Checkmate, Bitches! The Chess and other Board Games Thread

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 11:43 pm

Magic: The Gathering counts in this thread, right? Right.

Anyhoo, Wizards of the Coast (owned by Hasbro) is the maker of Magic cards (they also own D&D). They are a fucking cartel on the level of DeBeers. They control supply and demand.

And they've gone next level in their quest to make cardboard the new diamonds.

The cost of these VIP Edition packs? $100+ each. It has enraged gamers everywhere. All the Magic YouTubers are beside themselves amongst many others.

It's absolutely insane how far this game has come in 25 years.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Fri Aug 21, 2020 12:19 pm

Looking for cooperative games that the family can play together. We've got at least one of the Forbidden games already, but I'm wondering if there are others that the collective you would suggest.

ETA - kids are 14, 12, and 6, but don't worry about catering to the 6 year old. He'll follow along.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Fri Aug 21, 2020 1:48 pm

govmentchedda wrote: ↑Fri Aug 21, 2020 12:19 pm Looking for cooperative games that the family can play together. We've got at least one of the Forbidden games already, but I'm wondering if there are others that the collective you would suggest.

ETA - kids are 14, 12, and 6, but don't worry about catering to the 6 year old. He'll follow along.

I gotchu.

I pulled these from memory and Board Game Geek.

Note that a lot of co-ops play in much the same way and share the same mechanics across each other.

Any of the Pandemics. My preference is Pandemic: Iberia. But Pandemic: Fall of Rome also gets high praise. Pandemic: Chthulu is good too.

Spirit Island. You take on the roll of spirits and assist the natives preventing invasion of the island from outside forces. (The basis of the game was to counteract all of the imperialistic style games where you colonize foreign lands.) There's an expansion coming soon. I've heard great things about it, but have yet to play it.

Orleans + Invasion expansion. This may be a bit advanced, but the mechanics of the game are easy to get. You pull workers from a bag and place them on your player board. Then you move your worker in the game board around the city. The theme is fending off an "invasion" during medieval times.

Arkham Horror/Eldritch Horror. Functionally plays like Pandemic, but with more Chthulu theme overall. Everyone's trying to stop 'The Old Ones' from destroying the city of Arkham.

Black Orchestra. A game where you and the other players play as Nazis trying to stop Hitler. Think of that Tom Cruise movie Valkyrie but in a board game.

Horrified. Under the radar hit from last year. Take all of the campy horror movie tropes (Dracula, The Mummy, Frankenstein..etc) and smush them into a board game. Your goal is to stop them and save the locals.

Flash Point Fire Rescue. You and your team are trying to save people from a building that is burning down.

Legendary. The kids will like this. It's a Marvel game with all of the characters where you choose cards to build your own deck to fight off the villains that show up.

There are many others, but they require heavy time investments or may be too much board presence (set up/tear down/rules overhead) for an evening of having fun.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:14 pm

Ooh, anything with Chthulu in the title should go over well with the 6 year old. I think that's one of the challenges in Terraria.

Thanks for such a descriptive response, Johnnie! I'll definitely look into all of them.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:18 pm

Yea, man, of course! You're welcome for my service.

phxgators · Post by **phxgators** » Fri Aug 21, 2020 9:07 pm

govmentchedda wrote: ↑Fri Aug 21, 2020 12:19 pm Looking for cooperative games that the family can play together. We've got at least one of the Forbidden games already, but I'm wondering if there are others that the collective you would suggest.

ETA - kids are 14, 12, and 6, but don't worry about catering to the 6 year old. He'll follow along.

Castle Panic is petty fun and simple to pick up.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Aug 21, 2020 9:09 pm

Flashpoint and pandemiic are great. We have checked flashpoint out of the library almost a dozen times.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Fri Aug 21, 2020 9:31 pm

Thanks everyone.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Sat Aug 22, 2020 9:30 am

I can't believe I forgot Castle Panic! And it has several expansions that really add to the theme and gameplay.

One other: Dead of Winter. Everyone is trying to survive in their colony during a zombie apocalypse. The twist: each person has their own "hidden role." You can even be a traitor in that hidden role. This game is very cool because there's a narrative deck, lots of different people that you can play as or meet, and it integrates a lot of suspense too.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Fri Sep 04, 2020 12:03 pm

Current somewhat trending hashtag:

#ThirstTrapBoardgames

Also, last weekend I went out of town with my board game friends, rented an Airbnb, and played games all weekend with everyone. Last night I was a guest on the podcast to chat about it. When it's posted (next week) I'll link it here.

We played, collectively, about 20 games. I had a blast playing a game called Barrage specifically. Excellent heavy weight worker placement game about manipulating water. Very thinky and very strategic. Definitely recommend it.

BSF21 · Post by **BSF21** » Mon Sep 07, 2020 4:15 pm

Johnnie wrote: ↑Fri Sep 04, 2020 12:03 pm Current somewhat trending hashtag:

#ThirstTrapBoardgames

Also, last weekend I went out of town with my board game friends, rented an Airbnb, and played games all weekend with everyone. Last night I was a guest on the podcast to chat about it. When it's posted (next week) I'll link it here.

We played, collectively, about 20 games. I had a blast playing a game called Barrage specifically. Excellent heavy weight worker placement game about manipulating water. Very thinky and very strategic. Definitely recommend it.

Once this bullshit is past us I want in on one of these weekends.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Mon Sep 07, 2020 5:41 pm

BSF21 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 4:15 pmOnce this bullshit is past us I want in on one of these weekends.

When all is said and done with my year in Korea, come visit Tucson and this can happen.

Origins Game Fair in Columbus, Ohio in 2022 should be awesome as well. I *should be* in the beginning of my terminal leave leading into retirement at that time.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 11:52 am

I was on a podcast! Yay me!

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Sun Sep 20, 2020 3:08 pm

NSFW...? (There's no actually nudity in the spoiler, it's about Monopoly pieces...)

[+] spoiler

BSF21 · Post by **BSF21** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:19 am

So I'm back trying to get better at chess. Anyone still on lichess?

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:25 am

BSF21 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:19 am So I'm back trying to get better at chess. Anyone still on lichess?

No but I play on the iPhone with my daughter

BSF21 · Post by **BSF21** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:55 am

A_B wrote: ↑Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:25 am
BSF21 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:19 am So I'm back trying to get better at chess. Anyone still on lichess?
No but I play on the iPhone with my daughter

They got an ap for that.

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:56 am

Haven't played in ages but still have a chess.com account

BSF21 · Post by **BSF21** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 11:03 am

P.D.X. wrote: ↑Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:56 am Haven't played in ages but still have a chess.com account

I'm willing to jump on whatever. I've been practicing some basic theory and playing against my buddy who is 1600 rated. Well, "playing", he generally smokes me pretty quick but I played him to a draw last week!

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 11:07 am

BSF21 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 15, 2020 11:03 am
P.D.X. wrote: ↑Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:56 am Haven't played in ages but still have a chess.com account
I'm willing to jump on whatever. I've been practicing some basic theory and playing against my buddy who is 1600 rated. Well, "playing", he generally smokes me pretty quick but I played him to a draw last week!

Oh i suck.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:47 pm

My son picked up Tabletop simulator on steam. Setup a zoom with my mom, niece, and nephew and just played the snot out of all kinds of games. Lots of stuff available to play. We got into Formula D today. Also played Flash Point, Scotland Yard, and a few others. Great for Covid stir crazy day.

L-Jam3 · Post by **L-Jam3** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:46 am

A couple days ago Defector had an article about Efren "Bata" Reyes, the greatest pool player ever. Turns out he's pretty good at chess, too.

BSF21 · Post by **BSF21** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 9:47 pm

L-Jam3 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:46 am A couple days ago Defector had an article about Efren "Bata" Reyes, the greatest pool player ever. Turns out he's pretty good at chess, too.

Efren is the GOAT. I’ve seen him play in person multiple times. He’s just indescribable.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 9:54 pm

BSF21 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 17, 2021 9:47 pm
L-Jam3 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:46 am A couple days ago Defector had an article about Efren "Bata" Reyes, the greatest pool player ever. Turns out he's pretty good at chess, too.
Efren is the GOAT. I’ve seen him play in person multiple times. He’s just indescribable.

Then why did you call him the GOAT?

BSF21 · Post by **BSF21** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:04 am

Here's him playing Earl Strickland (who is batshit in his own right)

This is magic.(Skip to 2:20 if you're impatient)

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 10:09 am

BSF21 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:04 am

Here's him playing Earl Strickland (who is batshit in his own right)

This is magic.(Skip to 2:20 if you're impatient)

Ah sports in hotel ballrooms....those were the days.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 10:35 am

Indeed. First thing that jumped to my mind. Used to be a hotel I used to hang in Charlotte... cant remember name but was just off downtown and looked like little investment in decades but they had several ballrooms. one was a club. The other had fights and similarly not quite primetime events. Loved it. You could get lost in the bowels of that place and I used it as an office many times. Almost completely empty save a maid or two walking through but great carpet and comfy stairs. Gaudy wallpaper. High back chairs. Dont make em like they used to.

Post by **Sabo** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 11:19 am

wlu_lax6 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 10:09 amAh sports in hotel ballrooms....those were the days.

I attended a women's pro billiards event about 20 years ago that was held at a casino ballroom in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. It was one of the most fun sporting events I've ever attended.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 11:49 am

Growing up I remember driving around the Baltimore Beltway and seeing all kinds of events like this at Martins. Boxing, Billiards, Martial ARts events, etc. I have to believe the local MMA and grapplers use these places today.

BSF21 · Post by **BSF21** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 1:43 pm

Sabo wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 11:19 am
wlu_lax6 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 10:09 amAh sports in hotel ballrooms....those were the days.
I attended a women's pro billiards event about 20 years ago that was held at a casino ballroom in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. It was one of the most fun sporting events I've ever attended.

Once life gets back to normal come to the Derby City Classic with us down in Louisville one year. It's a blast to spectate.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Mar 25, 2021 7:47 pm

Seb Mckinnon is a modern day Hieronymus Bosch. This dude's work is fucking amazing.

He's got a Kickstarter too. I'm basically throwing a bunch of money at it because I need to outfit my eventual game room.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Sat May 01, 2021 1:48 am

Collectibles markets have gone berserk during our COVID times. Have you seen what Pokemon card prices are now? And it was made worse by Logan Paul cracking open boxes for fun on his live stream which jettisoned the price further.

Hopefully Post Malone doesn't do the same for Magic cards. I don't mind collecting them, but playing the game is more fun to me.

Post Malone cause frenzy at card shop drops thousands on Magic cards!!!

I'm just glad that board gaming is so much more affordable than this.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Wed Jun 09, 2021 3:29 pm

I hope this doesn't have the same effect Logan Paul had with Pokemon.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:30 am

From the Atlantic:

The Board Games That Ask You to Reenact Colonialism

This has been a big topic in gaming going back several years now ever since the hobby has become more popular and inclusive.

I have several of the games mentioned in the article. And one of them, Mombasa, is actually a top game of mine. So I'm thankful that it's getting a retheme because it is off putting to step back from the game (which is really good, imo) and go "Ummm, we all just colonized Africa."

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Mon Aug 23, 2021 1:19 pm

My favorite store in Tucson is this used book store called Bookman's. But the place also has lots of other used things like records, music, and other random knick knacks.

A week ago while shopping, Pandemic Legacy Season 1 was on the shelf for $30. It retails for $80. Total score.

We cracked it open last night and started playing. It's really, really good. Highly recommend you get it if you can.

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Mon Aug 23, 2021 2:38 pm

Johnnie wrote: ↑Mon Aug 23, 2021 1:19 pm My favorite store in Tucson is this used book store called Bookman's.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Sat Aug 28, 2021 1:07 am

A board game post in a non board game subreddit.

I'm kinda sad right now that these games are going to get torn up.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 12:07 am

Holy shit, I've never laughed so hard watching people play board games:

duff · Post by **duff** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 6:03 am

Johnnie wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 12:07 am Holy shit, I've never laughed so hard watching people play board games:

Watch their Blood on the Clocktower series.