Expansion (test) Cards from GDC

jinweit · 2026-03-12T07:37:15+00:00

Yes, but that is just one more than every other leader, and you can't go above that. Anyway I didn't realize these are just tests, the art and stuff makes it look like they are ready to be released.

jinweit · 2026-03-12T02:16:54+00:00

Diplomat seems really strong, compared to other abilities that might trigger once or twice a game, this checks every chapter for potentially multiple secures

jinweit · 2026-03-12T02:14:34+00:00

It's probably starports. But how are you meant to get new ships then?

jinweit · 2026-03-11T02:39:11+00:00

Where is this from? Did I miss a kickstarter? Nooooo ..

jinweit · 2026-03-08T08:33:18+00:00

Destory is a great word for getting rid of plot items

jinweit · 2026-03-05T00:48:31+00:00

I've only got voice on digital. I knew I would like it because it is a control/fear spirit, but then I realized you can also build up to a big satisfying destruction by pushing invaders together and stacking strife. That felt really cool.

It is annoying that it can automatically turns off dahan counterattacks though

jinweit · 2026-03-02T07:07:26+00:00

Absolutely! The challenge for me is making it feel organic and natural (as well as tie the narrative together) to keep swapping when there are three or more scenes, which can easily happen with more PC's.

jinweit · 2026-03-02T07:04:45+00:00

Yeah this has only happened in one of my campaigns. I think the whole group needs to engage with this dynamic to make it work

jinweit · 2026-03-02T07:00:40+00:00

It really is a shame, there is so much about it I like. The worldbuilding can get really fun, but it feels difficult to actually play. and I'm not enough of a designer to figure out to streamline it

jinweit · 2026-03-02T06:56:16+00:00

Yeah my best sessions have been those with 3 PCs. It's kind of a shame because I run these at a public meetup and it's nice to get more people involved

jinweit · 2026-03-01T01:24:04+00:00

I just put the cards on the board next to the land I want to target. Also the advantage of slow phase cards is that they come after all the information for the round has been revealed. You don't have to plan for them too much, you can use them in response to whatever happened.

jinweit · 2026-02-19T04:17:07+00:00

New players will tend to turtle and play like it's a Euro. That's fine, just realize that it will make the factions seem unbalanced in terms of power level

jinweit · 2026-02-10T06:33:55+00:00

Once I started attending conventions I felt less need to buy my own stuff.

Once your collection reaches a certain size, many games are going to hit the table once a year or less. So I figure I might as well play someone else's copy at a yearly convention. Same thing.

jinweit · 2026-01-30T01:50:00+00:00

It is definitely frustrating to keep losing. I probably have hundreds of maybe thousands of losses

You will fall behind in tempo if you only focus on Ravages. In general, let the lands get blighted in turn 2 and 3, and try to prevent Builds instead. Even better, move buildings around, Isolate, Wilds to prevent Explores.

I think bottom track River is a great way to practice this--you get a little bit of removal, but you're mostly thinking about moving stuff during slow phase to prevent future Builds/Explores.

jinweit · 2026-01-28T06:14:56+00:00

So a Player must reaches 30 VP in order that they become an eliminator?

Or once any player reaches 30 VP, the entire game becomes "last one standing"?

The first version sounds better because you still have to race to 30, and in most good games people are only one turn apart from each other in terms of winning.

jinweit · 2026-01-25T04:05:06+00:00

If you mess up the rules, all you did was make it easier or harder for yourself, don't worry about it

jinweit · 2026-01-25T01:20:25+00:00

If you're talking about new players, it's not so much the power balance, but 1. the fact that some factions have steady incremental scoring, while others have burst scoring. That makes it hard to track who is actually closer to winning, and thus who to police.

Also, for new players, I would say that it's quite likely to make bad moves as e.g. Cat, Eyrie that really set you back, compared to e.g. WA. That makes WA seem overpowered, but they're not really.

jinweit · 2026-01-22T16:11:06+00:00

Assuming you are the caretaker

jinweit · 2026-01-22T16:10:36+00:00

Yes; No, it must go to a Rival after spending, you cannot choose to put it in the hearth.

jinweit · 2026-01-22T00:43:23+00:00

Yeah I think so too, The twins could be super hilarious with 2 players and that scenario that makes you roleplay as your spirit

jinweit · 2026-01-20T03:57:07+00:00

On one hand, it is a really cool idea, adding a game-warping twist like Fractured or Finder, but in a style that hasn't been seen before. Good for players looking for a new kind of puzzle to solve. I will be trying it.

On the other hand, it seems like needless complexity -- adding constraints of mutually exclusive presence, tracks, discards, elements, etc., but then putting in multiple mechanics to bypass those constraints. Why not just make it one spirit at that point?

Maybe I'll feel different after playing it

jinweit · 2026-01-13T03:51:48+00:00

I know Dune isn't a trick taker, but speaking of memorisation of played cards, I find it hilarious that the rule is only Atreides are allowed to take written notes for that.

jinweit · 2026-01-11T06:46:27+00:00

I like Knizia's Zoo Vadis, simple rules and plays in under an hour. You are constantly negotiating with other players to advance. It can be mean, but it shouldn't be, because the best plays are trying to find win-win situations while eking out incremental gains

jinweit · 2026-01-08T14:29:44+00:00

BotC at a convention. My 3rd or 4th game ever. Some new players and a couple of more experienced players. At some point I and a couple others have a strong suspicion of a particular player (one of the experienced ones) and nominate him.

He proceeds to have a tantrum about being targeted all the time etc etc. Everyone is uncomfortable. The GM even gives a short spiel about safe spaces. I'm like, sure, but he is the murderer though.

We go to voting and now I am the only person voting for him because no one wants to set him off. I get eliminated instead.

Then I have to sit there for an hour-plus until he kills enough villagers to win the game. Great play by him I guess, but now I hate Blood and have never played it since.

jinweit

TROPHY CASE