Octopus Overlords

Posted: **Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:30 pm**

hentzau wrote:Advanced rule. SO much more fun than beginner rules. I still have a dream of running a 6 player, 3 team scored race on 3 different tracks some day.

A single lap at our local meetup takes 2 freaking hours. Running a second lap is a dream for me. Racing with advanced rules is something I'll do one day. 4 hours once a quarter is not enough board game time!

Posted: **Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:35 pm**

coopasonic wrote:
hentzau wrote:Advanced rule. SO much more fun than beginner rules. I still have a dream of running a 6 player, 3 team scored race on 3 different tracks some day.
A single lap at our local meetup takes 2 freaking hours. Running a second lap is a dream for me. Racing with advanced rules is something I'll do one day. 4 hours once a quarter is not enough board game time!

How many people are you running with? We did a 4 player game in about an hour and a half.

Posted: **Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:42 pm**

hentzau wrote:
coopasonic wrote:
hentzau wrote:Advanced rule. SO much more fun than beginner rules. I still have a dream of running a 6 player, 3 team scored race on 3 different tracks some day.
A single lap at our local meetup takes 2 freaking hours. Running a second lap is a dream for me. Racing with advanced rules is something I'll do one day. 4 hours once a quarter is not enough board game time!
How many people are you running with? We did a 4 player game in about an hour and a half.

I think we had 6 the last time. I think 3 of the 6 had ever played before, though really after the first corner you should have all the experience you need. Maybe the advanced rules would player faster since people wouldn't be as likely to plan out their overshoot damage.

Posted: **Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:43 pm**

I believe out last attempt was with 6 gamers, only myself and coop being familiar with the game. Explanation takes some time, not to mention the AP for the noobs. And the gamers at this venue are some of the less experienced ones.

The guys that meet at the Tuesday night group are also part of the Dallas Games Marathon, which seems scheduled to be the same dates as our normal get together at Fuddruckers.

Posted: **Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:52 pm**

Isgrimnur wrote:The guys that meet at the Tuesday night group are also part of the Dallas Games Marathon, which seems scheduled to be the same dates as our normal get together at Fuddruckers.

That's not terribly far from me... it does require I get off the highways, which Fuddrucker's doesn't, but a 14 hour gaming Saturday would be awesome.

Posted: **Mon Mar 05, 2012 3:06 pm**

There is a cover charge or membership fee, so it's a bit more of a wallet hit, but given the massive amount of goodness to be had and, given what I saw Tuesday, the higher quality of gamers, I'm willing to change to that venue.

Posted: **Mon Mar 05, 2012 3:11 pm**

Isgrimnur wrote:There is a cover charge or membership fee, so it's a bit more of a wallet hit, but given the massive amount of goodness to be had and, given what I saw Tuesday, the higher quality of gamers, I'm willing to change to that venue.

A wallet hit? Heh.

Posted: **Mon Mar 05, 2012 3:13 pm**

Yeah, I wasn't actually concerned that you'd have an issue with it, just wanted to make sure you knew going in before getting hit up for $20 at the door.

They maintain BGG lists of games that people want to play for each monthly gathering, so you can add stuff you're bringing. I noted one person specifically mentioned that they didn't own a game, but would be willing to teach the game to others.

Posted: **Mon Mar 05, 2012 4:57 pm**

Games Played at Octocon:

Friday Night:

Dragon Rampage (SO close to making it out of the dungeon. One more step, but I was denied.)
Forbidden Island (we lost)
Quarriors (lost)
Sentinels of the Multiverse (got our asses kicked)(First game, not 100% sure we were playing it right)

Saturday:

Risk Express (my DIY copy, really enjoyed this for a quick 20 minute filler game)
Formula D (crashed spectacularly 1/3 of the way through the second lap)
Crokinole (of course)
Forbidden Island (won this time)
Defenders of the Realm (Varkolak can just bite me)
Risk Express (again)
Leiwong (DIY again, not as fun as Risk Express, but a nice filler)
Star Trek DBG (Hep lucked out, got a ship on his first turn, and we couldn't catch up.)
Roll through the Ages (Won this one)
Wings of War (Allies were victorious, lost 1 plane to 3)

Posted: **Mon Mar 05, 2012 8:07 pm**

I got to play a 4 player game of the Dune reprint Rex. It was fun, but would have been more fun with 5-6.

The really winner Saturday was Risk: Legacy. That game is downright brilliant. It takes stale boring Risk and gives you a reason to keep playing! When you finish a few games, you really feel like you have made a huge impact on the world. I love it!

Posted: **Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:46 am**

hentzau wrote: Star Trek DBG (Hep lucked out, got a ship on his first turn, and we couldn't catch up.)

For future reference, you must match or exceed BOTH SPEED AND DIPLOMACY to take a ship over(p16).

And when your ship gets blown up, you discard your hand, your bridge, and shuffle the discard pile into your deck and draw 5 new cards along with the new Ensign card (p17).

And yes, this means I traded cards today and picked up all the doggone ST DBG stuff the store had (they were nice enough to have the Q and Picard for me).

And then went and played it with my son and a couple of our friends.

Posted: **Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:16 am**

I had forgotten about the discard and reshuffle entire deck, but must have glossed over the need for both speed AND diplomacy to commandeer a ship as I don't think we've ever done that...although I easily had that in our game as the ship was only speed of 2. Nice catch though. I need to remember that.

Did you get both games then?

Posted: **Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:53 am**

Chaosraven wrote:
hentzau wrote: Star Trek DBG (Hep lucked out, got a ship on his first turn, and we couldn't catch up.)
For future reference, you must match or exceed BOTH SPEED AND DIPLOMACY to take a ship over(p16).

And when your ship gets blown up, you discard your hand, your bridge, and shuffle the discard pile into your deck and draw 5 new cards along with the new Ensign card (p17).

And yes, this means I traded cards today and picked up all the doggone ST DBG stuff the store had (they were nice enough to have the Q and Picard for me).

And then went and played it with my son and a couple of our friends.

When do we play? I'm fairly open this week and weekend. But if we play on weeknight we should start early by your standards (no later than 19:00 at the latest).

Posted: **Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:58 am**

I was going to point that out to you too, Hep. I played with Tommy and Stuart last night, and came across the bit about having to match both speed and diplomacy.

And it seemed that, once again, the first guy to get a ship really continues to rule the roost. Got a game in in about 2.5 hours (after a rules refresh with Tom and Stuart), and Tom beat us, 425-350-250. I was in striking distance, but Stuart played about the first 2/3rds of the game with the starting ship and just couldn't get going until he captured one of the Enterprises.

Posted: **Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:48 am**

The new ships in The Next Phase (the stand alone expansion) seem designed to address that. There are quite a few ships that are lower cost in terms of diplomacy. I include all 30 ships so that there's a gradual increase in the available ships by diplomacy ratings, but some folks actually just replace the ships from the base game with the next phase ships.

There are quite a few games that you have to "tech up" in order to win, so I don't think it's as big a deal as people think. From reading the boards, some players just eschew acquiring new ships altogether and just ramp up their attack and speed cards to win. So that's a viable option.

I think I may have played the speed and diplomacy ratings rule for taking new flagships at one time, but over the course of numerous games I guess I just forgot about it and haven't done so in probably my last half dozen games. I'll be sure to remember it now, though. When you get TOO familiar with a game there's a danger that you don't refer to the rulebook anymore for refreshers and you just go on what you think is the right way.

Posted: **Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:10 am**

LordMortis wrote: When do we play? I'm fairly open this week and weekend. But if we play on weeknight we should start early by your standards (no later than 19:00 at the latest).

Remus is up for Thursday. I am up for any night

Posted: **Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:54 am**

Chaosraven wrote:
LordMortis wrote: When do we play? I'm fairly open this week and weekend. But if we play on weeknight we should start early by your standards (no later than 19:00 at the latest).
Remus is up for Thursday. I am up for any night

Tonight? I can be pretty much anywhere in SE Michigan by around 17:30, so we can start any time between then and 19:00. Too bad I don't know any bartenders that work on Tuesday. But then I'm not sure I could read the text on the card in bar lighting.

I can also be available on Thursday... And Wednesday... And Friday... And Saturday... And Sunday...

Man, I need a life. At least I know I'm in for a relaxing week.

Posted: **Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:18 pm**

Reading the Bandai Rules FAQ, it would appear that EXPLORE is used to
(a) Flip the top card - if an event or Starship, resolve it, if a Mission place it in Mission Area
(b) Complete a Faceup Mission

So the +1 Explore is the option to flip up another, or Complete a Mission.

Perform an Explore – Each player starts their turn with 1 free Explore. To perform an Explore, you flip the top card of the Space Deck and proceed in 1 of several ways based on the type of card you flipped. (See page XX for an explanation of the types of cards that you can flip and what to do). You can perform additional Explores if you have an effect that gives you an additional Explore. You may also spend an Explore, to complete a face up Mission. Some effects will give you +1 Mission Explore. These explores can only be spent to complete face up Missions. Exploring the Space Deck and completing Missions is the main way for you to gain Mission Points and win the game.

Mission Flipped From The Space Deck
Apply its FLIP effect when flipped from the Space Deck, if any.
If it deals damage, it can be reduced by Shields that have already been played.
If it causes a defeat, apply the defeat rules after moving it to the Mission Area and applying any effect it may have.
Move it to the Mission Area.
If there are already 2 Missions in the Mission Area, move one of those 2 Missions to the bottom of the Space Deck.
If you receive +1 Explore, you may continue to explore the Space Deck or complete a Mission in the Mission Area.
If you receive +1 Mission Explore, you may only complete a Mission in the Mission Area.

You may also spend an Explore, to complete a face up Mission

Which sounds like rather than PERFORM (flip), you SPEND to simply complete a FaceUp.

Posted: **Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:24 pm**

Which is how we played it.

Posted: **Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:32 pm**

hepcat wrote:Which is how we played it.

Yessir, I don't always point out the Wrong Answers

And your opening that Game included a LT and Evasive Manuevers for a +2 Speed, I believe so you had enough speed, just that it needs to be checked for Diplomacizing a Starship.

Posted: **Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:35 pm**

Spent the eve and morn reading and analyzing the Borg, Borg II, Klingon, and Romulan alternate play.

Posted: **Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:39 pm**

Seppe and I tried the Borg II coop game and weren't terribly impressed, although there are folks on bgg who swear it's their favorite mode. Personally, I want to try the Romulan Reunification team game.

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:37 am**

Played ST DBG with LordMortis, and a couple friends. Managed to Take Over a Warship after getting my ass kicked a couple times by other ships.

Was at 375 and pulled the Q event for 200 more...

Tomorrow we will play again, possibly trying a Borg scenario.

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:01 am**

Chaosraven wrote:managed to draw all of the ships lordmortis wanted to draw before he got them, ships I then couldn't take over nor best in battle and therefore kicked his ass left right and sideways. HAHA.

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:37 am**

Did you mix the two sets? and more importantly, did you have fun?

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 11:26 am**

hepcat wrote:Did you mix the two sets? and more importantly, did you have fun?

Yes and Yes.

Honestly I had fun Monday Night when I lost too

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:01 pm**

Went to the boardgame meetup last night, and got to learn Cosmic Encounter and Tichu.

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:18 pm**

My deployment that was scheduled for the 17th has been moved back a week, which would potentially free me up for the Saturday of the Dallas Gaming Marathon. That must mean my wife is on call that day or has other plans.

I'll need to investigate further.

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:37 pm**

Isgrimnur wrote:Went to the boardgame meetup last night, and got to learn Cosmic Encounter and Tichu.

Tichu is great. It's also on the iPad. I need to get that and play it.

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:50 pm**

I sucked majorly at it, breaking up a bomb of 10s trying to win a full house battle. Perhaps more attempts to play would help. The extra cards really tripped me up.

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:47 pm**

color me tempted by the Star Trek DBG....just cannot seem to find anything concrete about it on the Geek....

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:28 pm**

It's got it's weaknesses (first person to get a new ship can run away with the game if playing with newer players, the art on the cards look like they were taken from a grainy vhs tape at times, and the manual is atrocious) but it's a great thematic deck builder that should appeal to any star trek fan.

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 11:03 pm**

hepcat wrote:It's got it's weaknesses (first person to get a new ship can run away with the game if playing with newer players, the art on the cards look like they were taken from a grainy vhs tape at times, and the manual is atrocious) but it's a great thematic deck builder that should appeal to any star trek fan.

I think you need to clean your sleeves cuz they look fine without em.

Try taking a couple out and looking at them.

The Cooperative Borg reminds me of playing DnD... each guy has his role to play, Cleric Ship, Bard Ship, and the other three can decide whether they want to be the Paladin (hit and absorb with Shields), the Fighter (attack maneuvers), and the Thief (get cards and redistribute them).

We played it twice tonight and had a great time, apart from continually arguing with the guy who chose the Cleric Ship (when trashing, may trash another players Cards... the BORG or Ensigns obviously) as we had to continue to explain he needed to BUY the damned cards that have a trash effect, while Diplomats went to the guy with the Hand Out Ships to others guy, the guy with shields was designated to absorb the shot, etc. *sigh*

Posted: **Wed Mar 07, 2012 11:04 pm**

MythicalMino wrote:color me tempted by the Star Trek DBG....just cannot seem to find anything concrete about it on the Geek....

Do you like Dominion?

If you like Dominion and have even a passing interest in Star Trek, it's great.

I have taught five more people to play since picking it up upon my return from OctoCon, and will be teaching another tomorrow.

Posted: **Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:53 am**

Chaosraven wrote:
MythicalMino wrote:color me tempted by the Star Trek DBG....just cannot seem to find anything concrete about it on the Geek....
Do you like Dominion?

If you like Dominion and have even a passing interest in Star Trek, it's great.

I have taught five more people to play since picking it up upon my return from OctoCon, and will be teaching another tomorrow.

Ooooh. I know that guy.

Posted: **Thu Mar 08, 2012 10:38 am**

Chaosraven wrote: I think you need to clean your sleeves cuz they look fine without em.

Try taking a couple out and looking at them.

Somehow I doubt that the Romulan race is a dull shade of yellow...unless they've all been sleeping with Pam Anderson.

...which actually might be true, now that I think of it.

Posted: **Thu Mar 08, 2012 10:49 am**

Hep, I wonder if there were different printing because Raven's cards look just fine and yours did seem grainy.

I liked the Co Op game better than than the competitive game but I really think the dynamic of getting a ship unbalances the game, with very little the other players can do slow the ship getter down, and getting a ship is very much the luck of the draw, and finally with the length of the game it seems like things could be a bit more competitive.

I think we are slated to play the basic game again tonight, so we'll see how things go. As I understand the dynamic more I may become more receptive to how things work.

Posted: **Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:12 am**

That is probably the most common complaint about the game that I hear/see. I wonder if you couldn't just remove ships altogether and just play with missions and war events? It would effectively make diplomacy a useless skill for the most part, but there aren't that many cards that are heavily diplomacy...plus you could just search them away if they showed up in starbase.

I personally think that the problem becomes less pronounced with the inclusion of the new ships from the Next Phase expansion and some experience with the game as you can fill your hand with less expensive attack/defense cards for the cost it would take to build up enough diplomacy for the higher level ships that may unbalance play.

In any case, if anyone feels it ruins the game, you can always play the coop modes (as you folks have found out). I need to try it again to see what made our first experience so unimpressive.

Check out the official site for more info on this and other things. Plus the designer Alex is VERY active on bgg.com, answering questions and giving suggestions when prompted.

Posted: **Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:17 am**

hepcat wrote:That is probably the most common complaint about the game that I hear/see. I wonder if you couldn't just remove ships altogether and just play with missions and war events? It would effectively make diplomacy a useless skill for the most part, but there aren't that many cards that are heavily diplomacy...plus you could just search them away if they showed up in starbase.

What I think would be best is to have ships have two values. One to take over and then other to use. so for instance a 7/7/7/12 would become a 3/3/3/12 once you owned it, etc... Ships still a huge goal for moving forward but their just like having a single killer card in your hand every turn instead of being like having two to three killer cards in your hand every turn.

Posted: **Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:29 am**

LordMortis wrote:
hepcat wrote:That is probably the most common complaint about the game that I hear/see. I wonder if you couldn't just remove ships altogether and just play with missions and war events? It would effectively make diplomacy a useless skill for the most part, but there aren't that many cards that are heavily diplomacy...plus you could just search them away if they showed up in starbase.
What I think would be best is to have ships have two values. One to take over and then other to use. so for instance a 7/7/7/12 would become a 3/3/3/12 once you owned it, etc... Ships still a huge goal for moving forward but their just like having a single killer card in your hand every turn instead of being like having two to three killer cards in your hand every turn.

Hmmm, perhaps this is why you gear up towards it... the other day I won after upgrading my ship twice, first to a 333X, then to a 777x. But only after getting my ass kicked at least twice by other starships

Octopus Overlords

OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

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Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

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Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

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Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Re: OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

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