RMGreen wrote:
For me, I think this rule would reduce the tactical choices you have. Lots of times you don't necessarily want to charge right towards the enemies when you can't reach them and expose a single mouse to a lot of danger. Doing a search in this case still gives the mouse something to do besides wait around.
Also, the game does present situations where searching while enemies on the board is optimal, or even necessary. The sewers in Chapter 1 (Tishhook and Thread) and the Alchemists Chamber in Chapter 3 (Teleport/Levitate Scroll) come to mind.
You're certainly welcome to house rule your game however makes it more fun and thematic for you and I won't tell you you're wrong. But keep in mind that the designer did intend for searches while enemies are on the tile, and you may have to figure out how to deal with those situations when they come up.
This is why I brought it up. Wanted to hear what situations a house rule might impact. It is true that during combat, searching gives someone something to do if they can't fight. Good point. Also agree that certain chapters it is part of the game to search while in combat, ie the river/sewers. Nice call.
I may try the house rule for kicks and bend it when necessary, such as the sewer type scenarios. Not sure yet. Just don't like the kiting idea I already saw my strategic friends do. I understand it strategically and consider it fair gameplay according to the letter of the law, but still find that probably the worst immersion breaker. Actually, come to think of it, we pretty much house ruled "You can't do that, or at the least we agree to not do that..." and folks were fine with it.
I also think you are right that the game designer planned it that way, since things like searching for the hook in the river are part of the storyline, and I _like_ those parts. But, otoh I don't think every rule created by a designer can cover all parts of the game and kiting is probably not what the designer would have preferred (just guessing), since it seems a bit of an exploit. So I am still looking at alternatives.
Again, thanks for the thoughts on it. It is by far my favorite game now, family time with my kids is really special with this game, so I am not trying to rip the game apart by any means. Just brainstorming. The other thing is that it somewhat promotes "greediness" on the part of my kids, who want to make sure they get an item every room. That is certainly why the 'add cheese if you take too long' was created and I like it, but I suppose one free search after clearing a tile could remove that aspect so it wasn't an issue with the younglings...
Any other alternative house rules? Perhaps "one free search at end of tile clearing," but otherwise keep standard rule? That might get the kids to give up the 'greedy search' since they get a free attempt at the end. Also maintains tactical options and allows pick up of hook, etc. It wouldn't eliminate kiting either but it might reduce it.
Again, thanks for the suggestions...