Don’t completely agree about complexity being the differentiating factor. Scythe is a euro engine building game masquerading as a war game and root is a war game full stop. Both are terrific but in different segments imo.
That's a good point. I suppose I'm putting too much emphasis on how long it takes to LEARN and not enough emphasis on how hard it is to make a DECISION. Root might be easier to play AFTER you've mastered the rules. In Scythe, you can learn the rules quicker but the game never gets easier.
Hi Ben. This is my third comment of the week but that's because I love the channel so much haha. I'm getting into the hobby and I'm tempted to buy Root because of the awesome artwork and interesting gameplay. However the complexity of the game is something I'm not yet familiar with. What's something you would recommend to get into this style of game?
The only thing that makes Root uniquely complex is its asymmetrical gameplay. The basic gameplay is simple, just imagine the classic board game risk if every player had a different objective, and even a different way of getting pieces on the board. The problem with asymmetrical games like this is that they take a long time to teach. I REALLY like Root, but I just don’t play it enough for that reason. I also haven’t played any other Leder games (Vast, Oath, etc…) but my understanding is that they’re all about as complex as Root, so that doesn’t really help you. There is one game that comes to mind that is asymmetrical and simpler, I’ve heard good things about it, but I haven’t played it myself. It might be worth looking at if you just want to try a game that has differing player objectives. The game is Mouse Cheese Cat Cucumber.
I actually don’t own any Stonemaier games. They are popular enough that if I ever want to play one, I can just play with a friend and their copy. I think Scythe is very, very good but when I buy games for adults (I buy plenty of family games since I have kids, but I am especially discerning about adult games) I really only buy games that have some outstanding quality: something about the theme or mechanics that really makes the game unique. To me, Stonemaier games are very, very excellent quality vanilla.
I’ve only played root but didn’t enjoy the different powers per player, overall I was bored but it wasn’t my type of game. The art is beautiful though.
Don’t completely agree about complexity being the differentiating factor. Scythe is a euro engine building game masquerading as a war game and root is a war game full stop. Both are terrific but in different segments imo.
That's a good point. I suppose I'm putting too much emphasis on how long it takes to LEARN and not enough emphasis on how hard it is to make a DECISION. Root might be easier to play AFTER you've mastered the rules. In Scythe, you can learn the rules quicker but the game never gets easier.
Hi Ben. This is my third comment of the week but that's because I love the channel so much haha. I'm getting into the hobby and I'm tempted to buy Root because of the awesome artwork and interesting gameplay. However the complexity of the game is something I'm not yet familiar with. What's something you would recommend to get into this style of game?
The only thing that makes Root uniquely complex is its asymmetrical gameplay. The basic gameplay is simple, just imagine the classic board game risk if every player had a different objective, and even a different way of getting pieces on the board.
The problem with asymmetrical games like this is that they take a long time to teach. I REALLY like Root, but I just don’t play it enough for that reason. I also haven’t played any other Leder games (Vast, Oath, etc…) but my understanding is that they’re all about as complex as Root, so that doesn’t really help you. There is one game that comes to mind that is asymmetrical and simpler, I’ve heard good things about it, but I haven’t played it myself. It might be worth looking at if you just want to try a game that has differing player objectives. The game is Mouse Cheese Cat Cucumber.
I’m happy to hear you are enjoying the channel so much.
Thank you I will have a look at that game!
Is Scythe worth buying still?
I actually don’t own any Stonemaier games. They are popular enough that if I ever want to play one, I can just play with a friend and their copy. I think Scythe is very, very good but when I buy games for adults (I buy plenty of family games since I have kids, but I am especially discerning about adult games) I really only buy games that have some outstanding quality: something about the theme or mechanics that really makes the game unique. To me, Stonemaier games are very, very excellent quality vanilla.
Im going to stay with Root. My favorite game.
Deservedly so.
root is sold out and im not buying it above retail. scythe i can find easily. so i guess i go with scythe
Well, there you go! Any board game is better than no board game.
Root coming back in stock with the retail release of the Marauder expansion sometime soon. I believe September or October. I highly recommend Root
I’ve only played root but didn’t enjoy the different powers per player, overall I was bored but it wasn’t my type of game. The art is beautiful though.
you need to something about your mic. You sound very metallic
like this :D