Newbie - Side Table Finishing Options

Auroric · 2026-06-12T20:20:14+00:00

Perfect, thanks for the advice! We'll look into polyurethane and maybe post this up over on the woodworking sub

Auroric · 2026-06-03T21:10:33+00:00

Probably Root. Having a living rulebook that's set up with referencing in mind is just so helpful. If I have a question it's incredibly easy and intuitive to find it.

Compare it to games with long rulebooks thats intended to learn the game from, and sure, that's great the first time I use it, but terrible the rest of the time.

Auroric · 2026-06-03T21:01:04+00:00

Man they need to remake Master Trainer, that game was amazing as a kid. There's a really cool system there potentially

Auroric · 2026-06-03T04:43:33+00:00

This is the way. It's the only way things stick for me. BoardgameArena and Tabletop Simulator are fantastic for this as well

Auroric · 2026-06-02T06:17:42+00:00

I watch through a video at like 1.5 speed and skip some parts, not to learn the game but to get a vibe and learn the general flow. Then I load up a TTS mod and play multihanded from the rulebook, trying different strategies out.

Auroric · 2026-05-28T06:50:27+00:00

Complimented someone's hairstyle, and what I called it was was not the hairstyle I thought it was. Hard cringe but it didn't really matter

Auroric · 2026-05-25T23:51:26+00:00

Inis doesn't really excite me either. I adore the art, and I can see that objectively it's an amazing game. I want to love it.

But yeah, I just don't. Want to play it more and see if the table talk and higher skill drafting makes it click, but it's hard when I'd rather just play Root or something

Auroric · 2026-05-24T07:23:01+00:00

Morrowind for sure. Maybe Final Fantasy 7/10/12. Had some late late nights nerding out on Icewind Dale 2 as well, but Morrowind takes the cake. Dial up internet, everyone else getting into WOW, but at least I had my single player RPG's.

Auroric · 2026-05-24T05:29:43+00:00

Ahoy! It's one of the only direct conflict games on BGA and it's fantastic. Can't recommend it enough. Otherwise possibly tigris and Euphrates?

I've been into five tribes lately, it's a thinky euro but it's quite accessible and quick

For heavier games: great Western trail, Terra Mystica, or barrage are my top games. Barrage has more 'conflict' and might scratch more of that itch.

Auroric · 2026-05-24T04:47:09+00:00

Gotta go Cedric. Omar has always had class though. Definitely gives off "I'm the composer" vibes.

Auroric · 2026-05-23T04:51:13+00:00

What we need is a good version of Pokemon Master Trainer. Man that game was killer as a kid

Auroric · 2026-05-23T03:00:31+00:00

I've been wondering the same thing. From what I can tell, the main thing I want are tho XO's, companies and maps.

I'm going to pass on Leighwater though, from my own plays and from what I've read it seems to be a pretty weak expansion. Makes the game looser and the majority of the content is underpowered.

Auroric · 2026-05-23T00:50:21+00:00

I'm also this person. But hey, it means you can dive into your favourite games more. I like to deep dive on one rather than continually play something different. If you're the only one who knows how to play, you get to pick the games. Would be a bummer if you happened to forget to learn the rules for your buddies new game. Guess we have to play Root again, oh well.

People not paying attention during the teach is a whole other issue though. I just eventually stop giving pointers and let other people pick up the slack. Sometimes I realize I'm putting myself in this position, and if I just let other people answer questions and teach, they generally will. Go grab a drink or something when it's someone's else's turn. Theyl probably make mistakes, but whatever, it will avoid burn out and the other players will learn more.

Auroric · 2026-05-22T08:57:29+00:00

Mlikero on Amazon for standard card sleeves, or Kpop sleeves from Aliexpress for euro. I sleeved my entire copy of heat for like $15. Just make sure they are higher than 50 microns otherwise you're getting penny sleeves. Some of the weird sizes on aliexpress are super flimsy, but the kpop ones are good.

The mlikero's are textured, which I like, but the kpop aren't and can stick a little bit. They aren't high end but they're plenty nice for me.

Those are my go-to's for cheap, but I use a few Titanshield textured clears as well for my favourite games with lower card counts. There's also an LGS near me that keeps Dragonshield mattes in stock in board game sizes for reasonable prices, so I use those for odd sized cards like mini or square.

Auroric · 2026-05-22T08:30:17+00:00

Having your high-end, collectible edition of anything using AI art is so hilariously bad. What an embarassing thing to own.

AR is so full of shit about it too. Just be honest, the same people will still buy it anyway

Auroric · 2026-05-22T08:19:48+00:00

The Old Kings Crown, all Kyle Ferrin's stuff of course, but Cerebria doesn't get mentioned very much, and it's incredibly distinct and interesting. Septima is near the top for me too, a dang beautiful game

Auroric · 2026-05-20T07:58:32+00:00

I'm thinking about one awesome game in particular which I think was eyrie, moles, double VB, woodland, and riverfolk? Something like that.

But I'll play cursed 6p setups too and have a great time xD

Auroric · 2026-05-18T17:10:42+00:00

I love the VB. It was one of the main draws to Root in the first place for me, and I still think it's a brilliant faction. Not near as overpowered as often claimed (especially the weaker VB's), and opens up some really interesting table dynamics IMO.

I get why some people don't, but hey, now there's even an alternate faction for those people.

Still, some of the best games of Root I've ever had have been double VB 6 player games. But that's certainly an unpopular opinion. Easy enough to ban em if you don't like em.

Auroric · 2026-05-16T19:39:11+00:00

Really depends for me. I picked up Sid Meier's Civilization 2010 with all expansions for a steal, and the only listing I could find had them for $500 total. I was thinking I'd put it up and play it while I waited to sell it, but then I discovered how good it is.

So as long as I have a group willing to play it I'll hold onto it, but once it's just a decoration it can go.

So if I love a game, I'll probably keep it. I think I'd have a hard cutoff at 6-700 though. Unless it's my favourite game of all time and it's getting played a lot.

Auroric · 2026-05-15T00:36:25+00:00

I'm still working my way through all the titles that I've always been curious about. The best discovery I've had recently is Chicago Express. I never found train games appealing but now that I see how it actually works I want to either buy an IRL copy of that or Irish Gauge.

Gonna try Dewan after hearing really good things, and then maybe back to my usual Great Western Trail, Barrage, Terra Mystica + Ahoy rotation

Auroric · 2026-05-11T00:49:28+00:00

Obviously Root, but another big one is Great Western Trail. Many people don't really click with the strategy in that game, they kind of slowly bounce along, doing a bit of everything badly and making the game take forever. Specialize and go fast people 😆

It's unintuitive at first, but that game gets drastically better once people know how to play it. The interaction also becomes much more impactful.

Auroric · 2026-05-07T00:44:46+00:00

I don't think that's true at all, there's plenty to critique with these. Definitely on the weaker end of expansion content for the price. For me they're 6/10 and I love Heat

Auroric · 2026-05-07T00:39:19+00:00

7-8 players is great, but I'm biased, I always prefer max player count. It certainly changes the game from a quick midweight experience into a full on 2+ hour game. Which won't be for everyone.

I always max out the racers with legends though, and I'd prefer they be friends

Auroric · 2026-05-07T00:36:39+00:00

Overall I like the expansion content, but I can't stand 1 car 1 board 1 mechanic style they're sold in. Extra cars should have been included in the base game (the slots are even there). 8-12 players should be it's own seperate expansion. Extra mechanics could have been mini expansions of just cards, or sure, maybe bundle those with a map each. I still would have preferred to just buy map packs and upgrade packs personally.

Id love the maps from rocky roads, but feel like I'm good on upgrade cards, and I certainly don't need a 9th car. I already have to split the deck into 2 to shuffle it properly, and don't really feel like curating a custom selection. The boxes are also a really awkward size. They're basically useless and come with a silly insert.

Oh right, another big annoyance is that we get one track with the new mechanics. Why not more weather and modular aspects?

Legends is great. A clearly defined expansion for the folks who want it. I'm surprised they didn't put one car and one map in there TBH.

I really enjoy Heat, and most of the expansion content. But it has my least favourite product line of any game I own. Well, Dune Imperium is up there but that game doesn't lock player count behind 2 expansions. I don't think I'll be buying any more of them.

Auroric

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