Stuck in the DZ loop

Forum rules
Please DO NOT POST BUGS on this forum. Please report (and vote) bugs on : https://boardgamearena.com/#!bugs
Post Reply
User avatar
Denis
Posts: 12
Joined: 28 February 2012, 06:31

Stuck in the DZ loop

Post by Denis »

The rules seem a bit off when it comes to being in your own DZ without a valid offensive card.

In CI, if you don't have a valid offensive card, you can "Dump out to OZ (discard)" and then get a possession 50%

In DZ, if you don't have a valid offensive card, you have two options:
A) "Dump out to CI (discard)" where opponent gets possession 100%, so you are back on the defensive.
B) "Dump out to OZ (free)" where opponent gets possession 100%, though 50% of the time they can choose to trigger a FO in your DZ

To get out of the DZ loop, this is what your strategy is:

Code: Select all

if you have a valid offensive card
   play it to get to CI/OZ
else if you have a good defense card
   dump out to CI or OZ, and hope your opponent plays an offensive card you can block
else 
   dump out to CI and rotate your cards, hope your opponent doesn't score, and you draw a useful card
Particularly if you are in the third case, and somewhat if you are in the second case, it is very hard to break out of the "Dump to CI, discard, Opponent gets possession yet again loop". Your opponent will get a lot of shots while you hope your discards net you a useful card. In fact, the "Dump out to OZ" action is usually useless, unless you are trying to waste time (which is true to hockey) or you have a Defense card for your OZ.

While this does help simulate very strong offensive momentum for the other team, my gut feeling is that the rule should be after dumping from DZ to CI there is an H/V draw, just like dumping from CI to OZ. Is there a reason the rules are not written that way?
User avatar
Denis
Posts: 12
Joined: 28 February 2012, 06:31

Re: Stuck in the DZ loop

Post by Denis »

Having played several more games, this does do an interesting job of adding tension and fits within the theme. Clearly, the game has a high luck factor (though there is deceptively more strategic/tactical decisions than some people think).

TACTICALLY
Icing: this generally only makes sense with defense cards relevant to OZ or CI, or if you want to burn through the deck. You are hoping the puck moves to the opponent in the OZ so cards get burned or you have a chance to play a D card. This play doesn't make too much sense if you don't have defense cards.

Dump to CI: this play makes sense if you don't have defense cards and you need to rotate your cards. You need to get an offense card you can play to get out of your DZ.

STRATEGICALLY
Don't waste/throw away your offensive cards. Keep some in stock so you can get out of your zone.
Post Reply

Return to “icecoldicehockey”