Interesting conversation. I'm perplexed as to the need to go on an on about proving a point. If you've decided you don't like it for whatever reason, feel free to give your opinion, then just go live your life doing something else - life is too short to do things you don't like :)
While some of the points are entirely valid on all sides of the lively discussion, I find the most interesting thing to do as a second player when I think that there is basically only one good strategy to play and the first player has the advantage because of it (and will win more often than not), is to play around with different combos and buys and try things to learn new things. Less interesting when only playing the base game, but all the ridiculous numbers of cards brings so many combos, that even when I'm losing, I'm generally having fun, hence why I play. (Other than when I'm being abused, funnily enough, normally by people that think this game has too much of a luck component!)
Just find the things that bring you joy, and do those! Easy. Happy playing all :)
While some of the points are entirely valid on all sides of the lively discussion, I find the most interesting thing to do as a second player when I think that there is basically only one good strategy to play and the first player has the advantage because of it (and will win more often than not), is to play around with different combos and buys and try things to learn new things. Less interesting when only playing the base game, but all the ridiculous numbers of cards brings so many combos, that even when I'm losing, I'm generally having fun, hence why I play. (Other than when I'm being abused, funnily enough, normally by people that think this game has too much of a luck component!)
Just find the things that bring you joy, and do those! Easy. Happy playing all :)