Some pics from my last couple days of gaming. On Sunday, I played some board/card games with some buddies in Austin. We played Pandemic, Bohnanza, and Love Letter. The version of Pandemic we played was the new one, which I didn’t have any experience with (although I have played the old edition dozens of times). It had some interesting new characters choices and a strange paucity of Event cards. Still, it was good old Pandemic, and a lot of fun.
There are also a few pics from last night’s Wednesday One-Shots. We had a good-sized group come out (around 14, I think), although I think a couple of the new people were poachers and we’re not likely to see them again. Still, everyone had a good time (even the no-good, dirty poachers). The games played were Havoc Brigade and Trail of Cthulhu.
Thanks to Daniel Lewis for organizing Wednesday, and to everyone else who came out: Angel Ludwig Ferrell Riley David LaFreniere Russell Benner James Melott Kerry Harrison Jenny Barendt, the people I can’t tag (Michael, Isaac, Kyle, Nate) and a couple of people whose name I didn’t catch.
Didn’t know there was a new version of Pandemic. If nothing else, I’m digging the translucent plague cubes.
Didn’t know there was a new version of Pandemic. If nothing else, I’m digging the translucent plague cubes.
Daniel Lewis They’re more science-y!
Daniel Lewis They’re more science-y!
The downside of the new version of Pandemic is that since the cards have different artwork on the back, it’s not compatible with the first edition version of the On the Brink expansion (which, obviously, I have, or I wouldn’t care). But it also means I can’t buy the newer expansion, In the Lab, which has the 2e look.
Such a good game, though. It’s a hit with pretty much everyone I play it with. So is Love Letter, for that matter.
The downside of the new version of Pandemic is that since the cards have different artwork on the back, it’s not compatible with the first edition version of the On the Brink expansion (which, obviously, I have, or I wouldn’t care). But it also means I can’t buy the newer expansion, In the Lab, which has the 2e look.
Such a good game, though. It’s a hit with pretty much everyone I play it with. So is Love Letter, for that matter.
Did you guys win when you played Pandemic? Nikki and I have that game and we lose about 3/4 of the time. Is it easier or harder with more people playing?
Did you guys win when you played Pandemic? Nikki and I have that game and we lose about 3/4 of the time. Is it easier or harder with more people playing?
I’ve always found it harder the more people you add. There are people who will argue the opposite, but they are clearly bioterrorists.
I’ve always found it harder the more people you add. There are people who will argue the opposite, but they are clearly bioterrorists.
It’s definitely harder with more people. Played a game with five people Sunday, and even with just four epidemic cards, we managed to lose.
With four or five people, losses always seem to come as the result of running out of cards as opposed to outbreaks or running out of cubes. It’s just too difficult to get cards from one player to another unless you have roles in play that help out with it. If I were to play another five player game, I’d have to make sure at least a Researcher, Dispatcher, or Epidemiologist was in the game.
It’s definitely harder with more people. Played a game with five people Sunday, and even with just four epidemic cards, we managed to lose.
With four or five people, losses always seem to come as the result of running out of cards as opposed to outbreaks or running out of cubes. It’s just too difficult to get cards from one player to another unless you have roles in play that help out with it. If I were to play another five player game, I’d have to make sure at least a Researcher, Dispatcher, or Epidemiologist was in the game.
Not to brag (except totally to brag) but my sisters and I are wizards at this game. We regularly play with 6 epidemics. 5 or fewer epidemics is for chumps!
Not to brag (except totally to brag) but my sisters and I are wizards at this game. We regularly play with 6 epidemics. 5 or fewer epidemics is for chumps!
Jason Cordova You ever try any of the difficulty-adjusters found in On the Brink? There’s an eighth epidemic card, Virulent Strain epidemic cards where there’s additional screw-you rules with each epidemic, the Bioterrorist option where one player plays against the rest (with hidden movement around the map like in Letters from Whitechapel), and I think something else I’m forgetting. Lets you get a lot more mileage out of the game.
Jason Cordova You ever try any of the difficulty-adjusters found in On the Brink? There’s an eighth epidemic card, Virulent Strain epidemic cards where there’s additional screw-you rules with each epidemic, the Bioterrorist option where one player plays against the rest (with hidden movement around the map like in Letters from Whitechapel), and I think something else I’m forgetting. Lets you get a lot more mileage out of the game.
Steve Mains Yes, we usually play 6 epidemics on the base game or 5 epidemics plus purple cubes with On the Brink.
Steve Mains Yes, we usually play 6 epidemics on the base game or 5 epidemics plus purple cubes with On the Brink.
Just found out that Z-Man announced the upcoming Pandemic Legacy. It takes the “Legacy” part of Risk Legacy–where future games change based on how past games went, where you permanently alter the board, and all sorts of other awesome things–and marries it to a game that isn’t terrible. Avoided Risk Legacy because fuck do I hate Risk, but I am ridiculously excited about this one.
http://www.dicetowernews.com/tag/legacy-game
Just found out that Z-Man announced the upcoming Pandemic Legacy. It takes the “Legacy” part of Risk Legacy–where future games change based on how past games went, where you permanently alter the board, and all sorts of other awesome things–and marries it to a game that isn’t terrible. Avoided Risk Legacy because fuck do I hate Risk, but I am ridiculously excited about this one.
http://www.dicetowernews.com/tag/legacy-game
Steve Mains I saw that the other day. Very, very cool.
Steve Mains I saw that the other day. Very, very cool.