Blackstone Fortress Expansions Discussion: How Do They Work? What Do They Add?

[@DANNYtheBOY11]

13:17 yeah it should have been exactly like you said, what I do instead is to roll (in addition to the legacy's card drawning) one D6 for each expansion: with blank nothing happens, wih a success the weaker group has to be added to the encounter deck, with a critical success the stronger group has; if only one enemy group has left from that expansion, it would be added with any type of success.

[@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring]

I think it just would have made that integration a little bit slicker, and I'm surprised they never thought of doing it. Nice idea for adding the expansions into the core experience.

[@Bassmunchkin1]

Many thanks for another great informative and educational video, of which you have answered a question that I had, but I did use my initiative and upon my decision and your comment within this video confirmed, that my brain was indeed working this time round, which makes a nice change. I noticed that with Traitor Command, I could return to Precipice and it seemed at first that there were no penalties for doing so, which seemed strange because the main reasons for returning is obviously to remove any/all of the critical wounds that the explorers had received, which contradicts what I’m saying. But then I realised that some of the Resource cards that I had collected from i.e. SETT VII for example, stated that if unused at the END of an EXPEDITION should be discarded and I question now, if as a penalty for returning BETWEEN explorations and not just at the end of an EXPEDITION, maybe such instructional cards should mean in both situations, what’s your thoughts on this idea. I have been using this rule myself, because it makes me feel happier that I’m being much fairer regrading the removal of critical wounds, as I can’t see how I’m being penalised otherwise. Surely to receive a benefit, it must cost us in some way, especially when we’re talking about BSF. I know debts have to be paid to the Eye Of Vect upon return to Precipice, but as yet, I’ve not owed anything, so I guess I’m looking at another penalty if no debts are incurred. Regarding your legacy request for Traitor command, I totally agree with you regards replacing the timer cards for all future hostile legacy cards, brilliant idea which is why all of your videos are so refreshing, as you have some excellent ideas. I have just reached the end of the Traitor Command access route and I’m all tooled up ready to tackle the Heart of Corruption.

[@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring]

Hi. Thanks for the kind words. An expedition "ends" as soon as you return to Precipice, regardless of the reason. So, death of a party member, everybody out of action, running out of exploration cards, or you choose to leave the fortress. Whatever the reason, that expedition is over. That means any resources that degrade after an expedition will do so once you are back on Precipice, and you have to deal with any other issues (such as paying your debt on the Eye of Vect). The expansions are generally less unforgiving when you return to Precipice, as there is no legacy step. However, bear in mind that each time you return to the fortress you have to make a brand new exploration deck. That means it's taking longer to achieve your goal, you're dealing with more fights than you might otherwise need to, facing more risks, and possibly burning through more resources. The new Escalation expansion (up for preorder tomorrow) has a new timer mechanism that replaces the legacy step. It looks particularly brutal as it takes away the resources that are available to buy on Precipice.

[@Bassmunchkin1]

@@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring WOW really, I never knew that each time you returned to Precipice you have to make a brand new exploration deck. I have read the rules 3 times now and never knew this, how could I of missed it. Regarding the “pre order”, I did that for Traitor Command from my regular shop that I use and it arrived 10 days later. So I’m going to wait this time and climb the walls in anticipation and just pop in the shop the following Sat (31st) as there were 12 copies on the shelf when I collected mine. I dare say GW might be more punctual, but at only £26.25 instead of £35.00 and prices like £71.25 instead of £95.00 for the base game, when you’re on benefits because of cancer and heart failure, I’de rather pass any savings from Blackstone Fortress additions onto your patreon when you create one rather than giving it to GW. On the subject of Patreon, I know you are incredibly passionate about this fantastic hobby, but do you actually have a Patreon account and if so can you point me in the right direction please. Anyway, if you get your copy of Escalation before I get mine let me know, I’de give my Talisman 4th Edition and every single expansion for a days BSF games play with the top man that keeps producing this brilliant content on KZbin and that reminds me… Talisman Mmmm that’s been taking a back seater since playing 52 combats of BSF, maybe tomorrow I should dig into the treasure chest and, errr just remembered I’ve got The Heart of Corruption waiting to beg my forgiveness for arriving. Maybe then between tomorrow and the 31st, you never know Talisman might see the duster after all

[@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring]

Yeah. Every time you set out from Precipice it's a new expedition, so you go back to the setup section in the main "Rules" book. The only difference is you may have some additional enemies added to the encounter deck if you're playing the main campaign with the legacy card system. Games Workshop products are pricey, and it's always worth getting those discounts when you can; but I am sure there are much better things to do with the savings than send them to me! I would much rather you put that money towards something you really need. It's never too early to start saving for the next expansion. I'm honestly just really happy you're enjoying the content. The only contribution I ask for are the likes and shares that help the channel to grow.

[@Bassmunchkin1]

@@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring Thanks so much for your patience, it's really annoying for myself missing out some of these rules, thank god for all your help. Just about to re- read the "Rules, Combat and Precipice" books again.

[@Bassmunchkin1]

@@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring I understand that I cannot return back to Precipice whilst the exploration deck hasn't finished and if I do I have to create a new deck when leaving again. But can I return between completing the access route and the final destination i.e. the Heart of Corruption to restock up before the main fight. I don't think I can and wouldn't unless you tell me I can.

[@fumarc4501]

I was on the fence about this, but I think I wanna try getting my hands on a copy of this now. Great video, as always.

[@johnryan509]

Nice video. A friend and I are currently (slowly due to work commitments) working our way through the base game and I was curious about how we would be able to integrate the expansions when the time came.

[@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring]

Thanks for watching. Glad you found the video useful. I've done more in-depth coverage of each expansion here on my channel if you want to know more about specific ones before making any purchases.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Cool video!

[@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring]

Thanks for watching.

[@Slaneshhhh]

So the expansions allow us to up the difficulty? I haven't played the game yet but I am preparing to and I want a challnege :)

[@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring]

I think, from Escalation onwards, the expansions offer more of a challenge than the base game and early scenarios. Bear in mind that the boxed expansions offer self-contained missions, and then when you complete them you can add enemies and some cards to the core game for use in other missions and one-off expeditions. Abominable Intellect is a card-only expansion that was intended to up the difficulty by introducing more enemies. That pack appears to be out of print now, and I didn't like it anyway. What I have done to scale difficulty is introduce a few simple house rules. I have posted a video on that subject here on the channel, which you might be interested in checking out once you have played the game a few times: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpfXl5lmq5edptE

[@Slaneshhhh]

@@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring nice thanks, didn't find that video!

[@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring]

Michał You’re welcome. Hope you have fun in the Fortress!

[@PiterMorbid]

I am just starting my very first core set campaign and I own almost all expansions (just missing Deadly Alliance). What content from the expansions do you recommend me to mix into my core set stuff from the get-go?

[@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring]

To start, at most I would only recommend adding in items and exploration cards from the card-only expansions (not the expansion that adds extra enemies) and the heroes from Escalation. As you complete each expansion pack, you will find rules in the back of the expansion booklet that tells you which elements you can incorporate into your base game after.

[@PiterMorbid]

@@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring but the expansion packs content is only playable after I've finished the base game, right?

[@johnmiddleton4291]

Now do a video explaining how magnets work....

[@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring]

No need. Everything is monopose and push fit these days!

[@mikem4432]

Since GW has stopped producing these expansions, they are wildly over priced and not worth it. Some go for more than the original box.. crazy prices.. GW screws the base yet again in ways only GW fan boyz would accept.

[@AlwaysBoardNeverBoring]

Yeah, it's rough for anybody coming to the game late. GW pushes out new content almost every week, and it isn't feasible for them to keep everything in production, especially if they determine that the sales aren't going to justify it, but that doesn't make it any easier for the fans. Plus, a few of the later expansions weren't available for very long at all because the print runs were so small. Of course, this video was from two years ago, when Blackstone was in its prime and most things were easy to get at third party retailers with discounts (except maybe Abominable Intellect, if I recall).