http://warlight.net/MultiPlayer?GameID=3588077
Here is an example of how you truly cluster pick, shown from a master. 3's 4's, naw those are stupid, 5's thats where it is at as far as clustering goes.
Anyways this is my new color, thoughts, what do you think Ryan2?

Your opponent trip'd on Scandinavia. So I guess this is just evidence that triple picking works better on the Caucasus than Scandinavia, especially with the starts as they were.

You may as well double pick Caucasus since you get it in two turns. Then a pick isn't wasted on the mid east.

And with a combo on Scandinavia with the third in Mexico, you could have got 6 on the second turn, giving you a better spread.

what is the definition of a cluster pick and what are the goals? what is the best outcome/the worst?

i dont like the triple pick caucuses because you really only need 2 picks(like X said) and because if someones in central russia or west russia you are countered big time

i dont like the color

Cluster picks are multiple picks in adjacent bonuses generally intended to complete one of the picked bonuses faster. That said, sometimes a cluster pick is just several bonuses physically next to each other without the intention of using multiple starts to attack the same bonus, though that generally has the same weaknesses without the strengths of normal clusters.

Best case scenario - Early income lead and early contact before your opponent is ready to counter your increased income.

Secondary scenario - Early income to jump start expansion in an area your opponent may not be expecting.

Bad outcome - Completing a second bonus takes extra time, negating the speed of your first bonus before contact is made.

Worst outcome - Your opponent picks one of your spots or a place nearby with the intention of blocking your early expansion, countering two or three of your picks and sealing the game when he completes his first bonus while preventing you from doing the same.

Come on Ryan 3, You make me and Ryan look bad with your terrible picking strategies

yeah but I'm sexier!

You keep telling yourself that, somebody needs to

duke of ben...come on, you just walked into that one

Billy, if I have any sense, cluster picking is how I will beat you!

As you destroyed me when I tried to play smart. :(

I don't care if I walk into things around here. At least somebody can learn how to play better reading the forums, instead of just becoming dumber. Maybe I'll start adding some random helpful tips to otherwise dumb threads. It's one way to improve the quality of the forums.

It's odd to me that a forum build entirely around a strategy game doesn't involve much strategy discussion.

Come on Duke you mug, dont make insightful posts on strategy that are worth reading.
You need to focus more on proving how smart and well educated you are compared to other posters,starting random clans or complaining somebody cheated.
One more post about strategy and your blacklisted matey.