Dominion Strategy Forum

Dominion => Dominion General Discussion => Topic started by: Polk5440 on October 19, 2016, 12:33:09 pm

Title: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Polk5440 on October 19, 2016, 12:33:09 pm
I have my F.DS Championship Round 3 match against Stef scheduled for Saturday. Any advice for playing against him? Or on how to prepare? Or maybe more generally, how do you make sure you bring your "A" game to a match?
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: AdrianHealey on October 19, 2016, 12:35:34 pm
Incapacitate him before the match
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Limetime on October 19, 2016, 12:39:28 pm
Bribe him?
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: jsh357 on October 19, 2016, 12:39:56 pm
Play safe strategies if there is a riskier one apparent unless you are very sure the riskier one is worth it.

Dare him to try and win with a terrible card. This works more than you'd think.

Stef is human. Don't let yourself be pressured or let him get in your head (not that he's trying to--people put him there themselves). He doesn't win just because he's Stef. You have the same capacity to make good decisions and shuffle luck is as big a factor against him as anybody else.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: SCSN on October 19, 2016, 12:42:23 pm
Bring lots of coffee so he can't lull you to sleep.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: AdrianHealey on October 19, 2016, 12:44:04 pm
Buy a scout as opening move and confuse him from there.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Chris is me on October 19, 2016, 12:44:45 pm
At first I thought you were playing "Stef?" and not "Stef"; the former is much worse at Dominion and fairly easy to beat.

Don't get pinned.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Kirian on October 19, 2016, 12:49:13 pm
Go with classic Bobby Fisher. Bring a cigar, blow smoke in his face. 
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: dedicateddan on October 19, 2016, 01:18:14 pm
Have jsh rig the match!
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Mic Qsenoch on October 19, 2016, 01:22:22 pm
Have jsh rig the match!

But surely a known scoundrel like Stef will see it coming from a mile away!
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: DG on October 19, 2016, 01:26:39 pm
My advice would be
- Don't mirror his play just for the sake of it. If you can't understand it then he's likely to do something detailed that you'll be unable to execute.
- Don't gamble on lucky draws when deck building, just keep it cool.
- If you can create end game pressure then keep it up, make it tough.
- Play treasure based kingdoms. Ban procession.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: A Drowned Kernel on October 19, 2016, 01:28:42 pm
He hunts based on movement, so try to keep still when you're in his line of sight.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Roadrunner7671 on October 19, 2016, 02:27:17 pm
Don't
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Awaclus on October 19, 2016, 02:36:22 pm
Don't

I actually just played against Stef? today. I don't think it was that bad of an idea.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Kirian on October 19, 2016, 02:44:56 pm
Have jsh rig the match!

But surely a known scoundrel like Stef will see it coming from a mile away!

Stef has beaten SCSN, which means he's strong, and he might trust his strength to save him, so you clearly cannot choose the drink in front of Stef.

But!  Stef has also beaten MicQ, which means he's skilled, and he wouldn't want to waste that skill, so you clearly cannot choose the drink in front of you.

Stef is known to be a scoundrel, and might put the glass in front of himself, thinking you would take the poison in front of him, so you clearly cannot choose the drink in front of Stef.

(Just wait till I get going!)
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: markusin on October 19, 2016, 03:07:29 pm
Believe in yourself and your strategy. I'd also say don't avoid the mirror for the sake of avoiding the mirror when it's obvious that a variant of the mirror is likely to be the best option.

This is true for any opponent though, I think.

Incidentally, whoever wins in my match this week against DG faces off against the winner of your match against Stef. So, I'm paying attention to this thread too just in case.

Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Witherweaver on October 19, 2016, 03:10:42 pm
Keep track of all moves and deck states in a spreadsheet that you keep on the side so you can always makes the best-informed decisions. 
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Burning Skull on October 19, 2016, 03:21:17 pm
gamble
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Polk5440 on October 19, 2016, 03:41:56 pm
Bring lots of coffee so he can't lull you to sleep.

Good idea. I think I'll brew a pot of tea. I also made sure to schedule the match at 1 pm local time so that the match doesn't run past my bedtime.  ;)

Go with classic Bobby Fisher. Bring a cigar, blow smoke in his face. 

So that's like typing "." into the chat once every 20 seconds or so?

Keep track of all moves and deck states in a spreadsheet that you keep on the side so you can always makes the best-informed decisions.

No. <Insert Personman reference here.>
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Donald X. on October 19, 2016, 05:25:15 pm
Concede quickly so he can get back to work.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: McGarnacle on October 19, 2016, 05:36:46 pm
gamble

This
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: markusin on October 19, 2016, 07:09:23 pm
gamble

This

Still can't forego the tea supply though.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: AJD on October 19, 2016, 07:56:01 pm
Have jsh rig the match!

But surely a known scoundrel like Stef will see it coming from a mile away!

Stef has beaten SCSN, which means he's strong, and he might trust his strength to save him, so you clearly cannot choose the drink in front of Stef.

But!  Stef has also beaten MicQ, which means he's skilled, and he wouldn't want to waste that skill, so you clearly cannot choose the drink in front of you.

Stef is known to be a scoundrel, and might put the glass in front of himself, thinking you would take the poison in front of him, so you clearly cannot choose the drink in front of Stef.

(Just wait till I get going!)

Battle of Wits
Action–Attack $4
+$1. Secretly choose a card in the supply. Each other player guesses which card you chose. Any player who guessed wrong gains a copy of the chosen card.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Aleimon Thimble on October 20, 2016, 05:14:18 am
Concede quickly so he can get back to work.

Shouldn't you hope Stef loses? That way he doesn't need to play in any future rounds, so he can spend more time on his ShIT. :P
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: TrojH on October 20, 2016, 02:30:29 pm
Accept the fact that you're going to lose. Then go in there and have some fun.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Seprix on October 21, 2016, 10:31:15 am
Beating Stef is not hard. Beating him consistently is.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: SettingFraming on October 21, 2016, 12:05:36 pm
Play good Dominion. Don't be afraid to mirror. Don't be afraid to non-mirror. Don't panic and green too early or get complacent and build too long. Just do everything right.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: pacovf on October 21, 2016, 12:39:03 pm
JUST DO IT
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Seprix on October 21, 2016, 02:51:11 pm
JUST DO IT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJhhM4ok1kg
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: schadd on October 21, 2016, 06:44:14 pm
stef looks to be out for blood this year. so, try not to bleed too much
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Witherweaver on October 22, 2016, 08:45:21 am
Try not to suck.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: schadd on October 22, 2016, 04:30:58 pm
oh! wait! i just remembered, his secret weakne- oh
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Titandrake on October 22, 2016, 04:52:33 pm
I mean, it's just Stef. Play the games, see what happens.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: pacovf on October 22, 2016, 05:08:30 pm
Shoot him with the bow when he opens his eye, while rolling away when he prepares an attack. Do it three times and you're good.

...I wonder how many more unhelpful answers we can come up with.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Accatitippi on October 22, 2016, 07:02:17 pm
...I wonder how many more unhelpful answers we can come up with.

Looking at the post I'm writing, I'm confident it's not 0.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Witherweaver on October 22, 2016, 07:19:17 pm
...I wonder how many more unhelpful answers we can come up with.

Looking at the post I'm writing, I'm confident it's not 0.

I'm confident it's not 1.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: schadd on October 22, 2016, 07:20:51 pm
i am also confident that it's not 1
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: wachsmuth on October 22, 2016, 07:22:18 pm
Try to play at a time when you're in a good mental state. Make sure you have eaten and slept well beforehand. Don't be too exhausted. Remain hydrated. Recent mild workout and fresh air is also nice. Try not to have other things in your life that will stress you during the game (or at least find a good way to ignore them).
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: markusin on October 22, 2016, 07:46:44 pm
Well apparently it went Stef 4-2 Polk5440

It occurs to me that Stef could have been reading all of this advice as well. Maybe we should have been sending PM's to Polk instead (Iet it be known that I am only being half-serious here).
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Witherweaver on October 22, 2016, 07:48:46 pm
Also, maybe try steroids to give you an edge.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Beyond Awesome on October 22, 2016, 08:19:17 pm
My advice read his logs, watch his videos and videos of other top players. Also, play the board like you would normally.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Polk5440 on October 22, 2016, 10:03:41 pm
Well apparently it went Stef 4-2 Polk5440

It occurs to me that Stef could have been reading all of this advice as well. Maybe we should have been sending PM's to Polk instead (Iet it be known that I am only being half-serious here).

He did +1 Donald's post....

Anyway, it was a good match; I felt like I played pretty close to my best given my current skill level and the match did feel within reach. I played a little sloppy at times -- there were definitely opportunities for me to put together an upset!

And SCSN will be happy to know the 6 games clocked in at "only"  2 hours and 40 minutes.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: zporiri on October 25, 2016, 05:57:38 pm
having been swept by Stef 4-0 in round 2, i have nothing to contribute to this conversation
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Davio on October 26, 2016, 07:24:21 am
Is there any way to find out your record vs. someone?

I think my record vs. Stef is pretty reasonable. In fact, I think I do better against higher ranked players than mediocre players.
Maybe it's because I know I have to play my A game and thus play more focused and pay more attention.

With mediocre / unknown players I'm more likely to be goofing around.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: tailred on October 26, 2016, 07:25:25 am
Is there any way to find out your record vs. someone?

I think my record vs. Stef is pretty reasonable. In fact, I think I do better against higher ranked players than mediocre players.
Maybe it's because I know I have to play my A game and thus play more focused and pay more attention.

With mediocre / unknown players I'm more likely to be goofing around.
I think you can search by player on gokosalvager.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Davio on October 26, 2016, 07:29:57 am
I did and it appears I only have one game against him, which I lost; so my memory is failing me here; I thought I had played more against him and at least won some games.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Awaclus on October 26, 2016, 11:29:37 am
having been swept by Stef 4-0 in round 2, i have nothing to contribute to this conversation

Actually you do — you can tell what one should avoid doing when playing against Stef.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: drsteelhammer on October 26, 2016, 11:43:14 am
I did and it appears I only have one game against him, which I lost; so my memory is failing me here; I thought I had played more against him and at least won some games.

there is a Stef? guy playing on MF and maybe a few more impostors
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: SettingFraming on October 26, 2016, 12:43:00 pm
there is a Stef? guy playing on MF and maybe a few more impostors

Wow he has played almost 4,000 games and is only level 29. That's no sock-puppet account.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Davio on October 26, 2016, 02:26:50 pm
I did and it appears I only have one game against him, which I lost; so my memory is failing me here; I thought I had played more against him and at least won some games.

there is a Stef? guy playing on MF and maybe a few more impostors
Yeah I know, but when I see the actual Stef, we usually chat a bit because we're both from the Netherlands and have played each other in the Dutch tournaments a few years ago, so I'm more likely to remember those games.

That being said, I took a big break a while ago so I might still be remembering Isotropic games. :D
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Polk5440 on October 26, 2016, 03:24:31 pm
I did and it appears I only have one game against him, which I lost; so my memory is failing me here; I thought I had played more against him and at least won some games.

Something happened with one of the MF updates that caused a loss of all the old logs, I think. The oldest game that I've played that's recorded is from August 2015.
Title: Re: Advice for Playing Against Stef?
Post by: Chris is me on October 26, 2016, 10:25:53 pm
I did and it appears I only have one game against him, which I lost; so my memory is failing me here; I thought I had played more against him and at least won some games.

Something happened with one of the MF updates that caused a loss of all the old logs, I think. The oldest game that I've played that's recorded is from August 2015.

August 2015 is when MF shut down Goko, so that makes sense.