by Pum_
whattheproblemis wrote:
My number one objective is to be in a better place to secure the black depot tiles before my opponents can. Why do I do this? It's the one area of the game that is least determined by randomness, thus it is one the players have the most control over.
I'm certainly with you on this, but not just the black tiles - I extend the concept to "all the good tiles", not just the black ones. If you're playing against competent opponents then they will have Workers and Yellow tiles to help them be able to take the good tiles pretty quickly when they come out in the new phase. So having cash at the start of phase is important, which means mines and other cash generators are important. But there is also opportunity - going first at the start of a new phase appears to be very powerful, IMHO. The third piece of my tactical trinity, is having as many empty storage spaces as possible at the start of a new phase. Ideally for me, on round 1 of a new phase, I will be going 1st, with at least 2 cash, and 3 empty storage spaces - pick up two of the best tiles on the dice and buy the best black tile :)
So towards the end of each phase I'm looking at emptying my storage, getting cash, and what Ship placing I need to do to go first in round 1 of the next phase. So in the middle of each phase I'm looking at how many ships I will need to pick up from the board so I can to place them in round 5 and go 1st.