Geoff Burkman
United States
Kettering
Ohio
"Punk is not dead" by daughter, Emily
-
This contest took place a while back, again when no additional opponents presented themselves at our FLGS, so Brian and I took the opportunity to indulge in another mano a mano “FotM” confrontation—Level 3, of course, as is our wont—with G-Deckers liberally sprinkled in. The Minors were split 3/3/4 among base game, G-Deck, and “FotM,” while the Ocks were split 7/3 between base game and G-Deck. Brian got the start via random selection…
Round One/MIMI
Brian (#3) – Occ/Grocer°
Geoff (#8) – 3W(3)
Brian – DL(2f)
Geoff – HF(1f)
Geoff – SB(PF)
Geoff – 1G
Brian opens with the ever-useful Grocer, and will put his beneficence to imminent advantage. I haul wood, and Brian rushes to the DL, a move he may come to regret.* I happily snap up both specials, finishing with a grain to complement my new field. We’re under way…
*Had he gone to the Fair, I would have no doubt countered with the other special anyway, and he’d have still gotten the DL. Play in haste, repent at leisure.
Current Status
Brian – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 4f, 1 Ock, 3M/5F
Geoff – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 4f, 3W, 1G, 1 PF, 3M/4F
Round Two/Sheep
Brian – °(1R/1G/1S –3f) HF(1f)
Geoff – SB(PF)
Brian – MIMI/Peat-Charcoal Kiln (-1S)
Geoff – 1C(2)
Brian – 1R(2)
Geoff – SP + Gimlet (-1W/1C)
In a somewhat irregular fashion, Brian buys goods from the Grocer and visits the Fair.* I double my fields with the remaining special, and Brian then picks up the Kiln, a favorite gambit of his.** I haul clay, Brian horks up the reed, and I swipe the button to reduce future construction costs somewhat.*** Now the game is thoroughly afoot!
*Although it mattered very little in this instance—at worst I block him from MIMI for a Round—it’s rarely a good idea to betray one’s intentions in a game like Agricola; Brian could have easily waited until his next move before utilizing the Grocer.
**Mine, too.
***Typically, the Gimlet turns a 1W/1C investment into an eventual 3-5Wood or better, plus a victory point. It’s like a down payment that offers a little interest as well. That’s not a bad deal.
Current Status
Brian – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 2f, 3R, 1G, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp, 3M/5F
Geoff – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 4f, 2W/1C, 1G, 2 PF, 1 MnImp, 3M/3F
Round Three/Sow & Bake
Geoff – 3W(6)
Brian – FT(2W)
Geoff – HF(1f)
Brian – Fish(3f)
Geoff – SP + Flatboat (4fl/3h> -4W)
Brian – DL(2f)
No sense in spurning a 6Wood at this point, and I don’t. The specials get swept up, followed by Brian stocking up on supplies, and I step on the button for a favorite “FotM” Minor.* Brian DLs again; food seems to be quite plentiful this game.
*Downgrading a 4Wood to downstream fuel is a fair trade for three free horses, methinks, especially when those horses are going to serve a noble purpose.
Current Status
Brian – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 7f, 2W/3R, 1G, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp, 3M/4F
Geoff – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 5f, 4W/1C, 1G, 2 PF, 2 MnImp, 3M/3F
Round Four/Fences Geoff – (1fl)
Geoff – CP(3fl)
Brian – 1H –1f
Geoff – 1C(2)
Brian – 3W(3)
Geoff – 1R(2)
Brian – CP(3+2fl) –2f
Brian – PF
Never one to pass up a chance to pressure my opponent, I fuel up. Brian responds with the other special (to supercharge his Kiln), and I initiate another bout of the clay-reed dance. Brian declines, opting for construction wood, and I gratefully take the reed, trusting in fate to delay the appearance of Family Growth. Brian pays the vig to fuel up hi-test, and then plows a field. Let’s see what fate has in store…
Current Status
Brian – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 0f/3fl, 5W/3R, 1G, 1h, 1 PF, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp, 2M/4F
Geoff – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 1f/2fl, 4W/3C/2R, 1G, 2 PF, 2 MnImp, 2M/3F
Round Five/Family Growth + MI Geoff – (1H)
Geoff – CW/Fp2 (-2C/1f/1fl)
Brian – BR(1) + x (-5W/2R)
Geoff – Sheep(4)burn4
Brian – SB(PF)
Geoff – Occ/Architect
Brian – FG + Clear Felling> (2W + 2F>2M)
Fate’s fickle finger favors my fortunate foe. Despite the brief temptation to block him with a stable or two, I opt for specializing a fireplace. Unsurprisingly, Brian knocks out a room. I promptly stock up on mutton, no fool I. Brian turns a field, I ock the Architect,* and Brian adds a worker, setting a handy “FotM” Minor out on what will prove to be an extensive perambulation.**
*It never ceases to amuse me how various Ocks and Improvements will manifest in consecutive games, sometimes over considerable stretches, and then somehow mysteriously disappear. We haven’t seen hide nor hair of the Taster in ages, but it’s still there in my deck, biding its time.
**Clear Felling, a passing Minor as indicated, bestows a 2Wood and the opportunity to switch up to two Forest tiles for two Moor tiles. Obviously, it can only be used to its fullest extent twice, but the 2Wood award remains intact regardless.
Current Status
Brian – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 0f/3fl, 2W/1R, 1G, 1h, 2 PF, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp, 4M/1F
Geoff – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 8f/1fl, 4W/1C/2R, 1G, 1h, 2 PF, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp, 2M/3F
Round Six/Renovation + MIMI Geoff – (1fl)
Geoff – CP(3fl)
Brian – 3W(6)
Geoff – BM/Peat Moss (-1fl)
Brian – Fish(3f)
Geoff – BR(1) (-2W/1R) + 2s (-2W) + 4f
Brian – Occ(-1f)/Schnaps Distiller °(1V-1f)
Geoff – FG + Clear Felling> (2W + 2F>2M)
A brief internal debate about trying to deny Brian food is resolved by my decision to do-si-do the specials. I fuel up, Brian takes the proffered 6Wood (who could resist?), and I happily specialize a further discount to pending room production.* Brian wisely fishes, I put up a bargain room and discount stables, all the while stuffing my larder full (cf. Gimlet/Peat Moss/Architect combo), and Brian happily brings a timely Ock online, and buys a waiting veggie from the Grocer. I add my new hire and send Clear Felling winging its way back to Brian.
*Peat Moss requires the possession of one and only one Moor tile, thus my previous fuel-up. I will thereby save an eventual 4Wood/2Reed while expanding my wooden hut. I can handle that.
Current Status
Brian – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 2f/3fl, 8W/1R, 1G/1V, 1h, 2 PF, 2 Ock, 1 MjImp, 4M/1F
Geoff – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 12f/4fl, 2W/1C/1R, 1G, 1h, 2 PF, 2s, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp/3 MnImp, 3M/1F
Round Seven/Stone Geoff – (1H)
Geoff – CP(3fl) ?
Brian – SP + Stone Cart (4S> )
Geoff – CW/Fp2>CH4 (-1f/1fl)
Brian – S&B (1Gf/1Vf)
Geoff – 3W(3)
Brian – 1C(3)
Geoff – BR(1) (-2W/1R) + 2s (-2W) + 4f
Geoff – Sheep(2)burn1
Eager to support further growth, I fuel up again. Brian nips the button, activating a downstream 4Stone, and I hog the other special to upgrade my cookery. Brian counters with farming, I swipe needed lumber, and Brian hauls clay. I then leisurely work my construction combo again, and herd the woolies, decimating them.* Brian distills a reaped veggie at harvest; the midgame awaits…
*That was a frustrating thing to do, but I was forced. Shards of geekgold to whoever tells me why first.
Current Status
Brian – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 1f/0fl, 8W/3C/1R, 1G, 1h, 2 PF(2g/1v), 2 Ock, 1 MjImp/1 MnImp, 4M/1F
Geoff – 4Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 11f/2fl, 1W/1C, 1G, 1sh/3h, 2 PF, 4s, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp/3 MnImp, 2M/1F
Round Eight/Vegetables Geoff – (1fl) Brian – (1S)
Brian – 1R(4)
Geoff – Occ(-1f)/Smallholder ?
Brian – CP(3+2fl)
Geoff – BM/Animal Farm^ (-1W/1fl)
Brian – 1S(2)
Geoff – 3W(3)
Brian – MIMI/Clay Oven (5f –3C/1S/1G)
Geoff – ^(-1h) FG + Tool Shed (-1W/1C)
Geoff – 1V
Brian clears out the reed, the most valuable space on the board. I counter with an Ock I’ll get minimal return from, making it a possible mistake.* Brian fuels up, and I unleash a nice G-Deck Minor that functions very much like the Werewolf in the “Legen*dairy Forest Deck.” Brian hauls rocks, I nab wood, Brian fires up the workhorse oven, and after putting my new Minor to task at the cost of a horse, I hire on “The Fourth Man” and activate a near-toothless “FotM” Minor** and then erase the veggie negative.
*Although things don’t turn out badly, it’s a case of letting the cards play me, I suspect, as Constant Reader will eventually see.
**Hey, it’s a point, which is better than not.
Current Status
Brian – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 6f/5fl, 8W/5R/2S, 1h, 2 PF(2g/1v), 2 Ock, 2 MjImp/1 MnImp, 3M/1F
Geoff – 4Wood Rooms, 4 Peeps, 10f/2fl, 2W, 1G/1V, 1sh/2h, 2 PF, 4s, 2 Ock, 1 MjImp/5 MnImp, 2M/1F
Round Nine/Boar Geoff – (1H)
Brian – FT(2W)
Geoff – HF(1f)
Brian – BR(1) + 1s (-7W/2R)
Geoff – Occ(-1f)/Vegetable Carrot Farmer
Brian - °(1W/1C/1R/1V –4f) FG + Winter Garden (1Vf) !
Geoff – SP + Beehive (6f> )
Brian – MIMI/Basketmaker’s Workshop (-2R/2S)
Geoff - ^(-1h) 1G
Geoff – S&B (1Gf4/1Vf3)
Geoff – CP(3fl) + SB(PF) –2f
Geoff – PF + (1V-1f)
The Ninth opens with a quick flurry of specials, followed by Brian’s expected construction efforts. I ock an alternate veggie source; Brian responds with a new worker (after picking up four more goods from the Grocer) and a G-Deck Minor which gets misused because neither of us is paying close enough attention.* I claim the button, happy to activate a still-potent Minor,** and Brian acquires the Workshop while the acquiring is good. I sacrifice the Flatboat nag I got at the top of the Round, take a grain, farm nicely (cf. Smallholder), cough vigorously to get my one use out of the Tool Shed, and then plow another field, keeping my newest Ock busy. Brian puts a reed/veggie stew to the flames to feed his family, while I dine on straight food. My horses breed, and on we go.
*The Winter Garden, for those not familiar with it, allows its owner to sow a field directly in their hut, but does not actually grant the sowing action that Brian has unwittingly taken. This, of course, has downstream ramifications, but since we never caught it (and, in fact, will further abuse the poor thing shortly), I can’t put up too much of a fight about it. What’s done is done.
**Here was that case of probably allowing the cards to play me, rather than me playing them. Did I really need those two Ocks? Did I really have to have the Beehive in play? I’ll leave that to Constant Reader to decide.
Current Status
Brian – 4Wood Rooms(1v), 4 Peeps, 3f/1fl, 4W/1C/1R, 1G/1V, 1h, 2 PF(1g), 1s, 2 Ock, 3 MjImp/2 MnImp, 3M/0F
Geoff – 4Wood Rooms, 4 Peeps, 1f/1fl, 2W, 2G/2V, 1sh/3h, 4 PF(3g/2v), 4s, 3 Ock, 1 MjImp/6 MnImp, 1M/0F
Round Ten/Cattle Geoff – (2f/1fl) Brian – (1S)
Geoff – 3W(6)
Brian – 1S(2)
Geoff – 1C(3)
Brian – MIMI/Well (4f> -1W/3S)
Geoff – 1R(2)
Brian – CP(3+2fl)
Geoff - ^(-1sh) Fences(6) (-6W)
Brian – BM/Bean Field (-1fl)
Geoff – Boar(2)
Brian – 1G
Brian – S&B (1Gf +1Vf)
We gather in downstream goods, and I then haul the obvious 6Wood. Brian trebles his stone, I nab some clay, and Brian claims the Well. I restock reed, Brian fuels up, and with an extreme interest in preserving horseflesh, I ditch my wooly for another Guest, and fence. Brian specializes a Minor field, I herd piglets, and Brian finishes the Round with a grain followed by more farming. His “winterized” hut disgorges its veggie as we approach the endgame. The action count stands at Brian – 35 and Geoff – 42, a seemingly large gap, but this is “Farmers of the Moor,” and such discrepancies are more deceptive than in the base game. Who knows what evil lurks within Brian’s unplayed cards? I sure don’t.
Current Status
Brian – 4Wood Rooms, 4 Peeps, 3f/5fl, 3W/1C/1R, 1G/1V, 1h, 2 PF(4g), 1s, 1 Ock, 4 MjImp/3 MnImp(2v), 2M/0F
Geoff – 4Wood Rooms, 4 Peeps, 3f/2fl, 2W/3C/2R, 2G/2V, 2b/3h, 4 PF(3g/2v), 1(2x1)p, 4s, 3 Ock, 1 MjImp/6 MnImp, 1M/0F
Round Eleven/Stone Brian – (1f)
Geoff – Sheep(4)burn2
Brian – 3W(3)
Geoff – CP(3fl)
Brian – 1H –1f
Geoff – S&B (1Gf/1Vf + 3f-1G)
Brian – SP + Clear Felling> (2W)
Geoff – MIMI/Clear Felling> (2W)
Brian – Occ(-1f)/Baker
Geoff - ^(-1sh) PF + (1V-1f)
Brian – Fences(6) (-6W)
Geoff – Cattle(2)burn2
I pillage the woolies, saving two. Brian doubles his wood reserves, we split the specials, and I do some timely farming. Brian regains the button, sending along Clear Felling, which I MIMI right back to him. He ocks free baking, a strong move, while I swap a wooly for an action, plowing a field to take further advantage of my latest Ock. Brian fences, and I immolate the cattle to keep them out of Brian’s hands next Round. At harvest, he distills a veggie and bakes a grain; my boar and horses do their thing. The endgame awaits.
Current Status
Brian – 4Wood Rooms, 4 Peeps, 4f/1fl, 2W/1C/1R, 2G/1V, 3h, 2 PF(2g), 1(2x1)p, 1s, 3 Ock, 4 MjImp/3 MnImp(1v), 2M/0F
Geoff – 4Wood Rooms, 4 Peeps, 9f/1fl, 4W/3C/2R, 2G/4V, 1sh/3b/4h, 5 PF(4g/2v), 1(2x1)p, 4s, 3 Ock, 1 MjImp/6 MnImp, 0M/0F
Round Twelve/Family Growth w/o Brian – (1f/1S) Geoff – (2f)
Brian – FG w/o
Geoff – 1C(2)
Brian – CW/Basket Stall (-1f/1fl/1R/1S)
Geoff – 3W(3)
Brian – 1R(2)
Geoff – 1S(2)
Brian – 1S(2)
Geoff - ^(-1b) Ren>C (-4C/1R) + Furnace (2fl –1C/1S)
Brian – CP(3+2fl)
Geoff – Fences(6) (-6W)
Brian – PF
Brian hires on his last peep, I haul necessary clay, and Brian specializes a handy “FotM” Major.* Therein follows a spate of resource-gathering, after which I renovate and snag much-needed heating assistance (having pitched a piggy for the extra action). Brian refuels, I add a 3-space pasture to my array (leaving an isolated stable to allow me to warehouse all four types of animals), and Brian plows. At Round’s end, he commits another Winter Garden gaffe by reaping his grain and veggie, failing to realize that this is only allowed for whatever he has in his hut. Que sera, sera; another lesson learned in retrospect.
*For those who don’t recall, Basket Stall turns reed into a wild card resource.
Current Status
Brian – 4Wood Rooms, 5 Peeps, 4f/5fl, 2W/1C/2R/2S, 3G/2V, 3h, 3 PF(1g), 1(2x1)p, 1s, 3 Ock, 5 MjImp/3 MnImp, 1M/0F
Geoff – 4Clay Rooms, 4 Peeps, 11f/3fl, 1W/1R/1S, 2G/4V, 1sh/2b/4h, 5 PF(4g/2v), 1(2x1)1(2x2-1)p, 4s, 3 Ock, 2 MjImp/6 MnImp, 0M/0F
Round Thirteen/Plow & Sow Brian – (1f)
Brian – 3W(3)
Geoff – S&B (1Gf) ?
Brian – BM/Clear Felling> (2W-1fl)
Geoff – Cattle(2)
Brian – Occ(-1f)/Conservator
Geoff – Boar(3)
Brian – CP(3+2fl)
Geoff - ^(-1b) SP + Clear Felling> (2W)
Brian – MIMI/Clear Felling> (2W)
Geoff – FG w/o
Brian – Fences(8) (-7W/1R)
Brian – P&S (PF + 3Gf/2Vf)
Brian hauls lumber, while with no empty spaces left in my farmyard, I have to settle for rather ineffectual farming. Brian swaps a fuel for a 2Wood, I herd cattle, and Brian ocks his way past renovation to clay. I happily gather in the stoats, Brian fuels up, and I unceremoniously discard one of my new piggies to regain the button and a few more sticks of wood. Brian promptly sends the hapless Minor winging back to me. I hire on my fifth, while Brian trebles the extent of his pastures, and then farms mightily.* I burn off two veggies at harvest; Brian does his veggie/baked grain thing again. The end is nigh.
*Bearing in mind the antecedent reaping error.
Current Status
Brian – 4Wood Rooms(1v), 5 Peeps, 4f/5fl, 2W/1C/1R/2S, 3G/1V, 4h, 4 PF(6g), 3(2x1)p, 1s, 4 Ock, 5 MjImp/3 MnImp(1v), 0M/0F
Geoff – 4Clay Rooms, 5 Peeps, 8f/1fl, 3W/1R/1S, 4G/3V, 1sh/5b/3c/5h, 5 PF(4g/1v), 1(2x1)1(2x2-1)p, 4s, 3 Ock, 2 MjImp/6 MnImp, 0M/0F
Round Fourteen/Renovation + Fences Brian – (1f/1S) Geoff – (2f)
Geoff – 1C(2) ?
Brian – 1R(2)
Geoff – 1H –1f
Brian – 1H –3f
Geoff – S&B (1Gf/1Vf)
Brian – Sheep(3)
Geoff – MIMI/Museum of the Moors (-1C/1R/1S)
Brian – 1S(2)
Geoff – 1S(2) ??
Brian – Ren>S (-1R/4S) + Stone Oven (9f-1C/2R/1S/2G)
Geoff - ^(-1b) SP + Clear Felling> (2W)
Brian – P&S (PF + 1Gf/1Vf)
Geoff – Fences(2) (-2W)
The one thing I feel I need more than anything is clay, and I take it.* Brian happily gathers in a pair of wild cards, I buy a last horse, and Brian coughs hard to buy one as well. I farm, Brian herds woolies, and I appropriate the Museum.* Brian nabs essential rocks, and I commit an almost certain grievous error by mimicking him.** Brian promptly renovates and snaps up the fully-operational dual oven. Dang! I toss a piggy for some last gasp sticks, Brian gets in final farming, and I subdivide my pastures. I burn off a veggie and a grain at harvest, sloughing the 3Wood to heat ye olde hovel. Animals dance the double-backed waltz, and it’s over. Rack ‘em up!
*This may have been a mistake; but I wanted the shot at another Major. Sadly, I think I end up picking the wrong one.
**I should have known he had his eye on the Stone Oven.
Current Status
Brian – 4Stone Rooms, 5 Peeps, 1f/3fl, 2W, 4G/3V, 4sh/6h, 5 PF(5g/1v), 3(2x1)p, 1s, 4 Ock, 6 MjImp/3 MnImp, 0M/0F
Geoff – 4Clay Rooms, 5 Peeps, 4f/1fl, 1C/2S, 5G/3V, 1sh/5b/4c/7h, 5 PF(4g/1v), 1(2x1)3(1x1)p, 4s, 3 Ock, 3 MjImp/6 MnImp, 0M/0F
Final Score (Ocks Played, Minors/Majors Played)(Wood taken/bonus)(Rounds as SP)(Total Primary(Special) Actions)(PPA*)(Food Spent)
Primary Actions are those first taken when a player claims a space with a family member. In sessions of Farmers on the Moor, special actions are counted as Primary actions, with their subtotal indicated in parentheses. * - Points per Primary Action.
Brian – 61 (4 Occ, 7*/6)(/)(6)(59(15))(1.034)(64) * both played Clear Felling four times!
Geoff – 60 (3 Occ, 10*/3)(/)(8)(65°(14))(0.923)(53) ° includes seven Guest actions
Player Fields Pastures Grain Veg Sheep Boar Cattle+Horses Unused Stables House Peeps Pts Bonus
Brian 5(4) 3(3) 9(4) 4(4) 4(2) 0(-1) 0(-1+6) 0(0) 1(1) 4S(8) 5(15) (15) (1)
Geoff 5(4) 4(4) 9(4) 4(4) 1(1) 5(3) 4(3+7) 0(0) 3(3) 4C(4) 5(15) (8) 0)
Bits & Pieces
 What a great win-by-a-nose game, even if the outcome rested upon the flawed use of a Minor Improvement! Sure, if we’d played the Winter Garden correctly, Brian likely wouldn’t have done as well, but it’s also possible that he could have adjusted his play accordingly and picked up points elsewhere that would have still secured the win. If nothing else, we learned from the mistake.
Animal Farm can certainly be a powerful card (cf. seven extra actions), but its cost is high (cf. seven animals). Essentially it’s an exchange of food/points for actions; I’ll leave it to Constant Reader to decide if the overall balance of trade was in my favor or not. Given the support I had for it, I think I exploited the gambit to pretty much its fullest extent.
I haven’t seen anyone play the same passing Minor twice in one Round (cf. Round Thirteen) in a long, long time.
It saddens me to announce that the owners of my favorite FLGS have recently announced that they will be closing their doors as of the end of this year. Said store has always remained nameless in my reports, mostly out of consideration for other FLGSs in the immediate area (of which there are at least three that I know of), as I didn’t wish to be seen as playing favorites by virtue of mere proximity and convenience. The Ugoi will miss our adopted FLGS, even as we seek out another convivial gaming mecca. There’s a bit of guilt attached, since I never spent a whole lot of money there, but nonetheless it was the store where I obtained Agricola (at full list price, no less, and this is not the store’s fault, since they had a discount plan in place that I simply didn’t take advantage of), as well as a number of other games. Mostly the Ugoi partook of the shop’s welcoming atmosphere as a gathering place, and for that we will always be grateful.
As usual, thank you, Constant Reader, for your attention and interest, and I hope the experience was pleasurable. All editing, transcription, and billing errors are, of course, mea culpa, and will be duly corrected when caught. Next report: an entertaining 4-player session in which one contestant never built a room and didn’t hire on a third worker until Round Fourteen, and still managed to beat an opponent who made it to five peeps with a 5-room stone hut! Until then, happy gaming to all!
-
Andy Andersen
United States
Newark
Delaware
-
Now this is a detailed session report.
"Constant reader." You're not Stephen King in disguise?
-
Gareth Reynolds
New Zealand
Christchurch
Canterbury
-
In round 9, is the Vegetable Farmer occupation you refer to called the Carrot Farmer in the compendium?
-
Chris F.
United States
Atlanta
Georgia
-
Always nice to see a FotM report.
MisterG wrote: Round Thirteen/Plow & Sow Brian – (1f)
Brian – 3W(3)
Geoff – S&B (1Gf) ? You can take Plow and/or Sow and just sow. Unless I"m misunderstanding something here.
-
Cory Jung
Canada
British Columbia
-
Were you "forced" to take the sheep in round 7 to meet the Animal Farm req? Even if I'm wrong, I'm confused about why you chose to eat one. You had space for 5 animals, (1 in home, 4 in stables) and you ended the round with 4 animals.
All in all, quite an interesting game. It must have been a fun one, especially considering the close score. I thought you both played pretty well, even if there were some mistakes on both sides in hindsight. I hate when you realize after a fun, close game that you got a rule wrong. With a game that has as many nuances as Agricola, that's bound to happen once in awhile though and you just have to roll with it.
Keep up the great reports!
-
Benjamin Wells
United Kingdom
Bradford
W Yorkshire
-
Thanks again for the great report.
Minor editorial, the round five stars have two single stars and no double star. I assumed like everyone else will that the second one was supposed to be two but I know how much you like to maintain these things.
Out of interest what conscious decisions did you come to about tense. I noticed while reading that you refer to not knowing what cards come up when as you write it you clear do know and I just wondered when you decided to write first person or if there was any choice and it was a subconscious thing?
I must admit I read along thinking Brian was going to be in the lead so was surprised by HOW close it was in the end. I think mostly I wasn't expecting your animal farm gambit to be as prosperous as it in fact was.
-
Geoff Burkman
United States
Kettering
Ohio
"Punk is not dead" by daughter, Emily
-
Orangemoose wrote: Now this is a detailed session report.
"Constant reader." You're not Stephen King in disguise?
Would that I were! He's very much a favored author of mine, and I've read just about everything he's ever had published. The Stand is still my favorite, despite whatever flaws it may have; I've read it at least six times. It resonates, what can I say? I admire King's ability to put his audience inside the characters' heads, and how he so consistently puts "real" people into extraordinary situations, and all with an authorial voice that so easily draws us into the story. I can only wish I could write half as well as he does. I'm looking forward to reading his new one, but am patiently awaiting its availability at the library. Right now it's a 7-day loaner, so I don't expect to cop to it until sometime after Christmas.
Anyway, I'm busted, and confess to borrowing the phrase from Mr. King. Given the serial nature of these reports I've been doing (almost hard to believe it's been going on for the better part of two years now) and that people seem to enjoy them to the point of encouraging me to continue, I felt it wouldn't be too presumptuous an appropriation.*
*Not that Mr. King originated the practice, of course.
-
Geoff Burkman
United States
Kettering
Ohio
"Punk is not dead" by daughter, Emily
-
Avron wrote: In round 9, is the Vegetable Farmer occupation you refer to called the Carrot Farmer in the compendium?
Ack! Good eye, once again, Gareth! I erroneously labeled it "V. Farmer" in the game record, and failed to catch it in transcription. It's an error I've committed before, and likely comes from the placing of vegemeeples on the card, obscuring the name and reinforcing the mistaken alias.*
*Hey, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
-
Geoff Burkman
United States
Kettering
Ohio
"Punk is not dead" by daughter, Emily
-
cjfoster wrote: Always nice to see a FotM report. MisterG wrote: Round Thirteen/Plow & Sow Brian – (1f)
Brian – 3W(3)
Geoff – S&B (1Gf) ? You can take Plow and/or Sow and just sow. Unless I"m misunderstanding something here.
Hiya, Chris! Good question and you're not misunderstanding anything. The space is, indeed, as you describe. When I record games, it's simply easier to write "P&S" instead of including the "or" and that's why I ended up using "Plow & Sow" in the Round headers of these reports. It likely stems from my anecdotal observation that the use of "Plow and/or Sow" for just sowing is somewhat uncommon; I've seen its use for just plowing far more often.
-
Geoff Burkman
United States
Kettering
Ohio
"Punk is not dead" by daughter, Emily
-
CoryJ wrote: Were you "forced" to take the sheep in round 7 to meet the Animal Farm req? Even if I'm wrong, I'm confused about why you chose to eat one. You had space for 5 animals, (1 in home, 4 in stables) and you ended the round with 4 animals.
Yes, I definitely took the woolies in order to get Animal Farm into play. The reason I went ahead and cooked one was that both woolies and horses were due to breed, but only one newborn was going to survive. In truth it was likely a mistake. I had enough food, so I could have let the newborn wooly run away at harvest, and then avoided using a horse the following Round to get my first Guest. Presuming I could have maintained foodstocks from then on, I would have ended up with an extra point for the saved horse, and thereby tied the game.
Quote: All in all, quite an interesting game. It must have been a fun one, especially considering the close score. I thought you both played pretty well, even if there were some mistakes on both sides in hindsight. I hate when you realize after a fun, close game that you got a rule wrong. With a game that has as many nuances as Agricola, that's bound to happen once in awhile though and you just have to roll with it.
Keep up the great reports!
Roger that, and thank you!
-
Chris F.
United States
Atlanta
Georgia
-
MisterG wrote: cjfoster wrote: Always nice to see a FotM report. MisterG wrote: Round Thirteen/Plow & Sow Brian – (1f)
Brian – 3W(3)
Geoff – S&B (1Gf) ? You can take Plow and/or Sow and just sow. Unless I"m misunderstanding something here. Hiya, Chris! Good question and you're not misunderstanding anything. The space is, indeed, as you describe. When I record games, it's simply easier to write "P&S" instead of including the "or" and that's why I ended up using "Plow & Sow" in the Round headers of these reports. It likely stems from my anecdotal observation that the use of "Plow and/or Sow" for just sowing is somewhat uncommon; I've seen its use for just plowing far more often.
MisterG wrote: Brian hauls lumber, while with no empty spaces left in my farmyard, I have to settle for rather ineffectual farming. ...it seems that you took S&B to just sow when taking P&S to just sow would have been the better move. Brian took P&S with his last move that round.
-
Geoff Burkman
United States
Kettering
Ohio
"Punk is not dead" by daughter, Emily
-
cjfoster wrote: ...Right - but what I meant was that based on this: MisterG wrote: Brian hauls lumber, while with no empty spaces left in my farmyard, I have to settle for rather ineffectual farming. ...it seems that you took S&B to just sow when taking P&S to just sow would have been the better move. Brian took P&S with his last move that round.
Ack, again! Right you are. Now, you'll have to pardon me whilst I find a suitable wet fish with which to slap myself upside the head.*
*Oh, the ignominy! I coulda been a contend-ah! 
-
Geoff Burkman
United States
Kettering
Ohio
"Punk is not dead" by daughter, Emily
-
bjwells wrote: Thanks again for the great report.
Minor editorial, the round five stars have two single stars and no double star. I assumed like everyone else will that the second one was supposed to be two but I know how much you like to maintain these things.
Thanks for pointing that out. Fussy, ain't I? 
Quote: Out of interest what conscious decisions did you come to about tense. I noticed while reading that you refer to not knowing what cards come up when as you write it you clear do know and I just wondered when you decided to write first person or if there was any choice and it was a subconscious thing?
Good questions. In the early days of these reports, I used the third-person voice at least once (and, yes, I could go back and check this, but I'm feeling a bit lazy at the moment), but quickly realized it was too distancing, too clinical. First-person allows the reader a more immersive experience, and allows the illusion of me not knowing what's going to happen. All in all, it allows for better storytelling (such as it is).
Quote: I must admit I read along thinking Brian was going to be in the lead so was surprised by HOW close it was in the end. I think mostly I wasn't expecting your animal farm gambit to be as prosperous as it in fact was.
Nor I, although I was hopeful. The 20-20's been instructive as well.
-
Benjamin Wells
United Kingdom
Bradford
W Yorkshire
-
MisterG wrote: Quote: Out of interest what conscious decisions did you come to about tense. I noticed while reading that you refer to not knowing what cards come up when as you write it you clear do know and I just wondered when you decided to write first person or if there was any choice and it was a subconscious thing? Good questions. In the early days of these reports, I used the third-person voice at least once (and, yes, I could go back and check this, but I'm feeling a bit lazy at the moment), but quickly realized it was too distancing, too clinical. First-person allows the reader a more immersive experience, and allows the illusion of me not knowing what's going to happen. All in all, it allows for better storytelling (such as it is).
And it is very good and works very well. I suppose I was just curious after reading several of these which literary mechanics were conscious and which deliberate.
-
|
|
Posted Sun Nov 13, 2011 10:20 pm
