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Runebound 2e continues to be fun for us, and we find the flavor text on the cards really add atmosphere to the situation without having to handle a floppy book at the table. One of the features I truly enjoy is the way leveling up is customized through the various tokens of spirit, melee etc. that we can choose to place on our heroes, and their allies. The battle system is spot on for efficiency and fun. It is all around a game that will always have a home here. Nice to see it still get love.
winterplum You hit on some points that do indeed make it great: there is just enough to be involving but not too much to be overload. It hits that spot perfectly, something not a lot of games are really able to do.
Thank you for this video and for your channel. 1. For me, Runebound 2nd edition is lacking the sandboxy nature of a true adventure. It is very combats oriented, and the entire upgrading mechanic attached to winning challenges, And so is the gameplay itself, as a consequence. Does it ever bothered you while playing? Just Fight-UpgradeInMarket-Fight-UpgradeByQuest-Fight-Improve-Improve-Fight (..and in between get and lose allies) 2. Another issue which I've found even more frustrating is the fact that... You have your initial damage stats at each one of the 3 skills, And there's almost NOTHING which you can do about it. It doesn't matter how much you will upgrade your hero with experience, items and allies, Still, you barely get to upgrade the damage stats, And for me, it directly affect the progression and development of the heroes, And turn this entire process into... kind of shallow... and one dimensional. Now, While I appreciate your opinion, your perspective, and your experience quite a lot, I'd like to humbly ask you for your honest opinion: Do you agree with those diagnoses? I'll love to be informed otherwise, And I'd love to be aware of anything I might missed. Thank you!
Thanks for the comment and I’m glad you are enjoying the channel. I actually totally agree with the points you are making. Mechanically all that is true- yet somehow I still feel the game can transcend the idea of being totally combat oriented -from encounter to encounter -if you allow yourself to envision and think a bit about the flavor text etc. I wish there were a more sandboxy adventure game. There are a few of course but if you have suggestions and recommendations I’d love them!
@@GeekGamers01 I hear you, about the flavour text, and agree. Still it misses the mark for me, in its core. (Although it doesn't provided me from keep hunting after expansions, in hope that a variety will bring some extra factor). There are actually couple of new sandbox games which I've heard worth checking out: The first is - Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, Which is yet in its late pledge manager (I think) so you might still grab a copy if you'll like what you'll see. And the second is a new game called - Lands of Galzyr , Which already available. Can't hardly wait to your reviews ;)
I got into Runebound after the solo expansion came out for third edition and loved the game and wanted more of Runebound and by luck just early this year I found a complete collection base game + expansions for the second edition on eBay for around $300 shipping included lol a bit expensive for my gaming budget but I got a barely played copy with all expansions sleeved with premium sleeves + extra goodies like 4-5 dice sets (some with stickers and some were etched dice + some fan made content printed and laminated, few of the minies were painted + couple plano boxes for the tokens. The only thing I wish I have is the original boxes, the full collection came in a plastic container but I'm happy with it. Owning this game feels like owning a treasure lol. Thank you for the awesome video :D
Basmon nom I think you got your gaming money’s worth. I’d love to have everything for this awesome game. Well done! I still haven’t played 3rd edition... just when I thought I might as well give it a try I realized the solo expansion was no longer in print. It’s really a shame the franchise was abandoned. The 2nd edition will stand as a classic.
@@GeekGamers01 Thank you and yea I'm happy I got it :). Third edition is a nightmare when it comes to the solo expansion, there is a copy on eBay at the time of writing this of Unbreakable bonds for $100 though.
@@GeekGamers01 Happy New year! And yea I don't blame you, If I have to pick one I would go with the second edition lol, but I'm glad I got both versions :). I know this is just a wish but I hope FFG revive Runebound with a reprint or something lol I can't have enough of this game :)
Thank you for showing us your game and explaining some of the house rules. I’ve got the Runebound 2E base set and play it solo on occasion but I’ve never thought about house rules. You’ve given me something to think about. BTW: I love your channel, thank you for sharing what you do.
It’s always great when you can get a game to the table and not get bogged down with reviewing the rules for half an hour or longer. Doesn’t look to overwhelming with the table real estate loss. Much love as always.
Ironhand1970 Walker Yes this works in that way and makes it pleasant. I recently took out Race for the Galaxy and found myself having to queue up a ton of YT vids just to remember anything. Great game, that one, but I needed an extra day to prep
Coolness! For those of you who don't have a physical copy, but have TableTop Simulator on Steam, there is a virtual version. Traditionally, these don't have the rules, but for the purpose of hacking it into a solo engine with props, that is not a show-stopper. steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1420222482
Runebound 2nd edition. Love this game. I'm pretty sure I have everything for it. I enjoy playing solo using the unofficial solo rules posted on BGG. The one using the Midnight track.
ABC TRAVELER Thank you. That is very kind. I do accept game donations to the channel. You can email me at citygeekgamers at gmail to discuss. I’m glad you have enjoyed this content.
@@TheDungeonDive Yes, based on watching vids, I agree. Just wish I could get beyond those tokens but that is basically my biggest gaming hate: tossing or pulling tokens! Just. Can't.
I agree I love 2nd Ed. I like it better than 3rd Ed. I do when playing solo 1/2 way thru don't roll for moment to speed thing up. For extra bling I use gem's from Hobby Lobby a bag cost a couple dollars.
I'm delighted to see this video on Runebound. I'd been searching for the perfect solo-able fantasy adventure board game for quite some time and finally stumbled onto Runebound a couple weeks ago. I ended up purchasing 3rd Edition (for dirt cheap), have played several solo sessions to completion, and absolutely LOVE the game so much that I wrote a review/love letter to it on BGG a couple days ago which I've never done before for any game. You're right, in that there is just the right amount of flavor text to engage the imagination, but it's all in support of the gameplay. There is a sense of place and purpose to the gameworld but it's really accessible. I was skeptical of the combat token casting, but after trying it, I hate to admit that I think it's a superior system (even though I love rolling dice). There is so much strategy to the way the casting gets resolved, it's infinitely expandable (new weapon or new character: just add new token), and it's easy to manage solo, which is ultimately what won me over. I'm not trying to sell you on 3rd Edition. This 2nd edition board that you're showing looks great! Just excited to see you playing Runebound, and eager to share my excitement for the IP as well. I hope FFG continues to develop this property....
Blue Botic You have gotten me interested enough to watch a vid and see how the combat works at least. I’m allergic generally to tossing tokens or pulling them from a bag. Somewhere on my channel I talk about my issues with Arkham Horror Card Game in light of this (& my solution). Thanks for the comment. I’d love to be wrong about 3e
I've played tons of RB 2nd edition, 95% solo. I have the 3rd edition, and have played it solo and with a buddy a couple of times. It's radically different enough from 2nd edition, even outside of the token combat system, that it could have been called something else. Not necessarily a bad thing. I don't mind the combat system, and it actually works out better for solo, especially with the Unbroken Bonds expansion and the AI boards. The token system spawned quit a bit of nerd rage at the time it was announced...I think I might have been caught up in it a bit myself lol. Kind of like the modular board for Arkham Horror 3rd edition. I ended up liking that aspect of the game, but I think it fell flat in a lot of other areas.
Actually like the tokens, makes the combat way more interesting and gives the feeling off your character actually upgrading vs boring flat stats of the previous game. and skill card system makes characters feel different on more play throughs. I do wish 3rd Ed would have incorporated allies somehow.
Pierre Abou Naoum Only if someone donates a copy to the channel! I’m happy with 2e and have invested way too much $$ in it to buy the 3rd. Glad you liked the vid. :)
Enjoying this content? You can support the channel by donating on PayPal: paypal.me/geekgamersDeborah
get SOLO GAME MASTER'S GUIDE:
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4th edition hopefully will go back to 2nd editions game mechanics
oh, I must play this again.....
make a playthrough videos please :)
Runebound 2e continues to be fun for us, and we find the flavor text on the cards really add atmosphere to the situation without having to handle a floppy book at the table. One of the features I truly enjoy is the way leveling up is customized through the various tokens of spirit, melee etc. that we can choose to place on our heroes, and their allies. The battle system is spot on for efficiency and fun. It is all around a game that will always have a home here. Nice to see it still get love.
winterplum You hit on some points that do indeed make it great: there is just enough to be involving but not too much to be overload. It hits that spot perfectly, something not a lot of games are really able to do.
Thank you for this video and for your channel.
1.
For me, Runebound 2nd edition is lacking the sandboxy nature of a true adventure.
It is very combats oriented, and the entire upgrading mechanic attached to winning challenges,
And so is the gameplay itself, as a consequence.
Does it ever bothered you while playing?
Just Fight-UpgradeInMarket-Fight-UpgradeByQuest-Fight-Improve-Improve-Fight
(..and in between get and lose allies)
2.
Another issue which I've found even more frustrating is the fact that...
You have your initial damage stats at each one of the 3 skills,
And there's almost NOTHING which you can do about it.
It doesn't matter how much you will upgrade your hero with experience, items and allies,
Still, you barely get to upgrade the damage stats,
And for me, it directly affect the progression and development of the heroes,
And turn this entire process into... kind of shallow... and one dimensional.
Now, While I appreciate your opinion, your perspective, and your experience quite a lot,
I'd like to humbly ask you for your honest opinion:
Do you agree with those diagnoses?
I'll love to be informed otherwise,
And I'd love to be aware of anything I might missed.
Thank you!
Thanks for the comment and I’m glad you are enjoying the channel. I actually totally agree with the points you are making. Mechanically all that is true- yet somehow I still feel the game can transcend the idea of being totally combat oriented -from encounter to encounter -if you allow yourself to envision and think a bit about the flavor text etc.
I wish there were a more sandboxy adventure game. There are a few of course but if you have suggestions and recommendations I’d love them!
@@GeekGamers01 I hear you, about the flavour text, and agree.
Still it misses the mark for me, in its core.
(Although it doesn't provided me from keep hunting after expansions, in hope that a variety will bring some extra factor).
There are actually couple of new sandbox games which I've heard worth checking out:
The first is -
Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread,
Which is yet in its late pledge manager (I think) so you might still grab a copy if you'll like what you'll see.
And the second is a new game called -
Lands of Galzyr ,
Which already available.
Can't hardly wait to your reviews ;)
I got into Runebound after the solo expansion came out for third edition and loved the game and wanted more of Runebound and by luck just early this year I found a complete collection base game + expansions for the second edition on eBay for around $300 shipping included lol a bit expensive for my gaming budget but I got a barely played copy with all expansions sleeved with premium sleeves + extra goodies like 4-5 dice sets (some with stickers and some were etched dice + some fan made content printed and laminated, few of the minies were painted + couple plano boxes for the tokens. The only thing I wish I have is the original boxes, the full collection came in a plastic container but I'm happy with it. Owning this game feels like owning a treasure lol. Thank you for the awesome video :D
Basmon nom I think you got your gaming money’s worth. I’d love to have everything for this awesome game. Well done! I still haven’t played 3rd edition... just when I thought I might as well give it a try I realized the solo expansion was no longer in print. It’s really a shame the franchise was abandoned. The 2nd edition will stand as a classic.
@@GeekGamers01 Thank you and yea I'm happy I got it :). Third edition is a nightmare when it comes to the solo expansion, there is a copy on eBay at the time of writing this of Unbreakable bonds for $100 though.
Basmon nom Yeah... no... I will invest my Runebound money on the expansions I don’t yet have for 2e...
@@GeekGamers01 Happy New year! And yea I don't blame you, If I have to pick one I would go with the second edition lol, but I'm glad I got both versions :). I know this is just a wish but I hope FFG revive Runebound with a reprint or something lol I can't have enough of this game :)
Thank you. Someone for second edition. Its way better than 3ed
Thank you for showing us your game and explaining some of the house rules. I’ve got the Runebound 2E base set and play it solo on occasion but I’ve never thought about house rules. You’ve given me something to think about.
BTW: I love your channel, thank you for sharing what you do.
Andy Simmons Thank you for watching and commenting. Glad to hear you’re enjoying the content.
It’s always great when you can get a game to the table and not get bogged down with reviewing the rules for half an hour or longer. Doesn’t look to overwhelming with the table real estate loss. Much love as always.
Ironhand1970 Walker Yes this works in that way and makes it pleasant. I recently took out Race for the Galaxy and found myself having to queue up a ton of YT vids just to remember anything. Great game, that one, but I needed an extra day to prep
Coolness! For those of you who don't have a physical copy, but have TableTop Simulator on Steam, there is a virtual version. Traditionally, these don't have the rules, but for the purpose of hacking it into a solo engine with props, that is not a show-stopper.
steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1420222482
Runebound 2nd edition. Love this game. I'm pretty sure I have everything for it. I enjoy playing solo using the unofficial solo rules posted on BGG. The one using the Midnight track.
Tom Zebro Cool that you’ve got everything. I’ve got a lot but still on the hunt...
@@GeekGamers01 let me know what you need. I have two full sets.
ABC TRAVELER Thank you. That is very kind. I do accept game donations to the channel. You can email me at citygeekgamers at gmail to discuss. I’m glad you have enjoyed this content.
It's a fun game. 3rd edition is great, too.
The Dungeon Dive I want to want to play it but can’t get beyond the token-based combat.
@@GeekGamers01 Yeah - it's a little odd, and doesn't add a ton to the game, but I like the other changes they made.
@@TheDungeonDive Yes, based on watching vids, I agree. Just wish I could get beyond those tokens but that is basically my biggest gaming hate: tossing or pulling tokens! Just. Can't.
@@GeekGamers01 I take it you were never into POGS? LOL!
@@TheDungeonDive MY NIGHTMARE!! :)
I agree I love 2nd Ed. I like it better than 3rd Ed. I do when playing solo 1/2 way thru don't roll for moment to speed thing up. For extra bling I use gem's from Hobby Lobby a bag cost a couple dollars.
Douglas Pearson Great ideas. I especially like the gem idea. Will need to remember that the next time I go to Michael’s.
The gems definitely look cool. I was using glass beads from the dollar store at one time.
Tom Zebro Yeah it’s a great idea that would make a big impact very cheaply. I will definitely be doing this at some point.
Who doesn't love runebound 2nd ed? Please let me know if you need anything. You are my new friend.
I’ll be waiting if you ever decide to do a longer video
Jason Setley There’s a lot of love for this game so maybe the world can tolerate another vid on it.
I'm delighted to see this video on Runebound. I'd been searching for the perfect solo-able fantasy adventure board game for quite some time and finally stumbled onto Runebound a couple weeks ago. I ended up purchasing 3rd Edition (for dirt cheap), have played several solo sessions to completion, and absolutely LOVE the game so much that I wrote a review/love letter to it on BGG a couple days ago which I've never done before for any game. You're right, in that there is just the right amount of flavor text to engage the imagination, but it's all in support of the gameplay. There is a sense of place and purpose to the gameworld but it's really accessible. I was skeptical of the combat token casting, but after trying it, I hate to admit that I think it's a superior system (even though I love rolling dice). There is so much strategy to the way the casting gets resolved, it's infinitely expandable (new weapon or new character: just add new token), and it's easy to manage solo, which is ultimately what won me over. I'm not trying to sell you on 3rd Edition. This 2nd edition board that you're showing looks great! Just excited to see you playing Runebound, and eager to share my excitement for the IP as well. I hope FFG continues to develop this property....
Blue Botic You have gotten me interested enough to watch a vid and see how the combat works at least. I’m allergic generally to tossing tokens or pulling them from a bag. Somewhere on my channel I talk about my issues with Arkham Horror Card Game in light of this (& my solution). Thanks for the comment. I’d love to be wrong about 3e
I've played tons of RB 2nd edition, 95% solo. I have the 3rd edition, and have played it solo and with a buddy a couple of times. It's radically different enough from 2nd edition, even outside of the token combat system, that it could have been called something else. Not necessarily a bad thing. I don't mind the combat system, and it actually works out better for solo, especially with the Unbroken Bonds expansion and the AI boards. The token system spawned quit a bit of nerd rage at the time it was announced...I think I might have been caught up in it a bit myself lol. Kind of like the modular board for Arkham Horror 3rd edition. I ended up liking that aspect of the game, but I think it fell flat in a lot of other areas.
Thanks for the tip, will check it out!
The 3rd edition with those daft tokens was a real turn off for me.
Jeremy Boughton Agree there. Once I saw those I was totally uninterested.
Actually like the tokens, makes the combat way more interesting and gives the feeling off your character actually upgrading vs boring flat stats of the previous game. and skill card system makes characters feel different on more play throughs. I do wish 3rd Ed would have incorporated allies somehow.
I wish I could play. What's the title of this video though?
I love this game too ! ;) (in my top ten favorite boardgame playing in solo)
Thx for the video, always a pleasure :)
Laurent Gosse Mine too! Glad you enjoyed the vid.
Thanks for this tube! Hope you try 3ed and you do a comparison!
Pierre Abou Naoum Only if someone donates a copy to the channel! I’m happy with 2e and have invested way too much $$ in it to buy the 3rd. Glad you liked the vid. :)
Too sandboxy.