Board Game Arena

As per the title, when playing standard maps, there should be an option for Silverlake to be removed from the game.

Discus....

This complaint references mixed map games, of course, as in same map games, everyone would have Silver Lake, and have the same advantages.

So in reference to the implied complaint about Silver Lake in mixed map multiplayer: Once you’ve played 20 games or more, you should know how to leverage all of the maps. There are too many threads here and on BGG saying “but Determination, free build actions, and 2 reputation points on the map make Silver Lake too strong” when there are other maps that can ramp up their advantages much faster, like Outdoor Areas (quick large animals or quick upgrade between first break) and Ice Cream Parlors (quick and insane income disparity given some tile-laying sponsors in your starting hand or on the card row, unlockable pouch income potentially yielding 2-4 appeal every break). People complain about Silver Lake winning with a double Determination but not about Ice Cream Parlors triggering endgame during break via Pouch before other players have their endgame plays ready.

Every map also has certain cards that synergize very well with their strategies, such as Native Lizards with Hollywood Hills, and you learn to look for these synergies in your starting hand or to snap from the card row when you’ve played all the maps.

When you’re playing a multiplayer game, you want to look for your strengths, and your opponents’ weaknesses, and not feed your opponents’ strengths, which in competing with Silver Lake means triggering first break early so they don’t get to use a bunch of free build actions (kiosk, pavilion, pavilion, kiosk, pavilion, etc.)

Comparing to Outdoor Areas and Ice Cream Parlor seems a bit silly since those maps are also extremely strong if all players are of equal skill with mixed maps.

Yes, it would be nice to have an option without Silver Lake specifically.

Not as silly as starting another thread about Silver Lake, or posting a comment in favor of banning it. Believe me, you all have been heard.

I'm not saying ban it, just that there should be an option to play without it.

Yes other maps have other advantages... but they are reliant on your playing a certain way, or if you get a certain card.

Silverlake is great for any strategy, plus you never have to worry about rock/water. On top of that there are 2x cards that if you get either (archaeologist or hydrologist), you basically win the game, no other map has that.

Just saying that it is so unbalanced, there should be an option to play without it.

Silverlake is great for any strategy, plus you never have to worry about rock/water. On top of that there are 2x cards that if you get either (archaeologist or hydrologist), you basically win the game, no other map has that.

Playing with the alternate maps mitigates these wild imbalances.

That option will only be added if the publisher allows it, and in this case I wouldn't bet that this would be happening.

Munbongulous wrote: ↑15 February 2025, 08:53 As per the title, when playing standard maps, there should be an option for Silverlake to be removed from the game.

Discus....

AGREED!!! Hate that OP sh!te so much!!!!

Silverlake is broken.
Everybody knows that.
I haven't played a single game where someone didn't pick Map 3 if it was one of the choices.
That extra action to first support a conservation project then still play animals for example,
all that on your last turn, is big doo-doo.

One thing for sure, in all standard map tournaments, you will play against 95% silver lake opponents, and even if icp parlour is a decent alternative, you probably will benefit in choosing it also. It becomes boring very fast to play only there, or to waste some time proposing a self ban each game, or to feel to play with an handicap.
So yes, I know we probably won’t be listened, but this reason alone make the proposal of an option a really welcomed one.
And don’t forget about archeo here… fun time for opponents…