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I impose a handicap on myself. I keep track of my wins/losses by opponent, and reduce my point limit by 5% per accumulated victory I have over them.

 Jancoran wrote:
I see a value to going with points (percentages) So a 5 Handicap is a 5% handicap maybe. I guess that makes sense.

Peregrine's point is valid, by the way, although the whole reason I started handicapping myself is to avoid having to switch up my playstyles for each opponent. I want to play competitively, and the handicap system allows me a little wiggle room to still be able to play competitively against opponents who are playing casually.

Thud wrote:
Am I the only one who thinks this is a little condescending?

Not sure how I'd feel if someone told me to take more points than them so we could both have a good time.

I've had opponents tell me that they feel like the handicap is condescending. Then again, I've had opponents (maybe even some of the same people) tell me I play too competitively and that they don't enjoy our games. I think maybe the only way for everyone to win here is for me to limit myself but not tell them.

 Ailaros wrote:
There are ways of handicapping yourself without points discrepencies. In every codex there's tons of low-power junk you can throw in to lower the over all power level to make the game closer/more of a challenge/more fair.

Plus, you get other advantages as well, like getting to play with strange or fluffy lists.

These are all true, and if that's the kind of game you want, they are great options. I think we're exploring the handicap system as a way to play games that are a little closer to fair/balanced without having to sacrifice competitiveness.