question: CARCASSONNE starter tile

[MikeMcC]

Finding* the starter tile for Carcassonne can be a bit tricky - it's 'slightly' darker, but otherwise identical.
(*either when you are starting a game - assuming you didn't set it aside in a special place - or cleaning up after a game.)

Here's my thought:
Would it not make sense to mark the starter tile so it's a much more obvious - I was thinking of making a big red X on the back with marker. 

Any reason why this might not be a good idea?  (Yes, I realize this is 'damaging' the piece, so that's 'bad'.)
Will having the big red X on the back make that tile useless for something else in the future?

[Dana_Tillusz]

Blasphemy!

[MikeMcC]

Blasphemy!

I figured my suggestion might irk some folks who are protective of their games, but I never thought it would rise to the level of blasphemy.

[Reynard]

Perhaps an even larger red X on the front also?

[Lori]

I saw one where they took a green sharpie and inked the edges - that seemed to work well, as it was easy to spot when stacked in the box, but not really noticeable otherwise.

[MikeMcC]

I saw one where they took a green sharpie and inked the edges - that seemed to work well, as it was easy to spot when stacked in the box, but not really noticeable otherwise.

That was another thought I had.

[Dana_Tillusz]

Mike, I have some blank Carcassonne titles. You could make your own if you like.

[MikeMcC]

Mike, I have some blank Carcassonne titles. You could make your own if you like.

Hmm.. that's interesting.... but, no thanks... I'm just trying to figure out how to find one specific tile and wondering if marking it would be some massive violation of acceptable gaming decorum or something (I already know *your* answer).

[tlh878]

Unless you plan to sell it later, does it really matter what the "decorum" is? 

It's your game.  If marking the tile makes gameplay better (easier) for you, and it doesn't alter the actual gameplay, who cares how you mark it?

[MikeMcC]

Unless you plan to sell it later, does it really matter what the "decorum" is? 
It's your game.  If marking the tile makes gameplay better (easier) for you, and it doesn't alter the actual gameplay, who cares how you mark it?

No, I don't really care that much about decorum... I'm simply trying to determine before hand if there are any situations where marking my tile might be a problem.  Like you mentioned, selling the game is one such situation - it *could* be a problem if the buyer were picky about that sort of thing.  However, I don't plan on selling.  Offhand I can't think of any other situations where a marked tile could be a problem but that's why I'm consulting that wisdom of the internet.