Scott!

Does your cat have twenty-six toes on each foot?!?! Talk about Polydactyl!!!

Great episode Scott...lot's of stuff going on, but you do a good job of simplifying the complex.

Question: are there any good railroad games specifically designed for solitaire play, or will some of the multiplayer games play well with only one player?

Thanks, and keep up the good work!
jrbentley

I remember you thumbing a post of mine that had the powerthirst video (in that topic that said that the pozy intro was over-the-top)... had you seen it before?

It's just that it would be cool to think that I had a small influence in a BGWS intro

BTW, this is one of the best ideas you've had for a BGWS. 18xx sure looks like a cool series, but it's quite intimidating to get into for someone that doesn't know anything about it.

Ooo, that's the ultimate Ameritrash game in your intro! I wants it!!

(How can you not want flaming tulips!!!)

Good episode Scott. This episode actually made me want to try an 18xx game again (though that may be a bad thing).

I had not seen it before your post, and I really appreciated the humor, so parodied the parody for my intro.

So, yes, you certainly did have an influence!

(the post in question is at
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/2145425#2145425
)

I don't know if a discussion about the 18xx games if wished here, if not I would appreciate a link to the proper place to ask my questions.

2 Questions:
1) Higher trains enable more operation rounds.
Do they enable it for all players
(one player bought the first 4-train -> all players do +1 operation round)
or do they enable it only for player who bought the train?
(all players do 3 -?- operating rounds and the one with the 4-train does 4 operating rounds)

2) I would like a short recommendation for which game I should set my eye on:
My background is - I don't know any of them but have seen the video explanation. I'm always interessted in new games but those 18xx games are a bit too expensive for a blind buy to me.

Those 18xx games looks a bit like Imperial (spending money into countries/companies) and Age of Steam (same minimalistical graphics / connecting cities / trains limit cities to pass through) to me.

What frightens me a bit is a playing length of 6+ hours.
I do not care about complex rules but do care a bit about nasty play (should not be too nasty) but would wish a playing length of 4 hours or less if possible.
Especially since Scott mentioned something like: "The game is good 2/3 of the time and worse later". Don't want that "worse period" to be many hours long...

So which is a good game in the 18xx universe that matches my specifications?
(Don't necessary have to be a beginner version through: for example I like the 2D Stock board from 1856 better than the 1D Version and I am confident enough to "struggle" though complex rules - in the hope they are not 20+ pages).

Good question. They trigger the new phase for everyone. Once that next level of train is purchased, the game rules change for all.



I really suggest you ask on BGG to find a local game group and see if someone already has it. Even the basic 18xx game is an undertaking to play the first time.

Those 18xx games looks a bit like Imperial (spending money into countries/companies) and Age of Steam (same minimalistical graphics / connecting cities / trains limit cities to pass through) to me.

Imperial took their idea from the 18xx series, so it's probably the closest. Age of Steam has everyone working on their own train, so it's not as close in feel.

18FL and 18Scan are both in the 4 hours and under range, but neither are cheap.

There have been a few shorter ones made last Essen, but both were in small print runs and not available.

It's a pity, as the market is open for an 18xx game that is in the 2-3 hour range that is mass-produced.

It's

Xtreem Cat Pawage!

The scary part is that he uses them like opposable thumbs to pick things up.

I made a video of a trick I taught him.. and one he taught me.. and put it on YouTube:

Interesting and informative as always with Awesum Gravy!!!!!! Best intro yet.

If you can find a copy, I recommend Merchant of Venus as a solitaire train game. It more resembles crayon rails than 18xx though.

You can also pick up the incredibly accurate 1830 computer game from http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/357/1830+Railroads+%2526+R.... Since the game is no longer supported there is no charge for it.

Really nice video, Scott. I've become hooked on 18xx for being the best 0% luck 100% strategy board game I've seen. It is, well um, teh pwnage as your intro suggests. And without the fire and stuff (unless you count the realized version of Tom Wham's Iron Dragon.)

You mention that the third "act" of the game doesn't appeal to you. This is a very common complaint among people new to the series. Having brought several people into the hobby I have struggled with this myself and have a few suggestions for you and for others:

1) Even seasoned 18xx players don't know what the third act will look like in a new game until it hits. As you get more comfortable with a game, you'll realize how to manipulate your early moves to better maximize your permanent train.

2) Calculating routes for a 5, 6, 8, 10 or 12 train (like in 1870) take most players a really long time. For this reason, I think 1870 is a game likely to turn off players new to the series. This is not because new players can't count runs by this point in the game, but the dynamic that tends to occur is this: All the other players stop helping/explaining to the new player while they calculate their routes. People start to get frustrated by how long the game is starting to take, or get hung up on a station that cuts their route in half.

3) 1830, 18AL, 18FL and Steam Over Holland are excellent games for first-timers. Unfortunately, none of these are likely to be available in your local game store, so you may have a hard time finding a game outside of a convention. There is an 18xx Yahoo group that will help you find a game, but if you only have one of the Mayfair games (1856, 1870 or 1835) my suggestion is to play a half game to get people used to the game. Let everyone decide on it and, time permitting, plan to play the half game first and then immediately start over for a new game. For 1870, end the game when the first company makes its destination run. For 1856, ending on the first permanent train usually works. I haven't found a great way to split 1835, but likely when the yellow company forms is a good time

4) New players often get stuck in huge games. These are more confusing and let them experience less of the game. 1835 supports 7 players, but one player always ends up as an investor for the entire game. It's like having the third act from round one, and most people who do this are unlikely to play 1835 and possibly the series again. A 3 player game is optimal for new players, 4 is probably the maximum.

Hopefully that helps people get through getting used to how to set up for the third act and makes the game more enjoyable. Again, this is the most common complaint from 18xx er, um n00bs.

-Dale