Dominion – Nerds on Earth https://nerdsonearth.com The best place on earth for nerds. Thu, 29 Jul 2021 00:24:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://nerdsonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cropped-nerds_head_thumb2-100x100.png Dominion – Nerds on Earth https://nerdsonearth.com 32 32 All the podcasts from NerdsonEarth.com, under one umbrella. We create short run podcasts for nerds, covering D&D, Marvel, Starfinder, and more! You vote for your favorite shows and they just might get a second season. Dominion – Nerds on Earth false episodic Dominion – Nerds on Earth jason.sansbury@nerdsonearth.com podcast All the podcasts from NerdsonEarth.com, the best place on Earth for nerds. Dominion – Nerds on Earth https://nerdsonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/noe-podcast-logo.png https://nerdsonearth.com/blog/ 7 Best Bang for Your Buck Board Games https://nerdsonearth.com/2021/07/good-value-board-games/ Thu, 29 Jul 2021 12:00:00 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=36287

These are good value board games.

The post 7 Best Bang for Your Buck Board Games appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>

Hobby board game prices are rising, with the major publishers announcing a significant increase in MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) for 2021 or simply raising prices for retailers by cutting into their margin and asking them to eat to price increase.

Us board gamers mostly don’t mind, as we know the benefits of owning board games and appreciate the component quality of hobby board games. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t looking for a little more value out of our dollars, so which games to choose if that’s what you are looking for?

Well, that gets complicated. What is value for one isn’t for another. And we certainly don’t want to just list 7 inexpensive games. We’re going for value, cheapness.

So, here are 7 options that provide value in a variety of ways and let’s you choose how to spend your dollars.

7 Best Bang for Your Buck Board Games

Pandemic Legacy

pandemic-board-game

Pandemic is what’s called a co-op game. What Monopoly was to yesteryear, Pandemic is to our time. It is a “gateway” game that has introduced many to hobby-style board games by popularizing the cooperative board game, meaning you don’t compete with your teammates, you work together.

Pandemic is a clean, elegant game that has you take on the role of CDC workers, trotting around the globe, knocking off disease cubes to prevent a global catastrophe. If Covid-19 has you feeling uneasy, Pandemic is an excellent outlet for gallows humor.

The standard version is pictured above but there is a version I want to keep secret and that is Pandemic Legacy, a version where the game changes as you play it. Cards are removed, pieces are added, characters gain new attributes. Played over 12 months, it’s a game that can’t be played over and over but packs a lot of intrigue and action into those 12 plays, a nice bang for your buck.

You can get Pandemic Legacy here.

Zombicide

Review of Zombicide

Zombicide is nothing but big, dumb fun. Few games go better with beer than Zombicide, and there isn’t a game that has a better horde of cool miniatures. It’s consistently the best-seller through Nerds on Earth affiliate links.

In Zombicide you play survivors who are working against a legion of the undead. It’s pulpy fun. We’ve done a full review, but trust us when we say you’ll get lots of hoots and hollers from Zombicide.

A 2nd edition just released and….it’s not cheap, so why in the Sam Hill tarnation am I claiming it’s a good bang for your buck when you have to spend a lot of bucks to get it. Well, the box is packed. There aren’t just a few pieces rattling around in an empty box like a 4 chips in a Lay’s bag. It’s loaded full of plastic and cardboard.

But the main reason you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck is you can paint the miniatures if you want, which is a wonderful hobby to get into and will give you hours and hours of activity. Here’s a guide to painting those zombies.

Get Zombicide 2nd Edition here.

Dominion

Dominion-hand-580x351

Dominion is the granddaddy of what are called deck builders. You start out with a small hand of cards and limited actions. Turn by turn you add cards and your actions increase.

Dominion is chill, yet still thoughtful. It works great as a two player game, so it makes for a nice, quiet date night at home. It also has loads of expansions, and while there are flashier games that exist, you’d be hard pressed to find a game that is more universally appreciated than Dominion.

But what’s the value in a box of cards you might ask. Well, I’ve brought a gazillion couples in to the hobby using Dominion. It’s easy to teach and green to play with couples because you can chat as you play. As a result, it will be taken off your shelf for years and years, making it a nice bang for your buck.

Get Dominion here. You won’t regret it.

The Crew

Image courtesy of Board Game Bliss.

Finally, an inexpensive game on this list, as The Crew goes for under $20.

The Crew is a small box card game that is not much more than taking tricks, so it’s a tried and true formula that can be picked up easily.

But the twist on the game is that there are 50 missions you must complete as you take the tricks and they get progressively harder as you go. So, for example, the cards are dealt and it is time for trick taking. But you mission might be that Player A must take the last trick. So, play proceeds but all the players must work together to noodle it out and set it up so that Player A gets that last trick, satisfying the win condition.

The game plays so fast you immediate want to deal the cards out again if you fail in your mission, meaning you’ll play it over and over again. And winning a mission is so satisfying you will immediately want to try the next one once you succeed. At less than $20, that makes The Crew a great bang for your buck, even though the quality is not much more than a few cards in a little box.

Get The Crew here.

Marvel Champions

Marvel Champions is what is called a Living Card Game (LCG), which means you have a core game but there are expansion decks of cards that release each month that cost about $13.

So, how is Marvel Champions a good bang for your buck if you have to buy a core game only to be enticed to buy an expansion every month? First, the core game is excellent and offers a lot of re-playability, so you’ll feel like you got a solid bang for those bucks spent. (We’ve written more about Marvel Champions if you are entirely unfamiliar and want to go deep.)

Second, you can pick and choose the expansions decks you buy, there is no need to get every single hero every single month or buy any at all. Just pick up the decks that look fun for you, because each deck extends gameplay by bunches. That hero’s deck can be paired up in different combinations with the various heroes in the core box, plus those hero decks can be played against each and every villain in the core box, offer a ton of variety in gameplay options. In that way the game is extended without breaking your bank.

Get Marvel Champions here.

Horrified

Image courtesy of Meeple Mountain.

Horrified makes this list because it’s a surprisingly good game that is designed for the mass market, meaning the MSRP is more reasonable, although it’s is not a cheapy-made game like Monopoly or Clue.

Horrified leverages the old school masters Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Wolf Man, Dracula, Mummy, Invisible Man, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon in a really solid game that allows a variety mission and win conditions, making it a game a family can play again and again.

Sure, you won’t be stoked by the cardboard standees and the miniatures aren’t of a high quality like Zombicide where you’ll be dying to paint them, but it comes at an attractive price point that offers you a lot of bang for a few bucks.

Get Horrified here.

(Pro Tip: Horrified was designed by Prospero Hall, a collaborative design studio that specializes in mass market games built on IP properties that offer a much more fulfilling experience than what you’d typically find in mass market games. Other standouts include Jaws, Villainous, and Back to the Future: Back in Time. I’ll be bold enough to say every Prospero Hall game offers you a nice bang for your buck. They are consistently good.)

Point Salad

Point Salad is an inexpensive game. It is a fast and fun card drafting game designed for the whole family. It gets its name because there are a gazillion ways to score points, so players may use a variety of strategies, giving the game nice re-playability. It doesn’t hurt that it plays fast.

Cards come in six different types of veggies, and the back of each card has a different scoring method. So for instance, one scoring method may award 2 points for every carrot you have, but deduct a point for every onion. By drafting combinations of veggies and point cards that work for your strategy, you can amass the most points and win.

It’s affordable and it will gets lots of play. That’s a nice combo if you are looking for bang for your buck. Here’s more on Point Salad.

Get Point Salad here.


There you have it: 7 great games to consider when starting a board game collection, particularly if you are going for a little more bang for your buck over other games. There are some truly expensive games on this list, yet the boxes are packed and the games offer engaging game play. But there are also expensive games on this list that might not have a lot in the box but nevertheless offer great value.

Which titles would you recommend to brand new board gamers who are looking for bang for their bucks?  Drop in to our Boarderlands Facebook Group, which is a dedicated space for all things tabletop, and let us know!

The post 7 Best Bang for Your Buck Board Games appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>
7 Great Games to Jump Start a Board Game Collection https://nerdsonearth.com/2020/03/grow-a-board-game-collection/ Thu, 19 Mar 2020 12:00:00 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=29637

Are you ready to get on the gaming band wagon but don't know where to begin when starting a board game collection? Here are 7 games to start with.

The post 7 Great Games to Jump Start a Board Game Collection appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>

Are you board game curious, yet don’t know where to begin? Well, here are 7 great hobby board games to get you going. Warning, these games will mark the start of your next obsession.

Starting a Board Game Collection

1. Pandemic

pandemic-board-game

Pandemic is what’s called a co-op game. What Monopoly was to yesteryear, Pandemic is to our time. It is a “gateway” game that has introduced most of blue state America to hobby-style board games.

Pandemic has you take on the role of CDC workers, trotting around the globe, knocking off disease cubes to prevent a global catastrophe. Pandemic popularized the cooperative board game, meaning you don’t compete with your teammates, you work together.

Pandemic is a clean, elegant game and one that is perfect to add to your collection, being that it rewards cooperation instead of competition. And if Covid-19 has you feeling uneasy, Pandemic is an excellent outlet for gallows humor.

You can get Pandemic here.

2. Zombicide

Review of Zombicide

Zombicide is nothing but big, dumb fun. Few games go better with beer than Zombicide, and there isn’t a game that has a better horde of cool miniatures. It’s consistently the best-seller through Nerds on Earth affiliate links.

In Zombicide you play survivors who are working against a legion of the undead. It’s pulpy fun. We’ve done a full review, but trust us when we say you’ll get lots of hoots and hollers from Zombicide.

A 2nd edition of the game releases in late 2021, but the later Green Horde and Black Plague editions will continue to hold up. In the days of Covid-19, I recommend the Black Plague edition obviously.

Get Zombicide: Black Plague here.

3. Dominion

Dominion-hand-580x351

Dominion is the granddaddy of what are called deck builders. You start out with a small hand of cards and limited actions. Turn by turn you add cards and your actions increase.

Dominion is chill, yet still thoughtful. It works great as a two player game, so it makes for a nice, quiet date night at home. It also has loads of expansions, and while there are flashier games that exist, you’d be hard pressed to find a game that is more universally appreciated than Dominion.

Get Dominion here. You won’t regret it.

4. Century Spice Road

I have introduced more people to hobby board gaming via Century Spice Road than any other game. It is simple to teach, good with a variety of player numbers and types, and makes for a smooth, enjoyable time.

You play as spice traders of yesteryear. You play cards to gather cubes that represent different types of spices. You then turn those cubes in to purchase cards that grant you victory points.

I realize that previous sentence sounds boring as heck, but Century Spice Road is a wonderful game, despite what many would consider a ho-hum theme. But it’s a GREAT game. It’s elegant and smooth, which makes it ideal for an evening at home or if you have another couple over.

Get Century Spice Road here.

5. Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride is a game about laying rails. Players get cards that list train routes, then race the other players to collect the colored train cars that allow them to complete the routes.

I’ve never a met a human that didn’t enjoy the game. Everyone from grandpas to older kids enjoy playing, so it’s worth a purchase if just to have something to do after thanksgiving dinner. It’s a modern day classic for a reason.

Get Ticket to Ride here.

6. Raiders of the North Sea

No spoilers on the awesome Viking crew cards.

If you itch for something a little more exciting that spices or trains, give Raiders of the North Sea a try. Raiders of the North Sea is a Viking-themed game, something I appreciate as a Minnesotan. But what I really appreciate is how smooth and fun the game is.

The core gameplay has players place a worker, then take a worker. Those actions allow a player to build up a raiding party that can then plunder the countryside.

I’ve written more here, so suffice it to say that I give Raiders of the North Sea my highest recommendation.

Get it here.

7. Lords of Waterdeep

Lords of Waterdeep might be the deepest cut on this list, as it is a D&D-themed board game and slightly more difficult to learn than a straight gateway game like Ticket to Ride. But it will absolutely become a cornerstone to a growing board game collection.

Lords of Waterdeep isn’t D&D, but it is D&D inspired. Cards are placed across the top of the game board. These cards are quests that have different requirements to complete. As players complete those objectives (plus hidden ones), they score victory points.

It’s one of my wife’s absolute favorite games and she isn’t into D&D at all. She loves Lords of Waterdeep solely because the gameplay is so smooth.

Get Lords of Waterdeep here.


There you have it: 7 great games to consider when starting a board game collection. And you are starting a board game collection, aren’t you?

Which titles would you recommend to brand new board gamers who are looking to ramp up a collection?  Drop in to our Boarderlands Facebook Group, which is a dedicated space for all things tabletop, and let us know!

The post 7 Great Games to Jump Start a Board Game Collection appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>
Some Great Gift Ideas for Nerds https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/11/some-great-gift-ideas-for-nerds/ Wed, 27 Nov 2019 13:00:00 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=27668

From D&D to Star Wars to comics and board games, here are some great gift ideas for nerds.

The post Some Great Gift Ideas for Nerds appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>

I’m going to share some great gift ideas for nerds. Use this for the holidays, for birthdays, or simply to say “I value your deep nerdiness and I want to reward it with a gift.”

No rhyme. No reason. Probably no great Black Friday discounts. These are just wonderfully nerdy things.

Some Great Gift Ideas for Nerds

Jesus Saves Mug

Did Jesus make his saving throw? Of course he did, because Jesus Saves. Alas, everyone else takes damage.

The Jesus Saves mug and more are available from Level 1 Gamers. They have great mugs and t-shirts for D&D players. Their products are available via Amazon: Give them a look.

The Player’s Handbook

d&d player's handbook

What, your friends aren’t D&D players? Then good gravy, nerd, they need the Players’s Handbook!

D&D is in the middle of a wonderful resurgence and the 5th edition of the rules is the best yet. The Player’s Handbook (PHB) is the first book to get if you are looking to gift D&D to a new player.

Whether it is someone who played years ago and you want to give them a gift of nostalgia, or it is someone who you were hoping to introduce to the game for the first time, the PHB is a great gift.

How does that not make a great gift? You can get the PHB here for under $30.

X-Men Comics

Chris Claremont penned X-Men comics were the most popular and beloved comics for the entirety of his 16-year run on the title. But modern X-Men comics have been known as hit or miss with no definitive storyline to point X-Men fans too.

This all changed with House of X (HOX) and Powers of X (POX). Published just this summer, HOX POX was the most exciting, creative, imaginative, and best executed X-Men storyline in recent memory. Written by Jonathan Hickman, HOX POX has been an atomic bomb level of excitement for X-Men fans.

The storyline has a new a hardcover collection that is just in time for the holidays. It would make an incredible gift for any X-Men fan.

Get it here.

Dominion

rio531

Dominion is the godfather of deck-building card games, which might not be a phrase you are used to, but it is one you should get to know. Deck builders are great games where you start with a limited hand of cards, but add more cards to “power up.”

So Dominion is a hobby board game that is actually just a big box of cards. That sounds under-whelming, doesn’t it? But it’s a great game. It’s incredibly simple to learn, yet it’s fun enough that you can play it over and over. There is a reason it’s considered a classic.

It’s a great game for couples who are looking for a nice way to connect during a quiet evening. It also makes an excellent game to use when you invite friends over for a game night. Old kids can play, as can your aunts and uncles during the holidays.

You can get the base set here for about $30.

Old Man’s War

Old Man's War

Old Man’s War by John Scalzi is a great science fiction book. It’s about a 75-year-old man who signs up to fight an intergalactic war.

It’s a quick and easy read that is pulpy, yet cleverly written. It’s got a dash of Starship Troopers while also giving it a nice new spin.

Sometimes we just want to read something fun. With that in mind, Old Man’s War makes a great gift for yourself (Fine, I guess you could give it to someone else also, but why not keep it for yourself?). It can stand alone, but it’s also the first in a several book series, so if it hits the mark, there is more to be had.

You can get the paperback for like $6.

Legos

Legos make a great gift and everything is better when Star Wars is attached to it. I just got the Star Wars Lego set 75153: AT-ST a couple of Christmases ago and it’s a great set.

Sure, everyone would want to AT-AT Lego set, but let’s be realistic folks. Not all of us will be able to build a Lego Imperial Walker with four legs, so we’ll gladly settle for two if it means we get to play with Legos.

Legos make a great gift for the young and old. Plus, they are excellent around the holidays, as you get to spend a little bonding time around a shared project. Plus, Star Wars is cool.

The 2019 version of the AT-ST is set 75254: AT-ST Raider and can be had here for about $40.

Nostalgia

Nerds love nostalgia and nothing is pushing our nostalgia buttons more than the collected edition of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (OHotMU).

We’ve written fully about the OHotMU, so I’ll just send you there if you need more context.

The brand new collected omnibus might not have yellowed old newsprint paper, but it sure will bring back happy memories. Millions of nerds poured over those books in order to learn more about their favorite heroes.

You can get it here.


The post Some Great Gift Ideas for Nerds appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>
7 Board Games to Play Over the Holidays https://nerdsonearth.com/2017/12/7-board-games-to-play-over-the-holidays/ Mon, 11 Dec 2017 12:16:43 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=14542

The holidays are the time for board gaming. Here are seven suggestions to make holiday gaming great!

The post 7 Board Games to Play Over the Holidays appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>

The holidays need board games to distract us from awkward, uncomfortable conversations. These past few years haven’t exactly brought cohesion to family systems, after all.

Besides, board games go great with snacks, which matches the non-stop eating element of holiday gatherings. Listen, you’ve eaten everything else in the house, just go ahead and eat the game afterwards.

So how about some holiday board game suggestions?

7 Board Games to Play Over the Holidays

Dominion

Dominion is a game I recommend to everyone. It has a non-threatening theme, is super easy to teach, and has a really satisfying gameplay that fits grandmas and grandchildren alike.

Dominion is a “deck builder,” a category of game where players begin with a starting hand of cards, then use their actions to slowly upgrade their hands in order to purchase victory points.

You can get it here.

Viticulture

Let’s be honest, there will be a good chance that at least one of your family members will be drunk for most of the holidays and Viticulture is a board game about making wine.

Jokes aside, it’s a great game. I’ve written about it extensively here.

You can get the Viticulture board game here.

Tournament of Camelot

I’ve been snarky, but I shouldn’t assume your family has deep generational communication issues or substance abuse problems, even though, well, you’re family just might. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Maybe your family can handle a little light conflict. If so, Tournament of Camelot is a great trick-taking game set in the world of King Arthur. Taking on the role of a hero from the legendary story, you battle with weapon cards like arrows, swords, sorcery, and even alchemy.

It’s a fun theme and a well done game. And the beauty of a trick-taking card game is that the basic mechanic is understood by folks who may have only played a game like Hearts or Pinocle, making it easy to teach.

You can get here here for a steal.

Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride is a game about creating railroad routes. Nearly everyone has a grandpa, uncle, or young nephew who is into trains, so it’s a theme that works well in families.

Ticket to Ride is also easily one of the most popular modern board games, meaning you can pick it up in Target or wherever. That can be helpful for folks who may attach a stigma to “that nerdy stuff from comic shops.” But then they are hooked.

Century Spice Road

Century Spice Road is my absolute favorite game on this list. Like the other games listed above, it has a light, non-threatening theme. You pretend you are spice traders from centuries ago.

Century Spice Road has a deck building element like Dominon but it also adds the element of little colored cubes that represent the spices. You use your turns to slowly build up a better collection of spices that you can then use to buy victory point cards.

Century Spice Road is easy to teach (the rules are on one page, front and back) and it plays fast. Before you know it, it will be your turn again, which is great for keeping the whole family engaged.

Get it here!

Codenames

Codenames is on this list because it works in almost any context.

It is designed for 4-8 players and can work with players as young as 6 years old. The basic premise of the game is that the two teams are looking at a 5 x 5 grid of words. One player on each team is the Spymaster, giving clues that their teammates can then use to guess words.

We’ve done a full writeup on Codenames here.

Onitama

Onitama (via Pub Meeple)

Onitama is another personal favorite, but the reason I chose it for this list is because it is a two player strategy game that can be taught in 30 seconds. It is perfect for that favorite uncle or family member that you want to create a shared experience with.

Think of Onitama as streamlined Chess, being that each side of the two player game has a “king” piece flanked by 4 “pawns.” Whereas Chess movement is determined via the restrictions of the individual pieces, in Onitama moving is determined by a set of rotating cards.

As the cards change, players are required to think several steps ahead, just like Chess. But Onitama plays in just 10-15 minutes. It’s quick and light, yet has a ton of depth. It’s a brilliant little game actually.

Get it here.

The post 7 Board Games to Play Over the Holidays appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>
7 Great Board Games to Replace Settlers of Catan https://nerdsonearth.com/2017/11/board-games-to-replace-settlers-of-catan/ Mon, 06 Nov 2017 12:40:02 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=14801

Catan is a great board game, but you may be looking for what is next. Here a re 7 board games to replace Settlers of Catan.

The post 7 Great Board Games to Replace Settlers of Catan appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>

I know it’s not cool to like Settlers of Catan…excuse me, just Catan. It’s become so popular that the hipsters have turned on it for being too trendy.

But Catan’s combination of mass market availability, easy to teach rules, non-threatening theme, and overall solid game mechanics make it an ideal gateway game that gets new gamers away from Monopoly and into more modern gaming. Besides, Catan really is a fine game.

Alas, I also understand where the hipsters are coming from. My friends and I rarely plan Catan anymore. Sure, it was our gateway just like it was for many others, but we’ve now evolved to a higher plane of gaming existence.

With that in mind, you might be familiar with Catan but are likewise looking for some logical next steps toward a deeper dive into modern board gaming. If so, we’ve got you.

7 Great Board Games to Replace Settlers of Catan

[bs_smart_list_pack_start][/bs_smart_list_pack_start]

Bohnanza

If you love the trading aspect of Catan… try Bohnanza. Trading wood for sheep jokes have simply became a part of our cultural lexicon at this point. And with good reason because, you know, there are some funny jokes in there.

But that shouldn’t diminish the fact that the trading in Catan is actually pretty fun and provides a nice sense of non-threatening player interaction. If that’s your cup of tea, consider Bohnanza, another game with a trading aspect to it.

Bohnanza is a game about trading legumes (beans). Boy, that sounds scintillating, doesn’t it? It may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts, kid. It’s a solid game. We did a full review on Bohnanza, so I’ll send you there.

Ticket to Ride

If you love the planning routes aspect of Catan…go with Ticket to Ride. Sure, I just recommended another board game that feels nearly as saturated as Catan, but the reason these games are so popular is because they are overall really good games.

Ticket to Ride is a game where players have “tickets” that direct them to attempt to race with other players to create rail lines.

The game has that ye old timey charm that is associated with trains and this aspect really helps it be a hit with everyone. Your nephew on up to your grandpa will enjoy it.

Ticket to Ride is a solid game that takes a similar route planning aspect that is available in Catan, but turns it into the core mechanism of the game.

Suburbia

If you love laying tiles out in different configurations….try Suburbia. I like setting up Catan and placing the hex tiles down in the random configuration that gives the game some replayability.

But what if you took that tile laying, modernized it, then really made it player directed and the central aspect of the game?

Suburbia is a tile-laying game in which each player plans, builds, and develops a small town into a major metropolis. Players lay hex-shaped building tiles to add residential and commercial, as well as special points of interest to grow your town.

We did a full review of Suburbia, so I’ll send you there.

Viticulture

If you love the settlement building aspect of Catan…try Agricola: All Creatures Great and Small. Scratch that. All Creatures has been frequently out-of-print, so try Viticulture.

Viticulture is a game about making wine. It has a wonderful aspect where you build up your vineyard to both increase quality and production, while also making your vineyard be a place that visitors would want to tour.

It’s a great game and one that has made our list of great games for couples. We also did a full review of Viticulture.

Stone Age

If you love dice used non-combatively…try Stone Age. Catan doesn’t use dice ala Candyland to pick up and move a marker across squares, nor does it use dice combatively like in D&D.

Instead, the dice rolls in Catan allow some randomness and variability in collecting resources. Stone Age uses dice in a similar way.

Stone Age has players in the roles of Stone Age era hunters, collectors, farmers, and tool makers. During three phases, players use dice to add tools to their culture, increase their population, gather resources, or feed their people.

Stone Age works great. It’s clear and streamlined, while also giving a nice depth to strategy. The dice rolls don’t feel caprecious, in other words.

Dominion

If you love that it is easy to teach...give Dominion a try. Catan is so popular in part because it’s not hard to pick up. After only a few minutes a new player can muddle through some sample rounds and get their feet under them. Dominion is very similar in that regard.

Dominion is a deck-builder, a very different kind of game than Catan, but it is very much like Catan in that it can be a nice gateway game for players new to board gaming.

Players start with a hand of cards. As turns progress, players use their cards to “purchase” better and better cards from the card decks in the center of the table. As the cards get better, players’ hands get more powerful and efficient, allowing them to parley their purchasing power into points.

My wife and I play Dominion all the time. It’s so low key that it provides an easy ‘yes’ if you only have a little time in the evening and you aren’t interested in the thought of an intense game.

Century Spice Road

If you are simply looking for a next step board game recommendation...try Century Spice Road.

This is a newer game (2017) on this list and it is wonderful. With Century Spice Road, I’m not trying to recommend an analogue of a particular aspect of Catan, as much as I am simply recommending a great game.

Players of Century Spice Road are spice traders from centuries ago. Players begin with a few simple cards that allow them to purchase spice cubes or upgrade their cards, becoming more powerful in their purchasing power.

Turns play quick, but not because it’s a frantic game. It’s a wholly relaxing game that plays quickly because it’s so darned elegant and smooth. It’s a wonderful game that could very easily become that game you break out every game night because literally everyone would enjoy it.

[bs_smart_list_pack_end][/bs_smart_list_pack_end]


Hey, if you’re still kicking it with Catan, then keep having fun! But if you are looking for something a bit more, the above might be nice replacements for Catan in your collection.

The post 7 Great Board Games to Replace Settlers of Catan appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>
Top 7 Board Games for Couples https://nerdsonearth.com/2017/10/board-games-for-couples/ Tue, 03 Oct 2017 12:18:07 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=14540

What are the best board games for couples? Nerds on Earth has a list of seven, if you are looking for a quiet and engaging date night at home.

The post Top 7 Board Games for Couples appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>

Not every date night for couples needs to involve dinner and a movie. Sometimes a quiet evening at home is exactly what is needed and a great board game is perfect for that. But what are the best board games for couples?

Board Games for Couples

[bs_smart_list_pack_start][/bs_smart_list_pack_start]

Agricola All Creatures Big and Small

My wife and I already have two little 9 and 7-year old mouths to feed, so we don’t enjoy the aspects of food micro-management in the big box version of Agricola, although that is certainly a game worthy of overall recommendation.

Instead of the big box game flooding us with memories of always having to get our kids chicken nuggets, we prefer the simpler Agricola All Creatures Big and Small, the stripped down 2-player variety of Agricola.

All Creatures is a FANTASTIC game, as each player gets the satisfaction of building their own little farm that is populated with little farm animals. In typing that sentence, I realize how boring that sounds, but it is nothing but. All Creatures truly is a great little board game and works great for couples.

Sadly, it’s out of print but the scuttlebutt is saying that an updated version is on the way.

TIME Stories

This is a board game that is wholly unlike any other board game you are likely to play. Time Stories mixes True Detective with Groundhog Day, as it asks players to solve a mystery through repeated runs at the solution.

You gain more understanding as you play through and the board game is actually designed to save that progress. The next time you pick it up, you run through that again, albeit with more efficiency and the ability to take a different tack or fork toward a different hypothesis.

In the end, it’s extremely satisfying to solve the mystery, as the entire game has a wonderful story-driven approach. The core game packs in several stories and expansions add more. (One thing to note: Time Stories isn’t technically a two player game, but it works great with each player playing two characters each.)

 

Splendor

This is a game that is reaching mainstream adoption, so it’s an excellent choice for couples newer to gaming, being that it is sometimes easier to get adoption from a new players if the game is available in Target and not just from a FLGS.

You play as Renaissance merchants trying to buy gem mines and shops. And if you get wealthy enough, nobility might come knocking.

On your turn you might collect gems or purchase a card. You can also “reserve” a card, which is a nice way of saying you block the other player from getting it first. Be careful with your marriage, folks.

That’s overplaying it: Splendor is mildly competitive at best. In fact, the game is a joy and works excellently for couples play.

 

Viticulture

This is a game about wine, so it goes down smooth for couples. I’ve written a full review of Viticulture here, so I’ll simply link to that and use this space to talk about board game theming.

My wife doesn’t like zombies, horror, or many of the other genre trappings us nerds love. So you’ll notice that all 7 of the board games on this list have a theme that–while some might call vanilla–is one which works for pretty much anyone, regardless of personal tastes.

The point of board gaming among couples is to find something that can be enjoyed equally among partners.

 

Dominion

This is the game my wife and I play most often. You know that feeling when something goes your way and you feel really smart about it? Even if you had absolutely nothing to do with it? That’s how we feel about Dominion.

Dominion can sometimes be described as “shared solitaire” as player interaction is pretty low. As the granddaddy of all deck builder games, Dominion players slowly build up decks of cards turn after turn in order to hopefully earn the most victory points.

But the game is so darned smooth and enjoyable that we always feel really smart after playing it and highly recommend it, because sometimes the steady option is the best option. (That’s not couples advice by the way; still talking about Dominion here, not your life choices.)

 

Pandemic Legacy

This board game is rated as the #1 board game of all time at boardgamegeek.com and with good reason.

Pandemic Legacy took the insanely popular Pandemic game and gave it a sense of story and permanence. The game changes with every play and if you win or lose affects your next play. Secret components in the game might be triggered and new rules added.

It’s wonderful and provides a story-driven experience that couples can keep coming back to. My wife and I played through the entire story campaign of twelve missions and I’m happy to report that we successfully thwarted the worldwide pandemic form occurring. You’re welcome, nerds.

 

7 Wonders Duel

I really enjoy the set-up of this game. 7 Wonders Duel is the offspring of its parent game–7 Wonders–and has the same basic structure of play. Players acquire cards over three ages, and these cards advance their military or scientific development in order to develop a civilization.

What’s different about 7 Wonders Duel is that the game was rebalanced solely for two players. Both players draft cards from a display arranged at the start of a round. Each player starts with four wonder cards, and the construction of a wonder provides its owner with a special ability. Whether you try to dominate militarily or scientifically, the game is smooth and enjoyable to play.

While any of the 7 games above are great board games for couples, 7 Wonders represents a great starting game for couples. It has a low price point, is easy to learn, and is truly a fantastically designed 2 player game with a theme that works for everyone.

[bs_smart_list_pack_end][/bs_smart_list_pack_end]

The post Top 7 Board Games for Couples appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>
5 Tips for Teaching Kids to Play Heavier Board Games https://nerdsonearth.com/2017/09/teaching-kids-to-play-board-games/ Thu, 14 Sep 2017 12:00:17 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=14116

It's a joy to play board games with your kids, yet a bummer to be stuck at Candyland. Here are some tips for teaching kids to play heavier board games.

The post 5 Tips for Teaching Kids to Play Heavier Board Games appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>

I love playing board games with my daughters, ages 8 and 6. But I do NOT like playing Chutes and Ladders. Luckily, they don’t either. They like meatier games that will challenge them and add a couple more layers of gameplay beyond flipping an spinner and moving their token 3 spaces to the color orange.

While it is unreasonable to think your young kids will be playing hardcore Euro games any time soon, it is perfectly reasonably to expect that you can ramp your kids up to some mid-weight board games like Pandemic or Dominion.

Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet when it come to teaching kids to play heavier boardgames. These are only tips and suggestions, and they won’t work in every instance. There is very little meat here. I’m hoping you will fill up on this salad and breadsticks.

Yet it is worth it to give it a shot. Plus, there are real benefits to playing board games, especially if it represents quality times with your kids.

5 Tips for Teaching Kids to Play Board Games

Image: Chris Norwood on BGG

5. Play co-ops. Co-ops are great board games to begin with. But the unique nature of cooperating together against the game can also help in teaching kids. As you play the game together, working toward that shared goal, you can also add subtle coaching tips to your kids.

Being a co-op, the moves you make will be roughly the moves they make, rather than trying to make moves to counter yours. They learn to play the game by watching you play the game. You are beating the game together. So not only are you teaching the game, but you are also having a nice shared experience.

4. Stack the deck. It’s OK to dial down the difficulty rating when you are teaching kids a more difficult board game.

If a game has a deck of cards with the “gotcha” cards that trigger a bad event, then simply remove one or two of them. Pandemic has 5 Epidemic cards for example. If you are teaching the game to a younger player, simply dial it back to 4.

Bonus tip: Pick something thematic that they’ll be drawn to, like Marvel Heroclix. Just toss out the fringe-case rules.

Other examples:

  • Remove the robber in Catan. Let them play through a couple times, then add it back in.
  • If a game is asymmetrical, let them play the faction that is known to be best for beginners.
  • If a game start with players being dealt a certain amount of starting resources, give them a double share.
  • Fudge a die roll.

Again, the idea is that you can make a slight adjustment to stack the deck in their favor. Set the difficult rating real low the first couple of plays. Then gradually dial it up once they’ve gotten the basics.

3. Repeat. Repeat. Teaching kids board games is like teaching kids anything. Repetition is important. Be patient and go to the table prepared to repeat key rules.

Teaching kids board games is like teaching kids anything. Repetition is important. Be patient and go to the table prepared to repeat key rules.

It’s OK to let them play a hand over.

2. Offer mulligans. As a general rule, I don’t want to live in a world when we don’t get second chances. So let’s offer second chances when we are teaching kids new games.

If a kid makes a poor move, it’s OK to play it out so they can see the consequences of that action. But put a pin in it so you can dial it back. When they are then allowed to take a second chance with that move, you have an opportunity to talk through what went wrong.

This allows them to really being to internalize the actions of the game, both good and bad. Sure, it slows down the flow, but allowing them to really think through the moves is what will ultimately allow the game to click for them.

1. Toss out some rules. A lot of games have a core set of rules that covers 90% of the usage cases, then contain 50 more pages of rules to covers the 10% of fringe cases that rarely comes up.

It’s OK to hand wave those fringe rules. Don’t miss the forest for the trees. And you can always tighten things up later once the core game mechanics are well understood. (Be honest, you probably wanted to toss out some of those fiddly rules for your sake as well!)

5 Tips for Teaching Kids to Play Board Games

It’s a blast to play games with your kids. Don’t limit yourself to kid games. With a little patience coupled with the tips above, you just might be able to coach your kids up into some heavier-weight games.

The post 5 Tips for Teaching Kids to Play Heavier Board Games appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>
7 Board Games You Need in Your Life https://nerdsonearth.com/2017/03/7-board-games-you-need/ Wed, 08 Mar 2017 22:20:34 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=11876

There are so many board games out there that its hard to know where to start. These 7 are the board games you need.

The post 7 Board Games You Need in Your Life appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>

I could easily accumulate a heaping hoard of miniatures, RPG books, and board games. I bet you could too. But in order to have room to walk around my house, I have to be judicious in what I keep in my collection. If I get one new item, I get rid of one old item (usually).

So here are 7 board games that I’m not parting with because I need them in my life. You might need them too.

7 Board Games You Need in Your Life

7. King of Tokyo This is a game that has largely been cast aside due to its follow-up, King of New York. But I need King of Tokyo in my life for one very simple reason: my kids love it.

King of Tokyo is a simple game where monsters smash each other. Its got colorful artwork and big, chunky dice that are fun to roll. So my kids love to play it and I love to play it with them.

We even house rule a couple things like we start with 3 cards, mainly to make it even more smashy.

It’s a modern board game staple and if you don’t have it, you need it. Get it here.

 

6. Dominion This is the game that is largely considered the Godfather of all deck building games and has held up over the years as still the among the best of them. That’s no small feat and is a testament to what a nice card game it is.

The theme of Dominion is bland and there isn’t a darned thing that is flashy about the gameplay. But it’s among the best games to pull out for new players. It’s simply to teach and allows for a relaxing evening with friends.

It is perhaps my wife’s favorite game, so we’ll often play just after the kids have gone to bed. Dominion should be in every board game collection. You need it in yours. Get it here.

 

5. Patchwork This is a newer game with the most grandma theme ever. Mix Tetris with quilt making and you have the two-player game Patchwork.

It’s super simple to teach and plays fast. That makes it perfect for those who are new to board games. My 8-year-old daughter plays it with her granddad. My wife and I play it. It is a a game that works with just about everyone.

The bonus is that the Tetris-like nature of it is a benefit, as I can see how it is teaching spacial awareness skills to my daughter.

Patchwork is a game with a quilt-making theme that would be easy to mock, except for the fact that its a wonderful game that works across generations. Get it here.

 

4. Star Wars Rebellion This is a game that is pretty much the exact opposite of every other game on this list. It could take days to teach, then days to play it.

But Star Wars Rebellion is the closest thing you’ll get to the movies in a box. And what a box it is! It’s a 10 pound behemoth that is full of boards and miniatures all the the little chits and pieces that makes a board game nerd happy.

Star Wars Rebellion is an experience. It’s not the kind of game you’ll play often, but when you do, you’ll make memories. OK, maybe this isn’t a game you need in your collection, but once you have it, you’ll never give it up. Get it here.

 

3. Bang the Dice Game! This is a game that’s good for a big group of people. You can teach it in 3 minutes and it can play in 20. And the whole thing fits in a little box that you can toss in the car or a backpack.

You roll dice and try to figure out who the Sheriff is. That’s pretty much it. But it’s a lot of fun.

Bang is a game that’s good for a group of teenagers or for a group of old friends after dinner. When my nephews come over there are 5 kids who are 8 or under. One adult can corral all of them with a game of Bang the Dice Game! That’s a game you need in your collection. Get it here.

 

2. Pandemic Legacy This is where I cheat on the list. I just removed Pandemic Legacy from my collection as my wife and I finished the game. But it was a great year-long experience for us and we can’t wait until season 2 of the game, which releases in late 2017.

Pandemic Legacy is listed as the #1 game on Board Game Geek. A ‘Legacy’ game is a game where your choices change the nature of your next play–the board is updated, pieces are added or taken away, cards are ripped up, etc.

Pandemic Legacy is a great game and makes for a great shared experience among friends or families. You need it in your collection. Get it here.

 

1. Cash ‘n Guns This is another game I keep almost entirely because my kids love it so much. But it’s also a game that is a ton of fun when you have friends over.

It comes with little foam guns and you pretend you are a gangster. Each round requires you to point your game at another player in hopes you can run off with the loot.

Cash ‘n Guns is a game that bring hoots and hollers to the table. You need it in your collection. Get it here.


Mileage will vary and I have many more board games in my collection. But the above 7 are ones that stick due to the reasons above. Whether it is a nice evening with my wife, a fun time with my kids, or a nice excuse to introduce friends to board games, the above 7 games are ones I need in my life. You should think about them for yourself.

The post 7 Board Games You Need in Your Life appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>
Some Great Gift Ideas for Nerds https://nerdsonearth.com/2016/11/great-gift-ideas-nerds/ Thu, 24 Nov 2016 11:53:10 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=10809

From D&D to Star Wars to comics and board games, here are some great gift ideas for nerds.

The post Some Great Gift Ideas for Nerds appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>

I’m going to share some great gift ideas for nerds. Use this for the holidays, for birthdays, or simply to say “I value your deep nerdiness and I want to reward it with a gift.”

No rhyme. No reason. Probably no great Black Friday discounts. These are just really wonderful things.

Some Great Gift Ideas for Nerds

d&d player's handbookThe Players’s Handbook. D&D is in the middle of a wonderful resurgence and the 5th edition of the rules is the best yet. The Player’s Handbook (PHB) is the first book to get if you are looking to gift D&D to a new player.

Rather it is someone who played years ago and you want to give them a gift of nostalgia, or it is someone who you were hoping to introduce them to the game for the first time, the PHB is a great gift.

The PHB is loaded with all the rules you need to make a character, mixing and matching a dawrf with wizard skills or an elf with barbarian tendencies. It reads easy. It has beautiful artwork. And it is dripping with lore, nostalgia, creativity, and imagination.

How does that not make a great gift? You can get the PHB here for under $30.

 

star_wars_trade_paperback_volume_1_coverStar Wars comics. Marvel relaunched the Star Wars comics last year and they’ve never been better.

The flagship comic–titled simply Star Wars–has been written by Jason Aaron and was initially illustrated by the amazing John Cassaday.

The action and the stories are incredibly fun and fit into the events right around A New Hope. That means the comics use our favorite characters like Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Chewer, and Vader. Don’t worry, the characterization is pitch-perfect.

If someone is a Star Wars fan at all they’d love these comics. But they might not be the type who frequents a comic shop. The first trade of the comics is a great gift as it let’s them know you see their Star Wars love and care enough to give them a little deeper cut into the characters and stories they’ve long loved.

You can get the first trade paperback here for about $15.

 

rio531Dominion is the godfather of deck-building card games, which might not be a phrase you are used to, but it is one you should get to know. Deck builders are great games where you start with a limited hand of cards, but add more cards to “power up.”

So Dominion is a hobby board game that is actually just a big box of cards. That sound under-whelming, doesn’t it? But it’s a great game. It’s incredibly simple to learn, but it’s fun enough that you can play it over and over. There is a reason it’s considered a classic, in other words.

It’s a great game for couples who are looking for a nice way to connect during a quiet evening. It also makes an excellent game to use when you invite friends over for a game night. Old kids can play, as can your aunts and uncles during the holidays.

You can get the base set here for about $30.

 

Old Man's WarOld Man’s War by John Scalzi is a great science fiction book. It’s about a 75-year-old man who signs up to fight an intergalactic war.

It’s a quick and easy read, that is pulpy, yet cleverly written. It’s got a dash of Starship Troopers while also giving it a nice new spin.

Sometimes we just want to read something fun. With that in mind, Old Man’s War makes a great gift for yourself (Fine, I guess you could give it to someone else also, but why not keep it for yourself?). It can stand alone, but it’s also the first in a several book series, so it hits the mark, there is a deeper dive to be had.

You can get the paperback for like $6.

 

lego_75153_box1_v39_1488Legos make a great gift and everything is better when Star Wars is attached to it. I just got the Star Wars Lego set 75153: AT-ST and it’s a great set.

Sure, everyone would want to AT-AT Lego set, but let’s be realistic folks. Not all of us will be able to build a Lego Imperial Walker with four legs, so we’ll gladly settle for two if it means we get to play with Legos.

Legos make a great gift for the young and old. Plus, they are excellent around the holidays, as you get to spend a little bonding time around a shared project. Plus, Star Wars is cool.

The Lego AT-ST set can be had here, for about $40.


So there are a few gift ideas for you. Maybe they aren’t precisely what you are looking for, but hopefully they’ll get the wheels turning on gifts you can get your special little nerd this year.

You can always jump over to Facebook and we’d be glad to help you out with other gift ideas.
[ninja-inline id=10231]

The post Some Great Gift Ideas for Nerds appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>
Here are 7 Games to Jump Start Your Modern Board Game Collection https://nerdsonearth.com/2016/08/starting-a-board-game-collection/ Thu, 18 Aug 2016 12:35:11 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=8141

Are you ready to get on the gaming band wagon but don't know where to begin when starting a board game collection? Here are 7 games to start with.

The post Here are 7 Games to Jump Start Your Modern Board Game Collection appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>

We’re in the midst of a gaming renaissance, nerds. The water is warm. You need to hop on the bandwagon. Time to get in on the action. Yada yada yada.

But what if you are board game curious, yet don’t know where to begin? Well, here are 7 great hobby board games to get you going. Warning, these games will mark the start of your next obsession.

Starting a Board Game Collection

catan.0.0
cImage: Cheatography.com

Settlers of Catan is the game that will have you have you trading sheep for wood. What Monopoply was to yesteryear, Catan is to our time.

Catan is the gateway game that has introduced most of blue state America to European-style board games. (Learn more about Euro games and Catan.)

In Catan, you’ll gather resources that allow you to build roads and cities, then trade for the resources you lack. In re-reading that sentence, I realize that sounded boring, but it’s not. Catan really is a great game to get you started.

pandemic-board-game
Image: Chris Norwood on BoardGameGeek.com

Pandemic is what’s called a co-op game. Pandemic has you take on the role of CDC workers, trotting around the globe knocking disease cubes to prevent a global catastrophe. Pandemic popularized the cooperative board game, meaning you don’t compete with your teammates, you work together.

Pandemic is a clean, elegant game and one that is perfect to add to your collection, being that it rewards cooperation instead of competition.

Review of ZombicideZombicide is nothing but big, dumb fun. Few games go better with beer than Zombicide, and there isn’t a game that has a better horde of cool miniatures.

In Zombicide you pick play survivors who are working against a legion of the undead. It’s pulpy fun. We’ve done a full review, but trust us when we say you’ll get lots of hoots and hollers from Zombicide.

Dominion-hand-580x351
Image: GeekDad.com

Dominion is the granddaddy of what are called deck builders. You start out with a small hand of cards and limited actions. Turn by turn you add cards and your actions increase.

Dominon is chill, yet still thoughtful. It works great as a two player game, so it makes for a nice, quiet date night at home. It also has loads of expansions, and while there are flashier games that exist, you’d be hard pressed to find a game that is more universally appreciated than Dominion.

151105_GAME_Betrayal-on-House-on-the-Hill.jpg.CROP.promo-xlarge2
Image: Slate.com, Steve Krause

Betrayal on the House on the Hill is a complete left turn from Dominion. Choosing an adventurer, you build a mansion room-by-room, encountering all sorts of creepy, menacing interruptions. But when a certain action is triggered, the players go from co-operating, to fighting for their survival, as one player becomes a traitor!

Betrayal is great fun. It’s a got a spooky theme, and it packs a lot of tension as you await which player ultimately becomes the betrayer. It’s been one of the hottest games last year, and an expansion is coming soon. Get it here.

Ticket to RideTicket to Ride is a game about laying rails. Players get cards that list geographic train routes, then race the other players to collect the colored train cars that allow them to complete the routes.

I’ve never a met a human that didn’t enjoy the game. Everyone from grandpas to older kids enjoy playing, so it’s worth a purchase if just to have something to do after thanksgiving dinner. You can get it here.

king of tokyoKing of Tokyo pits monster against monster. Players select iconic baddies like King Kong and Godzilla, then battle it out to be “king.”

It’s a relatively simple game, yet it packs a lot of fun. It’s also a game that kids can pick up and play as well, making it a nice family game. You can pick it up here.


There you have it, 7 great games to consider when starting a board game collection. And you are starting a board game collection, aren’t you?

Which titles would you recommend to new collectors?  Drop in to our Boarderlands Facebook Group, which is a dedicated space for all things tabletop, and let us know!

The post Here are 7 Games to Jump Start Your Modern Board Game Collection appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

]]>