Sandbox - Matt's Market Wars variant

[Hypnotoad]

Would being allowed to place the pig on an adjacent farm also be an interesting added rule when completing cities with trade goods?

As opposed to the builder, I find that the pig isn't often put to very good use. I actually have to fight hard to be able to use it for its purpose, mostly because I find the pig hilarious and can't stop playing around with it throughout the games (It's a friggin pig, really!).

I'm not sure if this would add that much to the game though, it'd be interesting to find a way where it could be used more often, perhaps having it on an a farm that's included in the points counting when completing cities, would increase the value of those near by cities and give you the pig back to be placed once more?

Meh, I just want to use the pig more often.

[mjharper]

Actually, as we were playing, I was wondering about whether the cloisters could also come into play somehow - in view of how rich the Church was during that period of history. Maybe the pig could offer bonus points to any trade score on a farm, while a cloister could offer a penalty (as some of the goods go to towards upkeep or something). Could think about that.

I'm not sure what we can do about the pig in general though. Maybe we need a 'Flying Pigs' variant… 

[Hypnotoad]

Flying pigs!

Now there's a name for an expansion I could get behind 

Your cloister idea sounds interesting, I just wish there was some way to place the pig and get it back, a la the builder. Maybe having the majority in a city with a pig on an adjacent farm gave you 10 bonus points and returned the pig to your store, something like that. As it is now it's just placed at the end of the game, half the time not really where you want it, and the other half people just forget about it.

Getting 5-15 more points in a 200 point game isn't usually the most vital move to make, especially since it's often a gamble where it'll be most needed until you're fairly close to the end.

[Tobias]

I do it the other way around usually. I place the pig fairly early and then try to build my farm around it. In a two player game at least.

[mjharper]

Hmm… never tried it that way!

[Hypnotoad]

Me neither.

Our games are usually quite cut throat, thus placing the pig indicates your purpose and whoever you're playing against will work to deminish the value of that field.
Although in a two player game I guess not too much damage can be done. Worth a try.

[mjharper]

Although in a two player game I guess not too much damage can be done.

I'm sure my girlfriend would disagree with that, especially when I keep winning by 1 point

[Tobias]

We're very cut throat as well (I don't give my opponents any other option :P ), and trust men, lot's of damage can be done

Placing it early doesn't always work of course, but try it - both of you and see what you think.