Weekender XLBS: Bitz & Chits; What’s Your Favourite Gaming Component?
August 6, 2017 by dignity
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First? Favorite gaming component – Hex grids and counters. 😀
Not pen and paper?
What can I say? I’m old school. 😀 Also, does MS Excel count as a “gaming component?” Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator? 😀
Oh man @oriskany I’m behind on you the MS Excel 😀 Photoshop for making Roll20 D&D tokens also. Az
Happy Sunday!
Favorite component? My real, non-AI opponent(s)!
Ooh err! Should have waited for the qualified question… ‘ tactile piece’ and ‘feels good in your hands’. That limits the number of opponents a bit…
I’ll go for the good old Meeple and its infinite variety. There’s nothing like toying with a small bit of wood during gameplay….
… actually that doesn’t sound much better!
LOL
This really made me giggle and get concerned for your real non-AI opponents @coxjul lol! 😛 Az
I like opponents who feel good in your hands 😀
You know soft huggable ones.
And don’t worry I will let you play with whatever you like man…
you know 40k, board games, pen and paper role playing, whatever, I am down 😀
Seriously, the simple Meeple has lifted many a game for me, I guess Carcassone was the first game that really introduced it to the mainstream. Have you ever played with someone who keeps asking “what is this a picture of?” when the counter has a passable drawing of a lump of coal – never a problem with a small, black coal shaped piece of wood. (Doesn’t prevent the ‘and what can I do with it again?’ questions, but that’s a different problem). It’s just infinitely better than a cardboard counter. A board, or tabletop, full of cardboard counters just becomes… Read more »
Absolutely get you on this @coxjul, games like Power Grid, Lords of Waterdeep and Terra Mystica all benefit from having lovely and simple wooden representations for meeples. Barrels, Forts, Ore and Castles all work so much better than cardboard flat tokens for me when it comes to your own resources or placed units. Az
With some of the examples you’re giving it’s not just about being ‘tactile’, it’s also about being ‘tangible’. Those Splendor gems, Justin’s metal coins or Ben’s envelope… …we’re back to abstraction vs engagement. With any game there has to be a lot of abstraction in the mechanics and, as we discussed a couple of weekends ago, the first thing to draw you to a sense of engagement will be the theme. That’s usually quite visual in nature, so stacking up additional sensory factors increases that immersion. The tactile heft or the audible ‘snap’… Justin’s earlier mention of playing the Zulu… Read more »
Happy Sunday
Az I feel your pain, we are moving this coming weekend once we close on the new house, Indy here we come. When we moved in 11 years ago it took a box truck, some friends, pizza and beer now we have hired out the move. I really can’t wait for this to be over and I can set up my stuff and get things back in order. As for the best gaming component, jokingly posted above, pen and paper, but I think that truly is the best. From rpg’s to list building it has always been there and given… Read more »
Oh @ghent99 I hope the move all goes well for you, let me know how hiring the moves works out.
Pen and paper really is an amazing shout, the freedom and creativity it allows should not be undersold. Az
Listening to the weekenders and packing. Thanks guys for helping get through all of this. The one thing about hiring out the move, it is expensive.
Thinking over the issues with a D4 there is a solution. Take a look at http://www.doublesixdice.com they haves a triple four dice that really solves the issue. When this product line first came out it did very well and was a finalist for a Beastie award.
I have an MDF insert for Dead of Winter and a fair bit of Battlefoam trays for minis and I strongly recommend getting the Battlefoam insert for Blood Rage. There’s a few reasons: 1) You don’t have to assemble it. 2) MDF box insets can add a fair bit of weight to the box. 3) I think the foam will better protect the painted minis.
Also, if the box ever gets slightly crushed (like if a full figured gamer accidentally sat on it) the MDF insert will probably crack while the foam will just flex and keep the contents safe as long as the box isn’t completely flattened.
Happy Sunday
Ireland to England or return -that is nothing try transatlantic : )
Thanks for the spotlight guys, very cool.
i put a post on the forum entry about the rusted wires etc.
Happy for all feedback and questions.
AL
For painting Blood Rage
Sorastro’s Blood Rage Painting Guide
https://youtu.be/RtHbIfyQHBU
Excellent set of videos, but maybe a bit ambitious.
I went with a ‘playing pieces of the gods’ theme, so a simple carved bone effect. Bone coloured primer and base coat (almost wash). Army painter dip followed by a light dry-brush at leasts lifts them from grey plastic. Selective areas could be given a simple hue if you want to distinguish the clans.
I have a lot of stuff but I’m not a hoarder, I could sell it at any time… I do sell games I no longer use and will not use again and I’m pretty ruthless about it. I had to get rid of loads of books, comics, games, and whatnot when I moved to the US, and since then I’ve had no desire to keep things for the sake of keeping them. Plus, selling games helps fund my ongoing gamign habit. That said, if it’s a game I really like and know I might play again then no matter how… Read more »
You’re a stronger man than me sir. Az
The best use of a d4 i have seen is in the board game kemet where they are used as pyramids.
The inflatable caveman club from ugg-tect is possibly my favourite game piece, even though the whole package that is mechs vs minions is an amazing tactile game.
+1 for seeing Warren having a mental breakdown and lamping Az! There’s a few escape room games, but the main one I hear about in addition to Unlock and Exit (which I have) is Escape the Room (which I do not have).
Best tactile mini: the Butcher from Warmachine. He’s a big chunk of metal, a good low centre of gravity so you’re not concerned about him slipping out of your hands knocking the weapons off like the metal Berserker (yes speaking from experience).
I reckon you’re bang on about tokens though. A decent weighty token makes all the difference.
Yes an entire comment on the “tactile” issue without a knob gag. I don’t know who I am any more.
knob! teehee! <3 😛
Az I recently moved from Bath to Sheffield, and discovered how much stuff I had. There were more bixes for my junk, as the other half calls it than the rest of the house. I’m working on the principle if I’ve not played it in two years or more then it goes. I’m also reducing the rule books. I have for instance three different sets of rules for Napoleonic and I only really need one.
Yet the more unwanted stuff I get rid off will make way for new shiney….lol…..;)
“I’m also reducing the rule books. I have for instance three different sets of rules for Napoleonic and I only really need one.”
Needing only one rulebook? I’m sorry I don’t understand
Two years is a pretty good cut off for games I think, may need to adopt that philosophy… or just make more time for games…. Az
2 years? I’m just settling into a ruleset after 2 years
I think maybe 2 for board and card games. Miniature, rules editions and RPGs I think 3-4 is more reasonable for sure. Az
For miniature rules as for RPG’s and boardgames I am not sure there is a limit if you enjoy them. I’m still playing some rulesets after 25 years
Hey, Ben, is there any way that you can remove the screen glare from your glasses? Instead of your baby blues, we get white rectangles for eyes, sort of odd undead or mechanical looking.
Use Foam Core and create your own trays. The Broken Token Inserts are great but most cost more than the game itself. The money I would have spend on inserts could be used for purchasing more games. The battle foam can work but it is not necessarily designed to fit in the box and you often need a second box. I like to keep everything in one box. The miniature paint jobs can be protected with spray on varnish to give them a hard surface like an M&M candy. Unless you boxes are getting banged around, the varnish should be… Read more »
This is awesome insight, thank you sir. I’m leaning towards the foam at the moment I feel but the “all in one box” is absolutely a thing for me too. Az
I don’t know if @dignity quite grasped the concept of what feels best in your hand. I got the impression that Az was talking from a very tactile perspective.
For me it’s this model:
http://www.shop.hint-thegame.com/en_US/p/BSC-Ginger-the-Banshee/75
Metal isn’t my favourite medium to work with – the paint tends to chip or rub a lot, it usually needs loads of clean up, it requires more effort to assemble. The list goes on. However once it’s cleaned up and assembled, there’s something really satisfying about hefting such a big chunk of metal!
Happy Sunday!
I have to agree with Ben about the Empire great cannon, loved playing with that model. Also really liked the steam tank, that was a really visually great mini, though the plastic version was better to build lol.
Haven’t had a chance to comment on it, because I haven’t finished it, but the D&D session has thus far been very enjoyable. Those washed primaris are looking very nice too. Onto tactile, it’s not a game piece but I love metallic paints, they flow and move differently on the brush and just have a very silky feel almost. They might not be quite in vogue right now but I’ve always loved playing around with them.
A huge amount of great and original replies to the question from today’s show, thanks all. Never would have thought of pen and paper, paint, the humble meeple and so many of the other suggestions. Az
Love watching these guys whilst I hobby!
great XLBS the new stuff coming out look great the dice with the weight is a interesting.
Kerplunk! was awesomeness! My Grandmother had it * when we visited, it was basically the first thing we did. [After proper greeting & salutations & all that, of course.]
Blaster was here…
Happy sunday!
Well, i know what is going to be @brennon next hobby project: he is going to write a book called “the ecology of dices” 🙂
see you guys next week
Favorite component. The big 200+page rulebooks, the ones with lots of art, lore and all sorts of rules, especially those books from the 80s. Specifically the Warhammer 3rd ed, Slaves to DArkness, Rogue trader era books and AD&D 2nd modules and books. HAving the hardcopy rulebook just feels right in the hand and to the eye.