Universal Capitals - Free Word Battle (by Nimblebit)

I really liked this game at first, but more and more games started to generate a server-side error message, and today it's reached 100% failure rate. I lose a life, but can't play, and the game never gets added to the list. (All my games-in-progress are stalled for over a day as well--maybe a mix of normal AKFs and people who got a that same error message on their end.) Using up lives for nothing greatly encourages buying IAP... yet greatly discourages it at the same time. (I'm using the up-to-date version.)

I fear I am forced into early retirement (pending further updates) after 26 games and no losses But it's a great concept, and reminded me to reinstall Letterpress! (More by the style than by the gameplay--although I'd put them in the same very-broad genre.)

 

Same issues here. I've lost at least 60% of my lives in the last day to the server side error. It's to the point now where when I start a new game, I exit out of it before I even look at the letters. Most of the time, the game doesn't show up in my list. If it does show up then, it never has the server side error. So at least I know whether I'm wasting my time with the first turn or not.

I'm on 1.0.3, iPhone 5s, bought the extra lives unlock but hesitant to spend on customization now that I can't start new games reliably, and my old games are mostly stalled out with people not playing.

Can you fix it so that at least if it has the server side error, you are given back the heart you spent on the game? I'm not sure why it isn't that way already, to be honest.

 

Thanks for the response! I've gone ahead and picked up the infinite lives & customization IAPs while they're still on sale. While I may not need either of them, I've played enough Nimblebit games over the years so I'm happy to support the app and finally throw a few bucks your way

 

This is the first game Nimblebit has officially broken me. I did the infinite lives unlock the first day I bought it, and just now did the customization unlock. I don't even know how the life system works, I just know I wanted to play however much I want, whenever I want.

I was close to the breaking point with the first Tiny Tower a few years back, but then I finally got that ultimate elevator; this one finally broke me.

 

Further note: who ever said this is the time to be boosting your record/win rate, they said it. It almost makes me sad when I see an opponent play one of their first few moves with mostly MY letters.

Spoiler

Note that I said "almost"

 

I've had many players start a game using all my letters!

 

Yeah, playing only experienced TA players and devs, while learning the game, I had a difficult beginning : I was at 2W 8L for my first 10 games lol.

Now I play half my games with auto match to get some easier wins, I also understand the game strategy better, and have a better knowledge of game's useful English words or how to use difficult letters. So I am at 31W 22L.

It's odd for me usually because the hardest letters in English and French aren't exactly the same. Z in French is easier because you can use it for conjugating verbs. W or K or Y are more common in English. Also I get excited seeing very long French words that are very similar to English but then realize they're a little bit different by a letter or two lol.

It's funny you see some new players always going for the longest word possible (maybe sometimes using some help I guess ), whereas they would be better off with simple 4 letter words at strategic tiles.

I would say for beginner's guide :
Rule number one of any turn is always protect your capital (unless you have a shot at capturing your opponent's one and get the extra turn).
Rule #2 : always try to take the capital if there's an opening.
Rule #3 : the goal is to gain strategically placed tiles, not have the longest word. So aim at exposing your opponent's capital.
Rule #4 : have fun, it's just a game

Best advice I also saw here is to tap the letters you have to use to protect your capital, add some that would be the most useful, and then start thinking about words from there.

 

Also leave hard letters around your capital when possible. Makes it harder for your opponent to attack you. I might make a list of tips later on.

 

Capitals Tips and Tricks

Ok here are a list of tips and tricks as suggested by users in this thread. Ill add more here later on and if people suggest them.

Use as much of your own letters from the get go

You want to expand your territory as early on as possible and gain ground on your opponent.

Use the tiles around your capital

You want to get the lettered tiles as far away from your capital as you can. Sometimes its good to leave hard lettered tiles at your capital if you have to as it makes it harder for your opponent to attack you.

As soon as your tiles join your opponents try to take their area.

The less area that your opponent has the harder it is for them to make word that can attack yours.

If you have extra s's or ed's see if you can use them

It will make it harder for your opponents next word on top of possibly taking more of their territory.

Attack their capital when you can

Doing this gives you an extra turn to finish them off. Click all the letters you need to take the capital, then try to form words around that.

Long words don't always mean a better move

There is no point in playing a long word if it doesn't attack your enemies zone. Have a look at the tiles around your opponents area and see what words you can make using them.

Other tips that will help:

The game is considered started even if you don't play a word. You can start a quick match and leave it there if you don't have time to play at the present time. Your lives will then regenerate.
​

 

Gotta love an epic comeback almost lost a game and I am now firmly in the driving seat

So many tactics in this game it's great!

Also what is the quickest anyone has managed to win a game? I have done it in round 3, not sure if it would be possible in round 2...

 

I won in 2nd round, it's possible

 

Iv'e won many games in 3 rounds. It's not possible to win in round 2 because the tiles can't be reached by then.

 

sorry Nicole, but short words rule.
(it was really difficult, but it felt so good.)

 

While a game is still being played, it would be cool to be able to rewind the board seeing each move. It seems doable since the history of words played is currently kept (but maybe not the letter locations) during the game. What would be really cool is to be able to dump out an animated gif of the entire game. I would love a record of the epic battle I am enjoying now with macplash.

 

Again, I won in Round 2. So, it's possible. Or do you need to see screenshot?

 

it is totally possible to finish things round 2.

 

Do you seriously have enoough time to post in this thread and beat me so hard in-game at the same time?

 

yep, thanks evol, that's what I'm talking about