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Win at Risk by using systems thinking

thesystemisdown.substack.com

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Re: Win at Risk by using systems thinking

#41
Title: "How To Win At Risk Every Time By Using Systems Thinking"

Last paragraph: "The above strategy works “on paper,” but that doesn’t mean that it will work in your next game of Risk."

Too funny. Totally discounts the title... smh

Re: Win at Risk by using systems thinking

#43
post #26

In our gaming group, we decided Risk just isn't that good of a game. It's old and clunky and extremely long, there are 100 other better board games now. Our main plays have been Dominion, DnD, Gloomhaven, Wingspan, and Crokinole, all of which we greatly prefer.

Yes there are better games than Risk. That holds for practically all old games. For example, I don’t consider chess a good game. With good players, it usually ends in a draw which is unsatisfying.

The draw rate for the vast majority of players is less than 10%. Only at the highest level do you see most games ending in a draw. If anything the draws make it a less exciting spectator sport, especially for the average person.

Re: Win at Risk by using systems thinking

#44

Title: How To Win At Risk Every Time By Using Systems Thinking Disclaimer at bottom of page: The above strategy works “on paper,” but that doesn’t mean that it will work in your next game of Risk.

I believe it was meant to say - How to win at Risk by using Systems Thinking every time

Re: Win at Risk by using systems thinking

#45
This is an example of systems theory couched in Risk. You don't gain any special insights into Risk from systems theory as framed in this article.

OP/TFA introduced systems theory, then introduced the usual winning risk strategy, and then introduced a lot of required steps like player management / table top diplomacy, selecting countries to attack, timing card cash-outs, boundary holding, and so on without systems theory.

Re: Win at Risk by using systems thinking

#46

This is an example of systems theory couched in Risk. You don't gain any special insights into Risk from systems theory as framed in this article. OP/TFA introduced systems theory, then introduced the usual winning risk strategy, and then introduced a lot of required steps like player management / table top diplomacy, selecting countries to attack, timing card cash-outs, boundary holding, and so on without systems th…

Isn't that what systems thinking is? A fancy word for "strategy"?

Re: Win at Risk by using systems thinking

#47

In our gaming group, we decided Risk just isn't that good of a game. It's old and clunky and extremely long, there are 100 other better board games now. Our main plays have been Dominion, DnD, Gloomhaven, Wingspan, and Crokinole, all of which we greatly prefer.

Smallworld is a great Risk alternative. It polishes all the best points while avoiding the pitfalls.

DnD 5E is like the Risk of tabletop RPGs. Just sort of long and meandering without much going on.

Shadow of the Demon Lord, Torchbearer, and Mythras Classic Fantasy are better alternatives depending on what level of crunch you enjoy.

Re: Win at Risk by using systems thinking

#48
post #26

In our gaming group, we decided Risk just isn't that good of a game. It's old and clunky and extremely long, there are 100 other better board games now. Our main plays have been Dominion, DnD, Gloomhaven, Wingspan, and Crokinole, all of which we greatly prefer.

Yes there are better games than Risk. That holds for practically all old games. For example, I don’t consider chess a good game. With good players, it usually ends in a draw which is unsatisfying.

With grand masters games are more likely to end in a draw. Partially because they need to maintain their sponsorships, partially because of how most tournaments are setup.

Re: Win at Risk by using systems thinking

#49

In our gaming group, we decided Risk just isn't that good of a game. It's old and clunky and extremely long, there are 100 other better board games now. Our main plays have been Dominion, DnD, Gloomhaven, Wingspan, and Crokinole, all of which we greatly prefer.

To be fair, we're in a golden age of table top games. I really love Dominion and Inn Fighting. If you can find a copy of Inn Fighting, you'll learn to love its shortcomings because of its rapid pace, dynamic battles, and comic theme.

Re: Win at Risk by using systems thinking

#50
post #23

The first part of the article can be summarized as: 1. Initiate as few attacks as possible 2. Let your enemies break up each other’s continents; 3. Take only one country per turn The problem is that it doesn't explain which country to take, and how to attack without being attacked -- which is what makes the game difficult. But, then, the article suggests something new (at least for me): 1. Find a way to grow in stren…

Yeah and all that didn't require systems theory, wasn't even that useful with systems theory or as an example of systems theory.
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