As my ranking improves I'm playing against higher ranked players (such is the way the skill-point system works). More and more ranked games are showing the following features:
- the host chooses a 2 player games;
- the host does not hesitate over their choice of screen (perhaps they have 'pet' screens that they replay);
- the host does not communicate, even the courtesy "thanks for the game".

An analogy comes to mind - Man United play every game at home and refuse to play 5-aside tournaments. Are they really the best team around if they won't put it out there and try different variants of the game?

To those of you who are doing this - grow some brass ones and get into 3 or 4 player games hosted by other people occasionally. Also, try talking into your mike once in a while - it doesn't bite.

To those of you who are top players but don't do this - apologies for generalising. Its just that I am beginning to suspect that there are a growing number of people who replay a pet screen over and over in 2 player mode to control variables and improve their ranking. Is it legal... yes of course, its just a bit cowardly and how can it mean anything to keep winning like this? I like the odd 2 player game, but it feels like 50% of all games these days are 2 player. I know I could host myself, but its more satisfying for me to win when someone else hosts.

And to preempt people thinking I'm displaying sour grapes because of getting beat, my success rate in 2 player games is higher than for 3 or 4 player games.

As my ranking improves I'm playing against higher ranked players (such is the way the skill-point system works). More and more ranked games are showing the following features:
- the host chooses a 2 player games;
- the host does not hesitate over their choice of screen (perhaps they have 'pet' screens that they replay);
- the host does not communicate, even the courtesy "thanks for the game".

An analogy comes to mind - Man United play every game at home and refuse to play 5-aside tournaments. Are they really the best team around if they won't put it out there and try different variants of the game?

To those of you who are doing this - grow some brass ones and get into 3 or 4 player games hosted by other people occasionally. Also, try talking into your mike once in a while - it doesn't bite.

To those of you who are top players but don't do this - apologies for generalising. Its just that I am beginning to suspect that there are a growing number of people who replay a pet screen over and over in 2 player mode to control variables and improve their ranking. Is it legal... yes of course, its just a bit cowardly and how can it mean anything to keep winning like this? I like the odd 2 player game, but it feels like 50% of all games these days are 2 player. I know I could host myself, but its more satisfying for me to win when someone else hosts.

And to preempt people thinking I'm displaying sour grapes because of getting beat, my success rate in 2 player games is higher than for 3 or 4 player games.

I played against a player like this once. He was hosting a two player game and when the game began I thought that my worms were placed in the worst places ever. On the first turn he roped near my two worms that were next to water and blowtorched them both into the water. After some other easy moves all my worms were dead and I lost the game. Then I joined another game. The same host. The same map (003056xxx). The same exact moves. :mad:

About the host not communicating: it may be because he doesn't speak English or doesn't use the headset. I often play without the headset because I like to listen to music with my headphones at the same time and the headset doesn't fit very well under the headphones. Sometimes I just don't want to disturb my wife who is studying in the same room.

This is definitely a trend, it seems.

I'm assuming that worm placement and mines/barrels are still randomly placed even if you play on the same map code over and over, but still annoying.

It seems to me, that most people doing this in my experience pick a "cave" level and always host. I could do that too, so I could control the map... but that is just cheap, imo.

There are different tactics required for playing a 2-player game than a 3 or 4 player one. Learn them and there wont be a problem.

There are different tactics required for playing a 2-player game than a 3 or 4 player one. Learn them and there wont be a problem.

I absolutely disagree with you.


If you play a lot of worms, you'll do better at the challenges, no doubt. But you won't be in the top five of any unless you practice that particular challenge over and over again.

That is what these guys are doing, repeatedly playing the same map until they know it so well, that it becomes very difficult to beat them.

It is certainly not against the rules, but it is against the spirit of the game, IMO. The tough part is that you don't realize who these people are until it is too late. You can always host a game, I suppose, and that would solve your problem.

It seems to me that you should not be able to select an exact map for ranked games...that is too much control.

Nothing wrong with 1vs1 games, it eventually gets down to 1vs1 anyway (after the other players are killed). There's more chance of everyone having the downloadable content in a 1vs1 game. I agree that you shouldn't be able to enter a map code on ranked games. On a random map, 1vs1 doesn't give the host any advantage. It comes down to luck and skill. 3 and 4 player games rely even more on chance. They are harder to predict (can make it more fun) but skill can be less of a factor.

I'll definitely third that.

Would be great if direct codes were not allowed in Ranked Matches.

Spadge, would you be against putting that on the list of to-do items for the next update? Would be dandy.

Sometimes you don't have the time for a 4-way. Sometimes you don't have time to be picky about the map you're playing on. As for not talking... well, that's just rude. The 360 comes with a headset, unless you've bought a Core Unit, but then why would anyone do that? :p

unless you've bought a Core Unit, but then why would anyone do that? :p

I did. In the launch window shortages it was all I could get. It has since had a HD and headset bought for it, but why should this make any difference?

My comment was tongue-in-cheek, referencing the fact the belief some gamers hold that owning a Core system somehow makes you less of a man.

i hardly ever use the headset, mostly because im here to play worms, not talk to people. plus i dont think my girlfriend sees it as very sexy, walking into a room with me talking into a video game controller.

Exactly. All the ones in the hall of fame list, most of them practiced that method. It is fun to beat them on their home turf. I always play just a little bit harder when I play against someone hosting a 2 player game.

It also just makes them plain bad hosts.

Personally I think a good host should get a general consensus for what everyone likes doing. If everyone wants to play on a double island, accomodate them.

So long as people are communicating, at least try to see that everyone agrees with the map setup.

I always try to ask, give people a chance to speak up. Most people won't have a preference, but just starting a game and picking the same map every time is just rude, imo.

Many times I've played some of the higher ranking players and they don't even talk, start the game immediately as I join, and have a specific map - and don't say a word during the entire match.

I'm somewhere around 170 in the Ongoing rankings, so I'm by no means in the top ten... but can't everyone at least be civil, even if you feel you're "elite?" :P

Exactly. All the ones in the hall of fame list, most of them practiced that method. It is fun to beat them on their home turf. I always play just a little bit harder when I play against someone hosting a 2 player game.
It is very satisfying to win a 2 player hosted by someone else, but you can't beat the 4 player games for fun. Btw godles - have you noticed on 360voice that you have played worms more than anyone else - 81 days in all! Now thats dedication (I'm on 55)

I've noticed both PostNatalD and Az01 on these forums - how about a comment from you guys? However you got to the top its an impressive achievement, and I give you the respect you are due, but are you doing it by hosting 2 player games or by taking on all comers???

The thing with matches with more than 2 players is that it doesn't really depend on your own ability to win.

It does, however, depend on your ability to play politics until there are few enough worms that it depends on your ability to play. :)