Reduce The Luck Factor

[john9blue]

I'd like you to post ways that you can get around having to deal with the huge luck factor in this game. I am perpetually screwed over by the dice, cards, turn order, drop, you name it (for the sake of brevity, I won't use "intensity cubes" or "spoils" or any of the new terms), and I know I'm not the only one who wants to eliminate the luck factor as much as possible. I have found that the following game modes require a great deal of luck:

No Cards: Bad luck with the drop and dice.

Flat Rate: Bad luck with the drop and cards.

Escalating: Bad luck with cards, which can determine the entire outcome of a game.

Foggy: Probably better than Sunny, but people will let someone else grow too huge until they can't be stopped. The drop matters too much. Then you get people who attack you constantly even though someone else is clearly winning.

Sunny: On the occasion that I am the one growing huge, people will team up on me.

Sequential: Obviously, the player going first is going to have an advantage, and is going to get their cards first, and so on. Since I am a freemium, I'd like to take my turn more than once every few days, too.

2 Player Games: Having to beat someone who gets Australia on Round 1 is not my idea of a good time. Bad drop luck.

Assassin Games: Umm... no. Whoever gets the noob suicider target wins.

I have tried the following solutions with little success:

Playing High Ranked Players Only: I don't want to be reduced to this. It would become boring, and besides, I enjoy tournaments.

Playing 3-8 Player Games: I do, almost all of the time, and I lose about 10% of my games because I get an early lead and everyone else teams up and pounds me into oblivion.

Playing Adjacent Games: These games take almost forever to fill up, because almost nobody plays adjacent, and I can see why... it's very irritating sometimes.

Play Team Games: This has the same problems as 2-4 player games (bad drop, being ganged up upon, etc.), and I feel guilty whenever my partner suffers due to my bad luck.

Play Private Games/Join A Clan: Probably a good solution, but it would get boring if the group was too small. I'm open for suggestions.

Play Freestyle Games: I do, whenever I can. However, there are not many available, the last person to join gets a slight advantage by going first, and most tournaments are sequential anyway.

Play *Insert Map Here*: I am not aware of which maps require the least luck, and would like to hear suggestions.

If you're going to call me a whiner or a loser, or tell me to leave the site, or say "tl;dr", then don't respond. I realize that some of this seems contradictory (e.g. Sunny and Foggy both having a huge luck factor), but what I'm looking for is either a combination of game types or a clever solution that you've found that reduces the luck factor in this game. Thanks for your help.

[BaldAdonis]

Play chess. No dice there.

[karelpietertje]

Play chess. No dice there.

I don't think john9blue likes chess... the luck factor in chess is too high, because randomness decides who gets to be white

[john9blue]

Who's not interested in chess?

[prismsaber]

I find that team games minimize the luck factor the most

[Jeff Hardy]

I find that team games minimize the luck factor the most

yeah

also, if you play bigger maps like world 2.1 then dice wont change the game as much

[The Neon Peon]

Very good first post. One thing you might add is to never start games. I never start any games, except lately, I decided that I may as well play someone below captain. As you can see, my rank has fallen dramatically from that, I went here from pretty much my peak.

Some private joins the game, attacks 5 neutrals in the second round, leaving all 1s on his territories. You can't take a single one of those with a 7 deploy. the private wins off of territory bonus, since those neutrals were not attacked in order to achieve any sort of troop reinforcement line or bonus.

I find that just frustrating. I only mind losing because of luck fro two reasons, and I get really angry in chat if either of these occur:
1. It is a streak that has been going on for a while and happens in every other game, including games you win because your opponent has no ****ing clue what they are doing.
2. The opponent is a low rank that just made one of the dumbest mistakes you have ever seen and the game is given to you on a silver platter the next round or two. But then you get bad dice, and he/she wins easily.

The rest of the time, I just laugh about it.

[john9blue]

I figured that large maps would reduce the streaky dice, but what's so special about team games? Seems to me like it would be the same as 1v1, except you don't get to control some of your troops.

I hear ya TNP, I almost never start games.

[Juls]

Feudal is the best map for avoiding luck of the drop. It is fairly even unless you play with more people than there are castles. I don't worry about luck too much, because I believe what comes around goes around (except for those dumbass drivers on the CP, brushing their hair and driving 10 mph below the speed limit, where are the cops then eh?, but the minute I decide not to break going down a hill to help with my fuel economy... BAM..not that I am bitter!) But, I digress, the only time luck really gets to me is on 1 v 1 no cards, whoever goes first usually wins those. But I rarely play those, except for tourneys.

[e_i_pi]

Play chess. No dice there.

Lol, chess chess chess.

I remember when I started playing comp chess. I had played for about 8 years, and was able to beat almost everyone in my town (apart from the guy ranked 5th in Australia). I was unranked (therefore 1000 points, like at CC), and I came up against Pat Halpin in my first game, who was then ranked 9th in Australia, with about 1800 points. I got my ass handed to me on a platter, our game finishing well before the other 40 or so being played in the room. He was kind enough to replay the game for me and show me where I erred, and explain some theory, something I will always remember him kindly for. I competed ok in that tournament, scoring 3.5 from 7 points max, ending up about 100th out of 200, placing me at the 1300 skill mark. But I found it disappointing...

I realised that to be good at chess you need to memorise the first 30 moves of every possible opening. If you can't do that, you'll lose to anyone over 2000 points. I found this irritating - I am not from a Communist nation, so I don't have Maoist brain techiniques implanted into my mitochondrial DNA, so will never be able to do that. I turned to a game that I liked, a game that is played in this site. And what makes this game so good? That even the best player can be screwed over by the dice. AMEN

[Prankcall]

Well saod E.I. Freestyle is not such a big advantage unless your playing a map small with few enough players to try grabbing a bonus.Take for instance Classic map 8 man game will start you with 5 lands.Going first here could not possibly help some1 that much,however turn that 8 man game into a 3 man game and now you have a small problem.If you play a large map that hands out lots of troops on turn 1 you should be around to take ur turn ASAP.Play maps where it's usually not in player's best interest to go for a bonus.

[OliverFA]

Feudal is the best map for avoiding luck of the drop. It is fairly even unless you play with more people than there are castles. I don't worry about luck too much, because I believe what comes around goes around (except for those dumbass drivers on the CP, brushing their hair and driving 10 mph below the speed limit, where are the cops then eh?, but the minute I decide not to break going down a hill to help with my fuel economy... BAM..not that I am bitter!) But, I digress, the only time luck really gets to me is on 1 v 1 no cards, whoever goes first usually wins those. But I rarely play those, except for tourneys.

In fact not only Feudal, but all conquest maps are good for minimizing the unfun part of luck. New World is also a very good conquest map.

The reason is that conquest map define starting positions and thus minimize the luck effect of initial territory "deployment".

I like luck to play a small to medium part in my games, because it makes them more entertaining and fun. But when there is too much luck in a game, it kills enjoyment. At least for me. Initial deployment is one of the "bad parts" of luck I like to avoid.

[BaldAdonis]

In fact not only Feudal, but all conquest maps are good for minimizing the unfun part of luck. New World is also a very good conquest map.

Those maps have some of the most lopsided drops available. Start New World with Old World territories in a two player game and you'll lose. Then on the off chance you do start evenly, first player wins. I'd prefer the chance aspect gets distributed among dice, drop and start, instead of putting all the luck in one basket.

[porkenbeans]

PLAY NO CARDS UNLIMITED. For a game with less ''luck''.

[spline]

It's just as unlikely to be unlucky all the time as it is to be lucky all the time. So, just ignore the luck factor. Over the long term, it doesn't really matter. What matters is how you play to win over as many games as possible.

[john9blue]

It's just as unlikely to be unlucky all the time as it is to be lucky all the time. So, just ignore the luck factor. Over the long term, it doesn't really matter. What matters is how you play to win over as many games as possible.

While this is true, the scoring system is designed in such a way as to normalize the scores of players. I believe that I have the skills to reach at least the first page of the scoreboard without farming or cheating, but to do that requires that I find some way to reduce factors out of my control which tend to bring my score closer to the average of the people that I play. I am not looking for a style of play so much as looking for tips on what kinds of games to play (e.g. which maps, card settings, game sizes, etc.). I've noticed that people have different solutions to this problem and was wondering which has proved most effective for all of you.

[Geger]

It's just as unlikely to be unlucky all the time as it is to be lucky all the time. So, just ignore the luck factor. Over the long term, it doesn't really matter. What matters is how you play to win over as many games as possible.

Nice comment.

Please hide your website, I don't want my opponents read that (joking)

[porkenbeans]

It's just as unlikely to be unlucky all the time as it is to be lucky all the time. So, just ignore the luck factor. Over the long term, it doesn't really matter. What matters is how you play to win over as many games as possible.

While this is true, the scoring system is designed in such a way as to normalize the scores of players. I believe that I have the skills to reach at least the first page of the scoreboard without farming or cheating, but to do that requires that I find some way to reduce factors out of my control which tend to bring my score closer to the average of the people that I play. I am not looking for a style of play so much as looking for tips on what kinds of games to play (e.g. which maps, card settings, game sizes, etc.). I've noticed that people have different solutions to this problem and was wondering which has proved most effective for all of you.

It is not that dificult to realize that if you took out the cards, you take out some of the luck. If you played unlimited, you can counter a bad drop. As for the right board, Try to play a game where you start out with enough countries, that would require you loose 3, in order to be busted down a man. Outside of that, There is only one more thing about the dice, but I'm not telling you that one. lol.

[spline]

It's just as unlikely to be unlucky all the time as it is to be lucky all the time. So, just ignore the luck factor. Over the long term, it doesn't really matter. What matters is how you play to win over as many games as possible.

Nice comment.

Please hide your website, I don't want my opponents read that (joking)

That's funny! Oops, did I share too many secrets

[OliverFA]

In fact not only Feudal, but all conquest maps are good for minimizing the unfun part of luck. New World is also a very good conquest map.

Those maps have some of the most lopsided drops available. Start New World with Old World territories in a two player game and you'll lose. Then on the off chance you do start evenly, first player wins. I'd prefer the chance aspect gets distributed among dice, drop and start, instead of putting all the luck in one basket.

To be honest, don't know about 1v1. I always play 6-8 player games. And in that type of games, Conquest maps are really fair.

[StarofTroy]

I like the luck factor.

[Mr Changsha]

I like the luck factor.

As do I!

I would say 'Embrace the Luck Factor' myself; when it is with me I roll with it and when it is not I attempt to recognise that fact - no easy thing, the mind always tells me 'just one more roll!!! - and let my mojo come back to me in a while.

I suspect that some CC players think it is all about luck and get hammered more often than not. Other CC players make the mistake of believing this game is all about strategy, they win more than the former kind to be sure, but will lose some by not allowing for that intrinsic luck factor. The best players play strategically, but will sometimes realise that they need a bit of luck to turn a position around, embrace that fact, and 'have a pop' as we say in my office.

[ben79]

can the people that own the site do something about the starting drop .... it's always not fair for either myself or the opponant .... you could place our armies side to side without havin a starting bonus .... please do something cause when you're playin 1 vs 1 game it's really not a pleasure playing .... please do something ... thanks in advance

[Zemljanin]

It is not that dificult to realize that if you took out the cards, you take out some of the luck.

That's not true. This way, as BaldAdonis said, you just put all eggs in one basket.

In game with cards, dice matter and cards matter. In no cards game, only dice matter. But they matter more than dice and cards together in a card game. So, by removing cards, you're actually inflating luck factor...

(I explained it once in a greater detail, don't know whether I'll succeed to find that post)

[DarkS0uL]

I have been in the expact same place as you. I like luck to some extent, but prefer to minimize its impact, and have your ''startegy'' and your decisions bear more wheight. So I finally found my preffered setup type in this way: No cards, sequential, chained/adjacent. (unlimited favours those who start with more territories linked toguether)
Maps? As already stated, bigger maps reduce the importance of crucial singular territs, as there should be enough place for everyone somewhere on the map. My two preffered ones right now are: World 2.1 and .... >>>Battle Of Actium<<< very few people play on that one, but it's fantastic !! Seriously, first time I played by accident, but after some turns I really liked it, now (as a freebi) nearly every second game I play is on that one.

Hope this helps. Cya!

Edit: OOPS , nearly forgot the most impostant part which anyone has mentioned !! TERMINATOR games ONLY, that way, its not a game of all or nothing, instead, you don't have to win completely to get some points, and ganging up against the leader gets irrelevant (more than once I ended up gaining more points from a game than the actual game winner, if you play wth some planning).
Oh and fog activated, but I believe that is a personal taste question, I for myself just love the hidden info.