Board Game Arena

Has anyone encountered apprentice or beginner players that absolutely dominate games where they are doubling scores of definately not beginner players? Feels like expert players making multiple accounts just to crush new people and ego boost.

Or is this only my experience?

Being marked as a beginner for a given game does not mean they never played that game elsewhere.
Being a beginner for a given game doesn't mean they can't transfer knowledge from many other boardgames already played and mastered.
Being a beginner doesn't mean they can't be better than a veteran by getting very quickly what to do.
In doubt, some have the courtesy to tell a beginner that they can offer a bit of explaining of rules (or even of moves) if needed. The answer would tell you if they already played.
Another solution is not to play beginners but only very strong players in order to be sure to be crushed with total honesty.
Personally, I'm daft enough that I can be defeated by a beginner at almost any game I play

Jaxxten wrote: ↑09 June 2024, 23:14 Has anyone encountered apprentice or beginner players that absolutely dominate games where they are doubling scores of definately not beginner players? Feels like expert players making multiple accounts just to crush new people and ego boost.

Or is this only my experience?

Yes, it can happen. The general term for this is sandbagging, and this particular method is called smurfing. But, as SonicJuz said, there are other reasons why you can encounter overpowered beginners. There are a lot of expert and master level players outside of BGA.

BGA need glicko ranking

What SonicJuz said.
I treat all Beginners as players of unknown skill if I've never played them before. Doesn't sting as much when I get completely thrashed by a "beginner" at a game I think I'm quite good at.

The thing is, unlike many videogames, beginner doesn't reflect experience. Someone new to BGA might easily have played the boardgame in real life 20 times.

Boudica of Celtia wrote: ↑10 June 2024, 00:08 BGA need glicko ranking

Yes. But it's not gonna happen anytime soon.

I've played a decent amount of Evolution on * and at the time was in the upper tiers of the ladder. I've recently found out Evolution is on BGA as well and have started playing here because I like turn-based gameplay. I have no way of telling BGA that I am not a beginner.

Trust me, it's frustrating for me too while I work on getting out of "beginner" ranks against opponents making obvious errors.

*Moderator edit: please do not specifically name other gaming platforms

As others have said, I really don't think there is any ill intent here. All of us joined BGA at some point, but with experience of a number of board games. I always see "beginners" as new BGA members, but unknown skill level. Yes, that means my ELO might take a hit sometimes, but that's not a great issue for me - I play for the enjoyment. If it is an issue for you, then you can restrict your games to higher level ELOs.

Cile wrote: ↑10 June 2024, 02:07 *Moderator edit: please do not specifically name other gaming platforms

I thought it was said that just naming other platforms was perfectly allowed, and that it's only advertising other platforms that's prohibited. I don't think that saying "I've played this game on that platform before" is advertising anything.