I think Dale of Merchants could be a grail game for a lot of people out there, especially those fans of deck building classic Dominion. As i'm personally not a huge fan of the genre except in co-ops, its not a game i see myself playing remotely enough to really get a deeper understanding of all the interactions. But i can appreciate just how much is going on under the hood in Dale of Merchants, and how deep the gameplay and replay-ability is. Anyway, a really good example of a game i respect and endorse but that i personally don't hugely enjoy playing.
I found this game almost by accident as one of the first 5 games in my collection. I've been in love with it ever since! I haven't seen much at all in the way of publicity for DoM, so thank you for covering it! It's very polarizing (as you said) and I've yet to find someone to consistently play it with me, but I'm always looking! Love the content, please keep it up! (And thanks for recommending Alas! Board Games way back when, I really got a kick out of his page!)
The thing i like about Dale of merchants is that first you need to build your deck and then dismantle it, you need a equilibred engine to be able to do all the sets of your stall. Another older game that also do that is Valley of the kings, set in Ancient Egypt but i prefer the theme of Dale of merchants, the races are funny.
This is, by far, my favorite deck-building games, and one of my favorite games. I especially like the variable set up at the beginning. You can determine the feel of each match. Do I want more adversarial or peaceful? Deck manipulation?
What other types of games have a fun theme, cute animal artwork, and lots of replayability? You mentioned Everdell, which I have. I also love Racoon Tycoon. Any others that you can think of?
As a person who plays only Uno Flip and Chess daily I am very confused at everything xD Even though this is way too complicated for my untrained brain I still found the video hella fun to watch! Will come back to it after learning how to play something.... less complicated... maybe I should learn Splendor first +_+
The artwork looks nice, but I don't think I'll have place for another deckbuilder next to Tanto Cuore: Winter Romance. Especially as I don't get to play that often enough to see all those interactions anytime soon, this games looks like a rabbit hole of mechanical interactions. Re: Interactions, how strong is the multiplayer solitaire in this game?
Not at all. The way the game works as well, powerful cards can be used for powerful effects, but the game is a race, so using them for the effects is one turn you aren't using them to score. And once scored, they are locked away
Every single card played has an action or interaction on it, and this set comes with like 50 variable powers. Its complexity is in its fiddly nature, not an extensive rulebook.
Minor correction: Purchased cards go into your hand, not discard at 1:25
Awesome to see you bring awareness to this game series. It's much beloved in my household.
I think Dale of Merchants could be a grail game for a lot of people out there, especially those fans of deck building classic Dominion. As i'm personally not a huge fan of the genre except in co-ops, its not a game i see myself playing remotely enough to really get a deeper understanding of all the interactions. But i can appreciate just how much is going on under the hood in Dale of Merchants, and how deep the gameplay and replay-ability is. Anyway, a really good example of a game i respect and endorse but that i personally don't hugely enjoy playing.
I found this game almost by accident as one of the first 5 games in my collection. I've been in love with it ever since! I haven't seen much at all in the way of publicity for DoM, so thank you for covering it! It's very polarizing (as you said) and I've yet to find someone to consistently play it with me, but I'm always looking! Love the content, please keep it up! (And thanks for recommending Alas! Board Games way back when, I really got a kick out of his page!)
As someone who loves Dominion but hates the theme, Dale of Merchants seems absolutely perfect. Thank you for the great video!!
I love this game - working on coverage now!
Most underrated game in modern board gaming for sure
The thing i like about Dale of merchants is that first you need to build your deck and then dismantle it, you need a equilibred engine to be able to do all the sets of your stall. Another older game that also do that is Valley of the kings, set in Ancient Egypt but i prefer the theme of Dale of merchants, the races are funny.
Can't wait for Dale of Merchants 3 myself.
This is, by far, my favorite deck-building games, and one of my favorite games. I especially like the variable set up at the beginning. You can determine the feel of each match. Do I want more adversarial or peaceful? Deck manipulation?
Yeah, that really seems to be something you can make huge changes to the feel of the game, especially 2 player where its only 3 animal decks.
Wonder change of pace art for a deck builder.
What other types of games have a fun theme, cute animal artwork, and lots of replayability? You mentioned Everdell, which I have. I also love Racoon Tycoon. Any others that you can think of?
Root?
Great review Jarrod! I wonder if this game would be tough for gamers prone to AP. 🤔
it 100% would be, so many micro-decision points every round
As a person who plays only Uno Flip and Chess daily I am very confused at everything xD Even though this is way too complicated for my untrained brain I still found the video hella fun to watch! Will come back to it after learning how to play something.... less complicated... maybe I should learn Splendor first +_+
Yeah, this one is a bit tricky for sure
0:34 I see what you did there!
My very best Bosmer trader voice.
The artwork looks nice, but I don't think I'll have place for another deckbuilder next to Tanto Cuore: Winter Romance. Especially as I don't get to play that often enough to see all those interactions anytime soon, this games looks like a rabbit hole of mechanical interactions.
Re: Interactions, how strong is the multiplayer solitaire in this game?
Really depends on the animal folk sets you choose. They list for each one how interactive it is.
I would assume with all the complex classes, theres no cheap cards to get to win the game like the DC super hero deck building game?
Not at all. The way the game works as well, powerful cards can be used for powerful effects, but the game is a race, so using them for the effects is one turn you aren't using them to score. And once scored, they are locked away
I have Dale of Merchants 1 and 2, is there something to buy other than full "colleciton"?
Systematic Eurasian beavers are seperate as well. And I believe dale of merchants 3 is coming soon
I love this game! Love the synergies and the artwork is cute. I never got around to Dominion.... I really really dislike the theme.
Complex? Really? I would place it at about a 2 out of 5 tops and BGG has it at 2.09.
Every single card played has an action or interaction on it, and this set comes with like 50 variable powers. Its complexity is in its fiddly nature, not an extensive rulebook.