How to Master Targeted Attacks in Monopoly Go: A Pro’s Guide

The brutal truth about Monopoly Go is that sometimes, you need to strategically dismantle your opponents to rise to the top. Targeting specific players is a key component of this strategy. While the game doesn’t explicitly label a “target” button, you can influence who gets hit with your Shutdowns and Heists. The core mechanic lies in understanding the Friends List and Landmark placement on the board. By selectively removing friends who are currently vulnerable, and by manipulating the odds through dice multipliers, you can significantly increase the likelihood of landing on the landmarks of your chosen rival. In simpler words, controlling who is in your friend list, and smartly using dice multipliers, can maximize the chances to target someone.

Understanding the Targeting Landscape

The Illusion of Randomness

Don’t be fooled – while Monopoly Go presents a facade of randomness, there’s an underlying logic to its attack mechanics. The game uses a system that considers factors such as your Friends List, recent activity, and even the likelihood of payback attacks. This means that with a little cunning, you can bend the odds in your favor.

Friend List Manipulation

Your Friends List is the most crucial element for targeting. The game will prioritize players on your Friends List when selecting targets for Shutdowns and Heists. Therefore, carefully curating your list is essential.

The Power of Landmark Placement

The positions of your landmarks on the board are fixed, but the landmarks of other players are equally fixed. Study the board layout. Understand that landing on a specific landmark is always dependent on the roll of the dice and the distance from the current square to the target landmark.

The Art of Targeted Shutdowns

Prioritize Active Players

Actively removing friends who aren’t regularly playing or actively building means you have less probability to land on their landmarks by chance. Regularly active players that are not your friends will not show up as targets.

Understanding the Shield Dynamic

Players with active shields are immune to Shutdowns. You need to identify players who are consistently low on shields.

Leveraging Dice Multipliers

This is where the strategy gets truly interesting. Before rolling, assess your position relative to the landmarks of your desired target. If you’re a few spaces away, and they’re low on shields and have plenty of cash on hand, crank up the dice multiplier. This drastically increases the chances of landing exactly where you want to – and delivering a devastating blow.

Mastering the Heist: The Ultimate Revenge

Cashing In on Vulnerability

Heists are where you can truly inflict financial damage. The mechanics are similar to Shutdowns, but the reward is far greater. The key is to target players with high cash reserves.

The Element of Surprise

Timing is everything. Try to catch your target when they’re least expecting it. For instance, target them shortly after a big event ends or when they’re likely to be focused on other things.

The “Bank Heist” Variation

During certain events, Bank Heist events become more common. These events give you a small chance to steal a lot more money from another player.

Advanced Targeting Techniques

The “Feigned Inactivity” Strategy

Sometimes, appearing weak can be a powerful tactic. Limit your building activity and drain your cash reserves to make yourself seem like an unattractive target. This can lull your opponents into a false sense of security, making them more vulnerable to a surprise attack.

The “Alliance and Betrayal” Gambit

Form temporary alliances with other players to protect yourself from attacks and coordinate attacks against a common enemy. However, remember that in Monopoly Go, betrayal is always an option. Use alliances strategically, but be prepared to turn on your allies when the time is right.

The Importance of Board Awareness

Pay close attention to the overall state of the board. Who’s in the lead? Who’s struggling? Identify the players who pose the greatest threat to your dominance and prioritize them as targets. This requires constantly monitoring the leaderboard and observing the actions of other players.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I truly “select” who to attack in Monopoly Go?

While you can’t guarantee hitting a specific player every single time, you can significantly increase the probability of targeting them through careful Friend List management, strategic dice multiplier use, and timing your attacks when they are likely to be vulnerable.

2. Does Monopoly Go penalize players for aggressive targeting?

There’s no explicit penalty from the game itself. However, relentless targeting can create enemies and lead to retaliatory attacks. Be prepared for the consequences.

3. How do shields work, and how do I know if someone has them?

Shields protect your landmarks from Shutdowns. You can see how many shields a player has by visiting their board or when they are on the receiving end of a shutdown.

4. Is it better to target players with high or low net worth?

It depends on your goal. Targeting players with high net worth offers a potentially greater reward, especially during Heists. However, they are also likely to have more shields and be more active in defending themselves. Targeting players with low net worth might be easier but yields smaller gains.

5. How can I protect myself from being targeted?

• Keep your shields active.
• Avoid accumulating excessive cash.
• Spread out your landmark upgrades to avoid becoming an attractive target for Heists.
• Occasionally remove active players from your friends list.

6. Do events influence targeting strategies?

Absolutely! Events often provide bonuses for specific actions, such as Shutdowns or Heists. Adapt your targeting strategy to take advantage of these bonuses.

7. Are there any “ethical” considerations when targeting in Monopoly Go?

Monopoly Go is, at its core, a competitive game. Some players may view aggressive targeting as unsportsmanlike, while others see it as a legitimate strategy. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what level of aggression you’re comfortable with.

8. How does the game determine the amount of cash stolen during a Heist?

The amount stolen during a Heist is based on a combination of factors, including the target’s cash reserves, your dice multiplier, and a degree of randomness.

9. Can I remove someone from my Friends List after I attack them?

Yes, you can remove someone from your Friends List at any time. This can be a useful tactic to avoid retaliation or to free up space for new targets.

10. Is there any benefit to not targeting specific players?

Sometimes, it can be advantageous to let weaker players survive to keep more active players from becoming stronger and more of a threat. However, this is a long-term strategy and requires careful consideration.

11. How often should I change my targeting strategy?

Adaptability is key. The game is constantly evolving, with new events, features, and player behaviors. Regularly reassess your strategy to stay ahead of the curve.

12. Does the Monopoly Go algorithm prioritize payback attacks?

Yes, the game does appear to encourage payback attacks. If you’ve been recently targeted by a particular player, you may find yourself landing on their landmarks more frequently. However, this can also be a double-edged sword, as it can make you a target for further retaliation.