Board Game Arena

Snake Opening was introduced to reduce the disadvantage of the fourth seat, but it seems to have created a different problem instead. Based on my experience, the fourth seat very often takes SP. As a result, the third seat arguably becomes the weakest position.

Rather than using Snake Opening, what if we kept the original turn order with one small adjustment?

For the fourth seat, it is pretty frustrating when an early seat gets cards like Canvas Sack or Job Contract. It just creates an annoying play pattern.

A possible solution would be to simply not allow the first seat to take SP again during Round 1.

I'm not claiming this solves everything. It's just an idea that might reduce the disadvantage for the fourth seat without introducing the new problems that Snake Opening seems to create.

What do you think? Maybe something like this could improve the balance of the game.

What about Abcdcdab

I'm interested to see the data but my overall view is that I prefer snake to the old opening.

Prior to the change I would hope for second seat but I would be happy with any starting position other than 4.

Now I hope for first seat but am happy with any of the starting positions. Order of preference is now 1 > 2 > 4 > 3.

From a theoretical perspective I like the reverse snake idea (i.e., D>C>B>A>A>B>C>D). But I think we should await the updated stats before requesting more changes.

In fact I'd love to see updated stats more generally. Interested to see whether there are any hidden gems in the new cards that I've missed.

TheRealGemüsedealer wrote: ↑28 June 2026, 17:38 A possible solution would be to simply not allow the first seat to take SP again during Round 1.

I'm not claiming this solves everything. It's just an idea that might reduce the disadvantage for the fourth seat without introducing the new problems that Snake Opening seems to create.

What do you think? Maybe something like this could improve the balance of the game.

No... too invasive...

Definitely New Here wrote: ↑02 July 2026, 17:06 I'm interested to see the data but my overall view is that I prefer snake to the old opening.

...

In fact I'd love to see updated stats more generally. Interested to see whether there are any hidden gems in the new cards that I've missed.

Yeah, this, I've been pushing for this in the old stats threads. I have no idea why there seems to only be one person who is allowed to to this and they don't want to do it and can't hand it over to anyone else? So far I havnen't gotten a single answer as to why.

Lumin is a legend. Him doing this data analysis is a privilege, not a right.

BGA doesnt just simple hand out the data like that to anyone.

You having this attitude around it doesnt do any good.

-MightyW- wrote: ↑03 July 2026, 20:42 Lumin is a legend. Him doing this data analysis is a privilege, not a right.

BGA doesnt just simple hand out the data like that to anyone.

You having this attitude around is doesnt do any good.

Amen. Updated stats would be appreciated, but we’re not entitled to them, nor are we owed an explanation as to why they haven’t been shared.