by slim'n'none

Created on: February 15, 2009

Risk is a challenging game where each player is attempting to conquer the world. It's a fun and addicting, if time consuming game that will make you think, plan and act in sequence. At least, it will if you want to win. Risk requires, intelligence, strategy, patience, and confidence if you are to win the game. The following are a few suggestions to help players in their attempt to rule the world. Using these strategies and a little bit of luck, you will be able to sally forth and destroy your foes.

Early game: From placement through turn 3 or 4 is what I call the early portion of the game. It is the time when players initially sort out who will be strong and weak in the game, and employ their initial strategies.

1. Build a power base: One strategy that has always helped me is building a power base early in the game. Concentrating your force is very important at all stages of the game, but it is especially critical early in the game when most forces are roughly equal. In Risk, as in real war, proper concentration of your combat power is essential to victory. Early in the game you need to concentrate your limited resources in one central area, to build a base to expand from. Personally, I like to start with Australia, or South America. That's just a personal preference, because they ar small and it limits the directions you can be attacked from, as well as guaranteeing bonus armies and being easier to hold than the larger continents. However, any area can do so long as it allows you to concentrate your force.

2. Plan carefully: each time around the board will change the dynamics of the game in some ways. As the board shapes up in the turns that aren't yours, think about where it makes sense to expand. Think about where you will need to defend, the best way to place your reinforcements, whether or nto an alliance will be profitable, and even whether or not you will have to give up some territory.

3. Alliances: Alliances can be crucial to securing a strong position early, and to cementing victory late in the game. Go into the alliance with the knowledge that all alliances will eventually be broken in this game. Risk is a zero sum game, and so there is no power sharing. Eventually you will have to fight your allies. However, an early alliance can allow you to focuse your efforts and concentrate your forces without worrying about an opponent to your flank. With alliances, it is key to have a sense of when the time to break the alliance is, as well as to shield yourself

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