I am so smart, S-M-R-T. I’m sure that runs through a player’s head at least once when they are winning a game like risk in a single player game. So, what is so fun about playing team games? Well at least for me, I quickly got bored of the 4 player escalate 1 path reinforcements on a classic evolved map game. When I first started here at MC, I noticed that all the top players not only played single games but team games as well. BUT… I had no idea how to play team games. Furthermore, who would want to play with me? My join date is screaming noob and I don’t want to be a “bad” teammate.
So, I went to the forums and asked how to play team games. This is where a few kind players said they were willing to coach me through a team training game. (Thank you micky and th-child). These players are not only kind…they were good! REALLY GOOD! So, th-child invited me to a several team games after that first training game. Since I was only a private, I was in learning mode (plus I didn’t feel very SMRT), I decided to try to predict what th-child and my teammates where going to do….AND I decided to commit my thoughts in the chatter so that the team can comment on why my idea sucked. Little did I know, that is exactly what I was supposed to do, give my suggestions/comments for each of my teammate on their turn. From this, th-child invited me and introduced me to many good players, and I got invited to more games by them. I happily joined their team invites and learned a ton of new strategies, new maps, and new settings.
There is a communication culture here among us good team players. We like discussing other alternatives, best strategies, and bouncing off different ideas. There are players that think that you should just trust your teammates…and yes, I would agree…but there is more to it than a trust factor. Everyone sees the map differently, so and gathering all the options and to determine the best strategy is the best way forward. Why wouldn’t you wait for input? It is not all straightforward. Always allow plenty of time for your teammates to check out the map before your turn. We have been accused of taking too long for each of our turns. Remember we all have 24 hours to take our turn. Most often we are checking with our teammates and juggling real life to do this.
So, I’m happily playing in teams with good players which are now my friends and we consistently play together as a team. Then you eventually get accused of this:
“I never play only team games where I have protection of other good players. I always play with whoever is willing to play with me and do some thinking to win. It is only about smarts and strategy bro. So I always play with regular folks. Not just generals and the like. I would never think a high rank from those methods means jack shit in a barrel of piss because unless you earn your titles through real challenges with better players, all you are is a paper tiger who on his own couldn't beat an egg. I like to win. I like it far more than losing, but I won't stoop to the measures I see a lot of the top ranked players on this site. They only team up with other top ranked players and they gang up against the lower ranked players and then they congratulate themselves for their high win ratios. I will play with anyone with intelligence and honor to take his turn when it is his turn and try not to make 12 other people wait because somebody squeezed his nutsack in a panty bunch”
My response:
“Team games are different...you need to try to move as a unit and we discuss many different ideas and strategies at each turn...which takes time because we are all in different time zones....plus we have kids, job to work around. But at the end of the day...yes a team approach and picking the best strategy is often better than one idea. I am definitely open to partnering up with others...but like me and other players we enjoy the discussion and that's why we play often together...it’s the comradery that makes it fun....I’m open to a doubles 2v2 with you but we like to discuss the best strategy at each turn....yes this will take time but that's how we like to play...all good players take the time to listen to others”
It is unfortunate that some players think of us this way. Yes, we do consistently team up together, but we do not purposely gang up on lower ranked players. We do play against each other as well and you don’t see those games because they are not on our awaiting games list! These lower ranked players join our awaiting games. We do not actively go and join their awaiting games. I sympathize, and we do want to encourage new players to come and stay on our site and we do try to encourage other lower ranked players and noobs to play with us.
My best team games were and still are games where the chatter tab was exchanging jokes, songs, trivia, everyday chit chat. In those team games, I didn’t sit down and check out the map first, I want to know the response from my teamie. That was more important to me than the game. This is how I want to spend my playtime. We are all on MC because we enjoy playing these games. At the end of the day, it is just a game. Winning is a just a byproduct of team games. The real win is that I got to make a new friend that day, hopefully earned their respect (and not come off as a complete moron). That is a BIG win in my books.
So….wanna try a new map? New to team games? Or just haven't played with me in awhile. Don't be shy and message me. I’ll play with you!
Peri ;)
This blog is dedicated to ALL my teammates. Without these experiences, I would not be able to write this blog.
Like reading my frontline? Here are my past posts.
Power of Encouragement: A shout out to all those good players that helped a noob like me.
Peri-isms You Should Know: Want to know about the periwinkle tradition? Or peri peri hot sauce? Well, check it out!
My Training with Micky & Th-child: Just starting at MC? This is my reflection of my first few months here and what I learned.
