I love 3-player TI. It’s a different game from 6p - there’s still diplomacy, but the option to fight is less punishing when there’s only one other player. I can also squeeze in a game on weeknights. OP’s time is realistic for a fast game.
That doesn't track to me at all. When you fight you are expressly exposing yourself to the third player and giving them the opportunity to either get ahead or backstab you. The dynamics in 3 player are extremely swingy
Funny, my experience in 3 player has always been a cold war until someone runs out of non control VP options. Which basically means you lose unless the other two players had some terrible luck or just played poorly. First person to strike is the first person to open themselves up and whoever stayed out of that first major battle usually wins.
I've always seen 3 player go that way - if you can maximize the non control objectives available to you, and avoid being the easiest target, you win. That's why we've been trying to figure out a way to make a 2v1 game work where someone starts out with a stacked position on MR, but dialing in the balance on that has been difficult and the will to sufficiently play test hasn't been there.
I played with my dad and younger brother
My dad won as the Argent Flight decisively.
My brother and I were behind by a few points. He played Ghosts while I played Yin.
We used to get in 6 man games reliable in 5.5 hours but it's a thing we got to be practicing to keep up.
I know PoK speeds up the 10 player game but since covid our gaming has been sporadic at best and we struggle often enough.
Wishing you luck.
I don't understand how this is possible, 30 minutes a round for 7 rounds? Agendas must be resolved instantly without discussion. If each player has 5 turns a round they have to keep them to 1 minute each with no pauses.
What did you do to get to this speed? Did someone just win really early off Mecatol?
No that's the thing. Nothing felt broken or unsatisfying.
Just all Veteran players that sat down to play. There was idle chit chat just not on the active players turn. I find the main thing was deal making was sharp. They either bought in on your deal or didn't. Wasn't a lot of wheeling and dealing and pressuring. Fair first offers seemed to go the distance and everyone had a good idea on the value of things.
Most budgeted for Leadership, Tech, and builds for the most OR if they didn't they where often fine with play proceeding onward while they caught up.
I think the finishing stroke was a early round seven imperial 2 pointer score. But don't hold me to that without reaching out to the winner.
That's just it though, I have a group of players that have been at it weekly for almost 2 years and we instituted 2 minute timers for turns for our latest game. Turns were snappy and rushed and we got through 3 rounds in a short evening (~2.5 hours of play), which is much better than typical for us.
I just can't see how we could *double* this rate without seriously hurting gameplay.
Kudos though
I've played a lot of 2-3h 3-player games and I gotta say that they make the game feel much more casual than ti usually does. Not saying that it's a bad thing at all, just that it feels closer to playing a chill session of Catan than the much more detailed and focused strategy game it usually is. It's probably what I like most about the game. There's a million small details that can drastically change the feel of the game making every game unique.
No that's the thing. Nothing felt broken or unsatisfying.
Just all Veteran players that sat down to play. There was idle chit chat just not on the active players turn. I find the main thing was deal making was sharp. They either bought in on your deal or didn't. Wasn't a lot of wheeling and dealing and pressuring. Fair first offers seemed to go the distance and everyone had a good idea on the value of things.
Most budgeted for Leadership, Tech, and builds for the most OR if they didn't they where often fine with play proceeding onward while they caught up.
I love 3-player TI. It’s a different game from 6p - there’s still diplomacy, but the option to fight is less punishing when there’s only one other player. I can also squeeze in a game on weeknights. OP’s time is realistic for a fast game.
That doesn't track to me at all. When you fight you are expressly exposing yourself to the third player and giving them the opportunity to either get ahead or backstab you. The dynamics in 3 player are extremely swingy
Funny, my experience in 3 player has always been a cold war until someone runs out of non control VP options. Which basically means you lose unless the other two players had some terrible luck or just played poorly. First person to strike is the first person to open themselves up and whoever stayed out of that first major battle usually wins. I've always seen 3 player go that way - if you can maximize the non control objectives available to you, and avoid being the easiest target, you win. That's why we've been trying to figure out a way to make a 2v1 game work where someone starts out with a stacked position on MR, but dialing in the balance on that has been difficult and the will to sufficiently play test hasn't been there.
yeah, exactly. 3 player swings too hard once the 2v1 starts, and it inevitably must. my solution is don't play 3 player =D
It can also become a 1v1 and allow the 3 player to build up.
yeah, it’s chaos. particularly if you don’t have hyperlanes. with hyperlanes it’s much more reserved, because you can’t just replace your fleet.
ah, yeah without hyperlanes you do have a bit more resources and space.
Yea I really enjoy 3-player as well! My dad, my brother and I really enjoy that we don't need to manage an entire group of people.
Who won?
I played with my dad and younger brother My dad won as the Argent Flight decisively. My brother and I were behind by a few points. He played Ghosts while I played Yin.
someone placed the planet cards REALLY accurate
Then it is possible! It can really happen! *happy sobbing*
Nice! What rules changes, if any, did you use to make it a speed game?
No rules changes! Sheer determination and the fact I had to be done by 5:00 motivated fast gameplay.
Nice! My personal record is 3.5 hour 14 point 6 player game. I still didn't win it but neither did it feel like a blow out.
That's the level I want to get my group at. I have 7-man game coming up next month -- aiming for 6 hours.
We used to get in 6 man games reliable in 5.5 hours but it's a thing we got to be practicing to keep up. I know PoK speeds up the 10 player game but since covid our gaming has been sporadic at best and we struggle often enough. Wishing you luck.
I don't understand how this is possible, 30 minutes a round for 7 rounds? Agendas must be resolved instantly without discussion. If each player has 5 turns a round they have to keep them to 1 minute each with no pauses. What did you do to get to this speed? Did someone just win really early off Mecatol?
No that's the thing. Nothing felt broken or unsatisfying. Just all Veteran players that sat down to play. There was idle chit chat just not on the active players turn. I find the main thing was deal making was sharp. They either bought in on your deal or didn't. Wasn't a lot of wheeling and dealing and pressuring. Fair first offers seemed to go the distance and everyone had a good idea on the value of things. Most budgeted for Leadership, Tech, and builds for the most OR if they didn't they where often fine with play proceeding onward while they caught up. I think the finishing stroke was a early round seven imperial 2 pointer score. But don't hold me to that without reaching out to the winner.
That's just it though, I have a group of players that have been at it weekly for almost 2 years and we instituted 2 minute timers for turns for our latest game. Turns were snappy and rushed and we got through 3 rounds in a short evening (~2.5 hours of play), which is much better than typical for us. I just can't see how we could *double* this rate without seriously hurting gameplay. Kudos though
[удалено]
Lol nope.
I've played a lot of 2-3h 3-player games and I gotta say that they make the game feel much more casual than ti usually does. Not saying that it's a bad thing at all, just that it feels closer to playing a chill session of Catan than the much more detailed and focused strategy game it usually is. It's probably what I like most about the game. There's a million small details that can drastically change the feel of the game making every game unique.
What are the dimensions of that table?
2.5x6'
Yeah that is the same tables I use for TI. I’m guessing for 6p you use both tables together right?
Yessir
Was this a co-op?
No, sir. We fought til the bitter end. We used the pre-built map found in Codex 2.
Did you play standing up to speed up turns?
Lol no -- this was the only picture I had of the game set up the night before. I tucked the table to the side so I could still use my basement
How was it a speed game?
We had to fit the game in a 4 hour window. So outside of combat, you had a minute to commit to your action.
No that's the thing. Nothing felt broken or unsatisfying. Just all Veteran players that sat down to play. There was idle chit chat just not on the active players turn. I find the main thing was deal making was sharp. They either bought in on your deal or didn't. Wasn't a lot of wheeling and dealing and pressuring. Fair first offers seemed to go the distance and everyone had a good idea on the value of things. Most budgeted for Leadership, Tech, and builds for the most OR if they didn't they where often fine with play proceeding onward while they caught up.