Strategically distinguished mentally-challenged gamers

[Ruzbeh]

So I enjoy playing PC games, but the least I play are strategy games. PC games have only four types of games IMO: MMOs, strategy games, FPS and Point&Click adventure games.

I love strategy games, but I suck at them so badly it makes it hard to enjoy it. Simply lowering the difficulty makes the game feel like a chore because there is no challenge or something.

So I was wondering if there's something that can teach me how to play. I mean are there any pointers or perhaps some indepths stuff to learn about being strategical?

Btw, I am very good at tactics but I think strategy is something different.

[cubicle47b]

Only strategically distinguished mentally-challenged?

[Fragamemnon]

Two golden rules of strategy gaming.

A) Know the capabilities of the assets at your disposal, and always be aware of the potential capabilities of your opponent's available assets.
B) Always have a plan in place, both short term and long term.

I play a ton of turn-based strategy and RTS games at a very high level of play, and these are the two most important things to do. Note especially knowing what kind of things your opponent can throw against you is important-I almost broke a really nice streak of wins online in COH a couple of nights ago because I forgot that the Panzer Elite Scorched Earth command tree can call in double panthers from offmap-if I had known, I would have mined the road leading into his base and had a 17 pounder ready to give him a reaming as soon as it appeared.

[Van Cruncheon]

you forgot roguelikes and diablo clones, eastern european rpgs, the best casual games bar none, and simulators

[Fragamemnon]

you forgot roguelikes and diablo clones, eastern european rpgs, the best casual games bar none, and simulators

I sort of have to question the lumping of "strategy games" on the PC as one big sector. That's like saying "action games" for the PS3 or Xbox360-it doesn't even come close to describing the degree of differentiation in the genres that make up strategy gaming on the PC, much less the large amount of specialization that occurs in those genres.

[cubicle47b]

Don't forget puzzle games.

[recursivelyenumerable]

I mean are there any pointers or perhaps some indepths stuff to learn about being strategical?

I hear Clausewitz is pretty good.  My copy has an introduction by Anatol Rapaport which is very interesting and also the only part I've read.

[Mupepe]

when you're on top, use your hands to balance yourself by groping the chest and then either gyrate your hips or bounce up and down.

[Fragamemnon]

Hmmmm..... I guess I should give strategy games another go.

Got any recommendations for a fun, simple yet deep strategy game?

Civ4

[Fragamemnon]

Civ4 defines simple yet deep strategy gaming. Just don't go rambo with the difficultly setting and do the tutorial. It's pretty easy, yet even people who are REALLY good at the game still play it like maniacs because of how complex the systems can be pushed if you're really knowledgeable/good at it.