All Questions
35
votes
24answers
2k views
Games that are quick to teach to new people, yet still fun and strategical [closed]
I love board games and don't mind sitting down for 10-15 minutes with some experienced players to learn how to play a complex game. However, I don't think most of my friends are as tolerable of ...
7
votes
3answers
177 views
Chess client for e-(g)mail
I'm looking for something that would let me store the board setup and move the pieces manually so that I can play with a friend via email/msn. It doesn't have to handle mailing or anything for me as ...
15
votes
8answers
463 views
Pre-drawing cards or tiles
This goes for many games where players take turns to draw cards, but I specifically wondered about Carcassonne:
Do you allow players to pre-draw tiles? So they don't have to wait until it's their ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Interaction between Carcassonne: Bridges, Castles, and Bazaars and other expansions
Last night we played with the Bridges, Castles, and Bazaars expansion for Carcassonne. We also played with a few other expansions, but ran into several situations where we weren't sure of the rules. ...
6
votes
1answer
693 views
How have editions of Bang! been different from previous ones?
Bang! has had a relatively large number of changes over the years. I know lots of people who are used to a different edition than I am. Often, this means they are used to a different set of rules and ...
2
votes
1answer
313 views
How do the new Dark Eldar interact with the Kill Team rules in the Battle Missons rulebook?
The Battle Missions book, near the end, features a scenario called Kill Teams, wherein:
Your force org chart is:
0-1 elite
0-2 troops
0-1 fast attack
200 points.
Exact Rules:
Every man For ...
4
votes
10answers
2k views
What are the most effective action combinations in Dominion? [closed]
I've only played a few games of the base set, but I already noticed some very powerful combinations:
Laboratory can be repeatedly combo'd with itself to draw a massive amount of treasure from your ...
8
votes
2answers
422 views
Card shuffler for many sizes
A simple search for Card Shuffler on google will list loads of them, does anyone have experience with one that can be used for multiple card sizes?
I'm looking for something that can preferably ...
19
votes
7answers
781 views
What's a good table-topping material for tile-based games?
On my polished wood table any disturbance (and I have kids, so you can imagine the disturbances...) can shift tiles around, which I then feel compelled to try to adjust to be flush with those around ...
8
votes
3answers
185 views
What is the best first development to purchase in Roll Through the Ages?
Played my first 4 player game of Roll Through the Ages official last night. I've played the solo game quite a bit but I quickly discovered that the multiplayer game plays a bit differently!
What ...
6
votes
5answers
531 views
How can I get my heavy card stock game board to lie flat?
I have a game board made of heavy card stock that doesn't lie flat at the creases, and the sections bow a little. Is there a way to keep it lying flat? Maybe a way to mount it?
The board is from ...
5
votes
2answers
92 views
Is there a good method for choosing which cards to use in Deluxe Illuminati?
I have played Deluxe Illuminati from the beginning, and have all the original expansions and the Y2K expansion. The problem is that when playing with Y2K, you end up with too many cards in the deck. ...
12
votes
1answer
304 views
If Calamity Janet has a Barrel, can she use it to avoid Indians?
If Calamity Janet has a Barrel, can she use it to generate a Missed! and then use her special ability to turn the Missed! into a Bang! in order to avoid Indians?
4
votes
3answers
686 views
Without breaking the game, how can I fix Memoir 44's problem with having no cards to order units in a certain section?
I find Memoir 44 very interesting and exciting, but it seems everyone I introduce it to has the same gripe. They (and I) don't like having a unit getting pummeled by the opposing force without being ...
4
votes
5answers
733 views
City card and predicting when Supply piles will run low
This card kind of has me stumped. In my experience, the vast majority of games deplete the Province or Colony pile before any other, ending the game. Which means in most circumstances, this card is ...
5
votes
2answers
7k views
Where can I play Phase 10 online?
Is there an online site to play the card game Phase 10 on?
A clone is fine, but I'd really like to avoid a download.
3
votes
1answer
408 views
Is the Mystery Train expansion for Ticket to Ride available in sizes matching the 1910 expansion?
I have a set of Mystery Train expansion cards that I printed and laminated myself (they're not the most pleasant to play with, but they work). Since I got the 1910 expansion for Ticket to Ride, I ...
14
votes
6answers
968 views
What are good strategies involving Remodel?
A basic strategy of using Remodel to upgrade Estates to Remodels, Remodels to Gold, and using Gold to buy or upgrade to Provinces is a powerful but slow strategy, so I haven't been able to win with ...
11
votes
2answers
638 views
When is Darksteel Juggernaut's power and toughness determined? Can they change?
The relevant part of the rules text states:
Darksteel Juggernaut's power and toughness are each equal to the number of artifacts you control.
When is Darksteel Juggernaut's power and toughness ...
9
votes
5answers
399 views
Accepting Queen's Gambit
Why is it considered a disadvantage to accept Queen's Gambit? How should I play to take advantage of an accepted Queen's Gambit?
(All online guides I've seen simply state not to do it, but don't ...
14
votes
1answer
310 views
How does the Outrider work in Agricola?
At the weekend I was playing Agricola and played the occupation Outrider. The rule for the outrider is "Whenever you use the most recent Round card with one of your people, you receive 1 additional ...
17
votes
8answers
943 views
How can I effectively use the Coppersmith?
I've been playing Dominion with the base + Intrigue sets for a while now, and one of the cards that I have trouble wrapping my mind around is the Coppersmith.
In theory, it seems like a great card - ...
6
votes
1answer
178 views
Infiltrating in new Caprica
Suppose you are playing a game with a Cylon leader. He is not infiltrating. The humans reach New Caprica. Is there now no mechanic by which a Cylon Leader can infiltrate? So the only way for a Cylon ...
5
votes
1answer
523 views
Common Mahjong wait patterns
In endgame, you typically have a hand in tenpai that is waiting for 1 more tile to be complete. Usually, it is better if you are able to wait for multiple tiles so your chance to finish are increased. ...
14
votes
7answers
10k views
Which Settlers of Catan expansions are recommended?
I was introduced to Settlers of Catan just a few weeks ago here. I plan on buying it and I would like recommendations as to which expansions I should get.
3
votes
2answers
640 views
Questions about pigs
We recently purchased some Carcassonne expansions, and I have some questions about the pigs.
First, pigs can be placed on your field to increase the multiplier. But what if fields are merged? Do pigs ...
6
votes
1answer
97 views
Non-team variants for four or more players in Mille Bornes?
Has anyone come across variant rules for Mille Bornes where the players don't play on teams? I've seen rules for 2 player, 3 player, 2 vs 2 and 3 vs 3, but nothing for four or more solo players.
For ...
14
votes
2answers
2k views
Catan : Multiple extension combination
I just bought the extension Cities and Knights (I don't know the rules very well at the moment).
I already have the base game and the Seafarers of Catan.
Is it possible to combine, on the same ...
6
votes
1answer
115 views
Know any games designed for old game systems like Orion or Sly
Recent game systems like piecepack, Decktet, or Stonehenge have tons of games to try, but older game systems like Sly and Orion only seem to have the official rules (PDF) that came with them.
...
5
votes
1answer
340 views
Is there another good 3 player variant of Canasta?
The only 3 player variant of Canasta that I know is Cutthroat Canasta. Are there any other good 3 player variations?
2
votes
1answer
58 views
6 player Dog variation
In Dog there is a expansion from 4 to 6 players. The only variation I know and have played is 3 vs 3. Does anyone have experience with 2 vs 2 vs 2? Does that play well too?
Background: I'm thinking ...
8
votes
9answers
588 views
Rock-paper-scissors type randomizers [closed]
Most non-luck-free games use either open-ended randomizers (like dice, or spinners) or closed-ended randomizers (cards, chit pulls, etc).
But there is an alternative, which is simultaneous revelation ...
13
votes
4answers
310 views
Categories of Board Gaming skill
How would you categorize gaming skill, based on your own talents, or those of people you know? And what makes certain people good at those categories?
For one example, I've noticed I tend to win ...
15
votes
6answers
470 views
Carcassonne — problem telling the difference between the Big Meeple and regular Meeples
In our gaming group, we have a very hard time picking out the Big Meeple from the other Meeples on the board. While the Big Meeple certainly is bigger than the others, it's not by a significant ...
16
votes
8answers
533 views
Interesting non-zero-sum games
In game theory, a zero-sum or constant-sum game is a game in which there is a single constant payoff that will be divided equally between the players; in order for one player to get a better result, ...
17
votes
3answers
2k views
How can you make Twilight Imperium games not take forever?
I really like Twilight Imperium (3rd edition), but I haven't really enjoyed my time playing it due to the long playtimes. I've played one 4-player game, two 6-player, and one 8-player game. The ...
8
votes
2answers
377 views
Resolving Diplomatic actions in a RISK-style board game
I'm working on a board game called Farlanthia: Lords of War. And I need some help with resolving diplomacy during play.
My original idea was to have Diplomacy be a form of "attack" like in RISK. ...
12
votes
9answers
4k views
What games are suitable for a large number of people with only a pack of playing cards? [closed]
What card games work well with a large number of players (say 6+ players) and only require a standard pack of playing cards? I'm particularly interested in games where the rules can be explained ...
11
votes
1answer
346 views
Can you build the same building more than once in Puerto Rico?
Is one player allowed to build the same building more than once in Puerto Rico? If so, do the bonuses stack, so that a player building both Large Markets would get +4 for trading? I wasn't able to ...
17
votes
5answers
4k views
Do great Scrabble players ever turn in their tiles?
Presumably you would trade in tiles if you thought you would get in one turn, after trading, more than what you'll get in the next two turns without trading.
But then, maybe you should make defensive ...
17
votes
6answers
1k views
What expansions for Carcassonne add variety without changing the character too much?
I've been playing a fair amount of Carcassonne with the basic tiles and the original River expansion. What other expansion packs will add a bit of variety to the game but without changing the ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
In Small World, with berserk, do you roll reinforcement die before you nominate how many troops you're attacking with?
I.e., Do you:
Roll reinforcement die, and add troops to make the short fall?
Declare the number of troops you're using, and use the reinforcement die in an attempt to bolster your numbers?
2
votes
1answer
56 views
Any defense against the forum cards in Roma?
My friend and I have played about a dozen games of Roma, and it seems pretty consistent that the player with the most forum cards wins. They're just the fastest way to collect victory points. Has ...
5
votes
1answer
187 views
Where can I read Mahjong game commentaries?
To improve, I'd like to read game records of professional players, and to understand these commentaries would be useful. Do you know if these game commentaries exist, and where I can find them?
11
votes
2answers
370 views
Good sites for trading unwanted board/card games and expansions? [closed]
I recently bought the Rio Grande/Alea Games Treasure Chest box set to get the Puerto Rico and San Juan expansions, but the boxed set comes with other expansions for games I have never played, and most ...
19
votes
4answers
2k views
Is there a viable corn-only strategy for Puerto Rico?
In the last Puerto Rico game I played I wound up with all corn. I tried to make this work with the following strategy:
Office + large market + small market for income
Harbor + wharf to ship all my ...
43
votes
41answers
4k views
Games that have no element of luck. [closed]
Most of my favourite games, such as Diplomacy, have little or no element of luck - either via dice rolls, hands dealt, or other methods.
What other games can you recommend that rely on 'skill' alone? ...
5
votes
8answers
407 views
Baby shower games [closed]
This question is more of a wiki about what games would be fun to play at a baby shower. My wife is throwing one and the games are fairly boring. I was hoping I could help think of at least one, ...
20
votes
2answers
960 views
Comparisons Betwen Deck-Building Games
I never played Magic. I briefly tried the original Vampire: The Masquerade (V:TM) themed CCG (Jyhad?). I had some Illuminati: New World Order (INWO) cards. I bought and listlessly toyed with a deck of ...
11
votes
4answers
2k views
Recommended Axis & Allies alternative rules / variations?
What rule variations do you recommend for playing Axis & Allies, from ones meant to balance the game to ones that add a little spice?
Here are the variants I've played with - always looking for ...
