Winning without Cows?

[FuzzyToeBeans]

Last night I played a game with two people that only bought one cow each, 3 point one. One had a permanent certificate. I don't understand how they were able to win without buying cows to make deliveries like I usually do? One guy even delivered to New York. It seems impossible. Any insight would be appreciated.

[Jellby]

You can replay the game (https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=455386626) and try to learn from their actions.

[ProtestTheHero]

I almost never buy cattle. I will only consider if these criteria are met:

1. The cattle market building + cowboy draw/discard building is present
2. There are at least three cowboys on the board + upcoming personnel
3. There are blue and red cattle
4. If the game is likely to be a high cash game (lots of outlaws in the beginning)



This almost never happens and even if I should buy cattle, Im so biased against cattle that I really choose not to go for them.

The game is more than just the deliveries you make to Kansas.

Here's how I try to rationalize it in my head. I hope this makes sense. LOL

Hazards - As good as $5-7 for 4 points!
Buildings = low at the low craftsmen counts but exponentially better at higher counts.
Station Masters = can be useless or OP depending on the board state and the game you're playing
Cattle - arguably is less efficient point wise. You're lucky with you get a $1= 1 pts ratio and you have to hire the cowboys as well. on top of that youd have to hope to draw them.

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I have a decent ELO and I think I stand to get better if I can read the board state better when it comes to when to go for cattle.

[admscotty]

Great Western Trail is a game of Point Density per $.

Cattle are valuable if you can get 5-7 for $6 or 3 for $3.
However there are plenty of games when the point density is better with station masters and stations.
Or There are times when the point density is best with buildings.

At the beginning of the game you need to determine the path to the best point density based on the initial configuration of the board.
Which buildings are in the game?
Which station Masters are in the game and at which positions?
What cows are available in the market?

[radcom]

can a player decline to put out city delivery discs? Trying to avoid kansas city and fulton cities.

[Suoivax]

can a player decline to put out city delivery discs? Trying to avoid kansas city and fulton cities.

No, you cannot. It's a mandatory action.