Reporting players who block - just why?

[Blacktango]

I agree with thg.
I can't imagine playing in real life where my opponent just stops playing after 10 minutes and leaves. That sounds really rude to me.

Also, even if the game is going terribly, and your chances of winning are very slim, just keep trying and close the gap.
Restarting to get a better start is not the best way, especially in a game like TTR where the luck factor is high.

As for the blocking part, IMO it really depends on the number of players. In a 2 player game (as in many games), blocking your opponent is a basic strategy for winning.
Even if some players prefer to focus on their own destinations, they can’t blame another type of player for playing more aggressively.
Or then, they must just play with friends or people they know and like the play style.

If you are playing a game with more than 2 players, then blocking should be used less often. If you only focus on blocking one player, you can't hope to win the game. It’s not good for your own score, and if you keep doing it, then you’re just making another player win.
In that way, this could be considerate as a bad attitude and contrary with the BGA code of conduct.

[Mr_Magic]

Fair enough, I usually give them the benefit of the doubt, like you suggest. So I placed a train to go around and he blocked again. Different routes that couldn’t possible be related to a strategy.

Stopping other players from scoring their tickets, and therefore outscoring them overall /is/ a strategy.

[Mr_Magic]

Other threads on this topic show that the game designer themselves say that blocking routines is allowed and a valid tactic and is not prohibited by he rules in any way.

If people essentially want to play a house-ruled version whereby people are not to overtly block opponents routes then that is fine but needs to be arranged in advance, either via a specific game community group posting games for their members or via the Presentation option you can use when creating a table to specify its a friendly, non-blocking game.

I was pleased to read one of the commenters above realising that people should not complain about this in Arena games.

[thg0724]

I can't imagine playing in real life where my opponent just stops playing after 10 minutes and leaves. That sounds really rude to me.

I wish there were a way to upvote or like comments.

[Professor Metropolis]

As someone who enjoys blocking peoples destinations once i'm aware of it, i have to say that I'm all for it. It really makes the game. That added pressure to find a new route or realise there is no other option its great. If you cant block a move then why bother play at all, the challenge, especially in a two player game, is to beat the person. Otherwise it's just like playing poker but we can all see each others cards.

Also it's just a game and doesn't need to be taken that seriously.

[dwiawdfi]

But players who are deliberately screw with people and try to ruin the game?

This is the point. A lot of ppl just don't try to win, they attempt to make you lose. What is the point of playing?!

I definitely report them if it's obvious that they are doing that (like, if it is one way I get that thay could need it too, but If I have only two possibilities and you deliberately bock both of them just in case, well. why are we playing? Play alone!

[thg0724]

But players who are deliberately screw with people and try to ruin the game?

This is the point. A lot of ppl just don't try to win, they attempt to make you lose. What is the point of playing?!

I definitely report them if it's obvious that they are doing that (like, if it is one way I get that thay could need it too, but If I have only two possibilities and you deliberately bock both of them just in case, well. why are we playing? Play alone!

Play alone if you engage in blocking? You should be saying the opposite: if you don't want to be blocked, you ought to play alone. Solitaire it is.

[dhnyny]

A lot of ppl just don't try to win, they attempt to make you lose. What is the point of playing?!

This is completely incoherent. It is a zero-sum game. If you win, I lose. If I win, you lose. It is impossible to try to win without trying to make your opponent lose.

[Kaladry]

I give personal red thumbs to people who block because I abhor that kind of gameplay. I don’t play in the arena because I’m playing to have fun and that strategy is not one that makes the game fun for others. I won’t block you so if you block me and it’s obvious you only did it to block, then you get a red thumb.

[thg0724]

I give personal red thumbs to people who block because I abhor that kind of gameplay. I don’t play in the arena because I’m playing to have fun and that strategy is not one that makes the game fun for others.

You might not find the game fun when blocking is involved, but don't speak for all "others".