Board Game Arena

I very strongly agree. This is my experience: I feel I have to choose between playing for fun (playing for first place whatever it takes), or playing for ranking points (playing to not become 4th or 3rd). Choosing to play aggressive often results in an all-or-nothing outcome, and it's detrimental to...

I believe you are experiencing variance. I've had it many times for many long streaks, so I guess you are evening the averages for me

however, the way the person ending up 4th is punished in negative ranking points still promotes passive play. Even more so since it's based on stars only, not HP or other cards/tiles you have gained.

the current expansions do help, especially beserk + cultists combi. I've seen quite some games turn around completely from beserk

If it's truely random, there's an infinitely small chance that I will be the starting player forever