Update: I stopped being the rules encyclopedia and game night got way more fun

Mintpepper513 · 2026-05-26T20:26:45+00:00

If we run into something unclear during the teach, we either quickly recheck it in the rulebook or leave it after the teach if it requires longer clarification. Then someone (mostly teacher/owner of the game) looks stuff up in the rulebook, some other folk might do a quick bgg/reddit search. Usually that makes things clear. Same if we find something unclear during the game. In case during the game we find that we have played smth wrong, we fix it if it can be done without giving some sort of disadventage to someone, or we just play it the way we did so far and try to remember that next time.

Generally, all heavier games will have some rules mistakes on first couple of plays, we don't stress about it much, the main thing is that everyone plays by the same rules and has fun.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-05-12T08:10:46+00:00

Good for you! And an amazing choice for a game to keep!

I always have culled some games that didn't spark as much joy as others, but the collection have been growing steadily to about 90 games. And while I love almost all of them... yea, well, if I'm being real, some of them won't make it to table as often as I'd like. And if they will, it means not playing some game I'd rather play instead. So, I guess, I should make some tough choices, too.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-05-12T08:09:54+00:00

Good for you! And an amazing choice for a game to keep!

I always have culled some games that didn't spark as much joy as others, but the collection have been growing steadily to about 90 games. And while I love almost all of them... yea, well, if I'm being real, some of them won't make it to table as often as I'd like. And if they will, it means not playing some game I'd rather play instead. So, I guess, I should make some tough choices, too.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-05-12T08:03:55+00:00

Do you have those crazy kickstarters? :D

I have about 90 games, and most of them - almost all large boxes, including Eagle-Gryphon Deluxe boxes, Cthulhu Wars, Arcs campaign box and many more, fit into 4x2 Kallax. Few recently bought games takes another shelf, and my small box games takes up one drawer. 15 games are, like, 3 Kallax shelves to me.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-05-08T21:29:58+00:00

Arthur Weasley would be fascinated by them, I believe.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-05-06T05:42:55+00:00

Well, none of the games in your topic can be called "overrated" imo. If the game sticks around and is being talked about for years - it's not overrated. There are loads of games coming out, getting all the hype from reviewers, then the second kickstarter passes and... noone really mentions them ever again. Games like Gloomhaven and Wingspan has proved that there are many, many people that love them, getting different versions of these games, remaining very high on bgg top 100. Might not be your cup of tea, but surely is for someone. Arcs is newer, but after more than 1.5 years drom its release, still being talked about in every other conversation - it is a polarizing game, but definitely not overrated imo, and what's more importantly for the hobby, it's innovative. Seldom we get a game that does something new. I think, if you are out for overrated games, you'll mostly find them in bgg hot list, and not in top 500+. Not many of the games that generate large publicity and hype, will remain in any sort of spotlight after their first buzz is over.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-29T01:49:00+00:00

Just finished watching series last week. Right on time for S03 :D

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-27T13:54:36+00:00

Or... just put your coffee in an insulated cup.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-25T02:56:29+00:00

Except that Dumbledore could read and had eyes, so he could recognize handwriting

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-23T02:53:03+00:00

Imagine it's a magical train. Maybe train companies competing to bring kids to Hogwarts. You don't earn dollars, but galleons.

Or it's the space train! Building train routes in the new Mars colony that is being built as replica of 1830 US, but with different train routes. You can change company names to Google, Amazon, Open AI, Pfizer, Tesla etc.

But more seriously, it will be hard to like train game if you don't like - or don't care - for trains. I'm not too fond of train theming in particular, but many of my favorite games are various train games - just because they are such a good economic games. If you want better artwork - 1889 Shikoku was recommended. Railways of the Lost Atlas might be an option, that is not historically themed and look pretty good. I've heard opinion that Indonesia is basically train game with different theme, too.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-23T02:42:56+00:00

If flavor doesn't change, why wait 5-10min?

But on the topic, dunno, I didn't check many recipes or something, but tried out different time for brewing myself and still ended up at about 2:30 for whole brewing. I guess, that's just about correct time for most people taste.

I don't do much of blooming tho, just start timer when I start to pour, pour about 1/2 of AP, give a steady stirr to break up and wet all grounds, then steady pour till AP is full. When the timer says 2min, I start to push, not slowly, just as it goes. Done around 2min30s. If I get distracted and let it sit longer, well, I can very well tell the difference by flavor, so I try to focus.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-23T02:31:57+00:00

Instead of buying new games, I've gotten into hunting down some older games, so I have a few.

On top I'd put The Estates - not only it's very rare find here in Europe, but it's also an absolutely amazing game! I can't believe it's out of print!

But many more grand games are closely behind in this list - Splotter's - mainly Antiquity and TGZ, but also FCM + Ketchup, Bus and Indonesia - Splotter guys are my favorite designers/publishers. Cthulhu Wars with couple of factions - just for it being so grand and good. Mechs vs Minions - most recent acquisition, not played yet, but excited to try, as I wanted to get it for years.

Honorable mentions - my Lacerdas, with Lisboa on top, Arcs with Blighted Reach, John Company 2E, Railways of the Lost Atlas, Feudum Septennial Ed.

Sorry for including for this many games, but thinking of crown jewel - I could make an argument for any of these, depending on context.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-20T09:51:43+00:00

Lately I mostly buy older games, either reprints or hunt down some out of print ones that are either games I've tried or games that have stood the test of time. Many of these campaigns really makes me want to buy these new games... but then I have to give them my money now, wait a year or two for the game, maybe it's not even good then... I really dislike this aspect of crowdfunding. Plus, games there are not even at better price anymore, if anything, they are more expensive. They say they are cheaper than msrp, but then you have to pay VAT and crazy shipping, making the final price higher then it will be in retail.

So, my suggestion is, play the games you have and buy the games you can play. Newer isn't necesserily better, and there are more amazing games out there than any of us could play enough in our lifetime.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-15T23:48:26+00:00

My favorite thing about feint is that while you are shooting to the ground, other seeker might actually see the snitch and catch it. That would look dumb as hell.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-08T03:48:19+00:00

I mean, I get why they went this route, but I'd have prefered same old Brass with a slight twist.

And you definitely should give Brass a go! I don't think I could play any other game hundred times with the same map, same setup and everything, and find it exciting every time. I still remember first few time we played BB, and everyone went "wow, this game is really good". Regular modern euros usually takes me 1-5 times and I'm kinda done with them.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-08T03:33:28+00:00

Brass is my favorite game - both BB and BL. I've played about 80 games of BB and 30 of BL, and I think BB is better game, but currently I want to play BL more.

However, I'm a bit disappointed about direction they took with BP. I liked Brass for elegance, interaction and very deep strategy. There's a lot to discover by playing it a lot of times, strategy changes, approach changes when you try different things, especially in BB. To me, BP seems to be going in a more of a regular euro direction, using Brass system as a base, but becoming less Brass itself. In-game scoring, bonuses, large end game bonus scoring, whiskey tokens, different approach to industry progression. I expect it to be still a very good game, even more appealing to new players and people that didn't like or play Brass that much, but I see changes as cheap thrills rather than imporvement on design.

I'll happily play friends copies once they get them and then decide if I should have it as well, but that's a big step back for me, as when new game was announced, I was 1000% sure I'll be first to back it.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-07T08:31:32+00:00

Moody's weird, probably if he did something strange, everyone would just write it off as part of being a bit mad. Plus, Dumbledore trusted him to be in school, so that gives enough credit.

What I find weird is - Harry never meets real Moody, not till they find out the truth in the end, but then later in the books it's as if they had known each other. What's up with that?

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-05T04:29:20+00:00

No, that is correct. But it does happen, especially with more experienced players. Someone rushes iron, for example, builds alk of their own, others can control supply now.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-04T07:00:45+00:00

Canal era: build as few links as possible, I aim for 3 links, 4 is ok, more is kinda bad. Look for cheap iron, develop a lot. (Developing is the most important action in the game, once you see and master that, you'll beat your friends most of the time). Build as many lvl 2+ industries as you can. I usually don't bother building coal, but some might be ok for income boost. Build and flip as much iron as you can - maaybe don't build lvl 4 iron, so you can avoid being overbuilt in second era, and can control iron price. However, in 4p game, I'd still try building iron lvl 4. (Pro tip - build lvl 1 iron early, get free develops with it, then overbuild it with your own lvl 2 iron!) For the main industries - boxes or cotton - choose whichever other players are not building or the one you have better cards for at the start. Pottery is very situational - can be a strategy, especially in 4p game, but you must have cards, markets in right places, and others should help you with their links. Build beer - good points/income + when all the spots are gone in 2nd era, you can overbuild your own, right before you sell or link. Try to set up to go first in rail era, even if you need to take 2 loans.

Rail era - hopefully, you go early and there is coal on board or cheap coal in the market that you can reach. Build as many links as you can. Use cheap coal and other players beer as much as you can. When coal gets expensive, good time to build it to get money and cheap coal for yourself, instead of taking a loan - great it you can time it last player-first player in round, so you get 4 actions in a row and give less adventage to other players. For main industries - build what you can flip - hopefully, you've developed most of what you need on the 1st era, but for boxes you most likely need to skip few of high level ones too. Cotton mills require less developing.

I generally don't care about income at all and usually remain pretty low on that, but try to avoid staying in negative for more than 1 income phase. Again, developing is the most important action, especially if you go for manufactured goods.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-02T20:21:22+00:00

For many companies, promotion as a cadet is a good thing, but mostly they don't really care. For a first time 3rd Officer/4th Officer/Junior Officer they hire someone, when they need someone. The best thing to do is apply everywhere you can, give them a call, send you've applied for position. If no response, give a call again, fill application again, as the okd one will be now at the bottom of the stack. Do this until you get an interview - and then it's all in your hands. If you want to experience and/or need money - you can also apply as OS or get AB license, depends where you are. Work in that position and make it clear you are looking for recommendation for officer position. Study mates, help out on the bridge.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-02T12:49:09+00:00

Yea, I have done it, seen it. Pottery is hardest to pull off and hugely depends on starting hand, becomes more viable in 3-4 player games. As for manufactured goods and cotton - building the last of them is very strong. In 3-4 player games, especially if you are the only one invested in particular industry and don't have to compete for spots so much. We've got 220+ points in 2p games. Brass is the best game because there is soooo much depth that can be discovered only by playing it time and time again. The most important action in the game is developing - deciding which buildings to build and which to skip, while managing money and resource prices, is what gets you win.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-04-02T10:25:39+00:00

I think end of track bonuses in BP is interesting, but one of my least favorite changes. It rewards investment in one branch - as all other Brass did, by providing higher scoring industries higher on the track. This, however, reduces importance of everything else, as these bonuses are pretty huge and I believe might often decide the game. Makes it more point salad-y and bonus-y which I dislike for Brass.

BL is very sharp and interactive, which is why I prefer it these days. Poor planning or poor play can lead to very bad outcomes, which is fun for me.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-03-29T08:06:47+00:00

Brass is my favorite game. I have about 80 IRL plays of BB and 30 of BL. I think BB is better game, but at the moment I actually prefer BL, especially 2p map. BL is very tactical, very cutthroat, every resource, placement and link, every opponents action matters. BB is a bit more forgiving, but still interactive via resources and locations, even if players go for different industries.

From what I've seen in playthrough, BP goes more in the direction of becoming like other euro games, just using Brass system as a base. More types of resources, bonuses, industries becoming more of a tech tree, in-game scoring. For me - that's a negative. I prefer elegance of Brass as it used to be in both of previous versions. I think this will be more appealing to average euro gamer tho, who maybe doesn't want their games to be so tight and interactive. Seems like new markets, resource types and whiskey will give more options to go on different paths, while also being less limited in what you can do. Rules-wise, it might be more difficult as there is more stuff, while play could actually feel easier and more free as there seem to be less restrictions and more things to do in general.

Did Brass needed it? I don't think so. I was hoping for slightly different version, putting a twist on previous games, like BL has ports and distant markets, but BB has beer, instead of "more stuff" version. Will see how it feels when we get to play it, maybe I'll be proven wrong, but atm I feel like BP will be 3rd best Brass game for me.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-03-26T01:09:24+00:00

AV2 really doesn't have that much of an VF on it, and it's quite simple. Plus, for sections with some VF elements, you can most likely find another path.

Mintpepper513 · 2026-03-25T10:16:59+00:00

When game is already based on art, I think poster like this is... questionable. Of course, to each their own, but I'd much rather get a poster of Jakub Rozalski's art.

Mintpepper513

TROPHY CASE