Excellent dualing map and good fun - definitely a thinker's map. Against the best players, it's easy to make 1 simple mistake and it'll cost you the game.
I agree with Litotes, Chele, et al. The one-sided dice game on the 11 x 11 board is my favorite. So far, I haven't learned a good strategy on the smaller board or other variations, and prefer leaving luck out of it, but the 8-sided dice game can be fun for a change. Overall, I love this game. Thanks M57!
I also like the design of the board, especially 11x11 one-sided dice. Great use of Asian art!
Great board, nice opportunity for a pure strategy game (if you choose a 1-sided dice scenario). Also with dice scenarios thrown in for those who like to add a touch of the unpredictable. I prefer the first but it's nice to have both available.
I'm a slow learner, and this board took me several games to finally understand how to develop a strategy. Now that I get the board, I'm truly enjoying playing it and learning how to improve my game on it
Love it! This board challenges me to become good at it. It is really simple but has alot of depth at the same time. Even the top players haven't fully mastered every aspect of this board i think...
Simple rules, difficult strategy, lots of skill levels. This board is attractive to anyone who likes to duel. It's easy to get hooked, because the rules are so simple. You'll start to see patterns very quickly: unlike Go or chess, you don't need to lose many games before you're playing at a decent level. For the expert, the learning process is never complete, which is why many of the site's top players keep playing it.
If you don't like the game coming down to one or two rolls of the dice, I recommend the diceless "pure skill" version. While the "pure skill" version is complex, it's nowhere near Chess, Go, Hex, or Octagons, at least not on the blank map. So if you're a purist and get bored, try the minesweeper and island scenarios.
The most popular scenarios right now are the "impure" 8-sided dice scenarios. These are attractive because you end up in positions you'd never see without the dice. There are more options for the creative player. The game can come down to one roll, which adds a level of excitement the diceless game can't offer.
great board...more like chess than classic risk, but that should take nothing away from this board...this is more about strategy than luck, which has to be a good thing.
1sided dice :
Pure strategy game if you make a mistake you'r gonna lose :-) against
8sided dice :
In this version there is the good old LUCK-Faktor involved.
I just played 3 games against the same guy he crused me in 2 games with the dice.
The 3rd game he lost 2 rolls and i won with no resistenz
Overall
a very nice strategy map
AND I FUCKING HATE TO LOOSE @the DICE ROLLS :-P
Edit - After some investigation I find I like both aspects 8-sided & 1-sided. The 1-sided dice version to take the element of chance out of it (but hey, we are playing "risk"), but if you are learning you'll want to be able to "roll the dice" when you mess up.
Don't sweat it if you lose some initial games, if you are playing against someone seasoned on the board, prepare to lose; BUT, this means strategy plays a higher than usual role in the map - something I love.
The concept behind this map blows my mind. I just wouldn't have expected this twist on a classic game... and it works! Try not to take the game too too seriously, have some fun. (Ever learn chess? How many games did you have to play before you cou d beat the person who taught you? It's tough!).
SUGGESTION : If you are playing a private game against someone who is less experienced than you, give them a handicap. End your turn and let them place a stone or two on the 4x4 or 3x3 intersections or in the middle of the board. Private games aren't ranked and if you are inherently better at the game try it out with a handicap!
The tactics of Chess and Go are combined into an almost Perfect pure strategy board. Both the 8-sided and 1-sided boards lend additional strategy, which feels like two games in one. This has quickly become of my favorite boards.
such a sweet game! pure strategy. i really enjoy both versions. nice usage of low attacks and factory capture! Every move counts so take them carefully