Danny Stevens
Australia
Sippy Downs
Queensland
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I have played with many people and read blogs on-line that indicate many think the Bavarian Illuminati are too powerful, and some won't play with that secret group in the game.
Piffle I say. If the B.I. always win in your games then you are not playing in the true spirit of the game. Everyone has to gang up to keep the B.I. down while still trying to get ahead themselves. This means neutralising any groups that give them undue power or income and keeping their resources spent on defence. You know, cooperate out of mutual self interest while still trying to win.
Obviously this is harder when there are only two or three players, but in a four player game it should be possible for players to harass the B.I. enough to keep their coffers drained and their card count low.
Other secret societies do not require such animosity although I have often found the Gnomes of Zurich to need some attention to stop them amassing to much income.
Illuminati is a game of intentional imbalances. Part of the enjoyment is learning to develop strategies to deal with it. 
(I just love playing the Servants of Cthulhu and using the Fred Birch society to destroy other groups, especially when the B.I. are playing. The other players often subsidise my first few assaults until they start getting nervous about me winning..bwahahahahahahaaaa)
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MSV Burns
United States
Olympia
Washington
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Sorry, disagree. Tactics or no, they're easily the most powerful Illuminati in the game. We always increased the victory point requirement by five and they still win more often than any other group.
If I draw the Bavarians, I always think I've got a pretty good shot at the win.
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Brent Lloyd
United States
League City
Texas
Canadian Game Design Award: http://www.fallcon.com/design
Canadian Game Design Award: http://www.fallcon.com/design
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I agree with the original poster, in a four player game the Bavarian Illuminati are just as balanced as any other group. I have probably played this game over 100 times and, around here, no one group stands head and shoulders above any of the others.
It all depends on the groups that come up and the other players experience level.
Peace
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Chip Dunning
United States
Milford
Ohio
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I also disagree. Among all of the others there does not need a constant hammering on to keep them controlled. The BI require the other players to constantly twiddle with them not just as one-off attacks, but hammering them constantly.
It is not about adjusting tactics, but simply that with the BI in the game their victory is so easy to obtain that you must never let up. This makes the game very repetitive. It is like the OOTS game where what should be an enjoyable beer and pretzel game is very painful.
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I agree with the views - yes Bavarians do need to be attacked, a lot if they're gong to be beaten, which does make game play a little predictable.
We played Illuminati every lunchtime for ages at school, and we simply removed Bavarians from the draw - much more fun. My personal favourite is the Gnomes, but then I'm always careful with my money :-)
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I like the imbalances in the game. The Bavarians, the gnomes and the net are simple more powerful than the other. Anything that makes then nearer their objectives make then stronger. When I'm playing with new players or just people who doesn't like the cutthroat style of the game, I take the 3 mentioned out. This way the game can be played in a less conflicting way until the end rounds.
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