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[Deleted member 20415]

Played Twilight Struggle and San Juan for the first time with AstroLad tonight - A very gracious host and worked with me to understand the rules.

Whipped me in both games, but I had a damn good time.

My farms will beat your chapel next time!!!

 

[platypotamus]

When are you two going to take a board game trip to Seattle? Flynn? Anyone??

 

[Flynn]

When are you two going to take a board game trip to Seattle? Flynn? Anyone??

Funny you should mention that. My board game group will all be going to PAX this year (at the expense of GenCon).

 

[AstroLad]

Most games I play with experienced ticket to riders involve a long stage of card hoarding with no building, followed by people laying down their complete routes over several turns in a row, so that no one knows where they are going.

Yeah, that's exactly how I play on the U.S. map, unless someone is getting a bit too close to a critical route I need. The nice thing about Nordic Countries is that you really have to gogogo (unfortunately it looks to be out of print and a bit pricey now). TtR is still a great gateway/casual game though regardless.

Played Twilight Struggle and San Juan for the first time with AstroLad tonight - A very gracious host and worked with me to understand the rules.

Whipped me in both games, but I had a damn good time.

Violet strategy is unstoppable! Unstoppable!

 

[esbern]

any diplomacy players here? i used to play years ago....that game was fucking evil. we would make a turn every day and the amount of scheming going on is ridiculous.


just played catan for the first time two weeks ago, game is a lot of fun. lots of nice depth in there too.

 

[FnordChan]

any diplomacy players here? i used to play years ago....that game was fucking evil. we would make a turn every day and the amount of scheming going on is ridiculous.

I haven't played since the mid-90s, but Diplomacy was always a great way for you and six other friends to spend an entire day being incredibly pissed off at each other. I'd love to play again sometime, especially now that I've gotten back on the Advanced Civilization wagon.

FnordChan

 

[esbern]

I haven't played since the mid-90s, but Diplomacy was always a great way for you and six other friends to spend an entire day being incredibly pissed off at each other. I'd love to play again sometime, especially now that I've gotten back on the Advanced Civilization wagon.

FnordChan

we could set up an anon one on gaf where we don't communicate. takes too fucking long that way.

 

[Deleted member 20415]

Violet strategy is unstoppable! Unstoppable!
http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2008/un_moments/un_moments_khrushchev.jpg

Your Kruschevian ways might have dominated my Democratic ideals, but next time we face... it will be a different story.

 

[FnordChan]

we could set up an anon one on gaf where we don't communicate. takes too fucking long that way.

Ah, but the communicating and the inevitable backstabbing after hours of setting up a long-term alliance is what makes the game. It just wouldn't be the same.

FnordChan

 

[Flynn]

any diplomacy players here? i used to play years ago....that game was fucking evil. we would make a turn every day and the amount of scheming going on is ridiculous.


just played catan for the first time two weeks ago, game is a lot of fun. lots of nice depth in there too.

You know what's great online? Tigris & Euphrates.

 

[platypotamus]

Funny you should mention that. My board game group will all be going to PAX this year (at the expense of GenCon).

I'm almost certainly attending PAX as well this year. Aside from just boardgaming at the show, GAF should do a drunken meet up.

 

[Flynn]

I'm almost certainly attending PAX as well this year. Aside from just boardgaming at the show, GAF should do a drunken meet up.

That's perfect. You should join us and play a big, multi-hour Euro.

 

[Zalasta]

I'll be spending the entire next week at the beach...playing boardgames!

 

[iapetus]

we could set up an anon one on gaf where we don't communicate. takes too fucking long that way.

Diplomacy without the... diplomacy. An intriguing idea.

 

[Cyan]

we could set up an anon one on gaf where we don't communicate. takes too fucking long that way.

I'm not really that big on Gunboat Diplomacy... but Diplomacy is really the ideal game for playing online/by email/whatever. You can communicate via PMs, work out your moves when you have the time. Process moves every day or two.

We should totally set up a GAF game of Diplomacy.

 

[iapetus]

How about a GAF game of Nomic? Keep looking every now and then, and can't find an up-to-date list of active games. (

 

[Drey1082]

I'm sure this question has been asked here before, but I've been on a gaming kick lately, and I'm looking for fun 2-player games to play with my non-gaming girlfriend. I already picked up lost cities, which is fun and simple, and the Catan card game, which we haven't tried yet due to her lack of enthusiasm after reading the somewhat complicated rules/ tutorial. Strangely enough though, she likes Puerto Rico, and has even played the two player variant with me.

I was thinking Pandemic might be a good option, especially since it's co-op (we both can get a little on the competitive side), seems fairly simple, and has some strategy to it.

Any recommendations?

 

[AstroLad]

I'm sure this question has been asked here before, but I've been on a gaming kick lately, and I'm looking for fun 2-player games to play with my non-gaming girlfriend. I already picked up lost cities, which is fun and simple, and the Catan card game, which we haven't tried yet due to her lack of enthusiasm after reading the somewhat complicated rules/ tutorial. Strangely enough though, she likes Puerto Rico, and has even played the two player variant with me.

I was thinking Pandemic might be a good option, especially since it's co-op (we both can get a little on the competitive side), seems fairly simple, and has some strategy to it.

Any recommendations?

If she likes Puerto Rico, San Juan is a pretty obvious choice. Also check out Mr. Jack and Battle Line. Both light 2p games. Hive is good too if you are into abstract.

Pandemic you can try. I'm not the hugest Pandemic fan (though I am looking forward to the expansion, which seems to spice things up). It is very easy to learn and has some nice hidden depth and challenge, but at first blush many times people seem to feel "that's it?"

 

[XiaNaphryz]

Pandemic you can try. I'm not the hugest Pandemic fan (though I am looking forward to the expansion, which seems to spice things up). It is very easy to learn and has some nice hidden depth and challenge, but at first blush many times people seem to feel "that's it?"

They keep thinking that until they lose a couple games in a row. Then everyone is compelled to try and beat the damn thing, then it starts all over again when you go up a difficulty level. :lol

 

[Eaten By A Grue]

Is Last Night On Earth out of print or something like that? I cannot find it new anywhere except for the publisher's site. $50 is a tad expensive and I do not really feel like bidding on EBay for it either.

 

[Cyan]

How about a GAF game of Nomic? Keep looking every now and then, and can't find an up-to-date list of active games. (

Now that might be cool. Wouldn't have to worry about secret moves or diploming.

I've never actually played Nomic, though it sounds interesting.

 

[Neverfade]

Is Last Night On Earth out of print or something like that? I cannot find it new anywhere except for the publisher's site. $50 is a tad expensive and I do not really feel like bidding on EBay for it either.

It seems like FFP's games ship in large infrequent waves. It was OOS everywhere when I got into boardgaming a few months back and it looks like the cycle is just repeating, from what I gather stores will have another shipment at the end of the month.

it's definitely not OOP, don't think that would be a wise move considering FFP currently produces only two base games.

 

[AstroLad]

I really wish there was a site that had good prices and free shipping on pre-orders. I want Rebel vs. Imperium day one, but I don't want to put in a $100 order and have to wait on the rest forever just because RvI gets delayed past June (which it will) or have to pay $8 in shipping for a ~$20 expansion. Same goes for Ra, On the Brink, and Intrigue.

fwiw Thoughthammer is having some pretty solid deals right now on favorites Ticket to Ride, Bohnanza, Alhambra, Dominion, Memoir '44, and others: http://www.thoughthammer.com/specials.php?osCsid=20e6601b210dfec2bc1e477c6d5151ba (gah I so overpaid to pre-order Touch of Evil).

 

[Shoogoo]

Reporting between 2 games of AH

I have a couple of concerns and again, the rule book (mine is in french, might explain why it's a mess?) doesn't give full answers.

1/ It is said that you can exchange things between characters. I suppose it includes items and money. Can you give clues too?

2a/ What's happening when you step on a spot that has a portal and a monster? Do you have to fight him off before you get in the portal?

2b/ What's happening when you get out of a portal and there is a monster on it? I think you have the choice not to fight it, but I'm not sure

 

[AstroLad]

Reporting between 2 games of AH

I have a couple of concerns and again, the rule book (mine is in french, might explain why it's a mess?) doesn't give full answers.

1/ It is said that you can exchange things between characters. I suppose it includes items and money. Can you give clues too?

2a/ What's happening when you step on a spot that has a portal and a monster? Do you have to fight him off before you get in the portal?

2b/ What's happening when you get out of a portal and there is a monster on it? I think you have the choice not to fight it, but I'm not sure

1/ You cannot exchange clues, only money, items, and spells (and not during combat).

2a&b/ I'm remembering this off the top of my head, and it's been a few months, but most AH questions can be addressed by thinking about the five phases. Combat occurs in Phase II, Movement. Therefore moving onto a gate that has a monster on it, you have to fight the monster first, because you don't get sucked in until Phase III, Arkham Encounters. Now when you're coming back from the Other World, that technically happens during Movement, but you can ignore whatever monster is on that open (now Explored) gate on your initial return--the game gives you a free attempt to close/seal. But regardless you will still have to fight the monster upon leaving (unless you were fortunate and you sealed and the monster at the location had the same symbol as the gate you just sealed).

 

[Shoogoo]

1/ You cannot exchange clues, only money, items, and spells (and not during combat).

2a&b/ I'm remembering this off the top of my head, and it's been a few months, but most AH questions can be addressed by thinking about the five phases. Combat occurs in Phase II, Movement. Therefore moving onto a gate that has a monster on it, you have to fight the monster first, because you don't get sucked in until Phase III, Arkham Encounters. Now when you're coming back from the Other World, that technically happens during Movement, but you can ignore whatever monster is on that open (now Explored) gate on your initial return--the game gives you a free attempt to close/seal. But regardless you will still have to fight the monster upon leaving (unless you were fortunate and you sealed and the monster at the location had the same symbol as the gate you just sealed).

Wow, it's so much more clear when it comes from your keyboard. Thanks.

Oh, and I hate Ashcan Pete and spells in general.

 

[AstroLad]

There is so much stuff to remember in Arkham Horror, but getting a feel for the phases and what happens in each really helps.

EDIT: Also to the guy asking about LNoE, Thoughthammer currently has it up for pre-order for "Q2 2009," so yeah there's a reprint in the offing.

 

[platypotamus]

I really wish there was a site that had good prices and free shipping on pre-orders. I want Rebel vs. Imperium day one, but I don't want to put in a $100 order and have to wait on the rest forever just because RvI gets delayed past June (which it will) or have to pay $8 in shipping for a ~$20 expansion. Same goes for Ra, On the Brink, and Intrigue.

I'm going to give me local shops a shot on Intrigue and Rebel vs Imperium. Hoping at least one of them comes through right away on those. Otherwise I'll have to go Internet on the next round.

 

[Eaten By A Grue]

EDIT: Also to the guy asking about LNoE, Thoughthammer currently has it up for pre-order for "Q2 2009," so yeah there's a reprint in the offing.

Ah cool thanks. I will have to keep an eye out on it.

Just got Citadels with the expansion included. Very eager to try it out with my group of friends.

 

[AstroLad]

Oh nice. Have fun stealing from and killing your friends!

 

[Eaten By A Grue]

Oh nice. Have fun stealing from and killing your friends!

Oh I will. I actually purchased it because of that blurb you wrote about it. My friends and thoroughly enjoy playing games where we can screw each other over and this seemed perfect.

 

[Neverfade]

So...my new "must have it": a crokinole board....

So expensive!

 

[AstroLad]

So...my new "must have it": a crokinole board....

So expensive!

Are you sure you love dexterity based enough for it?

If I was spending $100+ on a single game I'd probably pick up Dune, the old RoboRally expansions, and maybe even Aliens. But then again I'm not huge on dexterity based though I will bust out PitchCar occasionally.

 

[Neverfade]

I'm totally hooked after watching some videos. It just seems so timeless. It's not like I haven't spent a fortune on games already (and on some that will probably see a lot less play times than this).

 

[Neverfade]

Are you sure you love dexterity based enough for it?

If I was spending $100+ on a single game I'd probably pick up Dune, the old RoboRally expansions, and maybe even Aliens. But then again I'm not huge on dexterity based though I will bust out PitchCar occasionally.

Also: I hear FFG might be in the works for a revamp of Dune, albeit with a new theme. Not that huge into Dune to be honest, so no spilt milk.

Robo Rally I have no qualms printing out the expansion maps and mounting it on some cheap cardbord. Not as pretty, but it gets the job done (plus, like i mentioned earlier, my copy is already pretty worn).

And I'd have to do some research into Aliens. Haven't heard of this one.

 

[AstroLad]

Aliens is more of a novelty than anything--a solid licensed co-op game from the late 80s (even has an expansion).

And yeah, my copy of RoboRally is totally thrashed as well.

 

[AstroLad]

SESSION REPORT11
Had a game night with a couple friends who hadn't played games with us before as well as a couple from the usual crew, so 5p casual.

Ticket to Ride (1910 variant): TtR is very easy to learn and consistently fun, so a no-brainer game to kick off the night. Glad we were playing with 1910 because I dislike the teeny standard cards. TtR is never insanely fun like some other games, but it's always good and satisfying. I seem to always win by one or two and somehow drive my wife insane by inadvertently blocking her, both of which I accomplished again tonight.

PitchCar (w/ Extension): Without a doubt the hit of the night. The bridge/tunnel in the Extension adds a lot to the game, and this was absolutely the perfect pick for the crowd we had. People were cheering all of the overly risky attempts to get over the bridge and through the tunnel. A particularly good game when people have just been drinking through a modestly long game of TtR.

Wits & Wagers: My preferred party nightcap at this point. I think my favorite thing is that no matter how intelligent your group may be, every single person is guaranteed to give at least one answer to one of the questions that is embarassingly off. I'm still not a total fan of the betting mechanic, but my solution to write bets on chips (and thus keep them secret) improves upon the base game a bit. Board games don't yet have their YDKJ (i.e., the perfect trivia game) and I really wish there were more good trivia games.

this month's pickups (because Space Alert is coming out so soon)
Kingsburg
Space Alert
Stone Age
Snow Tails

 

[AstroLad]

Just picked up a good copy of the Rio Grande edition of Union Pacific at a decent price (i.e., not Troll and Toad).

 

[platypotamus]

Really looking forward to scratching my Dominion itch on Monday night. I've been wanting to play some Dominion again for about a month now, and it's finally my pick for the game of the night. Hopefully we'll get 2, maybe even 3 rounds in, but half our group likes to go to bed way early, so 2 is probably the upper bounds.

On an unrelated note, wife and I have now played all the expansion sets for the Catan card game. I still say that that was probably the best 18 bucks we've ever spent. Barbarians and Traders is our favorite of the sets. It's pretty obvious that it was the last set they created, as it offers the most cohesive package in a lot of ways. It feels very different. So does Wizards and Dragons, though it seems a little more "out there" of course.

We want to try to figure out a way to do the tournament rules (build our own 33 card decks, no card sharing), but I think we'll end up fighting over a few cards. I see myself going really gold-heavy (mint, gold field income doubler, some other gold related cards that I'm forgetting at the moment).

 

[Whifflebat]

My wife and I just bought the Catan: Card Game expansion set as well. We played a game with the Politics and Intrigue cards and it was a nice change. I agree with platy that its the best $18 you'll ever spend.

I also just bought Dungeoneer: Tomb of the Lich Lord. This set is the original one in the series and is actually out of print, but I found an online retailer that had one left. It's a card based dungeon crawler for 2-4 players. My wife was very hesitant, but after a couple of rounds, she really likes it. I've since ordered the Vault of Fiends and Call of the Lich Lord sets which can be combined or played as stand alones. I recommend the series to those who are looking for some good, fairly quick dungeon crawling, though be sure to do the following to get the most of the game.

- Download the v2.3 rules from atlasgames.com
- Get a bunch of 6 sided dice, glass bead counters (colored red and green if possible) and a few minis (the D&D minis work great) for counters

 

[AstroLad]

Finally got around to breaking open my Red November today. I can see why it's rated as fairly average on BGG, but on the same time I quite like it for what it is--as a light co-op game that scales well (while Pandemic is technically "light," Pandemic games usually feel pretty intense, especially when you know what you're doing and playing on a decent difficulty). As with everything Fantasy Flight, the game is damn pretty and the rules are damn delphic.

 

[aku:jiki]

I've been wanting to post in this thread but I feel like such a newbie after reading you guys' posts.

I recently bought my first board game, which turned out to be Zombies!!!, simply because I'm a horror fan and it was the only horror game the store had besides Arkham Horror. I really like Z!!! but I don't think my friends really do... We've only played a few sessions so far, and we usually play Talisman or Runebound. My friends miss the character building and feel Z!!! is too simple and frustrating because you keep getting reset to 0 constantly.

I bought 2 expansions for Z!!! which did add some interesting stuff in that vein, like weapons that don't evaporate after one use, but I think I need to look for another horror-themed game with some more RPG elements to get my friends hooked. Any advice?

Everything I've heard about Arkham makes it very clear that it's way too advanced for us so far, though it's on my to-buy list just because it looks awesome to me. Since I'm at it; how's Tannhäuser? I'm in love with the theme and want to buy it just because...

 

[AstroLad]

I'm not huge on horror apart from AH, but here are my thoughts:
-Check out Last Night on Earth reviews on boardgamegeek and see if it's up your alley. While the game itself is only a 6 or 7 in my book, the implementation of theme is awesome and the game is quality top-to-bottom. I only played Zombies! once years ago so I can't really compare, but the vast majority of people with experience with both seem to prefer LNoE. I don't really know if it fits the bill as an "RPG" though as it's a bit on the light side.
-AH is an interesting case. I think a lot of people get scared off or intimidated because of the reputation the game has. Yes, the rules are finnicky and fairly long. And learning the interactions and just getting comfortable with all the different events that happen each turn can be tough. But here's the thing most people miss: AH takes a long time to learn, but a very short time to teach. If you are willing to take the time to read the rules, play a solo game with a couple investigators, re-read the rules, then scan the BGG Rules forum to tie up some loose ends, you can then bring your friends in and I guarantee you will be able to teach them in under 30. You can check out the rules and the FAQ at the FF site to see if that's something you're up to. Sounds like it might work well within your group though. Just whatever you do, do not try to learn the rules together.

 

[Flynn]

My advice for first time AH players is to play with only the base set. Each additional add-on makes the game slightly harder.

Also: Anybody at Kublacon today in the Bay area? My buddy said he was just about to drive up there.

 

[aku:jiki]

-Check out Last Night on Earth reviews on boardgamegeek and see if it's up your alley. While the game itself is only a 6 or 7 in my book, the implementation of theme is awesome and the game is quality top-to-bottom. I only played Zombies! once years ago so I can't really compare, but the vast majority of people with experience with both seem to prefer LNoE. I don't really know if it fits the bill as an "RPG" though as it's a bit on the light side.

Thanks, I'm starting to think that LNoE was the game I actually wanted from viewing BGG, but I just picked up Zombies!!! because it's what the store has... Oh well, it's pretty cheap and we had a chance to play a 6-hour session at work the other day. :lol

Our boss started the day by whining about our productivity when we were just chatting in the morning, then when he busted us with a whole table covered in city tiles he was all like "Hey, that's awesome! Who's in the lead?" :lol

-AH is an interesting case. I think a lot of people get scared off or intimidated because of the reputation the game has. Yes, the rules are finnicky and fairly long. And learning the interactions and just getting comfortable with all the different events that happen each turn can be tough. But here's the thing most people miss: AH takes a long time to learn, but a very short time to teach. If you are willing to take the time to read the rules, play a solo game with a couple investigators, re-read the rules, then scan the BGG Rules forum to tie up some loose ends, you can then bring your friends in and I guarantee you will be able to teach them in under 30. You can check out the rules and the FAQ at the FF site to see if that's something you're up to. Sounds like it might work well within your group though. Just whatever you do, do not try to learn the rules together.

That sounds like a great tip, I think I'd be up for doing that. What's the actual gameplay like? Beyond the rules, I mean...

Since I'm asking questions and for tips, what should I check out if I like sort of "odd" themes for boardgames? Meaning I probably won't be picking up any games with real-world themes (I love Catan from XBLA but it's "realistic" theme makes it a total no-go with my friends), and I won't be getting any games with knights and dragons for myself either. I love me some horror, cyberpunk, steampunk, alt-history, stuff like that.

So, I guess...is there a game where you play as Mother Russia fighting the yankee oppressors on Mars, using steam-powered spaceships and black magic? I'd buy that in a second. :lol

 

[AstroLad]

Hahaha, I'm sure there is a geeklist somewhere on BGG: "The top 100 games where you play as Mother Russia fighting the yankee oppressors on Mars."

That sounds like a great tip, I think I'd be up for doing that. What's the actual gameplay like? Beyond the rules, I mean...

It's basically just you each play as investigators (when you just have two or solo, you can take 2 each, but usually one to an investigator). These investigators have different abilities and special powers of course. You then go through this town while gates are opening and releasing monsters, and bad shit is just happening everywhere. There are several paths to victory, but the most common is probably to seal a set number of gates. Failing that (it's harder to do with fewer players), you fight the "Ancient One" super-boss you picked out at the beginning of the game. Throughout the game you pick up weapons, items, spells, etc. to help you survive. You can also get stat boosts as well as sidekicks who also boost your stats. You have encounters in Arkham locations, as well as Other World locations. The game is just absolutely dripping with atmosphere. Like I said, I'm not huge on horror but even I can't help but get a real kick out of the atmosphere in AH. It's a really fun game.

Since I'm asking questions and for tips, what should I check out if I like sort of "odd" themes for boardgames? Meaning I probably won't be picking up any games with real-world themes (I love Catan from XBLA but it's "realistic" theme makes it a total no-go with my friends), and I won't be getting any games with knights and dragons for myself either. I love me some horror, cyberpunk, steampunk, alt-history, stuff like that.

I take your point. I'm actually the same way since I'm not very big on fantasy (though if the game is great, I'll pick it up). Some of my personal favorites, oddball theme-wise: RoboRally (bunch of broken-down robots race around a factory), Galaxy Trucker (very comedic game where you slap together a ship and then send it into space to transport cargo against others but you almost always wind up blowing up or having maybe just your cockpit left by the end), Red November (mentioned above, bunch of gnomes try to survive mishaps on a sinking ship). Race for the Galaxy is one of my favorite games ever, but it's got a more serious sci-fi theme (although anyone who has seen Galactic Trendsetters may beg to differ, also nearly any Novelty world).

Wish I could recommend Netrunner, an amazing CCG with a cheesy yet great cyberpunk theme, but it's OOP and somewhat pricey now (same reason I couldn't recommend Betrayal at House on the Hill as a horror game earlier).

ps
Flynn, we're playing a full game of AH (w/ Dunwich, 8 players) at E3, yes?

 

[Neverfade]

Since I'm asking questions and for tips, what should I check out if I like sort of "odd" themes for boardgames? Meaning I probably won't be picking up any games with real-world themes (I love Catan from XBLA but it's "realistic" theme makes it a total no-go with my friends), and I won't be getting any games with knights and dragons for myself either. I love me some horror, cyberpunk, steampunk, alt-history, stuff like that.

So, I guess...is there a game where you play as Mother Russia fighting the yankee oppressors on Mars, using steam-powered spaceships and black magic? I'd buy that in a second. :lol

Duel of Ages, maybe? It has a ton of expansions. Teams comprised of random characters from history and fiction. You could have Blackbeard the pirate vs Napolean vs Xecttyl the Hive mother.

Also, Heroscape? Incredibly simple and has the same thing going on with various characters from different universes. Marvel characters vs WW2 soldiers vs demons, etc.

 

[Flynn]

Flynn, we're playing a full game of AH (w/ Dunwich, 8 players) at E3, yes?

:lol

I'll barely have time for Rock Paper Scissors. But yeah, we NEED to play something. Could be Race For the Galaxy.

I can't wait to get my foothold in Southern California again. I'm gonna start a regular board game night as soon as I settle down.

 

[AstroLad]

Man, WotC annoys me a bit. They are like Troll & Toad's and ebayers' dream come true. First they don't reprint Betrayal even though if any game could benefit from a new release w/ better rules, it's that one. Now they're also sitting on RoboRally, without any plans to rerelease the base game or any of the expansions (watch out, it's going to be in Betrayal-land price-wise in no time, especially since it's a vastly better game). I want to go back and get the RR expansions, but it would require a new base game as well as paying $150+ for each of the expansions, some of which aren't even available anywhere anymore. Sigh, my beloved RoboRally.

In other news, I played more Red November over the weekend. Really enjoy that game. Also finally got into Hive a bit despite my general distaste for completely skill-based games.

 

[Flynn]

Spiel 2009 nominees.