Boardgames and How to Win Them

So last night, I played a couple of games with JT and her sister; 2 rounds of Ticket to Ride and a round of Lords of Waterdeep. And by luck and/or skill (mostly luck I think) I won all 3 - also NO DICE WERE INVOLVED!

As such I just wanted to share my tactics as they apply to these games (although many of the themes can apply to any game or scenario).

Ticket to Ride

1. Don't be afraid to get rid of a ticket. At the start of Ticket to Ride, you get 3 destination tickets. First of all work out how these routes could work together and if they don't get rid of one.
2. Have a clear plan. How are you going to complete (and connect your routes)? This gives you an idea of what colours you need to collect as well as what routes are vital to you (and which ones have multiple options).
3. Flexibility. Don't be afraid to change your route. You have an original plan but if your heading into traffic then go elsewhere if you can.
4. Keep them guessing. Start at one end of a route and go to the other end. This ties up one end of your route, stops you having to take detours if a gap you've left is filled, and hopefully makes your route more likely to be continuous (for longest route).
5. Zero points is sometimes the best place to be! Well for the early game anyway, the longer you can afford to just be collecting resources without playing the better - this ties into all the previous points and if you collect the right cards means you can then claim route after route and complete your tickets before anyway has opportunity to react.

Lords of Waterdeep

Lords of Waterdeep should be played in a similar way except for the following:

1. Play quests. Unlike ticket to ride, other players can interact with your resources so just stockpiling isn't as much of an option. Also quests have instant rewards (resources) as well as ongoing effects.
2. Only play your quest types. Unless there is a significant positive effect (ongoing effects etc) then don't play quests which aren't of your type. Our game was so close until we started counting up our "Lord" points. At this point I got 40 points and flew away!

So there's my short hints and tips section on these two games - any other advice from people would be appreciated.

2 Player Games

So as my previous post stated, having to scale back dramatically on things but hopefully will get painting back on go once things settle down. Anyhoo I have just purchased my copy of the most recent Tabletop Gaming Magazine (a really well edited piece of work). I haven't read through it all but one article I was very interested in was Top 10 games for 2 players as this is mostly what I do with the missus. The biggest problem I have with 2 player games is that obviously you can't have a defector and backstabbing - either its 1 on 1 or fully co-operative and I really enjoy these games (think Battlestar Galactica, Diplomacy, Game of Thrones).

The article has rekindled my interest in getting Agricola and JT seems interested so I might look for a set. In meanwhile these are my top 5 based on what I have, what I like and what JT will play (so Wargames are out):

Elder Sign setup

1. Elder Sign: A cooperative battle against an Ancient One. Yes its the diddy one, yes its a bit easy if you're just playing on basic settings, but its a lot of fun and really good if you've had a break from gaming to get back up to speed. Really want to get a few expansions to increase difficulty but its so good. Especially if you actually read the room descriptions and get into the mood of things. Fantasy Flight Games
2. Lords of Waterdeep: European style boardgames are the best. As long as you explain the concept that just because you're losing doesn't mean you're actually learning. I am all about getting a game as close as possible so I will usually try and play a slow game when playing these games with new gamers but there are so many different ways of playing for such a simple game. Again expansions add to the game to add yet another layer of depth. Also they're not just cubes - you're sending adventurer's off on missions. Role-playing non role-playing games makes everything better. Wizards of the Coast

Lords of Waterdeep

3. Carcassonne: The king of European Style games. I don't think I need to explain why this is here. For me a great intro game which (I'm sorry for offending) blows Settlers of Catan out of the water. Also MEEPLES!!! Z-Man Games

Carcassonne

4. Pandemic. Another great co-op game and one that can infuriate. Just when you think that you can close off a disease, another outbreak flares in Santiago (just about the most out of the way place in the world it seems). Really tempted to give the Legacy version a go. Z-Man Games

Outbreak - Pandemic.

5. Magic The Gathering. I have a confession. I love blue - Izzet all the way, and I love big blue creatures and interactive Dragons (Hypersoar Dragon anyone?). I know I'm an awful person. Sorry Day 9. Wizards of The Coast.

So there is my Top 5 games that can be played by 2. If you agree/disagree - got other recommendations let me know. I'm always up for trying more.