Winning from a position of power?

[Major Boredom]

Hello, noob here. Need some advice- tropically playing 4 person, World 2.1, standard, flat rate spoils with unlimited reinforcement. I’m finding that I’m quickly able to become the strongest player in terms of troop numbers, bonuses and power rating, which of course puts a big target on my back so I eventually end up playing 1 v 3 with predictably bad results. So, my question is whether or not it’s possible to win from the strongest position without being stronger than all three opponents combined? If so, how? Do you play whack-a-mole and just keep conservatively knocking down the 2nd strongest? Do you target one individual and try to appease the neutral players? Any other ideas, or is it just best to be mediocre and avoid the target early? Thanks!!

[i-andrei]

Or play fog games? At least there you can keep your stacks hidden.

[Donelladan]

I sometimes give away some of my bonus to another player in exchange for a truce Sometimes I even give enough bonus to become 2nd or 3rd player, which leads other player to fight the leader and I quietly build power. Ofc always difficult to do it in sunny game.
If possible I only play escalating sunny games, otherwise always fog as i-andrei suggested.

[mookiemcgee]

Perhaps setting up bonus' but not actually taking them outright might help. Waiting until you see other players achieve bonus might help make you less of a target when you take yours. It can certainly be frustrating to get a big early lead and then have everyone seem to team up to break you.

Making an alli is also certainly an option... laying the groundwork for a truce before you take your bonus' might also help. Someone isn't likely to accept a truce if you look like you are running away with it, but if they are already in the truce before you 'start running away with it' might make them feel locked into the truce.

[rockfist]

If you are going to become the strongest and get torn down, use it for something. Eliminate one of the other players or cripple them to the point where they cannot recover and position yourself to fall to 2nd or 3rd out of three viable people who can win, then when the new leader is targeted make your winning play. Don’t just get to the top and hold on...you won’t and you’ll be worse off than anyone.

[Major Boredom]

Thanks. That’s a good chance of strategy. I’ve been trying to play 1 v 3 and can’t get out of it.

[Arama86n]

If one is going to play free-for-all type games I would suggest playing 8 player. (or I suppose 12 player is available these days). But exactly what amount of players is optimal would depend on the size of the map, what map it is, and perhaps your style of play.
If you are skilled you will consistently find yourself in the last 3 people standing. And converting that position to a win is the real challenge.
Obviously, when you have spent a lot of time and effort in winning such a multiplayer game it is nice to be rewarded with points from 7 (or 11) other players, not just 3.

Fog can be very useful, as someone mentioned. It should also reduce the length of these games. However, it changes the nature of such a game and will probably require even more practice to excel at. At the very least it will require a different mindset and strategy than sunny games.
Try it out, see which you prefer, and practice practice practice.

Good luck.

[Extreme Ways]

If one is going to play free-for-all type games I would suggest playing 8 player. (or I suppose 12 player is available these days). But exactly what amount of players is optimal would depend on the size of the map, what map it is, and perhaps your style of play.
If you are skilled you will consistently find yourself in the last 3 people standing. And converting that position to a win is the real challenge.
Obviously, when you have spent a lot of time and effort in winning such a multiplayer game it is nice to be rewarded with points from 7 (or 11) other players, not just 3.

Fog can be very useful, as someone mentioned. It should also reduce the length of these games. However, it changes the nature of such a game and will probably require even more practice to excel at. At the very least it will require a different mindset and strategy than sunny games.
Try it out, see which you prefer, and practice practice practice.

Good luck.

Fog is easier to win with imo. Other people never know your true level of power, so you can spend more time sitting in 'second place' while having the most troops.

[Arama86n]

If one is going to play free-for-all type games I would suggest playing 8 player. (or I suppose 12 player is available these days). But exactly what amount of players is optimal would depend on the size of the map, what map it is, and perhaps your style of play.
If you are skilled you will consistently find yourself in the last 3 people standing. And converting that position to a win is the real challenge.
Obviously, when you have spent a lot of time and effort in winning such a multiplayer game it is nice to be rewarded with points from 7 (or 11) other players, not just 3.

Fog can be very useful, as someone mentioned. It should also reduce the length of these games. However, it changes the nature of such a game and will probably require even more practice to excel at. At the very least it will require a different mindset and strategy than sunny games.
Try it out, see which you prefer, and practice practice practice.

Good luck.

Fog is easier to win with imo. Other people never know your true level of power, so you can spend more time sitting in 'second place' while having the most troops.

Yes mate, but you have 1885 games played with fog.
OP has 42 games played in total.
As a beginner fog might not necessarily make winning easier.