It is mild, but it’s also essential. In many ways this was more like an update patch in a video game than a true expansion. However fantastic the base game is, some major flaws were tracked after release. Since building a building was a permanent loss of a worker, the obvious strategy was to spend the first 3/4 of the game hoarding resources, and the last 1/4 mass spending those resources to build all your buildings. Which obviously wasn’t the natural or intended game arc. People also ignored the actual architects after they had met their three symbols. Money was useless late game. And the black market was underused. The expansion was made basically to directly address these four issues. Now you have these powerful additions to buildings, but to even get it, you must already have a worker permanently sacrificed in the retirement area. This incentivizes building early and disincentivizes the hoarding meta from the base game. It also provides a money sink. Also, the engine building additions to the architects are also strong, but you can only get one addition per architect. So now you’re incentivized to get more than three. In fact the scoring now incentivizes you to get the full 5. The last issue was that many players ignored the black market entirely due to the virtue loss. The grande worker addresses this, and also has the bonus of having the strength of two workers when placed. Since these are more so patches to fix flaws with the base game rather than a full blown expansion, I would consider it essential. Kind of like Teotihuacan’s expansions, which have been just as focused on patching up flaws in the base game as adding new content.
I think the biggest thing this expansion adds is the usefulness for the money. In the base game money becomes useless really fast, but here you can use that money to get building upgrades. I would rate this pretty much a mandatory expansion for the game.
For me, this simple expansion fixes every minor issue with the base game. Too much money and nothing to use it on? Now you can spend it on cool upgrades for your cards. Afraid to use the black market because of the virtue loss? Now you can send your artisan there and reap the rewards without taking the hit. Oh, and Tom failed to mention a new rule that gets this game off to an even faster start (although it's not expansion dependent, so just use it even if you don't buy this) … drafting a free apprentice from the offer at the start of the game. In my opinion, if you like Architects, this expansion is a no brainer that fixes the minor issues and adds variety and replayability without adding complexity or length.
There are extra player Boards for other colors. They were given to KS backers. boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/248493/architects-west-kingdom-extra-player-boards
I own this game and have extra player boards from BGG, but never realized boards are color coordinated, we just pick whatever color and whatever board.
@@Steve-L Same! I think this is implied, but absolutely not necessary. Some people prefer matching the colors of the characters ' clothing to the colors of the meeples. Some people prefer to choose the color of the meeples no matter what.
Nice review, though I am confused that you feel you can't fit everything in the box. I have the KS version of Architects including metal coins (yeah I am *that* sucker). I was able to fit the expansion in without a problem, certainly easier than fitting the expansions for Raiders into that box. This, as Tom says, is a light expansion but I love the new Grande worker....sorry Artisan...and the tools are a fantastic addition. We did feel that it lengthened the game slightly, but not so much that I would ever play without it.
Jonathan Clelland He’s confusing time with Paladins. It’s not THAT hard to fit Paladins back into the box but there isn’t much room left in it for an expansion.
@@ratguy69 It is cramped imo. Yes it fits, but I certainly would've preferred Architects to have used a slightly larger box - maybe a Roll Player/Istanbul/Troyes size box would have been nice (same size width/depth but more height). Not a deal breaker or anything though.
This definitely is a must have if you own Architects. The base game was good to start with but this gives some wonderful personalisation without harming the wonderful streamlined nature Architects is known fot. Also you definitely do not have to store the expansion separately. If you are smart everything fits in the base box. If Paladins ever releases an expansion that will be a different matter...
Love this game and the expansion. Wouldn't see a reason to not play with the expansion ever again. I have the expansion in the original box with the game and still have a descent amount of room left.
www.garphillpromo.com/promo-store/6nkstzvv4m7yxmldx813e5atybi8yv The 2nd color player boards were included in the Kickstarter version, otherwise can be obtained from Garphill from the link above.
Thanks I like the larger worker but glad I waited on this one since it doesnt add much else thats super interesting. Lets see what the next expansion holds in store!
Ok, here's my straight up gripe with 'Raiders of the North Sea' and the 'West Kingdom' series; it's the same gripe I have with Above & Below and Here & Nor There: I can't keep track of which one is which. I had thought about getting some of these games, but I didn't know which one had the solo player expansion or not, or which one was the better game in each of their respective series. :shrugs: Oh well - got Everdell instead.
Tom, ask others how they say Architects. It's not Arc-key-tects. It's more like Arc-uh-tects. I notice because I studied Linguistics, and I find those variations interesting. Anyway, the expansion looks fine, and I like the description of being a "mild" expansion.
I found it funny that when he's talking quickly at 6:18 he actually pronounces it correctly. I think he mispronounced it in the original Miami Dice review, and Zee and Sam gave him such a hard time about that he's now just trolling.
Well it’s not Arc-uh-tects either, my guy. It’s Arc-ih-tects. The type of person who would pronounce it Arc-uh-tects would probably also pronounce the word “immediately” as uh-mediately.
It is mild, but it’s also essential. In many ways this was more like an update patch in a video game than a true expansion. However fantastic the base game is, some major flaws were tracked after release. Since building a building was a permanent loss of a worker, the obvious strategy was to spend the first 3/4 of the game hoarding resources, and the last 1/4 mass spending those resources to build all your buildings. Which obviously wasn’t the natural or intended game arc. People also ignored the actual architects after they had met their three symbols. Money was useless late game. And the black market was underused.
The expansion was made basically to directly address these four issues. Now you have these powerful additions to buildings, but to even get it, you must already have a worker permanently sacrificed in the retirement area. This incentivizes building early and disincentivizes the hoarding meta from the base game. It also provides a money sink.
Also, the engine building additions to the architects are also strong, but you can only get one addition per architect. So now you’re incentivized to get more than three. In fact the scoring now incentivizes you to get the full 5.
The last issue was that many players ignored the black market entirely due to the virtue loss. The grande worker addresses this, and also has the bonus of having the strength of two workers when placed.
Since these are more so patches to fix flaws with the base game rather than a full blown expansion, I would consider it essential. Kind of like Teotihuacan’s expansions, which have been just as focused on patching up flaws in the base game as adding new content.
I think the biggest thing this expansion adds is the usefulness for the money. In the base game money becomes useless really fast, but here you can use that money to get building upgrades.
I would rate this pretty much a mandatory expansion for the game.
I also agree.
For me, this simple expansion fixes every minor issue with the base game. Too much money and nothing to use it on? Now you can spend it on cool upgrades for your cards. Afraid to use the black market because of the virtue loss? Now you can send your artisan there and reap the rewards without taking the hit. Oh, and Tom failed to mention a new rule that gets this game off to an even faster start (although it's not expansion dependent, so just use it even if you don't buy this) … drafting a free apprentice from the offer at the start of the game. In my opinion, if you like Architects, this expansion is a no brainer that fixes the minor issues and adds variety and replayability without adding complexity or length.
I think you're thinking of Paladins with 'box space' thing. This fits fine with the base box with metal coins, extra player boards and promos.
Agreed! I have everything for the game in the base box.
To fit in box: remove the useless insert. Plenty of room.
There are extra player Boards for other colors. They were given to KS backers.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/248493/architects-west-kingdom-extra-player-boards
And they can be bought directly from Garphill Games, if you want them.
@@SirBlackjack010 I believe you can also get them from the BGG store. I got mine from my FLGS
I own this game and have extra player boards from BGG, but never realized boards are color coordinated, we just pick whatever color and whatever board.
@@Steve-L Same! I think this is implied, but absolutely not necessary. Some people prefer matching the colors of the characters ' clothing to the colors of the meeples. Some people prefer to choose the color of the meeples no matter what.
Yeah, the upgrade card you tuck under another card is a satisfying mechanic, I wish I could see it more in game designs.
Folded Space insert to fit both in the original box =)
I thought you were about to say ”and Sam MacDonald”. You know, the co-designer of Architects. Everyone forgets about him. :(
This expansion really adds a lot to the game for how little complexity it has. I'd absolutely teach Architects to experienced gamers with it, too.
Nice review, though I am confused that you feel you can't fit everything in the box. I have the KS version of Architects including metal coins (yeah I am *that* sucker). I was able to fit the expansion in without a problem, certainly easier than fitting the expansions for Raiders into that box. This, as Tom says, is a light expansion but I love the new Grande worker....sorry Artisan...and the tools are a fantastic addition. We did feel that it lengthened the game slightly, but not so much that I would ever play without it.
Jonathan Clelland He’s confusing time with Paladins. It’s not THAT hard to fit Paladins back into the box but there isn’t much room left in it for an expansion.
Oh no, no confusion! I like to put my components in little bins, not smash them in the box in bags.
@@thedicetower So let me get this straight... you add a bunch of little bins into the box and then complain about it being cramped?
@@ratguy69 It is cramped imo. Yes it fits, but I certainly would've preferred Architects to have used a slightly larger box - maybe a Roll Player/Istanbul/Troyes size box would have been nice (same size width/depth but more height). Not a deal breaker or anything though.
@@fingolfinfinwe There's a cardboard tray liner in there you can remove if it's too cramped.
This definitely is a must have if you own Architects. The base game was good to start with but this gives some wonderful personalisation without harming the wonderful streamlined nature Architects is known fot. Also you definitely do not have to store the expansion separately. If you are smart everything fits in the base box. If Paladins ever releases an expansion that will be a different matter...
Love this game and the expansion. Wouldn't see a reason to not play with the expansion ever again. I have the expansion in the original box with the game and still have a descent amount of room left.
www.garphillpromo.com/promo-store/6nkstzvv4m7yxmldx813e5atybi8yv
The 2nd color player boards were included in the Kickstarter version, otherwise can be obtained from Garphill from the link above.
Without the insert I managed to fit everything in the original base box and I have the upgraded resources from Top Shelf Gamer.
Can a apprentice have more than one tool at a time? So like one apprentice has 3 red tools under them?
No
You keep saying “When you first put it out....”; it’s every time you PLACE the Artisan that it counts as 2 right? Not just the first time?
Yes. As opposed to when it's on the board. Sorry, I can see how what I said was confusing. When you PLACE it, it's worth two.
What he means is that once it’s out, it only counts as one. It doesn’t consistently count as two, only as you’re placing it.
Does this make the game 6 player?
Yes
Thanks I like the larger worker but glad I waited on this one since it doesnt add much else thats super interesting. Lets see what the next expansion holds in store!
Read some of the comments here to see how essential this expansion actually is. Tom severely underrated this expansion.
I played a couple of games of Architects with max player count. Although it works okay, i couldn't imagine adding another player again.
Ok, here's my straight up gripe with 'Raiders of the North Sea' and the 'West Kingdom' series; it's the same gripe I have with Above & Below and Here & Nor There: I can't keep track of which one is which. I had thought about getting some of these games, but I didn't know which one had the solo player expansion or not, or which one was the better game in each of their respective series.
:shrugs: Oh well - got Everdell instead.
Tom, ask others how they say Architects. It's not Arc-key-tects. It's more like Arc-uh-tects. I notice because I studied Linguistics, and I find those variations interesting. Anyway, the expansion looks fine, and I like the description of being a "mild" expansion.
James Hamilton lol seriously?
I found it funny that when he's talking quickly at 6:18 he actually pronounces it correctly. I think he mispronounced it in the original Miami Dice review, and Zee and Sam gave him such a hard time about that he's now just trolling.
Ask others how they pronounce 'James Hamilton'. Some will say 'Jah-mess Ameel-tone', others 'Jams Ham-li-ton' and others 'Odd TH-cam Commenter'.
Well it’s not Arc-uh-tects either, my guy. It’s Arc-ih-tects. The type of person who would pronounce it Arc-uh-tects would probably also pronounce the word “immediately” as uh-mediately.