I introduced this game to my brothers and their wives. At the end of the first age they were all complaining how hard it was, and that it didn't make any sense. By the end of the game, they were all in love with the game. I did write a guide to playing it, which is easier to understand than the rule book, although I still rely on the rulebook from time to time.
Don't forget that if you build resource cards then others will probably be trading for them with you. Every trade gives you more money, which counts towards your score in the end. Also everyone should build a little bit of science, IMO, because if you don't then all the cards get left for the one person who is doing science, and they can really clean up.
this is good advice for beginning players, but overly simplified. gold cards do form the basis for their own alternate strategy; some of the wonder boards either severely change the shape a given strategy takes or form a legitimate strategy for their own sake; and banking on some of the guild cards can swing you into the lead even if your initial strategy is sub-optimal. most importantly, blocking your enemy's moves is at least as important as planning your own - I would say even more so when you're against skilled players
On my first gameplay of this, which was a tournament, I thought Community/Democracy/Public cards were good and I built almost all, getting around 30 points with them yet I came last out of 5. On my next games I always built my strategy in a balanced way and actually won the tournament with 3 1st place victories and a second place victory. From experience and reading some brief guides I can easily say that the best way of winning it is balancing almost all colors (dismissing one or two is ok). Blue cards are only really good on the third age and in the first two ages You should avoid playing them if you can build resources, arms, commerce, science or your wonder. Military supremacy is always a wonderful advantage, science if tricky but can be decesive, resources are essential and good production of them can get you to good places money-wise. Commerce is tricky but can aid you greatly if played strategicly. IMO you should always go for building your Wonder so never dismiss it. With guilds you should always make calculations of whether science, commerce or public service can earn you or your opponents better or worse. Specializing only in one or two isn't really a winner strategy
I think the number of players has a major impact. I have a buddy who loves the science strategy, and in 3 player games he nearly always wins. But with more players, I think this is harder, because more people are buying up the cards.
Except blue cards can chain themselves. I had someone win a game with only 2 resources because he was chaining them. Also the green cards will make you win if nobody else is taking them.
Watched four strategy videos before this one, and this is the best, thank you.
I introduced this game to my brothers and their wives. At the end of the first age they were all complaining how hard it was, and that it didn't make any sense. By the end of the game, they were all in love with the game. I did write a guide to playing it, which is easier to understand than the rule book, although I still rely on the rulebook from time to time.
Don't forget that if you build resource cards then others will probably be trading for them with you. Every trade gives you more money, which counts towards your score in the end. Also everyone should build a little bit of science, IMO, because if you don't then all the cards get left for the one person who is doing science, and they can really clean up.
Thanks for that. I'm always keen to gather different points of view on strategy.
Great analysis. There's something strange going on with your forbiddenlimb link though. I'm very interested in getting that Excel!
this is good advice for beginning players, but overly simplified. gold cards do form the basis for their own alternate strategy; some of the wonder boards either severely change the shape a given strategy takes or form a legitimate strategy for their own sake; and banking on some of the guild cards can swing you into the lead even if your initial strategy is sub-optimal. most importantly, blocking your enemy's moves is at least as important as planning your own - I would say even more so when you're against skilled players
On my first gameplay of this, which was a tournament, I thought Community/Democracy/Public cards were good and I built almost all, getting around 30 points with them yet I came last out of 5. On my next games I always built my strategy in a balanced way and actually won the tournament with 3 1st place victories and a second place victory. From experience and reading some brief guides I can easily say that the best way of winning it is balancing almost all colors (dismissing one or two is ok). Blue cards are only really good on the third age and in the first two ages You should avoid playing them if you can build resources, arms, commerce, science or your wonder. Military supremacy is always a wonderful advantage, science if tricky but can be decesive, resources are essential and good production of them can get you to good places money-wise. Commerce is tricky but can aid you greatly if played strategicly. IMO you should always go for building your Wonder so never dismiss it. With guilds you should always make calculations of whether science, commerce or public service can earn you or your opponents better or worse. Specializing only in one or two isn't really a winner strategy
I think the number of players has a major impact. I have a buddy who loves the science strategy, and in 3 player games he nearly always wins. But with more players, I think this is harder, because more people are buying up the cards.
Except blue cards can chain themselves. I had someone win a game with only 2 resources because he was chaining them. Also the green cards will make you win if nobody else is taking them.
Brian, These are great! Can you please do a strategy analysis on Ghost Stories?
Michael Hastriter I haven't played that one but I'll keep an eye out for it!
Thankyou!
Thanks. Good video
Fine you describe in the start why I sold it.
Why
Why do you call the ages acts? Is an act a more general term?
Hmm, not sure. You're right they should be called Ages.
Same reason he calls civic "community" and commerce "treasure"?
Sorry I made a big mistake.My claim was for another video.I really apologize you.
Please forgive me.
Alter? Aquaduct?
One player I played with got 50 points in science
well i got someweare between 45 and 30 so yeah very helpful these greens
Sorry I think I said too much.If you like this game ,please introduce it to many people.