Half a year on MajCom and still a 1vs1 Newbie/n00b

[coolname]

I'm still having major issues with playing 1vs1 games. I'm not a complete newbie, but on the one-on-ones, I'm a complete n00b (I guess I am a real team player...).

My record is 0-5 in 1-vs-1s. I would really like to hear some strategic pointers for this game type. To me, it seems almost all chance. But that doesn't explain why I consistently lose and others consistently win. Perhaps the winner of jeymo's tournament can enlighten me.

[Hmm, the above sounds a bit melodramatic and AA-like (as in Alcoholics Anonymous, not AA Fitz); "My name is coolname and I suck at one-on-ones"] Anyway, help is appreciated.

Update: I already got some usefull pointers from the Wiki:
http://www.majorcommand.com/wiki/Two_Player_Classic_Evolved

 

[Badorties]

1v1 is tough because you don't know if you have lost due to poor moves or poor luck, or both. Also, 3 of your 1v1 games are against some good players, spazm and jeymo, so those will be tough to win.

In general some rules i play by, keep in mind i am no expert.

1. Never let them have a bonus before the 4th round.
2. don't leave open 1's. Often its an attrition war, and each region you pick up ,and then leave a 2 on, is one step closer to victory.
3. Sometimes its best not to attack in the first round. set up for an attack in round 2, where you can do more damage.

 

[Kjell]

I've had some luck 1vs1 against pretty highranking opponents for some reason. I'd say it's a lot about initial starting positions and then pretty much what the tutorial videos and badorties say. I try to attack if possible to get a reserve card, calling in a set of those can be invaluable.

 

[zspBANNED]

Well 1v1 is what I do best, coolname, and Bado (for the most part) hit the nail on the head. The larger the map, the less chance and luck are a factor. If you're playing a 1v1 on classic mini and both players know what they're doing, whoever goes first WILL win. End of story. If the 2nd player happens to win, it's b/c either the first player has no idea what they're doing or got incredibly awful dice. This is why I only play on class mass now. There are many regions and so many troops you have to deal with that strategy becomes a much greater factor.

 

[coolname]

3. Sometimes its best not to attack in the first round. set up for an attack in round 2, where you can do more damage.

Thanks for the tips. I'm a little confused about your last tip. If there is such a first-mover advantage, shouldn't you move first? Also, this third tip could also suggest deliberately missing your first turn, so you can fortify with your deferred troops.

Additional take-aways I got from the tutorials:
4. At the start, don't put all reinforcements in one region. Adding one to a territory with 3 gives you4 and an extra attack ("soften up") [if this doesn't make sense; check out the tutorial, first move by Inca]
5. Look carefully at the number of territories your opponent has. You get one army/troop for every three territories you own. So get your opponent to 23 or 26 regions (I knew this, but I think it is especially important in 1v1).

 

[T79boy]

I've had some luck 1vs1 against pretty highranking opponents for some reason. .

yes you beat me :-(

 

[Kjell]

yes you beat me :-(

Haha yeah, I had really good starts. Made 3 new 1vs1 games btw, if you feel you want a rematch.