Board Games!

[Sudo_Nym]

I do agree with that. The first few games we played were dominated by the random element and the big flashy powers, but as your group gets more familiar, it becomes more about the diplomatic element.

[Mr. Flay]

But it is one of those games where if everyone else doesn't want you to win and that becomes their primary goal, you'll lose.

You say that like it's a bad thing...

[hasdgfas]

Ascension still has the issue (even with expansions) of get 4 or more Mechana constructs = Win.

Not actually true. I got 5 of them in my last game and got murdered. Lost by at least 25.

[diginova]

Did you have them in play? Their synergy with each other plus the fact that they are worth VP = cost means I've never lost a game where I get at least 4 Mechanas. (Now, my deck isn't solely Mechana; once I get enough money to buy the 7- and 8-cost ones, I switch into killing things)

[Claus]

I haven't seen "galaxy trucker" mentioned much in this thread. Although pretty random, it is one of my favorite games, and after the building phase, the rounds go by pretty quickly.

Also, I've recently played "Epic Spell Wars of the Battle Wizards". This one is an almost completely random quick card game, but it is really fun if the group get into its dressing.

[Andrius]

Played Munchkin about a month ago and it was surprisingly fun once I had like eight different things equipped.

In other news I'm looking forward to Troll destroying me in Smallworld again in a few days. >_>

[Sudo_Nym]

I really like Munchkin, but it does have that sort of random part in the beginning, where you're scrambling to find weak monsters to fight for treasure.

[Nexus]

I haven't seen "galaxy trucker" mentioned much in this thread. Although pretty random, it is one of my favorite games, and after the building phase, the rounds go by pretty quickly.

Also, I've recently played "Epic Spell Wars of the Battle Wizards". This one is an almost completely random quick card game, but it is really fun if the group get into its dressing.

Galaxy Trucker is ridiculously fun. It's a nice different pace to games like Ascension/Munchkin/Ankh Morpork.

[petroleumjelly]

Does anybody have any strategy tips Hog Holler?

[xRECKONERx]

Galaxy Trucker is insanely fun. It's a bit chaotic/too RNG for some of my group's taste, but I always enjoy it.

[Chevre]

I tried to make up something for "What do you like then? Freaking _______?" but I couldn't think of any extreme event that is very skill-based. Fencing I suppose? Chess?

[xRECKONERx]

Played Game of Thrones tonight for the first time in like six months.

Still my favorite board game ever.

This is the longest game I've ever played tonight though...it took 5 hours, and lasted until turn 9. Neither of those have happened before.

Lannister was down to one territory on turn 5 but stayed alive. That was cool.

[Shmugen]

I'm going to a convention here in a few weeks, hoping to get a game of GoT in.

[quadz08]

When we played Galactic Encounters at the Reckoning, I really enjoyed it. It moved a tad too quickly for my liking (game was over after everyone had 1 turn), but I think we had too many players to really get the fullest experience out of it.

[zoraster]

I'm not familiar with that game and can't find it on BGG. Is that Cosmic Encounters?

Assuming yes: After a few games it should very rarely happen that someone wins before everyone has a turn because people will start to figure out when to ally with defense vs. attack, not to mention people will more naturally keep track of how many bases are on which worlds. With more experienced players, games can often last quite a while. Quick games generally involve as much inattention as they do skill or luck.

Assuming no: sorry for talking about a game that you didn't mean.

[Nexus]

Going to my lady's tomorrow, and she's got Gloom and Ticket To Ride newly bought so I will be playing them tomorrow. Really looking forward to trying Gloom, it looks like a lot of fun, and the see-through cards look really sexy.

[quadz08]

I'm not familiar with that game and can't find it on BGG. Is that Cosmic Encounters?

Assuming yes: After a few games it should very rarely happen that someone wins before everyone has a turn because people will start to figure out when to ally with defense vs. attack, not to mention people will more naturally keep track of how many bases are on which worlds. With more experienced players, games can often last quite a while. Quick games generally involve as much inattention as they do skill or luck.

Assuming no: sorry for talking about a game that you didn't mean.

Yes, it is Cosmic Encounters. I r smart.

Well, the weird thing was that the first player's turn ended up having them attacking me both times, and pretty much everyone hopped on with the attack, so I got clobbered and everyone else ended up with 3 colonies or some madness like that. There were I think 7 (or 9?) of us playing; by the time it got back around to player 1, literally everyone in the game had 4 colonies.

[Glork]

I like Galaxy Truckers. We should force people to play it at scumhaus.

[zoraster]

Right. But players should have plenty of control over this. When someone has 3 colonies, you do NOT ask them to help you on offense.

The way cosmic encounter kinda balances despite having such different roles is that it leans HEAVILY on balance of power ala Europe 19th Century. But that can only really work when people know at least kind of what they're doing.

Still, there are certainly times in CE that a power or luck simply allows one player to win quickly. But those aren't the norm.

[Shmugen]

You should get clear sleeves for them, Nexus. Gloom cards get dirty really easy.

[xRECKONERx]

I like Galaxy Truckers. We should force people to play it at scumhaus.

+1

[quadz08]

Right. But players should have plenty of control over this. When someone has 3 colonies, you do NOT ask them to help you on offense.

The way cosmic encounter kinda balances despite having such different roles is that it leans HEAVILY on balance of power ala Europe 19th Century. But that can only really work when people know at least kind of what they're doing.

Still, there are certainly times in CE that a power or luck simply allows one player to win quickly. But those aren't the norm.

Fair enough. I think it was the first time everyone had played, so you may be right.

[diginova]

Galaxy Trucker is insanely fun. It's a bit chaotic/too RNG for some of my group's taste, but I always enjoy it.

If you like strategy with very low randomness, I would highly recommend Brass. It's top-10 on BGG for a very good reason.

[Lady Lambdadelta]

Anyone here ever played Forbidden Island?

[hasdgfas]

Anyone here ever played Forbidden Island?

I really like Forbidden Island. I may even prefer it to Pandemic the majority of the situations where I play games.