SpielByWeb

[Knave]

I have just begun to learn the game, but the 2 player game seems to drag on quite a bit. All of our guys were out even before the 3rd volcano, and now we are just shifting them around, turn by turn, waiting for the inevitable end.

Is this a standard event in Tikal? Is it like this because me (and my opponent) are both newbies so we did some cluelessly stupid things in the game which has resulted in this type of ending?

I just want to know, should I be sticking with 4 player (which was quite enjoyable), or are 2-player games generally more interesting than the one I am currently experiencing. (And this is not meant as an insult to my opponent, it is not his fault at all, it just seems weird that we both have a lot of incentive to just pass every turn, since any move is easily countered by a mirror image move by the opponent who wants to maintain the status quo)

[sedge]

For me, 2 player blows. I know some people love it and there's a lot less chaos than a 4 player game, but imho there's also a resulting loss of fun.

[daveszum]

I would suggest playing with someone like Almond Ralf. He is very good and, after he womps on you for using a simplistic strategy, you start to see that it is a rather sophisticated game of chess........

[Knave]

Perhaps it was not clear, but I was not claiming that I was good. I will parse my statement in a smaller bullet point to help with comprehension.

Knave: Game is boring at the end
Dave: I know a guy who could kick your ass
Knave:

See Dave, I know my strategies are suboptimal, I've played a grand total of twice. My question was whether, given equally strong people, if the game would degenerate as well, since any move can be mirrored. Telling me that some random (talented) guy can beat me is of no real value, and doesn't really explain anything.

Thanks for trying though.

[Legion]

Yeah, two player can be quite boring sometimes. I pretty much know who's going to win by the second volcano, and it's usually not me...

[almondralf]

Every game is boring when you dont know what you are doing!!

[Knave]

I disagree completely, I found my first game of Reef Encounter thrilling. Ditto for Amun Re, Wallenstein, RA, Year of the Dragon, Agricola, Settlers, Pax Brittanica, Diplomacy, and a host of other games.

I am not one who is annoyed because I do not understand I game, I see it more as a challenge. The 2-player Tikal game I am in now though is annoying. It has been over for a long time, and there is nothing my opponent could have done about it going all the way back to the first volcano. Now we are just treading water, waiting to be put out of our misery.

[Rebelslayer]

Let me get this straight ... you are still playing more tiles, thus turning over more treasure and more temples to own and YOU CAN'T FIND ANYTHING TO DO ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Maybe you should play a game against 'ralf to pick up a few different things to do.

2P Tikal ?boring = maybe.
nothing to do with your turns to force your opponent to do something as well = no way!

Its a different style of game from 3-4 P, just like 2p hacienda on a map with land buyout can drag, the occasional game of TIkal in 2p can drag. But overall it is an interesting game of luck (skill effect limited after a certain level).

[Knave]

Well, temples can no longer be upgraded, there are only a few inconsequential treasures left to be found (and I spread myself out to maximize my probability of being nearby when they appeared). I've got the big temples locked down, and if he tries to shift his men, I'll just copy him to make sure that I stay on top of the key locations.

What can be done but wait?

[freduk]

[leck]

Well done freduk. That's exactly my reading on the conversation.

[Bogey]

Whatever you do, don't stop playing Tikal. It is a great game and I believe much better with 3 and 4 players. It is also much different bewteen the "flip and place" and auction version.

IMO, the 4 player auction is the best. Besides digging a treasure there isn't any other luck. The only downside is that online, a 4 player auction can take quite some time.

[Carmilla]

Can somebody tell me what "some time" usually means in this context? (Apologies for the threadjack, hopefully it'll be brief.) I'm playing my first auction game here, and it's been going on for two months. By the time my turn rolls around, I don't freakin' CARE which tile I get!

[stargate]

[daveszum]

Thanks guys for interpreting for me. Sometimes I forget that Knave's obtuseness prevents hims from listening (or in this case reading with comprehension). Not sure why I tried since I already knew this.....sigh - 'tis a lost skill I suppose