Understanding Lux Game Dynamics
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2020 8:45 am
There are things you might like to know if you want to be on the same page with other players (or at least see their page off over there in the distance). Please contribute. Here are a few of my ideas:
What most affects game outcomes in rank order (bean's subjective perception).
1. Cards, Card Kills, and Card value inflation rate relative to Income Inflation.
2. Rule #2 violations. (e.g. the game is ruined, partly ruined, or overdetermined by someone making a bad move that harms others but does not help himself or herself).
3. Strategic choices (timing, projections, etc)
4. Skills and tactics (speed, keyboard shortcuts, army placement)
5. Income and income inflation rate.
Things new players should know.
1. Importance of cards/card kills (how to teleport after a kill, how inflation of card values will work)
2. Income is important but not THAT important. (because of cards).
3. If your territory is all grouped together once the card killing (end game) starts, you are a nice target. Many new players and some vets just love to develop their territory (looks so pretty!) but do not think about how nice and convenient they might be making it for their eventual killers.
4. Game settings nowadays are most often designed to avoid marathons, so cards are even more important. For example, if card value inflation is not higher than income inflation in middle to large maps (like Imperium Romanum Expletus), very long boring games ensue.
5. Verbal abuse is very likely. It IS against the rules, but so is speeding in your car. Try to be patient and also try not to stoop to that level where you are name calling, whining/complaining, expressing outrage that your opponents are trying to oppose you, and belittling others because you think they are stupid. It's easy to look stupid yourself that way.
6. Short maps (like bio deux) most often have very short end games with a tight range of possible outcomes (you only get one shot to call it correctly), whereas longer maps (like Imperium), give a little more leeway and are more likely to have an ebb and flow in a longer end game (you get a 2nd chance sometimes).
7. Little side battles with one opponent while the others all sit back and watch are a bad idea. The game is ruined once 2 people get in a pissing contest. IT's a win for someone else, but still boring.
Common errors:
1. Locking your big armies in or near the end game. If you have an army that is capable of taking out some opponents to earn their cards and maybe to win, then try keep near enemy territory, not locked behind your own territories where they will not be able to make attacks.
2. Half killing. Be careful not to get too excited about one opponent that you kill them mostly but leave the rest (and their cards) for one of your other opponents.
3. Not paying attention to turn order. Who is next and how many cards to they have, etc?
4. Not paying attention to INFO and its implications for your strategy.
5. Turn order again: Making an easy kill but setting up your next opponent with two other easier kills next, now having already jacked up the card value.
6. Reacting instead of thinking (e.g. attacking the person who just attacked you while a nice ripe kill was waiting for you if only you were not wearing your rage goggles.)
What most affects game outcomes in rank order (bean's subjective perception).
1. Cards, Card Kills, and Card value inflation rate relative to Income Inflation.
2. Rule #2 violations. (e.g. the game is ruined, partly ruined, or overdetermined by someone making a bad move that harms others but does not help himself or herself).
3. Strategic choices (timing, projections, etc)
4. Skills and tactics (speed, keyboard shortcuts, army placement)
5. Income and income inflation rate.
Things new players should know.
1. Importance of cards/card kills (how to teleport after a kill, how inflation of card values will work)
2. Income is important but not THAT important. (because of cards).
3. If your territory is all grouped together once the card killing (end game) starts, you are a nice target. Many new players and some vets just love to develop their territory (looks so pretty!) but do not think about how nice and convenient they might be making it for their eventual killers.
4. Game settings nowadays are most often designed to avoid marathons, so cards are even more important. For example, if card value inflation is not higher than income inflation in middle to large maps (like Imperium Romanum Expletus), very long boring games ensue.
5. Verbal abuse is very likely. It IS against the rules, but so is speeding in your car. Try to be patient and also try not to stoop to that level where you are name calling, whining/complaining, expressing outrage that your opponents are trying to oppose you, and belittling others because you think they are stupid. It's easy to look stupid yourself that way.
6. Short maps (like bio deux) most often have very short end games with a tight range of possible outcomes (you only get one shot to call it correctly), whereas longer maps (like Imperium), give a little more leeway and are more likely to have an ebb and flow in a longer end game (you get a 2nd chance sometimes).
7. Little side battles with one opponent while the others all sit back and watch are a bad idea. The game is ruined once 2 people get in a pissing contest. IT's a win for someone else, but still boring.
Common errors:
1. Locking your big armies in or near the end game. If you have an army that is capable of taking out some opponents to earn their cards and maybe to win, then try keep near enemy territory, not locked behind your own territories where they will not be able to make attacks.
2. Half killing. Be careful not to get too excited about one opponent that you kill them mostly but leave the rest (and their cards) for one of your other opponents.
3. Not paying attention to turn order. Who is next and how many cards to they have, etc?
4. Not paying attention to INFO and its implications for your strategy.
5. Turn order again: Making an easy kill but setting up your next opponent with two other easier kills next, now having already jacked up the card value.
6. Reacting instead of thinking (e.g. attacking the person who just attacked you while a nice ripe kill was waiting for you if only you were not wearing your rage goggles.)