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 development should be purchased first and why?
asked Nov 11, 2010 at 4:21
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4 Answers
@invisiblejon - The Late Bronze Age was developed months after the game as sold in the box. I added some additional developments for those gamers looking for something meatier. (The publisher didn't water anything down.)
...and I like Irrigation as a first purchase too!
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Hey Matt, thanks for the input and welcome to the site! You wrote a great game in Roll through the Ages.– Pat Ludwig ♦Commented Dec 21, 2010 at 4:31
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Late Bronze Age was developed later? I'm astonished! It meshes so perfectly with the point structure of the game, and provides uses for each previously unused resource so smoothly that... Well, wow. Commented Dec 21, 2010 at 21:01
First off, I'm assuming you're playing The Late Bronze Age version (which is far superior to the game as sold off-the shelf – It's very clear that The Late Bronze Age version of the game is what was originally presented to the publishers, and they felt the need to "simplify" it to reach a wider audience by removing several really nifty mechanics).
Given that, Irrigation is the simplest first pick, although Leadership can be almost as good, if you're a little lucky and use it well. If you can leapfrog to Quarrying, that's a great start (it'll help you buy better advancements, and it combos very well with Engineering and Architecture later in the game). If you're playing with three or four players, get Medicine ASAP. It will save you at least 3 points in penalties.
...and that's my 2 cents.
In my games, I almost always purchase Irrigation first, because Drought can be really devastating to your score and Irrigation provides some defense against the fact that you can't reroll skulls in multiplayer.
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Can't reroll skulls in multiplayer? Ooops! I see I have to reread the rules a bit closer. Thanks!– Pat Ludwig ♦Commented Nov 11, 2010 at 17:19
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@Pat - I highly recommend the iPhone app - it's the only version of the game I have every played! However, the documentation in the app is sort of on the thin side. So imagine my surprise discovering that rule after using my experience in single-player to explain the rules to my lovely bride - for a multiplayer game! :)– gomadCommented Nov 11, 2010 at 17:41
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I picked up the app for my iPad due to a recommendation here, I think from you. Thanks! I bought the boardgame the next week.– Pat Ludwig ♦Commented Nov 11, 2010 at 18:00
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1I really sucked at the iPhone app for a while (compared to my friends) because I knew that you couldn't re-roll skulls. I didn't understand why the app didn't automatically freeze them for you. My surprise went the other way, and my scores improved significantly. Commented Dec 19, 2010 at 22:07
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@Matt - Ha, so either way you go, switching from one version to the other will mess ya up :)– Pat Ludwig ♦Commented Dec 19, 2010 at 22:19
I start off with Quarrying if possible. It can rack up a lot of money towards developments. Even if you only get an extra "bump" per turn (as opposed to one extra "bump" moving on the Stone track, when you acquire up 7+ goods), it's still a good chunk of money.
When you or other players roll more Empire Dice, then get some protection against, those Disasters.
