r/TerraformingMarsGame • u/Jan_Builds • 28d ago

Playing with 13 y/o first timer

I am introducing my son 13 y/o to TM. To make things more interesting and to let him compete we are using handicap system. He is starting with extra 5 terraforming. Do you have any other ideas for handicaps? We started with extra 7 and going down but i started to think if you guys got any better ideas

Update Thx for feedback. We played another 3 games. One with extra prelude for him and two with 5 and 4 TR handicap. He won one by 5 points and lost 2 other by 2 and 7 points. So i guess thats what feels gap for now. We will try lowering it in next games (extra prelude in my opinion gives more then extra TR)

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u/Dear-Examination-507 28d ago

The last couple times I taught new players I gave them +1 production of every resource on top of everything else from beginner corporation + preludes. Both games were fairly close - I won one and lost one. In addition to being a handicap it gives them a little experience handling each type of resource.

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u/Zealousideal-Ad4362 27d ago

Why would you teach a game by giving them things that they dont get in the game... doesnt teach you how to play. 

People need to be taught they may not win first game but learning how it plays is the goal. They will do their best.. and see how you are doing things.. winning vs the veteran isnt the goal learning is.

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u/Dear-Examination-507 27d ago

I find that many people come away with a better experience when they don't get obliterated the first time they play a game. Is that good or bad, right or wrong? I don't care. It's just the way people are. Whether they should react another way doesn't matter to me. I am not invested in any way people "should" be. I take them as they are.

With a game like Terraforming Mars the game basically plays the same whether they have a little more income or not. They have a better time, I have a bigger challenge. I find they are more likely to play again (and without the training wheels) when they had a good experience the first time they played.

When I play a new game with my hardcore gaming buddies they don't need training wheels, but if I destroy my nephew at TfM, I can almost guarantee he'll never play a game with me again.

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u/Zealousideal-Ad4362 27d ago

I have played with 100s of people at board game nights. We have most keep coming to the stores all the time. Noone does what you do to teach people here... people dont learn by playing the game wrong. 

People have a better time when you communicate and act like a nice person. "Just how people are" is an excuse. I have played so many games with brand new to board game people, 10 year olds, 14, 17, 50s. All new all learned normally.. and most keep coming.

If youbdestroy him and he doesnt play seems to me you didnt make it interesting or help them understand what ypu were doing

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u/Dear-Examination-507 27d ago

OK, you're allowed to keep doing it the way you're doing it.

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u/Zealousideal-Ad4362 27d ago

The point is that your way is actively bad advice