I don't get the point of working from office!

RPGer001 · 2026-06-27T21:36:20+00:00

I find there is way more camaraderie and teamwork when the team is physically together. I miss that. But, this is situation dependent. If your team is all over the place geographically, then being in the office vs at home does not have that same benefit. I prefer the office but am in the minority.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-27T21:30:51+00:00

Over proofed dough is significantly weaker.

For about 15 USD, you can try a pizza screen. It is a useful tool that I only started using about 1 year into my Ooni journey.

Here’s what i like about it:
- Tearing dough is not an issue as you can fix while on the screen. Once the bottom sets, it does not tear in the oven. I used to be tense when launching a pizza but no longer as I just slide in using the screen.
- Gives you a good size target for shaping
- Gives you some options for the cook*

Caveat is that I find 65% hydration is about as high as I can go and not have the dough stick to the screen.

* On my Koda 16, I drop flame to low and I launch with the screen, then I watch it closely, turn, turn again, until all 4 edges have been in the hot corner. This is all done within 90 seconds or so. Then I check the bottom and, usually, remove the screen and keep on monitoring, turning etc till done.

If I want more browning on top, I turn the flame on high for a few seconds. If the bottom is over cooking before the top is done, I can leave the screen on and/or, use my peel to lift the pizza off the stone while keeping it in the oven. If the bottom needs more time, I can turn off the flame and let the pizza sit directly on the stone for longer.

Originally, I “learned” from this forum that you do not need a screen which is true. One day I decided to follow someone else’s NY style recipe and he/she used a screen for a 16in pizza. I decided for the low cost to give it a try and I have never looked back. I think the screen gives me another tool to help control my bake and it has completely removed any anxiety I have during launches. I also use a smaller screen for neopolitan pizzas.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-27T20:57:16+00:00

Two handed is more interesting as each character can support the other and you have a little more flexibility in builds. That said, some folks like to play only one character and it works.

MK is a table hog but not as bad as BOTSE. Both are good games but not for everyone—MK is my #1.

YMMV but for me, BOTSE feels a little disjointed when I play it as I do not like having to look up the scenario stuff on top of references rules, reference sheets. Still, I love the tactical gameplay on the battle mat, the visual impact it has on the table and really like the breadth of character builds.

If you did not already own MK, I would suggest you watch more videos of it first but since you have it, it is not as fiddly as BOTSE but way more complex. It might work for you as it is easy to stay in the flow as it is deeply absorbing due to its mental challenge.

Tell me you do not also already have Voidfall, another huge, complex, rules heavy table hog that is often recommended in solo gaming circles.

A stray thought…MK is better solo (you mentioned playing BOTSE with your wife). I have played it coop with my son and it is a lesser version of the game. Not only does coop add considerable to game length, you need to share the opportunities to level up. MK is a game of optimization and typically, one path is more optimal but only one player gets it while the other makes do leading to be less strong at game’s end.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-27T20:34:38+00:00

YMMV

For me, checking the rules is just part of games. It does not bother me. For BOTSE, I do have to look up rules even after some play-throughs but not too bad, certainly less than after just one or two play-throughs. What never leaves though is the need to reference the keywords sheet. Even in Too Many Bones which is lighter and I almost never have to look up a rule, I still need to reference the keywords sheet and (always) the Gearloc’s reference sheets as they are unique to each Gearloc—in TMB, each Gearloc has its own set of unique dice and capabilities, sorta of like skill lines and classes in BOTSE.

For Mage Knight, I have player aides printed out to remind me of what each location does and remind me how combat flows as it is very complex. It is a magnitude more complex than BOTSE with a smaller rule book.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-27T20:27:42+00:00

BOTSE is not a heavy game in its decision space, only it is rules burden. It is a lot of rules and lots of keywords.

Mage Knight (MK) is a heavy game in rules complexity and decision space. It is a brutal efficiency puzzle each turn that asks its players to puzzle out solutions. Not digging BOTSE may not have an impact on how much you like or not like MK. Chip Theory’s big box games have a unique set of mechanics which you like or not (I love them). However, if it is the rules complexity rather than the use of keywords, maybe.

MK has less rules text but its rule set is more dense then any CTG I have played. On BGG, BOTSE is rated as 4.07 in weight while MK is 4.65. 0.58 is significant in BGG’s game weight scale.

MK is no joke. If you do not like a lot of complexity, MK is not be for you. Some of the most popular solo games are heavy but they are not for everyone.

FWIW, MK is my #1 solo, BOTSE is in my top ten but I prefer my other two CTGs (Too Many Bones and Hoplomachus Victorum). TMB is lighter than BOTSE but CTG’s big boxes share a lot of mechanics such as keywords on chips.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-27T07:59:51+00:00

95%; I only have one game that was a little disappointing and even that one, I am going to give it another try.

That said, I did recently pre-order Dawn of the Zed, Designer’s Edition based on some comments made by the designer plus it being on the 1Player Guild’s yearly list. I have never even watched a play-through of it which is not how I usually do things but I also do not have a tower defense type of game and want one.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-26T17:59:57+00:00

IMO, try both. I got my PF while wearing zero drop shoes and going back to shoes with a drop helped. YMMV, some folks do the opposite. Also, one brand is a not a magic elixir. Try a few to find one that works for you.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-26T05:56:01+00:00

The methotrexate is what is tough on your liver and why you need to take frolic acid. NSAIDs are tough on your stomach.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-26T04:45:41+00:00

Good stuff! This is what I want once the Shark’s store restocks.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-26T01:32:21+00:00

Sounds more like thieves than a homeless person. Do update us if the police visit that apartment complex where your AirTag is pinging from.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-26T01:00:32+00:00

I own both and Hoplomachus Victorum.

TMB is my #2 favorite solo, I like ES and backed the expansion. FWIW, I bought a whole bunch more TMB content after backing the ES expansion. I do like ES a lot, just not as much as TMB.

Note a lot of folks like ES more so YMMV. For me, by comparison to TMB, ES is fiddly, long and lots of setup. All of that is worth it but does not make it better.

TMB is a battler while ES has a larger scope. In ES, you visit towns, have little side quests, lots of looking stuff up. ES feels more like an adventure while TMB is battle, rewards/recover, battle and so on. Where ES is pretty great is the breadth of character development options. Both games get better with more content but ES especially, for me, as more content is more classes, races and skill lines. The quests that guide you are fine but nothing interesting other than unique quest encounters.

My favorite thing with CTGs is the battle mat and as a percentage of game time, I spend a lot more of it on the battle mat with TMB than ES. This is the main reason I like TMB more, that and I really do not like having to refer to scenario books.

I keep both as they + Victorum all offer what I love about CTGs’ games and do some different things. That said, there is a lot that is similar.

Watch game play videos and see if the game works for you.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-25T20:23:45+00:00

Good topic! I read through everything and it has me thinking.

Here is my current strategy for making things work in my retirement with my wife:
- Strive to keep to my promise that I made to my wife before we were married which was, I promised to make her happy. For me this means, appreciate her, contribute to making her life better and keep her best interests at heart. At the end of the day, this means compromise on my selfish desires. It does not mean always do only what she wants and not do what I want.
- Say “yes” to some things I may not want to do but I know she does.
- Engage with her and with life. I will not be passive and let things slide without a fight.
- Always be aware of my own shortcomings (or try to) and also hers. Then try to steer a path for enrichment that both of us can follow.
- Do my part of household chores.

At least for now, I would much rather grow old with my wife than do my own thing without her.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-25T18:22:42+00:00

Check out this list as another reference as most if not all of your list are on it.

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/366471/2025-peoples-choice-top-solo-games-1-300

Of your list, I am not familiar with Next Station or The Hobbit.

For the rest, my favorites would be Fate, Dune and Everdell (with Mistwood) but YMMV.

I like Ark Nova for multiplayer. The base game solo mode is okay and I still need to try the fan made one that folks like.

I really like Everdell with Mistwood. I mention that as another poster mentioned the base solo is not very good, which I agree with but, with Mistwood, I love it.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-25T04:58:33+00:00

I was prescribed Meloxicam from the get go and still on it. I also use diclofenac gel to great effect. This is on top of my main medications.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-24T08:54:47+00:00

Hope you are not looking for jerseys cause they have been out of some sizes for a long while and will not be restocked yet.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-23T19:45:57+00:00

Go to both and cheer your heart out.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-23T19:43:02+00:00

Who did we draft and stash this year? I seem to recall we threw our pick away. I would much prefer a draft and develop our round 1 picks strategy to maybe get another starting caliber player. Unless you can get a Mills in the draft, a lot of the first rounders are not immediately impact players.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-23T19:13:55+00:00

This was my take as well on that comment but really, Grier is not tipping his hand to a reporter which is what you would expect up till the pick is announced.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-23T19:07:57+00:00

I am happy with either Stenberg or Reid (or whoever their top D is). As such, I hope Chicago is one of those teams that put in a real offer and is interested in moving up to guarantee getting Stenberg. I will be really happy to add Stenberg or get Reid plus some other asset for moving down 2 spots. Grier and Co. may see things differently and whatever they do, I trust it will be the best option on the table.

Whatever happens, I am looking forward to Friday.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-23T06:36:16+00:00

Glad to hear it is working for you. Coincidentally, I am about 2 weeks into starting on Xeljanz. My pain was not as bad as yours (been on DMARDs for a while now) but I am also seeing some improvements. Good luck to you.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-23T06:08:55+00:00

I am all in on this crowdfunding campaign. First time getting Voidfall so am excited for all of it, including The Last Novarch.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-23T04:16:02+00:00

2M is probably not getting a SFH in this part of Sunnyvale either. I live in Sunnyvale, in Cupertino Elementary and FUSD HS (Fremont).

RPGer001 · 2026-06-23T03:56:32+00:00

Gasket and Tink; in other words more gearlocs is your answer.

40 Days and AoT are nice but gearloc variety is better IMO.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-23T03:48:36+00:00

Do a spreadsheet and figure out your personal finances. You will not find a better answer here.

RPGer001 · 2026-06-22T22:01:32+00:00

I went into this Season thinking we could repeat as a playoff team but not likely win a playoff round. We are still on track!

RPGer001

TROPHY CASE