games and not just Rome, and I do think it outta be in the wiki. Til then I'm gonna stickie this one for ease of linking during a game.

[imapickle]

For some reason i hadnt noticed this thread until now. I think u r exactly right soundboy.

[Behemoth]

[paranoiarodeo]

Soundboy's post is worth reading again nowadays.

∞ paranoiarodeo bumps this thread ∞