This is a good idea for a video. Even after seeing other reviews and playthroughs, having a breakdown of what to buy is immensely useful. Your first minute isn't necessary; you don't need to qualify your reasons for making it. Just dive in and trust that we want to hear your wisdom. Keep up the good work, Sam.
I really appreciate this video. I hope the Dice Tower, not just Sam, makes more videos like this for the bigger, older games. Descent and Small World come to mind, but I'm sure there are others.
+Wynn Zetterberg I don't really think there is much to discuss when it comes to Descent (i am assuming you talking about the second edition). All the big box expansions are more models, more terrain pieces, more scenarios. It's not like with Memoir '44 where there are parts of history you need to focus. The expansions for Descent is just simply more of everything. The only thing you really do need to look at is the Lieutenant packs and the Monster and Hero Collections. The Monster and Hero Collection are products that helps you convert Descent First Edition Monsters and Heroes to Second edition ones. But they could also be bought for the sake of simply just getting more Heroes and Monsters. The Lieutenant pack adds a new mechanic to the game. However it's ultimate purpose is to gives you miniatures for unique mobs that would have otherwise been just a token in the game. The Descent 2nd Edition Wikia have detailed information on each expansion.
For small world you can read the rules before you buy some expansion, so you decide if you want the races and powers in it. I personally chose: Be not afraid, Cursed, Royal bonus.And i am very happy with it.
I find it slightly amusing, from a historical standpoint, that the "Winter Wars" expansion covers the Ardenne Offensive and not the actual Winter Wars. It's like the devs are saying "Take THAT Finland!".
Thank you for this! I have just discovered this game, which I will be buying, but I was perplexed by the many packs, expansions, boards, books, etc. that are available. Thank you for explaining it - I now know exactly the order in which I will be purchasing!
Great video. I found this after I started collecting all the expansions and that is the road i took. The last one on my list is to get another base game. I love the replay value of this game. Looking forward for the live game on April 5th.
An expansion NO ONE talks about is: buying a roll out Chessex hex/square mat. It's so useful for so many games. Simply place your pieces on it and you can go as big / small / oddly shapen as you want.
I found the advice very useful. I'm at the base set, desert/winter board and Med and Eastern expansion stage and I was wondering where to go next. Exactly as you said, do I have enough or are there more bits to get. My conclusion after watching the video is I've still got some more battles to fight before the next purchase. 8-)
25k+ views, I'd say it was useful for more than just that 1 guy. Only thing I wish you said is say Overlord before 2nd base set. Overlord comes with chits equal to number of units you're missing if you only have base set. I bought overlord before getting Eastern Front or any other expansions. Use US for Russians and whatever tokens you need. Although using actual units is great, if you want 6 or 8 player Memoir like I did, get Overlord expansion and you won't need 2nd base set. If you want it to look somewhat nice, what I did was have 1-2 plastic units with 1-2 chits. Then whenever you lost, say a tank, get rid of the chit first. That way, everyone had plastic units and expendable chits. I still don't have a 2nd base set and probably never will. I have Eastern front, Overlord, and all the Overlord maps mentioned here (note: there's a 2017 map that released for Japan area)
Love the review, BUT… you should have mentioned that the "equipment Pack" gave tiger tanks, trucks, jeeps, and snipers, just to name a few. Really cool things to play with
You didnt mention the Breakthrough maps. For me these really change up the game and make it more strategic and less tactical. Breakthrough is my preferred format for the game
Great extensive review Sam - it's a game I just don't play enough but love. And thanks for settling my mind over not being able to get the Air Pack...although I would still love to get the first Campaign book. Dieppe is pronounced: Dee - epp. The 'epp' as in Epcot Centre. It would need an accent over the last e to be pronounced how you pronounced it. Don't worry about it - I'm from the UK and there are some UK place names that defy logic: Cholmondeley is pronounced Chumley...go figure.
If you really want to head down the rabbit hole, after getting a second copy of the base set you may want to consider a second Winter/Desert map and second copies of any theater expansions, if you want to be able to play all overlord maps and have enough troops to field them all.
Sam you are the one that got us Into memoir 44 and we love it is there any other war games that are similar to this ie not to heavy we love playing games and do so most nights but at the moment it's games like lost cities, battle line,dominion,Carcassonne , and of course memoir 44 all very easy and light. Thanks Jan
Thanks a lot for this! After a few more plays with the base set I guess I'll go for the terrain pack in combination with the eastern theater. Keep up the good work Sam!
Pacific theater is all I need to finish off my Memoir set. It is a crime that I have not done so yet. I use this a game often in the classroom. Also need to pick up The Great War.
Great information, could you consider doing a video 'moving on from memoir 44' as I would be interested in your opinion on at what point exploring a new system might be more beneficial than acquiring more expansions.
This is so awesome.. thanks Sam! I'm still lazy and poor right now, but I know what to get when I eventually get a few expansions and such for MEMOIR '44. I'm still dreaming about a BIG BOX... you think they'll ever make one?
Thanks Sam, I just ordered a copy of Memoir 44 after watching a Dice Tower play through. Do you think Asmodee/Days of Wonder will do anything for the 75th anniversary of the D Day invasion next year?
I do think at some point you need to pick up the campaign books and I would be interested on your thoughts on breakthrough - I have all m44 except equipment pack and breakthrough
+Steve Walker Breakthrough was kind of a dud for me...don't get me wrong, though. I enjoyed those maps, but in the end, if I'm gonna be forking out cash for them, I'd rather be pumping it into more Overlord stuff. So, I'd recommend the Equipment Pack over Breakthrough, myself.
+Sam Healey My experience with the Breakthrough system has been good. It makes the game more fluid & deeper. Nice when you don't have all the players to play Overlord.
+Andris Slisans Campaign Books would be a next step after everything that I talked about here...plus, currently, finding Volume 1 is nigh impossible. But I love having and using them, personally.
+rekath16 No specific problem...it just adds unnecessary complexity with minimal return on the experience end. Cool miniature planes, to be sure, but that's just the hook, as cool miniatures can be sometimes.
+Wonderful emir Here it is...save your money, unless you want to convolute an otherwise streamlined battle system (don't be fooled by the cool plane minis).
+Sam Healey It's not available anyway. Used to be the time the Air Pack, Terrain Pack and the Theater box of your choice were the must haves over the base game.
he's selling his opinion to the public, him disqualifying that opinion reflects on the product. he's the one that stood in front of the camera and made himself a authority on said topic, your the one taking my statement as a personal slant to his character when its not. i own my own business, i sell my product through my actions and how i present myself, he's doing the same. just trying to give some sales tips is all. I like Sam, i like war games. i like watching Sam talk and play war games. i only stated my opinion on this because i care.
+Roamy Bard I agree. It's a byproduct of a divisive culture that someone can't just say something with a chance of being wrong, and ignores the obvious fact that you are only capable of speaking from your own perspective. "In my opinion, to me, it's usually probably a chance of being a bit out of the range of investment that a lot of people would probably expect in most game stores." Versus "This game is expensive." Unfortunately, most people in our culture really like the first way of talking. It feels soothing to them to hear that the ideas are psychologically cushioned and they are constantly reassured they can have their own thoughts and feelings, because they are easily invalidated or offended. I run out of air trying to talk like that, but it's a boon for Sam.
This is a good idea for a video. Even after seeing other reviews and playthroughs, having a breakdown of what to buy is immensely useful. Your first minute isn't necessary; you don't need to qualify your reasons for making it. Just dive in and trust that we want to hear your wisdom. Keep up the good work, Sam.
I really appreciate this video. I hope the Dice Tower, not just Sam, makes more videos like this for the bigger, older games. Descent and Small World come to mind, but I'm sure there are others.
+Wynn Zetterberg I don't really think there is much to discuss when it comes to Descent (i am assuming you talking about the second edition). All the big box expansions are more models, more terrain pieces, more scenarios. It's not like with Memoir '44 where there are parts of history you need to focus. The expansions for Descent is just simply more of everything.
The only thing you really do need to look at is the Lieutenant packs and the Monster and Hero Collections. The Monster and Hero Collection are products that helps you convert Descent First Edition Monsters and Heroes to Second edition ones. But they could also be bought for the sake of simply just getting more Heroes and Monsters.
The Lieutenant pack adds a new mechanic to the game. However it's ultimate purpose is to gives you miniatures for unique mobs that would have otherwise been just a token in the game.
The Descent 2nd Edition Wikia have detailed information on each expansion.
For small world you can read the rules before you buy some expansion, so you decide if you want the races and powers in it. I personally chose: Be not afraid, Cursed, Royal bonus.And i am very happy with it.
I find it slightly amusing, from a historical standpoint, that the "Winter Wars" expansion covers the Ardenne Offensive and not the actual Winter Wars. It's like the devs are saying "Take THAT Finland!".
Finland was used in the eastern front expansion
ty for the overview of what each part offers. An update to this video to educate us on the newer options would be great.
7:56 "However, none of this is really necessary". Probably the best comment of any game review video. Ever. Cheers Sam!
Thanks for that, Sam. I was getting ready to expand my base game and you told me everything that I need to know.
Thank you for this! I have just discovered this game, which I will be buying, but I was perplexed by the many packs, expansions, boards, books, etc. that are available.
Thank you for explaining it - I now know exactly the order in which I will be purchasing!
Thank you for this video. They just re-released and I was confused about what packs should be bought together.
What a great idea for a video idea. Well done Sam
Great video. I found this after I started collecting all the expansions and that is the road i took. The last one on my list is to get another base game. I love the replay value of this game. Looking forward for the live game on April 5th.
This was informative, thanks! I love your solo videos, Sam :)
Hi Sam. This was immensely useful. Much appreciated.
Well timed Sam, just bought M'44. :)
An expansion NO ONE talks about is: buying a roll out Chessex hex/square mat. It's so useful for so many games. Simply place your pieces on it and you can go as big / small / oddly shapen as you want.
I found the advice very useful. I'm at the base set, desert/winter board and Med and Eastern expansion stage and I was wondering where to go next. Exactly as you said, do I have enough or are there more bits to get. My conclusion after watching the video is I've still got some more battles to fight before the next purchase. 8-)
25k+ views, I'd say it was useful for more than just that 1 guy.
Only thing I wish you said is say Overlord before 2nd base set. Overlord comes with chits equal to number of units you're missing if you only have base set. I bought overlord before getting Eastern Front or any other expansions. Use US for Russians and whatever tokens you need. Although using actual units is great, if you want 6 or 8 player Memoir like I did, get Overlord expansion and you won't need 2nd base set. If you want it to look somewhat nice, what I did was have 1-2 plastic units with 1-2 chits. Then whenever you lost, say a tank, get rid of the chit first. That way, everyone had plastic units and expendable chits. I still don't have a 2nd base set and probably never will. I have Eastern front, Overlord, and all the Overlord maps mentioned here (note: there's a 2017 map that released for Japan area)
Love the review, BUT… you should have mentioned that the "equipment Pack" gave tiger tanks, trucks, jeeps, and snipers, just to name a few. Really cool things to play with
You didnt mention the Breakthrough maps. For me these really change up the game and make it more strategic and less tactical. Breakthrough is my preferred format for the game
This video was very helpful to me. Thank you for your honest (and non hyperbolic) opinions. :)
Great extensive review Sam - it's a game I just don't play enough but love. And thanks for settling my mind over not being able to get the Air Pack...although I would still love to get the first Campaign book.
Dieppe is pronounced: Dee - epp. The 'epp' as in Epcot Centre. It would need an accent over the last e to be pronounced how you pronounced it. Don't worry about it - I'm from the UK and there are some UK place names that defy logic: Cholmondeley is pronounced Chumley...go figure.
I can't find any equipment packs anywhere, I think they discontinued them or something. They're sold out everywhere
If you really want to head down the rabbit hole, after getting a second copy of the base set you may want to consider a second Winter/Desert map and second copies of any theater expansions, if you want to be able to play all overlord maps and have enough troops to field them all.
Sam you are the one that got us Into memoir 44 and we love it is there any other war games that are similar to this ie not to heavy we love playing games and do so most nights but at the moment it's games like lost cities, battle line,dominion,Carcassonne , and of course memoir 44 all very easy and light. Thanks Jan
just looking to buy this for my 10 yr old, great timing
Thanks a lot for this! After a few more plays with the base set I guess I'll go for the terrain pack in combination with the eastern theater.
Keep up the good work Sam!
So many people have mentioned it CAN play 4, but I've never seen anyone play with 4 it really talk about 4 player. I'd like to see more about that.
I watched this video after I found out about this game last fall a few weeks ago. I wish I found out about this game 10 years ago.
Pacific theater is all I need to finish off my Memoir set. It is a crime that I have not done so yet. I use this a game often in the classroom. Also need to pick up The Great War.
Thanks, Sam. Great info!
Thanks Sam! Good information.
Great information, could you consider doing a video 'moving on from memoir 44' as I would be interested in your opinion on at what point exploring a new system might be more beneficial than acquiring more expansions.
880mtrac i second this
This is a great idea for a video; A Buying guide. It's one of the reasons I like Buy, Try, Deny.
I've got everything I need except the first campaign book and that canvas bag you have sitting next to you. I want!!!
This is so awesome.. thanks Sam! I'm still lazy and poor right now, but I know what to get when I eventually get a few expansions and such for MEMOIR '44. I'm still dreaming about a BIG BOX... you think they'll ever make one?
I started with eastern front because of an interest in that front at the time
Thanks Sam, I just ordered a copy of Memoir 44 after watching a Dice Tower play through. Do you think Asmodee/Days of Wonder will do anything for the 75th anniversary of the D Day invasion next year?
This is awesome. Thank you so much!
Hi Sam! Any love for the campaign books? thanks for the advice on buying the second core set for overlord sessions :)
I really hope they re-print all of these Memoir '44 expansions
I have never played this game or any games like it. Obviously, this is your preference on this style of game?
Sam what's you're feelings on the D-Day landing expansion map? Not sure if you've done a review on it.
My favorite board game, the perfect blend of strategy, luck and playability.
this helped. thank you.
please help, where can I find the Mediterranean expansion and the base game in Australia
Good video Sam! I just wish I could get my hands on the winter wars and campaign book expansion. they are so expensive
So in order to play operation overlord I need to buy a second copy of the original memoir 44 ??? Is that correct ?
Hi Sam, I wonder - what are your thoughts on the D-Day Landings expansion?
+עומר הרץ We just recently (in the past year) acquired a copy of that...and yes, I'm itching to try it, but haven't been able to as of yet.
I do think at some point you need to pick up the campaign books and I would be interested on your thoughts on breakthrough - I have all m44 except equipment pack and breakthrough
+Steve Walker Breakthrough was kind of a dud for me...don't get me wrong, though. I enjoyed those maps, but in the end, if I'm gonna be forking out cash for them, I'd rather be pumping it into more Overlord stuff. So, I'd recommend the Equipment Pack over Breakthrough, myself.
Thanks Sam
+Sam Healey My experience with the Breakthrough system has been good. It makes the game more fluid & deeper. Nice when you don't have all the players to play Overlord.
Wouldn't it be pretty cool if Days of Wonder released a French and Italian army expansion some time?
Hmm... did he mention the Terrain pack?
Why on earth did he skim over the winter wars pack? He didnt even mention the breakthrough cards, nor the breakthrough boards!
Marines? What about the ANZACS?
Why Sam didn't mentioned campaign book?
+Andris Slisans Campaign Books would be a next step after everything that I talked about here...plus, currently, finding Volume 1 is nigh impossible. But I love having and using them, personally.
+Sam Healey Hey Sam - you can get the PDF direct from Days of Wonder for a reasonable price.
Because it's really hard to find.
+attar81 This is a truth...thanks for mentioning it!
You say Air Pack is not necessary, but dont explain why. Nor do I see any air pack review, so what is your problem with that expansion?
+rekath16 No specific problem...it just adds unnecessary complexity with minimal return on the experience end. Cool miniature planes, to be sure, but that's just the hook, as cool miniatures can be sometimes.
will you do an airpack review?
+Wonderful emir Here it is...save your money, unless you want to convolute an otherwise streamlined battle system (don't be fooled by the cool plane minis).
+Sam Healey It's not available anyway. Used to be the time the Air Pack, Terrain Pack and the Theater box of your choice were the must haves over the base game.
what base sets is there ?
Perfect!
Thanks
Sam stop disqualifying your statements.
+Roamy Bard It´s called "humbleness" and it´s appreciated by some people...
he's selling his opinion to the public, him disqualifying that opinion reflects on the product. he's the one that stood in front of the camera and made himself a authority on said topic, your the one taking my statement as a personal slant to his character when its not. i own my own business, i sell my product through my actions and how i present myself, he's doing the same. just trying to give some sales tips is all. I like Sam, i like war games. i like watching Sam talk and play war games. i only stated my opinion on this because i care.
+Roamy Bard I agree. It's a byproduct of a divisive culture that someone can't just say something with a chance of being wrong, and ignores the obvious fact that you are only capable of speaking from your own perspective.
"In my opinion, to me, it's usually probably a chance of being a bit out of the range of investment that a lot of people would probably expect in most game stores."
Versus
"This game is expensive."
Unfortunately, most people in our culture really like the first way of talking. It feels soothing to them to hear that the ideas are psychologically cushioned and they are constantly reassured they can have their own thoughts and feelings, because they are easily invalidated or offended. I run out of air trying to talk like that, but it's a boon for Sam.
Running a channel with a good connection to the community can really be a balancing act, if you want to avoid haters (not including you guys!)...
Brill game
All the buy buy buy puts me right off this game.