Heh I guess this is more about 'finishing' the map as opposed to the strategic feel.
When playing with my wife (who can be very obsessive-compulsive 
) she gets really annoyed at not being able to complete features of the map.
I guess this would be more of a ‘fun’ variant.==================================
The Hills of Carcassonne: A ‘Fun’ Variant- When a space is left on the board that is bordered on all 4 sides by other tiles, a player may place a tile upside down in that space. This is a Hill and no followers or special pieces may be placed on that tile.
- The Hill tile closes/ends all tiles that touch its sides. Score tiles on each of its sides as normal for being completed if the Hill would complete those tiles. The Hill tile never counts as a tile type and is not counted for scoring.
- Farms may not continue through the Hill (but may still go around it as normal).
Strategy Notes: This allows players to complete features of the map and complete tiles to free up followers that would otherwise be trapped waiting for the perfect piece. There is no advantage for other players to complete a ‘hole’. A player who uses this is giving up the opportunity to place a tile & follower elsewhere.
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If anybody would like to try playing it with both competitive and non-competitive groups I'd be intrested in any feedback!
