World Handyman Championships II

[gracieoscar]

Anyone who feels put off should go and have a look at last years handiness challenge leaderboard - scores ranged from 456 to 6. There's a huge range, everyone uses different tactics and some take things more seriously than others

[Shirin]

You know, that can just about drive me nuts. Especially since I know that even with knowing the secret I probably won't win anyway.
And for me it is not even about winning, but I don't like losing either. Not by that much anyway. Seriously, in my first practice game I am one week in the game and have about 2% of the high score. Thát is realy discouraging.

If it helps at all, in my practice file, I was at week 2 day 5, and at 11% of upgrades. THAT is discouraging.

I think I've developed a new strategy, and am gonna test it tonight, but man oh man.

[Odie]

If it helps at all, in my practice file, I was at week 2 day 5, and at 11% of upgrades. THAT is discouraging.

I think I've developed a new strategy, and am gonna test it tonight, but man oh man.

I meant, after 1 week I had 18 upgrades done (so that's actually 1%, but 2 sounded better LOL) but with 37%. So that makes actually 6,7. Wouldn't that be a wonderful score? But I am still not giving up.
You know what, Shirin? I make you a deal! If you submit your score, so will I
(after some more practising of course )

[Shirin]

I meant, after 1 week I had 18 upgrades done (so that's actually 1%, but 2 sounded better LOL) but with 37%. So that makes actually 6,7. Wouldn't that be a wonderful score? But I am still not giving up.
You know what, Shirin? I make you a deal! If you submit your score, so will I
(after some more practising of course )

Deal!

[heatherliz2002]

I fully intend to post whatever pitiful score I end up with.  I seriously doubt I'll ever win a challenge (or even come close  ), but I've learned a lot about the game while trying a few of them out (even found some new favorite traits that I just hadn't played with before).  I love reading the strategies at the end, and it's fun to feel connected with other sims players!

[CynKuy]

I am intimidated by the scores too.  Last year I wanted to make a suggestion that the scores not be submitted till after a week or two but I didn't want to start a contraversy.   

[ratchie]

All this negative talk is not good and could potentially put off players from submiting a score or even playing. I am trully sorry if the scores that Rica and I posted are upsetting people but that was not our intention in fact I am kicking myself because I know that Rica's score is beatable and I know where I went wrong.

Rachel

[Ricalynn]

Hey guys -- the talk that's going on is really depressing.   I was excited to have posted my score knowing it's going to be beat and all of you are making me feel bad for using the strategy I used.   With every negative response, there is a possibility that you are turning away possible participants.   The tournament and challenges are for everyone and the score is just one component of it as a whole.  Like heatherliz said, I have learned new ways to play the game with these challenges.  I joined the forum just to participate two years ago and some of the things I learned by reading the hall of fame entries, that are up for every challenge we've ever done,  helped me survive and complete an immortal dynasty.     


Edit: Ratchie beat me in posting a response! 

[Odie]

Deal!

I am intimidated by the scores too.  Last year I wanted to make a suggestion that the scores not be submitted till after a week or two but I didn't want to start a contraversy.   

I understand what you mean! But I also understand if you trained for weeks and then have a wonderful score, you want to show that as soon as possible to everyone in your enthousiasm. First I was really impressed, then my enjoyment in the challenge flew out of the window, but now I am fighting. Determined to find the "secret trick". I have all EP's. If it is possible in their game, it should be possible in mine too! (I have to keep telling myself this, I don't like to give up )

Edit: And I was beaten in the response by the two quickest ladies of this challenge LOL... of course (more LOL)

[Shirin]

As I think I'm the first one who used the term intimidated, I'll apologize for that. There's no reason to feel bad for whatever score earned, I'm just a naturally competitive person.

However, it occurs to me that while I may want to beat those scores, the only scores that I should be beating is the one I had last year and the year before.

So anything would be a good score for me!

[simchuff]

I like that their scores are up, gives me a reason to try harder, and a guide to what I should strive for. Granted it means I'm probably going to have to keep practicing for the next few weeks before starting a scoring file. Congrats guys, that's great!

[MarianT]

Of course, the danger in posting early is that other people say "How did they...? I wonder...Yes!"

[Odie]

Before calling it a night, I would like to say one more thing that popped into my mind.

I think nobody should feel sorry. Not for fantastic scores and not for honest reactions.

Thinking about it some more, what if I had posted a score of let's say 100? And afterwards saw much better scores? I am actually really glad that those wonderful scores were posted so quickly. It makes me go deeper into the game and find out a lot more. Isn't that what a challenge is all about?

Plus this gives us all a chance to rethink our strategies to beat them.
So thank you Ratchie and Rica

[DrStrange01]

lol I can bang my head a few times now game crashes around week 3 when I am in china or France grrr time to start over again . I know I won't be getting anywhere near those scores listed maybe not even around last years challenge but ohh we'll I just want to finish it lol with out a crash

[Turoskel]

When I saw Rica and Ratchie's scores I had an inkling what they had done, but even so that is very impressive so it spurred me to try harder. I did manage to double my practice run score but I still know I could have got more if I didn't get so easily distracted.

Even so i'm very happy with what I managed and once again learnt a lot of new tricks. And amusingly to me got the Battle of Hastings as my upgrade amount, one of the few historical dates I actually remember.

1066 completed upgrades
91% Unique upgrades completed

1066 x .91 = 970.06

Final Score:  970

As for the high scores well I know for most of the challenges I wont do that great but I wont let that stop me from trying, for me it's about challenging myself to do these things and setting my own bar, I gave myself a personal goal for this and I beat it and I'm proud of that regardless if other players surpass it by miles.