I have never played under the name gRuNvAgR. My alternate accounts were Grunvagrr and Grunvagrrr, one I took semi-seriously and the other I played to goof with.


Strategy in this game has limitless possibilities and the greatest moment in my kdice career was when I won a game in a horrendous starting situation. I was purple - in the middle of the map, with 5 lands. By the time I moved again, I had 2. What I decided to do was not move.

I was in the exact middle of the map bordered by all 6 players, essentially, and I didn't move. My borders were poorly defended at times, others, evenly defended 5v5, etc.

I got to 8 dice then opted to not move when I had +6 dice and my neighbors noticed this. My logic at the time was that if I moved I would seem expansionist. If I didn't I would seem timid - but more importantly, not a threat to anyone.

One of the biggest things in this game is not to overpower your foes, but to be ignored. There is nothing more ferocious than a player ignored... given time.

I had the opportunity a few times to expand a land or two, but I opted not to. Why? To expand and take a territory is not simply to gain a land, it is to make a statement of intentions. If someone takes one of your lands, even if it was poorly defended, one instinctually assumes they need to defend the rest of their lands, just to be safe.

So I waited, watched the board, read intentions. When I saw my moment, I moved, conquering half the northern map with both 8 stacks. I refilled with poor luck, but retained most of my gains, then eventually won the game because I didnt have natural enemies. (ie, foes that had fought with me previously, or grudges). It was a game with madwilly and I remember he came in 2nd or 3rd though he raked in the dominance, as usual with his tremendous playstyle I so love to watch, and occasionally emulate.

The point was that being in the middle can be tremendously problematic. However, by expanding upwards instead of outwards, I increased the likelihood that no one wanted to attack me first, and I gave myself options to expand quickly if a foe quickly seemed vulnerable.


Tactics in this game not only come in the form of politics, but I again find myself disagreeing with some viewpoints of others.

aliaiactasunt makes some very good points, and although they are wise to adhere to, I must say that I find I break the rule of avoiding the middle quite often for a few reasons. The middle is the heart of the map. If you have the middle, then quickly secure a tether / connection to the edges, you have a tremendously imposing position. Also, being in the middle provides one access to anywhere on the board. So if player A attacks and breaks player B's main stack defenses, exposing weak backstacks... you can do nothing but watch and wish you were in position to steal those unguarded 2 stacks but cannot, as you are too far secluded on the edge of the map.

Also, in the middle, one is likely to receive feelings of sympathy from others - feeling bad and relating to your plight. Which, acted upon correctly (situationally...) one can form game dominating alliances.

I have to say, the biggest thing I utterly disagree with is to 'be nice to people.' This is outrageous!!

Never be nice to others when you play kdice. Intimidation is an utterly amazing tool and should be used at all times. How many games have you seen when #1 is expanding and can be stopped... but everyone runs away? They are intimidated, fearful to challenge #1 and in the process be the other resistor, who then gets gobbled first, losing an otherwise good top 3 finish?

That said, ALWAYS be respectful with your opponents. Don't name-call, don't tease (except in good fun). Keep the game light and..a GAME and things turn out for the best. Being 'nice' gets you...well, nice guys finish last. Be respectful at all times.

Oh, also, if you can get everyone in the kgaming community to want to be your biggest fanboi and essentially start a cult of followers who love you and follow your every move, picking up your discarded kleenex's like it was an autograph from Michael Jordan in his prime, all the better.


All the better

Hmmm. just what I was looking for. I kin of knew some things already, but, I feel I depend on luck too much, or go to the basics a lot. I think I need to take a hiatus from this game (I play way TOO Much, and I need to actually find out what that thing called a sun looks like; I hear it's bright)

Well, it doesn't seem like it, but Grunvagr's example was just what I meant. In fact, we totally agree.
On your first move you have to connect as many of your terrs with the least moves possible - if that's in the middle thats fine. BUT, as Grun did, look for an edge as soon as you can. Noone wants to expand into the middle right away, that does give you an advantage to stack up and rush s.o. at a good time. But, As Grun didn't do either, don't try to conquer the world from there. That's what I meant.

As Grun's being a smartass (jk ;)) I have to correct myself. Don't be nice, be friendly. As it is the golden rule of any negotiation (even aggressive negotiations) it's being friendly but determind.
So don't say: "I'll beat the shit out of you if you'll lunch 1 single attack at me and even if it's the last thing I do!"
Say:" Please, would you be as kind as not to disturb me by trying to gain land on my cost because I then regretfully would feel forced to go with all my 15 Terr dominance against your lovely little country of 4 terrs."

@Dizzle: again, wear sunscreen.

P.S.: Do you have one of those Kleenexes left, you talked about, Grun?