Jtdcftul

Let's assume I am playing a board game with at least 2 other players and there is a clear way to see how well players are progressing. Also assume there is an attack mechanism that cannot be directly blocked. This is a scenario I have experienced across several such board games:

1. I find a way to progress relatively well.


2. Other players see this and team up to attack me.


3. I start to fall behind due to the attacks. Others progress past me.


4. Other players continue to prioritize attacking me.


5. I finish far behind in last place.

Up until step 4, this seems like a rational way for players to play. At step 4, however, it would make more sense to switch gears and attack the other players that have gotten ahead, but this either doesn't happen or it happens far too late in the game. It appears that there is some kind of psychological aspect wherein once players start attacking someone, they don't want to stop.

My question is: how can I mitigate this "bandwagon attacking" from other players? This is an issue for me because the game feels hopeless once I realize step 4 is occuring, and I find myself waiting for the game to end.

I have tried explaining to the other players that it would make sense to start attacking different players, but they write this off as me trying to protect myself (which isn't wrong). I have thought about quantifying the attacks by keeping a tally of some sort, but that feels a bit petty.

For reference, these are some games that I have experienced this in:

• Lords of Waterdeep


• Villainous


• Survive - Escape from Atlantis


• Blood Rage

Use this bias in your favor!

Some players just won't listen to the most reasonable arguments. Trying to convince them that you were attacked enough won't work, instead use their biases in our own favor. Don't lead on the start of the game, try to be the second strongest player, then stay quiet while others attack the leader. It is nice to see everybody team up to destroy the leader, giving you an easy win.

In those kind of games, being second is ussualy the best in terms of winning probability.

I will add to the reference list:

• Catan


• Struggle of Empires (2004)

Of course this "stalling" strategy is groupthink dependent, looks like that in your gaming group it will work like a charm.