I'm a foamcore insert designer. I will spend hours and hours designing and creating inserts for my games. The creation process can be quite the challenge, sometimes more challenging than playing the game itself. The finished product is overwhelmingly satisfying. I'm grateful for getting into the board game hobby because it introduced me to the custom foamcore insert hobby
For playmats: Mail Tube and monster tubes helps keeps the dust off. For Stinky playmats, put a dryer sheet in with the mat inside the tube and the dryer sheet draws the chemical smell out. then replace the dryer sheet. Also Kallax wine holder shelf makes space for holding 9 playmat tubes.
I’m waiting for next level, foiled cards and custom sleeves. Oh wait that’s already happening. Next up, embossed tuck boxes with foil inlays for sleeved decks.
For the storage of playmats, I saw Tom Vasel once suggest using 'pants hangers' and the solution works great for me. They can be stored in a closet or on the back of a door, but around 4 playmats can hang nicely on one hanger.
the reason i like sleeving, putting in a better insert and upgrading tokens (particularly cardboard tokens to plastic/metal) is because it will extend the life of the game by reducing the effects of wear and tear
I'm in the process of deluxifying Dune Imperium (insert, components upgrades and sleeves), it's expensive but very satisfying, feels like transforming a mundane product into something that is a lot more pleasurable to play with and reflects my personality. I love this hobby
Glad to hear you love Sleeve Kings! I just decided to sleeve my whole collection with Sleeve Kings after realizing I'll be keeping these games for the rest of my life. Small investment to make sure they all have a chance to last that long. Audio sounding really good in this vid btw!
Starting to love Sleeve Kings myself! Backed this season and last season. I had a shipping snafu but they took care of everything to get things right. Definitely recommend!
Thanks Alex for continuing the video of putting those Carlson city tokens back into their insert; definitely satisfying to watch! I am one who also likes getting the deluxe versions of the games and components when they are available! For Gloomhaven, I used Tinkering Paws insert, although it’s quite expansive; but to me, well worth it, since the insert is 3D printed and fits real nicely together. They sell inserts for those who wants to add sleeves, like you and me, and to those who doesn’t like to sleeve.
After owning so many games and their inserts, I can only mention of the king of deluxified here which is Mech VS Minions which sets a new bar. As for functional inserts, Wasteland Express Delivery, eclipse 2nd edition and Trickerion Collectors Edition is quite good and functional too.
totally agree about upgrading cardboard tokens that you pull from a bag. i got coin capsules for quacks of quedlingburg and it makes such a difference. same for arkahm horror: the card game, i got playmats, connection tokens, action tokens but the biggest impact by far was the premium coin capsules i got for the chaos tokens we pull out of the bag!
I think deluxe components really let the personality of both the game and the players come out. Normally I'm a sucker for coins but lately we've been doing DIY deluxifying. Went to a toy store and picked out our own minis for Dinosaur Island and I've started making dice towers. The wife asked for one so tall she needs to stand up every time she rolls!!
I absolutely love the MeepleReality insert for Xia. The ship upgrade containers in particular because of how they slide into each other and make setup a breeze.
insterts for certain games make a huge huge difference, ones that assist with setup time and use cases are probably the biggest item i look for, for those whom don't have gaming tables i think play mats are more helpful to assist with use of regular tables.
I’m a bit obsessed with decking out all of my games, if there’s a component that can be upgraded I do it. I even bought a 3D printer so I can even create storage and components on my own. Loved the video!
I’m always looking to deluxifying my favorite games. Even on KS, Deluxification of games is what always get me. Not expansions or more minis. Metal coins, quality cards, included sleeves, box insert, double/triple layer player boards, spot UV box. I’m in.
I have just started looking at these, and then you release this video. Great timing. I just got hold of KDM, and have been seeking out stuff to spruce it up.
Always use sleeves on any cards which will be shuffled. Inserts that help organize and especially help get expansions into base boxes and metal coins. My 3 most popular upgrades.
My favorite deluxifications that I have are for Viticulture/Tuscany. I have a Broken Token insert and the metal coins. And man. Idk what it is, but those metal coins are fantastic
That meeple realty insert for Quacks is wonderful. It makes set up fast. In regards to inserts in general I think its important to be able to consolidate multiple expansions into the core game box. Also the speed at which you can pack the game up after. I think that is worth noting when discussing insert value.
As to the question of my favorite deluxified game, it would be Scythe. The metal coins, upgraded resources and board extension (in a legendary box) are amazing. Then I painted all of the minis and 3d printed individual faction, coin and resource boxes, plus 3d printed and painted adventure tokens. It is amazing to put on the board. Second would probably be Tzolkin. Fully painted, 3d printed and painted pyramids and playing pieces. Just so beautiful on the table.
Deluxe components are becoming a must for me with most games, and I sleeve everything in mayday premiums. My biggest board game peeve is inserts that aren’t made able to accommodate sleeves! Also, I *love* playmates- can’t stand most game boards
This is an aspect of the hobby I haven't begun to scratch the surface of. I'm only just starting to drift away from quantity over quality. You're definitely helping with that 😂
The fun of building the insert is part of the value I get from inserts... I like having a nice, simple craft project. Inserts are easy to assemble and it's a fun, enjoyable experience to me. Foldedspace is pretty great in terms of being fun to assemble, but meeple realty have the most fun designs to build (there's some really innovative stuff! Trickerion's magic books & theater, for example). I see it a little like building model airplanes. It is a fun activity on its own. I am buying a buildable model and as a bonus, getting an insert that I can use to shorten setup for a game. Love, love, love inserts. And the more unique & memorable the insert, the better. Edit: Also, for heavy games with a million components... inserts can get me down from a 45 minute setup to 10 minutes or less. It's a huge difference and it often causes me to get a heavy game to the table way more than I otherwise would.
It was a complete extravagance, but I bought 500 clay poker chips in denominations and quantities that can be used for basically any game that has money, including 18XX games and Monopoly. Everyone loves playing with them. They're a joy in the hand and on the table. I can't imagine wanting metal coins over them.
@@BoardGameCo It can be hard to come to terms with spending something like 80¢ a piece including shipping and a box to keep them in. I really think they enhance the experience enough they're worth it. Whether you're playing Brass, Machi Koro, or even - yes - Monopoly. 🎩🙂
For me Folded Space inserts are the most frequent upgrade I get for a game. I love them and the price is great. I don't bother with most games but when a game has upwards of 10 bags of different sizes, it makes it soooo much easier to play and store.
My most Deluxified game is Terraforming Mars, with 3D tiles, tile holders, and now I have gotten inserts for the box. And when I can I will buy the Deluxe version at Kickstarter, rather than getting the Retail version. Metal coins are so yummy!! And I have those cloth bags, which I use in some games to make it look a little bit prettier. Playmats have become a bit of a must for me, and I use pants holders to hang them in my game closet.
I got the Broken Token insert for Suburbia because at one point I was playing it with coworkers at least once a week. However, putting it together took so long and it was kind of frustrating due to variations in the tolerances of the cuts and whatnot. I decided I never wanted to go through that again. Now, I did get Broken Tokens deluxe crate storage for Rising Sun, and I love it. It's so helpful for setup and clean up. However, I did buy it pre-assembled.
I always, always get the deluxified version if it is offered. Check out the coins for Tavern Masters... I ordered 2x sets of them and store them in a small chest. They are great for any RPG.
My answer for what I prefer from a Kickstarter is: it depends. If it is a game I love and am going to play dozens of times, it is the components. Otherwise, deluxe components are usually too expensive to justify their cost if it is a game I am going to play less often. My favorite deluxification has to be the 3D printed object tiles for Gloomhaven (Trees, bushes, furniture, etc), I spent a lot of time and money purchasing and learning to use a 3d printer and it was worth every second and every penny. It gives the game so much more presence on the board.
I’m big on immersion in my games. So for me deluxification means painted minis, terrain, inserts and replacing anything cardboard with plastic. I spent over $300 and countless hours on painting and terrain for Gloomhaven, but then we played that game over 50 times. It’s worth the investments for me because of the added immersion. I agree with you on playmats, almost every time I buy them, I end-up regretting it.
Their boxes for the matte sleeves are nice for sorting. 👍 Kind of strange they sell the gloss sleeves in plastic bags and not the same type of package.
I sleeve cards all the cards I can. Not only does it protect them, but the added benefit of making them easier to pick up is a benefit. Like you I use the standard sleeve kings. Other than that I have a wooden insert for Gloomhaven Jaws of the Lion. I am feeling pretty content with the range of games I have now in my modest collection, so other than the odd kickstarter, nice new inserts for our favourite games is next on the list for the games we really enjoy such as Ticket to Ride Europe, Pandemic, 7 Wonders Duel and Champions of Midgard. Some games I have already have excellent insets such as My Little Scythe, Coffee Roaster and the incomparable Barenpark.
We LOVE our Broken Token insert for Scythe. We totally tricked out our game with premium resources, coins, etc. and having the inserts to store all of those goodies really makes the game more fun to play. We've also invested in some Folded Space inserts for Mansions, Twilight Imperium and SW: Rebellion because the way they look just fit the theme of those games better (added bonus: they were less expensive than the Broken Token inserts). To answer your question, deluxified over more stuff for sure. I'm a quality trumps quantity guy.
I'm a big fan of deluxification. If I'm going to spend time and money on a game, I want it to be the best experience possible. I'll always buy deluxe components in a Kickstarter, though I haven't yet tried any 3rd party addons. A couple of deluxifications I like that you didn't mention are narration (through the Forteller app) and pre-painted minis (which are rare, but I'm getting some with Tanares).
If you are going to put something on the table, it might as well be awesome. Some things I would add are the DIY including, painting minis, 3d printed items, and laminated player aids.
When i back kickstarter games, i am thrilled, when they provide insert. Because good storage solution will make it easier to get the game to the table. Good examples are GameTrayz solutions for Kingdom Rush or Foundation of Rome. And it shows, that the creator cares. I have long time connection: Punchboard tokens = low budget board games. So with rising price i expect better token materials. Metal coins add quite a lot of weight so i don't expect to get metal coins in basic KS or retail editions. There are some cases, where game contained great tokens, but the rest of the component looked like the creator had to cut the costs of the other components thanks to it. For example Cleopatra and the society of architects Deluxe version. It had great metal corruption tokens with bags, Scarabs, and miniatures. But temple, temple walls, sphinxes and obelisks were cheep plastic.
I like some good metal coins. My current favorite set is the ones from Sleeping Gods, but I fully expect to be blown away when Merchants of the Dark Road delivers. Another deluxification that is its own topic - minis. The ultimate deluxe component. XD
I am now at a point to unsleeve my expansive Mayday premium sleeves for the Sleeve King sleeves as they are still feel premium, but not as tic to cause slippery and storage problems.
If you mean an army of minis VS deluxification...give me deluxification every time. I love me a cool mini but they're fiddly overall and take up space. Dwellings of Eldervale has the most impressive storage solution I think I've ever seen and it makes me want that for every game I play
If I may, I think the reason mats aren't for you is because you have a game table with a mat. There is nothing more frustrating for me than trying to pick up a card from a kitchen table. Having to slide it off the end often times slowing the game pace. Mats for me are my number one deluxe item.
I agree and disagree. Meaning I 100% agree that picking things off a table as opposed to a mat is annoying, But the mats just replacing the board, unless you're putting all your components that would normally go on the table onto the board... Then how is it helping?
My favorite upgrade is the geekbit set for quacks; my most utilized upgrade are the Scythe metal coins though I like to use the Iron Clays from Brass for some games. Recently got metal cubes for Terraforming Mars. I 3D print my own inserts now so that takes less hands-on time than building one.
I personally love upgraded components. I love it when my wooden pieces look like the resource they represent and I hate it when they just give you a color cube. I also enjoy metal coins or using Iron Clays for currency in games. Something about the weight and the sound they make when you drop them or collect them, it's so satisfying. Elf Creek games has some of the best deluxe components in their games, both Atlantis Rising and Honey Buzz are amazing. I also can't wait for Merchants of the Dark Road.
Spent the last weekend and nights this week assembling a bunch of inserts I'd bought over the last few months. The main one was for Mage Knight Ultimate Edition that I'd gotten from an Etsy seller in Italy. I'm really hoping it helps me get the game to the table more often. Also expanded my Gloomhaven organizer to fit the expansion and added the metal coins to it and Roll Player. For me, assembling an organizer for a game I know I'm going to keep is really satisfying. Also, the laser brand you were trying to recall is likely Go7Gaming.
My Gloomhaven has an insert (massive time saver for setup). I have a few other addons I purchased from Etsy to bling it further. Other than that I just sleeve the cards that are used in the games I own.
Quacks of Quedlinburg is a must upgrade in my opinion I got the bakelite tokens from BGG, the cylindrical bags from them (so tokens don't get stuck in the corners, and a 3d printed insert on etsy, so everything is ready to play out of the box, and you can slot the ingredient cards on top for easier viewing/saving table space
I 3d printer the quacks boxes for 2 of my game group buddies who own the game. They are soooooo nice and really make the game easier to get to the table
Definitely a deluxified person; LOVE the Drawlab coins, but note they've changed over the years, check the sizes to suit your needs. I actually prefer the copper to be a tad smaller than the silver and then the gold, the new forged coins look great. Older sets the coins are all the same (large) size which is awesome for heftiness etc but I like the sized better. The hefty bags are great for the coins! Playmats rule but storage you got it, so crazy! I use document tubes stacked on a shelf; that works perfectly. Game Trayz really took over, and the latest thing seems to be the plastic tokens (Le Havre, Quacks, etc). The most costly accessory for gaming is the storage facility lol. Favorite upgrades? I'd say they all have their place, the Carson City coins are great, the suitcase for the new Lords of Vegas set, the lovely playmat for Eclipse, its endless!
im using a pvc pipe. around 50,mm using a rope with some slack mounted on the wall and i hang my mats over the pipe i have 6 hanging there now and room for more
I can't believe you didn't mention the metal coins for Merchants of the Dark Road, I had originally bought Scythe coins and an Etsy box to store them outside the box and I used them for most of my games to save money on buying more metal coins, but Merchants of the Dark Road were too pretty to not get them as well.
My table size is literally the reason I do not play many of my games right now. Currently saving for a nice table. I could barely care less about a premium feel to my cards. All of them are sleeved, I only care about the protection, and the cheapest is as good as the most expensive in this regard.
I really like my Robinson Crusoe upgrades: 1) BGG Upgrade Kit - For all the tokens. Hard plastic with heat transferred images. (BGG also sells similar tokens for Quacks of Quedlinburg and are excellent. I went with this option over any of the Etsy options. They are really excellent.) 2) Meeple Source Upgrade Kit - Character meeples instead of circle tokens. I have no interest in upgrading to the Collector's Edition in the new Gamefound Kickstarter (yes, I know). I would rather continue using the meeples rather than minis for this game. And I really don't feel like painting more minis. The Adventure Book on the other hand, looks like a welcome addition.
Reminds me of shelling out for plaques in the $5k and $25k denominations for my custom poker chip set. Lol Of course, I also tend to go for the deluxification of any game I get. Favorite? Probably the insert/storage for Gloomhaven because it is sooooooooo needed. Question: do you always take the time to unsleeve cards in games that you sell/trade?
My favorite deluxe component are race cartridges for small world. They hold all race tokens including the special ones and the banner in one go. Similar to the anniversary edition. I use 3d printable ones from Pandoras Box\hobbies but I think heat pressed ones are available from broken token as well.
I do love the metallic coins, but I find that coins with value on it such as 1, 5, 10 etc is more useful to be used in other games. As such I do recommend the coins from Scythe or Vinticulture. Its a blast using them in Dragonfire.
My tip is to use the deluxe components from the other games when it fits. For example, he was saying he doesn't have any dice tower but if he has Wingspan he has one.
I enjoy nice chunky components followed very closely by a good storage solution which stores components both inside and outside the box. I want to be able to pull something out and give it to a player and they are ready to start playing. I dont want to have to dump out components all over my table.
I'm currently filling out my pledge manager order for sleeve kings and was wondering whether you use the chimera-sized sleeves for USA-sized cards or the normal sleeves. They seem to both fit the same cards, so I don't understand why they both exist. Do you use 8801 or 8802 (for mini USA) and do you use 8807 or 8808 (for standard USA)?
Sleeve Kings standard sleeves are my go to now thanks to your channel, actually! I love sleeves cards, but the premium sleeves are too big and too expensive. Metal coins are amazing. I get them whenever I can... I love painting minis and playing a game with minis I have painted is a great experience, but I do think a lot of games don't really need them. A deluxe game is lovely, but it is starting to get expensive 🙁 Also, that FCM insert was a game changer. Also, laminating the menu, using a dry erase markers, and ditching the milestone cards altogether is a HUGE help. My favorite deluxification in my collection is probably Trickerion collector's edition or the janky upgrades to TM that I did before they started releasing official upgrades.
Deluxification is fine especially upgrading cardboard components like chits and the game board. It would be good to see more deluxification in stretch goals or already part of a game, it feels at times that it is an addon that some games look to make more money from -- which is fine to a point. I like a good bit of content in the campaigns, and I like minis a lot, so deluxification is usually what I go for anyway even if they are addons.
My broken token insert for Gloomhaven took hours. I finally broke down after 30 or so games in. Then covid hit and our Gloomhaven game shifted to TTS. $100 of insert and hours built got almost no use haha. Really curious how much it would have saved in the long run. That being said even when you factor in the insert Gloomhaven plays vs price paid has one of the best bang for the buck than any games in my collection.
Alex, I’m surprised you didn’t;t have anything from MeepleSource to show. They are my favorite component upgrader. I love my Viticulture screen-printed meeples and recently received some amazing Wingspan birds. Aside from upgraded meeples, I’m a sucker for any neoprene, metal coins, and miniature upgrades of standard components.
I mentioned in another comment that I find BT inserts to be kind of painful to assemble, but I have a bunch of Folded Space inserts that I like a lot more. They're easier and faster to assemble, and they tend to be cheaper and lighter too. I suppose the environmental impact of them is much worse though. It'd be great of they could come up with some kind of biodegradable foam.
Another point in favor of game inserts is the man-hours that are saved. It may take me 2 hours to build the insert so time spent is two man-hours. But if I play a a game 3 times with 4 players and it saves 10 minutes in setup each time then I've recouped those man-hours after just 3 plays. Not to mention how that retains everybody's enthusiasm for a game by having it ready to go in a couple minutes vs having it ready in 15 or 20.
Two of my favorite deluxefied games in my collection are rising sun, the kickstarter edition and Yedo deluxe edition. Love the upgrades compared to the original retail versions. I got an insert for Rising sun to get it to the table easier. My game of Caverna also got an insert from eraptor for easier setup. Really love game upgrades. Quality agogen quantity for me. (Also a big sleever, mostly paladin sleeves)
I love it in most games but not all. The Anachrony Infinity Box is amazing and i had to get the metal ressource cubes. Especially metal components feel so rewarding when you play a game. I also love games that come with a smart storage solution. Sleeves are great and will used a lot. But the thickness is becoming a big problem sometimes.
With Quacks you really need to get the geek-up plastic bits instead, plus the custom bags and cauldrons for holding the tokens. The “chink” sound in the bag is so satisfying. You have deluxification v1 and v2 is available!
Another quick comment, I love deluxe components but it also made me cool feet on some KS campaigns (i.e. Big Box Terraforming Mars, Tiny Epic Pirates) since I really want everything - Sleeves, playmat, minis, etc. but the price went too high and I cannot reason myself to own a regular version when I know there's an 'upgrade' version. I know, it does not make sense.
Got the bits for quacks and orléans. Such a difference, totally worth the 150% higher price tag. Love and hate miniatures, they look great but i can't paint, so it's either very big expense to let someone else paint them or play with The Grey boring ones... Sundrop is great when available though.
I sleeve everything... Inserts are neccesary for games with a lot of contents and not fast set up... Metal coins are a pretty nice touch - but I wish there were a set for every board game in my collection.
I have metal coins for Lords of Waterdeep and some other coins I use for other games. They make it much more fun to have the heft of the coins instead of cardboard. I did get the Drawlab Season 1 coins and I was very disappointed. They all look similar unless you're in super bright light. It does look like they've changed the manufacturing process on later sets.
One Game that almost needs to be deluxified is Firefly the board game. I was not willing to pay 170 for the big crate so I took some foam core that i had leftover from a 40k terrain project and bought a gift box big enough to fit everything, I then took the time to measure out all the components and cut and glue the foamcore to size. I ended up with three tiers of card trays with four box trays for all the tokens, the dice and ships fit in spaces with the cards and money. I just need to paint the darn box and I am a bit undecided what to paint on it. all told I have to say that I spent $50 for everything that includes blades and glue :).
Miniatures or deluxified components ... I say both ... but I have issues. :D Scythe is probably the game I have deluxified the most with a broken token insert and pretty much all the component upgrades. And if I purchased Quacks, the token upgrade would be purchased at the same time.
For adventure bags, I tend to use them for game with a lot of tiles and you need to reveal more and more as the game goes. EG. Teotihuacan, for the discovery tiles. Instead of making them as a stack, I tend to put all of the tiles inside the bag and then draw them during the game. One of the best use for me is for Nemesis, as the bag that comes with the game somehow is too small. It is okay to use, yeah, but being too small doesn't have the feeling of swirling things around..
I've heard great things about the playmats for the Century:Golem games, but the cost plus overseas shipping from the manufacturer turns me off, as well as the storage issue you mentioned. I'm halfway through and wondering if you'll be mentioning iron clays. I thought they would naturally come up when you mentioned coins
I'm a foamcore insert designer. I will spend hours and hours designing and creating inserts for my games. The creation process can be quite the challenge, sometimes more challenging than playing the game itself. The finished product is overwhelmingly satisfying. I'm grateful for getting into the board game hobby because it introduced me to the custom foamcore insert hobby
Awesome, I've always been impressed with anyone who designs these inserts
For playmats: Mail Tube and monster tubes helps keeps the dust off. For Stinky playmats, put a dryer sheet in with the mat inside the tube and the dryer sheet draws the chemical smell out. then replace the dryer sheet.
Also Kallax wine holder shelf makes space for holding 9 playmat tubes.
Deluxe components can be so expensive, but man it doesn't make me want them any less
I know!
@Quinton Yehuda Is this what happens when a creator bots his channel?
I’m waiting for next level, foiled cards and custom sleeves. Oh wait that’s already happening.
Next up, embossed tuck boxes with foil inlays for sleeved decks.
Those last two minutes are MUST-WATCH people. I kid, I kid. Great video as always Alex!
Lol thanks :)
For the storage of playmats, I saw Tom Vasel once suggest using 'pants hangers' and the solution works great for me.
They can be stored in a closet or on the back of a door, but around 4 playmats can hang nicely on one hanger.
the reason i like sleeving, putting in a better insert and upgrading tokens (particularly cardboard tokens to plastic/metal) is because it will extend the life of the game by reducing the effects of wear and tear
I'm in the process of deluxifying Dune Imperium (insert, components upgrades and sleeves), it's expensive but very satisfying, feels like transforming a mundane product into something that is a lot more pleasurable to play with and reflects my personality. I love this hobby
Glad to hear you love Sleeve Kings! I just decided to sleeve my whole collection with Sleeve Kings after realizing I'll be keeping these games for the rest of my life. Small investment to make sure they all have a chance to last that long. Audio sounding really good in this vid btw!
Starting to love Sleeve Kings myself! Backed this season and last season. I had a shipping snafu but they took care of everything to get things right. Definitely recommend!
Thanks Alex for continuing the video of putting those Carlson city tokens back into their insert; definitely satisfying to watch!
I am one who also likes getting the deluxe versions of the games and components when they are available! For Gloomhaven, I used Tinkering Paws insert, although it’s quite expansive; but to me, well worth it, since the insert is 3D printed and fits real nicely together. They sell inserts for those who wants to add sleeves, like you and me, and to those who doesn’t like to sleeve.
Wow, I've never heard that company, I'll have to look into thank you.
I’m at the point in my discovery of the hobby where I’m craving upgraded components. The choices are never ending! Great video.
Thanks :)
After owning so many games and their inserts, I can only mention of the king of deluxified here which is Mech VS Minions which sets a new bar. As for functional inserts, Wasteland Express Delivery, eclipse 2nd edition and Trickerion Collectors Edition is quite good and functional too.
totally agree about upgrading cardboard tokens that you pull from a bag. i got coin capsules for quacks of quedlingburg and it makes such a difference. same for arkahm horror: the card game, i got playmats, connection tokens, action tokens but the biggest impact by far was the premium coin capsules i got for the chaos tokens we pull out of the bag!
Yes!
I think deluxe components really let the personality of both the game and the players come out.
Normally I'm a sucker for coins but lately we've been doing DIY deluxifying. Went to a toy store and picked out our own minis for Dinosaur Island and I've started making dice towers. The wife asked for one so tall she needs to stand up every time she rolls!!
I absolutely love the MeepleReality insert for Xia. The ship upgrade containers in particular because of how they slide into each other and make setup a breeze.
Nice! Never saw that one.
insterts for certain games make a huge huge difference, ones that assist with setup time and use cases are probably the biggest item i look for, for those whom don't have gaming tables i think play mats are more helpful to assist with use of regular tables.
I’m a bit obsessed with decking out all of my games, if there’s a component that can be upgraded I do it. I even bought a 3D printer so I can even create storage and components on my own. Loved the video!
Same, got my 3d printer at xmas been printing like crazy ever since
I’m always looking to deluxifying my favorite games. Even on KS, Deluxification of games is what always get me. Not expansions or more minis. Metal coins, quality cards, included sleeves, box insert, double/triple layer player boards, spot UV box. I’m in.
The inserts for Dice Throne and Dwellings of Eldervale are fantastic for quick setup.
Yes!
I have just started looking at these, and then you release this video. Great timing. I just got hold of KDM, and have been seeking out stuff to spruce it up.
Always use sleeves on any cards which will be shuffled. Inserts that help organize and especially help get expansions into base boxes and metal coins. My 3 most popular upgrades.
Yes :) and for me sleeves cards are as much about the feeling as the protection.
Nice video. Can't wait for the metal bars and coin set for Legacies too! Deluxe components just really do enrich the gaming experience.
They absolutely do
My favorite deluxifications that I have are for Viticulture/Tuscany. I have a Broken Token insert and the metal coins. And man. Idk what it is, but those metal coins are fantastic
That meeple realty insert for Quacks is wonderful. It makes set up fast.
In regards to inserts in general I think its important to be able to consolidate multiple expansions into the core game box. Also the speed at which you can pack the game up after. I think that is worth noting when discussing insert value.
As to the question of my favorite deluxified game, it would be Scythe. The metal coins, upgraded resources and board extension (in a legendary box) are amazing. Then I painted all of the minis and 3d printed individual faction, coin and resource boxes, plus 3d printed and painted adventure tokens. It is amazing to put on the board.
Second would probably be Tzolkin. Fully painted, 3d printed and painted pyramids and playing pieces. Just so beautiful on the table.
Deluxe components are becoming a must for me with most games, and I sleeve everything in mayday premiums. My biggest board game peeve is inserts that aren’t made able to accommodate sleeves! Also, I *love* playmates- can’t stand most game boards
Completely agreed on inserts... if you give me a deluxe expensive insert and it can't hold sleeves... It's a paperweight.
Folded Space inserts have IMO the best price/quality ratio in the market if you don't 3D print and they accommodate sleeves
Thanks for leaving the last bit in, that was a chuckle. Been there. Done that... lol
Lol I thought it was amusing :)
This is an aspect of the hobby I haven't begun to scratch the surface of. I'm only just starting to drift away from quantity over quality. You're definitely helping with that 😂
The fun of building the insert is part of the value I get from inserts... I like having a nice, simple craft project. Inserts are easy to assemble and it's a fun, enjoyable experience to me. Foldedspace is pretty great in terms of being fun to assemble, but meeple realty have the most fun designs to build (there's some really innovative stuff! Trickerion's magic books & theater, for example). I see it a little like building model airplanes. It is a fun activity on its own. I am buying a buildable model and as a bonus, getting an insert that I can use to shorten setup for a game. Love, love, love inserts. And the more unique & memorable the insert, the better.
Edit: Also, for heavy games with a million components... inserts can get me down from a 45 minute setup to 10 minutes or less. It's a huge difference and it often causes me to get a heavy game to the table way more than I otherwise would.
It was a complete extravagance, but I bought 500 clay poker chips in denominations and quantities that can be used for basically any game that has money, including 18XX games and Monopoly. Everyone loves playing with them. They're a joy in the hand and on the table. I can't imagine wanting metal coins over them.
I passed on that one...but was very tempted :)
@@BoardGameCo It can be hard to come to terms with spending something like 80¢ a piece including shipping and a box to keep them in. I really think they enhance the experience enough they're worth it. Whether you're playing Brass, Machi Koro, or even - yes - Monopoly. 🎩🙂
You could add painting the miniatures as a form of deluxification too. But that's a whole BIG topic on its own.
Have you seen the coins for Merchants of the Dark Road? They might be my new fave!
I know! Amazing :)
For me Folded Space inserts are the most frequent upgrade I get for a game. I love them and the price is great. I don't bother with most games but when a game has upwards of 10 bags of different sizes, it makes it soooo much easier to play and store.
My most Deluxified game is Terraforming Mars, with 3D tiles, tile holders, and now I have gotten inserts for the box. And when I can I will buy the Deluxe version at Kickstarter, rather than getting the Retail version. Metal coins are so yummy!! And I have those cloth bags, which I use in some games to make it look a little bit prettier. Playmats have become a bit of a must for me, and I use pants holders to hang them in my game closet.
Nice :) Glad you're enjoying :)
Great video, Deluxe components do make a difference for a game frequently played
Yep, if it improves the experience...
My favorite deluxification so far were the Iron Clays pokerchips for my Brass Lancashire/Birmingham retail edition.
Those are nice :)
I got the Broken Token insert for Suburbia because at one point I was playing it with coworkers at least once a week. However, putting it together took so long and it was kind of frustrating due to variations in the tolerances of the cuts and whatnot. I decided I never wanted to go through that again. Now, I did get Broken Tokens deluxe crate storage for Rising Sun, and I love it. It's so helpful for setup and clean up. However, I did buy it pre-assembled.
I always, always get the deluxified version if it is offered. Check out the coins for Tavern Masters... I ordered 2x sets of them and store them in a small chest. They are great for any RPG.
I'll check them out, haven't heard of them :)
Great video ^^ I mean it in general, but I really wanted to thank you for the last 2 minutes.
Lol thanks :)
My answer for what I prefer from a Kickstarter is: it depends. If it is a game I love and am going to play dozens of times, it is the components. Otherwise, deluxe components are usually too expensive to justify their cost if it is a game I am going to play less often.
My favorite deluxification has to be the 3D printed object tiles for Gloomhaven (Trees, bushes, furniture, etc), I spent a lot of time and money purchasing and learning to use a 3d printer and it was worth every second and every penny. It gives the game so much more presence on the board.
I’m big on immersion in my games. So for me deluxification means painted minis, terrain, inserts and replacing anything cardboard with plastic. I spent over $300 and countless hours on painting and terrain for Gloomhaven, but then we played that game over 50 times. It’s worth the investments for me because of the added immersion. I agree with you on playmats, almost every time I buy them, I end-up regretting it.
the orleans deleuxe is so nice! I got my meeple realty insert for it as well!
I need to play my orleans :(
Arcane Tinmen BoardGame Sleeves are my go to sleeves. The boxes doubles as a tuck box to hold all your sleeved cards.
Their boxes for the matte sleeves are nice for sorting. 👍
Kind of strange they sell the gloss sleeves in plastic bags and not the same type of package.
I sleeve cards all the cards I can. Not only does it protect them, but the added benefit of making them easier to pick up is a benefit. Like you I use the standard sleeve kings.
Other than that I have a wooden insert for Gloomhaven Jaws of the Lion.
I am feeling pretty content with the range of games I have now in my modest collection, so other than the odd kickstarter, nice new inserts for our favourite games is next on the list for the games we really enjoy such as Ticket to Ride Europe, Pandemic, 7 Wonders Duel and Champions of Midgard.
Some games I have already have excellent insets such as My Little Scythe, Coffee Roaster and the incomparable Barenpark.
Carson City is sooo fantastic. Horses maybe a bit OP, but basically my only complaint. LOVE IT.
Unfortunately the revolver dice were limited to that first KS campaign (which I was lucky enough to back).
I've never actually played with the expansions yet... Haven't felt the need to as the base game is satisfying enough.
We LOVE our Broken Token insert for Scythe. We totally tricked out our game with premium resources, coins, etc. and having the inserts to store all of those goodies really makes the game more fun to play.
We've also invested in some Folded Space inserts for Mansions, Twilight Imperium and SW: Rebellion because the way they look just fit the theme of those games better (added bonus: they were less expensive than the Broken Token inserts).
To answer your question, deluxified over more stuff for sure. I'm a quality trumps quantity guy.
I'm a big fan of deluxification. If I'm going to spend time and money on a game, I want it to be the best experience possible. I'll always buy deluxe components in a Kickstarter, though I haven't yet tried any 3rd party addons. A couple of deluxifications I like that you didn't mention are narration (through the Forteller app) and pre-painted minis (which are rare, but I'm getting some with Tanares).
Oh nice, good call on Foreteller, it sounds amazing :)
If you are going to put something on the table, it might as well be awesome. Some things I would add are the DIY including, painting minis, 3d printed items, and laminated player aids.
When i back kickstarter games, i am thrilled, when they provide insert. Because good storage solution will make it easier to get the game to the table. Good examples are GameTrayz solutions for Kingdom Rush or Foundation of Rome. And it shows, that the creator cares.
I have long time connection: Punchboard tokens = low budget board games. So with rising price i expect better token materials. Metal coins add quite a lot of weight so i don't expect to get metal coins in basic KS or retail editions.
There are some cases, where game contained great tokens, but the rest of the component looked like the creator had to cut the costs of the other components thanks to it. For example Cleopatra and the society of architects Deluxe version. It had great metal corruption tokens with bags, Scarabs, and miniatures. But temple, temple walls, sphinxes and obelisks were cheep plastic.
Agreed completely....it's a balance.
I like some good metal coins. My current favorite set is the ones from Sleeping Gods, but I fully expect to be blown away when Merchants of the Dark Road delivers.
Another deluxification that is its own topic - minis. The ultimate deluxe component. XD
I am now at a point to unsleeve my expansive Mayday premium sleeves for the Sleeve King sleeves as they are still feel premium, but not as tic to cause slippery and storage problems.
If you mean an army of minis VS deluxification...give me deluxification every time. I love me a cool mini but they're fiddly overall and take up space. Dwellings of Eldervale has the most impressive storage solution I think I've ever seen and it makes me want that for every game I play
Man, I want to play Carson City with that metal money! I've never played it at all, but just the parts I saw there looks super cool!
It's sooo good :) Such a mean and yet not too punishing game.
I loved the Fantasy Flight sleeves. I've now moved on to Gamegenics sleeves and they've been great!
If I may, I think the reason mats aren't for you is because you have a game table with a mat. There is nothing more frustrating for me than trying to pick up a card from a kitchen table. Having to slide it off the end often times slowing the game pace. Mats for me are my number one deluxe item.
I agree and disagree. Meaning I 100% agree that picking things off a table as opposed to a mat is annoying, But the mats just replacing the board, unless you're putting all your components that would normally go on the table onto the board... Then how is it helping?
My favorite upgrade is the geekbit set for quacks; my most utilized upgrade are the Scythe metal coins though I like to use the Iron Clays from Brass for some games. Recently got metal cubes for Terraforming Mars. I 3D print my own inserts now so that takes less hands-on time than building one.
I personally love upgraded components. I love it when my wooden pieces look like the resource they represent and I hate it when they just give you a color cube. I also enjoy metal coins or using Iron Clays for currency in games. Something about the weight and the sound they make when you drop them or collect them, it's so satisfying. Elf Creek games has some of the best deluxe components in their games, both Atlantis Rising and Honey Buzz are amazing. I also can't wait for Merchants of the Dark Road.
Spent the last weekend and nights this week assembling a bunch of inserts I'd bought over the last few months. The main one was for Mage Knight Ultimate Edition that I'd gotten from an Etsy seller in Italy. I'm really hoping it helps me get the game to the table more often. Also expanded my Gloomhaven organizer to fit the expansion and added the metal coins to it and Roll Player. For me, assembling an organizer for a game I know I'm going to keep is really satisfying. Also, the laser brand you were trying to recall is likely Go7Gaming.
In your experience, what is your favourite deluxe element that comes with a basic game. For me, the metal coins in Raiders of the North Sea.
Hmmm...maybe lost ruins of Arnak....the resources there feel deluxe.
The feeling when all components fit nicely.
Yes :)
My Gloomhaven has an insert (massive time saver for setup). I have a few other addons I purchased from Etsy to bling it further. Other than that I just sleeve the cards that are used in the games I own.
Quacks of Quedlinburg is a must upgrade in my opinion I got the bakelite tokens from BGG, the cylindrical bags from them (so tokens don't get stuck in the corners, and a 3d printed insert on etsy, so everything is ready to play out of the box, and you can slot the ingredient cards on top for easier viewing/saving table space
I 3d printer the quacks boxes for 2 of my game group buddies who own the game. They are soooooo nice and really make the game easier to get to the table
Definitely a deluxified person; LOVE the Drawlab coins, but note they've changed over the years, check the sizes to suit your needs. I actually prefer the copper to be a tad smaller than the silver and then the gold, the new forged coins look great. Older sets the coins are all the same (large) size which is awesome for heftiness etc but I like the sized better. The hefty bags are great for the coins! Playmats rule but storage you got it, so crazy! I use document tubes stacked on a shelf; that works perfectly. Game Trayz really took over, and the latest thing seems to be the plastic tokens (Le Havre, Quacks, etc). The most costly accessory for gaming is the storage facility lol. Favorite upgrades? I'd say they all have their place, the Carson City coins are great, the suitcase for the new Lords of Vegas set, the lovely playmat for Eclipse, its endless!
im using a pvc pipe. around 50,mm using a rope with some slack mounted on the wall and i hang my mats over the pipe i have 6 hanging there now and room for more
I can't believe you didn't mention the metal coins for Merchants of the Dark Road, I had originally bought Scythe coins and an Etsy box to store them outside the box and I used them for most of my games to save money on buying more metal coins, but Merchants of the Dark Road were too pretty to not get them as well.
I was doing more of a show vs tell this time, but you're right :)
My table size is literally the reason I do not play many of my games right now. Currently saving for a nice table. I could barely care less about a premium feel to my cards. All of them are sleeved, I only care about the protection, and the cheapest is as good as the most expensive in this regard.
I used to feel that way until I found them sticking together too often
I really like my Robinson Crusoe upgrades:
1) BGG Upgrade Kit - For all the tokens. Hard plastic with heat transferred images. (BGG also sells similar tokens for Quacks of Quedlinburg and are excellent. I went with this option over any of the Etsy options. They are really excellent.)
2) Meeple Source Upgrade Kit - Character meeples instead of circle tokens.
I have no interest in upgrading to the Collector's Edition in the new Gamefound Kickstarter (yes, I know). I would rather continue using the meeples rather than minis for this game. And I really don't feel like painting more minis. The Adventure Book on the other hand, looks like a welcome addition.
Yep, I'm following for the adventure book and the learn to play.
wish publishers always gave a painted option, painted mini's is high up on my list
This is for me the most "Deluxe" element in a game. Painted miniatures
Reminds me of shelling out for plaques in the $5k and $25k denominations for my custom poker chip set. Lol Of course, I also tend to go for the deluxification of any game I get. Favorite? Probably the insert/storage for Gloomhaven because it is sooooooooo needed. Question: do you always take the time to unsleeve cards in games that you sell/trade?
My favorite deluxe component are race cartridges for small world. They hold all race tokens including the special ones and the banner in one go. Similar to the anniversary edition. I use 3d printable ones from Pandoras Box\hobbies but I think heat pressed ones are available from broken token as well.
I do love the metallic coins, but I find that coins with value on it such as 1, 5, 10 etc is more useful to be used in other games. As such I do recommend the coins from Scythe or Vinticulture. Its a blast using them in Dragonfire.
I definitely like deluxe components and complete collections.
Yep :)
Pax Pamir 2nd Edition has some nice tactile goodies
The cloth board, resin pieces, and (as an add on) the metal coins make for an amazing experience!
My tip is to use the deluxe components from the other games when it fits. For example, he was saying he doesn't have any dice tower but if he has Wingspan he has one.
I enjoy nice chunky components followed very closely by a good storage solution which stores components both inside and outside the box. I want to be able to pull something out and give it to a player and they are ready to start playing. I dont want to have to dump out components all over my table.
I'm currently filling out my pledge manager order for sleeve kings and was wondering whether you use the chimera-sized sleeves for USA-sized cards or the normal sleeves.
They seem to both fit the same cards, so I don't understand why they both exist. Do you use 8801 or 8802 (for mini USA) and do you use 8807 or 8808 (for standard USA)?
Sleeve Kings standard sleeves are my go to now thanks to your channel, actually! I love sleeves cards, but the premium sleeves are too big and too expensive. Metal coins are amazing. I get them whenever I can...
I love painting minis and playing a game with minis I have painted is a great experience, but I do think a lot of games don't really need them. A deluxe game is lovely, but it is starting to get expensive 🙁
Also, that FCM insert was a game changer. Also, laminating the menu, using a dry erase markers, and ditching the milestone cards altogether is a HUGE help.
My favorite deluxification in my collection is probably Trickerion collector's edition or the janky upgrades to TM that I did before they started releasing official upgrades.
Deluxification is fine especially upgrading cardboard components like chits and the game board. It would be good to see more deluxification in stretch goals or already part of a game, it feels at times that it is an addon that some games look to make more money from -- which is fine to a point. I like a good bit of content in the campaigns, and I like minis a lot, so deluxification is usually what I go for anyway even if they are addons.
My broken token insert for Gloomhaven took hours. I finally broke down after 30 or so games in. Then covid hit and our Gloomhaven game shifted to TTS. $100 of insert and hours built got almost no use haha. Really curious how much it would have saved in the long run. That being said even when you factor in the insert Gloomhaven plays vs price paid has one of the best bang for the buck than any games in my collection.
Alex, I’m surprised you didn’t;t have anything from MeepleSource to show. They are my favorite component upgrader. I love my Viticulture screen-printed meeples and recently received some amazing Wingspan birds. Aside from upgraded meeples, I’m a sucker for any neoprene, metal coins, and miniature upgrades of standard components.
I mentioned in another comment that I find BT inserts to be kind of painful to assemble, but I have a bunch of Folded Space inserts that I like a lot more. They're easier and faster to assemble, and they tend to be cheaper and lighter too. I suppose the environmental impact of them is much worse though. It'd be great of they could come up with some kind of biodegradable foam.
Ya, I agree FS come together quickly....but I prefer the end result of BT.
Another point in favor of game inserts is the man-hours that are saved. It may take me 2 hours to build the insert so time spent is two man-hours. But if I play a a game 3 times with 4 players and it saves 10 minutes in setup each time then I've recouped those man-hours after just 3 plays. Not to mention how that retains everybody's enthusiasm for a game by having it ready to go in a couple minutes vs having it ready in 15 or 20.
Two of my favorite deluxefied games in my collection are rising sun, the kickstarter edition and Yedo deluxe edition. Love the upgrades compared to the original retail versions. I got an insert for Rising sun to get it to the table easier. My game of Caverna also got an insert from eraptor for easier setup. Really love game upgrades. Quality agogen quantity for me. (Also a big sleever, mostly paladin sleeves)
I love it in most games but not all. The Anachrony Infinity Box is amazing and i had to get the metal ressource cubes. Especially metal components feel so rewarding when you play a game. I also love games that come with a smart storage solution. Sleeves are great and will used a lot. But the thickness is becoming a big problem sometimes.
With Quacks you really need to get the geek-up plastic bits instead, plus the custom bags and cauldrons for holding the tokens. The “chink” sound in the bag is so satisfying. You have deluxification v1 and v2 is available!
are the geek-up bits fading at all? I read once that that was occurring and was scared to invest in it.
@@vortexrace Not for me. They are great.
I just love my folded space insert for everdell 😍
Another quick comment, I love deluxe components but it also made me cool feet on some KS campaigns (i.e. Big Box Terraforming Mars, Tiny Epic Pirates) since I really want everything - Sleeves, playmat, minis, etc. but the price went too high and I cannot reason myself to own a regular version when I know there's an 'upgrade' version. I know, it does not make sense.
Got the bits for quacks and orléans. Such a difference, totally worth the 150% higher price tag.
Love and hate miniatures, they look great but i can't paint, so it's either very big expense to let someone else paint them or play with The Grey boring ones... Sundrop is great when available though.
I sleeve everything... Inserts are neccesary for games with a lot of contents and not fast set up... Metal coins are a pretty nice touch - but I wish there were a set for every board game in my collection.
I’ve coveted the Carson City metal coins for years and I’ve never even played Carson City.
I have metal coins for Lords of Waterdeep and some other coins I use for other games. They make it much more fun to have the heft of the coins instead of cardboard. I did get the Drawlab Season 1 coins and I was very disappointed. They all look similar unless you're in super bright light. It does look like they've changed the manufacturing process on later sets.
One Game that almost needs to be deluxified is Firefly the board game. I was not willing to pay 170 for the big crate so I took some foam core that i had leftover from a 40k terrain project and bought a gift box big enough to fit everything, I then took the time to measure out all the components and cut and glue the foamcore to size. I ended up with three tiers of card trays with four box trays for all the tokens, the dice and ships fit in spaces with the cards and money. I just need to paint the darn box and I am a bit undecided what to paint on it. all told I have to say that I spent $50 for everything that includes blades and glue :).
Miniatures or deluxified components ... I say both ... but I have issues. :D
Scythe is probably the game I have deluxified the most with a broken token insert and pretty much all the component upgrades. And if I purchased Quacks, the token upgrade would be purchased at the same time.
Hello from Toronto! I have family living in Rochester and have not seen them as well. Covid sucks!
Yes :(
For adventure bags, I tend to use them for game with a lot of tiles and you need to reveal more and more as the game goes. EG. Teotihuacan, for the discovery tiles.
Instead of making them as a stack, I tend to put all of the tiles inside the bag and then draw them during the game.
One of the best use for me is for Nemesis, as the bag that comes with the game somehow is too small. It is okay to use, yeah, but being too small doesn't have the feeling of swirling things around..
Arcane Tinmen sleeves are awesome
I've heard! Never tried them myself
I'm a beginner my main deluxification is painting the minis on wich subject i havr a question. Is a painted game worth more, equal or less den usual?
Well painted miniatures can be worth more yes.
where are the carson city upgrades from- especially the $20 coins. Dont think they are in the big box. Thanks.
I’m a huge fan of Deluxe components. It’s part of the fun!! ;D
I've heard great things about the playmats for the Century:Golem games, but the cost plus overseas shipping from the manufacturer turns me off, as well as the storage issue you mentioned.
I'm halfway through and wondering if you'll be mentioning iron clays. I thought they would naturally come up when you mentioned coins