Let me start this post off by saying that nobody has “attacked” the Medium (10-piece) setup of NXS. Mostly I just thought it was a clever-ish title.
However, this post is a response of sorts to the wonderful review of NXS in Abstract Games Magazine Issue 20. It really is a very well written, and positive review of NXS. The author does an excellent job of explaining the rules of NXS, without relying on the diagrams that I find myself falling back on. He also points out one of my favorite features of NXS, which is the variety of ways you can play, as well as the tendency for excitingly close endgames.
Towards the end of the review, the author makes the following statement: “And so, I prefer the game with fewer pieces and a single Merchant, which highlights the effect of the objective. The ‘rugby scrum’ phase is shorter and less significant, and the game speeds to an exciting conclusion.”
Far be it for me to disparage someone’s preferences! I truly enjoy the Short (7-piece) game myself, and a 9-point objective really is more sharp.
But I would like to take this opportunity to point out the reasons that I do love the Medium (single Merchant) game just as much, as well as detail a thing or two you miss out on (at least partially) if you only play the Short game.
For one, the “rugby scrum” phase at the border is almost a separate game within a game. It is a scrum, yes. It is “trench warfare”. The confines of the border between two boards are… well… confining, but (IMHO) in a good way. This is terrain. In nautical terms, you are fighting in a narrow inlet. Can this be frustrating? Sure. But you see, your opponent is fighting on the same terrain. And you can use this against her. It is an intricate dance. You are probing your enemy’s defenses, looking for a weakness, carefully exchanging ships (and hoping to come out a little ahead), looking for your opportunity.
Your opportunity for what? *That* moment. The “Aha!” moment. The “there it is” moment. That moment when the game tips to the endgame. That moment when the game-within-a-game ends, and you stab into your opponent’s territory and put him on the defensive, scrambling to block their lines.
In fact, I would say that’s the difference between being a decent (Medium game) NXS player, and a good one. Being able to recognize that moment and take advantage of it.
the NXS nexus 