Review: Risk (Revised Edition):: Teamwork in the Den of Thieves

Review: Risk (Revised Edition):: Teamwork in the Den of Thieves: "

by blondlostime

I have played this edition three times, and I'm beginning to see a pattern develop for how it turns out as opposed to regular risk.



The first game we all played with the original risk mindset, but then one guy claimed three objectives in 3 turns. It was only 45 minutes and we were all very shocked. Unless you are conscious about impeding your opponent's progress in this game, you will lose. You cannot only focus on claiming your own objectives--you must stop your opponent from achieving them.



The second game happened this way: 4 players. One person met the criteria for 2 objectives the first turn. He claimed one and then would claim the 2nd the next turn. The three of us agreed we must all attack him to stop him from claiming his second objective. However, I was paranoid that I was being pushed to attack him, and then on the other two's turns, they would go after their own interests, so I attacked my 'ally,' but in doing so, he could not attack the winning player, so we did not launch an all out offensive.

He claimed the 2nd objective, and THEN we really teamed up, but it was too late and it was too hard to stop him then. We even took his capital, but he easily liberated it.



The third game: 4 players. By the second turn, one player had captured two objectives. We all agreed we needed to attack him. The first person attacked him and took his capital so that he had 15 territories and 3 cities. The second person was too paranoid that I might try to wipe out the person with 2 objectives, so he attacked me and took away my Europe bonus. On my turn, I did not have enough men to attack the winning player, plus the second player had a huge force next to my capital now, so I had to fend him off.

On his turn he claimed the third objective and then easily liberated his capital despite our efforts to weaken him.





So my theory is this: To win, you must claim two objectives. The rest of your opponents will plot against you, but will not weaken you enough because they will be too paranoid of each other.



There is no honor among thieves."