[Chip Theory Games] The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era

[MattBGH]

The game has started to fulfill to backers. I wrote my thoughts on it after playing it solo if anyone is still interested: The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era Review

I could probably find this info elsewhere, but since you're here!

Does the specially designed card holder accommodate sleeved cards?

Excellent review btw.

I'm not a sleever, but I'm going to say it wasn't designed for that. The storage boxes are already crammed full unsleeved. The cardholder slots leave less than 1/16 inch of room on each side unsleeved and the largest deck (common item cards) fills 3/4 of its cardholder slot. Like hepcat mentioned, the PVC cards are very durable and slippery.

[hepcat]

I remember when TMB first came out they'd make videos of their staff playing the game underwater in a pool.

[Skinypupy]

I think I've played enough to give a few thoughts on this one.

What I Love
The game has incredible depth. The options for character builds, quests, equipment, and playstyles is truly astounding. If you buy this game and it clicks for you, then it may be the only game you need to buy for the next several years...there's that much content in the box.

As always with CTG, the production values and the components are absolutely just through the roof. Everything looks absolutely beautiful on the table. I also found it to be a remarkably well-designed game. The Dized tutorial was easy to get through, the rule book was very clear, and I had little trouble figuring out how to play. After a few other recent games with truly terrible rulebooks, this was a welcome change.

I really like the way you get to fully customize how your character develops. Between choosing skills and then deciding which skill line to advance with XP makes for a very compelling leveling process throughout the game. And the build flexibility is truly unlimited. You can create any sort of character you'd like (as long as it's a Stealth Archer )

I also love that it isn't a single, huge, 100 hour campaign that I'll never finish. Each game is broken down into three "sessions" and once you complete that, you're done and you re-roll. Keeping games smaller while still feeling chunky and impactful was a great choice, imo. There's lots of really cool side stories, quests, and encounters that constantly keep things random and interesting.

They did an amazing job with the Elder Scrolls theme and an even better job incorporating into each specific zone. The way it all ties into how the game plays is really quite incredible. Here's one example: In ESO, Cyrodil is the PvP and WvW zone. So the unique zone mechanic in the board game involves different factions gaining and losing power throughout the scenario, which affects combat, town actions, etc. It matches perfectly what happens in that zone in the video game. I can't praise the way they used the license highly enough. Probably the best use of a license in ANY board game that I've ever seen, tbh.

What I Don't Love
As I get older, I have become less and less interested in games that have layers within layers within layers within layers of complexity, and this game falls squarely in that category. Even seemingly simple decisions require you to factor in 73 different factors to determine potential outcomes, all of which could be derailed by the dice roll. This gets especially bad as you get into the third session with higher level characters. With a half dozen different skill lines that each have multiple ability dice, racial abilities, class abilities, dungeon or skirmish restrictions, status effects, enemy skills, it can all get overwhelming very quickly. Everything in the game is incredibly well designed and documented, mind you, but it honestly just kinda hurts my brain to even think about. I find that I much prefer the simplicity of Session 1 (when both the characters and enemies are less complex) far more than the advanced calculus required for every. single. move. by the time you get into Session 3. If you're a gamer who loves complexity, this is probably one of your best options.

In addition to the complexity, I find the game to be insanely difficult. If you get unlucky in your rolls, you can often end up nearly dead and entirely crippled before a battle even really gets started. There are just SO many different things trying to kill you at any given moment. To me, the constant barrage of status effects and zone/delve effects feel overly punitive, so I house rule out a few of those things just so I can actually have fun. YMMV here, but I found it to be way too difficult.

Grade: B+
All in all, I think it's a fantastic, well-designed, challenging game. Definitely not disappointed I backed it, as I've already put 20-30 hours that I have mostly enjoyed. However, it's also a game that doesn't quite connect with my personal tastes. I'm sure I'll spend lots more time with it, but it's very unlikely that I'll ever fully "finish" one of the campaigns, even though they're shorter than most. It just gets far too complex for me to manage at the higher levels.

[Fishbelly]

I'm still waiting to get my copy, as I was one of the unlucky backers still waiting for the last shipping container to arrive. Most of the gameplay comments lead me to believe I'll love the game. I'm a big Too Many Bones fan, so I'm already predisposed to enjoy the experience.

Unfortunatey, I've had to buy a new keyboard, having worn out my F5 key since the beginning of January . . . checking UPS again and AGAIN for a shipping label from Chip Theory. [checks once again--nope! Maybe tomorrow!]

[Smoove_B]

If I could wave a magic wand and convert my entire Too Many Bones collection into this game, I think I might. Not really sure what to do with that feeling.

[hepcat]

Let it rise up in you like a red tide of rage until you feel like you’re going to burst open from the pressure…

…then friggin’ play Purple Haze finally.

[Fishbelly]

I am a bit worried that BotSE will replace Too Many Bones for me. Not sure why I'm worried, as I've gotten years of enjoyment out of TMB. It's ok to move on . . . right?

[hepcat]

The character customization isn’t as deep as TMB, even though it’s still deeper than most games. In TMB you can play the same character a dozen times and build them differently each game. I don’t see that happening with Elder Scrolls.

Again, I’m not damning Elder Scrolls, as I love not being confined to a chessboard for each battle. But I think they’re different enough that you’ll still get the itch to go back to TMB every now and again.

[baelthazar]

I'm still waiting to get my copy, as I was one of the unlucky backers still waiting for the last shipping container to arrive. Most of the gameplay comments lead me to believe I'll love the game. I'm a big Too Many Bones fan, so I'm already predisposed to enjoy the experience.

Unfortunatey, I've had to buy a new keyboard, having worn out my F5 key since the beginning of January . . . checking UPS again and AGAIN for a shipping label from Chip Theory. [checks once again--nope! Maybe tomorrow!]

Me too, Fishbelly. Still waiting.

[Skinypupy]

If I could wave a magic wand and convert my entire Too Many Bones collection into this game, I think I might. Not really sure what to do with that feeling.

I probably should have mentioned that in my comments.

I was never a big fan of TMB, mainly due to the level of complexity. I feel like Elder Scrolls does a good job of streamlining some of that to make the game palatable for non-strategic dolts like me. However, even a trimmed down version means it’s more complex than nearly every other game in my collection.

If you liked TMB, I’m 99% certain you like this as well.

And for those of you still waiting, I’m sorry. That really sucks. I can promise it’ll be worth the wait though.

[Fardaza]

Do people sleeve CTG cards? They're already made out of a material that is more damage resistant than any sleeve, as far as I can tell. They're water proof and tear resistant right out of the box.

Maybe because they're a bit slippery? But even then, I think sleeves would actually be more so.

I didn't know this! That sounds pretty good, except for the slippery part.

[hepcat]

I know someone that washed chocolate off one of the cards in TMB in the sink and you can’t even tell.

[TheMix]

I know someone that washed chocolate off one of the cards in TMB in the sink and you can’t even tell.

That's a funny way to spell "licked"....

[Fishbelly]

Do people sleeve CTG cards? They're already made out of a material that is more damage resistant than any sleeve, as far as I can tell. They're water proof and tear resistant right out of the box.

Maybe because they're a bit slippery? But even then, I think sleeves would actually be more so.

I didn't know this! That sounds pretty good, except for the slippery part.

The only people I know who sleeve CTG cards are those who just love the feel of sleeves. Their pvd cards are so durable--more so than sleeves. If you are a diehard sleever, it's possible that you simply prefer the tactile feel of sleeves. But I honestly believe if you give pvc cards a chance, you'll see that while they feel a bit different, they are quite wonderful in their own way and serve the same purpose as sleeves.

[hepcat]

…also, you can get a slight high off them when you first open a pack.

[hepcat]

I know someone that washed chocolate off one of the cards in TMB in the sink and you can’t even tell.

That's a funny way to spell "licked"....

I've heard stories of prisoners in state penitentiaries who have keistered CTG games into their cellblocks and you can't even tell.

[Fardaza]

I've heard stories of prisoners in state penitentiaries who have keistered CTG games into their cellblocks and you can't even tell.

Eeeeewwwwwww

[baelthazar]

I know someone that washed chocolate off one of the cards in TMB in the sink and you can’t even tell.

When they sent out an update pack for Cloudspire, I took one of the replaced cards and held it underwater. No damage at all.

That said, are the Hoplomachus cards the same material? They feel different.