Curious if you ever tried this with the 2 expansions? Valhalla is a must get expansion. It really helps with giving more options when guys die, (getting more dice or points) and sometimes you actually want them to die. Etc. There’s also more dice options and monsters to go after, where you don’t need to even use boats, other locations to go to. Also it fixes the power balance. You get another player ability which the weaker people from the base game get stronger, etc. Valhalla completely changes what your strategy would be because there’s sooo many more options. I HIGHLY suggest you play with both expansions. I can’t imagine only playing base game with this anymore.
Hi! Yes, I’ve owned and played with both expansions since they were released. I agree, both make the game more dynamic and interesting, offsetting a lot of the luck based penalties and narrow strategies, but even still the luster wore off. If someone was into the game even a little I’d highly recommend they get one or both of the expansions tho.
How do the blame tokens impact your game? Our table tries to target the strongest player and that creates a social element to the game that most eurogames don't have.
Just wondering, are any of the issues you point out addressed by the Valhalla expansion? It is good to know you enjoy Lords of Waterdeep, which I already have on my shelf but still have to play. I will definitely try to prioritize that one now.
I would say the last 12 plays I played were with either Valhalla, Dark Mountain, or both (which was my preference). Yes, in part. I think they make the game better, but ultimately they distracted from what ended up being core issues for me. Ultimately, I got lots of play with the game, more than some people get even with their favorite games. Really the review was to codify an experience that I think happens more often than is talked about in this hobby.
@@TheCardboardHerald I appreciate the response. I've been on the fence about this title and it is good to see various views on it, both positive and ones highlighting some of the issues.
I have many games including worker placements in my collection that are older but I feel like hold up better. I think if anything it’s that COM feels like a transitional game, one that was innovative on an older style but hadn’t quite perfected its own new style either.
Does the expansion change anything on how you feel about the game? Valhalla really adds more variability and mitigation for those bad rolls. In any case, it's great to hear about falling out of love with a game and understanding that that's ok!!
I think both Dark Mountains and Valhalla gave the game greater legs than it might otherwise have; I enjoy both and prefer the game with both in play. But ultimately my issues are part of the fundamental structure. If someone enjoyed Champs I would easily recommend the expansions to them.
When it was fairly new, I was pretty enamored with Champions of Midgard. I almost bought my own copy but since a friend had one, I wasn't in a rush. Over time though, I started to cool on it. I was especially disappointed in the Valhalla expansion because it felt like it made it even more chaotic and more bloated. After discovering Raiders of the North Sea, that game ended up being my pick for Viking-themed worker placement. I can still play Midgard. It's fine. It's just certainly not as good an experience as I once felt it was.
I get where you are coming from as taste is entirely subjective, but just off the top of my head: Voyages of Marco Polo II, Agricola, Raiders of Scythia, Architects & Paladins of the West Kingdom, Viticulture, Agricola, Brew, PARKS and Caverna.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 91 | คู่เอก "คมอาวุธ vs อเล็กเซย์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/V0RkEfYFsgM/mqdefault.jpg)
I love how when I'm trying to figure out which Norse based game to grab I find this gem of a video. Thanks man!!
Curious if you ever tried this with the 2 expansions? Valhalla is a must get expansion. It really helps with giving more options when guys die, (getting more dice or points) and sometimes you actually want them to die. Etc. There’s also more dice options and monsters to go after, where you don’t need to even use boats, other locations to go to.
Also it fixes the power balance. You get another player ability which the weaker people from the base game get stronger, etc.
Valhalla completely changes what your strategy would be because there’s sooo many more options.
I HIGHLY suggest you play with both expansions. I can’t imagine only playing base game with this anymore.
Hi! Yes, I’ve owned and played with both expansions since they were released. I agree, both make the game more dynamic and interesting, offsetting a lot of the luck based penalties and narrow strategies, but even still the luster wore off. If someone was into the game even a little I’d highly recommend they get one or both of the expansions tho.
FYI theres currently a 10th anniversary reprint brewing for this game
Thanks for this honest review at a former favourite. Great review.
Great points Jack, love this topic! And i feel the same way about Lords of Waterdeep, that just got to the table the other day for us too👍🏼
How do the blame tokens impact your game? Our table tries to target the strongest player and that creates a social element to the game that most eurogames don't have.
Just wondering, are any of the issues you point out addressed by the Valhalla expansion? It is good to know you enjoy Lords of Waterdeep, which I already have on my shelf but still have to play. I will definitely try to prioritize that one now.
I would say the last 12 plays I played were with either Valhalla, Dark Mountain, or both (which was my preference). Yes, in part. I think they make the game better, but ultimately they distracted from what ended up being core issues for me. Ultimately, I got lots of play with the game, more than some people get even with their favorite games. Really the review was to codify an experience that I think happens more often than is talked about in this hobby.
@@TheCardboardHerald I appreciate the response. I've been on the fence about this title and it is good to see various views on it, both positive and ones highlighting some of the issues.
@@MortlachNL no prob, and good on you for doing your research. Whatever you do, happy gaming & cheers from Alaska!
Love the Hurloon Minotaur art in the background!
I've thought about this one off and on, but it does seem like an older design. 🤔
I have many games including worker placements in my collection that are older but I feel like hold up better. I think if anything it’s that COM feels like a transitional game, one that was innovative on an older style but hadn’t quite perfected its own new style either.
Didn't the expansion fix some of these issues?
Some, but not enough for me. I’d played many times with the expansions but ultimately still didn’t keep it.
Does the expansion change anything on how you feel about the game? Valhalla really adds more variability and mitigation for those bad rolls.
In any case, it's great to hear about falling out of love with a game and understanding that that's ok!!
I think both Dark Mountains and Valhalla gave the game greater legs than it might otherwise have; I enjoy both and prefer the game with both in play. But ultimately my issues are part of the fundamental structure.
If someone enjoyed Champs I would easily recommend the expansions to them.
@@TheCardboardHerald I found the Expansions changes the entire nature of the Game, much in the same Vein as the Expansions for Lords of Waterdeep do.
When it was fairly new, I was pretty enamored with Champions of Midgard. I almost bought my own copy but since a friend had one, I wasn't in a rush. Over time though, I started to cool on it. I was especially disappointed in the Valhalla expansion because it felt like it made it even more chaotic and more bloated. After discovering Raiders of the North Sea, that game ended up being my pick for Viking-themed worker placement. I can still play Midgard. It's fine. It's just certainly not as good an experience as I once felt it was.
Love all of Shem Philips Games! Raiders is very unique.
Sacrilege, this is the BEST game out there! You just have to cover your bases. What worker placements do you rank higher, besides Waterdeep?
I get where you are coming from as taste is entirely subjective, but just off the top of my head: Voyages of Marco Polo II, Agricola, Raiders of Scythia, Architects & Paladins of the West Kingdom, Viticulture, Agricola, Brew, PARKS and Caverna.
Fully vaccinated friends!!!??? Is he kidding!!!??? What a baseless and prejudiced comment this has proven to be.
Right? How's THAT working out?