OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue May 24, 2016 11:49 am

BGG:

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Tue May 24, 2016 11:51 am

Isgrimnur wrote:BGG:

That's pretty damn funny.

YellowKing · Post by **YellowKing** » Thu May 26, 2016 11:18 am

Played two more round of Castle Panic w/ Wizard Expansion. Played with a third this time, as one of the group had not played the expansion yet.

First game went very well. Every time we were facing down a strong wave, we'd draw the perfect Wizard card and stave off defeat. We won fairly handily, and I was beginning to think that with three wins in a row that even the expansion was too easy.

The second game got worrisome, however. We were drawing all the weak monsters out of the bag up front, and halfway through the game we had not even lost a wall. We knew we were about to get slammed with the heavy hitters, so we were hoarding up good wizard cards.

Doom did indeed hit, and we found ourselves suddenly facing a huge final wave. After a couple of bad hands, we had two castle towers and our mage tower left, and two walls. We had four monsters in the castle ring, including a 4 HP ogre. It looked really grim. We basically had one turn to pull off a miracle.

There were two tokens left in the bag. I knew one was a Giant Boulder. "Hey," I said to one of our group (Terry). "If you draw the Giant Boulder and roll a 6, we will win this game. It will roll through, crush everything, and we win. Otherwise, we are screwed."

He reaches in and......draws a damn orc mage. Creatures move, our towers are destroyed, game over. Our first humiliating loss.

So just for fun Terry draws the last token (the Giant Boulder) and says, "Let's just see if we would have won..." He rolls the die, and of course rolls a 6 which would have been the miracle that would have won the game. We literally lost by one token draw. There were loud groans and laughter all around.

So we did learn that the Wizard Tower can hand you a loss, though given the fact that we still could have won that last game I still find it to be fairly easy. Next up is Dark Titan (by itself) to see what challenge factor that adds. If we can beat that one consistently, we'll combine the two for the ultimate challenge.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Thu May 26, 2016 3:28 pm

Got Castle Panic, Ticket to Ride, and Blokus yesterday so I'd have them for the long weekend. Already played 3 games of Blokus with my 9.10 and 6.9 year olds. The youngest had issues with it, but the oldest really seemed to be getting into it. I was playing two positions and totaling up all the pieces I had left, so I was consistently losing. Had I only counted my worst position, I would have won some and lost some. Fun.

Tomorrow I hope to get in some Castle Panic and then Ticket to Ride over the weekend.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Fri May 27, 2016 9:48 am

Finally managed to get Death Angel to the table and rather enjoyed it. For people that hate random events and die rolling, this game is likely a nightmare, but I think those elements help with the immersion because as soldiers, you never really know what to expect. It's a hard game and rather unforgiving, but somehow while learning it we managed to actually win. Of course, only 2 out of the 8 Space Marines survived, but that's still a win for the Emperor. Anyway I know people gush over the solo play, but I enjoyed it two player. I'm also pretty impressed with the amount of game in such a tiny box.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Fri May 27, 2016 10:58 am

I love Death Angel. It's a great beer and pretzels game on a rainy afternoon when no one else can get away.

If you wanna be impressed by small box/big game play, you should check out any of Phil Eklund's games (Pax Porfiriana, Greenland, Neanderthal, etc.). They'll melt your face off with their intensity/depth.

You know what, let's just plan on you attending the next Octocon in the fall. That way we can show you all these games we talk about. Okay?

Good, it's settled then.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Fri May 27, 2016 2:28 pm

Would if I could. I cringe when I see the dates for both the Spring and Fall Octocons as they're always during really bad family or work times for me. As long as they continue to happen I'm moving closer to a "I can actually do this" than a "That's never going to work" mentality. Plus I hear there's someone that keeps a house full of snacks and beer for people that randomly drop by.

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Fri May 27, 2016 2:38 pm

There's always GenCon and Origins.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Fri May 27, 2016 3:34 pm

First and foremost, F Ohio.

My buddy and l attend a gaming convention here in NJ every July and we've looked into GenCon. When I see pictures...I'm not sure I could handle it as I do everything in my power to avoid crowds.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri May 27, 2016 5:45 pm

I'd say there's BGG.con, but seeing as it sold out in two hours, there's not much chance of me making it back there anytime soon unless shit changes. There's the spring event, but who wants to be in Texas in late May?

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Fri May 27, 2016 6:04 pm

I don't go to Ohio, I go to their convention center and live there for a few days. The crowds are smaller and the gaming easier. And we'll cajole RMC into coming again one year.

My wife has family in NJ again. When is the convention?

Last time I was in Texas, I had heatstroke from walking near the Austin campus. And the other BGG.con is squarely during tax season. Both impossible.

Chrisoc13 · Post by **Chrisoc13** » Fri May 27, 2016 6:06 pm

NJ is closer to me... Where is this convention?

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Sat May 28, 2016 6:46 am

Smoove_B wrote:First and foremost, F Ohio.
.

Offer rescinded. Now, go threaten a store owner or something, Tony Soprano.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Sat May 28, 2016 9:56 am

Apparently my sarcasm over Ohio is lost in the gaming forum.

The convention is NJ is Dexcon, and this year it's a week earlier than usual (it usually happens on or around 7/4). I'd say it's primarily a convention for playing RPGs, but they do have lots of board and miniature gaming going on, though the board gaming options aren't likely as "deep" as I'd imagine you'd see at a larger convention. I think overall the convention is at a weird size where sometimes it feels empty but other times (usually Friday afternoon and Saturday) it's absolutely packed.

Chrisoc13 · Post by **Chrisoc13** » Sat May 28, 2016 10:39 am

Last night our group played Chicago express for the first time. You invest in stock shares for different rail lines and then advance the rail lines across the map. It's a fast but really enjoyable game. I ended up picking up almost all of one lines shares which I expanded all the way across the board and then one of the most successful lines without ever building the infrastructure. It carried me to the victory (or rather my opponents investing in it did). Really fun game.

Next up was a game of the expert version of quadropolis which I always enjoy.

Then third was a game of Medina. Abstract city building game. You lay down wood pieces to build castles. But anyone can claim the castles but as soon as they do they can't grow anymore. The bigger the castle the more they score so you have to time it carefully. You want to build bigger castles but stop at just the right time so nobody steals your big castle. Fun quick abstract game. Highly recommended.

baelthazar · Post by **baelthazar** » Sat May 28, 2016 3:20 pm

Hey... The buckeye ratio is high here, so peeps better respect. If anyone wants to meet up at Epic Loot in Centerville on the way to Columbus for a game (Star wars rebellion maybe) let me know!

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Sun May 29, 2016 10:10 am

And most of us are only the second generation to walk upright, so you do not wanna mess with us.

Archinerd · Post by **Archinerd** » Sun May 29, 2016 11:13 am

Chrisoc13 wrote:Last night our group played Chicago express for the first time. You invest in stock shares for different rail lines and then advance the rail lines across the map. It's a fast but really enjoyable game. I ended up picking up almost all of one lines shares which I expanded all the way across the board and then one of the most successful lines without ever building the infrastructure. It carried me to the victory (or rather my opponents investing in it did). Really fun game.

Great game, I really should try to get this on the table more often. It's not even that big of a time commitment, from my experience most games are right around the 90 min. mark.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Sun May 29, 2016 3:39 pm

Actually managed to get my physical copy of Shadows of Brimstone onto the table last night. Some bad rolls at crucial times made it a lot longer than it might have been. But we got pretty lucky on the fights. Nothing too tough. We came really close to losing on the Hold Back the Darkness rolls. But nailed it at the end. At least one of the new players enjoyed it, so maybe it will make the table again.

Still hating the "player", but loving the game.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Sun May 29, 2016 3:55 pm

I'm going to drag my copy out of the closet this summer and update it with some of the fan made mods. The community seems to still be pretty active for this one, and they've got some great ideas.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Sun May 29, 2016 5:40 pm

I printed up some gold/xp trackers and laminated them. I also picked up some dry erase markers. They worked well last night. Made tracking those much easier.

Chaosraven · Post by **Chaosraven** » Sun May 29, 2016 7:50 pm

Codenames with my parents, sister and bro-in-law, and friend Steve today.

They all enjoyed it immensely, thanks Octobamacon.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Tue May 31, 2016 12:03 pm

stessier wrote:Got Castle Panic, Ticket to Ride, and Blokus yesterday so I'd have them for the long weekend. Already played 3 games of Blokus with my 9.10 and 6.9 year olds. The youngest had issues with it, but the oldest really seemed to be getting into it. I was playing two positions and totaling up all the pieces I had left, so I was consistently losing. Had I only counted my worst position, I would have won some and lost some. Fun.

Tomorrow I hope to get in some Castle Panic and then Ticket to Ride over the weekend.

Update - we played all 3. I really enjoy Blokus and so did my wife and 9.10 year old. The 6.10 year old can play, but she doesn't really have a strategy, per se. Still, she enjoyed being included even if she always lost.

My wife, 9.10 year old, and I also enjoyed Ticket To Ride. We only got to play once, but it was quite fun. I think the next game will be even more fun as we now realize the fun that can be had in screwing each other on the easy rail paths. I ended up winning, but only because I completed LA to NY with my last 6 trains. I went from having to subtract 21 points to getting 21 points. At 42 point swing is going to be deciding in many games, I would imagine.

The crowd favorite, though, was Castle Panic. I played the first game with just my 9.10 year old and we won with 4 towers standing. It was tense throughout, though. In the second game, the whole family was playing and about half way through, my oldest drew the "draw four more monsters" - one of which was "draw three more monsters" Of all those cards, 3 of the bosses came out. It was pretty ugly from there on out and everyone was loving just how futile the whole things was. My favorite was my wife going right after that horrible monster draw got the "Knight Plague" right after we spent the whole turn setting up our knight play. The last tower fell with 8 monsters on the board and none in the monster pile.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Tue May 31, 2016 1:01 pm

stessier wrote:My wife, 9.10 year old, and I also enjoyed Ticket To Ride. We only got to play once, but it was quite fun. I think the next game will be even more fun as we now realize the fun that can be had in screwing each other on the easy rail paths. I ended up winning, but only because I completed LA to NY with my last 6 trains. I went from having to subtract 21 points to getting 21 points. At 42 point swing is going to be deciding in many games, I would imagine.

Beware screwing with your 9 year old. Ours thought it was funny when he did it but there were real tears when I joked of doing it to him. We had a good talk about sportsmanship there.

RMC · Post by **RMC** » Tue May 31, 2016 2:53 pm

Smoove_B wrote:First and foremost, F Ohio.

My buddy and l attend a gaming convention here in NJ every July and we've looked into GenCon. When I see pictures...I'm not sure I could handle it as I do everything in my power to avoid crowds.

Hey, Ohio is better than NJ. And that is not exactly a ringing endorsement for either state.

RMC · Post by **RMC** » Tue May 31, 2016 2:54 pm

Zarathud wrote:I don't go to Ohio, I go to their convention center and live there for a few days. The crowds are smaller and the gaming easier. And we'll cajole RMC into coming again one year.

My wife has family in NJ again. When is the convention?

Last time I was in Texas, I had heatstroke from walking near the Austin campus. And the other BGG.con is squarely during tax season. Both impossible.

Yeah, I am trying to get moola and time to go again. I might actually get the wife and kids to make a day trip to Origins this year, just to stop in and say Hi to you and Hep. I'll email you both when I get it all worked out.

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 12:29 am

We promise a 50% likelihood of wearing pants.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:51 am

what's this "we" crap? you don't speak for me. I'll sashay around the convention in a thong and a pair of cowboy boots if I want to, damn it.

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:35 am

Like I said 50% chance of pants among us -- 100% + 0% / 2.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:40 am

Just for that, I'm even losing the chaps.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 3:00 pm

Zombicide: Black Plague showed up on my doorstep today. There's the incentive I was looking for to clear off the dining room table.

And I really need to move forward on trying to make my own foam core inserts. There is a lot of stuff in that box!

Archinerd · Post by **Archinerd** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 3:12 pm

I played a few games with my brother's kids (6&4) last weekend.

Patchwork - both caught on quick and understood how to play. Went over very well. The youngest even taught his dad how to play while I played a game of Ashes w/ his brother.

Ashes of the Phoenixborn w/ the 6 y.o. He's been playing MTG & Netrunner for a few years now so this one was easy to teach him. I beat him pretty solidly though, which is good because he usually wins when we play Magic with his Goblin deck.

Fish Eat Fish They taught me this one, which isn't a terrible game. Especially since I won. You got pwned* kiddies!

*I don't think people actually say this anymore, I haven't seen it in awhile.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 3:15 pm

TheMix wrote:Zombicide: Black Plague showed up on my doorstep today. There's the incentive I was looking for to clear off the dining room table.

And I really need to move forward on trying to make my own foam core inserts. There is a lot of stuff in that box!

Do it and take pics. My second shipment should be showing up tomorrow.

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 3:27 pm

I tried out Nations for the first time this weekend. I played with two others and since it was our first game we only played through the 3rd age, but it still took 2.5 hours. Near the end, though, we were finishing each round within about 15 minutes. I suspect that when we play again, it'll go a lot faster. Despite realizing the next day that we got a few rules wrong and despite getting my ass kicked, I liked it. I really appreciate that there are additional cards that can be added to the game as you get more familiar with it. Of the two friends I played with, one liked it and one disliked it. But I think she disliked it mainly because she was a bit drunk. Hopefully I'll convince her to give it another shot...

Chrisoc13 · Post by **Chrisoc13** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 5:36 pm

coopasonic wrote:
TheMix wrote:Zombicide: Black Plague showed up on my doorstep today. There's the incentive I was looking for to clear off the dining room table.

And I really need to move forward on trying to make my own foam core inserts. There is a lot of stuff in that box!
Do it and take pics. My second shipment should be showing up tomorrow.

Are you getting teaching information? I haven't received a shipping notice but I didn't with the ultimate survivors either.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 6:36 pm

I don't think I got notice of it shipping. Just looked outside this morning and the box was sitting on the front stoop.

All of it:
http://i.imgur.com/ikHOWkZ.jpg

The Knight Pack:
http://i.imgur.com/LsXIikJ.jpg

The Huntsman Pack:
http://i.imgur.com/QGnEhcT.jpg

The Special Guests:
http://i.imgur.com/ZQ27rC8.jpg

The extras:
http://i.imgur.com/ZQ27rC8.jpg

I tried embedding the images, but unlike when I do it on the movie thread, they were YUGE! So I put the links instead.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 7:11 pm

Chrisoc13 wrote:
coopasonic wrote:
TheMix wrote:Zombicide: Black Plague showed up on my doorstep today. There's the incentive I was looking for to clear off the dining room table.

And I really need to move forward on trying to make my own foam core inserts. There is a lot of stuff in that box!
Do it and take pics. My second shipment should be showing up tomorrow.
Are you getting teaching information? I haven't received a shipping notice but I didn't with the ultimate survivors either.

They didn't send shipping info, but I have a fedex account and got notification from fedex of the package headed my way.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:43 am

Saturday I met up with Archinerd (and Siljanus eventually) and a few others for a day of gaming.

First up was a game of The Gallerist. This overproduced game of running an art gallery is, at its core, a worker placement game. I say overproduced because the quality of the components is just ridiculously good. Everything is on thick counters...even stuff that could easily have been put on much cheaper cards. Heck, the game even includes three miniature wooden easels to display the end game art pieces.

But I digress. The game is, as I said, a worker placement game. But you have a lot to do each turn. You can buy pieces from the artists to display them in your gallery, sell them, promote the artists, hire assistants, attend an international auction...you rarely feel like your turn is wasted (although to be fair, I did feel that way towards the end of the game).

The only downside is the length. But that was probably more to due with learning the rules, having one player drop out about 2 hours into the game (after failing to inform us earlier that this was a possibility

) and the ensuing scramble to find a replacement and get him up to speed.

All in all, I liked it though. I'd definitely play it again.

After a quick lunch, we returned and played a game of The Big Book of Madness. It's a deck builder, set collector, coop that has players trying to defeat a group of monsters while dealing with the curses they bring with them. It's fun, but I was a little burnt out at that point after a grueling 4 hours or so of The Gallerist.

After that, folks started to clear out. As I was packing up, I decided to stick around for one game of 13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis though.

I'd been waiting on this one, so when I saw it on the shelves of our FLGS that morning, I immediately snatched it up. It's billed as a 45 minute version of Twilight Struggle...and I have to say, they've almost nailed it. You get almost the same tense decision about what to do with cards (play them for command points - ops in TS, or for the event...if you play them for command points and the card isn't yours, you opponent gets to perform the event, etc.), what areas to fight over, and how to handle the threat of nuclear devastation.

I was beaten..badly of course...but I enjoyed it all the same. The rules could be a bit more precise in its language, and I still am not sure about how one area that is also a card in the deck is handled, but I can see this one being perfect for lugging around to conventions for quick two player games in between sessions.

However, I must say, for 40 bucks, you don't get much. It's a small company behind it, so they charge a premium. I also wish they'd put it in a smaller box instead of using what looks like a chocolate candy box and then stuffing it with cardboard to fill in the unused space. I'll probably just toss that box and get something smaller to transport it.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:46 am

In a slightly lighter gaming weekend than hepcat's, I taught X(10) to play Splendor and then annihilated him. He took it in good spirits and now that he knows what he is doing is ready to give it another go.

AWS260 · Post by **AWS260** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 11:26 pm

The good news is that I bested Dawn of the Zeds. The people of Farmingdale held out against the Zed menace long enough for help to arrive, and only half of the town's civilians died in the process!

Each of the town's heroes played a critical role in the desperate struggle (except for Captain Piazza, who was overrun early on). Mr. Johnson kept us supplied with ammo before blasting away with his shotgun during the town's last stand. The mayor's motivational speech was crucial in a final push to keep the town center clear. Sheriff Hunt showed up late and plugged a critical gap in the perimeter. And Deputy Schmidt was a jack-of-all-trades, regularly putting his life on the line.

The bad news is that I was only playing the introductory "basic" game, and even that took a couple of tries to achieve victory. I have a feeling that the more advanced levels are going to hurt.