by Mislav
While I love the game, the more I play the more it seems to me that those who predominantly collect victory points (without bothering to go to Tokyo or attack) seem to win a bit too often. Also, when someone gets to an early big lead it seems VERY hard to catch up.1) Sometimes Tokyo player doesn't attack enough, either due to his/her unwillingness to attack or due to bad luck. This is obviously very beneficial for the Point Collector because he can continue collecting points.
2) Even if Tokyo player attacks hard, the Point Collector can simply heal for one turn and then continue collecting points, or if he is lucky enough he can do both on the same turn.
3) Attacking damages everyone so other people have even less chance to overcome the point leader because they have to take care of their health first.
4) Tokyo player will also not have a good chance to overcome the point leader because if he wants to attack hard he can't collect points at the same time. Also, sooner or later, Tokyo player will change when his health gets critically low.
5) Tokyo player could try collecting points instead of attacking but again, this won't last for long and he will have to leave Tokyo sooner or later and then spend next turn or two repairing his health.
6) If Point Leader accidentally enters Tokyo, nothing really happens. He continues collecting points (unless he rolls many claws) and simply leaves as soon somebody attacks him for more than 2 claws so he can continue collecting points.
7) Cards don't seem to be able to change things much, as well. There are only 3 of them open at the time, getting them requires rolling for energy instead of points and lots of the effects aren't even that strong to overcome the Point Collector.
I do realize, of course, that if ALL players are Point Collectors except for one, that one player could simply go to Tokyo, and either collect points (+ gain 2 every turn) or attack the Collectors hard, forcing them to heal for a turn or two.
Problem occurs when there is a single Point Collector, especially if he has already amassed a big lead. It seems very hard to prevent him from winning.
Basically, in a game where you have other people playing mixed strategy and 1 lucky Point Collector it seems there isn't much you can do to stop him.
To those who have played the game a lot: do you think the different winning paths are balanced enough? Would it be better to deal out some cards in the beginning or something similar? Or do you think game is fine as it is...