It also smells quite strange. I’ve left it in a spare room to air out a bit.
1 Like
That’s just the Death cards. Scented for better immersion.
6 Likes
Smelled mine. Normal smell …
2 Likes
Had a few things come in over the last couple of months but I’ve been distracted by life. So let’s catch up!
Baseball Highlights: 2045 – All-Star Expansion
Got this on the recent crowdfunding. I already owned all the other content and figured I’d throw in a few bucks to keep up with the cards.
That was probably a mistake. This expansion is pretty weak, especially for a primary-solo player.
Speaking of which…
Millennium Blades: Multiverses Beyonder Mini-Expansion
Another case where I owned (almost, technically missing 1 promo) all the other cards and figured I’d just stay on top of the releases. Yet another case where a small, token expansion was launched on crowdfunding in order to justify a new printing of the base game.
It’s fine, I guess. It’s nice to have another character and some new sets. But, since I backed Collusion, I have card dividers for each set… except… for… these new ones
I can print-and-play some dividers, I guess, and paste them over some of the errata’d dividers that are just collecting dust.
It also came with some cards for 99 Heroes. That’s about all I know about them. I doubt I’ll ever touch them unless people start talking about this game as being interesting.
Tramways Engineer’s Workbook volume 2
I was really looking forward to this one. Volume 1 is such a great idea but bad execution; the dry-erase pages don’t actually work with dry-erase markers. I’ve found that wet-erase seems to be my preferred workaround, rather than the Perspex sheets that came bundled with the product since the factory printed on the wrong paper stock – the sheets always move around and it’s fiddly. But so is wet-erase.
However, as I found myself looking at this new, functionally dry-erase workbook, I realized I really should finish Volume 1… So I have started on that and made it to puzzle 7.
That was all pledges of various ages that arrived. However, recently, was making an Amazon order and needed overnight shipping on something; while looking for something to bump me up to the free overnight shipping threshold, I spotted:
Spirit Island: Nature Incarnate
It was “on sale” and it put me over the threshold. Why not? I was originally going to skip this expansion, but I’ve been watching a lot of Spirit Island playthrough videos on YouTube (instead of any other hobbies, due to energy levels) and I felt that while the spirits included in this box aren’t so great, some of the aspects (variant forms of previous spirits) look really fun.
Shortly after that, I won an award at work for… well, making impossible things possible – something I know I shouldn’t do, because now they’re going to go start selling impossible things to our customers. And it came with a gift card!
So I decided to splurge on some more games! Because… why not! I just went down my prioritized wish-list and added things to my cart until I ran out of money. And then rejiggered it a bit due to product availability, which made me a bit sad, since I needed to drop Bullet⭐ in the process; I was looking forward to having more Bullet. Oh well, it’s still on my wish-list. At the very top, no less.
The Lord of the Rings: The Game REPACKAGED EXPANSIONS
The Lord of the Rings: The Game – The Dream-Chaser Hero Expansion
The Lord of the Rings: The Game – The Dream-Chaser Campaign Expansion
The Lord of the Rings: The Game – Ered Mithrin Hero Expansion
The Lord of the Rings: The Game – Ered Mithrin Campaign Expansion
That basically finalizes my LOTRLCG collection. I don’t own everything, but I own most of it. I don’t have the Haradrim or Vengeance of Mordor cycles, but that’s fine; maybe if I’m desperate and get through all the other content I have, I’ll proxy those sets.
Scenario Status
Cycle Scenario Owned Played Beaten Cycle 1 – Shadows of Mirkwood Passage Through Mirkwood Cycle 1 – Shadows of Mirkwood Journey Down the Anduin Cycle 1 – Shadows of Mirkwood Escape From Dul Guldur Cycle 1 – Shadows of Mirkwood The Oath Cycle 1 – Shadows of Mirkwood The Caves of Nibin-dûm Cycle 1 – Shadows of Mirkwood The Hunt for Gollum Cycle 1 – Shadows of Mirkwood Conflict at the Carrock Cycle 1 – Shadows of Mirkwood A Journey to Rhosgobel Cycle 1 – Shadows of Mirkwood The Hills of Emyn Muil Cycle 1 – Shadows of Mirkwood The Dead Marshes Cycle 1 – Shadows of Mirkwood Return to Mirkwood Cycle 2 – Dwarrowdelf Into the Pit Cycle 2 – Dwarrowdelf The Seventh Level Cycle 2 – Dwarrowdelf Flight from Moria Cycle 2 – Dwarrowdelf The Redhorn Gate Cycle 2 – Dwarrowdelf Road to Rivendell Cycle 2 – Dwarrowdelf The Watcher in the Water Cycle 2 – Dwarrowdelf The Long Dark Cycle 2 – Dwarrowdelf Foundations of Stone Cycle 2 – Dwarrowdelf Shadow and Flame Cycle 3 – Against the Shadow Peril in Pelargir Cycle 3 – Against the Shadow Into Ithilien Cycle 3 – Against the Shadow The Siege of Cair Andros Cycle 3 – Against the Shadow The Steward’s Fear Cycle 3 – Against the Shadow The Drúadan Forest Cycle 3 – Against the Shadow Encounter at Amon Dîn Cycle 3 – Against the Shadow Assault on Osgiliath Cycle 3 – Against the Shadow The Blood of Gondor Cycle 3 – Against the Shadow The Morgul Vale Cycle 4 – The Ring-maker The Fords of Isen Cycle 4 – The Ring-maker To Catch an Orc Cycle 4 – The Ring-maker Into Fangorn Cycle 4 – The Ring-maker The Dunland Trap Cycle 4 – The Ring-maker The Three Trials Cycle 4 – The Ring-maker Trouble in Tharbad Cycle 4 – The Ring-maker The Nîn-in-Eilph Cycle 4 – The Ring-maker Celebrimbor’s Secret Cycle 4 – The Ring-maker The Antlered Crown Cycle 5 – Angmar Awakened Intruders in Chetwood Cycle 5 – Angmar Awakened The Weather Hills Cycle 5 – Angmar Awakened Deadmen’s Dike Cycle 5 – Angmar Awakened Wastes of Eriador Cycle 5 – Angmar Awakened Escape from Mount Gram Cycle 5 – Angmar Awakened Across the Ettenmoors Cycle 5 – Angmar Awakened The Treachery of Rhudaur Cycle 5 – Angmar Awakened The Battle of Carn Dûm Cycle 5 – Angmar Awakened The Dread Realm Cycle 6 – Dream-chaser Voyage Across Belegaer Cycle 6 – Dream-chaser The Fate of Númenor Cycle 6 – Dream-chaser Raid on the Grey Havens Cycle 6 – Dream-chaser Flight of the Stormcaller Cycle 6 – Dream-chaser The Thing in the Depths Cycle 6 – Dream-chaser Temple of the Deceived Cycle 6 – Dream-chaser The Drowned Ruins Cycle 6 – Dream-chaser A Storm on Cobas Haven Cycle 6 – Dream-chaser The City of Corsairs Cycle 7 – Haradrim Escape from Umbar Cycle 7 – Haradrim Desert Crossing Cycle 7 – Haradrim The Long Arm of Mordor Cycle 7 – Haradrim The Mûmakil Cycle 7 – Haradrim Race Across Harad Cycle 7 – Haradrim Beneath the Sands Cycle 7 – Haradrim The Black Serpent Cycle 7 – Haradrim The Dungeons of Cirith Gurat Cycle 7 – Haradrim The Crossings of Poros Cycle 8 – Ered Mithrin Journey Up the Anduin Cycle 8 – Ered Mithrin Lost in Mirkwood Cycle 8 – Ered Mithrin The King’s Quest Cycle 8 – Ered Mithrin The Withered Heath Cycle 8 – Ered Mithrin Roam Across Rhovanion Cycle 8 – Ered Mithrin Fire in the Night Cycle 8 – Ered Mithrin The Ghost of Framsburg Cycle 8 – Ered Mithrin Mount Gundabad Cycle 8 – Ered Mithrin The Fate of Wilderlanc Cycle 9 – Vengeance of Mordor The River Running Cycle 9 – Vengeance of Mordor Danger in Dorwinion Cycle 9 – Vengeance of Mordor The Temple of Doom Cycle 9 – Vengeance of Mordor Wrath and Ruin Cycle 9 – Vengeance of Mordor The City of Ulfast Cycle 9 – Vengeance of Mordor Challenge of the Wainriders Cycle 9 – Vengeance of Mordor Under the Ash Mountains Cycle 9 – Vengeance of Mordor The Land of Sorrow Cycle 9 – Vengeance of Mordor The Fortress of Nurn Saga 1 – The Hobbit We Must Away, Ere Break of Day Saga 1 – The Hobbit Over the Misty Mountains Grim Saga 1 – The Hobbit Dungeons Deep and Caverns Dim Saga 1 – The Hobbit Flies and Spiders Saga 1 – The Hobbit The Lonely Mountain Saga 1 – The Hobbit The Battle of Five Armies Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings A Shadow of the Past Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings A Knife in the Dark Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings Flight to the Ford Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings The Ring Goes South Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings Journey in the Dark Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings Breaking of the Fellowship Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings The Uruk-hai Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings Helm’s Deep Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings The Road to Isengard Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings The Passage of the Marshes Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings Journey to the Cross-roads Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings Shelob’s Lair Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings The Passing of the Grey Company Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings The Siege of Gondor Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings The Battle of the Pelennor Fields Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings The Tower of Cirith Ungol Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings The Black Gate Opens Saga 2 – The Lord of the Rings Mount Doom Standalone Scenarios Fog on the Barrow-Downs Standalone Scenarios Murder at the Prancing Pony Standalone Scenarios The Siege of Annuminas Standalone Scenarios Attack on Dul Guldur Standalone Scenarios The Massing at Osgiliath Standalone Scenarios The Stone of Erech Standalone Scenarios The Battle of Lake-Town Standalone Scenarios The Old Forest Standalone Scenarios The Ruins of Belegost Standalone Scenarios The Hunt for Dreadnaught Custom Kits The Wizard’s Quest Custom Kits The Woodland Realm Custom Kits The Mines of Moria Custom Kits Escape from Khazad-Dûm
Yeah, I think I’m okay, product-wise here. Storage will actually be a big problem when I get all of these products opened…
And on that subject…
Ashes Reborn: Red Rains – The Frostwild Scourge
Yeah, I posted recently about getting some Red Rains content for Christmas and not really sure how much more I needed. I absolutely think getting new Chimera aspects is going to keep the game fresh, both solo and 2-player co-op, but I’m increasingly at a loss of what to do with alternate Phoenixborn cards and, what’s more, the additional mix-in cards available. Sure, it’s nice to have those options, but I can’t even figure out how to contain all of the products I own in the original Ashes box at this point. I’m going to need a custom solution before I can put this away.
Also, it’s frustrating how cassette cases are almost perfect for a game like this; but they can’t handle more than about 26 sleeved (32 unsleeved) cards; perfect for Aspects, but hit-and-miss on the Phoenixborn and one of the Chimera.
I saw there’s a new wave of products coming that will support solo play but may be separate from Red Rains… maybe it’ll come with a reasonable box. In the meantime, I’ll have to find something to use instead…
Battles of Medieval Britain: A Solitaire Wargame
I’ve been seeing this series of games pop up in recommendation threads for solo wargaming a lot over the last couple of years. Preferring older styles of combat, I looked at putting a pre-gunpowder, European-centric product on my wishlist to check out the series… well, there’s really only one… all the rest are gunpowder or later. Maybe I should try to enjoy Napoleonic-era warfare- it would open up a lot more possibilities.
Anyway. This is really clever. A bit of reverse-tower-defense in its structure; the AI doesn’t move, but they get free attacks on everything they can “reach” on their turn; and there’s a bit of push-your-luck dice but with some nice strategic considerations.
I’m not sure if I’m more inspired to play… or more inspired to try to design my own (ahistoric) scenarios. It’s a very elegant system.
I’m eager to check it out. I’m worried there’s not enough dice-mitigation for me to really enjoy it… hence… considering trying my hand at another game within the framework.
And, finally, I participated in a local No-Ship Math Trade and got one trade out of the deal.
Everdell
traded out: Spare copy of The Networks w/The Executives
I’ve been eyeballing this game for a while. The product line is a bit of a wreck and I’ve actually been hunting for a math-trade for a copy that comes with the newer solo mode (I looked up where that is, but I don’t recall). This is just the base game; so I’m not sure if I’m going to try to tackle it solo first, or wait to try it with my partner.
6 Likes
Pyramid Arcade - I heard most of these games are crap, except for some like Homeworlds, but I’m curious and want to give them a try. Homeworlds is awesome
Ortus Regni + both expansions - yet another card tableau game, but confrontational and unique. Probably the biggest obstacle in my Magic Number Challenge (I have 6 right now)
Skull Queen - collected from someone. Trick taker by Stefan Dorra
Codex Naturalis - collected along with Skull Queen. Potential item in my “fun section”
3 Likes
I’ve been waiting for a reprint of this for a long time.
Because…
My kids like to play with the pyramids from Zendo.
2 Likes
We used to have this. I wouldn’t say most of the games are crap, but they do vary, and a lot of them are - somewhat insubstantial?
4 Likes
I’m still holding to two general rules - game have to be at least three years old before I buy (so, 2022 now) and 10 purchases per year. Self-policing only goes so far, but we’re doing pretty well.
So far for this year:
Yokohama: I’m still medium warm on this game, but I like it enough and it has enough love (and it’s in print enough and on sale enough) that I’d like to play it on the table. BGA has always been tough with the wealth of boards and tokens and such.
Key Flow: Couldn’t be more excited. Anyone know about this? It’s Keyflower, but instead of auctions and hex tiles, it’s a draft. Pick and pass, still the spatially arranged village (now cards), still moving goods and upgrading locations, still able to use your neighbor’s cards to possibly help or hinder them, and still choosing winter cards to customize your scoring engine.
It’s less than Keyflower and doesn’t replace it. But it’s also less teach, less time, and less brain. It’s a chance to get a lot of Keyflower on the table more often and I’m here for that.
Key Market 2e: So I’m digging into Breese, apparently. I didn’t know about this one before, but you’ve got a tech tree on the right, a spatial puzzle farm good production fight on the left, a self-consuming engine where you have to keep spending what you make to make more, and a psychological gambit for what you bring to the market each round. Sign me up.
Marrakesh: I’ve been eyeing this for a long time. Nerdz Day delivered so here we go. Hopefully it’s as successful as Burgundy was in my house?
Foundations of Metropolis / Knarr / Windmill Valley / Vale of Eternity: I’m lumping all of these together as one entry in my list of 10. Because they were all “cheap enough to try, easy enough to table, maybe they’ll work” entries. I’m positive on all four (and played Knarr online) but will be happy to move any and all on if they aren’t great.
Eesh. That’s 5 of my annual 10 and it’s March.
Expansions:
Flamme Rouge: Grand Tour How many years did we wait for this? Supposed to drop end of the month here in the states.
Honey Buzz: Fall Flavors Haven’t played the base yet but it was a deep discount so we’ll give it a try.
9 Likes
Keyflow - Keyflower but worse 
1 Like
I’m waiting for keyflowest to top them both.
8 Likes
I like your 3 years rule, that makes sure the games you get are the really good ones.
5 Likes
Yeah - I made a graph of both my ratings and bgg ratings and noticed a definite downward trend on more recent purchases. Also, to @RogerBW 's point in another thread, any imbalance, errors, or errata tends to get baked in with a second or third printing. The number of times I miss out due to out-of-print is lower than the frequency with which I get, say, Lorenzo Il Magnifico Big Box for $30.
Still, I break sometimes. Sometimes it’s nice to dive into the hype and see if you strike gold 
5 Likes
Just a little one…3 Chapters, trick taking!
1 Like
After last year’s no games purchases this year has already seen me hit my third purchase. The GtR inspired Chudyk games are now rounded out in my collection. This one seems to inspire ire in people who like Glory to Rome but the art is jolly and it’s maybe a little more accessible rules wise.
11 Likes
On a drunken work annoying me splurge I now own compile and Black Forest.
And of course molly house got delivered. The metal pieces are some of the lushest game components I’ve ever encountered.
9 Likes
Interesting autocorrect.
(I did a search for this, and apparently there are several businesses called milky house in Japan.)
8 Likes
Ha! It was of course Molly House
3 Likes
Via the Airecon Buy & Sell group:
Two games I’ve been tempted by for a while - Ginkgopolis and Hallertau (Maybe this Uwe game will be the absolutely perfect one for me and will stay on my shelf along with Fields of Arle and Nusfjord…)
And More Backpacks & Blisters - because I like the idea of it, and because we have Backpacks & Blisters, and because I like the Lake District, and because it cost £4.
And all three because I sold sixteen games so obviously I’m allowed to bring a few in…
12 Likes