How do YOU play the game?

[st.patrik]

hm, I'm unsure about these categories. I'm definitely a sandbox player in the sense that I don't like the 'feel' of certain nations/pretenders and thus don't tend to play them - for example, I wasn't particularly tempted (pre 2.12) to use a VQ pretender, even though I can see the game-play advantages, because I'm not that interested in playing a Vampire Queen.

On the other hand, enjoying the neat little things about each nation has only so much entertainment value. I won't really enjoy a SP game beyond the first few turns, because it's not an interesting challenge (it can be a challenge without being an interesting challenge). Seeing my archers mow down the hapless enemy troops who don't even try to change their strategy is only so satisfying.

I am interested in winning, and love the challenge of utilizing my forces in the most creative way I can (which isn't necessarily very creative) to try to beat the enemy. But on the other hand, I don't necessarily have much interest in certain "winning" strategies/combinations that I don't feel are in theme.

So I'm not a sandbox builder and not a gamer, rather someone who wants to win, but in the confines I choose for myself. And that's the challenging and fun part (at least for me).