Whiny Opponents

[dnucci]

I would love to know what is up with people whining when you attack them. This is risk not a tea party. That is like a boxer in the ring saying, "What are you hitting ME for?" When I am in games where this happens or when people accuse others of having some sort of alliance, it quickly gets to be tiresome and loses a lot of the fun. So, why can't people just play and stop their whining?

[Colossus]

It can get annoying, but talking strategy with the other players (non-teammates) can often be a useful tool. Many players can be fooled into thinking you're weaker than you are and can sometimes even be convinced to do what will aid you most. I know this not from successfully doing it (yet), but from falling victim to such tactics myself once. As a matter of fact, I think it's a very interesting part of the strategy. Players that just yammer any time someone attacks them DO get annoying quickly, though. I usually just attack them more when they whine. I've even sacrificed any chance for victory (granted I didn't have much chance in that game anyway) in one game just to attack some schmuck who was complaining about me attacking him.

[Aegnor]

I only whine when I get shitty starting locations and the other guys get a whole continent without lifting a god damned finger.

[b.k. barunt]

I can't stand the whiners who scream "cheat" when you have a tacit no attack zone with someone, but if someone attacks me and it looks stupid for both of us to be fighting at that point, i will say something in the chat like "don't know why you're attacking me dnucci . . .". I wouldn't consider that whining - simply part of the chat. Games without chat are not as interesting. The analogy of a boxer in the ring is kind of silly. There are only 2 opponents there, so who else would he hit?

[Colossus]

^ This is what I mean. Sometimes a simple questioning of an opponent's strategy can change their tactics by sowing the seed of doubt in their minds. I've done the same sort of thing in a couple of games. Sometimes to goad an opponent into overstepping his bounds, sometimes in an honest effort to draw an opponent's attention to flaws in their strategy (i.e. handing the game to another player). It can be a useful tool. However, questioning every opponent when they attack you gets to be a bit tiresome, too. And I agree with b.k. that screaming 'cheat' at every unviolated border is ridiculous.

(b.k., hey man, don't assume this thread is an attack on you... I've been in multiple games where people have just whined about being attacked, basically crying about being in a weak position and that they should be given a chance. seems to be a recurring theme, and such commentary is very often not used strategically, as you use it.)

[dnucci]

Actually, bk, this post wasn't inspired by you but by some other players. But since you bring it up, take a look at the folllowing:

2007-03-17 04:43:03 - b.k. barunt attacked Hawaii from Philippines and conquered it from dnucci
2007-03-17 13:35:44 - dnucci: wow, nicely played, bk.
2007-03-17 13:39:16 - dnucci attacked Hawaii from Taiwan and conquered it from b.k. Barunt
2007-03-18 15:59:14 - b.k. barunt: Don't know why you're attacking me now dnucci. Shall we fight each other while MM takes the game?


Interesting. So, you attack me and take Hawaii. I compliment you on a well played turn. Then I take that territory back from you, and you wonder why I am attacking you. Hmmmm. I guess I am not sure if you are smart enough to play this game. You follow this amazing logical acumen by attacking me for the next three rounds, I defend the only territory that has a hope of giving me an area bonus, and then you cry about the fact that the stronger third party is walking away with the game. Please, please, please . . . don't procreate.

[MExe]

I like whining players, it's so funny

[dnucci]

MExe, you sound like fun. Let's play sometime.

[s.xkitten]

for the most part, the only time i complain is when its down to two people, and i jokingly complain "why are you only attacking me"

[Sargentgeneral]

i really like whinney opponents because they are funny. it is just great pissing them off even more! nothing like a job well done in that category!

[pancakemix]

I just ignore them and say gg everyone. That's what I always say.

[Coleman]

I hate people that think I'm whining when I'm the weakest player with no cards and someone who could be attacking the strongest player attacks me and I @*&#$ at them.

But for the most part I hate people that whine without any good reason.

[b.k. barunt]

Dnucci, after looking it over, i'm afraid you're right. I guess i'm in too many games. If you would have replied to my query like you just did, the following carnage could have been averted. Nevertheless, it was a stupid mistake on my part and i apologize. Oh, and i'm getting a bit old to be procreating much these days.

[Ehriggn]

nothing gets an player eliminated quicker than bitching about being picked on, but its goota be BITCHING. Every player is reduced to whinning about dice rolls going sour sometimes, I'm prolly one of the worst I've seen. but I keep it funny i.e. *whips dice across room* screw this game lets play monoploy!
and I don't make personal verbal attacks on people i.e."don't procreate" thats just childish...

[Coleman]

nothing gets an player eliminated quicker than bitching about being picked on, but its goota be BITCHING. Every player is reduced to whinning about dice rolls going sour sometimes, I'm prolly one of the worst I've seen. but I keep it funny i.e. *whips dice across room* screw this game lets play monoploy!
and I don't make personal verbal attacks on people i.e."don't procreate" thats just childish...

I don't mind being picked on if there is a strategically acceptable reason. But when killing me isn't worth anything and makes the person attacking me weaker as a result I don't get it.

[dnucci]

Even the personal attacks are in good fun. Sometimes it is quite nice to throw a little tantrum. Besides, bk took it well. After all . . . we are playing risk. A board game. A little childishness seems apropos. (fart).

[detlef]

nothing gets an player eliminated quicker than bitching about being picked on, but its goota be BITCHING. Every player is reduced to whinning about dice rolls going sour sometimes, I'm prolly one of the worst I've seen. but I keep it funny i.e. *whips dice across room* screw this game lets play monoploy!
and I don't make personal verbal attacks on people i.e."don't procreate" thats just childish...

I don't mind being picked on if there is a strategically acceptable reason. But when killing me isn't worth anything and makes the person attacking me weaker as a result I don't get it.

That's where I stand. If attacking me is either the only way a player can survive or the best way they have of winning the game, go to it.

In fact, I actually pm'd a player several turns later in a game and questioned his logic in not attacking me. We were the only two players with any significant chance at taking a continent early in a game and he went after one of the other players one country holdings there rather than me. While I wasn't going to offer the advice until it wouldn't hurt me, I did explain to him that all he did was my my job easier.

[Colossus]

There's a difference, I think, between strategic discussion and *whining*. I think a well-placed, 'I really don't understand why you're attacking X instead of Y at this point' can be useful and often helpful ^, but complaining about being attacked over and over again, let alone getting ANGRY about it is just stupid.

[podge]

My biggest gripe is when when I go last and find every other player who has gone before me has had a pop. My normal response to this is "have I got a target on my back" but thats as far as it goes.