(not Karmakaiser) In my case, people I play with learned not to trust my protestations of woe and ill luck :)
I seem to usually aim for greater strategic planning (deeper building plots), perhaps influenced by early-age chess training. I also put relatively higher value on not revealing my plans (that is, compared to some of my friends, not revealing my goals has a higher preference as its own separate goal). So it’s become a staple in our games that I’m behind others in points, then suddenly surge ahead and either win outright or get really close to winning. It doesn’t always work, of course, but when it does it may seem spectacular.
I think my behavior taught at least some people I play with to never give up on going for the longest road/the largest army advantages. It’s interesting that many players seem to go, “Well, I’m not getting those” and then completely putting them out of their minds, as if to free themselves for other concerns. I’m always plotting to get them, particularly when it seems I’ve given up on them and ruefully said so. They may not factor significantly in my strategy if it truly seems unlikely, but the thought’s always there.
(Disclaimer: I very probably suck at Catan! I’ve been playing only for a year, not very frequently, mostly with other beginners. But “I only need to outrun you”, etc. I wholeheartedly support the recommendation of the game).
(not Karmakaiser) In my case, people I play with learned not to trust my protestations of woe and ill luck :) I seem to usually aim for greater strategic planning (deeper building plots), perhaps influenced by early-age chess training. I also put relatively higher value on not revealing my plans (that is, compared to some of my friends, not revealing my goals has a higher preference as its own separate goal). So it’s become a staple in our games that I’m behind others in points, then suddenly surge ahead and either win outright or get really close to winning. It doesn’t always work, of course, but when it does it may seem spectacular.
I think my behavior taught at least some people I play with to never give up on going for the longest road/the largest army advantages. It’s interesting that many players seem to go, “Well, I’m not getting those” and then completely putting them out of their minds, as if to free themselves for other concerns. I’m always plotting to get them, particularly when it seems I’ve given up on them and ruefully said so. They may not factor significantly in my strategy if it truly seems unlikely, but the thought’s always there.
(Disclaimer: I very probably suck at Catan! I’ve been playing only for a year, not very frequently, mostly with other beginners. But “I only need to outrun you”, etc. I wholeheartedly support the recommendation of the game).