twilight imperium

Kerley takes the first player throne for his first time and rounds everyone into the ring to talk about the super middle-weight division of board gaming....the mid-weight game

FIRST PLAYER: Kerley
OTHER PLAYERS: JP, Tambo & Becky

OVERVIEW
In this episode you'll learn:
- how the team are excited that Kerley has taken the first player token
- JP gives us his thoughts on Voidfall by Mindclash Games after playing it 4 times
- Tambo discusses his win in the latest Twilight Imperium game by Fantasy Flight Games
- that Kerley has a dinosaur fetish and that Becky doesn't like using her posh Crokinole board in front of people
- about our thoughts on mid-weight games, what they are, why we like them and some of our favourites
- about the new "would you rather" which is deciding whether we would learn only by video / google OR by the rulebook alone.

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Shirts & Merch Etsy Store - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ShirtsAndMerchStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1329895984
Shirts & Merch Kickstarter Campaign - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/shirtsandmerch/exclusive-limited-edition-heat-t-shirts
Voidfall playthrough with JP on Gaming Rules - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUU0_ZiKXyM&t=26s
Ascendancy playthrough with Kerley & Adrian on Gaming Rules - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQInaRtWrq8&t=209s

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
2:00 - Shout out to "Shirts & Merch"
3:58 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
4:12 - Welcome to Kerley's first time as First Player
4:55 - JP - Voidfall
14:46 - Tambo - Twilight Imperium 4th Edition
21:37 - Becky - Crokinole
25:01 - Kerley - Perseverance Episode 2
29:05 - TURN 3 - Main Event: Super middle-weight
31:22 - What is a mid-weight game?
38:42 - What are the biggest advantages of mid-weight games?
44:50 - Do we think the BGG complexity ratings are relevant?
54:46 - What are our top 2 favourite mid-weight games?
1:01:26 - TURN 4 - Would you rather?
1:01:44 - Would you rather learn to play a game through video and google during the game or from the rulebook only?
1:09:53 - TURN 5 - Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up
1:10:09 - JP - Imperium: Classics
1:12:34 - Tambo - Twilight Inscription
1:14:07 - Kerley - Ascendancy
1:16:22 - Becky - Orleans
1:21:14 - TURN 6 - Final Turn

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The first player crown has been passed to Becky who is pleased to be back for some more gaming chat.  This time we talk about those gems in the gaming calendar where we organise all day gaming sessions, the promises, the pitfalls, the plans and the free for alls, we all love a gaming day.

FIRST PLAYER: Becky
OTHER PLAYERS: Kerley & JP

OVERVIEW
In this episode you'll learn:
- JP takes a nostalgic trip back to the 80s in Fighting Fantasy Adventures the new Martin Wallace design bringing Deathtrap Dungeon vibes
- Kerley's thoughts on Caverna and improving on each play he has with some debates around whether it replaces Agricola or not
- all about aspects of all day gaming sessions, what they are, some key pitfalls and recommendations but also why they are an important part of our hobby
- about the new "would you rather" which is would you rather play a 4 hours game with snacks / drinks that has constant analysis paralysis or no snacks / drinks with no AP
- the Whose Turners next line of games hitting the tables very soon

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
00:02:43 - Podcast Update
00:04:18 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
00:04:25 - JP - Fighting Fantasy Adventures
00:13:49 - Kerley - Caverna
00:22:01 - Hot tubs & Iron Maiden
00:23:50 - TURN 3 - Main Event: Hex, Mugs & Sausage Rolls
00:25:21 - What do we qualify as an all day gaming session?
00:30:19 - What are the key ingredients for a good gaming day?
00:38:48 - How important is food at an gaming day? 
00:44:45 - Should an all day gaming session just be with people you know? 
00:46:42 - What are the pitfalls in running a gaming day? 
00:51:42 - Top recommendations for running a successful gaming day? 
00:55:31 - Final thoughts
00:56:30 - TURN 4 - Would you rather? 
00:56:46 - Would you rather have snacks / drinks for a game night with AP, or no snacks / drinks with no AP? 
01:00:43 - TURN 5 - Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up 
01:00:51 - Kerley - Hallertau, Darwins Journey & Weather Machine (really?) 
01:04:23 - Paladins of the West Kingdom, Viticulture World (Asia) & Twilight Imperium 
01:09:20 - Becky - Photosynthesis, Port Royal & Becky's Birthday 
01:11:03 - TURN 6 - Final Turn

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Featuring: Ammosart, Ashgar, Belghast, Grace, Kodra, Tamrielo, and Thalen

Hey Folks! This week we have the entire crew and can finally talk some more about Nimona and how much we love this movie. From there Bel talks about the Diablo 4 Season 1 Patch, and how it might be the worst live service patch ever. We get that everyone is tired of talking about this game but the hits keep coming.  This week Honkai Star Rail released the next batch of stories with its 1.2 patch, and we talk about some of the events and ramifications.  Thalen was gone last week because he spent nearly an entire weekend playing one game of Twilight Imperium so we talk a bit about that. Thalen also talks a bit about playing Kabuto Sumo and how it is very kid friendly.  Finally, we wrap things up with Kodra talking about using the Steam Deck as a second monitor in his streaming rig.

Topics Discussed:

• Nimona is Great

• You Should Watch It Again

• Diablo 4 Season 1

• Maybe the Worst Live Service Patch

• Maybe as bad as the Champions Online Day One Patch

• Honkai Star Rail

• Immortality Ends 1.2 Patch

• Twilight Imperium

• Do you have a free weekend?

• Kabuto Sumo

• Steamdeck Streaming Rig

THIS EPISODE IS DEDICATED TO OUR FELLOW PLAYER, BROTHER AND DEAR FRIEND KRIS WHO WAS TAKEN FROM US SO SHOCKINGLY.  REST IN PEACE, YOU WILL BE MISSED...WHILST WE'RE NOT IN A CELEBRATORY MOOD AT THE MOMENT WE FELT IN IMPORTANT TO SHARE KRIS' LAST RECORDING WITH THE TEAM.

We've got the candles, the cake is prepared and it's time to celebrate that the podcast is one years old...so a few of the players join together to celebrate their favourite moments but more importantly we've decided to create a deathmatch of our favourite boardgames played last year in 2022.  Let us welcome you to the very first Boardgame Battleground!!!!

THE BIRTHDAY ATTENDEES - JP, Becky, Davey, Ian & Kris

OVERVIEW
The Whose Turners come together one year one from since we launched our first episode to celebrate their first birthday in the only fitting way they know how.  Invite 35 games in a top trumps deathmatch to see which of their favourite games played last year in 2022 makes it to the top.  In this episode you'll learn:
- Davey is on commission trying to plug our other episodes on the podcast
- The group retell their favourite moments of the podcast so far
- That top trumps can be played as a knockout style game (we think!!!!)
- about 35 games chosen by the podcast players to enter into the Boardgame Battleground.  Which one will make it to the top?

OUR 2022 PLAYED CHAMPIONS ENTERING THE BATTLEGROUND (35 GAMES)
ISS Vanguard, Trickerion, On Mars, Lisboa, Too Many Bones, Astra, Zuuli, Terraforming Mars, Lords of Waterdeep, Kings Dilemma, Ark Nova, Anachrony, Eclipse Second Dawn, Nemesis, Civilization 2010, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Dune Imperium, The Weather Machine, Skull King, Twilight Imperium 4e, Marvel Champions, Nemesis Lockdown, Just One, Pandemic Legacy Season 1, Castles of Burgundy, Star Wars Outer Rim, Mansions of Madness 2e, Star Wars Imperial Assault,
Fort, Lord of the Rings LCG, Carooka, Wingspan, Scythe, Exploding Kittens, Unfathomable

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - Tribute to Kris
0:46 - TURN 1 - Player Count
2:42 - TURN 2 - Celebrating our 1st birthday
3:53 - Becky's favourite moments
5:53 - Ian's favourite moments
7:36 - JP's favourite moments
9:37 - Kris' favourite moments
12:07 - Davey's favourite moments
14:08 - TURN 3 - Boardgame Battleground - 2022 Edition
15:00 - What is the Boardgame Battleground?
16:36 - The 5 key stats of BB
19:16 - The rules teach
22:07 - ROUND 1 - Round of 35
52:20 - ROUND 2 - Round of 17
58:45 - ROUND 3 - Quarter Finals
1:02:07 - ROUND 4 - Semi Finals
1:03:24 - ROUND 5 - The Grand Final
1:05:14 - Post battle analysis
1:06:57 - TURN 4 - Final Turn

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In this special expansion pack episode we're joined by Matt Prowse the director of Full Board Gaming who specialise in creating gaming conventions and holidays to chat through what it's like setting up your own gaming convention

GUEST PLAYER: Matt Prowse from Full Board Gaming
THE PLAYERS: JP & Adrian
 
OVERVIEW
In this episode you will learn:
- Who is the better wheeler and dealer - Matt playing the Emirates of Hacan or Del Boy from Only Fools & Horses
- What Full Board Gaming events are and why they differ from other conventions
- How Matt approaches designing and building conventions to help others who are thinking the same
- some of Matt's answers to our Niche Number 1's

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Check out more on Matt & Full Board Gaming Below
- Website - https://fullboardgaming.com/
- How to get tickets to Full Board Gaming in Torquay (Feb 2nd 2024), click on the link for instructions - https://fullboardgaming.com/book-to-attend-fbg-torquay/
- Matt mentioned he is an admin of a Twilight Imperium Facebook Group, you can find that here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1185735334909974
- Matt's favourite board game store Clifton Road Games in Exeter, check them out - https://www.cliftonroadgames.co.uk/

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
0:51 - TURN 2 - Introducing Matt Prowse (Full Board Gaming)
1:47 - What got Matt into the hobby?
4:05 - What are Matt's favourite games right now?
7:39 - What other games does Matt enjoy right now?
9:34 - TURN 3 - Main Interview - How did Full Board Gaming begin?
15:37 - Where is Full Board Gaming's first ever event?
19:29 - What makes Full Board Gaming events different?
27:48 - When is the event in Torquay next year?
29:55 - What are Matt's tips in creating a gaming convention?
34:40 - How do you transfer from running local game nights to conventions?
40:09 - What challenges has Matt faced so far?
41:22 - How do people get tickets to the event next year?
43:45 - Matt's Niche Number 1's
53:16 - TURN 4 - Planning Your Turn - What's coming up for our guest
58:10 - TURN 5 - The Final Turn

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In JP's last run of episodes as first player he gets to chat about expansion theory, not the ever increasing debate about our expansion of the universe but the other main one which is expansions to base board games.

FIRST PLAYER: JP
OTHER PLAYERS: Tambo, Becky & Adrian

OVERVIEW
It's JP's last episode of his run before handing the first player token to Davey and it's time to talk about JP's reputation in buying expansions and exploring the various types and rationale behind them.  In this episode you'll learn:
- Adrian's first impressions of Earth which is being delivered to backers very soon (if not already)
- How not to win at Endless Winter by JP
- Is Batman Talisman just like all other Talisman games?
- Becky just loves Clank Catacombs
- What are expansions, the various types and some examples along the way
- What some of our favourite expansions are out there
- That we're going to continuously switch up our listeners question segment to try some new ideas out

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
1:49 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
2:01 - JP - Endless Winter
7:43 - Becky - Clank Catacombs
13:40 - Tambo - Batman Talisman
17:16 - Adrian - Earth
23:12 - TURN 3 - Main Event: The "other" expansion theory
25:03 - What is an expansion?
25:46 - The various types of expansions out there
30:06 - When you want more players...
35:08 - Adding more stuff or integrating content into the game...
36:09 - The switching in and out of modules...
40:50 - Fixing up the base games with errata...
42:36 - The big box to store your expansions
43:41 - Why do we get expansions?
53:21 - A quick round on our favourites
1:00:32 - Wrapping up the expansion chat
1:01:47 - TURN 4 - Badly Hexplained Games
1:07:01 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:07:13 - Tambo - Starting the Frosthaven campaign
1:08:37 - Becky - Disneyland Paris & Crokinole
1:11:35 - Adrian - WWE Royal Rumble & After the Empire
1:12:44 - JP - City break to Rome & Vinhos
1:14:39 - TURN 6 - The Final Turn

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Welcome to Day 10 of Critical Encounter’s Villainous Yule Calendar for December 2022. Here we get in the holiday spirit, and take a quick look at some random festive aspect of the game. So let's peek behind the door and see what our so-called villains are up to…

Today we are joiend by BoardGameLawyer and we talk about other games we suggest and we start a Giveaway of Mutant Genesis thanks to listener Zachary B!

Find The Google Form for the Giveaway Here: https://forms.gle/rH4hroAjDDEsGCCB9

Games We Suggest: Trekking the World, Quacks of Quenlinberg, Spirit Island, Northgard (Video Game), Calico, Twilight Imperium, Jaws of the Lion, The Mind, The Game, Hanabi, Fox in the Forest Duet, Symbaroum (RPG), Tales of Arabian Nights, Canvas, Sheriff of Nottingham.

Find Us At:

Email us at: criticalencounterspod@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/criticalencounterspod/

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg-r6-EooHoJGa1RRsH7i3w

You can also find our Discord Channel on the Marvel Champions Monthly Discord Server. 

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings - Ho! Ho! Ho!

Some people love teaching board games, some people don't and Becky falls into the latter. In this episode we chat all about the teach, how important it is, and some of the perspectives of the teachers and the players.

FIRST PLAYER: Becky
OTHER PLAYERS: JP, Adrian & Ian

OVERVIEW
In this week's episode, we discuss the part of the game, which is some people's favourite part of gaming, and some people's nightmares; "The Teach".  In this episode you'll learn:

- What do you get when you combine the classic game Snake with a Euro?
- Becky's excitement in getting her hands on Zuuli
- Ian is on strike two for appearing on a board gaming podcast, having not played a game in quite a while.
- Whether the responsibility of learning a game is on the teacher or the student.
- Some of our experiences in teaching and being taught
- That GRIDCON 2022 is approaching and is literally on our doorstep.

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Teaching Games by Paul Grogan (Gaming Rules) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI_PXDsNu5Y
How to teach games like a pro by Shut Up & Sit Down - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5fjDaFuft8

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
1:21 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
1:32 - JP - Istanbul
6:26 - Adrian - Carnegie
13:24 - Becky - Zuuli
16:53 - Ian - Still hasn't played anything - Strike 2!!
20:47 - TURN 3 - Teaching the Teach
22:47 - Is the responsibility on the learner or the teacher?
29:02 - The player types influence the teach
34:07 - The teach isn't just the first few minutes
37:49 - What about playing learning games or learning rounds
41:30 - It's the hosts responsibility to support new players
44:27 - What resources do we use to support learning games?
47:32 - How can we get new players to accept the first play is a learning game?
48:47 - As a teacher don't quarterback new players
51:51 - Be mindful that it's daunting for new players when they are the only one that doesn't
know the game
53:15 - What do you find annoying when teaching games?
57:34 - Some helpful resources to help you improve your teach
58:30 - TURN 4 - Question Time: Is box art important & aesthetics vs gameplay
1:05:20 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:05:32 - Becky - GRIDCON 2022
1:08:41 - Ian - Netrunner & Ark Nova
1:09:44 - JP - We need to talk about Riffle
1:12:09 - Adrian - Viticulture Tuscany Expansion
1:13:59 - TURN 6 - The Final Turn

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Becky returns for another deep dive discussion all about games which stand the test of time and keep us coming back for more, and why that's the case.

FIRST PLAYER: Becky
OTHER PLAYERS: Kerley, JP & Ian

OVERVIEW
This week's episode is all about games which stand the test of time. Whether they already have, or in our opinion, are still going to be going strong in 10 years. We talk about some of our favourites that fit this category and, more importantly, why that's the case.  In this episode you'll learn:

- How you can't build industry without sausages in a game of Anno 1800.
- Kerley's excitement of retelling the epic moments of nuking Davey in Civilization 2010 edition.
- That Ian still hasn't played much, and really should sort this out if he wants to continue the podcast.
- What makes games call us back for more.
- What are some of our favourite games that stand the test of time and why
- Why do some of us crowdfund and some of us don't, in the question of the week

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
2:05 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
2:21 - JP - Anno 1800
7:41 - Kerley - Civilization 2010
13:46 - Becky - Bärenpark
18:16 - Ian - Dreaming about playing Netrunner
22:56 - TURN 3 - Games that stand the test of time
23:35 - What do we think makes games that want to call you back time and time again?
30:04 - The retention of rules helps games to have that status of standing the test of time
34:17 - Group consistency supports games to stand the test of time
36:58 - What other games do we personally feel stand the test of time?
52:12 - TURN 4 - Question Time: Do we routinely back crowdfunding projects and if not, why not?
1:04:05 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:04:17 - JP - Inis
1:06:39 - Kerley - Northgard & Carnegie
1:08:56 - Ian - Netrunner & Ark Nova
1:10:33 - Becky - Astra
1:13:41 - TURN 6 - The Final Turn

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Our first player Davey returns and we're going in heavy, well it's difficult to not when you've devoted an episode around one of our favourite publishers "Mindclash Games".

FIRST PLAYER: Davey
OTHER PLAYERS: JP & Kerley

OVERVIEW
In this episode our new "First Player" Davey takes us around the world in complex, heavy cardboard that is Mindclash Games.  In this episode you'll learn:

- How Beckys recent purchase of Spirit Island is fast becoming a firm favourite in the Kerley household
- That JP loves role playing the captain in Unfathomable a bit too much, "Throw him in the brig"
- that Davey is finally getting his copy of Clank! Legacy to the table
- How we rank the main 4 games from Mindclash (Cerebria, Anachrony, Trickerion and Perseverance)
- how we "try" to answer the question of why do we buy board games and not play them

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
1:55 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
2:10 - Kerley - Spirit Island
6:49 - JP - Unfathomable
11:47 - Davey - Clank Legacy
15:06 - TURN 3 - Main Event - Mindclash of the Titans
15:16 - Cerebria
18:04 - It's full of terminology
19:38 - It's not going to be for everyone
22:57 - It's one of the most unique games & themes
24:08 - Anachrony
28:17 - Two worker placement areas
30:58 - Fractures of Time expansion
33:11 - Variability & first time players
36:02 - Perseverance
37:56 - Episode 1
39:16 - Episode 2
41:01 - Chronicle Mode
42:06 - Trickerion
45:35 - It's climbing to be one of our favourites
46:22 - Ensuring the trick lifecycle is understood
49:19 - How do we rank the games of Mindclash Games?
51:52 - What is Mindclash Games' DNA?
53:47 - What's coming up next from Mindclash? Septima & Voidfall
58:28 - TURN 4 - Question Time: Why do I buy games and not play them?
1:02:54 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:03:07 - Davey - The Boys & Barrage
1:04:32 - Kerley - Rediscovering Heroes of Might & Magic & On Mars
1:07:21 - JP - Viva La France & Twilight Imperium
1:09:41 - TURN 6 - The Final Turn

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