Arena settings

[notnewatthis]

Arena is a competitive setting of a given game. Imo, considering the whole competitive scene around Carcassonne it only makes sense that arena is played with the globally played competitive setting.

Carcassonne national championships and world cup are played with this configuration.

Adding on top of that:
National team competitions (world championship and continental level competitions), Carcassonne champions league, Mind Sport Olympiad and maybe others I don't remember right now.

Custom games are there for people to play with the settings they prefer (within existing options).

Disclaimer: I am a competitive Carcassonne player

There's a second question here that I think some people would also be interested in the answer to. Why is the 1-tile system used over the 3-tile system in the first place? Sure, BGA copies other places for consistency answers it for BGA, but playstyle-wise why is it preferred competitively? With 3-tiles one might think having more options increases the skill of the game, reducing bricky topdecks and giving players more control over things like sequencing, etc. This frequently increases the skill of games, yet presumably this is not the case for Carcassonne. So the question then leads to what makes Carcassonne different?

I don't have a clear answer for that, other than it is the base game rules. The 3 tiles in hand is a variant.

It would change the game towards a more control and deterministic type of game. It would increase greatly the pitt between experienced and inexperienced players. It would reduce the dinamism and risk of certain plays. this is what quickly comes to mind.

[Staraptor-swan400]

I would like an arena mode with some addonns.

[Eztol Odorf]

When I say I want to play people +/- 1 capability of me. I am 377 rating and I keep getting partnered with < 200 rating people.
This is really annoying.

[Ceaseless]

When I say I want to play people +/- 1 capability of me. I am 377 rating and I keep getting partnered with < 200 rating people.
This is really annoying.

That has nothing to do with this thread.

[Yah is King]

Arena is a competitive setting of a given game. Imo, considering the whole competitive scene around Carcassonne it only makes sense that arena is played with the globally played competitive setting.

Carcassonne national championships and world cup are played with this configuration.

Adding on top of that:
National team competitions (world championship and continental level competitions), Carcassonne champions league, Mind Sport Olympiad and maybe others I don't remember right now.

Custom games are there for people to play with the settings they prefer (within existing options).

Disclaimer: I am a competitive Carcassonne player

There's a second question here that I think some people would also be interested in the answer to. Why is the 1-tile system used over the 3-tile system in the first place? Sure, BGA copies other places for consistency answers it for BGA, but playstyle-wise why is it preferred competitively? With 3-tiles one might think having more options increases the skill of the game, reducing bricky topdecks and giving players more control over things like sequencing, etc. This frequently increases the skill of games, yet presumably this is not the case for Carcassonne. So the question then leads to what makes Carcassonne different?

Excellent question.

I too would think that expanding the decision space would make for a more complex game and more skill-based game.
(Drafting in Terraforming Mars, for example).

It would be helpful, perhaps, to hear WHY single-tile is more skill-based rather than just being reminded that it is.

It's more strategic because you must strategize based on what tiles you MIGHT get. Therefore, knowing the available tiles remaining and your odds of receiving the tile you need becomes extremely important. When deciding to attack your opponents feature, you must be able to evaluate the risk-reward of such a move. If you already have the connecting tile in hand it would substantially reduce this decision-making process since the move becomes more obvious.

Additionally, as stated above, the original game is played with these rules and all competitive tournaments are played with this rule. Top players are very happy with the format. If you prefer 3 tiles in hand or extensions, then simply don't play in arena mode where competitive Carcassonne is played.