OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm

I'm going to stick with the basic set for now. 50 bucks is a lot more palatable than 175.

but thanks for the input. Sounds like it's another Earth Reborn in the way it introduces rules...and that's not a bad thing. I do love me some Earth Reborn. even if my gaming ADD hasn't led me back to playing it in quite some time.

Played a solo game of darkest night yesterday. It's much more fun than I thought it would be. I worried it might be a game with few choices after seeing the cards, but it's got more going on then I expected.

baelthazar · Post by **baelthazar** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 4:10 pm

You will have plenty in the base set alone to keep you playing DoA 2 for months, if not years. Unfortunately, some of the cooler characters are in the Master set, but the set seems to have more complicated maps and mechanics, so you won't likely be ready for them until later anyway. Coolstuff looked like it had a better price for the Master Set, so you might try to get it from there.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 4:46 pm

I had already mentioned it to the guys that run my FLGS so I'm going to just stick with them. The basic set isn't a big ticket item so I'm happy to kick back some cash to a store that's given me a table to play at for my friends and I at almost single turn...and without ever once making me feel like I'm imposing.

However, if I go all in someday, that 129 dollar price tag might make me head to an online store. That's a pretty hefty price tag.

baelthazar · Post by **baelthazar** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:38 am

hepcat wrote:I had already mentioned it to the guys that run my FLGS so I'm going to just stick with them. The basic set isn't a big ticket item so I'm happy to kick back some cash to a store that's given me a table to play at for my friends and I at almost single turn...and without ever once making me feel like I'm imposing.

However, if I go all in someday, that 129 dollar price tag might make me head to an online store. That's a pretty hefty price tag.

Yeah, because Coolstuff actually has it for a much more reasonable $86.99. But they don't get it in until July. I ordered from the source, which was a bad choice money-wise. But I got some exclusives, so that is nice.

RMC · Post by **RMC** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 2:19 pm

Gaming group is getting together tonight. Looks like there is seven of us going to play, however, one of the guys is bringing his 'new' (second date) girlfriend. <sigh> This is my own little rant, but I hate when people do that. Why bring a girl that you have just met over to a persons house (mine) to show off someone that may or may not fit into the group. Supposedly she is a 'gamer' and likes board games etc... If she was just a friend I would have no issue, as anyone is welcome to play. But this guy just got out of a relationship and has told everyone to be on their best behavior and not mention his ex. <sigh>

Gah..I just hope she is cool with sitting in a basement and playing boardgames with a bunch of old gamers. End of my rant.

Anyway, I just got Smash-up and the expansion, so that should hit the table tonight, as well as a friend is bringing all the D&D board games. I played some of the D&D board games, and they were alright, but he likes them so we play them when he brings them.

I think Battlestar Galactica will hit the table as well tonight, as I like the mechanics. But I did also pick up the Resistance, so maybe we will play that instead. Hmmm..

I'll let everyone know how it goes.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 2:29 pm

I was given King of Tokyo for Christmas and we finally busted it out last weekend. I was very impressed with the simple but fluid gameplay. I liked the King of the Hill dynamic, the dice rolling was straight forward and the cards are generally well-balanced. The games went relatively fast except as noted below and we had a bunch of "mindless" fun. You make decisions but the game isn't super technical.

The only mar was one of the player's was for some reason eventually driven to analysis paralysis. We are talking about 4-5 minute kvetching over decisions that were taking most people 10 seconds. Her boyfriend ended up pretty much playing her "hand" especially after he was knocked out. It was a bit annoying since she won (by the skin of her teeth) and she proceeded to gloat about it for 15 minutes.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 2:40 pm

RMC wrote:Gaming group is getting together tonight. Looks like there is seven of us going to play, however, one of the guys is bringing his 'new' (second date) girlfriend. <sigh> This is my own little rant, but I hate when people do that. Why bring a girl that you have just met over to a persons house (mine) to show off someone that may or may not fit into the group. Supposedly she is a 'gamer' and likes board games etc... If she was just a friend I would have no issue, as anyone is welcome to play. But this guy just got out of a relationship and has told everyone to be on their best behavior and not mention his ex. <sigh>

you're preachin' to the choir, brother. you're not being unreasonable in any way, imho.

...of course, I'm incredibly picky about who I play games with. probably too much so.

RMC · Post by **RMC** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 2:51 pm

hepcat wrote:
RMC wrote:Gaming group is getting together tonight. Looks like there is seven of us going to play, however, one of the guys is bringing his 'new' (second date) girlfriend. <sigh> This is my own little rant, but I hate when people do that. Why bring a girl that you have just met over to a persons house (mine) to show off someone that may or may not fit into the group. Supposedly she is a 'gamer' and likes board games etc... If she was just a friend I would have no issue, as anyone is welcome to play. But this guy just got out of a relationship and has told everyone to be on their best behavior and not mention his ex. <sigh>
you're preachin' to the choir, brother. you're not being unreasonable in any way, imho.

...of course, I'm incredibly picky about who I play games with. probably too much so.

I can be that way as well. I give everyone a chance, and am pretty laid back. I like to have a good time and play new games and winning is secondary. Heck, you and Zarathud are the reason my game collection increased by like 5 or 6 games. (Seasons, Smash up, and Eclipse just to name a few).

But the whole date night combined with a basement and gamer people, just sounds like a bad movie waiting to happen. And not the type with a red light either.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 2:56 pm

Well, being told to be on your best behavior is kind of a douche move too.

Anyway, my copy of Duel of Ages II basic set should be here Monday. Now I just have to resist the urge to order the ginormous master set on coolstuffinc.com for another 84 bucks.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 3:01 pm

Date night and game night to me sound exclusive, which makes things odd.

Gaming with girlfriend as a date. Cool. Gaming with girlfriend amongst a larger group. About as good as it gets. Gaming with girlfriend amongst a larger group as a date. Odd.

OTOH, as a host it wouldn't bother me unless they expected to go up to my room before the game was over and force me to wash the sheets. I didn't sign up to shephard their kanoodling.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 3:13 pm

For me, it's more about "guy's night". I like to just unwind and be a kid again when I get together with the gang for a game night. Having to be on guard takes the fun out if it.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 3:19 pm

hepcat wrote:For me, it's more about "guy's night". I like to just unwind and be a kid again when I get together with the gang for a game night. Having to be on guard takes the fun out if it.

Agreed. But guys night with a GF is fine, though. GF as one of the guys that you can unwind and be a kid again with would be the perfect GF. But mixing the idea of dating and guys night, not so much. The no mention of the ex clause for the evening would definitely take away from the desire to show up for the exact reason you mention.

RMC · Post by **RMC** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 3:24 pm

hepcat wrote:For me, it's more about "guy's night". I like to just unwind and be a kid again when I get together with the gang for a game night. Having to be on guard takes the fun out if it.

This. I have to be a responsible manager for three departments all week long. When the 'guys'(could be a girl as well) get together to game, I want to say stupid things, get the look from my wife, and pretend I am 16 again.

But I guess I am okay with it, as long as the 'girl friend' wants to play, and join in the fun and doesn't want to be the center of attention. (Did I mention that the average age at this is like 45 or so) The guy bringing the girl is 32, she is 24. <sigh> Almost 1/2 the age of the guys there. Hell my wife is 5 years younger than me, but she is 35 now, so even she would not have to much to talk to a 24 about.

But I am sure we will either piss her off, and they will leave, and we can be silly again, or she will put up with us and enjoy herself.

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 12:55 am

RMC wrote:But the whole date night combined with a basement and gamer people, just sounds like a bad movie waiting to happen. And not the type with a red light either.

If someone is interested on their own, I usually have no problem with behaving myself. I'll bring my youngest sister to a gaming event, but she's interested in games and her own friends play Battlestar Galactica regularly. And she's not going to be surprised by my behavior -- she knows I have no shame when it comes to telling bad jokes. That said, there are some days gaming is secondary to spending time in adult company, acting like a juvenile telling tasteless jokes.

Bringing a new love interest to meet the guys is one thing, but to hang out for date night? The poor man is doomed, so make sure you get enough information for an AAR and share the tragedy. Whatever happens isn't your fault if you warn him.

MythicalMino · Post by **MythicalMino** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 1:27 pm

well, I have sunk to another purchase...Duel of Ages 2. And yes, I went total package, and got the Master Set, too. Call me crazy, call me stupid, but come Tuesday afternoon, you can call me happy I spent the money (probably).

Hep, you gotta let me know what you think about it when you get it Monday.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 1:38 pm

My birthday is in about 3 weeks and I'm seriously contemplating making an early gift to myself of the master set. But I want to play a few games first before signing off on it. It does sound fun.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 1:56 pm

I've got Phantom leader on re-print/order from DVG. As it ties a bit into family history, I'm looking forward to it.

baelthazar · Post by **baelthazar** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 7:51 pm

hepcat wrote:My birthday is in about 3 weeks and I'm seriously contemplating making an early gift to myself of the master set. But I want to play a few games first before signing off on it. It does sound fun.

Dooooooo iiiiiiiiiiit! Joooooooiiiiiiiinnnnn Uuuuuuusssssss!

You won't regret it. I'm totally not joking, you will literally have more options than you can imagine. I think the game is pretty solid, although you might find the challenge card replacement of dice rolling to be a little jarring at first.

Isgrimnur wrote:I've got Phantom leader on re-print/order from DVG. As it ties a bit into family history, I'm looking forward to it.

Isgimnur, I just heard form Dan Veressen that they were just about to print a deluxe version of Phantom Leader. Is that the one you got on order? Just wanted to make sure you knew about that before you ordered the old version.

MythicalMino · Post by **MythicalMino** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 8:02 pm

Bael, you really should do a good video review of the game...just sayin'

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 8:26 pm

baelthazar wrote:
Isgrimnur wrote:I've got Phantom leader on re-print/order from DVG. As it ties a bit into family history, I'm looking forward to it.
Isgimnur, I just heard form Dan Veressen that they were just about to print a deluxe version of Phantom Leader. Is that the one you got on order? Just wanted to make sure you knew about that before you ordered the old version.

Checking my e-mail, it is the Deluxe version. A general e-mail from them state that it would be arriving in a couple days, and they'd be closing out pre-order pricing.

baelthazar · Post by **baelthazar** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 11:05 pm

MythicalMino wrote:Bael, you really should do a good video review of the game...just sayin'

Heh... I still need to get several games under my belt and get to the missions and challenges. That game has magnitude, which makes it daunting to review!

Good deal, Isgrim, I just wanted to make sure you got the Deluxe!

MythicalMino · Post by **MythicalMino** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 11:31 pm

Got a game of Kemet set up for tomorrow morning. Then, hopefully we will play some Legendary...and maybe either Core Worlds and/or Zombicide....

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 1:43 pm

baelthazar wrote:
Dooooooo iiiiiiiiiiit! Joooooooiiiiiiiinnnnn Uuuuuuusssssss!

You won't regret it. I'm totally not joking, you will literally have more options than you can imagine. I think the game is pretty solid, although you might find the challenge card replacement of dice rolling to be a little jarring at first.

I want to get in a game or three of the basic set first before I drop that much cash on a game. Plus, it's a two player game at heart (I'm not a fan of two player games that promise you more than that, but force you into two teams to play) and I'm more likely to have 3 or more when playing.

However, I'm going to try to get in a game this week after I get it and if it's really good, I'll probably break down.

Chaz · Post by **Chaz** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 1:52 pm

Is the game end condition still "play for X hours, most points when time's up wins"? I always thought that was a lame feature of the first one.

MythicalMino · Post by **MythicalMino** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 4:39 pm

Hey, Hep...have you checked out the video session of Duel of Ages I on BGG? Here is the link...there is several parts...and it is of the first edition...but from what I am understanding, you can get a real good idea of what exactly the game is. I am currently on part 7 or 8...interesting strategic choices throughout...

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/video/9418 ... doavs-pt-1" target="_blank

There is another video of a session up on the Geek for the actual DoA2 game...it lasts an hour and 10 minutes...but it really shows off the game really well.

Makes me glad I spent the money on it, and even went with the Master Set...So looking forward to playing this. I should get my copy Tuesday, and hopefully I can get the starting rules down some and play a game next Sunday!!

baelthazar · Post by **baelthazar** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 10:57 pm

Chaz wrote:Is the game end condition still "play for X hours, most points when time's up wins"? I always thought that was a lame feature of the first one.

They seem to have altered this a bit and they have added in some scenario options. A lot of DoA is deciding exactly how you want to play and how many options you want to use.

I'm considering a solo-play trial of the d10 rules to replace the Challenge cards. The Challenge cards are neat and fun, but I want to see which style I prefer.

RMC · Post by **RMC** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 8:07 am

So the gaming night on Friday, turned into a gaming weekend. My wife went to see a friend of hers in southern Ohio, and left me with the kids on Saturday and Sunday. So what did I do? I called the guys and we played boardgames while I watched the kids.

So here is a run down of the games we played:

The Walking Dead board game
Smash up [With Expansion] (3 or 4 times)
Battleship Galaxies (an older game by Hasbro)
BattleStar Galactica
Catan Histories: Settlers of America Trails to Rails

The Catan game was very good. I was surprised, as we agreed to play it because one of the group loves train games, and he kept bringing it and we kept not playing it.

So we all grudgingly agreed to play, and it was very fun. A ton of strategic choices, and the Catan mechanic of materials and trading, and everything Catan. I will have to look into more of these Catan spin offs.

The walking dead board game, was okay. It is a zombie game, where the goal is to find 3 safe havens. You do this by acquiring followers and materials(Gas,food, and ammo). You can play coop, which we did not, and that might make it better. I am not a fan of zombie games, but this one suffered from poor rules, and some very weird mechanics.

BSG was fun, and we played this with my friends new 'girlfriend' more on that later. I love BSG, and we had 7 playing, so there was a cylon leader, and 2 cylons in against 4 players. However, the good guys started rough, and we found a cylon fairly quickly due to an event card and gaius's ability. But it took everything we had to airlock the cylon, and that led to some tense encounters where we had to lose encounters as we had no cards. <sigh> And then the 'girlfriend' dynamic. She was very nice, and showed up and we dealt her into the game, but she had to leave early, so left us with one fewer player. She was human, and it killed us not to have her cards. It also was very weird playing with someone that no one knew, and had to be on the best behavior with. She did not really talk, and I tried to engage her in conversation several times, but only got a few words back. Not rude, exactly, but certainly not comfortable, especially with a game like BSG where you are trying to get information from everyone. I talked to my friend on Saturday, and it looks like his great love has dumped him one night after meeting his gaming buddies. He's a moron for bringing her, and he is not blaming us, but I can't help but feel he made a bad choice for date night.

Smash up was terrific fun. All the guys loved the game, and we kept playing it between other games. Saturday we started playing around 2ish, and played until 2am. We finished the night with 2 games of smash up. This game has a lot going for it, and there is a Cthulhu expansion coming out soon, so that should make the game even better.

Battleship Galaxies sucks. I have a friend who is convinced it is the best game ever. I hate it. I should like it because it has little plastic ships, and some cool mechanics, but I just hate it. Maybe it is the scenarios we have played, but I have played it like 3 or 4 times, and even won most of those, and I still hate it. It feels like the game is uncompleted. There are powers that make no sense, and the ability to have 7 heroes attached to a ship is great, but you only have 3 unique heroes that can be played. <shrug> But my friend loves it. I keep suggesting he try Star Wars Minatures, for his space ship fix, but as that was not his idea he will not try it. (This is also the guy that brought his date to game night).

And other than being tired, as my RPG group got together on Sunday and played until 11 pm, way later than we usually play till. So I played board games Friday, and Saturday and then an RPG day from Noon until 11 pm. So this weekend was like being a teenager again, except I have to work on Monday, and I am exhausted.

But only a three day week this week. Well, I have to come into work on the 5th, but I'll be gone by noon.

Boudreaux · Post by **Boudreaux** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:06 am

Played a 5-player game of Spartacus with the new Serpents and the Wolf expansion, which adds a) 5-6 player support, 2) new Intrigue/Market cards, and next) the Primus (2 vs 2 team combat)! I still have never played a "full" game of this, as we typically start with 4 Influence and go to 10 to keep the game length reasonable.

Playing with 5 works just as well as 4 with one exception - the downtime during the Arena phase is extended to one more player. This is the one hangup I have with the game, especially since the same player managed to win the Host twice in a row and invited himself both times. Otherwise, the new additions are pretty good. The two new Domini are interesting, their special powers are geared toward gaining gold instead of Influence, and I don't think the players using them quite picked up on that soon enough. The new Intrigue/Market cards are nice, I particularly like the Intrigue cards with the Influence requirement of "more/less than the Target Dominus", it actually provides a reason to sacrifice your own Influence at times for a particularly nasty Scheme.

We did end up having one Primus near the end, and this works pretty well but takes the length of a typical Arena match and makes it worse. For the player(s) who are not invited in a 5-6 player game, the Primus means it's time to get a snack. One new mechanic is for gladiators to have the Treacherous trait, which means they can switch teams during the Primus. This can (and did) lead to some pretty conniving betrayal, which is perfectly in the theme of the game but makes this even more tricky to play with particularly "sensitive" players. If anyone in your group takes things personally, this expansion (and probably this whole game) is not a good fit. Overall, it's pretty good.

After that was a full game of Blood Bowl Team Manager with expansion, where my dwarves got all the right matchups and came away with a win. We played with someone completely versed and comfortable with the rules which made the game much more enjoyable. If my shelves weren't completely full I might see myself picking this one up.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:15 am

Boudreaux wrote:Playing with 5 works just as well as 4 with one exception - the downtime during the Arena phase is extended to one more player. This is the one hangup I have with the game, especially since the same player managed to win the Host twice in a row and invited himself both times.

That's what betting is for.

I'm interested in seeing the expansion.

Boudreaux · Post by **Boudreaux** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 12:26 pm

LordMortis wrote:That's what betting is for.

I'm interested in seeing the expansion.

Given that betting is capped at 3 gold max per wager, it never seems to provide enough to keep me interested in the fights when I'm not directly involved. I'd almost like to see what happens in a game where wager amounts are unlimited. I assume they put that limit in there to prevent someone from betting the house on one side and then rigging the match to ensure victory. And yet, that would fit perfectly with the theme.

Honestly, 9 times out of 10 I've completely forgotten about my wagers after a round or two of combat. It's at the end that I suddenly go "oh yeah, I bet money on that!"

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 12:39 pm

Boudreaux wrote:Given that betting is capped at 3 gold max per wager, it never seems to provide enough to keep me interested in the fights when I'm not directly involved. I'd almost like to see what happens in a game where wager amounts are unlimited. I assume they put that limit in there to prevent someone from betting the house on one side and then rigging the match to ensure victory. And yet, that would fit perfectly with the theme.

Honestly, 9 times out of 10 I've completely forgotten about my wagers after a round or two of combat. It's at the end that I suddenly go "oh yeah, I bet money on that!"

Now admittedly, I absolutely suck at the game. And I mean I really suck but I love auction games and betting games and I usually do well at both styles but not at Spartacus. Every game we have played has seen me holding the up the rear by myself.

I didn't like the three player game but I like the 4 player.

The wagering is huge and interesting because the auction is huge and wagering is (was) likely to be the major form of income for most people. I 3x betting is (was? before the expansion) appropriate because betting could otherwise set up crazy all or nothing propositions right at the beginning and take all of the fun out of the game.

More than anything, not playing a good wagering game is what has destroyed me in most games, leading me to have less effective gladiators, leading me to be chosen to fight costing me either money or influence and putting me behind. My inability to wager well so far, I think is what has me so involved in fights that aren't mine.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 12:46 pm

My buddy is currently obsessing over it -- so much so that he's already ordered the expansion and started painting all the lil' gladiators. I'm very nervous the game was designed to work with 4+ players, which is a gaming unicorn for us but hopeful it's still fun with three.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 12:51 pm

Smoove_B wrote:My buddy is currently obsessing over it -- so much so that he's already ordered the expansion and started painting all the lil' gladiators. I'm very nervous the game was designed to work with 4+ players, which is a gaming unicorn for us but hopeful it's still fun with three.

It is not, IMO. The dynamic is broken. (or was before the expansion) In a three player game, two players will vie for first place and do so by kicking the cripple. In a four player game, there is a lot more room to move up and down the ranks and work as a team of connivers to hold back the most successful players.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 12:57 pm

That's what I tried telling him and pretty much why we've avoided "screw your neighbor" style games for the last three years. Any time we've tried, they seem to turn into exactly what you're describing.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:03 pm

If folks are prone to getting hurt over a game, or upset because they feel they've been screwed, don't even think about getting Spartacus on the table. Just...don't.

But, if you have a sense of humor and can enjoy losing to a friend's ruthless and deceiving ways, you'll love it.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:05 pm

Nah, it's not like that at all - it's more of a mechanics issue. If we spend 120+ minutes playing a game where two guys beat up on one guy...so that one of the two bullies can win, I don't think that's a long-term recipe for fun -- particularly if the low man on the pole is knocked out of the game and has to sit there and wait for the other two to finish (not a comment on Spartacus just those types of games in general).

SpaceLord · Post by **SpaceLord** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:12 pm

Shut Up and Shit Down, the funniest gaming video/podcast site, has uploaded a hilarious video review of Terra Mystica, the current hotness on the BGG charts, and my game of the year of 2012. It's here.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:21 pm

Looks interesting. Remus and redrun, you two are falling down on the job.

I'd go out and get some of these game but it seems like I see gamers so little that I just can't warrant buying games for a library that's never used.

Boudreaux · Post by **Boudreaux** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:58 pm

Smoove_B wrote:That's what I tried telling him and pretty much why we've avoided "screw your neighbor" style games for the last three years. Any time we've tried, they seem to turn into exactly what you're describing.

And yet...the game is only $25. The expansion a little over $15. At that price, how can you not at least try it?

However, as mentioned if you're thinned skinned or can't handle sudden and inevitable betrayal, this is not your game. In yesterday's we had a Primus where two of the players matched up on a team together both had gladiators with the Treacherous trait. Which meant that, at any time, either of them could defect and join the other team, turning it into a 3-on-1 slaughter. It looked like they had the advantage though. So they discussed, agreed to stick it out together and not switch sides, SHOOK HANDS OVER THE TABLE, and proceeded to fight. As soon as luck turned and they were on the ropes, one of them immediately switched teams and left the other out to dry. Luckily everyone involved was okay with this kind of gameplay...but it was pretty brutal. Steam was vented hours later. There may be repercussions next game.

Boudreaux · Post by **Boudreaux** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:59 pm

SpaceLord wrote:Shut Up and Shit Down, the funniest gaming video/podcast site...

Hmm...that doesn't sound very amusing.