Board Game Arena

mturton wrote: ↑20 August 2023, 06:12Just two quick points. I have never been in a game and seen anyone hang at zero for a while and then explode with colony purchases and win over that card. Paper strategy only, sadly.

Not at all. I've done it myself, tons of times. The fact that you personally haven't seen it doesn't mean it's not possible or effective. It is a not straightforwardly intuitive concept for newer players, so it makes sense that if you haven't played arena you haven't seen it done and done well. It's okay that not everyone chooses to play "competitively," but in frequent competitive play you are more likely to see better strategies in play, including counters that don't often occur to casual players.

mturton wrote: ↑20 August 2023, 06:12Your math doesnt work because stats are clumpy, not smooth. Typically you dont get XX% of rolls being a 7 spread over a hundred rolls, but clumps of 7s in which 4 out of a stretch of 5 rolls are 7s. Having 12-16 points vanish like that is usually the game.

That's not how stats work, and sounds like the classic Gambler's Fallacy. Every roll is independent of the last, so there is no such thing as it being "typical" for there to be clumps or no clumps. Every turn has an exactly equal probability of a 7 being rolled, so it is still a good idea to limit the number of rounds in which the card can hurt you. A "clump" is just as likely early on in the game as it is late in the game, and if there is a random "clump" of 7s while you had 0 VPs early on, great! You countered the effect of the card. Sometimes the dice are unlucky for you, yes -- that is part of any dice game. Over repeated plays, you should be unlucky about as often as you are lucky, so good strategy is still good strategy even if it doesn't pan out 100% of the time.

I've have played many many sessions of this game, both here on BGA, as well as in person.

I consider this game extremely balanced. There are cards that can overcome the 7 Sector Rocket Removal. Part of the strategy is to make sure that you get 3 or more rockets on the same number that the card can be played on. Yes, it sucks when you see it come out, and yes in the Lightning Variant, there is a strategy to not buy ANY cards if you see it available on the first round. It is a strong card. But if you're smart, and know how to game the game... you can block someone from getting 7's to push it up (in 3-5 player games), or you can just opt to make sure that you can counter it by ensuring you get the same number or more of rockets on that sector when someone rolls (or you).

I love the card myself, and yes it's a strong card, but it's not a "I Win" card. If we're talking about strong... someone getting the Sector 6 Place a Charge anywhere card, with the Level 12 I Win card... that game is on a short timer.

If there was ANY kind of optional game variant that I wish the publishers/developers would allow, it would be a variant to play WITHOUT Colony Cards. This would allow the standard game to draw on a bit longer.

There is now an option for playing the game without GORDON 7981-G - the card the makes players lose 3 or 4 points.

This is excellent news. It means that lots of us who had stopped playing the game because of that card are going to come back. It also means that you guys were listening to the feedback. That's really important, thanks.

If we're loosening the spirit of the actual game rules by removing cards, I here by request and petition for an option that removes Colony Cards.

Vapok wrote: ↑27 October 2023, 02:15 If we're loosening the spirit of the actual game rules by removing cards, I here by request and petition for an option that removes Colony Cards.

There's a bit of disparity between the rebalancing required to cover removing a single card vs an entire game mechanic.

pjt33 wrote: ↑28 October 2023, 08:21

Vapok wrote: ↑27 October 2023, 02:15 If we're loosening the spirit of the actual game rules by removing cards, I here by request and petition for an option that removes Colony Cards.

There's a bit of disparity between the rebalancing required to cover removing a single card vs an entire game mechanic.

Removing that single card IS removing an entire mechanic, as it's one of a kind.

Shazzypaz wrote: ↑20 October 2023, 01:14 There is now an option for playing the game without GORDON 7981-G - the card the makes players lose 3 or 4 points.

Except it doesn't work. I keep seeing this card in my games, despite choosing "I never want to play with"

Duane Roelands wrote: ↑29 December 2023, 19:30

Shazzypaz wrote: ↑20 October 2023, 01:14 There is now an option for playing the game without GORDON 7981-G - the card the makes players lose 3 or 4 points.

Except it doesn't work. I keep seeing this card in my games, despite choosing "I never want to play with"

Did you look at my response to your Dec 26th forum post?

In that post, you had your settings incorrect.

Remkar wrote: ↑29 December 2023, 20:06

Duane Roelands wrote: ↑29 December 2023, 19:30

Shazzypaz wrote: ↑20 October 2023, 01:14 There is now an option for playing the game without GORDON 7981-G - the card the makes players lose 3 or 4 points.

Except it doesn't work. I keep seeing this card in my games, despite choosing "I never want to play with"

Did you look at my response to your Dec 26th forum post?

In that post, you had your settings incorrect.

Just saw it now. So, to never play with the card, I have to select the option that says "I always want to play with this card."