Let me fist say that I’m very much appreciateing the insightfull conversations and houmorous banter that I’ve found on this site, A friend turned me on a couple of weeks ago and i’m sure before long i will be an actual member. thanks for treating me kindly as a guest, hopefully though, as I come to know what is acceptable and aproppriate, I will become more comfortable to express views that I’m proud to say, piss off and dismay many of my friends [in a good way]
My most immediate dilema however, because I’m expected in a couple of hours, is how to realize which stategy to imploy in our semi weekly risk games. I’ve played off and on for the last couple of years and i’ve won a few times, usually when there are at least four people playing. I allways try to adapt to initial lay of what it seems apparent that the other players intentions might be to gain an early hold on some part of the world. I know your probably allready thinking I just suck and that might be the case, yet i feel like a tyrant and think that under my tutelage the world can be a better place. Ive tried the, slow moveing, build up territories and reinforce, I’ve tried not participating while sipping on my martini to not become involved in trying to convince the person up to roll who’s not quite sure what they should do, that my advice is in thier best interest,[yea right] I’ve tried flying under the radar while other people fought back and forth, continually over the same country for a card, while slowly i got stronger, alliances only work, by thier inherant nature so you don’t get hurt to bad, or just to piss someone off, but that feeling and benefit is fleeting, I’ve tried strategic holding onto of my turn in cards, I’ve tried weakening my opponants by plowing through thier countries and rendering them to weak to assert an attack, and when it’s my turn to mix, I allways make sure they won’t complain that their drinks lack luster. I know it’s a game of strategy and that I need to take many things into consideration, I think that I do, which is why I feel that I should win more often. Did mention that I can allmost roll the dice i wish for at will [well at least sometimes] today i’m going to suggest we all put twenty dollars in a pot for the winner, A little incentive. I’d like to wipe off the smug smirks from the faces of those who oppose the rightful heir to the thone of the world, because this is how it must be.
any useful tactics or ploys from some of you more enlightened dopers would be much appreciated. the fate of the world is on your shoulders. And my twenty bucks. Thanks
If this is classic RISK, The best strategy is to control N America. Not out of American-chauvinism, but it’s worth 5 for a continent bonus, and has only three points where it can be attacked. You can keep the interior lightly garrisoned (MMMMKay?), saving armies for attack, and keeping those three points of entry heavily defended. Once you’ve secured N America, wait until you’re reasonably sure you can take S America in one or Two turns, then do. (2 more armies per turn, without opening your borders to attack.) With the Western Hemisphere secure, you can easily establish a beacheads in Europe and Asia, denying your opponents their bonuses, weakening their attack ability, and then slowly take them over.
Usually works for me
It is a while since I have played, but I second “The Sonoran Lizard King” on focussing on N America. Put your attention there and all will be shiny and new.
Stare over your opponent’s shoulder with eyes wide in shock and awe and when he or she turns around to see what has you so surprised, dump a couple cannons in your territories.
You know, I NEVER get Australia, because it always seems to me that the first person to do so, ends up there for the entire game. He/she gets wiped out everywhere else and the nthe game jsut plods along as that player and the other one (who controls the rest of the world) battle in southeast Asia. Eventually, the Australia holder loses, cause they can’t get enough armies.
if not, forget North America and dump everything in the beginning on Australia. why? everyone’s gunning for NA. if there are four of you, the main theatre of war will be NA, SA, Aus and Africa. by staking your claim early on on Aus, with overwhelming force and determination. your cowardly opponents will turn their eyes on America, where the lure of V armies per turn and the thought of anyone else capturing America as not acceptable turn the place into an ugly 3-way war.
what would you be doing in the meantime? quietly building up the gathering of Is and Vs in Siam (do not use IIIs, they are too obvious.) while you set up a small expeditionary force to trade cards in africa or europe.
now you wait, and wait. then you wait somemore as your enemies fight amongst themselves, helpless to do anything about you as they realise too late that you are too far away (and with Siam hidden under the might of your armies colour), way too big to be tackled by any one of them.
when it is apparent that the weakess of your opponents will fall soon, strike when he has 3-5 cards. Destroy him * in one turn. if your timing is right, you may be able to trade in 1-2 sets of cards for even more reinforcements. after that it is a simple matter of cleaning up, if they have not already surrendered to the rightful heir to the world.
*what? me? i always get my ass kicked too.
Most of my experience is with Lord of the Risk—er, I mean Lord of the Rings Risk, but it parallels the advice of the Lizard King.
I favor a heavily conservative strategy. Concentrate on securing one area which has a finite number of attack points, and then defend those points heavily. This region is your source of reinforcements.
As you attempt to expand your territory, be careful not to open too many fronts. Attack in one area and secure it, then move on the next. Be methodical.
Watch carefully to see if your opponent is overextending himself! Be patient, and sit back until he makes an error (or just has rotten luck) and is unable to properly reinforce his attacking ranks. Then take advantage of his weakness.
Don’t overlook the social aspects, as well. Don’t just give advice; form pacts and alliances—but don’t tie your hands unnecessarily. Be sure that all your deals are finite and have a specific purpose. You must never go against your word, or nobody will ever make a deal with you in the future, but don’t ever feel like you have to be nice to somebody because they attacked your mutual enemy back in Turn 8. The enemy of your enemy is your friend . . . until your enemy has been dispatched. Then the enemy of your enemy is your enemy. That’s how the game is played.
Everyone knows to go for Australia, and against a bunch of amateurs, it’s a good strategy. If you can do it-great! If not, don’t force the issue, because you’re likely to waste dozens of armies in a fruitless endeavour.
As a quick move, go for South America in your first turn, and Africa by your third, with several beach heads in Europe.
I usually start in Australia or North/South America depending on where my forces are most concentrated initially. If it looks like a couple of people are going for the Americas, Australia is a good place to hide while they beat each other down. After they’ve whomped each others forces down to squadoo, it’s easy to sneak up to Alaska and come south.
Did I mention that I tend to manipulate players into attacking each other instead of me?
I have only ever once won a game of Risk. My wife kicked my arse at it the first time she played it. I’m just not a strategist. Boo to Risk! Though I actually love it. Do they make a travel version?
