Apiary - How To Play

[@edwardp7725]

I only buy games having a Rodney Smith tutorial. My game group chat is the Rodney Smith Stan Club. You are the GOAT

[@WatchItPlayed]

And you are too kind. I'll keep making tutorials so you can keep buying games! Deal?

[@TheParksy72]

i admit before i buy a game i always have a look on his page to see if there's a tutorial on how to play. Definitely the GOAT.

[@timborocksloud]

This is how I talk my wife into trying new board games (a situation she doesn't enjoy)...."there's a Rodney videoooo"...."okay, fine" . Thanks again Rodney for all the fantastic games I've learned from you over the years. We'll be playing this one today thanks to your great video breakdown.

[@WatchItPlayed]

I hope you both have a great time Tim!

[@phairlyoddparent3972]

Thanks for the re-upload! I got halfway through before and came back to finish and it was gone! Your videos have become crucial in my game nights. ❤️

[@WatchItPlayed]

It's really nice to know they've been helpful!

[@bgarnreiter89]

Thank you so much for this! If I see a Rodney video for a game I am playing, I know I am in fantastic hands!! Thanks for all the work you and the crew does, you all are amazing!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Very kind of you to say - have a great time playing!

[@davidgodfrey880]

Got the game at PAX, met the designer & had her autograph the box. Look forward to playing it - thanks for the great videos. This is the first place I come after getting a new game.

[@WatchItPlayed]

I hope you have a great time playing!

[@asaswain1031]

Thanks for posting the corrected video. I still love how your shirt is very color coordinated with the Apiary game box!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thank you kindly once again :)

[@Erril_Ferndal]

The positive player interaction is fantastic, I wish more designer would implement that in their games. You have so good feelings while playing the game, amazing ♥

[@WatchItPlayed]

Great hearing you've been enjoying this one!

[@Shazam0527]

As always Rodney, you are the king of game explanations! We actually buy/don't buy based on whether or not you have a tutorial on it :D I haven't met ANYONE as good at explaining the game as you! Wish you were a local, I'd buy you a beer after every game :D

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks so much for the kind feedback - if I was local, I'd take you up on that offer :)

[@daleprather3026]

Well said! Except we can't have everyone buying Rodney beer. We need him to teach more games!

[@WatchItPlayed]

@@daleprather3026 Well, let's just see how it goes and then we'll decide!

[@nicholaswolfe86]

Rodney and co - thank you for re-uploading. It matters immensely when we watch the videos multiple times!

[@WatchItPlayed]

I don't like to make the mistake in the first place, but I am glad the corrections are appreciated!

[@ClaireOrlaDuffy]

An excellent How-To video. Got this game as a gift and didn’t know where to start. This will be our frame of reference for teaching all of our friends too. 🎉

[@WatchItPlayed]

Very kind of you to say - I hope you all have a great time playing!

[@marzipanbugg]

Been away from the channel for a few months. When I see you spin the box I know I’m going to enjoy the video.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Always glad to have you visit - glad the flip didn't disappoint :)

[@77dojet77]

Cheers Rodney, This has been on my shelf since release as I was hesitant to start the learning process again. You make this part so much easier

[@WatchItPlayed]

So glad to know this was helpful - have a great time playing!

[@jorisbarboteau9233]

I watch your videos to practice my english listening,

[@WatchItPlayed]

I hope they are helpful that way, and the pacing isn't too fast!

[@StevenStJohn-kj9eb]

@@WatchItPlayed Oh no, the poor guy is going to pronounce "cards" wrong. ;)

[@daem0nfaust]

getting an updated video just makes your tutorials all the more reliable. click with confidence! you still didn't update the humans' "departure" as "bee led genocide". it's not a conspiracy theory!

[@WatchItPlayed]

I feel like the Bees ensured I made an error, in an effort to get your original comment erased. Humanity persists!

[@lorireader2345]

Thanks for another outstanding walk-through of a game Rodney, the rule book always makes a lot more sense after I have watched your explainer video! One thing I have not been able to find is whether players are able to decline a benefit. It came up in our first game, my opponent had three seed cards planted that gave him 7 points if his cube was at 7 or less on the Queen's Favor track. so he wanted to decline the benefit given when I used a dance he taught. I could not find this explicitly stated in the rule book and no one seems to have asked in the forums at BGG. I know you cannot place a worker on an action space if you cannot use the action, so my guess would be you're not allowed to refuse the benefits of any action, but that does not account for 'passive' benefits.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Great question. Reached out to the publisher, as I wasn't sure on the answer for this case. The answer is: "Passive benefits (along with any benefits that say “you may” are optional)."

[@lorireader2345]

@@WatchItPlayed thank you for clarifying! This changes the outcome of our game - knowing passive benefits can be refused would have allowed him to earn 14 more points, beating me by 13.

[@NicholosRichter]

Played this for the first time last night. It was a bit slow going because both of us were first-timers, but it was really cool. Stonemaier Games is 2 for 2 with me so far (Wingspan & Apiary). We had this video loaded on my iPad and used it as a reference on a few occasions. Super useful. Thanks a bunch!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Glad I could virtually join you :)

[@stjepanmartinic4936]

Rodney, you have sold me a number of games so far, thanks for one more... (not sure should I put 😅 or 😢 here) 😂

[@WatchItPlayed]

As long as you're enjoying the games, I think we can go with 😅

[@Hawkskull]

Having played this at the weekend and taking 4½ hours to pay a "60-90minute" game, I'm glad i watched this to find out ALL the mistakes the teacher made (there were so many) I'll have to replay this next time there's a game day with this in the collection to see if i prefer it done properly.

[@WatchItPlayed]

I hope you enjoy it the second time through!

[@tantar1721]

Incredible video man! Any question that I was left with after reading the rules just disappeared.

[@WatchItPlayed]

That's really nice to hear - glad you enjoyed!

[@atiliolavoie5986]

I’ll gladly watch and learn again. Looking forward to playing another game from Stonemaier.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Appreciate you!

[@HexStarDragon]

Thanks for the re-upload! Your videos are thorough, and well-structured.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Very kind of you to say - didn't like that I had originally omitted an end game scoring rule, but I think this covers everything now :)

[@pixxelwizzard]

Oh wow, this game looks fun! Thanks so much for the teach. This will be the first Stonemaier game I've purchased and I can't wait to play it now.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Really glad you enjoyed what you saw and I hope you have a great time when you get your copy!

[@rafaelzavala5375]

Pre ordered Apiary today! Look forward to rewatching this when it’s time to play. Thanks for another great video, Rodney!

[@WatchItPlayed]

A pleasure, have a great time playing!

[@Bleuchz]

I have a rule. Whenever Rodney reposts a video I make sure to watch it twice to compensate. Nobody tell him though; this one simple trick could lead to infinite rewatches D:

[@WatchItPlayed]

Your secret is safe. Thanks :)

[@Andy_Quest]

Watching this has made me want to get this game! 😅 lools like loads of fun! Also, tech question.. Rodney, for the top down, do you film in 4k/6k and then crop in for the close ups or do you reposition the camera and set the shot for each?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks for checking it out Andy. I reposition the camera for every shot, so every final shot is in 4K, and is at the angle I think is best for what I'm trying to communicate.

[@Andy_Quest]

Hey thanks for the reply, @@WatchItPlayed! I thought you must as every one of them is so crisp and precisely framed. 👍🏼👌🏼

[@Tutorial_Buzzer254]

People ask

[@selden2716]

Thank you so much for this great tutorial. I can't wait to get this game out on the table.

[@WatchItPlayed]

I hope you have a great time playing!

[@LanthisWannenburg]

Great vid as usual. That Dance mechanic is really interesting.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks for the kind words - appreciate you checking it out!

[@GeeEmm81]

The synopsis sounds ridiculous, love it!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Me too :)

[@bourneultamatum]

Nice 4k footage! We need more 4k, lovely stuff!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Glad you're enjoying!

[@OverlordDrakow]

Brilliant video, thanks so much for this. Very clear explanations with good amount of detail.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Very kind of you to say - glad you enjoyed!

[@aramavedissian6992]

Always explaining perfectly!! Thank you!! Greetings from Brazil again :)

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thank you! Greetings back from Canada!

[@DanaParedes]

I had to rewatch your how to play before teaching some others today. I’ll do my best to impart your wisdom. I’m not as good at spinning the box though, so I’ll skip that part. 🙃

[@WatchItPlayed]

A virtual team up! All the best with your teach :)

[@ASTROMOSTRA6]

thanks for always being amazing, careful on each rule, i love you ALWAYS!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thank you kindly!

[@teejleague3838]

What a unique theme. Bees are fascinating.

[@WatchItPlayed]

They're all the buzz!

[@Anaoa_Official]

(Recomment) Bees evolving into intelligent beings AND being able to travel through space??? Whoever made this is creative AF

[@WatchItPlayed]

A worthy repeat comment :) Thanks for returning!

[@giannisx78]

Great video as always. Thank you!

[@WatchItPlayed]

You're very welcome!

[@1970odessa]

Thanks a lot. Thanks also for speaking an intelligible english! Just bought this awesome game! A question: on the Explore action spaces, why the arrow goes from left to right but the spaces (and so the meeple) are facing left? Is there a reason for that or they simply fly backwards?

[@WatchItPlayed]

I hope you have a great time playing!

[@ctrlaltdel3110]

Rodney! Love your videos. Sometimes I watched them just 'because' :) Here's a suggestion for you to consider: As a non-native English speaker, I have a hard time distinguishing your "can" from your "can't". Perhaps consider using "cannot" instead? I don't know if this is just me or a common issue among your audience that doesn't speak English as a first language. Thank you and greetings from Halifax!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Halifax, Nova Scotia? Or Halifax, West Yorkshire? Thanks for the feedback on the pronunciation. It's not a bad idea, but may take some work to get in the habit :)

[@ctrlaltdel3110]

Nova Scotia! Board Game Room Cafe habitue :)

[@WatchItPlayed]

@@ctrlaltdel3110 That place is the best. Halifax, NS is my old home town :)

[@jaytatumforreal]

Appreciate you as always, Rodney!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thank you kindly Jay!

[@Nenad-x1x]

This video decided if I would buy this game, and here it is in front of me :)

[@WatchItPlayed]

Have a great time playing!

[@obiezeoputa7748]

Great teach! I am going to buy this game.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Have a great time playing!

[@kylemartin7871]

23:40 it pains me to see you place those "backwards" i.e. the top tile ended up being furthest right. I'm one of "those players" who believes random refills still have to go in order 😂 Great video as always!!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Kept you alert though, didn't it? :)

[@timothybradford3499]

After placing a 4 power worker off the side of a board (called hibernation, right?), does it stay at a power of 4 when you take the "grow" action and add it back to your active pool?

[@WatchItPlayed]

I hope this long enough ago, I don't recall - do you have a time stamp to the section of the video you are asking about?

[@godzil42]

Not a game question more of a video question, Is there is any bloopers of spinning the box lid that failed? Each time I watch one of these video I always wonder if there has been time where things went wrong :) Other than that, thanks for all the hard work teaching game, your channel is really invaluable

[@WatchItPlayed]

Yep, here's all the bloopers! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4i7hYGeaMumg5I

[@godzil42]

@@WatchItPlayed loved it, great one :D

[@mongoose6685]

Solo players also deserve a teach. :)

[@WatchItPlayed]

That's why we have our Table For 1 series!

[@mongoose6685]

@WatchItPlayed Provide link in video or description please 🙏 instead of implying we should discover those on our own 😀

[@WatchItPlayed]

@@mongoose6685 We don't have a solo video for this one, but you can check our Table For 1 playlist for all the solo videos we've done so far.

[@OkieDokieCreations]

I can’t wait for this to come out! Insta buy and keep up the good work!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks for the kind words and for checking out the video!

[@sete121]

Awesome explanation!!! Thanks!!

[@WatchItPlayed]

You're very welcome!

[@Stormlight8700]

Hi Rodney. In setup, normal and automa rulebooks, it says the 1st player places a token on the 0 space of the score track. However, 1st player space has a value 1, not 0. Am I overlooking something simple here or is this a mistake in the rulebook? Thanks.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Likely a mistake in the rule book (I shot this long enough ago and don't have the rules handy to check, but I know the way the video show it is correct.

[@matthewoverton6217]

Rodney is the best!!

[@ryoga81]

Thank you Rodney. ❤

[@WatchItPlayed]

You're very welcome!

[@mattwilkinson5949]

Awesome explanation!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thank you kindly!

[@nathanevans4157]

I don't know how it will feel to play this, but the theme should be easy to sell to my friends. Hey guys, let's go play Space Bees!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks for returning :)

[@RamenHotep]

Beads?

[@henriwhitehead]

Great video! Love space bees 🐝!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Their stingers are radioactive though - be careful!

[@michaelemerson570]

I have a question. If you put a strength 4 worker on the Explore action and then draw a planet tile with a strength 4 benefit, can you resolve that benefit right away, or can you only resolve it on a future turn?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Hi Michael, do you have a time stamp to the section of the video you are asking about?

[@michaelemerson570]

@@WatchItPlayed Yes at 10:42, where you reveal the planet tile and place it on the board. What I want to know is, if this planet tile has a strength 4 benefit, is it resolved at that time provided you've used a strength 4 worker?

[@WatchItPlayed]

@@michaelemerson570 It's resolved at that time - lucky draw!

[@michaelemerson570]

@@WatchItPlayed Great thanks for clarifying!

[@matthewramsey4960]

His shirt matches the box art😀

[@WatchItPlayed]

Nice catch!

[@elromcohen6751]

so great... thank you

[@WatchItPlayed]

You're very welcome!

[@LarrySchneider]

You never really explained how you "use" a dance when performing the Convert action. When the dance says "Dance of this resource and that resource," does that mean you're "paying" the resources or points shown on the Dance Tokens?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Right, it works exactly like the conversions printed on the board that were explored just prior, except now they are custom made conversions. so at 20;23, you could spend 1 victory point and fiber to gain a honey pot resource.

[@LarrySchneider]

@@WatchItPlayed Thank you. You’re the best!

[@WatchItPlayed]

@@LarrySchneider A pleasure to assist!

[@asaswain1031]

You said when scoring the hibernation comb at the end of the game: “If multiple players are tied for 2nd place, they share the 2nd-place VP for that sector (rounded down).” I’m confused by the rounded down comment. Do you mean players split the 2nd place VP amount between them, or that both players get the full 2nd place VP amount? And if the later, why are you rounding down?

[@HexStarDragon]

All points for area majority ties are divided evenly, rounded down. So, for example, if three players tie for second place, worth 2 points, they each get 0 (2/3rd rounded down).

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks for the assist!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Hex Star has it right. Rounding down is a math term that guides you in how to treat numbers have result in fractions (or decimals point values).

[@stephenwyda2568]

Is there a reason why you would want to move your bee action marker to the landing zone as opposed to always bringing it back to the active pool and increasing its value?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Increasing the values of the bees accelerates you to the end of the game - so this would be a way to slow down the game, if you need more time to bring your strategy together. That's one possible reason.

[@HexStarDragon]

This is one of the most asked questions, so it's on FAQ on the Stonemaier page. Moving workers to the landing area does not prevent them from increasing in strength - they still increase when retrieved to the active area. The TL;DR is because you can retrieve workers from the landing area to trigger farm income, whereas moving them directly to the active area does not trigger farm income. "Why would you place a bumped worker in your landing area instead of your active pool? You can’t control when an opponent bumps one of your workers off the board. Usually you’re happy for this to happen, as the worker gains strength, and this saves you a retrieve turn. However, you don’t gain income from farms when workers are bumped-only when you take a retrieve turn (and only 1 farm per retrieved worker). The landing area reserves bumped workers for those times when you’re counting on them for income during a retrieve turn. Consider this example: You have three farms with incoming you’re interested in taking. You have three workers on the board, none of which are strength 4. One of them gets bumped. Now you have a decision. You COULD immediately increase the worker and forego the farm income. You can now continue placing workers. However, what if you needed that incoming for your next planned action? You could still retrieve your workers and collect incoming-but you could only use two of your three farms. That’s what the Landing Area is for. -Curtis Homan, FB group IMPORTANT: Whenever you retrieve, ALL retrieved workers (those on the board and in the landing area) must increase in strength."

[@Brockoly3]

One question after our groups play of it: Do the workers retrieved from the landing area increase power? The text on the board and the rulebook seem to conflict on this and it isnt very clear. Great game though!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Hey there, I'm always happy to try to help with rules questions, but if the answer is provided in the video, than I have to direct you there. You'll find an index in the description to help you find the section you might be looking for.

[@Biene3316]

Hello Brockoly3, when you place workers ( strengh 1,2 or 3) in the landing area, they do not change strengh. But after you have used them for collecting income, they increase their strengh by +1 before you return them to the active pool. So there is no conflict between the rulebook and the docking mat. Best regards Biene

[@Brockoly3]

​@@Biene3316 This is the correct answer apparently as it has been addressed on the official FAQ, which means this has been a common enough question. The confusion comes from the way the text in the Landing Area on the board is worded, which is poor. It states: "Workers here do not change strength and only collect income when retrieved." To be more clear it should have said: "Workers here only change strength and collect income when retrieved".

[@Brockoly3]

@@WatchItPlayed Rodney, I realize you must get many questions on your videos, but I did in fact do exactly what you suggested before posting my comment as in the video you have a sentence about retrieving workers, but it only shows you retrieving them from the main board. The confusion comes from the way the text is worded in the Landing Area, and a note has been added in the official FAQ on Stonemeier's site addressing this. The text on the board reads: "​Workers here do not change strength and only collect income when retrieved." To be more clear it should have said: "Workers here only change strength and collect income when retrieved".

[@WatchItPlayed]

@@Brockoly3Hi Brock, yeah, I have to default to that reply for things I feel the video covers (otherwise I'd be overloaded). Glad this answer got addressed. I believe that might have come from a discussion I had with Jamey actually! Slipped my mind when you brought it up.

[@IndiJimbo]

If I explore with a level 4 bee and cannot complete all the level 4 benefits on a planet, can I still take what I can or I cannot go to that planet because I cannot complete all actions?

[@WatchItPlayed]

In that case, you complete as much as you can, and ignore the rest. Just know, when it comes to actions, if there’s a cost involved in the core action, you can’t choose that action without paying the cost (e.g., on the Advance action you pay a cost to gain a tile; you can’t place a strength 4 bee there without paying that cost just to gain the special strength 4 benefit).

[@Breyfunk]

At 19:38, does that dance indicate that you spend 1 vp and 1 green resource for one of the resources on the right?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Correct!

[@Breyfunk]

@@WatchItPlayedthank you!

[@FrankMinogue]

ORDERED!!!!!!!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Have fun exploring this title Frank :)

[@FrankMinogue]

@@WatchItPlayedI just watched it again. I cannot believe how imaginative this game really is. The mechanics are really great. This is really going to be a great addition!! I was going to wait for Christmas, but I changed my mind. I am going to play it as soon as it comes. Thanks again, Rodney. You are definitely the best!!!!!

[@WatchItPlayed]

@@FrankMinogue I think this is a case where you can be forgiven for wanting to play early :)

[@FrankMinogue]

@@WatchItPlayed I think you are right, my friend. I think you are right.

[@FrankMinogue]

We played our first time today. What a great game!!! So much fun, we cannot wait to play again tomorrow! Thank you so much for the great video. Stoneaeir knocks another one out of the park!!!

[@unknownunknown5852]

So is the only interaction between players would be bumping workers?

[@WatchItPlayed]

I would say that's the most direct interaction, but you also have competitions to get certain tiles, and pushing the end game. I have a hard time assessing this for someone else, because not everyone includes the same things in what they consider player interaction.

[@EyalItsik]

Can there ever be only 2 available dances in any single game?

[@WatchItPlayed]

I shot this long enough ago, that I don't recall form memory, but if the video doesn't say to bring new dances into play, then you are correct.

[@mostafaeltriki]

Hello

[@WatchItPlayed]

Hiya!

[@motive4rce]

What was wrong in the first upload?

[@WatchItPlayed]

HI, you'll find a note in the description of the video.

[@guydudething2795]

Hey i was watching this when it was privated! Rude. Lol jk, loved the tutorial!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Oopsie!

[@JudsonRaven]

If you are looking for another board game to teach I would love to learn Successors 4th edition.....

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks for the interest Judson! So many games, so little time :)

[@Tolinar]

25:30 ah, he did that poorly. He's going to waste resources. 26:15 ... I've been outwitted. I see.

[@lordvos]

Beejà vu.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Ha! Indeed :)

[@juanroaguilo]

🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@SaschaKleiber]

22:39 On the landing area it says "workers here do not change strength and only collect income when retrieved". So shouldnt the worker you took from there in the example stay on strength 1?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Unfortunately I’m traveling for the next little while and I’m not near my copy of the game to check and see if that example is correct, despite what it says on that board (due to some element I may be forgetting).

[@daveyoungdahl8349]

It is just telling you not to increase strength until you recall. The landing area is a way to reserve your bumper workers to be used on farms when you recall. As an example I have 3 workers on the board and 3 farm spaces. Someone goes to a space that I have a worker on. If I put him back to the top dock and then did a retrieve I'd have only 2 bees to trigger farms instead of 3 if I put it in the bottom.

[@leadhead69]

Do workers retrieved from the landing zone gain strength? The writing there is confusing, because the rules state all retrieved workers (including those from the landing zone) go up in strength, but the board states workers retrieved from the landing zone don't go up in strength and only trigger income.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Great question! I checked in with the publisher to get confirmation, and here's the way it was explained: "All retrieved workers do indeed increase in strength. The docking mat says: 'Workers here do not change strength and will collect income when retrieved.' Workers can only go on the Landing Area when they’re bumped (not retrieved), and it’s your choice-you can bump them to the Landing Area or the Active Worker area. If they’re on the Landing Area when you later retrieve workers, they shift over to the Active Worker area (where, as noted on the docking mat, they increase in strength)." Hope that helps.