Brilliant board!
A step up in complexity over the Hex board (for which you can finds loads of strategy information online). I would recommend first playing Hex, and coming to this only after you understand that board. Starting with this board directly would involve quite a steep learning curve.
Definitely a learning curve on this board, I lost my first 6 or 7 games, including private games to get my bearings. Now that I understand the strategy, I'm really enjoying it. It's one of those pure strategy boards on this site
This board wins my vote for best diceless game on the site. If you want to play a game with dice or luck, this board is NOT for you.
The idea is simple: Make a connection from one side of the board to the other with tiles of your color. However, the strategy can be very difficult!
All of the scenarios are good. The simplest game mechanics are on the Large Start Squares scenario. There you just place half-octogonal tiles and try to make a connection. This is my favorite scenario.
But, I also like the originally intended Octagons game: You either place a half-octagon (using the upper left hexagon) on the board or you place two squares. Mostly, you want to use half-octagons, but there are times to use the two squares move. Once you get the hang of the mechanics, it's all fun from there!
I like playing on this board. The problem is that it seems as if both players have to play a 'perfect' game in order for it to run smoothly. As soon as a single mistake is made on one turn, if the other person continues to play 'perfectly', then the game is essentially over at that point.
This board combats the number one critique I have about "normal" risk. You can't lose because your luck is bad. Regardless of whether you're a better player or have a better strategy, if you have a string of bad luck, you can't win. This board eliminates luck altogether and makes it strictly two people competing with strategy and strategy alone.
Not an enjoyable board as it is not an obvious game play for risk. I don't like it but it does not mean it is a bad board, it is just fair or less to me at this time.
I LOVE THIS BOARD. So much strategy on this one. Unfortunately me for I learned against the top rated player, but this one quickly became one of my favorites. My only annoyance is that I didn't win.
A step up in complexity over the Hex board (for which you can finds loads of strategy information online). I would recommend first playing Hex, and coming to this only after you understand that board. Starting with this board directly would involve quite a steep learning curve.
Lots of strategy, and no luck involved at all.