[Arryn]

Originally posted by incognito:
In reading some of the Posts about early game progress from some of the more experienced players, I am always amazed at how quickly they are able to make progress against their strategies.

Rather than read what people claim they can do, instead read ALL of the AARs and see what folks actually do. Keep a very careful and critical eye towards the mistakes they make. Once you've accounted for what mistakes they may have made, and why, then look again at the AARs and see what they did right in trying to accomplish whatever goals they may state they are/were working towards. Then think about whether you can find a better way for them to do what they did. (If you can, be sure to let them know, assuming you aren't playing them in some MP game. )

If someone says they intend to do such and such, and they fail to do so, and you don't understand why they failed, ask them why. If they make certain moves or do things and you don't understand how it fits into their stated strategy, again be sure to ask them. (Perhaps they're making a mistake and don't know it.)

IMO, it's better to see how strategies work in a given context than asking for general strategies that often do not apply to specific situations.

Expansion/growth is a delicate subject. Some people feel that a strong offense eliminates the need for much (if any) defense. Others prefer a slow, methodical expansion. Still others prefer to sit back, assemble an overwhelming force, and then explode outwards. Then there's magic ...

Finally, expansion strategies that work in SP often don't in MP. And what works well in a 'normal' MP game won't work so well (if at all) in blitz MP games, especially ones needing VPs.