Great preview! It seems like in epic duel mode, cards will be added into the decks in sections one by one. Is that correct? And if so, are they added when you have to refresh your drawpile? Do battlegrounds get added in sections as well in this gamemode?😊
In Epic Duel mode, each player's deck is split into 3 sections (of 45 cards, 25 cards and 20 cards each). They start with their section 1 deck, and with the section 2 deck in their cycle pile. The section 3 deck is set aside. Once you cycle through your deck for the first time, sections 1 and 2 will be shuffled together, and then you add section 3 to your cycle pile. Likewise, the battlegrounds are divided into 3 sections, with each containing specific locations as described by the scenario. You start the game with just the section 1 battlegrounds. When both players cycle their decks for the first time, the section 2 battlegrounds are shuffled in; and then once the decks are cycled again, the section 3 battlegrounds are shuffled in. You can see the game is expected to be much longer, and that's because there are twice as many paths: for Paths, rather than having 1 of each path number, there are now two: so there are two Path 1s, and two Path 2s, and so on. So you progress paths like this: 1->1->2->2->3->3... and so on. Hope this answers ! R.R.
Thanks for the in-depth preview Ricky, I'm looking forward to your solo playthrough. I've only recently purchased the core along with Against the Shadow and am yet to win a game but I've enjoyed each play so far and feel like I get a bit better each time. Good luck for your playthrough.
15:00 it looks like the new path is of a slightly different tint that the original ones. Is that the case? If so, it’s unfortunate. How is the balance with the number of battlegrounds for each faction? My gripe with the base game is that if all battlegrounds for a faction have been resolved, that faction is basically useless (similar to characters and low path numbers). Even worse if you’ve only got such factions in your deck…
Re the path tint: this is a pre-production prototype; it's not the final game. I did check with Ares and they assured me that the card backs will be the same in the final product. The expansion adds 9 new Battlegrounds (4 shadow and 5 free peoples), so you should be good!
I think you mixed up Against the shadow expansion deck with ordinary evil factions expansion deck when you showed the new cards Because Goblins of the Misty Mountains in base game don't have 'if eliminated for any reason cycle this card' only Against the shadow Goblins of the Misty Mountains have that All in all amazing review
I may have missed it, but is there any distinction between the expansion cards and the base game, like an icon or something? Say you play a 6 player game and then want to restore the decks back to 4 players?
Hi Ricky! Would you recommend the card game over the board game for solo play? Theres gonna be a reprint of the BG in my country and I'm wondering if it's still worth it
The boardgames doesn't really support solo play, so yes, for solo, the card game is your choice. However, if you are happy playing both sides in a solo-not-really-solo-kind-of-way, then the board game is in a class of its own.
@@BoxofDelights thanks for sharing your opinion! I'm on fence because I have never played a wargame 1x1 both sides before, but I also find the board game really impressive. Your playthrough is also really helpful and well done. I just wonder if one can really have fun playing both sides. I'm very used to solo gaming, but that would be my first experience. War of the ring is pretty long too so there's that
The game is inherently cooperative, since it is a team game, even with just the base game. If you mean cooperative as in 2 or more players cooperating against the game, that was introduced in the "Against the Shadow" expansion.
The PDF of this expansion's rules are available to download from the Ares Games website under the page for this product, which can be found in their "Upcoming" page.
Great preview! It seems like in epic duel mode, cards will be added into the decks in sections one by one. Is that correct? And if so, are they added when you have to refresh your drawpile? Do battlegrounds get added in sections as well in this gamemode?😊
In Epic Duel mode, each player's deck is split into 3 sections (of 45 cards, 25 cards and 20 cards each). They start with their section 1 deck, and with the section 2 deck in their cycle pile. The section 3 deck is set aside. Once you cycle through your deck for the first time, sections 1 and 2 will be shuffled together, and then you add section 3 to your cycle pile.
Likewise, the battlegrounds are divided into 3 sections, with each containing specific locations as described by the scenario. You start the game with just the section 1 battlegrounds. When both players cycle their decks for the first time, the section 2 battlegrounds are shuffled in; and then once the decks are cycled again, the section 3 battlegrounds are shuffled in.
You can see the game is expected to be much longer, and that's because there are twice as many paths: for Paths, rather than having 1 of each path number, there are now two: so there are two Path 1s, and two Path 2s, and so on. So you progress paths like this: 1->1->2->2->3->3... and so on.
Hope this answers ! R.R.
@@BoxofDelights Thanks so much!
Thanks for the in-depth preview Ricky, I'm looking forward to your solo playthrough. I've only recently purchased the core along with Against the Shadow and am yet to win a game but I've enjoyed each play so far and feel like I get a bit better each time. Good luck for your playthrough.
I ordered the core and against the shadow, still to receive it.
I would appreciate a play through series !!
Ordered! Thanks for the run-through 😎
This was really helpful thanks Ricky!!!
I'm very sad to hear that skirmishes are not available for solo.
it is a little sad; maybe I will find a house rule to fix that 😎
Definitely getting this.
wow seems big boost for a game. Very cool
15:00 it looks like the new path is of a slightly different tint that the original ones. Is that the case? If so, it’s unfortunate.
How is the balance with the number of battlegrounds for each faction? My gripe with the base game is that if all battlegrounds for a faction have been resolved, that faction is basically useless (similar to characters and low path numbers). Even worse if you’ve only got such factions in your deck…
Re the path tint: this is a pre-production prototype; it's not the final game. I did check with Ares and they assured me that the card backs will be the same in the final product.
The expansion adds 9 new Battlegrounds (4 shadow and 5 free peoples), so you should be good!
FINALLY! Teh focus on solo play is not for me. It is great 2 vs 2 game this. Well up to 3 vs 3 now :)
Awesome! Would love to hear what the new 2 player mode is like since the version in the base game leaves a lot to be desired
I enjoyed it at 2 but prefer the scenarios without having to manage more than one hand multiplayer; ie the 2-player specific scenarios
Was it the camera or was there a tone difference between expansion and original path backs ?
there was a slight difference, but this is a preproduction sample so not necessarily representative of the final product.
Ares have confirmed: "The difference is because it’s just a prototype printing, the final product will have the same colours of the base game cards."
Okay great thanks for reply mate
I think you mixed up Against the shadow expansion deck with ordinary evil factions expansion deck when you showed the new cards
Because Goblins of the Misty Mountains in base game don't have 'if eliminated for any reason cycle this card' only Against the shadow Goblins of the Misty Mountains have that
All in all amazing review
Yes - indeed, I was showing the new solo cards from Fire and Swords.
I may have missed it, but is there any distinction between the expansion cards and the base game, like an icon or something? Say you play a 6 player game and then want to restore the decks back to 4 players?
yes - each card has an icon and a card number at the bottom, to say which set it came from.
Hi Ricky! Would you recommend the card game over the board game for solo play? Theres gonna be a reprint of the BG in my country and I'm wondering if it's still worth it
The boardgames doesn't really support solo play, so yes, for solo, the card game is your choice. However, if you are happy playing both sides in a solo-not-really-solo-kind-of-way, then the board game is in a class of its own.
@@BoxofDelights thanks for sharing your opinion! I'm on fence because I have never played a wargame 1x1 both sides before, but I also find the board game really impressive. Your playthrough is also really helpful and well done. I just wonder if one can really have fun playing both sides. I'm very used to solo gaming, but that would be my first experience. War of the ring is pretty long too so there's that
check out my WoTR board game series where I do exactly that: play both sides - and see what you think.
I'm confused I thought that this expansion was supposed to introduce cooperative play?
The game is inherently cooperative, since it is a team game, even with just the base game. If you mean cooperative as in 2 or more players cooperating against the game, that was introduced in the "Against the Shadow" expansion.
Lovely art on the cards.
Can you post a pdf of the rulebook online pls?
it’s not my place to share that unfortunately
The PDF of this expansion's rules are available to download from the Ares Games website under the page for this product, which can be found in their "Upcoming" page.
This game looks so good but BGG says it's best at four players 😔
that could be true I think; I’ve not played at 4 though, only 2 , and I enjoy it at 2
That doesn't mean it's not great at other player counts!