I've been watching you guys for a while and I just want to say I think your channel is great. I really like your format and your discussion always helps me understand the game. I had no interest in Ankh, but I knew your show on it would be entertaining. Thanks!
great review after this i will buy KS version with playmat for sure....we got a group but usually we are 2 playing more often (group once a week 4-5 pple) i love area control games like BR, KEMET, RS, Lords of Hellas etc....The merge is imo cool catch up mechanic I like that idea i can see why pple hate it personally if Iam last one in these games at 2/3 of the game I know I will lose anyway so losing all to help other player to catch and try to win is for me personally great and unique....but as you mentioned if merged players are just one devotion point from winner its big disadvantage for the first player....I can see that. Also i really like combat cards in this. Only thing i was worried about was board, It feels kinda empty but with 3d pyramid and monumet models its great its so clean to see what happen. If you rated this game for 2 would it be 9?
What we do about the merge is keeping the devotion of the second to last player instead of the last one. It makes the game WAY better! But we only play it at 5 players.
Hi guys, great review. Can't wait to get my KS copy. For the merge thing, would it not fix the issues if the second player (in a 3 player game) kept his devotion instead of going back to the last player? At least that way he would not be penalised..... it could be a house rule!
Maybe Jon will say something since he is more bothered by that part, but I think that would be too powerful for that team. I think they would have several huge advantages over everyone else (2 powers, combined follower tokens, the ability to take the same action twice in a round). I really think you need to take that last place spot. -Dean
Hi Dean, I see what you mean about being powerful. I guess it all depends on how far apart all the players are. If they are all close together (e.g. the last two player together just behind the first player) that would be the same effect (of being too powerful). On the other hand, if the last player is way behind... it is very penalising for the second player. I'll play Ankh mostly at 2 players so it will not affect me too much.
I saw an interview with Eric Lang where he responds about the grudge of the merge. It is la diffrent, he encourage people to play without but To come back To it later. The merge can bring a lot to the strategy BEFORE the merge. If you play with newcomer, you have to play it the diplomatic way, because you dont want to fall with them 😂 Anyway, thanks for the review. First time I watch your channel and you are great ! Keep going and have fun !
That makes since. Dean and I really liked that part of about it...having those discussions before the merge happened. I just wish they had something about playing without it as a variant in the rulebook. But, hey, it's his game and he can do what he wants :) Eric is a great designer! - Jon
I actually really like that part and find it clever. Sometimes you can work with someone toward the merge and then pull ahead of the next player leaving the other person behind. We talk about that for a bit towards the end, because I really betrayed Jon during one game. It was glorious. -Dean
Usually, if you are the last, you stop worrying about building monuments and start trying to mess up the first players. And if you're the second to last, you stop trying to gaing devotion, as it won't matter, and start messing up the first players hehe
I think this specific situation is the biggest problem with the merge and i agree that is very annoying! If you re so close to the fiirst player and you have to go down......BUT after my first plays i realize that this situation is happening because of the players. First action selection don't give to someone so easy to activate an event. Don't stay in one region. Try to have figures in most of the areas. Build monuments so participate in more battles this give you access to your cards and a better hand management, sometimes i think i better to cut points from other instead to gain 1 or 2 points you'll have the opportunity to gain from something else. Be prepared for the Merge don't hit the last player negotiate with players for this situation it's a part of the game. If you dont like this then yes the merge is not for you. I hope for an official variant because i see a lot of people said the same they like it but......and again without the merge I can't see any interesting for the last players from what i see there is no chance to catch the first one for the player(s) behind..... So you play a game with less interest!!! I like your video and i subscribe for more views......
Great review! Cant w8 for the video with the the expansion!
Sounds like an almost perfect two player, area control game.🤔 Great review guys.👍
Thanks! -Dean
I've been watching you guys for a while and I just want to say I think your channel is great. I really like your format and your discussion always helps me understand the game. I had no interest in Ankh, but I knew your show on it would be entertaining. Thanks!
Be sure to listen to the podcasts too. Really entertaining.
great review after this i will buy KS version with playmat for sure....we got a group but usually we are 2 playing more often (group once a week 4-5 pple) i love area control games like BR, KEMET, RS, Lords of Hellas etc....The merge is imo cool catch up mechanic I like that idea i can see why pple hate it personally if Iam last one in these games at 2/3 of the game I know I will lose anyway so losing all to help other player to catch and try to win is for me personally great and unique....but as you mentioned if merged players are just one devotion point from winner its big disadvantage for the first player....I can see that. Also i really like combat cards in this. Only thing i was worried about was board, It feels kinda empty but with 3d pyramid and monumet models its great its so clean to see what happen. If you rated this game for 2 would it be 9?
I would have definitely rated it higher as a 2 player game for sure. -Jon
What we do about the merge is keeping the devotion of the second to last player instead of the last one. It makes the game WAY better!
But we only play it at 5 players.
We might have to try that at some point. Thanks!
Hi guys, great review. Can't wait to get my KS copy.
For the merge thing, would it not fix the issues if the second player (in a 3 player game) kept his devotion instead of going back to the last player? At least that way he would not be penalised..... it could be a house rule!
Maybe Jon will say something since he is more bothered by that part, but I think that would be too powerful for that team. I think they would have several huge advantages over everyone else (2 powers, combined follower tokens, the ability to take the same action twice in a round). I really think you need to take that last place spot. -Dean
Hi Dean, I see what you mean about being powerful. I guess it all depends on how far apart all the players are. If they are all close together (e.g. the last two player together just behind the first player) that would be the same effect (of being too powerful). On the other hand, if the last player is way behind... it is very penalising for the second player. I'll play Ankh mostly at 2 players so it will not affect me too much.
I saw an interview with Eric Lang where he responds about the grudge of the merge. It is la diffrent, he encourage people to play without but To come back To it later. The merge can bring a lot to the strategy BEFORE the merge. If you play with newcomer, you have to play it the diplomatic way, because you dont want to fall with them 😂
Anyway, thanks for the review. First time I watch your channel and you are great ! Keep going and have fun !
That makes since. Dean and I really liked that part of about it...having those discussions before the merge happened. I just wish they had something about playing without it as a variant in the rulebook. But, hey, it's his game and he can do what he wants :) Eric is a great designer! - Jon
Maybe if you see you will merge, you will have to help the player you merge with and prepare and set for the merge.
I actually really like that part and find it clever. Sometimes you can work with someone toward the merge and then pull ahead of the next player leaving the other person behind. We talk about that for a bit towards the end, because I really betrayed Jon during one game. It was glorious. -Dean
Usually, if you are the last, you stop worrying about building monuments and start trying to mess up the first players. And if you're the second to last, you stop trying to gaing devotion, as it won't matter, and start messing up the first players hehe
But...there are scenarios without merge. You can totally play just play those scenarios
I think this specific situation is the biggest problem with the merge and i agree that is very annoying! If you re so close to the fiirst player and you have to go down......BUT after my first plays i realize that this situation is happening because of the players. First action selection don't give to someone so easy to activate an event.
Don't stay in one region. Try to have figures in most of the areas. Build monuments so participate in more battles this give you access to your cards and a better hand management, sometimes i think i better to cut points from other instead to gain 1 or 2 points you'll have the opportunity to gain from something else.
Be prepared for the Merge don't hit the last player negotiate with players for this situation it's a part of the game. If you dont like this then yes the merge is not for you.
I hope for an official variant because i see a lot of people said the same they like it but......and again without the merge I can't see any interesting for the last players from what i see there is no chance to catch the first one for the player(s) behind..... So you play a game with less interest!!!
I like your video and i subscribe for more views......
Thanks for your thoughts and sub!!! -Jon
Just found the channel, love it! You guys have a discord?
Not yet, but we’re talking about it. If we do, we’ll comment here and let ya know. Thanks for the encouragement!