starting with 15 countries in a 2 player game

[stevieQ]

I was just wondering why so many of the maps start you off with exactly 15 countries in a 1 vs. 1 game.

Is there any way that this count can be adjusted so that players start with 14 countries or possibly 16 countries? I've been playing some 1 vs. 1 lately and it seems that in some of the games it creates a pretty significant advantage to go first. You are automatically getting a bonus of 1 army that the other player doesn't get.

Maybe it's not a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, but I also don't think changing the number of countries at the beginning of the game would be that difficult to do.

[JOHNNYROCKET24]

I was just wondering why so many of the maps start you off with exactly 15 countries in a 1 vs. 1 game.

Is there any way that this count can be adjusted so that players start with 14 countries or possibly 16 countries? I've been playing some 1 vs. 1 lately and it seems that in some of the games it creates a pretty significant advantage to go first. You are automatically getting a bonus of 1 army that the other player doesn't get.

Maybe it's not a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, but I also don't think changing the number of countries at the beginning of the game would be that difficult to do.

you are right, there is a huge advantage. I look for maps like Africa and King of the Mountain just to get the extra army on the first turn. If the other player doesnt take 2 countries on their first turn than you can "nickle and dime him" until you start to get 2+ armies more than him each round. This is a common tactic used by alot of players.

[Timminz]

I'm definitely very picky about which maps I'll play 1v1 on. I specifically avoid anything that starts each player with 12, 15, 18 terits. I've found that "classic-sized" maps are good, as you each start with 14. There are a lot of maps that fit that description. Classic, British Isles, San Fransisco, Middle East, USA, and many more. On the other end, you can play very large maps like 2.1 or Actium, so that even if you are getting 1 less for going second, it won't make much difference over the course of a whole game.

[stevieQ]

I'm definitely very picky about which maps I'll play 1v1 on. I specifically avoid anything that starts each player with 12, 15, 18 terits. I've found that "classic-sized" maps are good, as you each start with 14. There are a lot of maps that fit that description. Classic, British Isles, San Fransisco, Middle East, USA, and many more. On the other end, you can play very large maps like 2.1 or Actium, so that even if you are getting 1 less for going second, it won't make much difference over the course of a whole game.

Thanks for the advice on good maps to look for when picking singles games...

I suppose you when you enter a game with the poor territories numbers you still have a chance of going first but it is quite an advantage especially when playing no cards....

[amazzony]

It's true, if you don't wish to take a risk of going 2nd in those maps then you shouldn't play them but I don't think that avoiding "bad" maps should be a solution. Isn't there a way to add a few neutrals to those maps? Or I don't know, some other solution that I can't think of.

btw, Indochina is a good 1v1 map also.

[wicked]

It's dependant on the size of the map, i.e. the number of territtories. If you don't want to start with 5 men, pick a smaller map with less territories.

[Thezzaruz]

It's dependant on the size of the map, i.e. the number of territtories. If you don't want to start with 5 men, pick a smaller map with less territories.

You're kind of missing the point... So I'll re-post the important bit.

I've been playing some 1 vs. 1 lately and it seems that in some of the games it creates a pretty significant advantage to go first. You are automatically getting a bonus of 1 army that the other player doesn't get.