Uploaded February 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Welcome back, Stein! Once again we're reminded why he's one of the greats, even on one of the cheapest possible Germany configs.
JVis listened to my advice on building in the red/blue area of Germany...but wasn't aware that the triple build is much worse in a 3P game. Reason being that your available plants on turn 2 are awful - it's a far better play when you can at least land the 10. This is a situation where i think a double build is fine, as you'll still be below one of the two players who could build near you on turn 2. Even if the 04 player builds 1 next to you, you should get first build on turn 3.
Stein giving me the 13 at cost is highly unusual for him, but it made perfect sense in this game. As i explained on commentary, 13 was a much better plant for me while 15 was a much better plant for him since it reduced his coal consumption. Still don't think i should've passed there since the market didn't show much promise after 15.
Stein then bid strongly for the 18, fitting perfectly with my article on plant 15. Pairing 15 or 16 with 18/22 is one of my favorite Step 1 stall combos. Maybe i should've bid another time or two for 18...
Really though, where i lost this game was in stalling too long. Thought my turn-order advantage would be a huge deal, and we did in fact stall all the way to Step 3...but i was making so much less money per turn than Stein that it didn't matter. Wasn't able to attack his builds nearly enough to make up for that, so in retrospect i should've started Step 2 ASAP and settled for 24 or something.
If you'd like to learn more about Power Grid, please check my blog for strategy articles on each power plant as well as a guide to 2-player games:
maninmotiongoingnowhere.wordpress.com/power-grid-strategy-individual-plant-articles
If you want to step up your game even further and set up BSW or Tabletop Simulator games with us, come join our Power Grid Discord server:
discordapp.com/invite/pSq9qp9
Welcome back, Stein! Once again we're reminded why he's one of the greats, even on one of the cheapest possible Germany configs.
JVis listened to my advice on building in the red/blue area of Germany...but wasn't aware that the triple build is much worse in a 3P game. Reason being that your available plants on turn 2 are awful - it's a far better play when you can at least land the 10. This is a situation where i think a double build is fine, as you'll still be below one of the two players who could build near you on turn 2. Even if the 04 player builds 1 next to you, you should get first build on turn 3.
Stein giving me the 13 at cost is highly unusual for him, but it made perfect sense in this game. As i explained on commentary, 13 was a much better plant for me while 15 was a much better plant for him since it reduced his coal consumption. Still don't think i should've passed there since the market didn't show much promise after 15.
Stein then bid strongly for the 18, fitting perfectly with my article on plant 15. Pairing 15 or 16 with 18/22 is one of my favorite Step 1 stall combos. Maybe i should've bid another time or two for 18...
Really though, where i lost this game was in stalling too long. Thought my turn-order advantage would be a huge deal, and we did in fact stall all the way to Step 3...but i was making so much less money per turn than Stein that it didn't matter. Wasn't able to attack his builds nearly enough to make up for that, so in retrospect i should've started Step 2 ASAP and settled for 24 or something.
If you'd like to learn more about Power Grid, please check my blog for strategy articles on each power plant as well as a guide to 2-player games:
maninmotiongoingnowhere.wordpress.com/power-grid-strategy-individual-plant-articles
If you want to step up your game even further and set up BSW or Tabletop Simulator games with us, come join our Power Grid Discord server:
discordapp.com/invite/pSq9qp9
